We’ve been pelted by a brutal winter with snow on the window sills, flooded drainage ditches, oily and slick road surfaces. Yuck! It feels like the Seattle rain has taken up residence here in So Cal and the first thing I want to say in the morning when I stare up at the sky with my bike covered in water drops is, “Are you lost?” as if the storm itself will say, “Oops sorry,” and disappear. Here’s to wishful thinking…
Luckily, we’re in the home stretch, just a hair away from Spring. And after a cold and wet winter of suffering many nights salivating over a parked motorcycle, I’m sure you all are going to be back in the saddle at the first sign of sunshine and comfortable warm temperatures.
I have mixed feelings about these first, beautiful days of April. On one hand, we’re now officially into riding season where we can wear summer jackets, stay out late at bike nights and spend a day at the races in a tank top. Sounds nice, doesn’t it? On the other hand, Spring also means the death toll amongst riders is going to sky rocket, a syndrome so annually common, many of our own peers write off these deaths as “typical.”
The reason for this? Primal anticipation. A rider who takes his/her bike out for the first time after winter is like someone having sex for the first time after a dry spell. You burst out the gate like a cowboy on a bucking bronco only to get bucked off and catapulted into the ground afterward. I’m not saying that every person who takes their bike out at the first signs of Spring is going to crash, not by any means. But I do want you all to be aware of this tendency to prematurely roll the throttle before you’ve grown your wings back.
My point is this. Give yourself time to adjust to your motorcycle again. When Spring arrives and the birds are chirping, take a deep breath before you get on your bike. Look your bike over and check to make sure it’s safe, especially your tires, chain and lights. And for the love of Pete, always wear your gear, no matter how hot it is outside. Consider your body to be an investment you’re trying to protect. Need some incentive? Just imagine the $800 worth of tattoos you have being scraped away on hot asphalt. No bueno.
And lastly, respect your machine. Many of today’s motorcycles, even the Ninja 250, are capable of reaching speeds in excess of 100 m.p.h. If you feel the itch to go fast, do a track day before you ride on the street to get the bug out of your system. If stunts are your thing, head to a stunt spot to practice, but keep the mischief off the freeway. And if you’re just out for a cruise, don’t ride if you’re tired or emotional. Your mind won’t be on the road ahead of you and the smallest missed detail could result in the end of your life.
Preaching aside, I hope you ladies have fun this Spring. We have a lot of events popping up on the calendar and I hope you will organize some events of your own. I look forward to seeing pictures! Hopefully, with a little care and respect, we will continue to see your smiling faces for many warm riding days to come.
