First proper ride of 2015

It's Spring!

Hopefully it stays spring

Gap Lake, picnic side. Click for full resolution

Got to take out the bike for a proper ride through Highway 1A, a smaller highway that runs parallel to the Trans Canada Highway (Highway 1), and although I took it slow to Canmore, I had a blast coming back.

Why take it slow? I havn't been on this stretch of road since early November of last year (Yay for short Winter), so not only am I not wholly accustomed to
the twists and turns as I once was, I have no idea about the road conditions. 

Salt eats away at the metal and other finishing of the motorcycle (plastic), and especially engine parts since they are exposed to the tire splash.

 

Gravel can cause an accident as the front wheel or rear wheel suddenly loses traction while midturn or lean. It's sudden and violent. The best way to avoid it is to know where there is gravel and to slow down.

But how was my ride on the way back? Amazing. 

I am very glad I decided to head out early in the season while the Casual Harley/Cruiser (There are hard core cruiser riders), and weekend sport bike riders (There are hard core sport bike riders), are waiting for the streets to be officially cleaned of gravel. While they wait, I'm out there enjoying some pristine roads, little to no gravel, pot holes on the far right side of the road, 

(There are no dual sports/Super motos on the list of lazy riders, because they are always hard core riders)

The CBR500r feels like a proper big bike. Bigger overall dimensions, more weight and wider tires - all make the motorcycle feel ... more. More power than then CBR250r but not crazy amounts.

Overall, a fun day out.