Beyond thankful to have been able to ride so many miles this weekend!  While it seems like most of the world has fallen into COVID despair, we have been fortunate to get out, enjoy the beautiful weather, and share lots of smiles (all while social distancing).

When you know it's going to be a beautiful Saturday, and have zero commitments, you plan a nice long ride - I figured it was finally time to give my Indiana guy a full tour of Long Island.  Since we spend so much time riding east, I decided it was time to head west.  Using what seems to be a great motorcycle app - Scenic - I put together a 200 mile ride with lots of twists and turns, and gorgeous water views.  Has anyone used that app?  If not, what navigation app do you use?

Best present of the season (other than my brother surviving a car accident on Christmas Eve – yes, God is good!) The Cardo Packtalk Slim – helmet communication device.  Never having any type of communication device beyond a cell phone with wireless headphones that fell to the ground every time I took off my helmet, THIS feels completely surreal!  I can finally listen to music, talk to fellow riders, communicate with Siri, and control the device-all with my voice!

(No more texting and riding!  Safety first – New Year’s Resolution)

I haven’t put on a full face helmet since I traded in my sportbike for a chopper over ten years ago.  I had then opted for a brain bucket before settling on the vintage open face style of helmet which seemed to better suit the Sportster/bobber I purchased once I moved back to the States.  And, that style also seemed to work with my most recent purchase – a Triumph Thruxton R. 

But during the recent chilly fall days, my boyfriend had me go to Maximum Motorsports to pick up his brand new Ducati 959.  So it was time to dust off the old full face Suomy (couldn’t be seen on a luxury machine with a nerd helmet).  And instantly, I remembered the advantages of a full face helmet (beyond safety, of course)  I was significantly warmer than when I wore the open face helmet.  And for me, that was a game changer.  Those of you that know me, know how stubborn I can be, especially in regards to gear.  And my dislike of the typical bulky, stiff, uncomfortable cold weather gear, has kept me from riding on cool days for…about…as long as I can remember.