Is that the wind I hear?

I rode my bike into work today. No, not my bicycle, I'm not insane (too far), but the motorcycle. I have missed riding so much (because it's so damn cold) that I thought the 30 mph wind gusts would be "no big deal". Dee tried to tell me as I was getting dressed that I might want to step outside. I told her I could hear the wind and it wasn't that bad. First of all, if you can hear the wind, it is bad. No matter. I got all my gear on, got out in the barn and started her up. I got down to the corner, turned south. All was well, what a pleasant ride, I was telling myself. Got to Britton Road and thought I may as well cut across now since I work about 20 miles west. I make the turn, cruise up to about 60 and wham! Holy mother of God. 30 mph wind is apparently plenty windy. I could barely hear my ipod it was so windy (yes, I know that's illegal). I'm hanging on for dear life, thinking that this was indeed a stupid idea. And, in the back of my mind, I hear Dee saying, you might want to step outside. Well, I finally made it after trying to criss-cross south and west as much as I could to take a break from the wind. When I got to work, I called Dee and she said, "How was the ride?" "PERFECT" I said, "not that windy". Damn, 5 o'clock is going to be here before I know it. Better start praying now......

Bad News for Funeral Directors? Motorcycle Airbag Jacket

Found this on a funeral blog, bet you didn't know there was such a thing...


Will a new airbag jacket cut down on motorcycle deaths? Of course, we're just joking about this being bad for our profession; anything that saves lives is great news and besides, we serve everyone eventually.
But the question still remains: will these jackets encourage motorcyclists to drive even faster (because of the lower risk of death), thereby endangering even more of their fellow travelers?
And before you go all "even us motorcyclists deserve our rights!" crazy on me, remember that I also drive a bike. So I'm part of that particular "brotherhood" as well.
From WBALTV.com:
BALTIMORE — While motorists who have been in car crashes often attribute the help of air bags to saving their lives, a Maryland motorcycle rider injured in a collision is doing the same — for a jacket.
Joseph McPhatter, of Randallstown, was injured in a crash on Interstate 83 after being cut off by another motorist in September. According to police, McPhatter was ejected 100 feet, hitting the ground at an impact rate of 140 mph.
Police said that McPhatter might have been severely injured had it not been for the Impact Jacket he was wearing — a jacket that inflates like an air bag when a motorcyclist is in an wreck.
McPhatter suffered from sore ribs and knees and a few other minor injuries, but it could have been much worse, officials said.
Officials said McPhatter's crash was the first real-life incident in the U.S. where the jacket was used.

Here she is!

Motorcycle Mayhem

Good morning, all!

Lesson #2 was last night. We ventured across to the cemetery and made two laps. I have now put eleven miles on my beautiful bike. Of course, five of those miles are probably from the parking lot. I even got the bike up to around 30 mph on the straightaway. 30 mph seems a lot faster sitting on two wheels! Then, we came back across the street and practiced stopping and starting on a hill. I think I will take my written test on Tuesday, then venture into Nichols Hills. Maybe by next Saturday, I can ride home. Keep your fingers crossed!

Motorcycle Diaries

Tomorrow, I take delivery of a new motorcycle. A 2007, Suzuki C50 Boulevard, to be exact. I will be wearing a helmet, because I am vain enough that I, at the very least, want my face to look good in my casket. I know, weird. If you knew me, you would understand. Mind you, I've now operated a motorcyle for less than 8 hours in a class I took last weekend. I suppose I will make several laps around the funeral home parking lot until I feel good enough to drive it 25 miles home. Again, if you knew me, you would understand. Wish me luck!