The foot that required a boot late last year is healed. My rotator cuff is stronger now from physiotherapy, massage therapy and daily exercises. Now if I can just get my hip to cooperate fully after a muscle pull, I’ll feel confident about swinging a leg over B3 when the weather allows it.
Lots of riders go out on the first five-degree day. I like to wait until there’s been some rain to wash away the salt and other crud that has accumulated over the winter. Some of the residential streets have sand puddles that aren’t a lot of fun to ride through.
A newsletter I subscribe to, from a magazine called Motoress, has expanded in recent years from a way of selling womens’ leather jackets to offering all sorts of useful information. Although the magazine is geared to women riders, anyone who rides anything on two motorized wheels can benefit from it. I find that even if I know a riding technique, it’s still helpful to revisit it and gain a little more confidence before hitting the road. The most recent issue features an article titled, How to Ride Your Motorcycle Over Stuff on the Road. Sometimes you come upon a thing – roadkill or a piece of wood – that you simply can’t avoid. Swerving suddenly isn’t smart and could send you into oncoming traffic. You can find the article HERE.
Driving a car, you have to believe that everyone else on the road will do what they’re supposed to do. That oncoming vehicle in the other lane? You expect it to stay on its side of the road and pass you safely.
Riding a motorcycle, you have to believe that no one will do what they’re supposed to do. The key is being as visible as possible and as prepared as possible. That oncoming vehicle might cross the centre line and head straight for you. What’s your move? Where is your escape route? Riders have to always be thinking that way. We can’t force drivers to see us and give us room. We have to plan our own exit strategies, over and over again. It’s one of the reasons why motorcycle riding requires so much concentration.
A Norfolk County OPP Constable recently told me that last year, he pulled over a biker for texting while riding. I can’t even imagine being that stupid, careless, or even capable of doing that. Hopefully a ticket for distracted driving taught that rider a lesson or soon enough, Darwin will.
Nearly 40 years ago, I had a Honda GL1000, big black bike with a black fairing and a huge black trunk. The whole ensemble was about the size of a VW. There were many times that I was nearly run off the road even with this behemoth. That winter I had the entire outfit painted a vanilla color. The difference was immediate. Car drivers suddenly saw my bike, the same bike that was apparently invisible when black.
I traveled a lot on my vanilla bike and learned a few tips that I’ve passed on when possible. When riding alone, or at the front or rear of a group, ride where you would be if you were in a car as a driver; near the left side of the lane. Bikers seem to hug the right side of the road/lane and car drivers take that as an invitation to crowd in beside the bike when passing.
Enjoy your ride this year and keep the rubber side down!
Great advice Gloria! I found the same thing about being noticed once I started wearing my red jacket on my black bike.