I am What I am

[Willow]

Nice day for a ride home from work.  It doubles the pleasure when one gets off work and gets to ride home in the wind.  I work sixty miles west of home.   I live in Kansas.  When a Kansan speaks of the wind it's not always, or even often, what someone else might mean.

At the third flyway change I rolled onto the 180 degree exit/entrance and up to the stoplight.  In third gear one can hold pretty close to fifty mph all the way around, well, at least until the stop.  I sat in the left turn lane behind a young female in a minivan.  The light turned green after awhile.  She didn't notice.  She must've been busy with some other part of life.  I revved the engine, sounded the Cobras, a couple of times and she rolled into her left turn.  I'm sure she felt the displeasure as a short way don the two lane she drifted over to the right almost putting her right wheels on the shoulder.  We were traveling just to the right of a solid yellow. The PRV was fifty-five.  She was rolling close to ten over.  There was oncoming traffic and an occasional cross road on this stretch.  I shook my head.  No ma'am.  I'll take you on my choice at my time. It was about a quarter of a mile further when the dotted line replaced the yellow and traffic opened up.  I dropped into fourth and easily slipped past the minivan setting my sight on three cages running close together several hundred yard ahead.

US 40 is a good stretch of two lane with a fifty-five mph PRV and a repeating series of gentle sweepers with only occasional passing zones.  I followed the three cages until the lead vehicle slowed and turned right on one of the rare cross roads.  The slowing shortened the gap between the second and third cage.  When we cleared the intersection I checked the now second vehicle.  He was not shortening the gap further, making no positioning to pass, and there was no oncoming traffic.  It was a long pass.  The two were too close to offer an option to slide in between but there looked to be enough empty road before the next curve to present a good passing opportunity.  I geared down and rolled into the left lane.  As I passed the leading cage I looked down at the gauge to see the needle rolling past ninety-five indicated.  Apparently whatever hesitation or intimidation that lingered after the incident two and a half years ago has left by now.  I do enjoy passing when the opportunity presents itself.

I met two Valkyries well west of Lawrence; an Interstate and a tricycle.  I wondered if it's an insult to render the two wheeled salute to one traveling on three wheels.

When I rolled onto the on ramp in Lawrence to the K-10 bypass I had come off a stop at the traffic light but was first onto the right turn ramp.  The ramp is a couple hundred yards long and I was off a dead stop.  I looked across and saw what was a line of cages lead by boxed freighter slightly ahead of parallel to me.  The PRV on K-10 is sixty-five mph.  It has dropped through the construction zone to fifty-five but traffic largely ignores that change.  I turned the throttle hard and chose the option to not go onto the flyway behind the line of cages.  t has always thrilled me that the Valkyrie can almost easily run down an entrance ramp and pass traffic moving already at hiway speed.  I rolled onto K-10 with the freighter comfortably distant in my mirror.  I had to work at pulling the beast back down to a reasonable traveling velocity.

It was a good day to ride.  It was a good day to own a Valkyrie.  It was such a nice day it would've even been a good day to borrow a Valkyrie.  I guess I did. I was riding Mama's machine after all.

You all be careful out there.  Enjoy the wind.  Maybe I'll see you somewhere down the road.         

[Jabba]

Love ya Carl. I miss ya buddy.

Jabba

[Red Diamond]

Evil KaWillow!!!

[Karen]

Thanks, Carl, enjoyed your observations.

[John Schmidt]

Agreed....there's something about an open road ahead and the rush of twisting the throttle to leave the rest of the mess behind. The gym I visit is only four miles away, I rode the bike and it took me a good 45 minutes via the route I chose. Coming home, a different route and nearly an hour. It just felt good, cool wind and all. 

Now I wonder if they have a gym under the same franchise name in a nearby town.

[The emperor has no clothes]

  it is pretty cool to exit the on ramp faster than existing traffic. 

[Black Dog]

Zoom, zoom... 

Black Dog

[solo1]

Now you've done it Carl!

Just when I'm getting used to driving a sporty four wheels again, you come up with the one thing that I miss, the willingness of the Valkyrie to easily pass traffic at 95 mph. I do remember riding the interstate and passing those semis with the heavy loads and hot tires in summer.  I always hung back to get a clear shot using the excuse of possible road alligators slapping me in the face.

Very nice read, Carl

[Alien]

Willow,  You and I may see the world very differently but I'm pretty sure we could have a good time riding together.  After all, you can't talk politics and religion at 95mph!

Ride Safe,

Alien

[wiggydotcom]

That's a great share, Carl. While I was reading about you overtaking the slower traffic, I thought to myself, "That's almost as good as coming off of an "on" ramp and being faster than the traffic on the freeway". And lo and behold, you thought of that point also! My wife has even commented from the back seat, "You LOVE doing that, don't ya?"--all while rolling her eyes, I'm sure.

Often while in a cage, I would get caught approaching slower traffic, usually a semi. I'd look to do a pass, only to see a car coming up in the passing lane. It always seems like when they get beside me, time stands still and they no longer are pulling away but pacing me. Finally, they inch forward enough to clear the slower vehicle so I can also go around.
I find that with the Valkyries I've owned...or the F6b, I never get caught in that scenario. With a quick downshift and flip of the wrist, the approaching from behind traffic is no longer gaining on me and I can complete the pass first.  Sometimes, there is no substitute for power!

[Willow]

LOL, Alien.  I'm sure we'd have a good time in the wind.  I do tend to leave my politics behind, but Jesus rides with me at every speed.  I'm thankful for that.  Without His presence the outcome would have been very different when I was thrown off the machine at something around eighty miles per hour.

Wiggy, sometimes I really do love watching trailing traffic shrink in the mirror.   

[Wizzard]

Good read. Thanks Carl. I too enjoy twisting the throttle and yes,,my wife rolls her eyes from the back but secretly she loves it. That's why there is a little sticker on my mirror. It says "Objects in mirror may often disappear quickly"
Without Jesus I would not do anything.

[Wizzard]

BTW  the title of the thread made me think of Popeye for some reason
 

[DK]

Willow,

I really enjoyed your post, save and except your gratuitous comment regarding your quandary about the propriety of saluting a trike

I met and talked with you only briefly at the past InZane. Based on my impression of you from that brief encounter together with the tenor of your posts to this forum and my sketchy knowledge of your recent accident I am somewhat surprised that you would make such a derogatory statement about trikes, especially a triked Valk or even a Goldwing trike with air conditioning and a coronation seat.

Before riding my Valkyrie trike 1500 miles to Spearfish, I actually inquired of VRCC management as to whether trikes were welcome. After being told that a number of trikes regularly attend InZane (and every other Valk event I've been to) I made the trip - and along with a number of other trike riders felt welcome and accepted.

I really do not think we should be regarded as second class citizens and before doing so, I would implore you to consider the following:

I, like many other bikers in our late sixties want to continue riding after we are unable for whatever reason to continue riding a big bike safely. In my case, I've broken pretty much every bone in my body from biking and skiing accidents on one occasion spending nearly a year in the hospital, traction, body casts and learning to walk again. Much later, after a knee replacement, my riding days were over unless I went to a trike.

As you have experienced a serious accident, your bangs and bruises may very well catch up with you just as it happened with me. You will then have the choice of changing to a trike or getting little-bitty bike, or a Miata, or pick out a nice cage and never ride again. As I already had a 911 convertible, my only choice was a trike and with due deference to Doc, my trike is a bunch more fun than my sports car. Valkyries are the 911's of the bike world; they run like one & sound like one and a triked Valk is pretty much like a 911 without a body and missing one wheel. That's why it's so more fun, unless it rains or gets cold outside.  

Finally, for everyone's information, a trike is not the end of the world especially if it is a Valk with one of the smaller live axle conversions. It will go through a corner safely faster than any cruiser or tourer; you can cover longer distances in a day without being worn out; you don't have to hold it up in traffic; don't have to worry about road snakes or crumbles and it is almost as much fun. Only minus is it just doesn't lean. My trike will do exactly what you describe in your post and it is just as exhilarating, even more so because you would swear a trike was about to high-side every time you have fun going thru a corner. Come ride with me in West Virginia & you can share that high side feeling with me although I'm kinda used to it.

Bottom line is that for many of us to continue in the wind, at some point it will be on a trike.

Dan

[Willow]

... except your gratuitous comment regarding your quandary about the propriety of saluting a trike

... surprised that you would make such a derogatory statement about trikes, especially a triked Valk ...

...

Dan

Wow, Dan!  I had to go look up the definition of gratuitous to be sure I didn't have it wrong.  I don't.

The two wheeled salute is two fingers held out at an angle toward the road.  The question was whether it was insulting to a triker for me to hold out two fingers rather than three.  If you find that derogatory you and I have no more reason to discuss life.

I'm going to suggest politely that you work on growing some skin and not seeing offense where none was delivered.

Valkyrie trikes and other trikes have been treated with welcome and respect for as long as I have attended VRCC events.  Dan, I'm glad you've found a way to enjoy continuing to be in the wind.

[old2soon]

Good read Carl and as you may have deduced-I absofrikkinlutely LOVE twistin the throttle.  Have a few on ramps fairly close so-yeah-I KNOW.  And if they are in the wind on 2 or 3 or SOMETIMES 4 wheels I wave.  The 4 wheels I wave at usually have a really nice lookin female at the controls1  Not too long ago riding with a friend he asked me WHY I waved at the guy on a scooter? Told him if you THINK about it he is takin a much bigger chance than we are-he Is on 2 wheels and no way no how can he accelerate out of the way like we can.  Carl-I've driven around your area in an 18 wheeler-and at quittin time ill take 18 over 2 around there or most if not all major metro areas. RIDE SAFE.

[RainMaker]

BTW  the title of the thread made me think of Popeye for some reason
 

+1

[WilliamRS]

Willow,

I really enjoyed your post, save and except your gratuitous comment regarding your quandary about the propriety of saluting a trike

I met and talked with you only briefly at the past InZane. Based on my impression of you from that brief encounter together with the tenor of your posts to this forum and my sketchy knowledge of your recent accident I am somewhat surprised that you would make such a derogatory statement about trikes, especially a triked Valk or even a Goldwing trike with air conditioning and a coronation seat.

.....

Dan

I think you may have misunderstood his comment...

[DK]

Willow,

I agree that I need to grow some skin on this subject. As I said, I've always been just like anyone else at Valk events. In fact, it often seems that the trikes garner more attention than the bikes.

I jumped to a conclusion that your statement was less than complementary. I was wrong in getting on your case and I apologize to you for so doing.

Right now, trikes are the largest and about the only growth sector in motorcycling so they are here to stay however regarded by the General riding community.

I do see a lot of derogatory comments about trikes and I'm personally sensitive about it. Most usually, I've logged more miles and broken bones than the person making fun of trikes who probably have never been on one.

In spite of the above, the time is coming to determine just what is a motorcycle. Aside from conventional trikes as e now have reverse trikes made from bikes; purpose manufactured reverse trikes; four wheel "trikes" or whatever; automotive trikes; and most recently leaning reverse trikes; and leaning conventional trikes. I personally I think some of these various designs are getting pretty far away from being motorcycle related.

I just can't keep from feeling like I'm still riding a motorcycle and I'm, I guess, too sensitive about any perceived slight regarding what I'm riding just like a lot of other people are about their rides.  

Again, my apologies and I congratulate you on your riding getting back to normal. I, too, have been through it. It was hard for me and I still feel footsteps to some degree..

Dan

[DK]

Willow,

I really enjoyed your post, save and except your gratuitous comment regarding your quandary about the propriety of saluting a trike

I met and talked with you only briefly at the past InZane. Based on my impression of you from that brief encounter together with the tenor of your posts to this forum and my sketchy knowledge of your recent accident I am somewhat surprised that you would make such a derogatory statement about trikes, especially a triked Valk or even a Goldwing trike with air conditioning and a coronation seat.


I did. See my apology.

Dan
.....

Dan

I think you may have misunderstood his comment...

[Black Pearl's Captain]

It was a good day to ride.  It was a good day to own a Valkyrie.  It was such a nice day it would've even been a good day to borrow a Valkyrie.  I guess I did. I was riding Mama's machine after all.   

I wasn't believing a bit of it until I got to the next to last line. She sure has a fast bike. Tell her I said so please.

[RainMaker]

I was riding and passed a guy on a unicycle.  He was really pissed when I gave him the one wheel salute......

[Willow]

Willow,

I agree that I need to grow some skin on this subject. As I said, I've always been just like anyone else at Valk events. In fact, it often seems that the trikes garner more attention than the bikes.

I jumped to a conclusion that your statement was less than complementary. I was wrong in getting on your case and I apologize to you for so doing.

No problem, Dan.  We can do this thing together.  I'll work on my end and leave you to work on yours.

It was a good day to ride.  It was a good day to own a Valkyrie.  It was such a nice day it would've even been a good day to borrow a Valkyrie.  I guess I did. I was riding Mama's machine after all.   

I wasn't believing a bit of it until I got to the next to last line. She sure has a fast bike. Tell her I said so please.

LOL, Raymond.  The '98 is a quick bike and it runs through the gears nicely.  I do believe in the right hands it may be able to outrun my '01 but it would be very close and they would have to be really good hands.   

She's already read your stuff.  I won't need to tell her. 

I miss you, man.   

[The emperor has no clothes]

Willow,

I agree that I need to grow some skin on this subject. As I said, I've always been just like anyone else at Valk events. In fact, it often seems that the trikes garner more attention than the bikes.

I jumped to a conclusion that your statement was less than complementary. I was wrong in getting on your case and I apologize to you for so doing.

Right now, trikes are the largest and about the only growth sector in motorcycling so they are here to stay however regarded by the General riding community.

I do see a lot of derogatory comments about trikes and I'm personally sensitive about it. Most usually, I've logged more miles and broken bones than the person making fun of trikes who probably have never been on one.

In spite of the above, the time is coming to determine just what is a motorcycle. Aside from conventional trikes as e now have reverse trikes made from bikes; purpose manufactured reverse trikes; four wheel "trikes" or whatever; automotive trikes; and most recently leaning reverse trikes; and leaning conventional trikes. I personally I think some of these various designs are getting pretty far away from being motorcycle related.

I just can't keep from feeling like I'm still riding a motorcycle and I'm, I guess, too sensitive about any perceived slight regarding what I'm riding just like a lot of other people are about their rides.  

Again, my apologies and I congratulate you on your riding getting back to normal. I, too, have been through it. It was hard for me and I still feel footsteps to some degree..

Dan

Willow is far from normal  It was good of you to admit your mistake  I think you'll find most on here are quite accepting of trikes. And for the few that aren't, just blow them off. 

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

Great read. My ride home is barely a quarter of yours but I still look forward to it and start to smile as soon as I exit the building and see "Little Martha" waiting on me. I'm smiling now thinking about it. Letting the girl eat a little as she passes a few vehicles does indeed make the ride sweeter too.

Two out of three days this week there was an LEO parked close to the industrial lot exit when I headed home. Surly it's coincidence.