[Chicago Bill]

Greetings from a cold, wet Northern IL. New to the forum and somewhat new to the great pastime of motorcycling (since 2008).

I'm a 650 custom driver and I haven't ridden since mid-November. I can tell you all now that if the dang gopher see's his shadow on Feb 2, I'm going in after him.

Can anyone else emphasize?

 

[Rider Coach]

If you need any help with that Gopher, call Bill Murray. Remember Caddyshack?

 

[vstar23]

welcome to the forum I have 2000 vstar 1100 custom. i just started riding but really find it relaxing. it went out for a ride this evening, it was chilly at 40 degrees F, at 60 mph, felt even cooler, but it was fun. i try to drive it in the winter at least every 2-3 weeks. So far my battery has stayed charged and working . I went out two weeks ago about 34 F and didnt dress for it and it was too chilly.
enjoy your bike , have fun, ride safely

 

[Kiroo]

Guy's whats a Gopher

 

[Chicago Bill]

LOL - I remember Bill Murray's charater in Caddyshak very well.

To our brother from down under, a gopher is a small rodent that burrows in the ground and destroys lawns.

Actually, what I meant to say was groundhog (kind of the same thing, lives underground). In the USA we have a made up holiday called Groundhog Day on Feb 2nd. Lore states that when a groundhog named Puxatawny Phil (who resides in Puxatawny, Pennsylvania) comes out on the 2nd, if he sees his shadow, then he retreats back into his hole and we have 6 more weeks of winter. If not then an early spring.

Thanks for the replies.

 

[Kiroo]

LOL - I remember Bill Murray's charater in Caddyshak very well.

To our brother from down under, a gopher is a small rodent that burrows in the ground and destroys lawns.

Actually, what I meant to say was groundhog (kind of the same thing, lives underground). In the USA we have a made up holiday called Groundhog Day on Feb 2nd. Lore states that when a groundhog named Puxatawny Phil (who resides in Puxatawny, Pennsylvania) comes out on the 2nd, if he sees his shadow, then he retreats back into his hole and we have 6 more weeks of winter. If not then an early spring.

Thanks for the replies.

Thanks for clearing that up for me Chicago,Heard of groundhogs & seen the movie groundhog day what a hoot.
Here a gopher is a bloke who goes and get things you for ya,he goes there & goes everywhere for what you want.
Ride safe & stay upright

 

[DavidL19]

Chicago

I live in Lincoln Park, in Chicago and I have not ridden since October, so I know what you mean. Though I do use the winter do work on old bikes for fun, and all that build up form not being able to ride them makes the first run so unbelievable. So I don't mind the "off season". Where do you normally ride? I am just wondering if you have any fun routes I might be able to try. If you want to, you can post them here or on my map, allstate insurance route map, or allstate insurance motorcycle. I am an affiliate of allstate and thus I use their page for my motorcycle stuff. It has a map and you can post routes on their. I check in to see if anyone has posted a ride near where I live. I like riding around Lake Michigan when I can. Hope the spring comes soon too. I will be glad to help you beat the crap out of the Gofer tomorrow if that shadow is there.

David Lipsky

 

[Sugar Bear]

I live in Lincoln Park, in Chicago and I have not ridden since October, so I know what you mean. Though I do use the winter do work on old bikes for fun, and all that build up form not being able to ride them makes the first run so unbelievable. So I don't mind the "off season". Where do you normally ride? I am just wondering if you have any fun routes I might be able to try. If you want to, you can post them here or on my map, allstate insurance route map, or allstate insurance motorcycle. I am an affiliate of allstate and thus I use their page for my motorcycle stuff. It has a map and you can post routes on their. I check in to see if anyone has posted a ride near where I live. I like riding around Lake Michigan when I can. Hope the spring comes soon too. I will be glad to help you beat the crap out of the Gofer tomorrow if that shadow is there.

David Lipsky

If you like scenic, twisty roads, try So IN, 100% different than So ILL , it may be a 2 day run from Chicago but well worth it , if that's what you like. 66 along the Ohio River is a really good one.37 from the river to Paoli or so is good too, there are many, if that's you like. Check them out, So IN has some good rides if you are close by, or passing through.

 

[Chicago Bill]

Sorry to not replying earlier. I live in Carol Stream and don't stray to close to the city. I ride out west along route 47. I get there usually via North Ave and go North or South from there. I don't really map out a route. I go wherever. Thanks for your link. I would try out by Galena (Starved Rock). I went out there early last year and found it quite fun and scenic. Ride safe.

 

[farmalldanzil]

Thanks for clearing that up for me Chicago,Heard of groundhogs & seen the movie groundhog day what a hoot.
Here a gopher is a bloke who goes and get things you for ya,he goes there & goes everywhere for what you want.
Ride safe & stay upright

We use the word gopher for a bloke here also.

 

[steve1953]

i live out by starved rock, that road is in nasty shape, watch out