Sunday, you oh so sexy day of the week! This weekend has been filled with Christmas parties, good friends and a couple of delicious beverages! Love the holiday season.

After our festive weekend, The Doctor and I woke up today with a need to be on two wheels. He has been itching to hop on the motorcycles while I was wanting a little mountain biking action. Thus our Sunday became a two-wheel kind of day.

We started our morning out with a 45 minute bike ride. Nothing too crazy, just riding around the neighborhood. We live in an area where there are some big grassy fields, railroad tracks, corporate warehouses, and back roads to go play on. Works out perfectly because each way gives us a different type of workout.

Cannondale F300 "The Beast"

I decided that I wanted to go to this cute little creek that runs underneath the railroad tracks. This is perhaps the longest and most strenuous route to take. The Doctor was a little wary of this route but I was feeling motivated!!

We made our way to the tracks, heart rates were up and I was feeling good. Then not even half way there, we gave each other “that look”. You know the look, the one where even though you want to go on, it just isn’t happening. Without waiting another second, we turned around.

We agreed upon another route to take. It was still a good workout but nothing like the railroad way. I didn’t feel guilty about this decision. Yesterday we had gone out for a walk/run session and pushed ourselves pretty hard. So today we didn’t have to be too brutal.

Once we made our way home it was time to get the motorcycles ready to go. Now The Doctor is an excellent rider and I have a tendency to slow him down at times. Once I get better with the FJR it won’t be the case (I go a lot slower into turns then he does). So we decided that he was go out for a cruise solo then we would meet up to do a Sunday date of riding together.

Worked out, gave me time to get things done around the house

When The Doctor arrived back at the house, I was beyond ready to go. We decided to head south toward Apollo Beach area to grab some lunch. Before we took off, I wanted to try to get the bike off the center stand. I have not attempted this before with the 640 pound FJR so this was going to be fun.

It took a few attempts. By a few, at least 10. Next time it will be so much easier but for the first time out, I was very pleased with myself. So center stand – check! So with the bike off the stand, it was time to take off.

Perfect temperature and weather. Florida in December is simply amazing!! As we journeyed south, we kept an eye out for somewhere to eat, something new. You have to mix it up a bit from the usual places.

We ended up finding an Asian buffet. Pulling in, I wasn’t really feeling Asian Buffet but I was hungry so it was going to work. Have to say, we were pleasantly surprised. After eating way too much, it was time to get back on the bikes.

We decided to head east over to Walmart in Sun City Center so that I could get a new pair of sunglasses. The current pair I have, while completely cute (see below), do not work on the bike. They create blind-spots in my peripheral vision, so while I love being stylish, I find that being able to see safely on the bike to be a bigger priority.

Super Stylish Sunglasses

As we were walking out of the restaurant, we could see rain in the direction we were heading. As being new into the world of owning a road bike, I am still wary of riding in to the rain. However, as a Florida resident, rain is something that must be dealt with. In the summer, it rains everyday.

So instead of getting nervous, I decided to jump right in to the rain. Best to learn how to ride in it now. We made our way south, then made our left turn on to College Ave which would lead us right into Walmart. Once we made our left hander, the temperature dropped significantly, rain was going to happen.

We made it to Walmart and the hunt for new glasses was on. Since I was looking for glasses that would work with my helmet, I put my helmet back on as we got into the sunglasses area. There were some stares and I’m sure some, ” What is that girl doing?” but I didn’t care. I take safety on the bike seriously so I paid no attention to them and picked out my glasses.

When we walked outside it started to sprinkle. Ok, the moment of truth, time to ride in the rain! We geared up and took off toward home. Turns out, we were heading ahead of the rain so the little sprinkles we had leaving Walmart were the only rain drops we got. Oh well, there will always be the another time.

Almost home and The Doctor decided to take a different way home. As soon as I saw his blinker on to make a left I knew where he was going and what he was going for. The road we were turning down has some great, tight turns. Now that I am getting more use to the FJR, I found this detour very exciting!!

Luckily the speed limit drops kind of low for the turns so it is perfect for me at this stage in my riding. The first turn was a tight 90 degree lefter. I dropped down to a couple of gears, leaned the bike through the turn then straightened it up and then came up to the 90 degree right turn. This went on for about a mile, fantastic!

I can’t wait for the day when I am 100% comfortable in going into turns on my bike. They are so much fun, just need to build the confidence to do it with a bit more speed.

This twisty road took us out close to the house. Before I knew it we were pulling into the driveway. I am always sad to see the end of a day of riding. Something so beautiful and freeing about being on a bike. Saw a quote recently, it said “You never see motorcycles parked outside a psychiatrist office”. So true.