 Bike Christening
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,193
Learned Hand
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OP
Learned Hand
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,193 |
The last couple of afternoons/evenings in MA, there have been intense thunderstorms....had a couple of hours yesterday afternoon to go for a spin...dropped my daughter and her 3 friends at a local state park for a picnic, skibbled home, hopped on the bike, went to meet a friend for a little ride and lunch. Gave myself 20 minutes to get home (no problem) to get the car to go get the girls....nice sunny ride, yummy lunch....coming home I saw the rain clouds over by my way, but what's a little wet.... Darker, darker, and you know the story, suddenly it's a wall of rain, wind, lightning, and hail (I swear I saw the Wicked Witch on her broom go by)...Shoulders of the road flooded so quickly, I hate that, got to a parking lot to pull over, no cover, I'm soaked to the bone, freezing. Quickly got my phone out of the fork bag cuz I've gotta reach another mother to pick up the gils at the park (one of whom is petrified of storms) cuz now I'm going to be late...A guy stopped in a minivan, opened his door, said "I ride! Hop in!"... Hooray! I was trying to decifer the other mother's phone number which I had on a napkin which was all soggy, ink running...dripping all over the guys seat...checking my messages, my daughter, while I was riding home before the rain wall, had left me a message informing me that her battery on her phone was just about dead, but being 14, it didn't occur to her to leave me the number of one of her friends..  .... Meanwhile, my Good Samaritan was talking at me a mile a minute trying to tell me every caught in the rain story of his life and convince me to rent his condo on Lake Winnepesaukee....DUDE! Sorry, but I'm in MOMMY MODE!!! Couple of wrong dials, I get the other mom, she went to get the girls, ok, good...Another 15 minutes, and the storm had let up well enough for me to thank my Good Samaritan and get back on the bike to get home....then stuck in traffic until the next intersection cuz lightning had hit something and the lights were out, limbs down. Cops directing at the light, which I swear doubles the hold up. (I could be wrong.) You know the head down, determined, teeny wave without letting go of the grip that wet bikers give when they're JUST TRYING TO GET HOME cuz that was just no fun...that one, exchanged with a couple of other bikes that passed. Got home, poured out the boots. Made some coffee. So now, My Pretty Bonnie has been christened! And really, isn't it so true that Bikers Help Bikers, even if they talk your ear off.
"Let your soul shine,
It's better than sunshine,
It's better than moonshine,
****** sure better than rain."
-ABB
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 Re: Bike Christening
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,626
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,626 |
I think the rain gods just wait for us to take a "quick ride", without a rainsuit along, to have some real fun.
Steelheart- '03 Speedmaster Black/Yellow
The Hayabusa Killa
16" Shorties/140 mains/Airbox drilled
Procom CDI
"There is no cure for Celibacy. But we can treat the symptoms."
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Re: Bike Christening
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 130
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 130 |
Stick to four wheels until you get rid of your baggage.
"You just kinda wasted my precious time..."
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Re: Bike Christening
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,693 Likes: 22
Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,693 Likes: 22 |
Great story, you got caught in the rain, got wet, family got home safe, and you kept the shiny side up. No Problem 
I try to aggravate one person a day. Today may be your day.
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Re: Bike Christening
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,821
Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,821 |
What Ron said. Life is good 
Contra todo mal, mezcal; contra todo bien, también
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Re: Bike Christening
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,068 Likes: 1
Saddle Sore
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Saddle Sore
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,068 Likes: 1 |
Paula , sounds like you need to make you some tea and go to Tales From the Road , Poetry Division and unwind and compose us an epic , it would be theraputic for ya . Sounds as though your chain that went " shicka shicka shicka " ( good alliteration ) was going " gurgle gurgle gurgle " . Don't let TFtR, PD die on us ! 
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Re: Bike Christening
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,590
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,590 |
Quote:
I think the rain gods just wait for us to take a "quick ride", without a rainsuit along, to have some real fun.
....two September's ago I prepared to ride 130 miles to an old friend's retirement party. Forecast = zero percent chance of rain. Excellent, what can be better than "zero percent" chance of rain? Clear blue skies at home. 65 miles into the ride a suspicious cloud bank forms in my path. I spend the entire day in light rain/borderline snow, drinking gallons of hot coffee at the party. Later that day within 5 miles of home, the skies returned to clear blue. Of course I had wisely left my rainsuit in the garage.
Last Saturday there was planned meet with some Triumph people atop Lolo Pass ~140 miles. Saturday forecast, sunny early, chance of showers late afternoon. Wake up, the western sky is black, periodic thunder and light rain. Oh well, spend 20 minutes putting on the "designed by Harry Houdini" Triumph chevron suit, rubber bean boots and gauntlet rubber gloves. Ride through very light rain for the first 15 miles, then the skies cleared and spent the whole day in brilliant sunshine. Pausing in Missoula, I removed my deep sea outfit.
Aesop's Fables? I'll have to ask Rocky or Bullwinkle the punchline  .
I didn't realize good samaritan's drove minivans, learn something everyday.
jh
"It's not what I say that's important, it's what you hear" Red Auerbach
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Re: Bike Christening
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,193
Learned Hand
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OP
Learned Hand
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,193 |
Quote:
Stick to four wheels until you get rid of your baggage.
Steve- OUCH!
Does my daughter leave me shaking my head? Of course! That's her job! But I'll never consider my beautiful, straight A's National Junior Honor Society, comptetative dancer who 2 weeks ago started her 1st paying job at the grocery store "baggage"!!
"Let your soul shine,
It's better than sunshine,
It's better than moonshine,
****** sure better than rain."
-ABB
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Re: Bike Christening
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,193
Learned Hand
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OP
Learned Hand
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,193 |
Quote:
Of course I had wisely left my rainsuit in the garage.
jh
I've wisely never bought one... 
It's on the short list now!
"Let your soul shine,
It's better than sunshine,
It's better than moonshine,
****** sure better than rain."
-ABB
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Re: Bike Christening
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,193
Learned Hand
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OP
Learned Hand
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,193 |
Quote:
Sounds as though your chain that went " shicka shicka shicka " ( good alliteration ) was going " gurgle gurgle gurgle " .
I was a wee bit nervous when I went back over to start MPB back up...I'd read things about the air box getting wet? Nothing like the sound of an engine starting when you reeeeeeaaally need it to!
"Let your soul shine,
It's better than sunshine,
It's better than moonshine,
****** sure better than rain."
-ABB
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Re: Bike Christening
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,664
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,664 |
Quote:
I've wisely never bought one...
It's on the short list now!
Get Frogg-Toggs. Best available, and only $50.
Ride Safe,
Dennis
Triumph, it's how I live and what I ride.
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Re: Bike Christening
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,193
Learned Hand
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OP
Learned Hand
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,193 |
Thanks, Dennis! $50 is right up my alley.
"Let your soul shine,
It's better than sunshine,
It's better than moonshine,
****** sure better than rain."
-ABB
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Re: Bike Christening
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 585
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 585 |
Hey Paula, Just what the Skillet man said! Not trying to steal his thunder but they have a Road Toad version of the Frogg Toggs, Reflective striping and the pants are cut/designed for the curved knee (riders position) Glyn and I both have them and they are great! http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templa...g&noImage=0
"Will Ride or Fly for food"
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Re: Bike Christening
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,463
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,463 |
Quote:
Stick to four wheels until you get rid of your baggage.
Why should life stop because she has children....? If I had kids (not bloody likely) I'd have to get an outfit as I AM NOT LEARNING TO DRIVE!  
Rain happens. Normally as you go out without the waterproofs. Why do you think I normally have a constant cold....? 
Gina
03 America - Pretty stock - except the TBS wheel... 
06 America - missing, presumed in bits. With it's TBS wheel... 
09 America - It's very blue....
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Re: Bike Christening
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1 |
I'm convinced it was just such a downpour that influenced my wife's decision not ride with me anymore. Sounds like you made all of the proper decisions and you and the scoot are fine, although I'll bet a thorough cleaning is in order. What name was it that came about during the christening? Can't have a ceremony without naming the scoot...
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright (1876 - 1944)
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Re: Bike Christening
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 13
Complete Newb
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Complete Newb
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 13 |
Sorry to hear that you got caught in the rain; but, glad your kids got home safe. Now I know I am getting side bags and leaving the rain gear in there when I get my America.
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Re: Bike Christening
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,193
Learned Hand
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OP
Learned Hand
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,193 |
Picked up some Tourmaster raingear today. I've been caught in rain before- you know those long cold wet rides home on Sunday after a weekend away which include a stop in a laundromat to dry your stuff a little bit while you eat pie in the diner next door- but have never been caught in hail. Rain stings. Hail hurts. Also picked up a pair of Fieldsheer mens XS leather riding pants for $80 on clearance! Didn't "need" them, but at 60% off, I'd be kicking myself if I hadn't picked them up.
"Let your soul shine,
It's better than sunshine,
It's better than moonshine,
****** sure better than rain."
-ABB
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Re: Bike Christening
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 225
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 225 |
No bags no luggage. Essential rain gear is a zip-loc sandwich bag. If caught in rain, remove bag from wallet then insert wallet in bag and continue to ride.
Yes! I am a Redneck. Any Problems?
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Re: Bike Christening
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,664
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,664 |
Thanks Tmax,
I didn't know about those. I bought the Orange ones. Raynea asked me why, and I told her If we're riding in the rain we want to be seen.
I like the Frogg Toggs because they keep you really dry, no clammy feeling. Riding home from GR'06, I was in a downpour for over 200 miles and totally comfortable. Please don't mention that I'd pay $300 for a pair of the Toggs, because that's what they'd ask for.
Ride Safe,
Dennis
Triumph, it's how I live and what I ride.
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Re: Bike Christening
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,726
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,726 |
Living in Florida, just about the only times I get caught in rain is when it is hot. The Frogg Toggs are great and in pouring rain and steaming heat, they are very comfortable the way they breathe. They also pack up in a small space.
Bob
2005 America, 904cc - sold. 2014 Trophy SE.
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