Season's opener

First blast out on the bike for a long while!

Given the excuse of the broken hand, I haven't really missed riding for the past few months. After all, the Scottish winter isn't the most appealing weather for riding. Although it has to be said, there is little better for blowing the cobwebs out - along with every last joule of body heat if you're nor careful.

Having kept the bike reasonably clean in the garage, with occasional five or ten minute runs to get it turned over, I wasn't unduly surprised when it started first time. I let it warm up, rolled it back and forward to check that brakes, tyres and chain were OK, then set off for Edinburgh.

Two miles down the road, I knew this was going to be painful. I'd elected to take the country roads, rather than the motorway, and was keeping the speed down - despite rumours to the contrary, I do have enough self-preservation sense not to act the hooligan - but the left hand was really giving me gyp. Seems like I have a bit more exercise to do yet to bring it back to the usual state of health and strength, since every clutch change hurts. And I could feel the little finger pulling over to the middle of the hand as I bent the fingers. This is going to take some getting used to.

So the return trip was motorway, easy on the gear changes, just getting back into the swing of watching traffic and surroundings generally. It was a beautiful day, cold, but sunshine and a light breeze. Until I started home, when it turned a bit nasty... So I didn't get through the winter without riding in the snow, after all!