Shout outs! - #3

As I remember others who contributed to the fun, I will post more. 

Some may see the blog, others may not. But they were all appreciated!

In no particular order, I give you:

Noelito. My crazy bro, thanks for the blog tips, dude. Next time, come along and be our chase vehicle!


The lovely couple on his and hers bikes we met in Moab, Utah. Thanks for the tips on rider-doggie care. Next time we head to Cali, coffee is on us!


The staff at the Economy Inn motel in Ozona. Our thanks, not just because you were the only motel that had rooms available but because you were very clean, very reasonably priced, and very rider friendly.


The nice couple from the Netherlands we met at the Grand Canyon (her name was Meep [?]) who were taking pictures of our license plate. We met briefly but enjoyed our chat and hope you will visit in Louisiana. Traveling is not just about where you go, but also who you share your experience with. Thanks for sharing it with us!

Monster-making 101

When I finally gave in and said "yes" to Dennis getting a bike, I had no idea what it would lead to. I was very worried about his getting hurt or killed and, considerate husband that he is, he spent the first 10 years of our marriage hinting, cajoling, and sneakily introducing me to riding. But I was still worried for him.

After 5 years of owning a bike and no catastrophe befalling him, I decided I possibly, maybe, kinda, sorta, might want to ride my own. When I mentioned this to him, he took me to his favorite bike shop and had me choose a bike I felt comfortable with. I chose - and he vetted - a little V-Star 250. I felt it was too big, but it was the smallest available and the seat height was low enough to make me feel I had some control over this dangerous behemoth.

At this point, I had my motorcycle endorsement but I did not ride my new bike home. In our area, one can get a motorcycle endorsement on a scooter - which is what I used - and the only criteria for passing the test is that one makes it around the tiny parking lot without dropping the bike/scooter. Yeah, that makes me feel sooo safe.

Once home, Dennis, with incredible patience, set out to teach me. We drove to a large park (I drove the van) and he had me take the bike around the parking lot a few times. From listening to him, I knew the basics, but it's a long way from hearing it and actually shifting and braking. I did this a few times, until I was no longer nervous. Lesson 1: check.

Over the next month, Dennis took me to different areas, teaching me different maneuvers, pointing out possible hazards and correcting errors (we wear helmet radios) as I made them. When he felt I had mastered a particular traffic situation he took me to the next "level", e.i. riding in the park or parking lot, small town riding, surface streets, low traffic, heavy traffic. Eventually, I graduated to interstate riding and I was off! Now that I've graduated to a V-Star 650, he has a hard time keeping up with all the riding I want to do.

Yes, honey, you have created a monster!

Being invisible

Any motorcyclist will tell you this but it took experience for me to really understand and come to terms with this phenomenon. I am invisible. 


My invisibility is not random. It's also not an every day affliction. It only affects me when I am riding my motorcycle. It's true. A car driver can be behind me for many miles, pass right by me, and yet not see me when he/she decides to switch lanes. Like it happened this week on my way back from New Orleans. Good thing there was enough shoulder at that particular section of road. If we had been on the Atchafalaya Basin bridge, I would have become a Rorschach test on the concrete barrier.


As much enjoyment as I get from riding, it is now always tempered by the certainty that every time I throw a leg over the saddle, I have to become hyper-aware of everyone else around me. Does it take the enjoyment out of riding? No. But it does make me aware that, regardless of who is at fault, I will be the one hurt in an accident. Therefore, I order for me to have as many riding days as possible through my lifetime, I absolutely must make sure I do not remain invisible. Easier said than done.


Over the past year, with the invisibility issue lurking in my mind, I've been looking at motorcycles in terms of safety and have noticed that the coolest-looking bikes are invariably in dark colors. Let's be honest: a canary yellow cruiser is just not that appealing and will not sell as well as the jet-black model.


Another problem I've seen is that motorcycle apparel comes in colors to rival an invisibility cloak. Black seems to be the standard. Yes, bright colors are available. But I rarely see anything other than black in stores. Also, I bought my gear before I became aware of the invisibility affliction. I have mostly black gear, which matches my black bike.


Well, after giving this matter much thought, I've come up with several options:

1. continue wearing black, until a distracted driver abruptly re-colors my wardrobe to include a large portion of deep red
2. take out a loan to buy a new, canary yellow bike and all new, neon-bright gear
3. stop riding my motorcycle.... HAHAHAHA!!!!! Yeah, I know that's not really an option.
4. wear a bright, kapok-orange or neon-yellow safety vest over my jacket and add reflective tape to every available surface on my helmet and bike and looked like a geek

Well, coolness be darned! I'll take number 4... Until I save enough for a new Suzuki V-Strom 650. The 2012 model comes in a very visible orange! I wonder if I can get the helmet to match...