Willow
Administrator
Member
Posts: 16863
Excessive comfort breeds weakness. PttP
Olathe, KS
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« on: June 13, 2012, 12:02:27 PM » |
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I took an hour for lunch today rather than my normally allotted thirty minutes. It's a really nice day out today and after all the talk of ATGATT and personal comfort, I decided to uncharacteristically try the personal comfort path. I honestly love the feel of the wind in my remaining hair and my arms in the breeze. Truthfully, if someone would just tell me when I was going to next crash, I'd only wear the protective gear on that day.
Along the way I met a man walking a large white dog on a six foot leash. As I approached the canine lunged against the leash pulling himself up on his hind legs as if he would chase after the bike. I know it was me and not the other traffic because the dog followed me with his face and the pull against the leash all the way around as I motored past. That happens fairly regularly to me. I'm not really certain whether it's because I smell like dog food or it's the challenge of the dragon that attracts them. Either way, if he'd gotten loose I'm pretty sure I could've outrun him.
When I arrived at the Sonic drive-in, not the one nearby or the next but one a few miles down the road, there was a young man just next to where I parked industriously scrubbing a soapy sidewalk. He looked up at me as soon as I pulled in.
"Anyone ever tell you that Paul Senior looks a lot like you?"
About time somebody got it right, I thought. He's the first. I laughed, "No. Never."
"Well, he does. I like your bike."
"Thanks."
We exchanged a few pleasantries as I enjoyed my chicken chunks and sipped on a vanilla Diet Dr. Pepper. I succeeded in eliminating my hunger and feeding my need for a little time in the wind. He had little or no success at scrubbing the antifreeze off the concrete. Life isn't always fair, but it's often predictable.
Well, and sometimes it's not.
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Fudd
Member
Posts: 1733
MSF RiderCoach
Denham Springs, La.
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« Reply #1 on: June 13, 2012, 12:19:36 PM » |
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I enjoyed the story all the way to the part about the Vanilla Diet Dr. Pepper. You lost me there, I just don't have the stomach for it.
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 Save a horse, ride a Valkyrie |
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FloridaValkRyder
Member
Posts: 1677
If your offended , you need a history lesson!!
Apopka, Florida
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« Reply #2 on: June 13, 2012, 12:38:35 PM » |
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He really thought Paul Sr. looked like you...I just don't see it.. Kid was probably stoned or something.
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I still miss her.
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Hef
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« Reply #3 on: June 13, 2012, 01:10:42 PM » |
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Willow, Isn't it a great feeling to just really enjoy the ride and feel the wind. I work in a stressful atmosphere and many times on a lunch break I will just skip lunch and ride for an hour. True stress relief or as I like to call it "Cycletheraphy"  |
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Willow
Administrator
Member
Posts: 16863
Excessive comfort breeds weakness. PttP
Olathe, KS
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« Reply #4 on: June 13, 2012, 01:28:49 PM » |
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Willow, Isn't it a great feeling to just really enjoy the ride and feel the wind. Indeed it is. |
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jer0177
Member
Posts: 556
VRCC 32975
Pittsburgh, PA
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« Reply #5 on: June 13, 2012, 01:46:14 PM » |
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Never either of the Pauls, but I've been told I look like Mikey before.  |
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Gryphon Rider
Member
Posts: 5234
2000 Tourer
Calgary, Alberta
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« Reply #6 on: June 13, 2012, 02:08:59 PM » |
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The only time I was told I looked like anyone remotely famous, I was told my a motorcycle student that I looked like Tom Green! Unfortunately, I don't think he's known for playing romantic leading men.   When the student had her half-helmet pushed back on her head she reminded me of Goldie Hawn in Private Benjamin.  |
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« Last Edit: June 13, 2012, 02:25:15 PM by Gryphon Rider »
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solo1
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« Reply #7 on: June 13, 2012, 02:12:57 PM » |
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After working all day at my company, I looked forward to 'unwinding' by riding my Gold Wing home by the most circuitous route.
No matter the day, good or bad, the concentration needed to ride dissolved my stress from work.
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scoot
Member
Posts: 909
Lifes too short Ride it hard
Grand Rapids Mi.
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« Reply #8 on: June 13, 2012, 02:56:31 PM » |
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I often hear "Oh, God" when I walk into a room. Does that count?
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 Some like to ride Fat boys, I think I'll stay with the fat lady |
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FryeVRCCDS0067
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« Reply #9 on: June 13, 2012, 03:53:27 PM » |
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I park my Valk in front of the break-room window so I can see her sitting there waiting on me to get off work while I have lunch and a dew. When I'm driving the cage I park the truck behind the building so I don't have to look at it.  Today, the valk stayed home on the jack looking like a giant unicycle waiting on me to bring her front wheel back with a new tire installed. |
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"Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice. And... moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.'' -- Barry Goldwater, Acceptance Speech at the Republican Convention; 1964  |
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old2soon
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« Reply #10 on: June 13, 2012, 05:14:27 PM » |
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Today is the tommorow you worried about yesterday. If at first you don't succeed screw it-save it for nite check. 1964 1968 U S Navy. Two cruises off Nam.
VRCCDS0240 2012 GL1800 Gold Wing Motor Trike conversion
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FryeVRCCDS0067
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« Reply #11 on: June 13, 2012, 05:45:16 PM » |
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Man, I need an envy font, can't wait till I'm doing the retirement thing. Enjoy. |
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"Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice. And... moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.'' -- Barry Goldwater, Acceptance Speech at the Republican Convention; 1964 |
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YoungPUP
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« Reply #12 on: June 13, 2012, 06:14:15 PM » |
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Wind therapy is great! I just hate running around in my garbage truck at work with my side cab door open seeing all the bikers out. Atleast I get to work out doors.
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Yea though I ride through the valley of the Shadow of Death I shall fear no evil. For I ride the Baddest Mother F$#^er In that valley!
99 STD (Under construction)
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Robert
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« Reply #13 on: June 13, 2012, 06:30:19 PM » |
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I like those times when you just say the heck with it and just ride, enjoy the time, we get so little of it when were busy. Nice read made me think.
Had a German Shepard do that with me and he got loose. Came between 2 parked cars and lunged for me. I jumped off the seat and stood on the opposite foot peg hands firmly on the controls and continued to ride down the road. He didn't give chase. I thought what I should do after that but there was no damage and he didn't get his teeth in me so I rode on.
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“Some people see things that are and ask, Why? Some people dream of things that never were and ask, Why not? Some people have to go to work and don’t have time for all that.”
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Paxton
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« Reply #14 on: June 15, 2012, 03:11:51 AM » |
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Very nice piece, Willow. I like your writing.  Yes, you and whatever his name is... share a resemblance. I saw a picture of you getting out of the car and said so to myself.  “Every time I start thinking the world is all bad
I begin to see people out there havin' a good time on a motorcycle
and it makes me take another look.”
Steve McQueen |
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J. Paxton Gomez
1966 First year Bronco... 302 CI V8
1975 First year Chrysler Cordoba... 360 CI V8
1978 Honda 750F / Cafe Racer
2000 GL1500CY Fast-Black Standard Solo Rider
So Cal... 91205
"Four wheels move the body; two wheels move the soul."
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JaysGone
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« Reply #15 on: June 15, 2012, 03:52:12 AM » |
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Its the stach that does it Willow.
Nice web site you have by the way.
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 1999 Valk - SOLD 2005 Yamaha RoadStar 2010 GoldWing with Motor Trike Kit |
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grandpaweaver
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« Reply #16 on: June 15, 2012, 04:08:59 AM » |
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Having a really bad day with a customer yesterday, I was ready to explode and tell them to take their business elsewhere. Lunch time I rode the long way, out of town, skipped lunch and after a few miles I felt all the frustration and anger just leave me in one big exhale.
The ride is the best therapy.
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Isaiah 41:10
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BradValk48237
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« Reply #17 on: June 15, 2012, 05:27:25 AM » |
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I've been told I look like a young Wilford Brimley.......... I was hoping she was drunk....
I got rid of the round glasses after that.......
Brad
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BnB Tom
Member
Posts: 1708
Where'd old times go?
Frisco, TX
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« Reply #18 on: June 15, 2012, 05:35:44 AM » |
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I used to live and ride in the Los Angeles area (40 years ago). Riding there was like being in a constant competition for my space from start to finish and it took over an hour and a half just to "get outta Dodge".  Now I live in Frisco. Within about 20 minutes I can be on some nice 2 lane farm roads that meander through the country side enjoying my "Willow" moment. I read somewhere that only a dog in a car with its head out the window can appreciate the feeling a biker has when he's in the wind.  |
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old2soon
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« Reply #19 on: June 15, 2012, 07:35:29 AM » |
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Even with the 4 stop signs(yeah i know-just terrible)it takes me to get to the main hwy it's like 5 or 6 mins away.  Course if i turn left at the second stop sign in about 2 or 3 miles i can be draggin pegs. Ya'll can have dem big cities and overgrowed"metro areas".  Heavy traffic here is a P/U truck haulin a stock trailer with stock in it!! Enjoy the ride where ever ya at. |
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Today is the tommorow you worried about yesterday. If at first you don't succeed screw it-save it for nite check. 1964 1968 U S Navy. Two cruises off Nam.
VRCCDS0240 2012 GL1800 Gold Wing Motor Trike conversion
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Hef
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« Reply #20 on: June 15, 2012, 07:58:20 AM » |
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I often hear "Oh, God" when I walk into a room. Does that count?
That was a good one Scoot. |
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ChromeDome
Member
Posts: 2177
Aurora, IL.
60 miles West of Chicago!
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« Reply #21 on: June 15, 2012, 08:06:52 AM » |
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Nope ... no one has ever said that Paul Sr. looks like me. Go figure!  |
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