Half a mile to work and 40 miles from home

I rode my bike to work yesterday. I walked into work and a couple of people were clumped around front desk smiling....and looking at me. Weird. One immediately piped up, "I saw a tiny black streak on a big red streak." I grinned and pulled off my black helmet and armored jacket. Ya, I said armored: shoulders, elbows, and back. Remember that bronco ride I took? Ya, armored and a full-face helmet, and gloves...and reinforced boots. Even when I'm riding a half a mile from home to work. Hey! I'm not graceful. I need the protection wherever I can get it! Oh ya, and apperently I'm tiny, and make a sportster look big. Who'd have thought?!

My first ride this season came as a surprise for me. I had planned to leave work, and run a couple of errands, then head home to crash after a long day. Only at the last second I turned right out of the parking lot instead of left. Heading North, I followed our old highway instead of taking the freeway. I found myself waving every few seconds to other riders enjoying the clear 70 degree weather and the snow capped mountains all around. After about 15 miles, I was warmed up and ready to try the freeway - only the second time I've been on it with my scoot. As I made the turn, I felt a heavy salty headwind attack my windshield (boy am I glad I have that!) My scoot is fully capable of 90MPH or more, but in a head wind - especially one coming straight off the Great Salt Lake restrained behind a dike only 100 yards away- My Scoot was pressed to stay at 70. Cars and trucks zoomed around me at 75 or more, and I held tight to my bike and let her do what she could.

The headwind was too much after just a few miles, so I decided to pull off the freeway and return home on the old highway. I felt accomplished just for being on the freeway for a short time and was ready to cruise back home. My way home was on the mountain benches above the freeway. So, I was able to see the lake on the way home. As I approached a portion of highway known as "fruit way" - full of orchards of all kinds - I was struck by the distinct beauty of this place. Utah is the only place I've ever been where I can be surrounded by snow capped crags, a salt sea, a desert and budding orchards - all at the same time! And the best part about being on the bike was - I could smell it all! Amazing stuff. :)