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Messages - aschendel

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1
General Banter / Re: Riding During Coronavirus
« on: April 15, 2020, 07:16:53 PM »
 :headbang:

And the WI executive order has Outdoor Activity as essential (11.c.), and not limited to the list they provided...  not that they wouldn't just enforce whatever they want if they think you shouldn't be out there, but I'd be willing to ask for forgiveness.

https://evers.wi.gov/Documents/COVID19/EMO12-SaferAtHome.pdf

a.s.

2
General Banter / Re: Riding During Coronavirus
« on: April 14, 2020, 08:11:27 PM »
Other than the gas station exposure, the rest of the "cons" aren't really things, are they?  😁

a.s.

3
Safety and Riding Tips / My fall in late fall...
« on: December 31, 2013, 10:19:53 AM »
I wish more people would share their fall stories and lessons learned, so I'll share mine :)

Each year, the very last ride has this feeling of "don't screw up a good season" and I had it that night (Nov. 19th) when I was taking the long way round to top off my gas tank before winter.  I was taking it super-easy just enjoying being out on the next-to-last warm night (40+ degrees).  I had been cruising at or below the speed limit and not pushing it at all throughout the ride.   About 5 miles from home, accelerating out of a slow corner, I hit dark grey sand in a nearly-done construction zone (no street lights in the area), along with some gritty stuff from when they painted the lines I think.  It wasn't quite a standard right turn, slow since it was more then 90deg and recently reconfigured during construction, from southbound CR-19 / Keats Ave onto westbound Military Rd, both 55mph roads.
 
As I was speeding up after the turn, going maybe 20 or 30mph, I got into the sand and the back spun out to the left (the outside of the turn of course).  I distinctly recall starting to fall down to the right with my right foot dragging out behind me, but then the bike hooked up and flipped over onto its left side... I think I pretty much slid off the back.  I didn't have time to react in any particular way, and as I lost my balance early in the slide I unintentionally pinned the throttle so I have that zinging up to WOT sound etched into my brain.  I don't remember flying at all, which is great luck.  I had enough time to realize I was sliding down the road in my lane, mostly upright, probably 30 feet or more -- almost as far as the bike slid.  There weren't any cars around right when it happened but some passed by shortly afterwards, one slowed down but none stopped.

My Joe Rocket Ballistic pants took the brunt of it, my main coat has a little hole in it.  That coat also rode up and my windbreaker got melted.  Additionally, my backpack was torn open.  My boots and gloves didn't incur any damage, which surprises me a little, and my head never hit the ground.

I did call the cops to file a report, filed the longer form for a > $1,000 accident with the state, and I attempted to work with County about the construction debris which I spun out on but haven't made much progress.  Basically I plan to file a claim on my insurance.  I did end up riding it home in first gear, wow that was loud and slow...

My hip was sore after a few minutes, a few hours later I started feeling it more generally.  My left-hand pinky had a little burning/tingling, I think from the bars getting ripped out of my hands.  ZERO road-rash, a tiny bruise on the hip/cheek I landed on...
 
The Lesson Learned part is pretty simple -- wear your gear!  There is always the chance that something you can't even see could bring you down.
 
http://aschendel.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2013-11-19-My-Wipeout/2013-11-19-Crash-Aftermath

Should be basically cosmetic, decent luck for a highside :P

Andy

4
I think the point I was trying to make was more philosophical.  Thinking of peer pressure as a single thing that people (kids, mostly, right?) do or don't do to others is insufficient.  Thinking about it like something that can be addressed in a pre-ride meeting or our "ride your own ride" mantra and then "it won't happen on this ride" is also inadequate.

This topic is particularly difficult to discuss because our perspective is naturally "backwards".  Even though he wants to, Paul can't say whether or not Hope felt any pressure (I believe I would have), and similarly Jamie can't say the people on his rides did or didn't feel pressured.  Each person can only speak to the pressure which they personally felt, consciously recognized and subsequently admitted.  Unfortunately there are many times we fail to even realize it's happening and even if we recognize it we likely won't admit it (due to peer pressure, ironically enough).

In my experience, pressures come and go, each situation encountered by participants on a ride may lead to or involve different types of pressure. There are thousands (millions? infinite?) of tiny opportunities during each ride where each individual rider will take an action in response to the information they have at their disposal.  Failing to observe the basic fact that a huge amount of that information comes from "the group" really does show how far we are from understanding the dynamics of group riding and human interaction in any form.

Jamie is right to point out that each of us expressing our opinions is peer pressure... (although he may have overlooked that he was doing the same thing as Lloyd)  How often do we follow the loudest or most charismatic leader without thinking?  I think it is very important to carefully and conscientiously evaluate the information we have.  Sometimes we need to accept input from a "negative" source...  maybe a "close call" or a person we don't care for gives us feedback.  And even more importantly, I think the topic of this thread was something along the lines that we each need to be more careful about the information we are giving to those around us.  Do you *know* how your comments and actions (even the seemingly insignificant ones) are going to affect those around you?  Of course not - only once they receive that information from you and process it along with the rest of the stimulation they have can they decide how to react - so play it a little safer, be a little more courteous, be a lot more gracious, and give yourself a little more time to respond.

a.s.

5
I almost can't believe you think there is no peer pressure on MSTA rides.  Every ride I've ever been on had recognizable peer pressure at some level...  Do you bunch up behind the people waiting for a clear lane to pass?  Do you make sure that people have a route sheet and can really follow them?  Does everyone know all of your expectations throughout the ride and are you sure they are fully capable of meeting them?  Can you put peer pressure on yourself when riding alone?  Have you ever thought "I bet I can make that corner going 10mph faster..."?

That isn't really what I want to talk about though.  I think as people lead more and more rides they begin to appreciate the unique challenges that being the leader brings.  I've had 4 people crash "behind" me and while I wasn't on their bike making their decisions - the decisions I made and those that they made, combined with circumstances both in and out of our control, still haunt me.  You don't want to be scraping your friends (or their friends, or their father-in-law from out of town on a borrowed bike) up, and you sure don't want your friends to have to scrape you up either, so be vigilant.  Do everything that you can to ensure people you ride with really are comfortable "riding their own ride".  I think that starts with acknowledging that peer pressure shows up for every ride, sometimes it gets there late, but it's always there.

Followers, Leaders and Peers all need to play an active role; and if you chose to ignore signs of people making bad decisions, sooner or later it will catch up with them -- and you.

a.s.

6
General Banter / Re: Brilliant concept...
« on: December 11, 2012, 11:20:44 AM »
sweet!  i'd consider it!

a.s.

7
General Banter / Re: Truck Ramp
« on: December 07, 2012, 10:51:34 AM »
i use a basic, wide tri-fold from northern tool and other than wishing i would have got the longer version it works fine.  i also use the curb / angle trick to gain the needed clearance at my house, although when loading or unloading at other places sometimes it takes a little creativity.

a.s.

8
For Sale/Wanted to Buy / Re: Heated Liner
« on: November 30, 2012, 01:12:54 PM »
I'm planning on Minneapolis to Mankato / Lake Crystal to check out an RV, then possibly east / northeast to have some fun on the way home if I feel up to it.  Can't leave until after noon though so it'll probably be ho-hum down and back...

a.s.

9
For Sale/Wanted to Buy / Re: Heated Liner
« on: November 29, 2012, 07:49:09 PM »
I plan to get out - will no doubt be wishing I had that liner!  :)

10
Off Topic / Re: Happy Thanksgiving
« on: November 23, 2012, 10:01:37 PM »
I had a nice ride on Thanksgiving morning, not so much at 6pm on the way home.  First time doing Vasa to Welch in the snow on a bike :P.   Aside from it snowing so hard during the last 5 miles that I couldn't keep my face shield clear it was kinda like riding in a light rain; mostly just annoying since visibility was impacted.

Hope everyone had a great day!

a.s.

11
General Banter / Re: advice needed - you guys might understand
« on: October 31, 2012, 02:56:07 PM »
yup yup...  the way out was balmy through the night, mid-70's once we were down into Iowa.  The way back, the exact opposite, cold (like 19F) in the high desert with snow from the rockies east for a couple hundred miles I think...  the southern route might have worked.  even with 4 of us it was difficult and on the bike i'd have needed more time, the better part of a day on either side I suppose.

I haven't had time to analyze all of the data collected en route, but I do know the following:
 
Total Miles: 4,033 miles
Total Fuel: 198.52 gallons
Total Fuel Cost: $751.19
Average Fuel Cost: $3.78
Average MPG: 20.3 miles per gallon
Fuel Cost per person: $187.80
 
The most expensive gas was obtained in Hesparia, CA ($4.33/gal) and the cheapest was Stuart, IA ($3.31/gal).  We stopped at, and then decided against, a place outside of Vegas with $5/gal.
 
Traffic stops: 2 - nice work, Zac (my brother).
Traffic tickets: 0 - even nicer work, Zac!
 
We made it out in 28 hours, and back in 29 hours and 15 minutes.
 
We didn't see any live animals that were larger than a fox but we did see a few dead deer, a big black pig, and some elk/deer in hunter's trucks.  I don't believe we had any "close calls" or other incidents of note.  The snow in the mountains was substantial and covered way more distance than I thought it would but the roads were cleared (a bit wet) by the time we got to that part.

I did end up with a few pictures -- many sincere thanks to Christopher (5 year old cousin) for getting great shots of the grownups.  I had to do some work to the images from the first day due to the way those were stored on the camera (and I'm sure I didn't do it exactly right as this was my first time doing it) but I didn't do any tweaking for the rest of them.  Anyways, you guys might enjoy a few of them...
 
Once you click into these links, you can click on one of the square images to bring up a fuller version, then you can use your arrow keys to flip through them.
 
The trip out:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/8gydlh31yx13mn7/u_zO8tb1zE
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/pm20403728y4o92/2rPeZVS2jE
 
Visiting CA:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/bukubsxunrryoai/gGMTby2SaA
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/9hpuzv5g1mjcbdv/nIo1BURNnR

The trip back: 
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ykscowtr3tl52ov/TxRG_oVaUs

a.s.

12
General Banter / Re: advice needed - you guys might understand
« on: October 19, 2012, 09:21:44 AM »
Thank you all!  That southern route only adds 4 hours :)  but alas, we're all set to take the minivan via denver/vegas.  So it looks like I need to get an Out West ride scheduled for next summer :)  Why is it so hard to make the time for the best things in life?  :/

a.s.

13
General Banter / Re: advice needed - you guys might understand
« on: October 14, 2012, 11:38:06 PM »
thank you guys for the condolances and valuable input.  the decision is probably already made for me; my dad, brother and sister all want to drive :/  :)  so unless the schedule doesn't allow for it, we'll be doing it on 4 wheels.  from the sounds of it i should investigate chains, as we'll not have 4-wheel drive. ;)

thanks again,

andy

14
General Banter / advice needed - you guys might understand
« on: October 13, 2012, 11:03:11 PM »
My grandmother just passed away, in southern California...  I've been dreaming about riding there to visit the relatives out there anyways but haven't yet made the time.  Is it crazy to do it now?  The problem is that it would definitely not be vacation and it's difficult to justify spending the time on the road.  I could out-and-back it on an airplane in as little as 3 days and probably feel like I was able to spend more quality time visiting...  The bike would be more like 6 days, 1.5 riding each way and probably less quality visiting.

The 2 things going for the bike are I'd be travelling light anyways, and airplane tickets are fairly costly; a set of tires and gas might be a couple hundred bucks less a plane ticket.   I'm always up for adventure, so I put that in the bike column too.  There are some important negatives: the "danger", the time, the fact that it wouldn't be relaxing or an interesting route (in a lot of ways).  Like many of us though, I'd pretty much rather ride anywhere than fly or drive.

Crazy to consider?  Love to hear your thoughts.

a.s.

15
General Banter / Re: Crashes Reported in the Media
« on: October 12, 2012, 10:12:15 AM »
Here's one:  http://www.kare11.com/news/article/994460/396/High-speed-motorcycle-chase-in-metro-ends-in-crash

I was suprised at how close the cops were at the end.

Andy

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