My last blog was “Much Needed Moto Therapy” and, after now two weekends with no ride, I am again much needing some moto therapy.
I knew I would miss my ride last weekend. I was out of town. I also knew, looking ahead at the forecast, that rain was threatening the next weekend’s ride. As of Friday, the “experts” predicted rain arriving late in the afternoon, so I went to sleep Friday night dreaming of my ride.
Reality sometimes really stinks. Saturday morning I looked out and saw raindrops glistening off the power lines. The road was not wet—yet, but I realized that there was a soft drizzle falling. The roads would dampen as the morning wore on. My last bit of hope was that the drizzle wasn’t falling over at my parents’ house, but the text response to my query was wet roads there too. The dreariness outside matched my internal dreariness.
Eventually we went over to visit the motorcycles, and Bill added some air to the tires. I said hello to my R Nine T. We might have squeezed in a ride as the roads seemed to have dried off, but we didn’t even bother bringing the gear. Plus, the skies did look like they could open up at any moment.
The beginning of rain on the roads is considered the most dangerous riding conditions—even a light rain. The accumulation of oil, grease, and road grime rise up to the road surface creating a slick, almost icy surface, that doesn’t wash away until heavier rain falls. Of course the heavier rain causes its own risk. Hydroplaning is the obvious risk, but on the two tires of the motorcycle there are only two small contact patches of rubber with the road, so loss of traction is a constant risk. Our rule is never ride in the rain.
Looking ahead, the week looks to be perfect fall weather. As for the weekend, clouds are shown for Saturday with rain chances on Sunday. I’ll be praying all week for the rain to hold off and allow us our ride. Meanwhile, the gray day is a perfect reflection for my mood.
