Beating Tito

[PapaYolk]

Rode in for mileage check day and blew all the snow and ice off my bike. Seems I'm the only one to show two checks in a row.
Stopped for a pic at the fireworks and fur store. Many, many moons back, my oldest son, knowing we were cash strapped from Christmas, shot and skinned a silver tipped coyote and sold the pelt here to give momma-yolk money for baby formula and diapers. My grandson has harvested five bobcat ($300-350 per) and a lion so far this winter.

[PapaYolk]

Seems a pic of me was posted on Birds of Prey Motorsport's face book page. Note the high-tech cold weather gear.

Pajama bottoms under jeans under winter dungarees. Lead Zep tee under three button long sleeve under hoodie under leather. Ski gloves from CostCo. The gloves are too large so they will slide on to my hands (gnarled by arthritis) and not bind. The weak point is the boots. Due to dislocated toes I have to have crip boots made by the VA. I can't lace them up over thick socks our my leg brace so the cold wind do blow in. Bread bags keep the feet dry.

[Aj Mick]

Well done on the gear Papa...... what works rather than what looks the part. Coming from a farming background, that's how it has been for me. I find a lot of "proper" motorcycle gear is good for riding, but otherwise impractical.

Those "ski gloves" look like they might be mittens rather than gloves with fingers. Back home I use leather mittens that I picked up from a farm supplies shop. When the mercury drops there is room for lightweight woollen gloves under them.

Wool next to the skin... long johns and and top.... do it for me. If there is a drop of rain (and there often is where I have wintered in NZ and UK) wool will take care of any seepage and stay warm even when damp. I don't think pyjamas would cut it!

[PapaYolk]

As it goes here in the valley, this winter's been harsh: three weeks of mostly single digit. But the sun's riding higher across the south sky and everything is dripping outside. I run in to get gas - this feels good - so I wander off on a ride.








Lots of crap on the roads. Good training. Running up the Owyhee Canyon I slowed to rubberneck at Snively Hot Spring and was bucked against my tank-bag when I failed to notice a frost heave crossing the asphalt.

[brinboise]

Sign me up....I've lived in Idaho my entire life (a long time) and enjoy reading its history in these RR. Thanks Papayolk

[PapaYolk]

Well, I lost. Sorry for the lack of kick down the stretch, but family obligations sent me to warm my feet in the Gulf of Mexico and the desktop is at home. Thanks to all for the comments and encouragement. Seems we are in Kentucky now and off to Chicago Friday.



Near Moab:



I sure do miss my handlebars.

[RedRockRider]

Hey, Papa . . . warm feet in the Gulf of Mexico with family . . . it's not all bad.

Wait 'till next year, Tito!

[bobw]

Enjoyed the photos and history lessons. You won regardless the contest

Hope all is well with you and yours, safe travels!

[FMFDOC]

And thank you for not posting a picture of you on the beach in a speedo.


But by all means... Do keep up the history lessons and ride reports!

[Aj Mick]

Lost, eh..... No worries, many have enjoyed this thread, which I guess you have enjoyed creating. If so, in the end everyone has been a winner.

Thanks, Papa.... I'll be watching for the next thread you start! Ya'll look after that family of yours in the meantime.

[PapaYolk]

6037 miles, 28 days... We half dozen wanderers have arrived safe to home. Mama Yolk's H2 pulled well.



Yolk scans ahead.



Thanks all for the kind words. I gota go now and pull the tarp of my bike where I stashed it out back and see if she's gona start.

[WeazyBuddha]

[dammitdave]

Thanks Papayolk! My mum's family is all from your area so I appreciate the history. Thanks again, Dave

[PapaYolk]

So whom had the stuff down the stretch to beat Tito?

Meet Kandy.



Well done.

[PapaYolk]

Spring's popping here in the valley. It's Sunday. I grab my wet bag and ride toward Succor creek.



After five miles of washboard, a black sky blows down the canyon. Wind, rain, hail -- I turn tale and with the wind at my back make for Homedale. Parked under a pick-nick shelter at the boat-ramp I swap out my wet jacket and raid the emergency rations kept in my wet-bag to warm myself while waiting the storm's passing.



The stiff wind is soon drying the valley. I spent the afternoon wandering along ditch roads finding a few places I haven't been.