The first of January dawned cold, too cold, I thought, to try to make arrangements to meet my motorcycle club for its annual “polar bear” motorcycle ride. Plus, I wanted to have a leisurely breakfast with my spouse, my brother, and my sister-in-law on my last day of holiday break.

But it was a bothersome thing in the back of my mind, “you don’t get many days in winter where it is sunny and tolerable for riding.”

However, I promised some senior pals to do some home repairs that I was not able to do earlier during my holiday break as I needed to spend time caring for my spouse. Now with my brother here and available to help my spouse should he need anything, I went to my 3 friends’ homes and dispatched the repairs quickly.

By early afternoon, it warmed up to a balmy 43F (6C) and I was done with my promised work for my senior pals. So what did I do?

I pulled on my leathers, new Dehner Boots, and rolled out my Harley. I went over it thoroughly as I usually do before I ride. The tire pressure was low — not a surprise because the bike had not been ridden in a while. I put air in the tires, then took off.
I did not ride far or long. The point was to get out and ride because I could and because one makes a point if he can ride on January 1 in a climate that has cold winters. I also have a fellow rider up north — he knows who he is — who goes cruising in the Caribbean because he has to put his Harley into storage. I remind him from time to time that I ride all year — when I can. (LOL, S!)

Life is short: Ride!