Report of a sundaytrip in February.

By Motormeisje on february 27, 2006 at 13:32

While we were having a hot lunch yesterday (february 26), the sun was shining and was so extremely inviting. I really felt uncomfortable that the others took the time to eat. The "itch" became stronger by the minute. Especially because the sky had turned into my favourite colour of blue.
Right after lunch, I asked my husband if he would join me for a short tour. To him it would be awfully cold, so he would rather stay at home. In the neighbourhood we have enough side-roads. If it turns out to be too cold, I can take a side road and drive home again. When the cold is not that much present, I keep on driving. The next week, snow is expected, so I have to grab this chance. I just have to take a ride.

Dress warm.
So I start putting on my "long john" and add a legging over it, before I get into my leather pants. I bought it 2 years ago and lost quite a few kilo's, so that fits nicely. 2 Pairs of socks, the bodywarmer over a warm sweather and the nylon coat with the lining in it. What can happen to me now. I walk out with my helmet, gloves and the keys in my hand. Open up the garage and walk my blue monster out. Then I shut and lock the garagedoor. Walk to the bike, put her on contact, open the choke and push the start-button. She reacts immediatly.....as if she fancied a tour as well. So I put on my helmet and gloves, mount on, kick the jiffy up and put her into first gear...

The pier.
Before I drive out of the village, I close the choke. My favourite tour is a visit to the pier of Holwerd. Every time it is different, high or low tide. Wether the ferry is coming or going. In between it can be very quiet, but it is a meeting place for bikers. Today I'm early, I prefer that, because in winter, in the later afternoon, the sun can be quite low, wich is very annoying. So I want to profit with the sun as high on the sky as possible. There are a few cars, as there is a ferry coming. As usual I smoke a fag, put back on my helmet and gloves and go back. Often the same way I came. Between the pier and the seadike I see an oncoming biker. We greet each other obviously.
Normally I take the first left from the pier, into Holwerd, keep left and drive out of Holwerd almost immediatly. It is the dike-road over the sleeper-dike to Ternaard. You are only allowed to drive 50 mph, which is a pity. But today I take the first turn right, into the direction of Leeuwarden. Near Blija I doubt if I shall take a right turn to the ‘Noorderleech’. Driving along the seadike can be very nice, it is nice and quiet, being all alone with your bike. In a couple of weeks I will, when the tulips are in bloom. Need to make some pics again of those coloured fields.

The Frisian clay-ground.
On my way, I notice, that most fields have already been ploughed. As soon as the weather becomes warmer the crops can go in. In summer I love to see how far the plants have grown. But none of that at this time of year. Because I fuelled up on my way back from the bikeshow in Utrecht, there was already 150 km on the daycounter, before I left this afternoon. If I can't take her for a ride in the next weeks, it will be wise to put her in the garage all fuelled up. So I drive to Leeuwarden, where a biker-friend owns a service-station. He's not there, but his daughter is. Haven't spoken to her for a while, she's a biker too.

Homeward journey.
Just after 2 PM I leave for home. It is getting colder now. As soon as the sun disappears behind a cloud, the temperature drops enormous. On my way home I pass a thermometre, it is only 2 degrees, with a strong east wind. On arrival home I put the bike into the garage and once in the house I take off my boots in the living room. The floor-heating feels like a warm blanket. Coffee is ready and that tastes very well. During dinner, I have a peek outside, the first layer of snow has already fallen. Good that I took the opportunity this afternoon! I can menage for a while now.

Betty Smit.
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