Earache

Today we are heading to Amarillo, Texas to meet up with riding friends Dave and Debbie from Indianapolis. They had to dodge torrential rain and tornadoes across the Midwest yesterday on their first day of riding. Hopefully better weather and temps for all today. More later.

We decided to stay the first night in Raton, New Mexico at the always luxurious Holiday Inn Sexpress. Bets hotel in town, which isn't saying a whole lot. No food around - at least in walking distance - so we had the second worst delivery pizza I've ever had. But it was delivery so I didn't have to go anywhere for food. That's a treat in itself for us as dinner at home involves a 45 minute drive each way....

By noon it was up to 22F / -6C and this was to be the high for the day - so it's time to get riding. Hopped on the scooter and headed due south to warmer climes. Made it to the first fuel stop in Pueblo, Colorado and teh temps were up to 45F / 7C - much better. But the winds had increased to about 45 mph with higher gusts. Blew the Wing all over the place. Getting some love in Pueblo....

First day of the trip to Texas and it's cold as Hell outside - woke up to 15F / -10C and light snow with lots of wind. Not ideal riding conditions. Decided to hang out in Black Hawk for a bit and wait for the temps to rise. Hit the local brekkie spot for some chow. I had the breakfast burrito , swimming in green chile while the wife had a more traditional Full American Breakfast...

I hate to think how much fuel costs us per week. I fill my truck 2 times per week and the wife probably does that in her car as well. At least fuel is cheaper here.

Off towards Texas today on the first bike trip of the year, Lovely day for a ride .....

Although aftermarket - Cragars would still be period correct.

You just know what it's gonna look like ...

I had a set of custom ear plugs made by one of the doctors for an Indy Car Team while we lived in Indianapolis about 25 years ago. He put speakers in them designed for voice comms - same as the race car teams used. They worked great for about two years then the silicon / rubber part got kinda hard and they no longer fit as well. Great while they lasted though. I suspect that Buck's will last longer as they're probably made from more modern stuff.

Round trip should be right around 3,000 miles and it'll be a 6 day ride. Plan to hit Big Bend National Park, Amarillo and then Santa Fe, New Mexico on the way home. Of course there will be pics and a ride report ... if my fingers thaw out enough to type.

13F / -11C with wind and light snow here right now. Heading to Texas on the bike in 24 hours - this is gonna be fun!

@XTreme at work here ...

I see only one thing on that plate that I'd eat - the toast.

We all stopped developing mentally at age 12. Sorry.

I hear ya! I was just looking at a new Arai for the Goldwing. I feel like a twat riding on it with an Adventure helmet. But the Arai I wanted was nearly $1,000 - I just couldn't do it.

Of course @Six30 has - why do you think it itches?

My kind of place!

I probably drink faster than some - don't recall the beer getting all that warm. Maybe a I have a drinking problem - I dunno.

Oops = my conversion was off a decimal point - sorry about that. I like a tall glass- as in your pic - with about 25 ounces. That's the perfect serving for me. I'll post some pics of the beers in Texas next week when I'm there - fucking gallon buckets with a handle on them!

...and get some sun on those legs fer fucks sake.

I like a normal pilsner as well. Problem here in the US is that all draft beers are now about $7-8 each (7.2 Euro). Not sure how this happened, but in the past couple of years the price of draft beer has gotten out of hand. I haven't noticed wines, but sure they've gone up accordingly. I blame the "craft beer" craze where every town has 6-7 small breweries in it - and all think they're beer is the best shit ever. Most really suck - andf aren't worth $8 for a 12 oz. (30 ml) glass. ***Rant over***

Dunno about the sammich but that beer looks really good! Cheap, too !

Ahh well that makes sense.