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I should have read the weather report. Went riding today with a few gents. Got about 40 miles out of town. Stopped had something to drink (Diet Coke for me), watching all of the drunks going down the river in their innertubes acting silly etc.
Started heading back into town. As we got out of some 2-lane sweepers, and hit a regular 4-lane highway. It was BLACK in the distance. Saw a lot of lightning. I knew there was no way in hell I would make it home without hitting that storm.
As usual, I wore my racing leathers, gloves, boots, etc. The typical "are you hot" comments abounded. I just laugh at them. As the rain started, I realized that I was the ONLY one riding in any sensible gear. While everyone had helmets, some were in lightweight jackets, slacks and marginal boots, a couple riders were in T-shirts and jeans.
As the visibility decreased, the other riders slowed waaaay down. Down to a point where I thought it was actually dangerous because a car might plow into us from behind if we weren't careful. It was turning into a torrential downpour. Water was getting into everything, through the vents in my helmet, soaking the leathers, boots, gloves etc. Visibility was deteriorating rapidly, so I used a lot of rear-brake tapping to let drivers behind me know that I was slowing down and what my intentions were.
I eventually changed lanes and passed the others while maintaining a speed that was equal to that of the traffic. Another rider followed me (t-shirt guy). My gear got freaking SOAKED, but I was in much better shape than the rest of them. I don't know where they were, but I made it back to the neighborhood just fine. I have a LOT of rain riding experience (street and track), and did not feel uncomfortable whatsoever. I have ridden in some very inclement weather in the past (sleet, snow, below freezing, LOTS of rain). All my experience came back to me real fast. I was on the 750 today, and I have a fairly new set of tires on there. Michelin Pilot Roads. Definitely felt very planted and had no traction issues.
I did have some electrical problems though. One cylinder kept cutting out, and the bike was not pulling right over 6K. This is the first time I have ridden that bike in the rain since '93. So, I was expecting some possible electrical issues. I'll let her dry out, and fire her up tomorrow. I might have to do some waterproofing on her. That was one reason I didn't stop. The bike might not have restarted :roll: I really have to get that checked out.
My gloves were dripping red dye all over the fairing too by the time I got home. I have everything put up now. If I would have had to ride more than the 20-miles or so, I would have pulled over and waited in a Denny's or something, possible restart or no. Main reason was because I started getting cold. I found myself tensing up because of this, and was having to force myself to relax to conserve energy and to focus. Hypothermia would have eventually started to set in had I rode for too much longer.
So, ALWAYS WEAR YOUR GEAR. And check the weather report. At least it didn't affect me too bad. The other guys, well . . .
- Nut
Started heading back into town. As we got out of some 2-lane sweepers, and hit a regular 4-lane highway. It was BLACK in the distance. Saw a lot of lightning. I knew there was no way in hell I would make it home without hitting that storm.
As usual, I wore my racing leathers, gloves, boots, etc. The typical "are you hot" comments abounded. I just laugh at them. As the rain started, I realized that I was the ONLY one riding in any sensible gear. While everyone had helmets, some were in lightweight jackets, slacks and marginal boots, a couple riders were in T-shirts and jeans.
As the visibility decreased, the other riders slowed waaaay down. Down to a point where I thought it was actually dangerous because a car might plow into us from behind if we weren't careful. It was turning into a torrential downpour. Water was getting into everything, through the vents in my helmet, soaking the leathers, boots, gloves etc. Visibility was deteriorating rapidly, so I used a lot of rear-brake tapping to let drivers behind me know that I was slowing down and what my intentions were.
I eventually changed lanes and passed the others while maintaining a speed that was equal to that of the traffic. Another rider followed me (t-shirt guy). My gear got freaking SOAKED, but I was in much better shape than the rest of them. I don't know where they were, but I made it back to the neighborhood just fine. I have a LOT of rain riding experience (street and track), and did not feel uncomfortable whatsoever. I have ridden in some very inclement weather in the past (sleet, snow, below freezing, LOTS of rain). All my experience came back to me real fast. I was on the 750 today, and I have a fairly new set of tires on there. Michelin Pilot Roads. Definitely felt very planted and had no traction issues.
I did have some electrical problems though. One cylinder kept cutting out, and the bike was not pulling right over 6K. This is the first time I have ridden that bike in the rain since '93. So, I was expecting some possible electrical issues. I'll let her dry out, and fire her up tomorrow. I might have to do some waterproofing on her. That was one reason I didn't stop. The bike might not have restarted :roll: I really have to get that checked out.
My gloves were dripping red dye all over the fairing too by the time I got home. I have everything put up now. If I would have had to ride more than the 20-miles or so, I would have pulled over and waited in a Denny's or something, possible restart or no. Main reason was because I started getting cold. I found myself tensing up because of this, and was having to force myself to relax to conserve energy and to focus. Hypothermia would have eventually started to set in had I rode for too much longer.
So, ALWAYS WEAR YOUR GEAR. And check the weather report. At least it didn't affect me too bad. The other guys, well . . .
- Nut
Was a mess. Too funny!
