Doubts and Decisions

[solo1]

Yesterday, I almost rode the 'Hawk.  I got it out and rode it around the block, came back and drove the Miata instead. It just plain didn't feel right.

There's days when we can't put a finger on it.  It just "doesn't feel right".  Now I'm sure that there are riders here who never had that feeling and that's good. Others of us might be nodding in agreement.  Obviously, we always have that thought "Now if I would've ridden, what would have happened?"  We could go nuts trying to figure that out! LOL.

In my case, I can't figure it out yet.  Maybe it was because riding takes that something extra and my aches and pains yesterday made me a slow starter. I'm not complaining because my health is not too bad compared to some but it kinda puts a crimp in things.  I'm most certainly not the rider that I was despite my past experience.  I've always been the cautious type, always playing the 'what if' game. What if that cage turns left in front of me, what if I forget to do a 'clearing' look both ways before going with the green. what if I forget that I must never trust a cell phone driver, etc. Now I was't paranoid, just figuring out what my reaction should be.

Sooner or later it will come to this............  Do I get that 'doesn't feel right' feeling because I'm too cautious, don't trust my ability, or is it the old gut feeling just coming on stronger and more often?  Lots of questions, no answers so far.

I do know that I will get the answer by trusting in this symbolic picture that I took of the Nighthawk not too long ago.  My Valkyrie, Emanuel, is gone but its name still reminds me.

Wayne

[big turkey]

Bobby Isaac was at Talladega in a race on the back stretch and a voice told him to park that car.


He did and boy was his car owner mad.

When you don't feel like riding , don't ride, but most times when I feel that way I just push on.

Think about where you might be headed too.

A destinaiton helps, it's a quest then and anything that might happen on the way makes it a journey.

You have to discover the ONE THING. Once you find it, all else fades away and your fears and

worries go as well.

ONE THING, Texans of old know this saying and you need to research it. It will help you.

Nobody can find the ONE THING for you, it is up to you. It is real not a myth.

Big AL

[solo1]

Thanks Big Al.  What you say is absolutely true.  I"ve learned a few things in my 82 years.
For me the trick is to know when to pay attention and when not to.  For example, yesterday my right arthritic wrist was not doing what I wanted it to. My throttle control was way off.

Also ,as we all know, every individual is different.  I've always been cautious and working out details and that worked fine for me as an engineer. When you project that to riding it's a wonder that I ride but the riding experience for me far outweighed my cautious part. 

However, for me, and everyone else, a person must feel comfortable in his/her own skin, and I feel very comfortable with myself. 

[JimL]

Wayne I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one that plays that "what if" game on the road.  For me it is mostly on the Interstate, in city traffic.  I always assume that someone is going to do something careless, stupid....or simply have a rare distraction at the wrong time.  

Sometimes I wonder if this makes riding more dangerous for me.  I always make it a point to get around 18-wheelers quickly....I have seen too many recaps come loose during my 50+ years, and figure that I want to minimize my exposure to that danger.  People gabbing on cell phones are another source of danger....I almost got side-swiped last week when some cretin in a Chevy Silverado was preoccupied with his telephone conversation and didn't bother to look before changing lanes.

Call me a wimp if you will, but there are certain cities I will not ride through....Atlanta, New York City, Chicago, to name a few.  I have always planned a route AROUND these cities.  The congestion is simply too heavy and your chances of avoiding the Silverado driver on the cell phone become less likely in my humble opinion.

Your topic started out with "it just didn't feel right"....but I definitely can identify with what you said when you mentioned the "what if" game!

[Spirited-6]

Sooner or later it will come to this............  Do I get that 'doesn't feel right' feeling because I'm too cautious, don't trust my ability, or is it the old gut feeling just coming on stronger and more often?  Lots of questions, no answers so far.

Wayne, I have been there many times. Wife has said "are we going home now" when I`m not in the grove, I`m off the Valk. I have been riding 50 plus years and it has to feel right to stay on two wheels. 

[DaveC]

Ya gotta listen to those inner voices.
ride safe,
the hobo

[Black Dog]

Almost everyone in my office building knows I ride.  I've been here about 1 1/2 hours, and already I've had two people ask 'didja bring the bike?'  Today, I had to answer no...

I understand your feelings Wayne.  I've not yet had the joys of the 'pain' that living through my 70's - 80's will bring, but at 54, there are some issues with arthritis.  When I get up in the morning, I'll know within the first 5 minutes, if it's gonna be a bike day.

Yesterday, 7 of us from the Wisconsin contingent of the VRCC, got together for a wrench party at Jim C's house.  By noonish, the temps were 90+, and thick...  We pretty much emptied his shop fridge, of all the water and soda...  I'm not a big water drinker (unless it's sitting next to my Scotch glass  ), but I did pound down a few throughout the day yesterday.  Once I got home, cleaned up and in bed last night, my legs were cramping like nobody's business...  Didn't sleep well, and didn't ride the Valk this morning    If I'm not mentaly sharp, and physically alert, the bike stays in the garage.

I understand the times other bikers don't ride, even if it's a perfect riding day...  I don't ride, if I don't 'feel it'...

Black Dog

[solo1]

Yes, I almost forgot about dropping down a gear on the Valk when passing semi's on the interstate in hot weather.  I'd druther get a ticket than an 'alligator' in the face!!

Always watching the pavement for crud and white plastic markers and not following trucks too closely because they straddle junk on the road.  Or- staying on the inside of the on/off ramps because antifreeze, oil, and fallen off parts are to the outside.

Making sure that you can see the driver in HIS mirror because then he can see you (not that it makes any difference ).

[Big Rig]

Wayne,

Same here...I am a what if...planning out escape routes while riding, I feel keeps me sharp and focused. I do the same thing in the cage.

When i wake and feel tired NO BIKE...I am a BIG believer in the inner voice...if some one is telling you some thing....you listen like your life depends on it. When I am on the twisties and a there is a slower cage in front of me, I take it as a sign...someone is trying to tell me some thing...stay back and enjoy the slower speed.

it is all about living to ride another day.

Ride Safe
Big Rig

[Jabba]

I am definitely there.  I have the voice... and I listen to it.  I am a "what-ifer" too.  I am ALWAYS looking for an escape route.  I am always looking for places that someone can screw me.

I have had a cage driver change lanes INTO me and shove me into the median.  I ended up going OVER the bars @ 60 MPH that time.  I only got a sore wrist and totaled bike, but I had a guardian angel too.

I have gotten on the valk and started to back it out of the garage... and had a feelin' not to go.  I just take the gear off and get in the cage.

Your getting that feeling more often now Wayne, is probably because you need it's protection more often.

Good on you for heeding the warnings.

Jabba

[solo1]

I am definitely there.  I have the voice... and I listen to it.  I am a "what-ifer" too.  I am ALWAYS looking for an escape route.  I am always looking for places that someone can screw me.

I have had a cage driver change lanes INTO me and shove me into the median.  I ended up going OVER the bars @ 60 MPH that time.  I only got a sore wrist and totaled bike, but I had a guardian angel too.

I have gotten on the valk and started to back it out of the garage... and had a feelin' not to go.  I just take the gear off and get in the cage.

Your getting that feeling more often now Wayne, is probably because you need it's protection more often.

Good on you for heeding the warnings.

Jabba

Absolutely!  I just got from a nice 50 mile ride along the river.  No traffic, warm but nice, completely relaxed, a Quality ride    I felt ok from the time that I put on the gloves,boots, jacket, and helmet.

Long ago, I decided that what I felt was the most important.  Sure, there are riders who enjoy long distance riding, riding in the pouring rain (when you don't have to) and they have their own standards such as 20k miles/year.  Hats off to them BUT I don't consider myself as a lesser rider because I can't claim the same. 

[Daniel Meyer]

I've ridden through hell and high water. Snow, sleet, hail, ice, incredible heat, unsafe roads, and to the edge of my and my machine's ability.

I've taken my machine to places it probably never should have gone...

But I'll tell you this...

When my little voice says, "Shut it down, something's not right." I don't ride another mile.

ALWAYS listen to your instincts. Lots of somethings are adding up to give you that "It's not quite right" feeling...you may never logically puzzle out what or why, or even be able to consiously perceive most of the inputs...but that does not discredit them one bit.

Keep listening Wayne. It's a good thing!

[Hoser]

It don't happen often, but if I don't feel right in the first few miles, I go HOME!  Hoser

[..]

Ya gotta listen to those inner voices.
ride safe,
the hobo

Abso frickin lutley.

It's saved me from a few deer as well as other road users.

[fudgie]

It does kinda make you think. I have had some thoughts that I shouldn't ride and dont. Not alot. I like to ride. If I worry to much I will not enjoy the ride. I ride to get rid of things and clear my head. We've had alot of close calls with cages and stuff. After the incident we both say Whoohoo! and continue on.
I remember being around chicago at rush hour pulling trailer. We were on the outside lane of I-80, 90, or 94 and left a little space in front. Enough that no one could cut in. Traffic haulted in my lane and I slowed. I knew I would hit the back of the car. Scanned left, concrete wall. Scanned right, semi coming up fast. Thought to my self. Do I want to hit the car and get hurt (no helmet) and be pissed we are missing our trip or do I go right and turn in front of the semi and get taken out quickly and hopefully with less pain involved?  Hmmm.... Hard right it was! Wizzed by the car bumber and hammer down. Funny thing is when we cleared Kit said that was close. She said, at least we would be taken out fast by the semi. Ah, she knew what I was thinking! 

[Serk]

While it seems that "The Voice" speaks to older riders more (And more often as ya' get older) ever stop to think that it's really just that younger riders who ignore "The Voice" never get to become older riders?

I've overridden it a few times, some times I've had no choice (1500 miles from home, gotta be at work in 2 days situations) but yeah, I too have those days where something just ain't right, and back in the garage she goes...

[czuch]

That "Voice" is worth listening to.
It usta tell us there was a Saber Toothed Tiger behind that rock.
Not just Elvis askin if yer gonna eat all them smashed taters.
Listen to it and you, Sir, will be a 100 year old rider when you grow up.