My first longish ride on what may be the last nice day of the year

[Pickwick]

(Why does no one from the states ever post here?)

Today I did 173 miles (per Google Maps) or 185 miles (per my odometer).  From my house near Lexington Kentucky I went north to Maysville, and crossed the Ohio River to Aberdeen Ohio where I had my picnic lunch.  Then I made a 40 mile loop through West Union, and then back south to the Ohio River Scenic Byway.  Back to Aberdeen and back across the same bridge (not many bridges over this particular river).  Then a different route home, through Flemingsburg Kentucky and my gas stop; I probably could have made it without stopping but wasn't sure, and there weren't many gas stations in the later part of the trip.  I got 71 mpg.

I made the first 80 miles without stopping, but each stop thereafter came sooner; my backside became less tolerant during the course of the day. 

No mechanical issues, but after I added the tailbag I'm having more trouble getting my leg over the bike without dragging my boot across the seat.  I'm not as agile as I used to be. 

[Resident Weevil]

I love the satin black finish, is that a standard colour option in the US or was it an after market spray job?
Is that the same Aberdeen where they have or had the tank museum?
I know exactly what you mean about trouble getting your leg over the bike with a bag on the pillion perch. Being older and somewhat lacking in height I have to lift my right leg as high as I can and then sort of hop towards the bike on my left when it's fully laden with touring luggage. Doing this while wearing a heavy rucksack a few years ago on my Fazer resulted in me over balancing backwards and ending up like upended turtle by the side of the road, much to the amusement of my two mates who were with me at the time. Thank f*** GoPros weren't around then...

[Pickwick]

Standard color, at least for the F models.  It actually would not have been my choice, but when you buy used you get what you get.

Aberdeen Ohio has no tank museum.  It's a small river town that fell on hard times when passenger river traffic decreased 100+ years ago.  They have a school, a couple shops and gas stations, and a bunch of empty buildings on Main Street.