Saxophones Carrying a tenor on a (motor)bike?

[ProfJames]

She's a biker chick now! She lives to ride! She goes rogue at the weekend! She lives life on the edge! People move out of her way! She is Jay the Biker Chick!!!

 

[Veggie Dave]

There were quite a few traffic cops on the course. I was horrified to see how badly their bikes were maintained.

Another came in on his private Guzzi. Managed to drop it on the braking test.

A few years ago a certain US Naval base used to send anyone who brought their bike over to the UK to an airfield just outside of Hemel Hempsted (yes, there really is a US naval base near there, even though it's no where near the sea 😉 ) to do a US Navy CBT because so many of their personnel were being seriously injured or killed, particularly on roundabouts.

They were allowed to ride on the base, on the right as it was 'US soil', but if they wanted to leave the base they had to do this CBT first. The hardest part of the test was riding around a 50m square. Bearing in mind these people were riding things like R1s and Electra Glides, the number of them who couldn't ride the square without falling off was terrifying. When someone managed it you'd think they'd discovered a cure for cancer given the amount of cheering.

Not long after 9/11, the training was stopped for security reasons.

How do you fail compulsory basic training? Some people shouldn't be allowed on two wheels.

I've got a couple of friends who, away from two wheels, are both dexterous and intelligent people; on two wheels they were lethally incompetent and just had to admit that bikes weren't for them before they killed themselves.

As for riding in the rain, that's why God invented bikinis. 😀

 

[kevgermany]

Be careful with Nylon based waterproofs. Not only does the proofing come off, but also if you come off the friction melts the nylon quickly and if it's close to your skin you get very nasty burns. So not too serious over leathers, but not over light clothes. Carpet burns are nothing compared to this.

Cheap waterproofs are not an option. They don't last.

Waxed cotton is probably favourite. Messy, but effective. Used to be Barbour, but they've gone fashion and are now too expensive. I had Belstaff, not sure if they are still in business. Reproof after a year or so with more wax. I also used waxed cotton mittens over my leather gloves. Great. Makes things a lot warmer in winter.

But waxed cotton is rather slippery, so be careful, I nearly fell off the back of my new Laverda the first time I opened it up properly. Waxed cotton mittens, waxed cotton overtrousers and nearly 100bhp... I slid down the seat, only just managed to hang on by curling my fingers around the bars and had to wait until it stopped revving before I could pull myself back up into position.

What I also found a big plus in winter was a silk balaclava. Thin enough to go under your helmet, but really keeps you warm and bridges the gap between helmet and collar on your jacket.

 

[kevgermany]

Ok I know I'm blonde but why would you want to go for a ride in the rain, granted at the moment you are getting the miles in to pass the test but I'd wait for a sunny day and stay home playing sax when it rains 🙂

Jx

One of the reasons I stopped biking. The others were a healthy sense of self preservation and discovering that horses were more fun and more challenging.

 

[DavidUK]

This is going to be painful...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VezJyLR-r-4

 

[Jay]

Ok I know I'm blonde but why would you want to go for a ride in the rain, granted at the moment you are getting the miles in to pass the test but I'd wait for a sunny day and stay home playing sax when it rains 🙂

Jx

It's more that I was going to meet friends for lunch, and where I was meeting them was a very beautiful ride out - so I wanted to do it on my bike. In fact I got away with it, it rained this morning and it's just started now as I've got in, but I didn't get rained on while riding.
I'm also hoping to use my bike in due course for going to work, and other local-ish journeys, and in Cumbria that means riding in the rain!

The two friends I met up with are in their seventies. Thelma, when she saw my bike was very interested in it, and later on said 'I used to have a Sunbeam. It was huge and heavy, I could only just get it upright again if it fell over, and 500cc which was considered a big bike in those days. I used to ride from Cambridge to Scotland on it'. 😎

I love stuff like that, to meet her now she just looks like someone's granny, which she is - but there in her past, as well as a PhD at Cambridge, is roaring round the country on a Sunbeam 😎

 

[trimmy]

Carpet burns are nothing compared to this

Mods !!!

 

[Jay]

One of the reasons I stopped biking. The others were a healthy sense of self preservation and discovering that horses were more fun and more challenging.

I have 'a couple of Dales ponies' on my list for when I retire, and can give them the time they need.

 

[DavidUK]

Waste your time I will...

WARNING: NOT for the SQUEAMISH!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8d3r2LNNiUA

 

[Veggie Dave]

There's nothing better to boost a learner's confidence than 16 minutes of bike crashes... 😉

 

[Targa]

and what am I thinking of, black biking boots instead of gold sparkly sandals 😛

(When I went to stay with my friend in Virginia one summer, I clearly had on a new pair of sandals, which was commented on. When I explained that it was possible to get through an entire summer in Cumbria without owning a pair of sandals, they were horrified 🙂)

A lady should always look her best.
Think of all the men you might bump into who will pick you up.

 

[Jay]

A lady should always look her best.
Think of all the men you might bump into who will pick you up.

I'm trying really hard not to bump into anything 😉

 

[trimmy]

I'm trying really hard not to bump into anything 😉

Damn it !! 🙁

 

[jonf]

Good boots will let you keep your toes in a spill.

Agreed. Alt Berg from Richmond in Yorkshire are the best, in my experience.

 

[Colin the Bear]

Best will be a personal choice. I like my army surplus Cadet Boots.

 

[jonf]

Waxed cotton, from Belstaff, used to be the best option for waterproofing, but not really any more. Things have moved on a lot in recent years for the all weather biker.

For years I rode in traditional biker leathers, with on oversuit on top for the rain, but now I wear a modern synthetic two piece suit. It's the most comfortable I've worn in decades of riding, completely waterproof and machine washable. Comes with proper CE armour as well, on knees, hips, elbows shoulders and back. Modern stuff has higher impact resistance than leather, and is nearly as good at resisting slide friction. I can't see me ever wearing leathers again now.

 

[Colin the Bear]

I wear leather cos I likes the smell.

 

[jonf]

Best will be a personal choice. I like my army surplus Cadet Boots.

Agreed. I like Alt Berg because they come in wider fittings, for the gentleman with wider feet.

 

[Jay]

Damn it !! 🙁

You are nice to me 🙂 (blows Trimmy a kiss)

 

[Jay]

Agreed. Alt Berg from Richmond in Yorkshire are the best, in my experience.

Ah, my ex used to have Altbergs for his Police boots.