Family and Friend

Yesterday was hotter than – wait… yesterday was exactly as HOT as the 4th of July. But we went riding anyway. My friend Gary, my nephew Jacob, and I had a good time riding in and out of the swamps south of Interstate 10. The roads and sights were familiar, and we managed about 225 miles of it. I’ve got my ’14 FJR back together after a self-inflicted wound on my rear pumpkin. Gary just put a new set of PR4’s on his ’14 FJR, and from what I can see, he likes them very much. Jacob followed on his ’04 Honda 599 Hornet. He’s got about 5,000 miles on it since he bought it (10K total) and his riding has improved tremendously.

There were no themes, no revelations, nor wondrous lessons in life. We had no particular agenda – just ride and enjoy the day. Hope you enjoy the pics.

I agreed to meet Gary about 40 miles away at the Grosse Tete exit of the Interstate – I imagine he had about the same distance to go from Baton Rouge. The sauna is at full blast now, so an early 8:00 am meeting is called for. I get to Jacob’s house and he is pulling out of the porch. Looks like somebody took a wack a the mailbox.



Traffic on the I-10 Atchafalaya Basin bridge is surprisingly light this morning. Jacob is looking comfortable back there.



We arrive at the Tiger Truck Stop on time – kind of a motley crew, don’t ya think?



All drain plugs are still torqued tight, but I’ve got emergency provisions just in case…..



We rode an hour or so through the swamp and stopped at the shell station in Grand Bayou, Louisiana. I was glad to park the bikes under the shade. Boy, that ’14 FJR is one good looking motorcycle.



Then it was a short ride to Lake Veret, where I led us to a spot I like to stop and sniff. I’m not sure what Gary is looking at. Yes, we can all read – not everybody in south Louisiana is illiterate.



Nice view here.



I like my old dingy riding jacket.



Gary broke away as he is due home to meet his wife. Jacob and I continued south to Morgan City, and then turned West in the general direction of home. In Patterson, Louisiana, on the 4th of July, lunch options are very few and far between.



I have to admit, it wasn’t too bad. I think the grease was fresh and we waited 12 minutes for them to fry us up a batch. Jacob ate his so quickly, this is all I got for food porn….



Jacob and I got to catch up on things. He’s finishing his second year as a mechanical engineering major at our University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Kids’ got a tremendous future and I’m proud of him greatly.

While waiting for the chicken, a quick check of the radar and it looks like we are going to get wet.



I studied it for a second and learned that the storms are all moving east pretty quickly. I planned a nice ride around it and hoped for the best.

As we rode through the marsh, things ahead are looking kind of dark. The heavy cloud cover is keeping temperatures tolerable – it’s dropped from the mid-90s to around 85-87.



Jacob doesn’t seem too worried about it.



In New Iberia, I checked it again, and plotted another detour around the next batch of showers. Jacob likes his bike and I think it’s a fine motorcycle. It runs like a top.



About 10 miles from home, our luck ran out as we hit a moderate rain shower. I got to test out my new Cee Bailey windscreen in the rain and was very pleased. All my recently installed farkles worked very well.

Back home, I threw a bucket of soap on my bike and my wife’s car, and called it a day. Maybe not the most memorable 4th of July, but it was very relaxing and enjoyable to spend it with family and friend.

Stay thirsty, my friends….

Looks like a great day's ride! Jacob is fortunate to have some veterans to ride with and show him the ropes. Those storms look like they could blow you all the way to the Land of Oz. But it looks like everything turned out for the best. Thanks for the ride-along.

Nice looking ride 'pants. Good to see the '14 back on the road with a fresh punkin!

Thanks for taking us along.

--G

I rode mine to work all weekend.

Nice posting.

Very nice hppants!

Thanks!

We were fortunate to dodge the rain for most of the day. I knew that at some point, I could go west no further, and turning north was surely going to result in getting wet. I was using the radar to stay away from the "reds and pinks" and gravitate toward the "greens and yellows". We caught just one yellow and it was OK at 40 mph in the back country.

R/H - the standing invitation for you and your dad is always open. Whenever you get a day off, give me a shout.

I've really enjoyed riding with Jacob the past year or so. for a 20 year old, he rides very well and very smart. His lane position is a little off in the curves, but that can be easily fixed. Otherwise, he does what he's supposed to do and definitely rides within his ability. He is definitely ATGATT - I see his bike parked on campus and it's always got his jacket, pants, and boots staged next to it. I imagine some of his squid buddies give him a hard time about that, but kudos to him for rising above it.

The other day, I heard a motorcycle running up the gears pretty good on a 40mph campus street. I looked up and it was Jacob running down the street at no less than 20 over. I sent him a text message encouraging him to hedge his bets - save the wrist twisting for the back country when conditions are better. He replied appreciably. Saturday as we left his subdivision, I took off pretty good on the 45 mph feeder street. At the next red light, as he pulls next to me, Jacob lifted his helmet shield:

"Save the wrist twisting for the back country, man."

Touche', my nephew. Roger that.

Ran outta likes. Thanks for sharing. Reminds me of my son David...who had an XJ600, but gets a fresh 'ol 2004 FJR on Thursday. I test ran it last night after doing work on it over the weekend...man is it a nice bike. He is gonna love it. But I have always instructed him to save the wrist for the back roads as well...which I usually follow myself...except if in heavy traffic a mad motorist starts chasing me...which has never happened.

Anyways, enjoyed the story...thanks for sharing.

Excellent report Pants as usual