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[skull]

I thought it was wierd that this thread was brpught back to life...

Anyway, I have logged about 5K miles since the accident.  I will say that I feel totally comfortable with riding.  It is one of those situations that I feel it has made me a more conscious rider, it turn a better rider.

I am still aprehensive to put anyone on the back of the scooter though.  

Ride safe!

Skull

[SPIDERMAN]

Can't believe I'm writing this but on the way back from Biketoberfest last Thursday (10/27/05) I went down again. I was coming through Abilene TX on I-20 when it started to rain. Stopped, put on my fabric lowers and rain suit, full face helmet and started off again. Doing about 55 or so and I see a truck getting ready to enter the highway from the frontage road. Minivan behind the truck. I move into the left lane to allow the truck room to merge onto the highway and the minivan shoots out around the truck into my lane. No where to go but left and try as I might, I couldn't keep the bike up. Saddlebag hit the pavement and bike mashed into the mud in the median.The van stopped and took off when I got up out of the ditch. !@#$%^&* and I hated minivans before this. After the Abeline FD hosed the mud off, I rode to Van Horn that day and 866 miles from Van Horn to San Diego on Friday. Just wanted to be home you know. Bike is fine except for a bent crash bar and skinned saddlebag. Call me a wimp, but I'm done ridin in the rain.

[WFP]

Glad you are ok...riding in the rain sucks...riding in the rain at night...that is even worse.  Unfortunately, there are times that we as riders will get stuck riding in the rain.  Coming home from the York Tour in May, I left naitram and his brother in Danbury, CT at 7pm and kept riding in the rain not getting home until 11.  Not my brightest move but I can tell you that at times I was doin' only 45 on a three lane I-84 not able to see which lane I was in.

/Bill

[hd-dude]

Spiderman; Glad your ok as well, your a lucky man. I agree with you on riding in the rain. Its never something that I would do if I have the choice, but as WFP pointed out it happens to us from time to time.

Take care and good luck with the repairs

[Twolanerider]

Spiderman, terribly sorry to read of the incident.  And very glad to see that everything is basically ok.  Got to admit though that it's hard to see how one can say he's never going to ride in the rain again.  It just happens after all.
 
I guess maybe in SoCal it's a more realistic option than other parts of the country.  But what about road trips?  Travels that are longer than a day or take you out of your own neck of the woods?  Trips to, for example, Biketoberfest from San Diego?
 
I'll be the first to admit that I stop (if I can) for heavy rain.  The last accident I had was in the rain.  It's not as if we can really completely avoid it.  But stopping for every rain event could ruin even the loosest schedule for most vacation rides.

[CVOJOE]

Agree with 2-lane, the wise and noble one.   If it gets too bad and there's a place to park for the duration I'll find a room and wait it out. Prefer to pay for the room and save the money on repairs, higher insurance and medical deductibles. Not worried about my skills (yet) but I am less and less impressed with those piloting the Cam-a-rays, vans, and the recent 'imports' out there. Been through rain, hail and heavy winds to and from Sturgis, even snow in the Sierras and Rockies, but now it's play it a bit safer and live to ride another day. Glad you're OK !!!

[SPIDERMAN]

Thanks everyone for the kind words. All of you are right about the realities of long distance riding in dealing with the elements. Did I mention how effin cold it was along the I-20 corridor last week ? I had days I started out in the high 30's low 40's. yeah yeah yeah, I lived in Maine for 44 years and rode in chit no sane person should have to deal with but you're right, I've gone totally SoCal. So my thoughts for the future are to figure in a couple of extra days in case I have to sit out the weather along the way. My friends have been tellin me for about 5 years now I plan my rides way to tight. This last trip was 6,000 in 14 days with 5 of those days enjoying Biketoberfest which was cool but very low in attendance due to the lack of Redneck Riviera folks after the hurricanes. By the way, 110% respect to any of you with an Iron Butt Certificate. The only reason I did the 866 from Van Horn TX to Dago was my old lady was waitin for me at the end of the day. 1,000 miles just to be able to say I did. Guess I'm gettin old amigos. Vaya con Dios

[Twolanerider]

By the way, 110% respect to any of you with an Iron Butt Certificate. The only reason I did the 866 from Van Horn TX to Dago was my old lady was waitin for me at the end of the day. 1,000 miles just to be able to say I did. Guess I'm gettin old amigos. Vaya con Dios

Spiderman, I've managed a few long days in the saddle and seen guys with those certificates from the "Iron Butt Association."  Actually met a guy making an Iron Butt ride at a gas station once in Laramie, WY.  I stopped, got gas, ate a hot dog, talked to some interesting locals, drank a beverage, and got back on the bike and went happily on my merry way.  He briefly introduced himself, said he couldn't take time to chat because he was "IronButting," hurried through everything, and did PAPERWORK.  

Paperwork, on a bike ride?  I may go for the long ride.  But I don't need that stinking patch.  Not if it means I can't stop to shoot the breeze with someone at a gas stop if I feel like and especially not if I have to do extra paperwork just to be on the bike......

[SPIDERMAN]

twolane you just hit on why I will never stop riding. Every time my faith in my fellow man is at low ebb, I go off on one of these cross country journeys and as much as time allows, stop and talk with the locals where ever I may be. Just never ceases to amaze me how many good folks there are in the world (just don't mention politics or religion) Gassin up,movin on and paperwork ??What would Captain America and Billy think of that chit ?

[Twolanerider]

Spider, I think we ride for the same reasons.  Thanks.  With any luck we'll be the two guys meeting at the gas station someday.