|
Contents |
"Trailer Trash" Dave Archives |
|
It's Not the Same As Driving a Car The other day a friend of mine said he'd gotten a call from a man, age 65, who was interested in buying a motorcycle. The man, my friend said, was worried if he'd be able to ride at his age. Oh, another thing, the man had never been on a motorcycle before. Now when I heard this I started to laugh, not at the idea of a 65 year old man taking up bike riding, but the idea he'd think age had anything to do with getting your butt on a motorcycle seat, and taking off! I'm 63, only a year and a half from this man's age, and I wouldn't think I couldn't ride. Granted, I started riding at maybe 58, that's still "old" for the average motorcycle rider. There are considerations to the question the 65 year old man asked my friend. There are stresses considered normal if a person expects to operate a motorcycle. Intense concentration is required while riding, you are using both feet and both hands almost constantly to operate the motorcycle. It should be obvious, you are going to be going at a fairly rapid speed on only two wheels, therefore, balance is absolutely necessary or you you'll find yourself on the hard pavement in an instant. You must have fairly good eyesight; a blind person, or nearly blind, you're ruled out at once. You must understand this isn't an automobile; most things done in the closed situation of an automobile don't work on a motorcycle: a cool day means intense cold on a motorcycle; a beautiful day could turn rainy presenting unusual riding conditions; you will find yourself feeling far too close to automobiles passing you - very frightening until you get used to it; you must ride in a defensive mode at all times - automobiles just don't think about your safety; be prepared for numerous emergency situations not found when operating an automobile, they come up almost each time you ride. And if you are intrepid enough to go ahead; don't forget the motorcycle goes on gasoline - and it runs out. Check each time you ride if there's gas in the tank! If that 65 year old man can overlook the negatives of starting to ride, there are a few negatives he shouldn't overlook. First, the type of motorcycle he would purchase. If grandpa expects to hop on a "one-hundred inch hard-tail chopper" and take off, he's in for a rude surprise. Be warned. Here's what happened to me! I couldn't wait to pick up my first Harley. Went to the dealer after he called to tell me it’s in, hopped on and took off. Instead of turning right, heading toward home, I ended up going straight - across a busy four-lane road, hitting a center "bump," my new Harley and I went flying in the air, miraculously landing on the two tires and ending up in the parking lot of an abandoned gas station. Bruised, embarrassed and depressed, I thought to myself, "You goddamn fool, buying something you couldn't handle." The moral of my story is; don't buy a motorcycle you're not prepared to ride. The second thing you should consider is taking riding lessons; either from a professional or AMA sanctioned motorcycle riding schools. They are available in all larger cities. Other that that; age is not a determining factor if you decide you want to ride a motorcycle. Hell, go ahead, but buy one you feel comfortable with. "Trailer-Trash" Dave The Sturgis Experience Hey, there! Listen up! Did anyone ever tell you the annual madness in western South Dakota, called Sturgis, is all about FUN? Those with an attitude, stay away, in fact it’s impossible to have one there. Unfortunately, There are a few who do have one -- BEFORE it starts. I grant you, there's few more exciting things you could do in your life than riding to Sturgis. There are, nevertheless, very real restrictions. The foremost is fear - it's very real, and likely the reason some "Trailer-Trash" haul their beloved bikes instead. Please let me list my own fears. My 81 Shovelhead will break down in the middle of Iowa - right where there is nothing at all. Rain - I've experienced it every year I've gone to Sturgis. Light rain is no problem; don't try riding in the bad stuff. Heat and sun - absolutely brutal, especially when you ride through helmet law territory. Not enough room to carry everything - especially camping stuff, making cooking outdoors impossible - no French toast or pancakes in the morning, no strip steaks cooked on an open fire for supper! Using my Chevy Suburban "nine foot bedroom" at my camp site - Tilford Gulch Campgrounds - a perfect location; right off Interstate 90 half-way between Sturgis and Rapid City. That's what I would miss if I couldn't camp the way I like. So, if I could ride, I’d have to opt for some way-over-priced hotel room, a lousy continental breakfast, and have to wait hours to be seated for supper in a local restaurant. Those are my reasons; they may not be good enough for certain friends who call me "trailer trash," though. It's my opinion, any way you can get there, if you're a motorcycle rider with adequate riding experience, you've got to make the trip once in your life - at any cost. Yes, there's Daytona, and other bike events; nothing, but nothing compares to the Sturgis experience. Once a year, for a week, the itty-bitty town of Sturgis, and a dozen other itty-bitty towns nearby become Mecca; and it's hilarious to spend at least one day in Sturgis. It's outrageous, unbelievable, a blast! But that's not the primary reason for coming to the area! It's the rides stupid! Great roadways are perfect for bikes; the road to Mount Rushmore, the one through Custer State Park, to and through those dozens of famous old towns that dot the Black Hills and love riders that week, the "back road" to the Badlands, a few hours at Wall Drug, into Wyoming and the glorious ride to Devil's Tower. The list is endless and there's no other great gathering of bike riders like it. Getting back to my real reason for this story. MY EXCUSE! There are other valid reasons for not riding to the Sturgis event. Distance! It's lucky for those whose homes are close, otherwise, it’s a problem. If you don't live close - and most of us don't - count on at least two FULL days of riding if you're from the eastern part of Missouri for example. It's exactly 951 miles from my house to my campsite; it's 951 miles back also! More realistic; it's THREE full days of riding. A working person can't afford that much time so there's no other choice. My friend Mike, owner of a custom bike shop, has ridden to Sturgis several times; the last two he's taken his son, Mike, Jr., the first, at age five, the second, at age six. He thought about riding, however, the danger of his kid on the back of his bike made him opt for a trailer - no one could possibly blame him for doing that! Granted, if you can do it, the ride is spectacular from anywhere. For me, I can only dream of doing it since my age and "bodily conditions" make it impossible. For those still wanting to ride, here's the ride. From St. Louis to Kansas City. This part is routine, Interstate 70 is straight, at times rather trafficky, but uneventful. About 25 miles from Kansas City you better ease to the right lane or you'll miss the 435 turn-off toward Iowa. Here it's tricky; if you miss that right turn you've got to go through all kinds of traffic in Kansas City to reroute yourself. Once back on course, it's a couple of hours of Missouri before Iowa. You're one-third of the way at the Iowa Border. Iowa border to South Dakota border. This part of the ride is the sticky part. Just about nothing for 250 miles; a screwed-up bike is the last thing you'd want during this stretch. Imagine the latest Tom Hanks movie, Cast Away; that's just about the feeling you'd have if your bike fails here! Then (if you've made it to Sioux City, Iowa) suddenly you get the feeling like you're THERE! Well, not quite. You're only at the southeastern border of South Dakota. But it feels so wonderful anyway. There's 80 miles to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, then 350 miles to go on Interstate 90 -- and all of it is spectacular. It's really a safe highway, a long ride, though, with lots of things to see and do, bikes everywhere -someone usually stops to help if you get stuck, and there are ways to get help! The ride from Sioux Falls to Rapid City, all together, with rest stops to pee and eat, takes about seven or eight hours. The best time to start this part of the ride is early morning, before the sun swings over heading west, and into your eyes. You'll be at the Rapid City exit by maybe 2:00 p.m. - and from there anywhere you want to go is sheer fun. I know! There are those "purists" who wouldn't think of using a trailer. For some, though, it's not possible to ride, others just afraid, most cannot spare the time. You know, once your bike's off the trailer you can play like you've ridden - keep the bike dirty, don't take a shower, wear the same clothes all week, grow a beard. Whatever! Just go, have a week-long ball, return home a new man - or a new woman! "Trailer-Trash" Dave
|
*Trademark of Harley-Davidson, Inc.
|
|
Contents
|
