How far would you go for some sparkling water…on a Goldwing?

The answer to that question, so far, has been to an grocery store an hour away.

They make bubly with caffeine now. Not shown: the other 8-pack and some eggs

To be fair, I was going to the store for bread that is only sold at that particular chain of grocery store and it was the closest one. Vons didn’t have the bread I went there for so I bought bubly instead. I’ve only ridden the Crimson Couch about 1000 miles since I bought it from a guy in Arizona including the 330 mile ride back from Phoenix. I needed the practice.

The Goldwing is the heaviest two-wheel conveyance I’ve ever ridden and there isn’t a straight road within 20 miles of where I live in the mountains. Compound that with the fact that I never really got my nerve back after low-siding a 2002 Suzuki GSXF1200S Bandit and Mrs. Bald Rider won’t be joining me on the pillion until I shake it out. I don’t think it will be long before I am comfortable on the back but we’re going to have to rip that band-aid off sooner or later and just do it.

Pre-Damaged

When I found a bike for sale that had been tipped over on both sides, I knew it was the bike for me. It is already adorned with battle scars. Both mirrors have deep gouges and the “tip-over protection” on the 2018+ ‘wing is not exactly the most comprehensive. I haven’t tipped the bike over yet but I know it will happen sooner or later. I hope I won’t feel too bad about it when it does.

The latest trip was to a gas station an hour away to buy gas and a Monster. Good thing the Crimson Couch gets 50mpg.

In the meantime, I continue to make unreasonably long treks for items I could purchase within walking distance to get one step closer to two-up adventures. I’m close to dragging pegs.