One Five Zero

At the end of 2010, when everyone was talking about their New Year's resolutions, I said to my wife "I will ride a motorcycle more that I ever have this coming year. That is my resolution."

I think I mentioned it once to her and once to a good buddy. With Seattle's weather and my dislike of getting wet, I didn't think I had a chance of anything more than 100 days in the saddle, if that.

Well, here we are on December 6th, the 150th day I've ridden this year. What started out as a half-cocked goal somehow turned into a driving force. Sure, the majority of those rides were quick, scenic loops around a couple of local neighborhoods on my way to work, but every single one has been great! And yes, I did get wet a handful of times, but by paying just a little attention to the weather forecasts, I avoided the real frog strangling gully washers.



Just over fifty days of riding were on my little Triumph, which now lives a happy life in Japan. Just shy of 100 days of riding have been on the Husqvarna. If you like riding motorcycles more than you like looking at them, you should own a Supermoto bike. Sure, they're not as handsome as vintage bikes, but who cares? They are wolves in sheeps' clothing and they are more fun around town than you can even imagine. How I've ridden this thing nearly 100 days without losing my license, I have no idea. Every stretch of straight road - long or short - is an opportunity to ride a wheelie; every traffic signal or stop light is a reason to lock up the rear brake; and every turn without traffic, whether long and sweeping or tight and decreasing in radius, is a chance to stick a foot out and get a little loose.

Regardless of the type of bike you own, ride it as much as possible. It will make you a happier person.