That's the only way to describe the smile on my face!
I went down to West Coast Harley at noon today. I had told them that it would be early afternoon but I just couldn't wait any longer.
I was nervous. It's been a few years since I've been on a bike and here was I, just about to do a couple of firsts.
My first time on a brand-spanking-new bike. One mile on the clock. The nearest I'd been to that before, with any bike, was 19 1/2 K.
It was also my first time on a Harley-Davidson, apart from a cabby around a car park years ago.
So, there's me in the shop, full of nervous trepidation and my bike is still on display. Somehow wires had gotten crossed along the way and they weren't expecting me for another day. I could excuse them that little oversight, especially as the diary proved me right, as they'd had a busy weekend at the Scottish Bike Show.
It wasn't too bad a wait. I got the chance to talk with some of the staff about all things Harley. I also racked up a few more extra pounds on future purchases. Then finally I got the shout that my bike was ready. A quick run through the controls and switches, directions out of the yard and I was away.
My first time, proper, on a H-D was definitely all I had dreamed it would be. The sun was shining and once I got out of town, the roads were reasonably quiet. A good thing, as I was having to take it easy to break the machine in. Must be a Harley thing that, as most vehicles get "run" in. Even taking things easy I could feel the power of the 96 cubic inch engine rumbling away beneath me. Heads were turning as I made my way through traffic up the busy main route out of town. The feeling was so good I just had to keep going. Practicing low speed manoeuvers would come later. I wanted the open road.
By the time I had reached Aberfoyle and felt like a coffee I had clocked up my first 25 miles. The coffee was really just an excuse to get off and look at my bike, so I didn't take very long over it. The run back home saw me clock up my first half ton.
I'm sure that every mile will just keep on getting better and better.
Happy St. Patricks day! It certainly has been one for me to remember.
I went down to West Coast Harley at noon today. I had told them that it would be early afternoon but I just couldn't wait any longer.
I was nervous. It's been a few years since I've been on a bike and here was I, just about to do a couple of firsts.
My first time on a brand-spanking-new bike. One mile on the clock. The nearest I'd been to that before, with any bike, was 19 1/2 K.
It was also my first time on a Harley-Davidson, apart from a cabby around a car park years ago.
So, there's me in the shop, full of nervous trepidation and my bike is still on display. Somehow wires had gotten crossed along the way and they weren't expecting me for another day. I could excuse them that little oversight, especially as the diary proved me right, as they'd had a busy weekend at the Scottish Bike Show.
It wasn't too bad a wait. I got the chance to talk with some of the staff about all things Harley. I also racked up a few more extra pounds on future purchases. Then finally I got the shout that my bike was ready. A quick run through the controls and switches, directions out of the yard and I was away.
My first time, proper, on a H-D was definitely all I had dreamed it would be. The sun was shining and once I got out of town, the roads were reasonably quiet. A good thing, as I was having to take it easy to break the machine in. Must be a Harley thing that, as most vehicles get "run" in. Even taking things easy I could feel the power of the 96 cubic inch engine rumbling away beneath me. Heads were turning as I made my way through traffic up the busy main route out of town. The feeling was so good I just had to keep going. Practicing low speed manoeuvers would come later. I wanted the open road.
By the time I had reached Aberfoyle and felt like a coffee I had clocked up my first 25 miles. The coffee was really just an excuse to get off and look at my bike, so I didn't take very long over it. The run back home saw me clock up my first half ton.
I'm sure that every mile will just keep on getting better and better.
Happy St. Patricks day! It certainly has been one for me to remember.
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