Sunday, May 10, 2009

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Wow, just over 2 months....8 weeks........60 something days......to go before I return to Brisbane!  
So today I thought I would start the clearing out process, getting rid of some stuff to charity and throwing away clothes that should have been thrown away a VERY long time ago.  I looked around my apartment and walked over to the closet, put on my leather jacket and went for a fabulous bike ride!! 
The weather was gorgeous today, it hasn't been like this in a long while, so I couldn't resist the urge to go for a ride, the sun was shining, lawn mowers were mowing and people were smiling! It's amazing how a little sunshine can totally change some people's personalities.
I took myself off to a few country roads which wind around the smaller towns of Sonoma county, it was........what was it, cant find the words.....but anyway I had a smile on my face all through the ride, I was so happy....just me, my bike and my thoughts.  It was a bit warm for my leather jacket but I wont ride without it, it's a comfort to me and it's all part of the gear....... jacket, helmet, boots, gloves and attitude!
I think you need a certain attitude when you are riding, the road is as much yours as it is the cars, SUVs, minivans, trucks etc and they need to know that you know that.  As I look back to the days when I first started riding I recall myself being very meek on the road, like I don't belong there and not claiming my lane, cars would squeeze into the same lane as me and I would move over to give them room.....how nice of me!  I used to rush off at the traffic lights so I wouldn't hold up the cars behind me, at 4 way stops I would let everyone go before me, I would speed up if someone was on my tail......the list goes on! But now I know my place on the road and I have every right to be there as the next person.  You have to have a 'presence' and let the cars know you are there, don't let any asshole in some jacked up Honda terrorize you, go at a speed you are comfortable with and be cautious at junctions, don't take off from the traffic lights until you are ready.....'matey' behind you can rev his little motor as much as he wants, he will just have to wait.  Some drivers are just plain rude and inconsiderate to motorcycle riders and when I encounter this I wonder if they are this rude to the badass looking bikers, the ones with skulls tattooed on their knuckles, chains hanging from their hips and throaty loud bikes, so I tried a little experiment..........I put a skull and bones sticker on my helmet.........I think it's working!!!

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