Category Archives: Rides

Why riding motorcycles with a backpack is a bad idea.

On May 12, 2015  I pulled my wife’s steed out of the garage to make sure it was in good shape for our trip this weekend (European Rider’s Rally).  With general maintenance items checked it was time to leave the stable. I glanced at the clock and realized I, of course, was running a little behind. I should have taken a little time to transfer my laptop and everyday work items into my messenger bag (which fits in Kelly’s f650gs twin side bag with a little coaxing). The backpack does not even come close to fitting in the side cases so I just put it on went on my merry way.

I have always been a little apprehensive about riding with a backpack strapped to my back. In theory if one were to run out of talent on the bike and go down on a tarmac scraping excursion, said backpack has the potential of exacerbating the stunt show (let us go ahead and call this what it is, foreshadowing). Going to work the bike stalled out a few times at stoplights I naturally attributed it to the gas going bad, it’s been sitting all winter. I get to work fine and go about my day. Finally at 1630, (4:30 pm for you non military speaking folk) I jump on my wife’s iron horse to begin the commute home.

No stalling this time, however, the RPMs kept dropping low so I decide to head to the gas station for some fresh fuel. Again nothing spectacular here, I pay without incident, start up the bike and begin the journey home. I turn out of the gas station and start down the road.  There is this fun little turn that I have to make so I prepare the lean.  I look, I press, and “I roll on the throttle”.  When I say “I roll on the throttle,” what I am really saying is the bike threw me to the ground! I think I was doing 40-ish mph. It happened really fast and I hit the ground hard, concrete does not give, period.

I have no idea why the bike went down on me. I think the steed might have seen a snake and threw me off. It was probably a rattler. I honestly do not blame the poor girl, as I share the same fear of snakes. In fact, if you ever want to see a Marine with sheer terror in their eyes bring a snake and place it in front of me. Actually, do not do this, my flight AND fight response will kick in. I’ll flight the living hell out of there when the snake is around, and I cannot be held responsible for what happens (read as fight response will most likely kick in) when I get back.  All you really need to know is, I have this innate ability to sense snakes and I fear them more than anything else in the world. This includes dodging mortar fire, but I digress.

Where were we, oh yes, Kelly’s f650gs saw a snake, or a clown, or heard me make one too many kitchen jokes, and threw me off out of fear/retaliation. While I was sliding in my mesh Kevlar suit, I noticed how blue the sky was, and was thinking to myself,

“Man I’m glad I’m an ATTGATT type of G…”

Audience (in unison) – ATTGATT type of what?!

Before I could finish “Guy” I felt a hard tug on my left shoulder, the backpack had hit something and anchored itself. The left strap had a fierce grip on my shoulder, much harder than my mother did when I was goofing off at church. While this slowed my sliding considerably I could feel the pressure building up on my shoulder. As quickly as the whole incident started, it ended. I got up, hit the kill switch on the bike, and had a whole crew of construction guys asking if I was alright. If I was a single lady I would have been flattered, however as a guy my pride was crushed and I was much embarrassed.

Assuring everyone that I was fine I picked the bike up and placed it on the side stand. They kept telling me to sit down, one mentioned I must be in shock, and one pulled out his phone to call 911. The first guy asked me, “How in the hell are you moving?” I told him, “I’m fine; I’m an amateur stunt man.” then I waved my hand like Obi Wan Kenobi and said “He’s fine; there’s no need to get the police involved.” Looking back, they probably thought I had a concussion because of this one instance. After the thousandth reassurance that I was fine, not in shock, no concussion, and completely coherent I grabbed my bag, put it on my shoulders, started the bike and left.

After the adrenaline wore off my shoulder really started hurting and so did my collar bone. The day after the wreck I’m a little sore, no worse off than if a seat belt had been over my shoulder in a car wreck. Thinking back on it if I was going a little faster that bag could have broken my collarbone, separated my shoulder, or even broken some ribs. I have always worn a small camelback without worries but this incident has me wondering if even that is a good idea.

Learn from my mistakes; say no to backpacks while riding.

Let’s do a Positive – Negative Comparison

 


Positive

My gear worked

Wifey asked if I was alright without any mention of the damage done to her bike whatsoever (Keeper!)

Very Little Cosmetic damage to her bike

I learned in a somewhat slow and arguably a slightly controlled environment that a backpack is no bueno (controlled being not highway?)

Negative

I crashed my Wife’s Bike

I crashed my Wife’s Bike

I didn’t crash my bike.. I crashed my Wife’s Bike <sadface>

Shoulder is sore

Kelly’s bike is either really loyal to Kelly or is terrified of snakes and clowns

 

 

I think I’ll stop telling kitchen jokes in earshot just in case

All in all I’m fine. Glad the moto port worked so well. What really happened?  Well I stopped at a gas station so only guess is oil or anti freeze on the tires as I rolled in there.  Other than that, I have no freaking clue.

1st No Big Deal Ride

Looks like the “3rd Saturday – No Big Deal Ride” got off to a good start yesterday.  Weather was perfect for riding and a big crowd at Shapiro’s for breakfast, afterwards folks started chatting about ride ideas.  At least three groups organized and set out.  I led a group on a backroads tour of Brown County and another group headed south with yet another heading southwest to the Tulip Trestle in Greene County.

I had the pleasure of riding with four of our newer members, I had ridden once last fall with Dan Mihuti, and Barry Oyler has been a regular at breakfast the past few months, but Richard Peterson from Centerville, and Tom Koken from Noblesville are virtually babies in terms of their club membership.

Barry left breakfast early to go home and pick up his daughter for the ride, so the rest of us dawdled at Shapiro’s awhile before setting out for a quick run down I-65 to Franklin where we would re-unite with Barry, it gave us a good chance to get acquainted and check out each others machine of choice.

Our route was SR 44 through Franklin and west to SR 135 then south to Trafalgar.  At Trafalgar less than a tenth of a mile east on SR 252 we turned south on CR 300 W, which eventually becomes Sweetwater Trail at Peoga, and ending at Gatesville where a short jog right leads to Salt Creek Road which goes through to SR 46 ending at the Shell Station where we stopped for a short break.  From here just west a short distance SR 135 heads south to Story, but a new bridge is under construction on 135 just south of 46, so we continued east past Gnaw Bone where Valley Branch Road is being used by the locals as a detour.  Coming back to 135, we went south past Story to Freetown, picking up SR 58 to head northeast and back to I-65 for everyone to head home.

Traffic was light for a Saturday afternoon, of course we stayed away from Nashville, the only place I thought traffic was heavier than usual was on normally lightly traveled 58 which is currently the official detour for 135.  On a side note, when we passed through Gatesville it seemed like most of the emergency vehicles of Brown County were on-site plus a TV News truck.  This morning I learned we came through as they were finishing the cleanup of an ammonia spill that caused nearby residents to be evacuated.

April Ride to Blue Licks State Resort Park

This Spring I will put together another 2-3 day trip to Blue Licks State Resort Park.  The Kentucky State Park is located generally South of Cincinnati in a rural setting characterized by farms and curvy roads with lots of nice pavement. http://parks.ky.gov/parks/resortparks/blue_licks/ There are several nice features of riding to Blue Licks.  Well kept rooms, nice scenery, dinner and breakfast onsite.  Another great feature is you can ride the Interstate to the area in less than three hours, then hit great roads all afternoon after a light lunch of Cinncinnati style chili.

Here are my plans:

The trip date will be in April or early May during a favorable weather window.  The trip will occur Monday through Friday.  The duration of the trip will be one or two nights out depending on each rider’s preference.   We will travel to the site in groups of four or less with designated leaders who are familiar with the area. You may travel on your own if you wish.

The final arrangements will not be made for this trip until about two days prior to departure, in order to insure a more reliable weather forecast. I will book rooms for two adults, or one adult if you can’t get along with a roommate. Room cost is about $70/night.

If you are interested in participating in this ride, send your e-mail address to rsconley@aol.com.

When the date is finalized, I will notify interested parties by e-mail, expecting a reply within 24 hours so reservations can be made at the inn and group riding arrangements can be set up. There is no financial commitment unless you reply following the e-mail message your intention to participate.  After that you will be expected to pay for your room.  It is recommended you pick your roommate in advance. That will make my job easier.

I assure you you won’t be disappointed if you enjoy curves, low traffic, and a well lubricated debriefing prior to dinner.

Bob Conley