Back in the Saddle Again, Part 1

 After a nearly 2 year hiatus from any motorcycle trip of extended length, I am pleased to announce that I survived my 450 mile round trip to Shreveport, LA.

Let me first explain the significance of this feat.

We have 2 bikes. Sick, I know...wasn't my idea, buh-leeve me.

The first one is the '97 Heritage Softtail. It is what my husband deems, "a classic." It is not designed for long trips unless your hind parts are made of steel. The Heritage is my husband's most prized material possession and I know that if anything ever happens to me, he and Heritage (who is a she) will be very happy together and live the rest of their days in a blissful state. It is covered in an sinful amount of chrome and it's shininess is appalling.

Me on the Heritage at a much skinnier time in my life

The second one is the '08 Ultra Classic Anniversary issue touring bike. This bike is a Lazyboy recliner with 2 wheels. It has a bang up sound system, heated seats and grips, air shocks, intercom system, GPS, garbage disposal, port-a-potty, etc... Well, I may have gotten a little carried away, but I'm not far off. It is great for long trips, but unfortunately is in the shop getting beautified right now.

The one, the only, the Ultra

So, my DH was invited by a friend of his to participate in the Jericho Ride in Shreveport. This is a prayer ride sponsored by Rolling Radiant Thunder, which is a motorcycle ministry. We drove up Friday night after dropping off Sydvicious with the folks.

Our faithful steed. Take notice of the microscopically small and uncomfortable seat that I ride on.

Good thing my hiney is microscopically small.

We are experiencing a major drought in East Texas right now, so we weren't anticipating any rain. We were rained on 3 times while traveling to Shreveport which is about 2 hours from home. If you've never ridden in the rain while in an open vehicle, I can only describe it to you as this:

Imagine yourself wearing a tank top sitting in the back of a bass boat as it flies at unimaginable speeds across the lake. Now, imagine someone hurling hundreds of toothpicks at you while the spray is dousing you with water. Add a streaking lightning strike that makes you want to wet your britches (not that anyone would notice your pants are wet) and a tad of thunder and throw in the occasional large winged insect that splatters across your arm flinging white/gray bug guts on you, and you now know what it feels like to ride in the rain on the back of a motorcycle. If you are riding with my husband, go ahead and add to that experience the fact that regardless of your shouts, "LET'S PULL OVER!" you continue to be a wet toothpick target.

"Now, if you just look here at the GPS, it says that we can be in Shreveport in 43 1/2 minutes and then here is the number for the hotel, and we have gone approximately 67.3 miles, but with the headwind and rain, our average speed is approximately 64.2 miles per hour, and here is the number and address for our hotel, and isn't this cool...are you listening to me?"

We finally stopped in Carthage to get our bearings and decide that we wanted to head on to Shreveport and take our chances with the weather. The scary weather. The scary weather including black clouds and lightning. Yep, I'm a thrill seeker all right.

We finally arrived safe and sound and topped off the night with some great eats at the "Blind Tiger" in the down town area. WOW is all I can say. The heartburn was worth it, yes ma'am. Cajun food is a powerful thing and as I have recently discovered, gives me a severe case of insomnia. Thank goodness for late night reruns of "Whose Line is it Anyway."

Tune in tomorrow for Day II of the saga...