Almost Dumped It...

Almost had an incident this morning on the way into work. It was a little warmer than yesterday so there was a lot more water and less ice sitting around. I was coming up to an intersection where I had to turn right. I slowed down for the stop sign and suddenly noticed the KLR starting to turn counter-clockwise. The water I was on had a little coat of ice under it.

I must have looked pretty funny doing a really weird jogging/shuffling dance with my feet trying to keep upright. I finally stopped, just before the stop sign, but at a 45 degree angle facing in the opposite direction from where I wanted to turn.

Two things worked in my favour here - I was only doing about 10kph when I started to slide, and there was nobody around. 10kph doesn't seem too fast, but when you're a husky fellow on a 430 pound bike on a road surface that's suddenly decided to go friction-free, it makes for a clenched jaw. Chalk that one up as a lesson learned.

Not that I believe it or anything, but the weather forecast is currently showing that the low tonight is going to be -1C and the high tomorrow is 10C. After a warm and sunny day like today, I'm starting to think that the icy mornings aren't going to be around much longer!

On the way home I skipped out to the Perimeter for a bit to enjoy some time at highway speeds. The KLR ran great all the way up to 100kph and did everything I asked, like a loyal and trusty horse. Not a thoroughbred, mind you, but one of those horses that used to be hooked up to milk carts back in the old days.

It sure feels great to be back on the bike. I don't think the novelty of riding will ever wear off - every time I get on the KLR I can't help but smile. Ask Mrs. HAL - it's true.

Safe riding!

Odometer reading now: 9162.9km

Distance since last fill: 84.2km