An email from the loosely organized BMW riding group here in Fairbanks mentioned a ride out to the Monderosa for lunch. Seven of us headed out from College Coffeehouse with the temperature around 70°F and rising. Pretty hard to pass up an opportunity like that. Two years ago, I rode to Anchorage around mid-May and ended up riding through snow and sleet for around 150 miles. The Monderosa is a popular spot for motorcycle rides as it's convenient for a lot of riders at about 50 miles. I know that when I first started riding, this felt like a really long trip. Today, not so far. But it is still my first trip outside of Fairbanks this year. The rig had no problem cruising up and down the hills at 65mph though I usually downshifted to 4th on the uphill sections. I took some boring video but haven't had a chance to look at it. But I need a more solid camera mount (less vibration) and a better location for the GoPro remote.
Yesterday was the "greening" of Fairbanks. This is when the leaves first show up and the hills take on a greenish hue. By late afternoon, some of the south facing slopes had a lot more than just a hue. The ground on south facing slopes are usually the first to warm up. This, obviously, wasn't my "first ride of the season" but it was the first ride out this year out of Fairbanks. I didn't stop at the Parks Highway Monument like I usually do as there was a lot of haze. It wasn't that nice of a view.
Added a little bit of the video. Edited the GoPro video on an old 11" MacBook Air. It did surprisingly well!
The Monderosa really fits the "old west saloon" image too. I'm looking forward to a color other than grey but not to all of the bugs that seem to come with warmer weather. Already, we seem to have quite a few mosquitos.
Wow, now we get moving pics from the great (not so white anymore) North. Finally, the green has started to return to your neck of the woods. Hope to get to see more of that soon, Richard.
Incredible spring for you. We made it up to 13 C today in SE Ontario, with rain threatening the entire time. Take it while you can get it, enjoy!
ReplyDeleteIs your Star out of storage? (True definition of the end of Winter)
DeleteI love how the first photo looks like "horses" tied up in front of the Old West saloon!
ReplyDeleteThat ride will just get more and more beautiful as the season moves along.
The Monderosa really fits the "old west saloon" image too. I'm looking forward to a color other than grey but not to all of the bugs that seem to come with warmer weather. Already, we seem to have quite a few mosquitos.
DeleteHooray for the greenery making a show. Nice temperatures for your ride too.
ReplyDeleteAfter a few days in the 80's we are back down to 50 and rain, and so it goes....
It seems to show up very fast. On Friday evening, there was only a hint. By Saturday afternoon, whole hillsides of trees are full of leaves.
DeleteWow, now we get moving pics from the great (not so white anymore) North. Finally, the green has started to return to your neck of the woods. Hope to get to see more of that soon, Richard.
ReplyDeleteNot too many videos. Right now, it's the new toy to play with. The green is really out today. Time for another ride...
DeleteA week of firsts :)
ReplyDeleteNice to see some green happening. It sounds like once it starts it's very fast.
It happens very quickly once it starts. Now the trees on the hillside are in full-on Summer, leaf mode as if they were always so adorned.
DeleteAh yes, I remember the burger at the Monderosa quite well...after you and Kyle came to rescue me and my rig......good times.
ReplyDeleteI was trying to figure out the last time I was at the Monderosa. I believe that was it. Right around a year ago...
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