10-24

I have been wanting a wide angle lens for a while, but just could not justify spending a whole lot of cash for a lens that would go on an entry level Canon that is a few years old. However, I was at photo supply shop today and they had a Tamron 10-24 lens (which also got some good reviews)on sale, plus the sample pics I took at the store came out nice, so with that decided to take the plunge and get it.

The first pics of course are of the bike, so here you go.

And I did get a ride in today since the sun was out and from what I hear, it finally hit 60 degrees. :)

Yay! - another dry day.

Sun decided to show up off and on for a few hours today and even through the temps did not go up more than about 50F, I decided to take the bike out for a spin. Took the 848 for a short ride around a local lake, which has a nice drive around it with some sweeping curves and little to no traffic. Needless to say, it was nice to get out, but really sick of the rain at this point (heard that we got over 8 inches of rain in the last couple of months) and ready for Spring to finally emerge.

As you can see still no leaves on trees.

First longish ride of the season

The weather guys predicted a dry day with clouds with a high of 53F, so decided to take a chance and got out for a ride out to the coast. On the way, hooked up with a few cruisers and a BMW adv bike that were heading in the same direction. Roads overall were decent, some were a bit more chewed up than I remember last year, but overall fairly clean. That said, they were not dry.

As to the weather, although the forecast said fifty something on the coast, it was definitely not fifty something on the way there. 60 miles into the ride and my fingers were icicles (I still don't have decent winter gloves) and if the group did not stop every so often (benefit of riding with cruisers) they probably would have fallen off. The BMW rider noted that his temp gauge showed 35-40F, yes, it was a little nippy.;)- thanks to him though, he lent me some over gloves that helped a ton.

Net, net, made it to the coast in one piece, had some good fish and chips and took the fast way (hwy) back home vs. the twisties. Bike was super dirty from the ride, probably dirtier than it has ever been- could not let it sit that way, so ended up washing it- was still freezing, but had to do it.

Also decided, from here on, no more long rides for me until the temps hit at least 55 and above (through out any route I'm taking).

Anyway pics below.

Hooked up with some cruisers

Saw some Elk

Ended up at the coast.

This is what you get for getting the tail chopped.

Cleaned it up.

A few more shots.

The five min paint job is holding upwell.

Spring?!?

Not much new on the Monster front, other than the fact that we are still waiting for Spring to show up in the Pacific northwest. March ended with 29 continuous days of rain and temps in teh 40-55F range and April's forceast does not look any brighter. That said, got a couple of rides in the wet/ cold and got the bike dirty. :) Hoping for dryer days ahead.