The weather’s been pretty up and down this week, and my as-yet-unnamed Patrol has been relaxing in the garage. Finally got to get it out last night though, and do what, for me, felt my like my first “proper”, real ride. It felt this way because instead of riding around just for the sake of riding around and practicing, I was actually riding the bike somewhere.

With a rain jacket in the trunk and my rain pants on just in case, I trucked off down to meet a friend and head to a Chamber of Commerce event. Road home later that evening, and did just fine. Felt as natural as can be.

Best part of the ride though? At a stoplight, a pickup pulled up next to me. Driver took one look at the bike and started smiling and nodding. I gave him a nod and a thumbs-up. I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of that — I think my funky retro-looking bike made his night. Having this first “real ride” certainly made mine.