Random thoughts while riding

[Michael Moore]

Do you find yourself wondering about stuff when you're riding along on your Ducati?  I do.

For example:

Why is it always some guy in a clapped-out mid-80s Corolla or other econobox that thinks he's going to race you up the mountain? It's laughable.  Or it might be an old F150.

And why is it, when the road turns toward the setting sun you can be almost guaranteed some chucklehead ahead of you will use half their reservoir of windshield fluid without ever bothering to check the rearview? Thanks buddy, but I already showered this morning...

And why is it, when you see a driver do something tenuous, and stupid, there's a 90% chance they'll follow that up with another bonehead move shortly thereafter?  They're either a lost and clueless tourist, or just a horrible driver.

[mostrobelle]

All of those things make sense to me actually...

1.  Compensating

2.  If the sun is in your eyes, it's in theirs too--they're cleaning the windshield to see better. 

3.  Stupid is 24/7.


What I can't figure out is why doesn't the Bay Bridge have a shoulder.  Why do people either love wheelies or hate them?  Why are the soles of my riding boots worn out?

[somegirl]

Stop using your feet to brake.

[desmoquattro]

A few of my random thoughts:

1) Hey, a deer is crossing the road...maybe he'll jump over me!

2) Damn this bike sounds good.

3) I hope these aren't the Sunday Morning riders I'm mixing it up with.

4) Why won't that cop stop chasing me? I'm only doing slightly over 100...in a residential area...during school hours.

But seriously...riding, even at high speeds, is always an introspective experience for me. My inner dialog is loud and clear...and goes all stream-of-consciousness on me. When I'm conflicted or upset about something, jumping on a bike usually helps me figure things out.

[mostrobelle]

Stop using your feet to brake.

Seriously... I had to monitor myself for a day or two just to make sure that wasn't the reason! 

[r_ciao]

some of mine...

1) put down that f'n cell phone!

2) can you see me?  can you see me?  maybe i should get that truck airhorn installed sooner than later.

3) ooh.  those girls are hot.  btw, so are my thighs sitting in this traffic.

Ciao!

[Desmostro]

Stop using your feet to brake.

My left boot is more worn than my right from the little spin when mounting. Both toe tips are worn from pushing the bike in-out of parking. Heels are like new. ( I must be using the front brakes more )

I ride best with a smile and no thoughts at all. It's become a meditation.
Sometimes I wake up the morning after a good ride pondering adrenaline moments.

3.  Stupid is 24/7.

+1
Unfortunately its safer BEHIND stupid drivers than passing them and becoming a target.  
I just have a hard time employing that logic.

[Spidey]

Here are some pretty routine thoughts that pass through my mind ---

Is my underwear hangin' out?

Why do jaywalking' mothers lead with the baby stroller to see if you'll stop?

Why are do SF drivers alternate between being really aggressive and then driving like an old grandma within 3 blocks?

Why can't people figure out that the first one to the stop sign at a four way stop gets to go?

Would it be cool if I could clutch wheelie right now?

What would happen if for no reason I locked up the front brake right now?

Why are bicylists bigger hooligans than motorcyclists?

[jimboecv]

1)  [new mystery sound] What was that?
2) I love or hate my helmet or gloves
3) Why are these people driving the same speed?
4) Was/is that a cop?
5) make the beast with two backsing idiot! 

[johnc]

and, why is it that sig. moore has become andy rooney?

Do you find yourself wondering about stuff when you're riding along on your Ducati?  I do.

For example:

Why is it always some guy in a clapped-out mid-80s Corolla or other econobox that thinks he's going to race you up the mountain? It's laughable.  Or it might be an old F150.

And why is it, when the road turns toward the setting sun you can be almost guaranteed some chucklehead ahead of you will use half their reservoir of windshield fluid without ever bothering to check the rearview? Thanks buddy, but I already showered this morning...

And why is it, when you see a driver do something tenuous, and stupid, there's a 90% chance they'll follow that up with another bonehead move shortly thereafter?  They're either a lost and clueless tourist, or just a horrible driver.

[Dietrich]

Would it be cool if I could clutch wheelie right now?

That is one of my most frequent thoughts also!  Especially when cruising along at 75 on a boring stretch of highway...

I don't spend much time dwelling on stupid cagers.  No sense. 

Other thoughts include, "Wow!  I haven't thought of my ex or my job for the last two hours!"

or, "It is so cool that two big air cooled cylinders can push me across the dessert at over 90 MPH for hundreds of miles...."

[Michael Moore]

Oh, a couple more...

Why is it cagers stop 30 feet from the white stop line? Good for me since there's a nice spot to hang out when I finish lane-splitting, but, what, are they worried about getting a ticket?

And why does johnc bust my balls with such regularity? I got a long way to go before my eyebrow hairs are as long as Mr. Rooney. 

[johnc]

And why does johnc bust my balls with such regularity? I got a long way to go before my eyebrow hairs are as long as Mr. Rooney. 

two reasons:

• as a fellow canuck, your balls are just so bustworthy, eh.
  
• it's not that you look like andy rooney ... it's just that you are starting to sound like him ... "did you ever wonder why ..."

[jimboecv]

Oh, a couple more...

Why is it cagers stop 30 feet from the white stop line? Good for me since there's a nice spot to hang out when I finish lane-splitting, but, what, are they worried about getting a ticket?

This one I've often asked and have actually come up with an answer.

I think the front of cars are sooo big, plus people sit 'in' cars not 'on' them, that they have now fuk-ing idea how much car is before them.... at a stop.   They'll run up your ass while moving because they don't pay attention, but at a stop they're clueless.
Seriously, how many times have you seen 10' in front of a car?  Even more, I bet, often enough. 
Once I've come to an explainable conclusion to dumbmake the beast with two backsory, I simply switch to answer #5.

[somegirl]

This one I've often asked and have actually come up with an answer.

I think the front of cars are sooo big, plus people sit 'in' cars not 'on' them, that they have now fuk-ing idea how much car is before them.... at a stop.   They'll run up your ass while moving because they don't pay attention, but at a stop they're clueless.
Seriously, how many times have you seen 10' in front of a car?  Even more, I bet, often enough. 
Once I've come to an explainable conclusion to dumbmake the beast with two backsory, I simply switch to answer #5.

I think you might have something.  Visibility in cars is getting worse and worse.

On my last trip (to San Diego), I had a rental VW bug.  It handled pretty decently for a rental car, but I really had a hard time parking it (with perpendicular parking being far worse than parallel parking).

I couldn't see the front of the car.
I couldn't see the back of the car.
I couldn't see any lines on the ground for 10 feet around.