First ride of the season.

Got out today for the first time this season. It's been a long 3 months. Rode just over 80 miles around the SW suburban forest preserves just outside of Chicago. Got up to the mid 60's today. Enjoyed the ride and our Gino's East Pizza we had for dinner. Spring has sprung here in Chicago this past week.
Ride safe everyone.

Y'all have earned it!!!!

Good for you, Cathy. I am envious. We, as in Atlantic Canadian provinces, got another foot of new snow yesterday and thru last night. To top it we are getting blustery winds blowing the stuff around. But, we know that Spring is around the corner; and this summer I will not say that it is too hot to ride.
Jay.

cotetoi wrote:

Good for you, Cathy. I am envious. We, as in Atlantic Canadian provinces, got another foot of new snow yesterday and thru last night. To top it we are getting blustery winds blowing the stuff around. But, we know that Spring is around the corner; and this summer I will not say that it is too hot to ride.
Jay.

I feel bad for you Canadians. Riding season is short for you. But your area sounds beautiful. I have only been to three areas in Canada. Waterton International Park when I was at Glacier almost 30 years ago. I drove from Winsor to Niagra Falls back in 1980. Both only for a few hours. I spent a few days in British Columbia Area, Vancouver, Victoria Island, and we drove up towards Wistler back in August of 2005. All by car. BC is absolutely gorgeous.

Hope to get up there on my Swing someday. Hope your spring comes sooner than later.

Cathy,

There is nothing better than a first ride and 'deep-dish', or I hope it was deep dish. Great ride and great pizza.

Jeff it was a deep dish and it was great!

Cathy,

That is one of the things I miss most about not living in Illinois anymore. When we went back to Chicago this last summer I got my fill of deep-dish, italian beefs, and chicago dogs. And of course I was able to order a glass of "pop" and the people actually understood me. lol

Jeff,

You were in Chicago last summer? What part of Chicago? Next time your in the area maybe we can meet up and have a "pop".

We stayed downtown across from Trump tower for almost a week. It was so nice to be back and my wife, daughter, and a daughters friend thought the people were so nice too. Next time we go I will make sure I tell you. I'm from north of Chicago, in Antioch, and then down in Champaign for over 20 years.

My Son and I took our Burgman 650's for about a 200 mile ride yesterday and enjoyed the obligatory meal half way in our run.

The weather was absolutely beautiful @ 70-75 degrees high, with blue skies and little wind.

We rode East of Carthage to the North side of Springfield, MO, and past the 'Fantastic Caverns' landmark. Most of the roads we rode on were very curvy, with up and down elevation changes and lots of winter sand, ash and pea gravel to watch out for on most of the corners, hills, intersection and stop light/ stop signs.

The terrain looks totally different when all of the leaves are gone and when the Agri-fields are brown and bare. In the summer the same areas look entirely different and to me at least is much more beautiful.

I miss REAL Mexican food from California, Sea food from Boston and Maine, Salmon and Dungense Crab from Oregon and Washington and Chinese food from Los Angeles and San Francisco and Pizza and Italian food from San Diego

Missouri however just produces the most wonderful sausage gravy and biscuits! The restaurant owners do serve wonderful SEA food however: Fried Catfish!!! (They advertise it as SEA FOOD )

Sam

Porkie:
Back in the 1980's I spent quite a lot of time working over in Pittsburg and Galena, Kansas. Back then there was a great place named Jim's Steak House in Pittsburg. They had a tenderloin that was fork-tender and very delicious. If it is as good as it used to be it would be worth stopping in.

Thanks, I 'Googled Jim's Steak house' and will give it a try.

Sam:)

Sam:
Sounds good. Let me know what you think of it. I just looked it up on Urban Spoon and they had very mixed reviews. Some people loved it and some just plain hated it. Maybe things have changed since the 1980's... Another place we liked was Chicken Annies over in Frontenac. The reviews for Chicken Annies were all good... Have fun...

I've learned a lot about American food simply by reading the reviews on www.roadfood.com  It's also been useful for choosing places to eat when I've been on holiday in the US. www.yelp.com is another useful source for finding good places to eat in the US, the UK, and over in Europe.

One thing I've yet to find is the perfect corned beef/salt sandwich.
I've been disappointed by the sandwiches in quite a few places that are highly recommended in reviewss but my search goes on.

Traditional Jewish deli's are few and far between in the UK, but I've recently found a place to try in Leeds, West Yorkshire owned by a Jewish lady who is a former chef. It does the salt beef sandwich, chicken soup, chopped liver, and all the classic favourites.

It's hardly a road trip getting there but it's on my list.

  :shalom:

Meldrew wrote:

<>One thing I've yet to find is the perfect corned beef/salt sandwich.
I've been disappointed by the sandwiches in quite a few places that are highly recommended in reviewss but my search goes on.

Oy vey...Meldrew, as many times as you appear to have visited Florida it's a wonder you haven't found your way to a good Jewish Deli in Miami. Rumor has it, or maybe I saw it on a "Hebrew National Hot Dogs" sign, that there are more Jews in Miami than there are in Tel Aviv

Tim

I've only been to Florida once and that was to Disney World with Mrs M. Away from the Magic Kingdom I can only remember places like the Cheesecake Factory which is a favourite of Mrs M as she likes their meatloaf and mashed potatoes

We had a few days in Philadelphia on the way down which I thought was a much more interesting place for food, we didn't do the Pat's or Gino's Philly Cheesesteak thing but I had a very nice one some other place. Given a bit more time there I'd have gone to John's Roast Pork, the Italian Market, and a Jewish Deli I can't remember the name of, we went to Ted's Montana Grill instead.

What I really enjoyed was having breakfast at the counter of a diner near our hotel, and although I've seen the Liberty Bell and all that stuff, I didn't get to the Revzilla store as they were closed for filming that day.

I'm happy to hear that you've spent some time in Philly, Meldrew. Chances are that the cheesesteak you had elsewhere (anywhere else) was much better than you'd have gotten at either (over hyped) Pat's or Geno's. Ted's Montana Grill is closed -at least the one in the high rent neighborhood.

That was probably the "Famous 4th Street Deli" you were thinking about. Actually one of the better cheesesteaks in Philly is just two block north of "Famous 4th St" at Jim's on 4th & South Sts. But it's a shame though that you missed John's Roast Pork.

And for all that it's worth I never realized that Revzilla's HQ is in Philly let alone that they have a retail boutique (their term) here as well. We're expecting a bit of late snow here this weekend but I guess I'll just have to wait until it warms up here again to ride into South Philly for a roast pork at John's and then stop in at Revzilla on the way back.

I'm so tired of this winter and dam* glad there was a hole in the weather last weekend and I took that opportunity to ride to Key West. So nice to be warm and see oranges growing on the Florida trees.

Tim

Finaly had my first ride of the year . It felt go to get my first ride in ,sunny but cold ,the ice just stated to break up hear , cool whether will continue till the end of May .Manage to put a smile i on my face.

Glad to hear you finally got to ride. Now get as much riding in as you can because I hear your summers don't last nearly as long as some would like.

My wife and I have been riding our little 150's since late March up here in northern Wisconsin. Had been reluctant to take the Silver Wings out until we got a decent rain to wash the salt off the roads. Last Sunday morning was our first ride on the Silver Wings - took a ride to Taylor's Falls, MN for breakfast. Ever since the first blizzard in early November last year, it has been a long and very cold winter here.

Hi everyone. I joined this site a few months ago after my purchased a used 2010 SW. I have been itching to get the SW out of the garage and in the country for a long ride for a few months now. After a pretty hot workout with yard work today (high 70s), I came back in the house for a break and to peel off some sweaty clothes. And I thought, but wait ! This is what I have been waiting for! Within a few minutes I was dressed for the road and out came the SW from its hibernation.

I am not sure words can express the mind clearing, stress relieving experience one can get from riding through the country on the twisted country roads on any bike. I was only out for a few hours today but I felt my batteries were charged and all stressed relieved. I really like this SW and think it is going to go along way in allowing me to relax. Like many here, I suspect that the SW is therapeutic in many ways.

For me, its just what the doctor ordered! The SW handles nicely, is super easy to balance, has plenty of acceleration, great storage, and is simply a joy to ride. Probably the best investment I have made in a long time. And this forum is great for learning about the SW. I am sure glad I found it. Thank you all.
Coolbreez

Coolbreez,

I always thought riding a m/c was great therapy for me. And the SWing is a great way to releive that stress. You should bring a small digital camera when you ride so you can take some pics. We like to see pics of other areas.

April 18. Finally got the SWing out of my son's garage. I had to shovel the snow and break the ice underneath and make a path wide enough to ride it out. She fired right up and worked just great. I went for a short ride and now she is in my driveway. Wouldn't you know it was sunny but a very cool 3C all day today. Still staying pretty cold, but the warmer days are almost here.

cotetoi it,s been a long winter where you are ,it,s been bad here also.Lots of snow but not as much as the east coast.The first ride can put a smile on a frozen face.The Swing with the Givi screen and my UK knee wind deflector make's a big difference.

4 / /24 / 2015 the FHARTING IN THE HILLS 14 Scoots 13 Burg's and my S'wing. I didn't get to ride far but what I did was great, nice people nice roads. The rest of the day and today should be great and I hope it doesn't rain on them. You can come to the HH and ride your arms off all day and not see it all, heck a week would be more like it to really explore the area but the guys did a nice job setting it up and getting nice rods and places in to see. Salute Al

CathyN wrote:

Got out today for the first time this season. It's been a long 3 months.  Rode just over 80 miles around the SW suburban forest preserves just outside of Chicago.  Got up to the mid 60's today.  Enjoyed the ride and our Gino's East Pizza we had for dinner.  Spring has sprung here in Chicago this past week.
Ride safe everyone.

Spring has sprung,the grass has riz....where last years Driver is!......Remember those?