Featured Rideout Hallelujah! Back In The Saddle Again After A 168 Day Rideout Drought

Hallelujah! I rode my Speed Triple RS yesterday morning for the first time in 6 1/2 l-o-n-g months. The last time I rode a motorcycle was January 14th because I crashed my bicycle four days later. So many of you have been so supportive of me over the past months that I had to let you know I'm back in the saddle. So here are some photos (otherwise, hmmm, maybe it didn't happen) and a bit of story on how it felt to be back in action.



I decided that I wouldn't ride before I could put on my own helmet. That became my sort of litmus test. Mr. Sandi did offer to jam my helmet on for me but I declined that offer. Starting about a week ago I could get my helmet on and off by myself though how I manage to do it sure ain't pretty, Once I was able to meet "the helmet goal", I added donning and doffing of a helmet to my daily home PT regimen. I don't think they use that exercise at the Physical Therapy office although they might consider adding it.


I was a bit nervous for this first rideout but I'd say that my level of nervousness was appropriate to the circumstances. Though my pelvis fracture doesn't bother me anymore and seems completely healed and back to normal, my elbow flexion still has a ways to go. I can't floss my teeth with two hands nor put earrings in my left ear but, hey--I can ride! It seems riding my Triumph takes far less "bendiness" than many other ADL's (Activities of Daily Living).

So I polished up Speedy, aired up his tires, and dug out my gear with eager anticipation. Mr. Sandi was completely supportive of this maiden voyage and we together decided upon a tentative route--and photo op stop--prior to heading out. After giving Speedy a little kiss on the tank, we were off!




OMG! It felt sooooo good to ride again! I've missed it terribly and now I completely remember why. I felt far better than I anticipated and within about five miles I barely felt like I'd been off the bike for such a long time. It was "just like riding a bicycle" (which I have to admit I'm more nervous to do again than my motorcycles). My turns were a little rusty initially but my balance was fine and I didn't--as I had dreams about--completely forget how to start and stop and shift and..... I did forget to put my side stand up before trying to back out of the garage, though. It was nice to use my quick shifter option so I didn't have to pull in the clutch quite so often as my left hand is still weaker than normal. I know that some Speed Triple riders on the forum have had major problems with theirs and don't use it (yes, @SteveRS, I'm talking about you), but I was grateful to have it under the circumstances. My bike was flawless and probably as happy and pleased as I was to be back out on the road.

There's a nice turnout about ten miles into our route that was a perfect spot for a photo op and for me to let Mr. Sandi know how I was feeling. Those are the Catalina Mountains in the background--the mountains where the Bighorn Fire raged for two weeks and that tragically burned 120,000 acres. None of the fire damage was visible from this spot, however.


I LOVE my Triumph! But I'm also eager to ride my new 2020 H-D Street Glide Special. It's weird to have a brand new bike in the garage that I've not yet ridden. But it will be a bit longer until that day arrives since my Street Glide is significantly bigger than Speedy and I'd like to have more strength and flexion than I currently have. This is Mr. Sandi with his 2017 Street Glide.




As we neared home we stopped at a red light and Mr. Sandi looked over and asked me to hand him my phone. I did and he snapped this photo. This old building was built by a locally famous architect and was turned into a cigar store and lounge a half a dozen years ago or so and is about a 10 minute walk from our house. It's clearly closed during the pandemic because typically--even in the mornings--you can smell the lovely cigar scent if you're stopped at this traffic light. Have I ever mentioned that one of my secret vices is second-hand cigar smoke?


Here we are back home, safe and sound. And very happy! Riding again was the best therapy I've had since my crash. I think my cheeks were as tired as my wrists, hands, and elbow from all the grinning I did as we rode along. I had James Brown singing "I Feel Good" in my head throughout much of the ride. I also felt a real sense of relief to have this first ride under my belt and to have it go so well. I'll be smart and patient and work my way back up to my usual rides and mileages but for now I'm absolutely thrilled to be back out riding again.


Back in the garage, my gauges indicate 33 miles traveled, 63 minutes of ride time, 94ºF, and 31.7mph average. What?? 31.7mph?! Well, in my defense, it was all city and neighborhood riding.


Thanks again to all of my forum buddies out there who expressed support and empathy after my accident and continued concern through my rehab. I appreciate each of you! Maybe now I'll post more motorcycle content and fewer Covid comments, photos of strange sights during my morning walks, and cocktail recipes.

 

Thanks, Jez! It's great to BE back in the saddle! I'm glad to read that you'll be doing the same with Annie tomorrow and hope you'll post a photo and comment or two for us to "ogle" as @joe mc donald always phrases it.

Hmmm, my bicycle accident. It might have been better if my "Sandi style Martinis" were involved. It would certainly be a better story! But sadly, no. Martinis weren't involved. Just a simple lack of mindfulness on my part.

Mr. Sandi and I were doing a mellow Saturday late morning ride on a route we've done hundreds of times. We'd come to a place where we make a slight right turn and when Mr. Sandi signaled that turn I didn't see it, kept going straight, and hit his back wheel. Cardinal rule of bicycle crashes--the person whose front wheel hits something goes down because there goes the steering. My accident was a HUGE lesson to me about being mindful all the time. I joke that I put 100,000 miles on my motorcycles and I raced bicycles for 25 years but had my worst accident occurred on a little toodle down the bicycle path because I was wasn't paying attention.

 

Thanks, ODA! Yep, baby steps then bigger steps. Good advice and reminder. And good idea on what you did on your mountain bike, too!

 

Thanks, freck! I know you’ve been in a similar position. I appreciate your kind words and supportive posts over the past months. They help!

 

Thanks, MrB! You are so right about distance and speed not really mattering. It truly did feel liberating to be back out in the wind!

 

It was a bit nerve wracking but I was far more relaxed and confident than I'd anticipated. Perhaps all we've been through in the past six months helped me put it in perspective. And I think you are right about riding being a positive foil against the daily Covid onslaught in particular. Thanks, Thripster!

 

That's awesome, chari1! I hope that your first ride back on your bike after a long layoff is as satisfying and grin-producing as mine was.