I had mixed feelings about the weather looking out my office window late Tuesday. Dark skies and a steady rain on top of a throbbing headache just didn’t create the feeling of joy the anticipation of a ride home usually engenders regardless of conditions. Throughout the day people stopped by to comment on the weather and how wet I will be on the ride home. It’s difficult to explain to someone who is not a rider why I ride on days like this. From the point of view of comfort, protection from the elements, and others on the road it seems a little crazy. I won’t convince anyone that I am comfortable and dry on the way home and actually feel good even in the rain. So I don’t try too hard but just smile and agree that yes it is wet outside and I’ll be careful.
On Tuesday I decided to detour through some farm roads rather than sit in traffic. It was a muddy mess at times but even with the headache I had to stop and just look at the sky. I love those oppressive skies. A quick picture and off I went. I really wish I had some of those Kenda tires that Gary Charpentier of Rush Hour Rambling recently posted about.
I eased my way through things and out onto a smooth secondary road and wandered home. Just a nice way to wrap up the workday and compared to my cage commutes of the past it is fantastic even on the worst days.
Last night on the way home it was gray but no rain. This time a stop at Meyer’s Dairy Store for a bottle, that’s right a glass bottle, of milk.
I can carry two gallons under the seat but I worry about the bottles clanging together and breaking so usually it’s just one. Chores like this, stopping at the post office, the bank, and other routine business are actually fun on the scooter because it is easy to navigate, park, and I get to ride more. I’m still kicking myself for waiting so many years before riding again.
Tell me that you will not ride to work in the snow this winter. I think about this every time I read one of your posts. While I do not doubt your riding skills – I do not trust other drivers. I guess I would like to establish some sense of where you will draw the line when bad weather comes.
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Hannah
Steve,
I’ve finally taken the time to get caught up over here. You have written some very eloquent posts of late. I hardly know where to start…
Let me just say this: Your thoughtful, peaceful approach to riding is an inspiration for me in those moments when the fangs come out, and I’m about to do something offensive and dangerous in traffic.
I’m not saying that it always stops me, but it does always give me pause. I envy your emotional balance and sense of beauty. You have a wonderful blog here.
Ride well,
=gc=
I’m from Seattle Washington and this place is well known for rain. I do commute 120 mile round on this rainy season. You are right i’s really hard to explain to people who don’t ride the feeling you get from riding your motorcycle especially riding in the rain, So I can relate to you 100% I ride a Honda Silverwing by the way the Scooter on Steroid as other refer…
Art
Hannah: I won’t ride when the roads are going to be covered in snow. I promise. If there are flurries or something in the air I won’t let that stop me. I’m just hoping that we don’t have one of those winters where the road remains snow covered for a month. I see the bus in my future this winter.
gary: Thank you for your kind words. I have had experience myself with fangs appearing that have influenced behavior and my mental state. for me those fangs always proved destructive and I have worked hard to file them down a bit. Photography, writing, and now riding have been excellent tools to help me make more deliberate decisions during the day that allow me to appreciate balance and beauty that exists all around me.
I still get angry, frustrated and want to punish the world though so I wouldn’t put me on a shelf where I don’t belong. Let just say I’m interested in moving towards that shelf but I suspect I will never arrive there.
art: Scooter on Steroids! There is a title for a blog you could do. The Silverwing is a nice scooter and I hope to get the change to take one for a spin someday. Be carfeul riding it in that Seattle rain!