First ride to work of the season

Rode to work today. First time this season. 39 deg this morning, cold but not unbearable. Love the fairing on this thing. My riding buddy, who rides a softtail, won't consider riding until it's at least 60. I didn't understand this until I realized he doesn't have a fairing or a windshield so I do understand now. Too bad, he's losing out on riding and whining about it, too. The best part is riding home, it'll be about 55. I'm going to explore a new route, one which has much less traffic and goes through rural areas. I already avoid the freeway, which is notorious for having mattresses, fridges, lumber, etc. strewn about. And the other route I take is just getting too crowded as people avoid the freeway for reasons already mentioned.
There was a biker who died here because he hit a mattress lying on the freeway :wtf: - it was dark and didn't have time to avoid it. So the other route may be my new one. It will take longer but I'm on a bike so I don't see a problem. Plus I have an hour lunch so a short ride may be in order.