307 Days to the Ride

Brrrrrrrr!!!!; got a chilly ride in today. I leathered up but decided I didn't need the chaps; not the best decision I've made but I survived. Temps struggled to get into the 60's and with the wind gusts it felt like 40's or 50's. Hard to believe it is still August. I rode out among the lakes and got some practice on the "windies" and "twisties" with some good cross winds. Bike continues to impress me with how solid it is under all conditions. Of course, this isn't like the wide open spaces of Montana or the swirling winds of crossing the Mackinac Bridge but every day is another experience in learning how to become "one with the bike". The trees are beginning to change color, ever so slightly, and I think we're going to have a crisp fall and an early winter. If this weather will hold for another week I'll make the trip to Cleveland and get some practice navigating roads I haven't been on before. I'm going to try and make the trip without getting on any expressways or toll roads. Route 2 along Lake Erie is supposed to be nice and it will take me past places I used to go as a kid when we would visit my grandparents cottage. I may also try using the tent for sleeping if I can't sleep aboard the Cod.