Sunday Breakfast with the Beemers

It was a little chilly, early, going out the the Yankee Beemers monthly breakfast meeting. I do need to get some cold weather pants. My jacket keeps me warm enough and I just got some new gloves at the motorcycle show in Willmington, MA, a couple of weeks ago. I also got a scarf at the sportsmen show in Worcester, MA, last month. My boots were warm with the thick socks I was wearing. Just the pants area needs improvement.
The breakfast brought out many Beemers! The parking lot was loaded with new bikes and old bikes.
After a short ride I noticed that a screw on the faring was loose. I tightened it and wondered if the one on the other side was loose. It wasn't, it was gone! I had just gotten the bike back from Wagner Motors and it appears they left a couple of screws loose. I will have to give them a call on Tuesday when they are open.

First ride of 2010

Got the bike out on the road today, celebrating the first day of spring. The weather was great and I couldn't wait to get it out on the road. Took a short ride around Sutton, Douglas, Oxford, and back home. I noticed a rattle somewhere and and discovered that the screw holding the hand guard had come loose. After tightening it, some chain wax on the chain, and I was off again. This time due west towards Oxford, in an attempt to find a dirt riding area. I took a turn to the right and followed the road when I should have turned off to the left. Checking it out on a map at home, I found my mistake. I need to rig up the GPS!

The ride from Rome

Had a nice ride home. The roads, backroads, major roads, secondary streets, highways, were all great riding in Maine. The drivers were courteous and aware of motorcycle riders. Compared to what I am accustom to in Massachusetts. When I saw the sign, welcome to Massachusetts, I soon saw a change in the road conditions and the drivers attitudes. Traffic got nasty and I got off the highway. The back roads were a bit slower but I didn't care to deal with Massachusetts highway traffic.

Around the Lakes

Took an afternoon ride around the Belgrade lakes area. The lakes were a little choppy because the wind kicked up now and then. I went around Great Pond and stopped at the Lazy Lab Cafe in the center of Belgrade. Had a coffee and a little conversation with the owners. They were grateful the tourist season was over. I found the ATV trail out on Rt. 27 near New Sharon. It was very rough, so I didn't travel it far. The bike now has over 20,000 miles on it! I only got it last May with under 7000 miles.

A circle around the block

Didn't get to ride too much today. Just a short jaunt around North Pond. I started on Wooster Hill Rd., and went down a road/trail called Ladd Rd. that turns into Bacon St. I saw a large group of turkeys making their way along the edge of the field. They just took their sweet time, checking out me and deciding I wasn't going to eat them, then ambling off to look for more food. Then Beech Hill Rd. then stopped at the boat ramp at the stream at the north end of North Pond. Around into Smithfield, I stopped to look out over the pond. It was quiet with only one boat fishing out in the middle. A couple of kayaks were heading out for an evening paddle. It was calm after a windy day.

Strange winds

Had a nice ride around some farmland where I saw a odd phenomenon. As I passed a large open field, I saw a lot of hay being swirled around, like a cyclone. The amount of hay was impressive, but the height the hay achieved was incredible.

Maine back roads

Got into some really rough stuff. Road around the Sandy River area on Mercer and found a trail the a 4 wheel drive truck would've had trouble. But the F650 found the right path and just rode through. This bike is made for Maine! It does the pavement well and it seems to enjoy the rough roads.