Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Few and far between

Life and the weather have conspired to offer a lame start for the 2015 riding season.

These days I get buttonholed in the elevator with a familiar refrain "Hey, are you riding yet?  Where's that new motorcycle?"  My usual response has been a slight hunch of the shoulders, an apologetic grimace, and a mumble about the weather.

Today was different.

I am really looking forward to a commute on Black Betty.  Seeing as it still lacks the storage needed to be a commuter, it was back to the good old, tried and true scooter commute with my trusty Vespa GTS.

I was surprised to find myself a little rusty.  A long winter of driving has left my rider vigilance wanting. No one who has had an accident ever said that they saw it coming, could have avoided it, but didn't.  People say things like "I never saw..."

Like I never saw a stop sign until way too late this morning.  I stopped, there was no traffic, but I was pushing the limits of stopping power.  Riding needs to be a Zen-like experience, where the safety zone that surrounds you is large and roomy.  Mine was a little too tight for comfort this morning.

It's a constant work-in-progress.




16 comments:

SonjaM said...

It was a long winter indeed. In the beginning of every riding season I get myself a little parking lot practice before I hit the roads on two wheels. Looking forward to your first BB scoot commute.

Trobairitz said...

Life is a constant work in progress.... motorcycling just takes more attention to detail.

I am sure I am rusty as well.

Dar said...

David we all get rusty! Glad all is well.

len@RE-GLAZE-IT said...

Hi David ,
Hope all is well mate .
Good to hear you back on with the scoot commuting , Its been good to check in to one of my favorite blogs...Still numb about Bob:(
Take care mate
Regards
Len

RichardM said...

Driving takes as much care and concentration as riding though the consequences of failure would be less severe. Too many these days take it too lightly.

David Masse said...

The parking lot is a good idea. Dar gave me the specs for setting up cones, plus a genius cheap hack for cones. I need to do that with the Honda for sure.

David Masse said...

Rusty is the fate of all. It takes energy to scrub it till we shine.

David Masse said...

Dar, if only you were closer I'd take your class.

David Masse said...

That's very kind. ScooterBob os in your neck of the woods, and will be there roaming around for a while.

If you're still riding (and even if you're not) you're most welcome to join in. Might do wonders for that numbness. :)

David Masse said...

Like a month ago when I backed Susan's Beemer into my Civic :(

redlegsrides said...

The way to no get rusty, David, is to use a sidecar rig in the winter....then you ride year-round, your skills always in use, no rust....easy peasy. :)

redlegsrides said...

Not get rusty, not no get rusty....

The City Mouse in the Country said...

That is not a bad idea. Even if your able to ride most of the year, just take a weekend and work on those skills away from traffic and other distractions.

Conchscooter said...

I'd hate not riding for six months. Life would feel rusty.

len@RE-GLAZE-IT said...

I would love to have Bobscoot stay awhile !
What do i need to do?

Regards
Len

P.S My postal details are-:

Mr L Hefford
2 Shropshire Ave
Derby
DE216EU
England
United Kingdom

David Masse said...

Hi Len.

Check your e-mail.

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