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I dont drink much anyways....... 2 six packs a year, and or a couple a bourbons at best.
I'd like to sit here and tell ya what a rightgeous Dude I am......
But Lets Be Honest !
While safe and IMHO, a Decent Rider....
On EVERY ride I've been on I see something that make me think.
Slow speed manuever gone awry.... loose gravel..... Idiot drivers that think they have your number..... Poor Road Conditions !
I always manage to get a reminder that a few drinks would be BAD on every one of my rides.
Once was a tight U-Turn a pulled on a narrow country road with No Shoulders, Two Up.
Got Ballsy with the Wife on the back and diddnt want to drive 10 more miles for a better turn around spot, so I slow and lean her over.
Almost made it, but when the Peg scraped Wife shifted her weight and I had to run off the steep edge of asphalt onto the Tall grass strip that was about 2 feet wide before it sloped off like the end of the Earth....... No Traffic.... and Brakes are GOOD !!!!!!
Yesterday it was on a long strech of country road, bout an hour thru the National Forest.....
Easy to get lulled into "The Zone".... No Traffic, Just Tree's and the occasional Deer.
In the distance I see County Trucks hoggin the on-coming lane painting new stipes in the road.
Great I think.... Nice cloud of Paint I have to take my Bike thru !
When a car passes the two Large, Garbage Truck Size trucks..... Speed limits 60... Trucks on coming @ about 15.... and this idiot is riding beside them @ about 18 mph !
I Got Brights on..now flashing, and have slowed to about 20 mph @ 200 yds from the on-coming... And Still they they come straight at me even tho there is ample room for them to get between the two trucks in the proper lane.... or even speed up and return to their lane.
Nope....
We have to litteraly HUG the outside edge of the white line inches from the shoulder @ 10 mph while these fools stare at us like we're from outerspace as we pass them !
( Last check of the mirror showed them Still in my lane for another 1/2 mile. )
Little things like that keep me from saying yes to a nice cold one.... even when I want one !
And the fact that most of my riding is 2-Up.... its a No-Brainer ! ( I have no brains, and the wife reminds of this incesently ! )
I used to have a few when riding, until this happened. Now I do not drink any while driving. Period. After spending more time then I should have at a pub with a few friends, I left on my bike. (This was a few years ago) I came upon my exit to get on the freeway and it was much sharper then I realized. I was doing around 45 MPH and it was a 25 MPH exit plus I was unprepared for the unexpected. I realized I would not be able to make the turn but leaned heavily into it preparing for the worst. My engine gaurd hit the pavement and litteraly "spun" my bike into the curve facing me in the right direction. After a second of time I was able to regain control and kept it on two wheels. Sparks were flying. I rode home with a sick feeling in my guts thinking it was my new pipes that bit the dust. While riding I noticed my right foot big toe was starting to ache. I had about 20 miles to get home. When I arrived home I seen it was my highway bar that hit and I realized what had happened. I also noticed my right boot was skinned on the top from skidding on the pavement. Luckily they were steel toed. I stiill sprianed my big toe. I still wear these boots for a constant reminder. I ground off a square section of my gaurd and also ground off the head of a bolt on the unercarrige. I was VERY lucky and learned my lesson. Of course no helmet or protective gear. (other then the boots) They say Live and learn, and I did.[:@] Also very embarrased.
I used to get alot of grief for not drinking when riding a poker run but now everyone we know accepts it and agrees with me. It is very very rare that I have even one beer when riding especially when riding with the wife. Think about it her life is in my hands literally. I have mellowed over the last year and I will allow myself one or maybe two beers at the end of the poker run/ride if I know that we will be stationary for more than 2 hours. Usually drink tonic water with a twist when bar hopping.
I guess it all comes down to what you feel is right for yourself. I too have seen many riders who took one to many and then fell or came close enough to it. In my younger days, I've made some poor personal decisions. But as I've got older, I've wised up a bit.
A couple brews for me is enough in a day of riding
I will have one, ride awhile, have another, ride awhile. I promised my wife when I bought the bike that I would keep it to 3 max in a day when riding, and have honored that, mostly. I get parched when riding. Now when I put the bike away.[8D]
I don't drink on the bike, ever. If I wanna go out and party, I get in a cab. People will talk smack to you about it, but I bet they would not be willing to come get you out of the clink if you got dinged. Word to the wise: if you ride in MD DC VA area where I live? Be really careful. The federales quit playing about a year ago, and they will yank your license. I have seen guys my size (6'2 220) have two beers and end up in the clink. I figure it like this: I finally saved almost 20 grand for a toy that I have wanted my whole adult life. I am not letting a 3.00 beer screw it up. Whatever you guys do, be safe. Cabs are always cheaper than funerals or hearings.
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I rarely drink anyway, but I never have a drink if I am riding (or driving for that matter) and I will not ride with anyone else who has been drinking. I won't even ride with a passenger who has been drinking.
I'll usually drink a few when I go bar hopping or on a poker run, but I will not ride s**t faced. I also love to party on my birthday......ya see I was born on friday, so I celebrate my birthday every friday. LOL Tim
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