Many friends lost on bike as well as cycle, not even a day of remembrance, something is surely wrong about that, and it will be changed. I said it here. A Revolution is brewing.
Lately I've run across many newbie's, getting bikes and gear. Good for them and the industry as a whole. However green as fresh spring grass and wide eyed as a newborn doe. It seems they wanted me to say they wouldn't get hurt out there riding. I recalled George C Scott in "The Flim Flam Man" to somehow be an instant Pastor hmm . Many questions asked and expectations blown . Fodder for the cannon.
As I was talking to a couple riders the other day it seems they have never been on two wheels without a helmet. Can you imagine that ? Last month in City Bike there was an article by Brenda Bates that really brings this across as well as inspired my" Rabbit" article last issue . The New Generation , meaning after 1984 for me. That was the time when laws really started getting tough, good old Regan, the new generation all stopped breaking rules, "the Man" now said you had a" file" that could ruin your future. Yuppie-ism and conformity were now the way. Colleges spewed out yes-men, women were empowered but still second class, the poorer got poorer. I became a slacker...
Answering machines left you no privacy from people you never wanted to talk to. A beeping Pager was the ball and chain for many . The computer a means of destruction for society as a whole. (Why pick on watching T.V. every working stiff earns the right to get a twelve-pack and numb his life away after sucking up to bastard's all day, that's my opinion at least).
Motorcycles got better by the decades, fast enough to out draw the fastest gun, if you're good enough. Motors that fly, fully adjustable suspension, tires that will even enable the sloppiest rider to make the turn , and brakes that are better than most people using them. One can now buy luck... to a certain extent. However if you don't have faith in your bike or you're skills... on the job training is in store one way or other. Talk to your bike, believe me it helps.
Everyone is disposable in the working world, as far as insurance you're a number always fighting for coverage. Your tech job is soon to be given to an Indian that you will be forced to train. Marriages last as long as your love is strong and there isn't a Ducati involved . The working stiff still works, and hopefully has a big screen after all these years (well earned), and drinking Speakeasy. Slackers are now IT geniuses, go figure.
So here it is newbie's, falling on a bike as in life is inevitable and almost always hurts, if you're lucky you'll get back up and run to your bike. A true rider will always run to check their horse before even realizing that they have broken their own collar bone, get it. Looking ahead and riding smart will keep you alive longer. Time in the saddle helps. There will be a day running with friends when you get to the rest stop take a long pull on a cold one and have the best evening of your life re-living your "Fight Against the Dragon", having gotten off earlier and resumed the run , even though you were sore. Remember leathers show battle scars, ask any vet. You ride fast and sometimes hard taking the risks as they come. Be-Aware. No one gets out unscathed.
Be safe, Alx