Lazy Ride This Evening

[cheesy]

I left my bike at work last night and took the shop truck home because of some violent storms in our area. Good thing, too. Water up to the door sills on the truck in many places along the route home. I don't think the bike can swim.

Anyway, I rode the five miles home tonight, mowed the lawn, and decided to take a ride after dinner. It was a lazy 30 miler, mostly through the Barrington Hills, IL area. A land of hills, multi-acre homesites, thoroughbreds, and a number of Rolls-Royce owners. Plus 25 mph speed limits. I pretty much had the roads to myself, save for a myriad of joggers and a few bicyclists.

I didn't pay a lot of attention to the scenery, as I have bicycled the area for 30+ years but I will admit to stealing a second look at some of cute female joggers. :wink: Through Barrington Hills, into the town of Barrington itself, into Barrington Hills again(covers a wide area), lots of short steep climbs and many easy curves, past the famous Penny Road Pub and into Hoffman Estates where I picked up IL 72.

Hiway 72, or Higgins Road, is a main east/west route in Kane County, IL and fairly heavily traveled. I caught it late in the day and traffic was light. I pointed myself west towards home and bent my right wrist hard. The Hibird went up to 55 quickly and never complained. Made sure no one was looking and cracked the throttle all the way. Was approaching 70 and the bike was still pulling but I decided I didn't want to go any faster or even that fast, so I eased back down to 55 for the last few miles before getting back home.

It was enjoyable to go for a ride where the bike ran well and nothing broke or sounded like it was going to break. The new fuel filter has been the cheapest and best upgrade I've done so far. I now have an honest 500+ kilometers on it(second oil change at 450) and hope to add 200 more by Monday.