Getting Ready to Ride

My Ducati should be back from the shop soon and I'll be back to riding with my friends.
I wrote the following last October/November (2011) but forgot to post it.

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The days growing shorter signal that my motorcycle riding season will soon end. Therefore each day and ride becomes more significant and I am much less likely to pass up an opportunity to ride.

I have made many new friends since I bought my brother-in-law’s Ducati and rekindling my passion for riding. One of these new friends is a man that lives in my town that goes by the Ducati forum user name “MrGompers”.

I get together with my new fiends for group rides that follow the same format: pick a great scenic route with an interesting place to eat as the midway point.
A couple of weeks ago MrGompers saw an episode of “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives” hosted by Guy Fieri on the Food Network, featuring a “local” hamburger place called “Corey’s Catsup & Mustard” located in Manchester CT:
Corey's Catsup &  Mustard
He decided he wanted to go there and called me to see if I wanted to ride with him. Of course I leaped at the opportunity.

The Sunday we went was an absolutely perfect fall day. We took a long winding indirect route to get there and stopped on top of an old orchard in Glastonbury that now has mansions overlooking Hartford and surrounding area before continuing:







Once parked in Manchester we removed our helmets and gloves then went into Corey’s and sat down. I had a "Traditional" burger with Swiss and a side of fries while MrGompers had the "Auntie Laurie’s" burger and onion rings. I have to say that this was the best burger I’ve ever had, not that I am a big carnivore but still…

We were both very impressed and our only regret was that we couldn’t finish the fries or rings. These burgers are huge and ground fresh each day. Even the coleslaw was fresh and made with a vinaigrette rather than mayonnaise.

We sort of waddled out of Corey’s and I felt like an anaconda that just ate a large goat and in need of a month long nap. As we warmed up our bikes and put on our gear a young boy came up to me and asked if I could do a wheelie. Being a law abiding citizen (yea right) I told him that it was against the law to do that on a public street – not to mention that they have a satellite police station about 200 feet from where I was parked ;) I apologized to the boy for my sudden reluctance to be a hooligan then swung my leg over Anatra and off we went, meandering our way home.

Last weekend MrGompers and I returned to Corey’s for more and this time I had the Auntie Laurie’s and he had the “PS I luv Pastrami” burger. I ate a very light breakfast that morning but we still couldn’t finish the fries and rings which upset me because they are so delicious. The sun didn’t come out while we were riding so it was a bit chilly but the leaves have turned and this is one of my favorite times of year.

Picture of the Auntie Laurie’s Burger

We finally returned to our town and came to the stop sign where we would go our separate ways to our houses. A quick nod and a thumbs-up and we happily roared away in different directions.
When I got home I settled in to watch the MotoGP race that I set the DVR to record at 4AM from Sepang Malyasia. Two laps into the race disaster struck as a horrific accident unfolded that would take the life of a young 24 year old Italian rider named Marco Simoncelli. I stared at the screen in disbelief. I never met him but many of the people I ride with have. I am still trying to comprehend and process that Marco is gone. What I can understand is that life is precious and oh so fragile. It can end suddenly when we least expect it.

This weekend another of our Ducati buddies, “Ramscab”, and his wife are hosting an Oktoberfest party that MrGompers, his wife, and I will attend along with many of our forum and riding friends. At some point we will bow our heads in a moment of silence for Marco then raise a toast to celebrate his life. We will exchange stories, routes, and great places to eat as we sample the German beers and food. We will laugh, plan things, and exchange contact information with those we haven’t met before.

Hopefully Sunday will bring fair weather so we can all go riding. It doesn’t matter where we go or where we stop to eat. All I hope is that it is warm enough so that the smell of autumn permeates my helmet with the sun shining through nature’s colorful good bye to the riding season, warming my leather jacket as I take my place in formation with my friends.

If You Buy It, They Will Come...

When I was a young boy I had four goldfinches. This was a time when you could easily buy them. I would save up my paper route money then go to the Woolworths store that sold pets.
I named my first two "Fatso" and "Skinny". When I was able to buy a bigger cage "Lemon" and "Lime" joined the charm (flock). They lived long lives and provided me with the beauty of their songs though I sensed they longed to be free amongst their own.

Last summer I was at my brother-in-law's aunt and uncle's house in a rural area of Lyme CT. In their back yard they had many bird feeders and to my amazement, quite a large population of goldfinches.
I walked outside toward them as all the humans remained in the comfort of the air conditioning. My young niece asked "Does Uncle Ceij really think he can catch one?"
My motivation was not to capture one but to simply get closer to them to take a picture with my phone. On my approach the charm suddenly flew away en masse once I reached what seemed to be a predetermined distance.

Now I've had bird feeders in my back yard and though I pride myself in setting out the finest aviary cuisine I never was graced by the presence of the brilliant yellow American goldfinch.
I had assumed that they simply were not in my area but seeing so many of them at Pat and Kim's ignited a spark of hope. I researched the territory and habits of the elusive golden virtuoso.

To my surprise, they are quite numerous in Connecticut and can be lured simply by providing thistle (Nyjer) seed which they seem to find irresistible.
Therefore, on my next trip to Agway I spent some extra time browsing the bird feeders. An employee asked if I needed help and I began asking about their knowledge of goldfinches and if they thought any were in the area. He assured me that that if I purchased the feeder and the corresponding seed then the goldfinches would come to my backyard wildlife sanctuary.
I then decided to purchase a thistle feeder and 20-pounds of seed though I remained skeptical.

Once home, I set the new feeder in a fine small tree located close to many other trees and bushes in hopes that the cover would provide enough security to attract the finches to my Nyjer banquet.
Three days passed and I became skeptical that there were goldfinches near me when suddenly a small female goldfinch descended onto the new feeder. I knew that there would be more soon and I was right. In the next few days I began to hear a nearly forgotten song sung by a choir of the tiny yellow vocalists.
Spring is here and the male goldfinches are beginning to don their unmistakable bright yellow plumes. I’ve set up a lawn chair near the feeders and sit very still with my Nikon at the ready. I find it peaceful to hear the different bird songs and calls and to watch them dance and land on the feeders. They have become accustom to my presence and to the large lens seemingly attached to my face.

Now I have never seen any bluebirds around here but have heard that if you put out a house, made to the exact dimensions and mounted to the height they demand, they will come. I wonder if Agway sells bluebird houses...