Sticks_n_Stones
Needs a job
Posts: 3930
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posted February 04, 2009 11:08 AM
Pre ride jitters.
Track guys might as well stop reading here, I've been on the track, it's not the same as the street, and the backroads are FREE and when you are done riding you are at a destination. Did I also mention it's FREE??
When I'm mulling over whether to host or participate in yet another fast paced backroads group ride, this time the first big and fast ride of the year for our very large group, a familiar question tends to pop into my consciousness: Why? Why subject myself to the very serious risks associated with my and my friends riding styles. No amount of personal rules (I'll try to keep it below 100, I'll only push hard in corners I know, no stupid passes, etc.) can eliminate the risks associated with riding.
hmmm. fun? guess so. Usually most of it is a combo of anxiety of how you'll do compared to the others in the group (worried that someone might beat you), worried that I might push too hard and wreck, fretting over road conditions and cops. Dealing with the inevitable frozen fingers and fogged up mirrors, the indecision associated with leading a group of fast guys and trying to pick the right spots to turn up the pace yet keep there licenses intact, the typical worry just after I rail really hard on a corner or series of corners and await the 5 or 6 sets of headlights to reappear in my mirrors, the 'oh shit' feeling when I count 8 lights and I could have sworn there was 9 of us.
I used to not have most of those worries. Back when I was just a nobody 18 yr old who could ride ok but had the slowest bike, I used to look forward to the rides with much more anticipation. Now I'm the guy with the responsibility. I find myself somewhere between being the main target for the new hot shoes, the guy expected to teach and keep safe those same new guys, the 'experienced local guy' who is supposed to know all the gas stations, roads and road conditions, etc. And the guy who is supposed to remember everyone's name, face and bike (I'm sooo bad at that).
It's all offset in spades, though, by two things: The absolute, 100% body, mind, and soul involvement of operating a high performance bike at the very edge of your limits (and the closer you get to ITS limits the better the thrill). The older and more experienced I get, the better I am at balancing that fine line between 'should have hit it harder' and 'fuck me that was close'.
Second is at the end of the ride, the adrenaline is gone, muscles are nice and lose, the heat generated from the ride still warming them. Alot like the euphoria after one helluva session of sex. Unlike the actual mind cleansing taking place during the ride, the post ride euphoria can last for a day or more.
And the guilt from someone in your group going down because you burned in too hot to a corner and they followed (and couldnt make it) can last weeks.
All in all, a roll of the dice. Thats a roll most of us are inclined to take. A roll that non riders cant even comprehend being a choice- the "you're not actually going to eat that red pepper with the deathshead carved into it are you?!?!".
~gulp~
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'06 zx14
Muzzy M10/M14
PCIII w/ Muzzy map
Flies out K&N in!
bits n pieces...
  
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SteveWFL
Moderator
Posts: 27920
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posted February 04, 2009 06:32 PM
good read, post it int he smackhouse were people will read it ?
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2010 Concours14
'08 R1 YAMAHA
ZX14 gone!
CBR600RR track bike
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fish_antlers
Administrator
The Truth is Out There
Posts: 21893
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posted February 04, 2009 06:39 PM
people read stuff here too... I certainly do...
smackshack can be a little too smacky sometimes.
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What business is it of yours where I'm from, Friendo?
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Sticks_n_Stones
Needs a job
Posts: 3930
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posted February 05, 2009 06:22 AM
thought about posting it in the 14 forums, but THIS forum is supposed to be for stuff like this. You're right though steve, this forum is dead. Feel free to link it where ever you want, cuz if I could multi-link it to other forums I would have.
____________
'06 zx14
Muzzy M10/M14
PCIII w/ Muzzy map
Flies out K&N in!
bits n pieces...
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countersteer
Needs a job
Didn't read the owners manual
Posts: 2207
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posted February 07, 2009 06:45 PM
smackhouse please
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Scott
Long Island, New York
2006 ZX-14, 2003 ZX-12R
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K Bryant
Needs a job
Sponsor
Posts: 2911
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posted February 08, 2009 03:25 PM
Well said. Been there. Done that. I completely relate to what you are feeling and saying.
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Sticks_n_Stones
Needs a job
Posts: 3930
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posted February 09, 2009 06:33 AM
 Edited By: Sticks_n_Stones on 9 Feb 2009 14:34
Move to smackhouse admins? You can rip it all you want countersteer, no problem with me.
And thanks Bryant, just felt like venting.
____________
'06 zx14
Muzzy M10/M14
PCIII w/ Muzzy map
Flies out K&N in!
bits n pieces...
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thekaz
Needs a job
spell chequer is bustimicated
Posts: 2909
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posted February 11, 2009 04:36 PM
quote:
The older and more experienced I get, the better I am at balancing that fine line between 'should have hit it harder' and 'fuck me that was close'.
HAHAHA could not have said it better
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thekaz
Needs a job
spell chequer is bustimicated
Posts: 2909
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posted February 11, 2009 04:37 PM
quote:
smackshack can be a little too smacky sometimes.
TRUE DAT !!!!
I log on for more that just the pretty avatars :P
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LAB3
Needs a job
Posts: 2977
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posted February 13, 2009 06:01 AM
quote:
Move to smackhouse admins? You can rip it all you want countersteer, no problem with me.
And thanks Bryant, just felt like venting.
I think the admis wanted those readers to " Think" about what you wrote. Good Read and have been on both sides of a " Ride" on the streets gone Not So good but I learned....the Hard Way..:-) Be cool on the street.
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SteveWFL
Moderator
Posts: 27920
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posted February 15, 2009 06:28 PM
i didn't realize you all post-up over here!
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2010 Concours14
'08 R1 YAMAHA
ZX14 gone!
CBR600RR track bike
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Sticks_n_Stones
Needs a job
Posts: 3930
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posted February 16, 2009 06:13 AM
Don't be getting all jealous like some hooker when other bitches start walking 'her' corner steve. 
lol Actually this forum SHOULD be more visited, seems the Smack House gets all the attention.
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'06 zx14
Muzzy M10/M14
PCIII w/ Muzzy map
Flies out K&N in!
bits n pieces...
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LAB3
Needs a job
Posts: 2977
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posted February 16, 2009 11:26 AM
quote:
i didn't realize you all post-up over here!
Remides me of "That" Busa site...:-) same color wall paper.:-) It's that wamn feeling over there............:-) I learned more on ZX-14 section on Bikeland in 6 weeks than I did on the busa site in 6 months about parts and tuning ,many years ago when we were into Busa's. They do have Good Porn,,,,,,,,,,,,, :-) No really Fish and you and others have a good site here.
Louis
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