One Reason I Like Riding In Crappy Weather

Most people associate motorcycle riding with warm, sunny weather. When there is a blue sky, gentle breeze and no chance of rain, one sees bikers out on the road enjoying the great day. I'll be out there too, but I look different than the majority of the other riders. 

I'll have all my protective gear on and to many I will look like a nut case! There will be riders wearing flip flops, t-shirts and shorts. Others will be dressed a little more appropriately for that possible flesh meets road experience, but the general dress code is dictated by " dress light and let the wind blow and sun shine on me"! I know people who will wear a helmet most of the time, except when it is a hot,sunny day. Just too uncomfortable to be cooped up in a helmet. Evidently they can schedule rides which guarantee no crashes. So in nice weather I really stick-out, not because of the usual reasons of social awkwardness and unkempt hair, but due to my dressing for the possible crash.  


For this reason, I enjoy riding in inclement weather. People just see a guy who is adventurous. Honestly it really doesn't matter what others think, but there is something nice about not being an odd ball once in awhile. I really do like riding in the rain and chilly weather is just fine for me too.

Your Bike Is Ready.......Is Your Body?

The motorcycle season is here in Northern Minnesota.  Many bikers have prepared their bikes for the season, but very few have considered making sure their body is ready. Being in shape is certainly important, but The Nobodies are more interested in the superficial. Beloved President of the Nobodies, Kickstand got some new tattoos,colored his hair and beard. " I feel like I'm 40 again"!, Kickstand exclaimed to a Cycle World reporter. An article appeared in their May issue. The issue focuses on bike and body maintenance. Kickstand is featured as a biker who does everything wrong.  

When asked if being ridiculed by Cycle World  bothered him,,Kickstand  replied " I just march to a motor with a different rpm." Granted the Nobodies are certainly nonconformists. For instance the average weight of motorcycle club members in the nation is 221 pounds, while the average weight of a Nobody member is 122  pounds. The average cc's in the nation is 1,200 while in the Nobodies it is 400. Most motorcycle clubs average 40 speeding tickets per year, while the Nobodies get 16 citations yearly for going too slow, consequently blocking  traffic flow. Clubs usually consume 1,400 gallons of beer yearly, while the Nobodies consume 1 gallon of beer and 400 gallons of ice tea.

ASK KICKSTAND

Ask Kickstand is an email advice column dedicated to motorcycle questions. These questions can be technical; regrading mechanical issues, safety related, philosophical, spiritual or relationship issues. 

Disclaimer: Kickstand is not a psychiatrist, a professional mechanic, Motorcycle Safety Trainer, pastor or a social worker. If a reader chooses to follow Kickstand's advice it is with the understanding that neither Kickstand nor the Nobody Motorcycle Club will be held liable.

Dear Kickstand,

I have a problem that seems impossible to resolve. I have contacted therapists, social workers, pastors, psychics, college professors, life coaches and international motivational speakers. No one is remotely interested in helping me. I have been clear that I do not lack money and would reward anyone who could help me. Yet I seldom get a response and often have had people hang up on me or excuse themselves from our initial conference and not return. I hope your will be willing to assist me.

About 10 years ago, I was inline skating several times a week. One day as I was putting on my skates, I  mindlessly started spinning the wheels on one of the skates then the thought came into my mind that "those little wheels could fall off". I went for my skate, but was some what fearful about having an accident. I started every skate after that by spinning the wheels on one of my skates and thinking about how my life depended on those little wheels. Within a month I stopped inline skating and put the skates out of sight, as they caused me to feel anxious. Several months later as I was grocery shopping with my then 3 year old child, one of the wheels on the shopping cart was wobbling side to side causing a racket and making the cart shutter. I had a sudden fear that the cart could flip over hurting my child. I switched carts and continued shopping. Over the course of the next several weeks, I would inspect a shopping cart before placing my child in the seat and eventually I even felt uncomfortable with a cart the rolled smoothly choosing to have my child walk by my side. In a matter of weeks I discontinued using shopping carts and carried a shopping basket instead. This was inconvenient as I could not buy a weeks worth of groceries, but I continued the practice. To make a long story short this mistrust of wheels over the past 10 years has progressed to the point of not even driving a car! My husband of course was at first mildly amused, but as the years have passed and the fear has spread to other wheels he is very concerned. Then the unthinkable occurred; last week I was afraid to ride my motorcycle. I have ridden a motorcycle for over 30 years. It is a big part of my life and really a big part of my personal identity. I cannot imagine never riding again. Please help me!


Sincerely,
Wheelie Scared


Dear Wheelie Scared,

First let me assure you that I can help you. In a matter of a few days you will not only be riding your cycle again, but all your wheel fears will be gone. You see it is all in semantics. Do you have wheel fears or real fears? I believe the answer is neither. I believe you have reel fears. You have been watching too much lousy American Television! The combination of numbing advertisements and mindless shows of psycho killers, horrendous car and personal accidents along with reality shows that are far removed from reality and the redeeming qualities of humanity.  Stop watching television and starting using your wheels again!