Historically, the average high temp in the Philly area is just above 40, but I think it touched 70 yesterday. Combined with the fact that it was a Sunday rather than a workday, I couldn't resist a ride. My usual nine-step starting process resulted in instant ignition, and shortly after that I could feel my usual stress and anxiety melting away (1. Key to on; 2. Fuel to on; 3. Front compression relief; 4. Rear compression relief; 5. Enrichener pulled; 6. Kill switch to on; 7. Clutch pulled in; 8. Two twists of the throttle; 9. Starter).

I had a very relaxing 100 miles, and saw a lot of bikes out. I'm sure the weather was deceptive, but it sure felt like the groundhog got it wrong this year...

It's amazing how good for the soul motorcycling is. I got back to my garage just as the sun was getting low, put some music on, opened a beer, and took my time putting everything away. I didn't feel remotely guilty about blowing off laundry/shopping/dishes/bill paying...

I may be wrong, but I think the last time I took any significant February ride was in 1986 when a buddy and I decided to ride to Daytona Bike Week from NY... By the time we cleared NJ, we had completely rewired his '74 Shovel (with limited success), and the voltage regulator on my '79 Sporty quit. And then it started to snow. We got picked up by the rest of our crew a few hours later with trailers. Oh well.

Weird random bit: Yesterday I passed a Peugeot 504 in someone's front yard. On a monster truck chassis.

 

Sounds like the same day I had yesterday. Great ride, park bike, open beer. Sun sets.

 

Those are the ingredients of a perfect day.

 

It was a great weekend in the NY too, got all new fluids in the WG, 65-70 here tomorrow,going for a quick spin after work!

 

did a 100 miles myself over weekend, and tomorrow is supposed to be 70 and Thursday 73.. wash and quick detail tomorrow and probably do 100+ miles again Thursday as its supposed to cool back off starting sunday

 

great looking bike op

 

Great write-up, and the bike looks fantastic, as always!

 

I'm pi$$3d! Gorgeous warm February riding weather in NJ, a brandy new FLHR (and a coupla other bikes) in the Garage, and me with a numb, painful and weak left arm from a pinched nerve! Ought to be better just in time for the next Polar Vortex...

 

Had a nice coupla days meself. Picked up the bike from a friend's garage (winter storage) Friday night, rode all day Saturday, and most of the day on Sunday. Also taking off this Friday in observance of a 70 degree day in February!! HELL YEAH!!

 

Rode 325 miles yesterday covering 3 states....but I live in South Carolina, lol. My buddy lives in Pittsburgh and stated the same in regards to strange Feb weather for riding. Glad you got up and good post to read. Bike looks good.