Group or Solo Rider…Which Are You?

When it comes time to choose between a group and solo ride, have you ever felt like Harvey Dent’s alter ego, Two-Face, in the movie Dark Knight? I have. At times I’ve felt torn between the solitude and reflection afforded by riding solo, and the sense of camaraderie and belonging experienced when riding in a group. Both types of riding can be fun and challenging.

Group rides offer the opportunity to share the riding experience with like-minded individuals, to get to know other riders and their riding styles. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of moving down the highway in a properly spaced staggered formation. It’s like watching a flock of birds as they make their way across the sky. It is poetry. I remember my first group ride. I was extremely self-conscious about my position...was I too close or too far from the bikes in front of me. I rode with a death grip on the handlebars fearing that it would be just my luck to rear end someone. I was nervous and excited at the same time. When the ride was over, I felt as though I was part of something bigger than myself. I felt a sense of accomplishment.

For riders who are apprehensive about group riding, don’t be. You still ride your own ride. You don’t have to be overly concerned about spacing, just pay attention and don’t run into the rider in front of you. The more you ride with a group, the more comfortable you will become. One nice thing about group riding is you never have to worry about getting lost, unless of course, you’re leading the ride. And remember, there is safety in numbers. Cagers will see a group of motorcycles much sooner than they will see a single bike. If you’ve never ridden in a group, make a point to do at least one group ride. You’ll be glad you did.

While group rides provide an opportunity to share the riding experience, solo rides give us the opportunity to reflect on the deeper meaning of life and become more in-tune with ourselves. Now, I have to admit my first solo ride didn’t bring about any big revelation. I was more concerned with just getting my bike home from the dealership in one piece. Forty-five miles per hour seemed really fast and going much above that was just plain scary. What a difference time and experience make.

My first long solo ride from San Antonio, TX to Louisville, KY and the return trip via the Natchez Trace Parkway will forever be etched in my memory. I rode over 2,500 miles on that trip in both the cold and in the rain. I learned that even when I’m uncomfortable, I still love to ride. More importantly, I realized that to really live we can’t be afraid to step out of our comfort zone because that’s how we grow. Solo riding is good for the soul.

Which are you, a group or solo rider? The great thing is you don’t have to choose, you can be both. In fact, I believe that to be a well-rounded rider, you should make a point to mix it up. So, when the time comes for you to choose between a group and solo ride, just do like Two-Face. Take a coin from your pocket and toss it into the air. Heads is group; tails is solo…either way you win!

Leave me a comment and let me know what you thing about group and solo riding. Until next time, Live Free and Ride Hard.

Hey, Fat Ass…It’s Hot, Get Off Me!

What would your motorcycle say if she could talk?  Would she have nice things to say?  Would she tell you how great a rider you were or complement you on your stamina for being able to stay in the saddle so long?  We’d all like to think so, wouldn't we?  After my post on hot weather riding, a friend asked about how to keep air-cooled motorcycles from overheating in hot weather.  At that moment, I had a terrible thought.  What if, after riding all day in 100+ degree temperatures my bike was screaming at me, “Hey, fat ass…it’s hot, get off me!”  

The thought of my bike yelling hateful things was almost too much to bear.  If you’re like me, you probably treat your bike better than some family members and you’d do just about anything to keep her happy.  I queried the font of all knowledge, Google Search, to find the answer to my friend’s question and to find out if I’d been “mistreating” my girl by riding her hard in hot weather.

Having combed through countless websites and forums, I concluded as long as your bike is maintained properly, you should be able to ride it in any temperature your body can stand…hot or cold.  Triple digit temperatures may make you feel like a dog but your bike barely notices them.  Most air-cooled bikes have a normal operating temperature range of 160-240 degrees.  This provides a huge temperature differential for convective cooling.  As long as you’re moving at speeds of at least 15-20 mph, your bike should have no problem eating up miles all day long. Even on the hottest day.

Since most of us like to ride hard, travelling at 15-20 mph isn’t generally a problem.  However, sometimes we encounter stop-n-go traffic or participate in a slow-moving parade that keeps our speed down.  These types of situations can potentially lead to overheating.  While many bikes can operate at temperatures at or above 300 degrees, it isn’t a good idea to run at these temperatures for a sustained period of time. Doing so can potentially damage the engine. Several late model Harley-Davidson touring bikes (2008+) have an Engine Idle Temperature Management System (EITMS) that can be turned on to help reduce engine heat by disabling the rear cylinder when the bike is stopped.  Many Harley owners who frequently deal with heavy traffic appreciate this feature.

 For those of us with bikes without EITMS, there are two things we can do to help our engines beat the heat.  First, switch to synthetic oil.  While there’s some debate about just how much synthetics can reduce engine temperature (some say 10-50 degrees), everyone agrees synthetic oils can withstand much higher temperatures before losing their ability to protect the engine’s moving parts.  This is a good thing.  Second, if you frequently find yourself in no-go, go-slow situations, consider installing an oil cooler. Oil coolers will reduce the oil temperature by as much as 40 degrees by circulating the oil outside the engine block to allow for additional convection cooling.  If these things aren't enough to cool your engine to a safe level when riding in traffic, listen to your bike.  Pull over to a safe spot, turn the bike off, and remove your ass from the saddle.  Give her a break for a few minutes, she’ll cool down quickly and then beckon you back to complete your ride. 

Bottom line.  When your cruising down the road, you don’t have to worry about your baby getting too hot…that’s what she was made to do.  However, if you encounter unusual riding conditions and are stuck in slow moving traffic, fill her with some good synthetic lube, give her some bling (oil cooler) and listen carefully to what she tells you.

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Sources:

All Things (Safety oriented) Mototrcycle Forum - http://www.msgroup.org/forums/mtt/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=6099

City-Data - http://www.city-data.com/forum/san-antonio/666664-air-cooled-motorcycles-sa-heat.html

V-TwinForum - http://www.v-twinforum.com/forums/engine-oils-lubrication/183189-critical-oil-temperature-2.html

HDForum - http://www.hdforums.com/forum/touring-models/759045-oil-temp.html

HDForum - http://www.harley-davidsonforums.com/forums/touring-general-discussions/14278-eitms-engine-idle-temperature-management-system.html

HD Forum - http://www.hdforums.com/forum/general-harley-davidson-chat/133760-do-oil-coolers-work-4.html

The Ultimate Ducati Portal - http://www.ducati.ms/forums/42-monster/68298-air-temp-vs-engine-temp.html

The Truth About Motorcycle Oils - http://www.post610.org/truth_about_motorcycle_oils.htm

Harley Parts - http://www.munising.com/harley_oil.html

Google+ Cruiser Motorcycle Community - https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/105307778936018386350

Riding River Road...Life Lessons

Have you ever noticed that sometimes things become so familiar that you fail to appreciate them?  It occurred to me on Sunday while riding River Road in New Braunfels, Texas that maybe I had begun to take this stretch of asphalt for granted.

River Road starts about a mile from the Gruene Harley-Davidson dealership off State Loop 337 and winds its way along the Guadalupe River, crossing it four times before reaching FM 2673 in Sattler. With tree-lined banks of cypress, maple, sycamore, and sumac, it’s one of the most scenic routes in the area.  Depending on the time of the year, you can ride in almost complete solitude or be stuck in traffic as tubers and tourists flood the area.

I remember how I felt the first time I made the 12.9 mile journey.  I was excited and nervous at the same time.  It was quite the experience slowly making my way around the many twists and turns as part of a Gruene Chapter HOG ride.  The views of the river and the bluffs overlooking it were absolutely spectacular…that is, when I actually felt comfortable enough to take my eyes off the road and the rider in front of me. The way the air smelled and the light danced through the trees was almost magical. It was an adventure, maybe not a grand-adventure, but an adventure still.

I’ve ridden River Road many times since then. On Sunday, I realized that sometime between then and now the road felt different…it’s magic and allure had faded with familiarity.  I no longer anticipated its curves or river crossings; I knew where they were and what to expect. The sense of surprise and wonder of that first ride were gone. I felt a sense of sadness at this revelation and wondered what had changed.  Was it the road or was it me?

After a little reflection, I knew the road hadn't changed but that my outlook and attitude had. Since that first ride I had stopped looking for the extraordinary along the route. The road was just as exciting as it ever was, I had just stopped seeing it. In a way, River Road is a metaphor for life. No matter how many curves our lives throw us and how exciting things are we have a tendency to want more...so much so that we become blind to what is right under our noses.

On the way home, I decided to resist letting things become too familiar. I decided to look for the extraordinary in all things...and to stop every now and then to appreciate what I have and what I have done. River Road helped me to better understand what it means to Live Free and Ride Hard.

To view my River Road route click on the Where Did He Go? link.

Secrets of the Sisters…One Twisted Ride Report

Like sirens, the Three Sisters nestled in the Texas Hill Country hypnotically beckon riders from across the Nation to bask in their beauty and partake of their generous curves. But riders beware…these Sisters are Twisted.

 Known as Ranch-to-Market Roads (RM) 335, 336, and 337, the “Sisters” have been around for over 65 years. Born in 1945 as part of the post-war road expansion effort to aid Texas’ agricultural interests, the Sisters have aged well. So, what’s their allure? Why does MotorcycleRoads.com rank the Twisted Sisters as the #1 motorcycle route in the U.S.? I believe it’s because they offer a great technical riding challenge with some of the most spectacular scenery you’ll see anywhere…and together that’s one dangerous combination. I had the opportunity to experience the Sisters for the second time over the long Fourth of July weekend and I can say with a huge grin on my face, “They were better the second time around!”

 I left San Antonio at 6:30 in the morning on the 4th of July to cool temperatures and clear skies. The roads were surprisingly empty so I knew it was going to be a great day to ride. As I turned north onto State Highway 16, the Texas Hill Country began to unfold in front of me. The rolling hills and gently sweeping curves of SH 16 were fun and provided a nice warm-up for the two Sisters I planned to ride on my way to San Angelo. I stopped for gas in Bandera and then quickly made my way to Medina to pick-up the first Sister.

RM 337 starts in Medina and runs approximately 56 miles west to Camp Wood. She’s an easy ride at first with gentle curves and steady elevation gains through Vanderpool, but then she starts to get wild. Changes in elevation occur more frequently and the curves come one right after the other. The views are fantastic but you can’t look at them for fear of losing control and plunging to certain death. You can ride her hard and miss the beauty that surrounds you or slow down and really enjoy it. I chose to slow down. That’s one of the Sisters’ secrets, you can fly and die or you can ease back on the throttle and make a great ride last longer. As I approached Leakey, she began to act more like a lady almost sensing that our time together was over and that I was moving on. I turned north on US Hwy 83 and waved good-bye thinking I’d ride her remaining 20 miles another day.

I found the second Sister waiting just ½ mile north. As I made the left turn onto RM 336 I knew the next 26 miles were going to be fun. Unlike her sibling, she didn't waste any time getting twisty. Quickly gaining elevation as I snaked my way upward, I found myself riding along the top of a ridge line with spectacular views from either side. This Sister seemed a bit more forgiving than the first, almost as if she wanted me to go faster and then quickly slow down as I approached her next curve. Why someone would build such a technically challenging road with so much to look at escapes me but I‘m glad they did. I pulled over to take it all in. I took a deep breath and thought, “This is what freedom smells like.” I felt alive and in that moment I happened upon another of the Sisters’ secrets, you can ride through with wild abandon or you can dismount and savor the experience. I spent about an hour on this Sister experiencing all she had to offer. When I turned east onto State Highway 41 I felt satisfied knowing I had just ridden two of the best roads in Texas.


With two Sisters behind me, I turned my attention to eating-up the miles and making my way to San Angelo. From SH 41, I rode north on US Hwy 83 through Junction, Menard, and Eden. I always chuckle when riding through Eden because many Texans believe this is where it all began…and they have the garden to prove it. I decided to make a quick stop and check it out for myself. After a short stroll through the Garden of Eden, I’m a little skeptical of its origin as there were lots of flowers but not one apple tree. Go figure. I mounted the bike and headed west on US Hwy 87. The 40 miles between Eden and San Angelo went quickly and I pulled into my daughter’s driveway at 12:17 p.m. ready for more 4th of July fun.

I woke-up on the 7th of July thinking about the ride back to San Antonio. I decided to vary my route home and pick-up the last Sister as well as finish off the 20 or so miles I missed on RM 337. I was on the bike at 10:37 a.m. ready for a hot but fun day of riding. After gassing up at a Stripes station about six miles from my daughter’s house, I was on my way to rendezvous with the last of the three Sisters. Heading south on US Hwy 277, I twisted the throttle hard to make good time. The road seemed built for motorcycle travel with slight changes in elevation and a few gentle curves to make it interesting. I turned southeast onto State Highway 55 about 30 miles south of Sonora. The landscape made me appreciate the vastness of the state and the individuals who make a living from the land. It is beautiful but rugged country. I stopped in Rocksprings for gas before turning north on US Hwy 377 and then making my way east on SH 41. I was so close; I could hear the last Sister calling my name.

Four miles east of the US Hwy 377 and SH 41 intersection, there she was…RM 335. I turned south to meet her and almost immediately, the roller-coaster ride began. Up, down, curve after curve, the ride was amazing and the views of the Nueces River were spectacular. I stopped several times over the course of her 29 miles to gather my wits and admire the scenery. This Sister knows how to tease and please. Of the three, this Sister is the most fun…just when you think you’ve ridden her into submission, she throws you a curve…or drops a rock in the middle of your path. She keeps you on your toes and wanting more. I was sad when I saw the SH 55 sign because my time with her was almost over. As I merged onto SH 55 in Barksdale, I waved her good-bye and whispered, “One day, I’ll be back.”

3 miles south of Barksdale in Camp Wood I ran into RM 337 again. As I turned east, she greeted me like an old friend. She had some new twists and turns to show me along on the 20 mile stretch to Leakey and then surprised me with a new look at what should have been familiar curves on the ride to Medina. How different she looked and felt riding in the opposite direction. And then another of the Sisters’ secrets was revealed, you can ride the Sisters from the North, South, East, or West and until the cows come home but every time will be different and just as pleasurable as the first.

I pulled into my garage at 5:40 p.m. after riding some 7 hours and 300+ miles. I was hot and tired but happy and content. I had just spent a wonderful weekend with my family and ridden my Harley on some of the best roads in Texas…I was thankful to live in America, and grateful for the secrets the Sisters had shared.

Views From The Saddle

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Check out my route maps for the 4th and 7th of July in Where Did he Go?

Too Hot, Maybe Not…Cover-Up to Cool Down

This past weekend I rode to Shiner, TX with my local HOG Chapter.  The temperature in the afternoon registered 107 along portions of our route and many in our group began to feel the effects of the heat.  We adjusted our ride plan and took frequent breaks to give our bodies a chance to cool down. At one point, we even huddled inside a walk-in beer fridge…giving a whole new meaning to the phrase, “just chillin”.   As we sat in the fridge, I wondered, “Can it ever be too hot to ride?”  I did a little research and here’s what I found…

Individually our tolerance to heat varies but physiologically our bodies all regulate temperature the same way. Our bodies try to maintain a core temperature of 98.6 degrees primarily through radiation, convection, and evaporation.

·    Radiation - We gain or lose heat when we’re in close proximity (but not in contact) to an object that is either warmer or cooler than our skin temperature.

·    Convection - We gain or lose heat when our skin is exposed to the surrounding air.  We lose heat if the air temperature is cooler and gain heat if the air is warmer.

·    Evaporation – As our core temperature starts to rise, we begin to sweat.  The body then cools as the sweat evaporates from our skin.

When the air temperature is below our core temperature all three processes work together to provide cooling.  However, once the air temperature reaches about 95, radiation and convection work against us and can actually make us hotter.  At that point, the only way our body has to regulate temperature is through evaporation.  

For bikers, this can be problematic because riding “exposed” through hot air can cause your sweat to evaporate so quickly that evaporation becomes ineffective for cooling as well.  With the body’s methods to regulate heat effectively shut down, we quickly become overheated and begin to experience symptoms like dizziness, nausea, and muscle cramps.  Continued heat exposure can lead to heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

So does this mean 95 is the magic too hot to ride number?  No, because we can cover-up to cool down.  By wearing more clothing and covering our skin we can make evaporation work as Mother Nature intended.  Covering-up as the temperature rises slows down the evaporation of our sweat allowing it to transfer heat more efficiently.  When the temperature climbs past 95 and into the triple digits, exposed skin is a bad thing.  While it’s counter-intuitive to add layers in the heat of summer, just think about those who live in desert environments across the world…you don’t see them trekking around wearing short-sleeves and tank tops now do you?

Once you’ve covered-up (and even if you don’t) you need to ensure you’re drinking plenty of water to replace the fluid you lose when you sweat.  On a long, hot ride, you need to drink as much as 40 oz of water/sports drink per hour to stay properly hydrated.  By staying hydrated and covering-up, you can ride “comfortably” as the temperatures climb.  Follow these guidelines to safely extend your riding into triple digit temperatures:

·    Cover-Up – Wear a mesh or lightweight textile jacket with the vents fully open (for additional cooling, wet your shirt or wear an evaporative cooling vest). Additionally, wear a helmet that covers your face or try a water soaked bandana to keep your face covered from the hot air.

·    Hydrate – Drink fluids (40oz/hour)… remember, alcoholic beverages don’t count--they will dehydrate you.

·    Take A Break – Find some shade and sit for a while…walk-in beer fridges work great.

Now Live Free and Ride Hard knowing that high temperatures don’t have to stop you from enjoying a great ride. At the end of the day, only you can really answer the question, “Can it be too hot to ride?” 

Sources

Hot Environments – Health Effects - http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/phys_agents/heat_health.html

Temperature Regulation of the Human Body - http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/thermo/heatreg.html

Riding Motorcycle in Extreme Heat - http://motorcycleinfo.calsci.com/ExtremeHeat.html

At Least There’s a Breeze - http://www.zunis.org/at_least_theres_a_breeze.htm

When You’re Hot, You’re HOT - http://www.soundrider.com/archive/safety-skills/when_youre_hot.htm

Tips for Staying Cool on Blistering Hot Motorcycle Rides - http://www.usridernews.com/tips-for-staying-cool-on-blistering-hot-motorcycle-rides/

Beat the Heat While Motorcycle Touring This Summer - http://www.thelostadventure.com/beat-the-heat-while-motorcycle-touring-this-summer