So as many of you know I sold both my K bikes and my R bike is up for sale.
About 3 weeks ago I picked up an extremely clean 1983 BMW 320i to replace the bikes as my toy for the time being. No worries, I have my trusty yellow VFR still and she is going to stay.
The last 6-8 months of riding have been very stressful for me from a riding perspective. Coupled with taking on a new job in a new town and tackling the finically responsibilities of an adult and not a college student has definitely taken its toll.
I haven't really discussed this with anyone at length other than my dad, so some of you may find this as a bit of a 180 from what you've known of me the last few years.
Most of you know I had my first wreck in May on my blue K1200S. While I and the bike somehow managed to escape serious injury, my confidence took a blow naturally. In the fall I organized a ride in Boone for VFRD forum members and this forums members as well. Through no fault of my own outside forces of weather put a damper on some of the fun for about the 3rd straight year. And after a couple nights there some conflicts with another guest ended up having the remaining attendees come to Morganton to ride out of my folks place. We made the best of it, but it was certainly not the game plan. And finally in October I went with Steve and one of our VFR buddies up to Franklin for a weekend. The trip was fun but I was unable to get my nerves under control and ended up bailing early the 3rd day due to what I can only describe as anxiety. I just couldn't calm down and I knew the bike was not the place for me when my focus was diverted.
Since that ride in late October I haven't been back in the saddle for more than a few miles at a time and I must say I've felt somewhat nervous and not as comfortable as I used to. No doubt this has drained some of my passion for riding that's burned so fiercely the last few years.
Having said all that I'm not quitting. But I'm looking for ways to relax and enjoy the ride. I've slowed down for starters. Secondly I'm losing some weight (down 20-25 pounds since October) to help myself fit more comfortably in my gear. Lastly I'm exploring getting some less restrictive gear. I understand that it's less protective than armor and leather, but being able to grab some jeans and a lighter jacket and just go cruise has some appeal to me from a stress management situation.
I'm also kicking around getting a bike more conducive to a relaxed pace. My current and former bikes all scream "go faster you wuss" whenever I am on them. Say what you will, but a cruiser, or a sport touring bike like an ST1300 may find its way into my garage in the next few months.
In the meantime the VFR is getting super bike bars for a more relaxed riding position, and I'm enjoying the heck out of both working on and driving my new car. It's a very pure machine with no power steering, ABS, or any computer mumbo jumbo. Just me and the car.
Making all these moves is also a shot at eliminating a large chunk of debt I've been carrying for a couple of years, which to me really saps the fun out of having a toy like a bike.
Anyways folks thanks for listening and I'll hopefully be able to make a ride with you all this spring.
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