Went out for a ride this evening.................

[bsnicely]

             Went up Rt 2 to Ashton/Upland Rd inMason Co.  Great twisty country Rd. Lots of elevation changes and tight curves. Was really not doing very well, riding wise that is. Drifting across the line, braking all through the turns.  I know this Rd. very well and usually just blast through it but tonight I was very distracted and worrying about cars coming out of nowhere. I just went home and put my valk in the garage when it was sunny and 80 degrees. I am not having fun riding by myself this spring. I think I am just missing my bud  ................................   

[Stanley Steamer]

listen to that little voice in your head....I enjoy riding alone most of the time...in case I get a wild hair to let the Big Girl loose....or sometimes, I just putter along at 50 miles an hour and smell the roses(last weekend it saved me from a ticket..I passed 4 GA State Patrol cars in the space of two miles)....and if I need to stop and administer some relief to a drought stricken tree, I can do that too.... ..... Seems like I can think better with the open road ahead of me and no where in particular to go, my favorite type of ride,...and with no plan for when I'll get back...hard to do when you're with a group..

[NiteRiderF6]

I can't imagine what you are going through with that Brian.... I can sympathize with you though... Most of the time my brother and I take off together when he can go ride.... I guess so far we have been lucky... You just never know what life is going to spring on us...

Hang tough big guy......

You did the right thing in coming back to the barn... You hear people saying all of the time "Ride your own ride".... that probably should include knowing when not to ride. Ride Safely!

[Gilligan]

I am sure he would want you to be out cruising on the Valk and remembering the good times. He might even be riding with you through those beautiful WV hills and valleys. 

Ride safe, friend.

[Michael K (Az.)]

I think we've all had that little niggling feeling once in a while. It's when the dominoes just aren't lining up psychically. Turns don't feel smooth, simply, nothing is flowing the way you're used to. You for sure did the right thing! Pass up this ride, next one's gonna be just fine!!

[Whistler]

Brian, I know we have not met, but I do look forward to the time that we get to. Losing a close friend is like losing a family member. They are always in our thoughts and at times those thoughts trigger that lost feeling that we thought we had gotten past. I never got to meet Steve, but what I read about him tells me he was a great man, as you are. You have stood up and helped Rhonda and Noah in ways I'm sure most of us will ever know of, or need to. You are well respected on this board and I am sure by your peers and the people you deal with. Allow yourself the opportunity to have a down day, cause it will happen. You made the right move in going home and I bet tomorrow will be a better and a more enjoyable day. Then you can hit those twisties with a smile on your face. Time will heal us, even though at times it seems we never will.  Keeping you all in my prayers brother, JDW

[Goody]

Hang in there!  It takes awhile!  Put that little ride bell up on the Handlebars where you can hear and see it!  Like we talked about before, my riding buddy still rides with me.  I find my self talking to the bell I have on my bars.  Took me 2 riding seasons and the beginning of the season was the worst almost sold my Venture that first year.   Been close to 20 years now and its all good .  If it wasn't for motorcycles would the relationship been the same.  Keep riding and keep Steve riding with you.

[Ms Old Skool]

It has been very hard for Brian and want to thank everyone for the encouragement. Now that the weather is getting nicer here there were motorcycles everywhere today. Noah and I went to dinner and when we turned onto our road coming home there was a large group of bikes parked and the people were standing around talking and it was hard because I know if Steve were here that's what we would have been doing tonight. I didn't realize how hard it was going to be seeing couples on bikes unto I started noticing every time a motorcycle went by that that's something I've lost.

[R J]

Brian, I know what you are going through.  I lost a riding buddy to Cancer last year when I was at InZane.

We had over 200,000 miles of riding time together...  We did the 4 corners, all the lower 48 capitals, all 99 counties in Iowa, about 30 counties in Missouri, went to so many Bike Rallies there is no way I can remember all of them, we did on the average 12 to 15 Poker Runs each year.  We did em in Illinois, Missouri, Minnesota, Arkansas and Iowa.  We both were Patriot Guard Riders.  Attended numerous escorts.   Since he passed, I'm ashamed to say it, but I have not attended a mission this year so far.......

Had lunch yesterday with his grandson, home on leave from the Marines and my buddies wife...    Rode MGM out to met them, but had the grandson ride it home for me, I just could not get on MGM after lunch.   I was scared sheetless for some reason or another............    I did ride MGM around the block today, so it was something mental yesterday.   As my grandmother always said, listen to and pay attention to those little gremlins in that fat head of yours.............   

[bg]

hang in there brian, hopefully it's just a phase.
there are times i've thought of haning up my keys and quitting.
i wonder what in the world am i doing this dangerous activity for.
once in the wind again it seems to pass.

[bsnicely]

Thanks everyone for the good words and encouragement. Didnt ride today, Noah and I test drove a Nissan 350Z and I must say I was impressed. I am thinking real hard about it. The pic is the color I am wanting and like the one I drove today.  I think I will ride to church in the morning and maybe a longer ride in the afternoon.  I am just missing having that riding buddy you can call anytime and go for a ride. Steve  got me riding again after 10 years being off two wheels.  Just don't see ever having that kind of riding buddy again.......

[Normandog]

your day to ride. Who knows? Maybe Steve was lookin after his buddy. Maybe he knew something bad was up ahead and that was his way of lettin ya know. I'll always believe he still rides with you my friend.