Modern Vespa

As the World Turns: Thelonica had her 600mi service yesterday, and had her original oil pan changed out for the sight-glass-equipped Buchsenfuchs version. No issues, sez my dealer, we're cleared for takeoff.

"Takeoff", in this case meaning hitting the highway, long and fast, to Gotham and (occasionally) beyond, which turns out to be good, timing-wise: my freelance-IT dance card is starting to fill up, and my Job-like patience with the likes of NJ Transit has been wearing thin of late (again), and coordinating trips to Gotham with Le Wife have been problematic as well: any major dude in the field will tell you that you can't precisely time when you'll be done with a job, so if someone is providing a ride home for you, you're likely to tick them off by saying "nope, not done yet, maybe an hour?" (And yet, she insists on doing this as often as possible, regardless of how often I've pissed her off when I'm running late. I think it's mostly for the company, especially when she's cursing out the RAM Longhorn driver I'm cautioning her not to flip off.)

Irritatingly, It'll be raining all of tomorrow, so I'll be hitching a ride to get a much-needed haircut, but I'll get in a quick speed-run on Nica today while running a few errands; a ten-miler on Rte 18 should do it. As far as other changes to the bike, only two remain: an oil-filler extension line from Buchsenfuchs (they call it a FüllFreund), and something ScooterWest just released: a front fender mud flap. Hardly the first that ever existed, but possibly the first I actually like enough to want to install.

Then, there's stuff for the rider: toward the end of the year, I'll be replacing the RevIt! touring jacket that helped save my hide last December, since it took quite the hit, and shows it; I'll be budgeting about $400-450 for that. In the nearer-term, I've ben thinking about how to make myself more-visible at night without popping for a hi-viz jacket that won't be worn every time I head out (I have three jackets as of now), and I might have come across an interesting solution, taken from the running community. I'll keep y'all in the loop as to how this plays out.

Then, there's footwear: I opted for the same kicks that got shredded in December, but saved my feet: Bilt's cheap-as-chips Dexter riding sneakers. The only thing I was never crazy about them was the laces: like any high-top, getting in and out of them could be a challenge, although the Dexters do have the cool advantage of a side-zipper that eases the aggravation a bit. But I've found something that makes things even easier on that front, which also comes from the running community; in fact, it works so well that it's made another pair of riding sneakers, which I rarely wore (and was ready to toss out) usable again. I'll be writing that up in another post, coming soon, promise.

So: Time to ride!

Digging the Burning Man vibes of those harnesses.

I've been spoiled by the BOA system for lacing, and I doubt I'll go back. I only know three companies that make them: Klims don't fit my feet. RevIts are stupid expensive (and probs discontinued). That leaves Icon, whose Stormhawks have been gracing my feet for almost exactly a year.

They definitely show the wear in a few places: the waterproof liner has a hole worn in the heel, the right rubber toe cap has a crack, and the steel lace is starting to fray. That said, it's hard to find footwear that lasts longer than a few months anymore, so I'm happy to see these have held up. They weren't my favorite when I bought them (and they aren't nearly as waterproof as advertised), but they've grown on me. I'll probably buy another pair when these finally die.

I'm also thinking about getting something more hardcore for commute days. Drivers in San Francisco are fucking terrifying on this end of the pandemic.