If it were within my control, I wouldn't have wanted my first ride in the rain to be after a 16 hour day, in the dark, and in a void between severe thunderstorms. It is currently "Monsoon Season" in Arizona, which creates the high probability for isolated thunderstorms, most often in the evening. Trouble is, it is impossible to know where and when these thunderstorms will occur- which is why I would opt to take the van on any day that predicts rain. In accordance with Murphy's law, my van is currently inoperable- so I've been on the bike every day.
Since it was incredibly slow at my second job, I had a full six hours to watch the wind pick up, the lightning get closer, and contemplate what could go wrong. Flash floods are common when it rains here, you know. Nonetheless, I got on the road at about midnight with a mild drizzle coming down, and very frequent lightning strikes. I kept the RPMs and the speed low, and took the corners especially slow because I didn't like the feedback my Metzeler M3 Sportecs were giving me; though ultimately they proved to be reliable in wet weather.
The ride itself was actually enjoyable. I had the road to myself with the distant rumble of thunder as my soundtrack. Since it's been 105+ every day and 88+ every night, it was a relief to finally have a cool ride. Perhaps the best part of the ride was during the final stretch on a semi-rural road through cropfields. I witnessed several arcs of lightning span almost the entire length of the Expansive Desert Sky, illuminating the landscape like a failing fluorescent lightbulb. It was surreal, and although picturesque, it is one of the images I want to keep to myself, and also one that I may keep available for access in my head for the rest of my life.
Despite my initial anxiety of riding in conditions more hazardous than I have experience with, I felt accomplished enough when I made it home to enjoy an ice cold beer.
Motorcycling is about knowing the limits of your machine, knowing the limits of your ability, and finely adjusting each of those factors to suit the present riding conditions. Moreso, I've found that the development of your motorcycling skills in a systematic manner can be one of the most satisfying things available.
Since it was incredibly slow at my second job, I had a full six hours to watch the wind pick up, the lightning get closer, and contemplate what could go wrong. Flash floods are common when it rains here, you know. Nonetheless, I got on the road at about midnight with a mild drizzle coming down, and very frequent lightning strikes. I kept the RPMs and the speed low, and took the corners especially slow because I didn't like the feedback my Metzeler M3 Sportecs were giving me; though ultimately they proved to be reliable in wet weather.
The ride itself was actually enjoyable. I had the road to myself with the distant rumble of thunder as my soundtrack. Since it's been 105+ every day and 88+ every night, it was a relief to finally have a cool ride. Perhaps the best part of the ride was during the final stretch on a semi-rural road through cropfields. I witnessed several arcs of lightning span almost the entire length of the Expansive Desert Sky, illuminating the landscape like a failing fluorescent lightbulb. It was surreal, and although picturesque, it is one of the images I want to keep to myself, and also one that I may keep available for access in my head for the rest of my life.
Despite my initial anxiety of riding in conditions more hazardous than I have experience with, I felt accomplished enough when I made it home to enjoy an ice cold beer.
Motorcycling is about knowing the limits of your machine, knowing the limits of your ability, and finely adjusting each of those factors to suit the present riding conditions. Moreso, I've found that the development of your motorcycling skills in a systematic manner can be one of the most satisfying things available.
jj_r0x0rz:
monsoon sseason!?!? akk