Don’t Tell Me I Can’t Ride
It was already pushing 90 degrees when I rolled the W650 out of the garage this morning. The National Weather Service has been in full panic mode, warning everyone to stay inside like the world is ending. I almost took the car.
I had every excuse ready: It’s too hot. I’m getting older. I should be more careful. Then I caught myself. I spent summers welding inside steel barges in heat like this. Now I’m supposed to be too delicate to ride a motorcycle because it’s 90 degrees? Please. So I geared up, hit the starter, and rode anyway.
The heat was real, but so was the smile on my face the entire time.
I ran my errands, stopped for tea and a cookie, and sat there watching the heat shimmer off the pavement, feeling more alive than I have in weeks.
I’m 72 years old. I still know my limits. And I’m nowhere near ready for the rocking chair. If that makes me stubborn, so be it.
That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it.
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Both your items on that counter make my heat go away.
I should add that in season they bring it back.
Yes sir. When it is freezing outside they are the perfect medicine.
I think it helped that the place was nicely air conditioned!
Good on you
I was just thinking of you Frank. Weird to see your name appear. You are someone that defines passion, determination, and pure work. I try and follow on the path you’re on.
Hope all is well with you and Ellen.
You can’t keep a good man down! https://youtu.be/e913EJVVIHE?si=oBXFxdZ1dK25AysP
Hah! Now that’s the kind of energy level I need. I think Paul has it!!
Me too. Paul definitely has it! 😀
Hat’s off Steve.
When I encounter these kind of temperatures , it’s helmet, gloves , boots , and everything just short of nudity.
Yes … I know… dress for the accident … not the ride. That’s smart , but sometimes you’ve just got to go to Vegas.
As long as I’m moving I can deal with the heat. The most I’ll shed is jeans instead of riding pants. Less than that makes me feel uncomfortable. Paul and I rode a couple days ago on our scooters and he had short pants, t-shirt, no gloves, and tennis shoes. All I can picture is flesh on pavement…
I don’t recall that heat (or cold) has ever kept me from riding. I’ve motorcycled through 37 states so far, and sooner or later I’ll visit the rest. Except not Alaska. No offense, but my brother rode his Ducati all the way up the Alcan Highway, and he made it there, and back. He told me about his trip, so I believe that is one ride I will never take. Otherwise, I generally don’t care what the weather is doing. I wanna ride – and I will!
I’ve definitely gotten more attuned to weather. I used to ride in practically anything. Now my heat index and rain index have tightened. Was watching a downpour a couple days ago and thought, “I used to ride in that kind of rain.” Not sure I would now.
90°, At that temp.here in Texas my grandson would say Pops can take one of his coats off.My ac inside is set at 84.Keep riding all b safe regardless what the thermometer is saying
AC at 84?? Wow. I think ours is set at 66. Probably why if feels so dramatic when I step outside.