Not Enough Riding Lately

I rode briefly Friday which was only the third time in three weeks.  And late this afternoon after I got home I hopped on the bike and went to the vet to get medicine for one of our dogs.

Each day of not riding has had it's reason(s).  Some days have had unusual reasons like one day when I couldn't ride because I had to ship a fly fishing rod that I sold on eBay.  Some days I have too many phone calls to make so riding is too restrictive.

The ride on Friday was just right for peaking the desire for more.  It brought an awareness of not only how much I miss it but how one gets a little rusty on the skills after only a short while.

The other night I read an interesting article in BMW ON (Owners News) Magazine.  It's about a woman named Voni Glaves who happens to be on track to reach the one-million safe mile marker before her next birthday in December 2011. I tried to find the article in an electronic version on the BMWMOA's website but it's not there, so here's a link to another article about her.

Riding that many safe miles certainly gives her the ability to garner attention when it comes to advice.  Here are some of her successful riding tips. Some of these are obvious but they're good for review.

• Wear conspicuous clothing, her color of choice is red. (It's surprising how many people wear dark colors).
• Stop often for breaks to help stay alert. 
• She waves to drivers when she's in an intersection positioned to make a left turn so they notice her.
• "Riding the blue highways and only use the interstate when necessary."
• Keep emotions in check.
• "To maintain a safe riding zone, ride five miles an hour or so above the flow of traffic."
• "She doesn't put herself in a place that gives other vehicles the ability to control her."
• "When an aggressive driver comes along, Voni gets out of their way."
• When someone is tailgating her she flashes her brake-lights then when it's safe she pulls over to let them go.  She wants them out of her life.
• She avoids riding after dark but sometimes it can't be avoided.
• She has a flashing brake-light and Motolights on the front which give a "Safety Triangle" appearance. 
• She stays in good physical and spiritual health to stay on top of her game.
• And finally, she says she keeps it simple and stays focused.  Failure to focus can spell disaster.

(Early autumn along Rte. 6 in the coast range)

On these evenings after a day of not riding it's good to settle in to my favorite chair with a cup of tea and a good motorcycle magazine.  It doesn't satisfy the void of not riding but in a small way it takes away some of the sting.

I hope you've been riding these days and have been keeping it simple and safe.

Stay focused and God's speed.