Rides Two and Three

We're a little crazy up here in Northeastern Ohio. As soon as the weather breaks, we think it's summer. Teenagers hit the streets in shorts and tee shirts. Soccer moms drive around with the windows rolled down. And we, the motorcycle enthusiasts, gear up and get back in the saddle.

One week after the first ride of the season, on Friday the 19th, my boyfriend and I picked up a new V-Strom and tore down to the valley with a fresh temp tag tacked to the tail. What fun! With two dual sports for the two of us to ride, we'll really be putting down the miles this year!

The matte black Suzuki even looks like it could be the big brother to my silver BMW. Yes, they're both 650s, but the BMW has one cylinder and is factory lowered for my 5' 0" frame. At 6' 0", my boyfriend fits the 34" seat height on the two-cylinder V-Strom, which for him, makes longer road trips possible, with less discomfort on the bumps and more versatility.

On Sunday the 21st, he and I took to the highway, or as it's known with some disdain, the super slab, for this season's ride three. It was pretty chilly, and I had to crank the heated grips. In addition to multi-layered gear, he wore his balaclava and I wore my neck warmer. It may have been the first official day of spring, but between the two of us, we had twenty numb fingertips in thirty minutes. When we got back home, we built a fire in the fireplace. I'm aching for April!