My imagined scenario: Half-way out on a three hundred mile loop, it starts to rain. Priority one, get back to base camp safe and sound (does anyone here honestly ENJOY riding in the rain? Different strokes for different folks, and in my short stay here so far, some of y'all are definitely different! ). Priority two, keep my riding gear dry, so tomorrow when the sun is shining again, boots, pants, jacket, gloves aren't water logged.
Budget considerations are a factor.
A) Rain suit recommendations/experience? One piece? Two piece? $20 disposable? $150+ breathable? Anything in-between?
B) My boots are vented, does anyone carry/use boot covers?
C) What to do about gloves?
Anything else I'm not considering, which has the potential to detract from the fun factor?
It could probably be an entire separate post, but...what is your preference for carrying gear:
a) Back Pack (I have used mine on some shorter rides, and it seems OK, but may cause add'l fatigue on looong rides?)?
b) Tank Bag (I got one with bike, haven't mounted it yet, just seems like it would be too restrictive to moving around)?
c) Tail Bag (soft/passenger seat)?
Saddle bags not an option at this point, unless someone has some Aprilia OE Falco softbags and brackets stashed in the attic they want gone for oh...say...$50...ok...$75 .
Thanks!
+P / Wade

Hey group,
On my AM ride today, with it being as humid as it is today (Wow, March 17th!?!), and probably a combo of the frost coming out, sections I was riding were "sweating" (dark/damp), worse in the shadows. I'm sure I'm being overly cautious, and would appreciate hearing from more experienced riders, when you are in wet corners (I'd guess it doesn't matter if its drying after rain, or sweating, like I'm seeing today?) what is your reduced %, compared to "dry" conditions, that you are A) 100% confident/comfortable or B) Increased pucker-factor, but obviously, still 99% certain you're not going to feel the bike slipping under you?
Thanks,
+P / Wade

Hi Ridealot,
Us ANSR's will have to get together for some route scouting missions! My ride today took me down to the SW corner of the cities to ride with a good bud, but if the weather tomorrow hangs in there, it'll be tough to not take a little time for a ride, I'm thinking Taylors Falls direction. River valleys tend to create some of the more interesting roads (other than mountains, but in case you hadn't noticed yet, we don't have many of those around here  ). Welcome!
+P / Wade

Thanks all for the Welcomes.
Mike Duluth...I end up in Duluth a few times a year...but usually with Mrs. Plus, and she's much more of a fan of picking rocks in Two Harbors than riding two-up, but maybe I can figure out a way to do both?!? I'll let you know if I'll be in the neighborhood on two wheels. I'm confident there are some great hidden twisty routes up that way.
After spending more time reviewing the Forums, I'm even more looking forward to meeting the group and finding my place in the Pace.
+P

Hi MN-MSTA,
I'm Wade, from Wyoming, MN (just north of Forest Lake). I followed one of Ray916MN's posts at 1000rr.net over here (Thanks Ray!). It all looks right up my alley, and hoping to get together for some Pace rides once Spring gets here. In my mid 40's, on-again off-again rider for 20 years. Last year a good friend who I used to race cars with decided to take up 2 wheel racing, so that has become the current obsession. After seeing A) How at the edge you have to ride to be competitve and B) The results of crossing the edge, I have no desire to compete...but do enjoy the exhiliration of "spirited" riding, and also like to know first hand what effect changing preload, damping, geometry etc has on the bike, so I can help my rider stay confident and competitve while he's out on the track. So I figured it was a good time to get myself back in the saddle.
In November, after a few months of researching/shopping, I got an '03 Aprilia Falco. Glad to see in the previous New Member posts that there are a few other Apes here! So far, other than trip home, I got it out on Thanksgiving Day and for a few miles back on Jan 10th, when it was 50°. Looking forward to the next opportunity!
Regards,
+P / Wade