This song and this video epitomizes my ideology this summer. It's quite optimistic and the video is filled with beautiful imagery that seem very familiar to me as of two and half months ago. This past winter was really long, cold, and difficult and everytime I see this video, it just makes me smile and think of summer. After what I've been going through, I really needed this. Thanks V, for sending me the link :)
I hope to be doing some "MINI" road trips this summer in this thing. Cruising to nearby towns in this ragtop to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and the monotony of the suburbs. This is my vehicle to get away. Just me, my dog, Q and some cameras. This is the summer to roam.
On August 26th, I rode out to Galena/ Jo Daviess County with Mark, Geo and Eric. Even though the day started out rainy, it eventually turned into a beautiful day to ride. We rode through the twisties of western Illinois and around the Galena area along the Mississippi River Valley... rode through quaint little downtown Galena... and had lunch at a Mom and Pop style restaurant. Northwestern Illinois is beautiful and unlike the rest of the midwest's cornfield-flat terrain. There are actually hills and cliffs there! And the ride on 52 on the Iowa side of the Mississippi River is absolutely breathtaking.
It was my first long ride and even though I was a bit achey after the 375 mile ride... I'm already itching to do it again... and even farther next time. For those who ride, you know what I'm talking about... and for those who don't... all I have are some words I ripped off of my buddy's Friendster page - "Four wheels move the body... 2 wheels move the soul".
Check out the video here from the ride. I'm the slow one who's always in the way of the camera bike. It was hard keeping up with an R1, R6 and Ninja ZX7 but the SV 650 handled the twisties just fine. It's so fun to ride. Special thanks to Mark for the great footage and to Geo and Eric for the great company. Looking forward to another one soon before the season is over.
