With everything that went wrong, it all culminated in keeping us off the bikes. That wasn't a physical hardship for me as I was in absolutely no condition to ride. I guess it wasn't a mental hardship for the same reason. :-)
My second weekend alone and feeling better I forced myself to the bike. I hadn't a clue where to go though.
One of our riding clubs was venturing out to Cloudland Canyon. I knew I was not up for the distance but figured I could at least meet up with them, ride towards the mountains a little ways, then split off and cover the East as they covered the West.
Without verifying kickstand up time I thought I remembered something about 9:30 and hoped I had the location correct. I pulled into the lot at 9:27. No bikes. This group is NEVER on time. I guess I had the wrong location.
Now where? I looked to the North, thinking I could go ahead with my plans. The thick, dark gray clouds coming South made me a little skeptical. Instead I headed towards home hoping to figure someplace out before then. I decide to just head up I-985 and see where it leads. After a boring trip on interstates any old off-ramp is looking good. I pick one and just head south, figuring I would keep going until I hit I-85 then head back home.
It was an unbelievably boring 141 miles, mostly interstates. I guess the brain was still fuzzy enough to not come up with anything unique or interesting. I apparently couldn't even be bothered to stop, stretch the legs, get a drink or snack... So I finally get on the bike after more then a month and see absolutely nothing and go absolutely nowhere.
Stats:
141 miles of nothing
But it was pleasant and nice to be on the bike
Dear Lori:
ReplyDeleteI do not share the typical Beemer pilot's hatred of the slab. I have been on beautiful interstates, where my only riding option was to go like hell, as mandated by my arthritis.
And I have a little love affair with speed. I cannot resist fully twisting the throttle around and listening to the K75 hike up her skirts and go. I pulled the ton again last week. I just like it.
Better to ride than to sit at home and wish you did.
Fondest regards,
jack • reep • Toad
Twisted Roads
Dear Jack,
ReplyDeleteBeemer's hate slab? I thought that was just the GS'. I agree that sometimes slab is the best option. But slabbing around Atlanta is not terribly enjoyable or entertaining; not much to look at. But if you are out of the city and flying a little faster down the road then others that makes it enjoyable on its own.
From my own experiences, I detest people expressing contempt for motorcycles because they "ride too fast", only to experience riding 10 mph over the posted speed limit and I am the absolute slowest thing on the road. (!) In those instances cagers are flying past at 90 mph and rarely even register a motorbike on the roadway.
I admire your ability to twist that throttle fully. I have yet to see the upper limits of mine. :-) Cruising down the road is good for me. Yes, sometimes the speed is elevated. Yes, sometimes those quick bursts to "pass" someone are a little excessive. Yes, it all sounds so good to hear the purr.
Yes, it is nice to be on the bike!! :-)
Best,
BeemerGirl
Dear Lori:
ReplyDeleteI got my first BMW in 2005. I rode it like it was a tiger shark trying to bike me for a whole year. If you can believe it, I rode city streets that paralleled highways for a year, rather than mix it up in highway traffic. One day, I was 60 miles from home, and the arthritis in my knees felt like a on-going kick in the balls.
I just wanted to get home.
So I pulled onto the expressway and thought, "What the hell was I worried about." The fastest I had pushed that bike was 55mph. That day was the first time I went through a sweeper at 65, and I thought I was superman. It would be another six months before I found 85mph. And the truth is my K75 just gets more delightful to handle the faster I go.
Fondest regards,
Jack • reep • Toad
Twisted Roads
Dear Jack,
ReplyDeleteLOL. I completely understand. I'm currently working on a post about my emotional progression to highway riding. It near follows your thoughts. I do believe I hit 85 my third time on the interstate, though. :) Then, like you, there isn't any turning back.
Sorry that the arthritis is so horrendous. I can't begin to imagine the pain and difficulty of having it on a bike. Glad you can still enjoy some saddle time. And make it your own with your step stools.
Best,
Lori