Costa Rica: Outside my Comfort Zone

Primary activity the last few months...



Monday morning's haps at la casa de EC...



Might be time for a ride.



The countdown begins.


10...

Edit: Skip ahead to page 7 or so for the actual beginning of the RR.

9, 8... I've seen enough snow this year... let's get to the warm stuff

8...


Believe me when I say I'm trying to get there.

So far the warmest stuff I've gotten to is when my SteverStove 'show and tell' went pear shaped on me.:eek1



But we won't talk about that.

Let's be clear - it was purely a matter of dumbass on my part. Steve makes a fine product.

More later. Stuff to prepare.

Not complicated enough.

6...nearly 5...


It's funny where life takes you and sometimes even more interesting the path it uses to get you there.

Costa Rica has been on my 'list' for years. Even before I got back into riding several years ago it was on my list.

It started out as a possible retirement destination, actually - bandied about along with other retirement related topics with a now gone co-worker.

While the retirement element of it had faded a bit, the desire to visit and explore Costa Rica hadn't. It may have even been fueled by a quick stop over in Puerto Limon a few years back with Sidecar Sue.





Ride reports like this one didn't help either. Working Man's Costa Rica Ride

Fast forward to about a month ago. Whizzerwheel (Dave) and I are having a casual conversation. This conversation followed many thoughts and half-hearted plans of warmer climes and early season rides all designed to use up my limited and cherished vacation time. Many would be great rides but, quite frankly, all of the ideas were luke warm at best.

Our conversation turns to Costa Rica. Don't think it even involved motorcycles initially. Dave then he mentions he may be heading down in late March and eventually asks if I'd be interested in going.

There was nothing luke warm about this. I was all over it! For many reasons. Some we may even touch on as we wind our way south.

This is Saturday evening. Monday night we had airfare booked.

We were going to Costa Rica!

After a bit of giddiness, reality sets in.

"No hablo español..." is the first thing that comes to mind. Only, in English - because I can't speak Spanish.

Then, of course, the typical weather related/what to bring questions start to flow.

This then leads to the whole "How am I going to carry all my sh...I mean, a...all my gear around down there?" If you've ever seen my bike on the road you know why I'm nervous.

Not to worry about the whole language thing. A couple of Spanish books show up one day. SCS. She also picked up a nice waterproof map. A trip to the library also gets me some Spanish CDs that I eventually rarely listen to.

How do you say "I'm so screwed" in Spanish?:huh

The following weeks are spent preparing for the trip. When I say 'prepare' what I really mean is replacing any gear I may have been thinking about replacing anyway. At least that's SCS's loose interpretation.

Thankfully, PWRCRZR roped me into a little wager early this winter in an effort to help us both lose some weight. He's kicked my a$$ 9 ways to Sunday (he apparently thinks this is some kind of race or something) but I've still managed to lose 25 pounds or so. 31 is my official goal. Plus, I've even managed to get to the gym this winter instead of hibernating so I'm certain this will be helpful.

Getting directly off the winter couch and onto a bike for 10 days might not be the best plan. Thanks again, David (PWRCRZR). Bastard.



More later...

As you wish!





Gonna have to update later. Busy day here today.

Today's calendar pops up: "Costa Rica, Baby!"

Not too exciting...unless yer us.



On our way!

Getting warmer...

Whizzerwheel sends his love.