There are two things most folks know about me. Well, three if you count insanity, and most folks do...

The first is that I strongly feel that modern Sportsters are some of the finest bikes MoCo builds. I am constantly amazed at the speed, power and maneuverability these bikes offer. Bring your "A-game" if you're going to chase me through Madison.

The second thing is that I hate being wet and cold. Too many nights spent shivering under picnic tables in pouring thunderstorms as a boy on a motorcycle far from home.

So, I was quite disheartened to see black clouds swirling around the bike shop today as I finished my latte' whilst my associates and I were trading lies. I went out to Spinner and solemnly stuck the key in the ignition. My wrench, Ryan, had tuned her. We picked good parts and a proper download. I had a full tank of fresh premium. And I had seen her run at speed. Only one thing left to do.

As I turned onto the slab I felt two tiny droplets hit my sunglasses. Nothing struck the bike, and at first I thought an A/C unit from a cage had spit at me. However, I was right under the edge of the black cloud, and the front was moving in fast. You could *feel* the air shift in both density and temperature, and we were in for it. Naturally, every idiot in Dane County decided to take a scenic jaunt at the very moment I was winding out the gears...

Spinner's pedigree was steeped in the K-Models and flat-trackers of old, and I pressed her hard, really hard, "over my head" hard. The road in front of me was dry, but that could change within a few moments of hesitation. My turn-off from the slab was a long rolling two lane sprint to the cloverleaf, and I never touched the brakes. I reluctantly dropped one gear to make the start of the S-turn, but smoked out of it as I made it to the class A highway and home.

I did have one stoplight ahead of me. I pulled into the far right lane. If I made the light 'green' I would continue going straight. If the light changed I would swing a right turn and enter the subdivison from a secondary entrance. I managed to make it green, and also mash my left front jean jacket pocket, activating the garage door opener, and into a clean, dry stop.

Now, I would like to end this tale by reporting that I made it by mere seconds. That would be exciting. In truth, I managed to walk to the mailbox and retrieve my daily bills before the rain hit. Still, I haven't pressed a bike like that in years, and it's good to know the old juices are still there. BTW, don't race a new 1200cc Sportster--at least not for money!

that only depends on who the riders are...