Close Call

Last week I had a very close call on my way to work. It was a bit of a relaxed work week because of the July 4th holiday, so I was about fifteen minutes later than usual leaving my house. I found out that there is a whole lot more traffic at this time. Before I pulled out of my yard, a group of three cars drove past. These cars were not going very fast, so I caught up very quickly.

We were on a long straight stretch of road and I could see no oncoming traffic, so I decided to pass all three cars at once. Just as I got into the blind spot of the center car, it pulled out to pass the lead one. Shit!!!! I swerved away from this car to the only place I could, the left shoulder of the road. This is a country road, so the shoulders are gravel and I was probably going over 70 miles per hour at the time, so I was trying my hardest to keep the bike from washing out. Just when I thought I had it steady, I looked up ahead and a mailbox was right in front of me. Double shit!!! I just tried to make myself as skinny as possible, so I could squeeze in between the passing car and mailbox (this all happened in a matter of seconds). Somehow I managed to clear all of this and let the car get ahead of me, so I could get back in the left lane. I passed both the lead car and the car that had driven me off the road.

The driver was a younger woman smoking a cigarette. I don't think she ever realized what had happened. In my younger, more aggressive days, I may have tried to kick her door or at least give her the middle finger, but calmer heads prevailed this time...I was just happy to be ok.

I've had quite a few close calls while riding and even one crash, but I can't remember a time I was more shaken up. So many things could've gone wrong, that I'm really lucky that it worked out. So, I'm sorry to say that I'm hanging it up. I'm going to sell my bike and give up motorcycling.

Nah!!! Just kidding! I would never do that. But I’d like to use this as a reminder to all you riders to be safe!

"Try not to die." - Betty White

A Riding Inspiration

 

 

The past weekend was probably the greatest weather for riding we've had so far this year (where I live anyway). I must've encountered hundreds of bikes of all makes and models...it was awesome! Was I out riding? Nope. I was doing the only thing that I enjoy more, spending quality time with my family. When my kids are older I hope that quality family time and motorcycling won't have to be exclusive, but with them only being 3 and 1, that’s how it is. I did get to sit in my yard with my son on Saturday staring at all the bikes go by my house and that was pretty awesome.

 

One of the bikes I ran across this weekend was the one pictured in this meme. I don't know about you, but I think it's pretty inspiring seeing this gentleman riding in spite of missing an arm. I guess I'd like to think that I'd have that same determination to ride if I was in a similar situation.

 

It is stuff like this that gets me motivated to get out and ride whenever I can, even if it's just to work and back. I've mentioned in a previous post (here) that we have to work at doing what we enjoy. This man is definitely living that statement. Is it weird that I’m saying this right after making an excuse for not riding? Shit! I’m contradicting myself again! Oh well, like I said, I was doing the only thing that I enjoy more than motorcycling.

 

“Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” - Francis of Assisi



The Wave

 

Do you wave when you see other bikes on the road? Everyone who's ever ridden a motorcycle knows that it's proper etiquette to wave to other motorcyclists. There're times that it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to do so, such as a bike rally. If you waved to every biker at a rally, you'd never be able to put your left hand down. Also, when you have multiple lanes separating you, it's not in your best interest to focus on anything that's not right in front or on either side of you.

 

Back in my younger days (old man talk) I would only wave to someone if they waved to me first. I would always return a wave, but I'd never initiate one. Then, when the other rider wouldn't wave I'd think he/she was an asshole. If I was on my Ducati, I’d instantly think that the people on Harleys who didn’t wave were biased dickheads and when I rode my Harley, I’d think the same about foreign bike riders who didn’t wave. It didn't register to me that the other person could be waiting for me to wave and I could be the asshole.

 

Now I wave to every bike I meet. If they don't wave back, it's their loss. My advice to all bikers is to wave to any rider, no matter what motorcycle they’re on. Hell, even wave to scooters. We're all out in the open on two wheels, so we should acknowledge each other and quit being assholes, like I used to be.

 

"Whil Wheaton says - Don't be a dick." - Whil Wheaton



Talking Tires

 

There’s a rumor I hear about a lot of motorcycle technicians. Allegedly, they never have to buy new tires for their bikes. This isn't because their shop gives tires to the employees or because they steal them. They get their tires from people who bring in motorcycles for a yearly service and decide that since the bike is already in the shop, they might as well buy some new tires too. Now this seems like a logical plan, make the most of one visit to a dealership, except for the fact that they only put 500 miles on these tires! The techs would be wasteful if they didn't take advantage of this!
 

I'm not trying to pick on anyone for not riding enough. I'm happy that anyone is riding and I understand that life can get in the way of doing it as much as you'd like. However, if you're only logging that many miles in a year, chances are that the tires will dry-rot before they're worn!
 

There are also riders on the other side of the coin (I tend to fall in this category) who put far too many miles on each set of tires. When your touring tires look like racing slicks, it not only makes for a less desirable ride, it's pretty damn dangerous! Any rock or piece of glass is sure to puncture your tire and heaven forbid there's any moisture on the road! Traction can be nearly nonexistent with no tread on your tires.
 

So how do you know when to change your tires? We will be posting a how-to blog on checking tread depth on a tire in the very near future. This way you can measure how much money you're wasting by doing all those burnouts! Hey, the fun is worth it right? It looks pretty badass too!
 

As I lay rubber down to the street,
I pray for traction that I can keep,
But if I spin and begin to slide,
Please Dear God,
Protect my ride.
Amen

The Racer’s Prayer

Sons and Fathers

 

Are those of us that love motorcycles born to love them or was it something that was brought on by our experiences? I can’t remember a time that I didn't think it would be the greatest thing ever to throw my leg over a bike and be able to ride. With this knowledge you’d think that I must've been born this way, right? Maybe not...Growing up, my dad (who was my idol) always had a bike. To this day, I don't know a single person who puts more miles on their bike per year then he does (especially when you factor in the 5+ month winters we have here). Basically, I always wanted to be just like my dad, so of course I became a motorcycle fanatic. I guess it's the old "nature vs. nurture" argument that can be used for a lot of different aspects about a human.
 

The thing that really got me to ponder this was my son. I've mentioned his like for motorcycles before (here) and I don't feel that I consciously push him into liking them, so maybe was born this way. However, his life is constantly filled with bikes. I ride, a lot of my friends ride, and both of his grandfathers ride, so it can go without saying that he sees multiple motorcycles in any given day. Also, he sees me staring at every single motorcycle that crosses my path; this definitely has to make an impact on him. He actually notices them before I do nowadays, yelling "cycle" whenever he sees one.
 

So what's the answer? I honestly don't know. It would be awesome if my son was as into bikes as much as I am or my dad is, but as long as he finds something he's passionate about, I'll be happy. It would be all kinds of awesome if he rides motorcycles, plays football, lifts weights, and listens to metal though...just saying.
 

“You will make my strength your own. You will see my life through your eyes, as your life will be seen through mine. The son becomes the father and the father the son.” – JorEl from Superman: The Movie

Luck of the Ride

Do you know what one of the greatest things about riding a motorcycle is? It’s the solitude. While you're riding, there is only you, the bike, and the road. It's a time where you can let all the other bullshit in your life go and just focus on your surroundings. It can also be a great time for a little self-reflection (not too much, you still need to focus on the damn road!).

 

On my ride home from work yesterday, I had a realization come over me while I was doing some self-reflection. I'm a lucky guy! First of all, I live in a place that getting my next meal will likely never be an issue (we may not be able to say that 100 years ago). Besides that, I have a great family who I love dearly and a good job that keeps us living comfortably. Lastly I've chosen the greatest hobby ever, motorcycling.

  

I ride my bike to and from work, so even workdays will always be fun. I don’t ever have to trailer my bike like I would a boat or four-wheeler. Also, there is really no feeling that can match going fast on a motorcycle. I know I have a biased opinion on this, but I guess I'm lucky in that too, I like something enough to be passionate about it. I guess the point in all this rambling is that everyone should find something that they’re this passionate about and then they can be lucky too. Stay lucky my friends. 

 

“You live more for five minutes going fast on a bike than other people do in all their life.” – Marco Simoncelli



Biker's Lift

I recently read an article that mentioned that leg and core strength were important factors in a motorcyclist’s ability to ride (here). After the ride I had this weekend, I'd say grip strength could be nearly as important.

I scheduled the break-in service on my new bike and the shop is almost 200 miles away from my house. I was excited to get out on the new bike for a longer ride. About 20 miles in, the trip took me on the shore of Lake Superior. Here the temperature dropped from a below average 55°F to a frigid 41°! Even with a heated vest, this was cold! It stayed that temperature for about 15 miles and it finally started to warm up. This was just about the time it started to rain, actually it was pouring. However, I was prepared; I pulled over and put on my rain gear. The good news was that the temperature warmed up considerably to around 70. However, this is when the wind picked up.

This was a huge south wind, which warmed up the air even more, up to 82°. It also was coming straight at me. I don't know if you've ever rode into a strong headwind, but it's definitely a struggle! Riding at 70 mph felt like 120! I had to keep a death grip on the handlebars just to stay on the bike. I bet it looked pretty hilarious seeing a guy in a full racing tuck only going 70 mph!

There is an exercise that strengthens legs, core, and grip. It's the barbell deadlift. Also, in my opinion, no other exercise increases lower back strength than the deadlift, which will really help reduce low back fatigue on long bike rides. I honestly think that the deadlift has really improved my riding ability and I get less drained on long rides. I'm not a personal trainer and I don't pretend to be one, so if you want to learn how to properly perform the barbell deadlift, YouTube has tons of how to videos. Ride and lift safe!

“When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it ....” ― Henry Ford