That's a lesson I don't want to forget. I've done some things in the past that have returned to sort of haunt me. Luckily I've never pissed off a dentist and I have acquired a good case of the old mellows so I don't piss many people off anymore.
It's like I am going into battle each time I ride my motorcycle.
I have only been riding for a year, and I have had one person try to "occupy" the lane that I was currently using, and have also had someone else pass me using half my lane (I quickly learned to protect my lane) and had someone pull out in front of me (a quick glance showed that this person was absolutely horrified at what she did).
Each time, I really feel I was justified at getting angry with the person, but I know that because I wear a distinctive helmet, that it would somehow come back to bite me in the butt. People recognize me enough as it is (my helmet is pretty distinctive)
I think that the non motorcycle public tends to think of all motorcyclists as 1%'ers (and somehow deserving of what they get) or young men showing off (and young people always seem to be so rude to the older generation), so they are often startled when the most ordinary people ride.
I think that people in general think that all motorcyclists are experts at their craft, so when they do something unsafe, they think "well, they are experts anyway, so it's okay." But the motorcyclist is me who only has 600 miles under her belt and is traveling to get the very first service done to her motorcycle.
So, I am always glad to show the world that most motorcyclists are ordinary people using an extraordinarily fun way to get where we are going.
Balisada, I remember the first year I started riding on the street. Sure, I had been riding dirt bikes on and off for sixteen years before that, but I was starting out in California traffic! I think I had the wits scared-out of me at least once-a-day for the first six months. I certainly learned alot about other drivers! I learned to PAY ATTENTION, something I have to remind myself of every once-in-awhile. Stick in there!
Steve, We're warriors, we can handle the pain! I had the chance to play a little "catch up" a couple of times when I packed tin. You just never know who's on that bike, do you?
Dan, I have Staintunes on the VFR. Most of the time the baffle stays in. My son Clinton likes the sound. He talks about the purr of the ST but the growl of the VFR. Just not TOO loud, though. Are you going to keep me in suspense about your interview since you mentioned it?
balisada, A piece of advise from my "Learn by Burn" school. Once the Anger Demon is let loose, there's a good chance it will turn around and attack you, too. Stay cool. I know, I should practice what I preach!
I love the enthusiasm of new riders! The world is full of stereotypes so just keep riding your own ride. Your attitude is perfect for staying safe and generating good will that may lead others to use a bike for transportation.
Couple of questions: Did you buy your bike from Fred's in Corvallis or did you go to Salem? Either way, congratulations on actually riding enough to go for the service.
How did you get to the top of Peterson's Butte? Is there a road off Stoltz Hill or another route?
combatscoot, Good advice. Here's a mantra: Eyes up!!
I have a story I probably shouldn't tell but enough time has passed and it happened a long ways off.
My cousin rode a Harley of some sort, I don't know what exactly but big and loud. He is a quiet man who works hard and pays attention to his family . He also looks sort of rough but is not an in your face guy.
He comes home one day a bit bloody and clothes ripped a bit. No helmet or protective gear of course---that would be for sissies. He explains that he is riding home and a BMW sedan full of high school kids throw an apple at him and hit him in the face as they pass and knock him down. They stop to watch him brush himself off, pick up the bike and put it on the kickstand, pull out from a saddlebag the Ruger he always carries everywhere, and proceed to fire six rounds into the trunk of the car as the BMW beats a retreat.
He stands in the kitchen quietly relating the story and ends with "Let them explain that to daddy." And off he goes to take a shower.
Everytime I feel the urge to flip someone off or do something not so nice I think of that. There just are a lot of odd characters out in the world and you just shouldn't take the chance messing around with people. And there is always the chance that they're, as irondad said, packing tin.
I was going to buy my motorcycle from Freds in Corvallis, but when they told me that there were no Honda Rebels in the area, and I phoned Cycle Country in Salem and found that they had two, I decided that I was not in the mood for dealer shenanigans and bought in Salem.
I did take my Rebel in to Fred's in Corvallis for the 4000 mile checkup and found that they had excellent service, and they explained the problem I was having with my motorcycle (pickup trucks don't have wet clutches so it was a new thing) and showed me how to use the chain lube. Great service. I liked Cycle Country a lot, but it is a bit aways. I will probably buy from Freds when I move up to a larger motorcycle.
So the road that I was traveling on to get to my 600 mile service was the one past Corvallis through Monmouth and then the back way into Salem. I had only 600 miles experience on a motorcycle and was extrmemely unwilling to go on to the freeway. I just didn't know that people drive like maniacs on that road too. First time I ever went 65 miles an hour on a motorcycle.
The road to the top of the butte in the vicinity of Brownsville (the one with the radio/cell (?) tower at the top is easy.
Starting in Bowsville at the Grocery (Next to the T). Go over the bridge and through town and through the sharp S turn (its' rather sharp, perhaps I should call it a Z turn).
Keep going straight out of town and enjoy the scenery as you wind around. It should not be very long, but you will go up and down a couple of times, but once you will really start up a hill and toward the top of the hill is a smaller road turnoff to the right.
This narrow windy road goes up a short way and then splits off in a Y. I think the road itself is supposed to go left, but you want to go right (that's how we found the view, we turned the wrong way). Keep going to the top, you can't miss it. I think the road winds around the top of the hill.
I don't have any street names. I tried to look it up on Google maps, but was unable to get my bearings.
I took a picture of my motorcycle up there but the sun was not right and it didn't turn out. I think I shall return with a digital camera.
balisada, Let me know if you're interested. I'll give you a fun way to get into Salem the back way. It's shorter than Hwy 99 and doesn't have the same number of whacko drivers!
That's a lesson I don't want to forget. I've done some things in the past that have returned to sort of haunt me. Luckily I've never pissed off a dentist and I have acquired a good case of the old mellows so I don't piss many people off anymore.
ReplyDeleteYou warrior types on the other hand....
It's like I am going into battle each time I ride my motorcycle.
ReplyDeleteI have only been riding for a year, and I have had one person try to "occupy" the lane that I was currently using, and have also had someone else pass me using half my lane (I quickly learned to protect my lane) and had someone pull out in front of me (a quick glance showed that this person was absolutely horrified at what she did).
Each time, I really feel I was justified at getting angry with the person, but I know that because I wear a distinctive helmet, that it would somehow come back to bite me in the butt. People recognize me enough as it is (my helmet is pretty distinctive)
I think that the non motorcycle public tends to think of all motorcyclists as 1%'ers (and somehow deserving of what they get) or young men showing off (and young people always seem to be so rude to the older generation), so they are often startled when the most ordinary people ride.
I think that people in general think that all motorcyclists are experts at their craft, so when they do something unsafe, they think "well, they are experts anyway, so it's okay." But the motorcyclist is me who only has 600 miles under her belt and is traveling to get the very first service done to her motorcycle.
So, I am always glad to show the world that most motorcyclists are ordinary people using an extraordinarily fun way to get where we are going.
Balisada
2006 Black Rebel
Balisada,
ReplyDeleteI remember the first year I started riding on the street. Sure, I had been riding dirt bikes on and off for sixteen years before that, but I was starting out in California traffic! I think I had the wits scared-out of me at least once-a-day for the first six months. I certainly learned alot about other drivers! I learned to PAY ATTENTION, something I have to remind myself of every once-in-awhile. Stick in there!
Steve,
ReplyDeleteWe're warriors, we can handle the pain! I had the chance to play a little "catch up" a couple of times when I packed tin. You just never know who's on that bike, do you?
Dan,
I have Staintunes on the VFR. Most of the time the baffle stays in. My son Clinton likes the sound. He talks about the purr of the ST but the growl of the VFR. Just not TOO loud, though.
Are you going to keep me in suspense about your interview since you mentioned it?
balisada,
A piece of advise from my "Learn by Burn" school. Once the Anger Demon is let loose, there's a good chance it will turn around and attack you, too. Stay cool. I know, I should practice what I preach!
I love the enthusiasm of new riders! The world is full of stereotypes so just keep riding your own ride. Your attitude is perfect for staying safe and generating good will that may lead others to use a bike for transportation.
Couple of questions:
Did you buy your bike from Fred's in Corvallis or did you go to Salem? Either way, congratulations on actually riding enough to go for the service.
How did you get to the top of Peterson's Butte? Is there a road off Stoltz Hill or another route?
combatscoot,
Good advice. Here's a mantra:
Eyes up!!
Dan
I have a story I probably shouldn't tell but enough time has passed and it happened a long ways off.
ReplyDeleteMy cousin rode a Harley of some sort, I don't know what exactly but big and loud. He is a quiet man who works hard and pays attention to his family . He also looks sort of rough but is not an in your face guy.
He comes home one day a bit bloody and clothes ripped a bit. No helmet or protective gear of course---that would be for sissies. He explains that he is riding home and a BMW sedan full of high school kids throw an apple at him and hit him in the face as they pass and knock him down. They stop to watch him brush himself off, pick up the bike and put it on the kickstand, pull out from a saddlebag the Ruger he always carries everywhere, and proceed to fire six rounds into the trunk of the car as the BMW beats a retreat.
He stands in the kitchen quietly relating the story and ends with "Let them explain that to daddy." And off he goes to take a shower.
Everytime I feel the urge to flip someone off or do something not so nice I think of that. There just are a lot of odd characters out in the world and you just shouldn't take the chance messing around with people. And there is always the chance that they're, as irondad said, packing tin.
I was going to buy my motorcycle from Freds in Corvallis, but when they told me that there were no Honda Rebels in the area, and I phoned Cycle Country in Salem and found that they had two, I decided that I was not in the mood for dealer shenanigans and bought in Salem.
ReplyDeleteI did take my Rebel in to Fred's in Corvallis for the 4000 mile checkup and found that they had excellent service, and they explained the problem I was having with my motorcycle (pickup trucks don't have wet clutches so it was a new thing) and showed me how to use the chain lube. Great service. I liked Cycle Country a lot, but it is a bit aways. I will probably buy from Freds when I move up to a larger motorcycle.
So the road that I was traveling on to get to my 600 mile service was the one past Corvallis through Monmouth and then the back way into Salem. I had only 600 miles experience on a motorcycle and was extrmemely unwilling to go on to the freeway. I just didn't know that people drive like maniacs on that road too. First time I ever went 65 miles an hour on a motorcycle.
The road to the top of the butte in the vicinity of Brownsville (the one with the radio/cell (?) tower at the top is easy.
Starting in Bowsville at the Grocery (Next to the T). Go over the bridge and through town and through the sharp S turn (its' rather sharp, perhaps I should call it a Z turn).
Keep going straight out of town and enjoy the scenery as you wind around. It should not be very long, but you will go up and down a couple of times, but once you will really start up a hill and toward the top of the hill is a smaller road turnoff to the right.
This narrow windy road goes up a short way and then splits off in a Y. I think the road itself is supposed to go left, but you want to go right (that's how we found the view, we turned the wrong way). Keep going to the top, you can't miss it. I think the road winds around the top of the hill.
I don't have any street names. I tried to look it up on Google maps, but was unable to get my bearings.
I took a picture of my motorcycle up there but the sun was not right and it didn't turn out. I think I shall return with a digital camera.
balisada,
ReplyDeleteLet me know if you're interested. I'll give you a fun way to get into Salem the back way. It's shorter than Hwy 99 and doesn't have the same number of whacko drivers!
Dan