Bonnie and Sophia Step Up
While Ginger is on Injured Reserve
I do think they are sometimes suicidal. Perhaps with autumn comes SAD, seasonal affective disorder; but this was a bright sunny day and almost noon.
It plays in slow motion for me...the gallop, exactly two strides from the tree line, slowing Ginger from about 65 to maybe 50, moving left, the impact on the right front fairing, my right knee and Krisanne's leg. A glancing blow, the best kind short of none at all. As they say, it could have been worse, much worse.
Krisanne's leg was sore for quite a while, but good gear works; her Alpinestars boot took the brunt of the impact. Ginger's right middle fairing is cracked, the turn signal broken, but otherwise no damage. A new, color matched, fairing panel is being airlifted in from the Fatherland as I type. With today's supply chain woes, who knows when. I requested an expedited Red Cross helicopter...we've got wounded after all.
Of course, the fairing comes sans "F800GT" decal and for that little film of sticky plastic BMW exercises its nom de plume: Bring More Wallet, and are asking over $100, almost one third of the cost of the entire painted panel. For one decal. Aliexpress, however, has one, actually two because they come in a set, for less than $7, delivered. Made by slave children I'm sure, but still. It has already arrived and is patiently waiting.
Bonnie and Sophia jump willingly into the fray. Arivaca Road, long a ride haunt, is in the middle of an upgrade: an end-to-end repave and a revival of the cafe "destination" imminent.
The new Tumbleweed Cafe.
Not much different frankly, but just being open will be enormous progress. Supposedly, in a few weeks.
The best part is always sitting out under the shade trees, swapping lies with other petrolheads, or just enjoying the scenery.
Even Arivaca gets dragged into social media...
The west side takes you north to Three Points, through the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge and the Tohono O'odham reservation.
A very nice 140 mile loop that will be close to perfect when the paving is done and the cafe open. A go-to ride for sure. If/when Kitt Peak reopens, that will be the cherry on top...at close to 9000 feet. The observatory remains closed to the public because of covid, and the road to this Sky Island is gated at the bottom.
To give you a sense of the best part.
Sophia out for a "coffee and" ride...a leisurely 100 miles and a brisk 78 degrees... 😎
Happy December from the Southwest!
Update: A Full Recovery
New Panel
New Sticker
Same Reserved Parking
The panel is an easy swap...but a man's got to know his limitations.
Stickers and I don't get along, brought Ginger to Formula One auto body, the shop that repaired Enzo after a javalina jumped in front of Krisanne. Todd expertly applied that oh-so-thin film, good as new, and wouldn't take any payment. Shop bagels will be delivered tomorrow...😎
