Sunday, December 14, 2014

Back in the Saddle Again


Last summer, I had the rare opportunity to help out new instructors and play error rider for their range training session. This also gave me another rare opportunity, a brief discussion with my mentor. We talked about our lackadaisical riding as of late and how he had nothing to prove to himself or to others.

Cobwebs Dan?
I thought about this for the rest of the summer. I've ridden year round in both temperature extremes, commuting back and forth to work for the past several years and although I am not nearly as proficient a rider as Dan, my skills have improved immensely since becoming an instructor. I will continue to hone my skills and challenge myself, but I recognized that I too have nothing to prove to myself or to others for that matter.

The reason I mention this is that I was using my commute to prove myself, a 22 mile stretch of four lane highway that I absolutely detest. A half hour ride every morning at dark o'clock tends to cause one's mind to wander, to the point that I began asking myself "why the frack am I out here?!?" It is too cold, too wet, too dark, too dangerous and no fun at all to say the least. I was just as miserable commuting home in the late afternoon fighting traffic. Then when weekend came around, I had no desire whatsoever to share the road again with the same cagers that were out to kill me all week.

Motorcycle riding had become a mundane chore and I nearly lost interest in everything motorcycle related. I receive several monthly motorcycle magazine subscriptions, but they just stacked up and went unread. I skipped a couple of local bike nights and purposely missed Saturday morning coffee meetings a time or two because I wasn't feeling up to it. I was burned out...

I needed to evaluate, prioritize and revitalize. Enter the mountain bike.



I work four 10 hour days which affords me Friday off, but Trobairitz works Friday mornings, so I use that time to hop on my bicycle and ride up the secluded forest trails where I can be alone and recharge. No traffic, no people, no cell phones. I have been having a great time climbing the trails and even more so, the ride back down. I've been following mountain bike group social pages, reading articles and perusing maps. I'm discovering several great trails and parks in the area while improving and gaining confidence in my mountain bike riding ability. Adding other hobbies and activities helps me maintain a balance, rather than focusing on just motorcycling.


















I haven't been on the Tiger (or my blog, sorry) since our ride to the Tillamook Air Museum in October, and our bikes have been parked in the garage since. An unexpected half day head start on the Thanksgiving weekend and sunny, dry weather presented an opportunity to "service" the bikes. I've been meaning to rotate the tires, stir the oil and replenish some of the old gas in the tanks with fresh gas. Since I was out of practice and for self preservation, I took Trobairitz's Gladius out first, I'm a much more cautious and somewhat reserved rider with her bike. I rode to the top of Marys Peak, stopping for a couple photos along the way, then rode home to swap bikes to take my Tiger out on the same route.




Marys Peak in the background.
Hoohoo, the Gladius is a blast to ride, but I forgot how much fun it was to ride the Tiger! It wasn't long before I slipped back into the familiarity of my bike, quick on the throttle and leaning through the corners. I was quickly reminded how poorly my tires gripped wet roads, especially roads littered with leaves, fir needles and moss. I also remembered how well ceramic brake pads can lock up the rear wheel. Evidently it wasn't just the bikes that needed to be run, I had a few cobwebs that needed clearing out too. I eased up a bit and just tootled along, enjoying the sunshine and adding a gravel road to my route for a thorough refresher. What a great ride.



With both bikes safely parked in the garage and a seasonal IPA in hand, I contemplated my next ride, hoping to take the dirtbikes out Thanksgiving weekend. Unfortunately it rained all weekend so we didn't go, it's one thing to be cold, it's another being cold and wet. I discovered a direct correlation between degrees of temperature (ºF) and rider's age when it comes to motorcycling, kids don't care if it's cold out but I don't much care for riding in temperatures below 39ºF. In the meantime, I am happy to go for drives instead of rides, walks and hikes or bicycle rides instead of fighting the cold and wet weather on the motorcycles.



Rough Skinned Newt found on a recent hike (warning: don't handle, salamanders are toxic)

After somewhat of a hiatus from motorcycling, I'm enjoying a renewed interest in riding and I'm looking forward to teaching bright eyed and bushy tailed students next season. Classes start in January, first with an instructor and mentor update for me, then it's boots on the ground the following weekend.

Now if Mother Nature cooperates, maybe I can get a few more practice rides in, as well as a few more hikes, bicycle rides... and blog fodder.


~ Burnout is when long term exhaustion meets diminished interest.

15 comments:

  1. Interesting post! I've had similar thoughts about my daily commute. Some have asked if "I was trying to prove something". My usual response is that this is just my way to turn my commute into recreation. I don't have any high speed slab riding so it is still entertaining.

    The blogging is still entertaining for me. I didn't think that I would enjoy it as much as I do. I must admit that I enjoy reading the bike posts as much as anything else. So thanks for the posts...

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    1. My current job doubled the length of my commute and bumped it two hours earlier in the morning making it a dark ride. Slabbing it somehow replaced recreation, I'm glad your commute is enjoyable.
      I still enjoy blogging, but without motorcycling a motoblog is just a blog. However, I will write more regardless.

      Thanks for your patience and comments Richard.

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  2. Sounds like you had a case of motorcycle overload. It can be good to step away for a bit to recharge oneself.
    I hear you on the cold & wet. As I'm now in my forties I don't particularly want to go out riding in the rain, motorcycling is supposed to be fun right. Then I'll wait until I get some fun weather to have some real fun.

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    1. I definitely went into overload, fortunately I recognized it in time to remedy it. Motorcycling is fun and when the rain stops I'll be ready to enjoy the ride. Thanks for keeping with me and for the comment.

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  3. No point in getting wet cold and miserable......

    What tyres (tires) do you have on Tiger?

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    1. I don't see the point either. I am running Shinko 705 Series tyres, I really like them as they are inexpensive and have fantastic dry weather grip, I've pushed them as far (and further) than my bike will allow. They disperse water well, but I tend to ask more from them than I should in the wet corners and mud. I'm on my third set and the only tires I've put on the Tiger since I bought it over 30,000 miles ago. http://www.shinkotireusa.com/tire/705-series

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  4. I was fortunate to have a wonderful route to work, and short hours that kept me in daylight. I did have the option of the freeway and it was always a last resort. Route/time makes a big difference in the quality of ride. It’s always good to step back when things get boring/irritating/routine. Enjoy the bicycling for now, and you’ll be ready for the motor again - when the days are longer and warmer!

    I’m insanely jealous that you have trails right out the door. :)

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    1. I didn't mind the commute at my last job as I would sneak down Peoria Road and Tangent Drive, but it just isn't practical to take that route all the way into Lebanon at 5:00 in the morning. Although I have taken that route home many times.

      Don't be jealous, you have Cheadle Lake.... ummm, okay....so come on over and ride with us!

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  5. I hear ya, Troubadour, I hear ya. Been experiencing the same symptoms myself....my wife even said to me: "Well, its probably because you've ridden all the roads to be ridden in the state!".....not even close of course but she's seen my reticence to ride as something unusual. I must find something different that still involves my motorcycles....what it is, we shall see. Good post!

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    1. Thanks Dom, I still enjoy riding and I really like getting out on the little trail bikes even more so, but the forests were shut down due to the long, hot, dry summer we had (then the rain came). We've been bicycling, hiking and walking, we even bought a couple of kites to fly at the coast.
      Weren't you looking into building a kite and camera rig to launch and fly behind the Ural? That still involves motorcycles ;)

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    2. I was indeed, then got distracted by drones instead...then saw how the wind affects things, then life happened.....

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  6. Excellent, thoughtful post Brad! I feel the same and am inclined to think that instructing adds to the problem. I love seeing students raise their skills, but you have to balance it against riding for your own pleasure. I know Rogey feels the same and we try and get out for what might be described as a "brisk ride" together for sheer enjoyment. Even though I'm passionate about bikes, doing other stuff such as fishing, travelling and so on makes me appreciate riding even more.

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    1. Thank you Geoff, I was teaching on the range when I realized I needed a break. Dan warned me my first year to be careful what I wished for when requesting more assignments. Moderation and balance is indeed the key and this year I'll be sure not to spread myself too thin.
      Quality, not quantity.

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  7. Nice post! I think it is so easy to fall into a routine and burn out before you even realize what's going on. I'm glad that you found a turning point for yourself before life presented you with a bad wakeup call. Great that mountain biking helps you to relax and refocus! Our bikes have been sitting in the garage for the last few weeks too, waiting for some good weather which is in the forecast for next week at least. We shall see.

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    1. Thanks Andrea, I had lost a little spring in my step. We are anxious to get out on the bikes but the rains have finally arrived and I don't see it letting up anytime soon.

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