A really wet ride in Aug-tober!

I don't know if you remember this picture from February. It was a rainy day when I posed the question and it was another rainy day when I got the answer. I had wondered in this post who the rider of the bike was. If ever there was a dedicated motorcycle commuter, this rider was it. Whatever the weather or time of year, I'd see the old Yamaha parked in the same spot. My guess was that the rider was an employee of this Best Buy store. I never really pursued it to any degree, though. God forbid I should be seen as some sort of stalker, or anything!

One day I saw that the bike had changed. Instead of the old Yamaha I saw a newer KLR with the aluminum panniers. Since I no longer saw the Yamaha and the KLR was parked in the same place, I figured it was the same rider with a different bike.

There came a day when I had business in the store. The KLR was parked in its accustomed spot. As usual, I was in riding gear, helmet in hand. Store security people tend to get a little uptight when you do that, which means I really like doing it. I casually asked who rode the bike to work. I always find that people are really willing to spill their guts if you act at all interested in them. A young woman told me the guy's name was Cass and that he worked in the media department. That's the part where they sell music and movies, I guess. Wandering over there, I asked for the guy. Turns out he had the day off. I was told that Cass would park in that spot but go to a movie on the other side of the mall.

Since it was really only casual interest on my part, I let things go. A rainy day this week started the ball rolling again.

The weather guessers had told us a Winter-like storm was rolling in. I was actually looking forward to the rain. It would be great chance to see how much weather protection I'd have with Elvira. The rain was substantial so it was a good test. I'll tell you about the comparison in another post. Suffice it to say I didn't drown!

As chance would have it, I was near the mall and decided to stop for coffee. Sure enough, the KLR was there. So I parked next to it.

This time I went into the store and actually met the guy. He's about 35. I have to tell you, the guy looks like he'd be a lot more at home in a library than on a dual sport bike. Cass was pretty busy with a freight shipment so I didn't ask for his photo. I did tell him about the blog and how he'd fit right in with us. Cass wrote down the url for the site so I hope he sees this post. You're setting a good example, Sir!

Cass took our training class as a teenager. He's been riding since. The old Yamaha is still in his garage. When the chance came to buy the KLR for a good price Cass decided to try it out. The KLR is working really well for him. No surprise there, is it?

What's neat is that besides riding a bike to work all the time, Cass has encouraged some fellow employees to do the same. He told me to go look in the parking lot for a couple of specific bikes. When I left the store I looked around. Sure enough, I found the bikes he told me about.

No, it's not Stacy, but the bike looks pretty similar doesn't it? I believe Stacy has put turn signals from a GSXR on her bike, if I remember correctly. You'll have to refresh us on that, Stacy!

At least one of the riders ( the SV rider ) knows how to properly park a bike. I'll have to ask Cass if he's the one teaching the "pull in frontways" method. I parked nose in because I wanted Elvira to be facing the same way as the KLR and it was there first. Although it pained me to do it!

So I made a new friend, saw there was some growth in the riding to work movement, and generally had another great day on a bike. I can also tell you that you won't drown in a heavy downpour if you ride an FJR. By the way, ABS rocks on wet pavement. It takes a little courage to get into the ABS on purpose when the road's soaked. Just have faith and stay smooth! Whatever extra you pay for ABS it's well worth it!

I encountered Clinton in his pickup when I got back close to home. He recognized me as I was catching up to him. Then the little turkey flashed me a rude gesture and a smile. Is that any way to greet your father, young man?

Miles and smiles,

Dan