7/11/21
Well, I had my first shake-down ride with the Bean, managed roughly 395 km which brings my 3 day total up to almost 400 km. Lasted about 5 hours with no real stops other than to take a couple of pics to share. A bit saddle sore may have to go aftermarket or something to soften the seat up. I thought my big ole ass would provide enough padding, maybe I just need a couple more milkshakes. Anyway, I made it over to the CA coast above San Francisco, Point Reyes, Bodega Bay, and Mount Tamalpais. A couple of things that are not on fire here on the west coast….
I am a seasoned veteran of the ride, however, it has been a while since I really have had a chance to get out so I am a bit rusty. Not so much on the subject of riding, but preparedness. Thinking ahead is a good thing, however, in my excitement to get on the Bean and just take off I didn’t really think a couple of things through.
When I left home base it was a stifling 100f plus day out, (roughly 35c) and I did not really have a destination in mind so I am in shorts and a tee. (Note this is not recommended riding gear, but it is how I do it on occasion) As I am going down the road it is not so bad at 75 to 80 mph, (roughly 180 kph). My new tachometer has a digital readout telling me the driving temp but because of the wind, it feels cooler by a degree or six.
I am on the freeway heading towards San Francisco and it occurs to me that I have not been to Point Reyes for a long time and it is a lovely little town. So that is where I decide to spin towards. I am going down the freeway and to get there I need to take a cut off to the coast. Okay so let me skip past the map section, you can Google it so I won’t bore you with directions.
As I get closer to the coast the temp starts dropping, first, it is 80ish, then as I got closer it is 75ish, then Point Reyes it is 70ish, yes I am still in shorts and a tee. Ole dummy me forgot the adage, ‘hot in the valley cold on the coast’ and so now I am getting cold. Skip ahead to Bodega and Mount Tam and the temp is now in the mid-’60s and I am freezing my buns off. Yup should have brought a jacket and long pants, shoot even a sweater would have been nice.
Well, thank heavens that the Bean has heated grips…
~ Epilogue:
Bean and I got back to town, dropping back into the valley warmed me back up and all was good. Lesson learned…well not quite but that is another day’s story.