Different strokes for different folks

When I ride I ride. My average day on the bike is at least 250 miles and the last several rides have been 400 + so it is not easy for me to find people to ride with. Most people when they speak of a ride are talking about 30 to 50 miles and call it a day. For me that raises the question… What’s the point?

I thought I found my peeps in the BMW Owners club, I do not own a BMW but they don’t care. They look like me – mostly 40+, the dress like me – everyone in riding gear (no jeans or leathers) and everyone wears a helmet and they ride like I ride – hundreds and hundreds of miles. I have been on several rides with these guys and other then them riding a little faster then I usually do it has been a good fit.

Last Saturday was I assumed to be no exception. I joined the group after breakfast in Morrison, CO and found the group planning he longest ride (about 400 miles over several passes) and recognized several people and bikes from previous rides along with some people I hadn’t ridden with before. All was well until we got off the main roads and into a mountain pass and the pace picked up to triple digits.

This is where my wife should stop reading.

Cresting a mountain pass at 110 does have its appeal but when my foot peg digs in on a long sweeper at 95+ I decided that I would meet up with the rest of the group at the next gas or meal stop and get back to my normal speed limit + 5 velocity. The truth is that these roads are beautiful and anything above 80 I get so much wind buffeting and vibration that I can’t enjoy the view so what’s the point. I learned some time ago in cars to keep the racing to the race track. For a while last Saturday I forgot that rule also applies to bikes.

I guess the lesson is avoid group think when riding and in life. To your own self be true.

The nice surprise was that a few of the BMW guys on full touring bikes (like my Yamaha) were hanging back and taking a slower pace so I had someone to ride with after all.