February's almost over and we're coming down the home stretch for winter. I, for one, am ready for Spring. My throttle hand is starting to itch (actually, let's face it, it's been itching since December). It's time to clean our bikes, check the fluids, lube the chain (if you have one), and prepare for the upcoming riding season.
This is being pretty optimistic. Three years ago we had a snow storm in May, so I might be putting the cart before the horse, but I like to stay positive (for my own sanity). Just ask my wife how insane I became in May of 2013!
So, let's hope that we'll be crawling out of biker hibernation and riding very soon. Also, let's hope that we all keep our sanity if Spring doesn't come for a couple of months. Here's my bold prediction...I'll be posting about my first ride of the year by the first week of April. That will be six blog posts from now (holy shit, that's actually a long time!).
"I try not to get involved in the business of prediction. It's a quick way to look like an idiot." - Warren Ellis
I recently read a great article in Motorcyclist magazine (read it here). The premise was similar to posts I have made, don't put down or hate other motorcyclists. If you have a Harley, you don't have to hate a person who rides a Honda and vice versa. Show respect for everyone on two wheels.
Also, I really can't stand it when a person becomes an elitist douchebag toward anything that he or she aren't into. An example would be an adventure touring enthusiast calling anyone who rides on the street lame for staying on pavement. While dirt riding may be cool to you, how about keeping your put downs to yourself and be happy that someone is enjoying the sport, no matter which type of bike they may ride? The actual funny thing in these situations is that a lot of these elitist bikers will end up liking the same bikes they're clowning on when they become the "in" thing.
It'd be really "cool" to have enough confidence in yourself to enjoy what you do without putting others down. Sigh...rant over and please don't take this post as anti-adventure touring. I was just using that as an example. Riding any type of motorcycle is always alright with me. Who really cares what others see as cool anyway? That's a topic for fourteen year old girls to worry about.
"See the bowtie? I wear it and don't care. That's why it's cool." - Steven Moffat
February 2000 was a strange month as far as weather is concerned. The temperatures were well above the melting point for most of the month. If you read this post you'll see what my feelings are regarding prematurely taking your bike out in the spring, but this year was different. Not only were the temperatures warm, but it also rained for a few days straight, which removed nearly all of the leftover sand and salt on the local roads.
I had purchased my brand new Ducati Monster in October and I was really anxious to get out and ride. While I was debating if the roads were in good enough condition to take the bike out, a friend of mine showed up at my house and made the decision for me. He said the roads were in great condition and I needed to get off my ass. So, we spent that Sunday riding nearly 100 miles. It was a pretty eventful ride with the most memorable part being my run in with a partridge. Actually, the partridge flew into me, leaving a huge cloud of feathers in my wake.
The reason that I'm sharing this story is to point out that no matter where you live, the weather can throw you a curveball and you could be out riding way sooner than you expect. Take advantage of these days and savor them when they come. In fact, let's cross our fingers and hope for a similar February this year!
"Remember Red, hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies." - Andy Dufresne, The Shawshank Redemption
This past weekend was a fun one. I had the chance to break the monotony of winter by getting outside and enjoying some snowmobiling. While it's not motorcycling, any sort of motorsport was much better than sitting on my ass all weekend. When I was riding, I noted to myself the similarities between motorcycling and snowmobiling.
The first similarity is an obvious one...you're straddling a motorized contraption with no protection from the elements except the gear you're wearing. It's my favorite way to enjoy the outdoors, riding at relatively high speeds. Just that alone was a great way to break my winter boredom.
Other similarities related more to the subtle motions I make while riding either a motorcycle or snowmobile. Keep in mind that I did most of my snowmobiling on groomed trails this weekend, not in deep powder. One trail I was riding was extremely twisty and I found myself reverting to my motorcycle headspace. I instinctively started to make sure I kept my gaze on where I needed to be instead of right in front of me (remember cornering 101 in motorcycle safety class?). Also I made sure to create some pressure on the running boards with my inside foot on each corner, similar to what I do with the foot pegs on a motorcycle.
I actually think that snowmobiling in the winter may be a great way to keep your motorcycling skills sharp. However, owning a snowmobiling is really expensive, possibly even more so than a motorcycle. I'm not prepared to spend that kind of money at this time, but I think I can rent or borrow one here and there throughout the winter, so I can actually have some fun. I recommend you do the same to beat your winter blues.
"Love is the power to see similarity in the dissimilar." - Theodor Adorno
