A good way to get to work and build trust
Posted 27th August 2012 at 03:18 by Nolemags
Needed to work on a Saturday and decided to take the sportster. It was a cooler morning. Just a few degrees but noticeable due to a drop in humidity. The sun was trying to come up when I left.
Not wanting to wake up the whole family, I didn't give it the usual minute or two to warm up. A younger me would have pushed it up the road a bit before kicking it. Funny how the amount of consideration can go down when it is just too much effort. But I did get on down the road quick and did the best it could cold.
Since I don't ride that much on the city roads, I was reminded of why I enjoy the back roads so much. It is nice to wind around through the trees for 4 or 5 miles at a time between stop signs instead of a stop light every half mile. I also felt like the drum brakes on this old machine may not have been meant for such action. Hey-at least I got to practice my shifting.
I remember dreaming of riding to work on the bike. It was the perfect mix of function and fun in my mind. And the ride was everything I wanted it to be. I was that guy. The guy riding to work on his bike.
And in the end, there is a trust built between me and the bike. Since most of the time I could be stuck on the side of the road and walk home or to the next station. Hell - I even have GPS and a phone. Didn't have that in 1992. But riding to work means you need to get there at a certain time. For that, you need reliability. So, like I said, it was a big step taking it to work. Helps me make a more complete connection with this machine. And it was my longest ride yet.
Not wanting to wake up the whole family, I didn't give it the usual minute or two to warm up. A younger me would have pushed it up the road a bit before kicking it. Funny how the amount of consideration can go down when it is just too much effort. But I did get on down the road quick and did the best it could cold.
Since I don't ride that much on the city roads, I was reminded of why I enjoy the back roads so much. It is nice to wind around through the trees for 4 or 5 miles at a time between stop signs instead of a stop light every half mile. I also felt like the drum brakes on this old machine may not have been meant for such action. Hey-at least I got to practice my shifting.
I remember dreaming of riding to work on the bike. It was the perfect mix of function and fun in my mind. And the ride was everything I wanted it to be. I was that guy. The guy riding to work on his bike.
And in the end, there is a trust built between me and the bike. Since most of the time I could be stuck on the side of the road and walk home or to the next station. Hell - I even have GPS and a phone. Didn't have that in 1992. But riding to work means you need to get there at a certain time. For that, you need reliability. So, like I said, it was a big step taking it to work. Helps me make a more complete connection with this machine. And it was my longest ride yet.
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Comments
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I understand the feeling all to well! I leave for work around 4:15, so it goes without saying the wife and kid are still in bed. I try to push the 87' as far from the house as I can, just because she is pertty lound for an old girl. But there is that connection between me and the bike riding that early in the morning. She know that it would be so easy for me to jump in the truck and head to work, but I rather be on my bike. She my be old and ugly , but she is mine !Posted 19th September 2012 at 12:04 by pelon 
