Odd Riding Habits

[TED]

At risk of sounding a bit ACD

Another thread got me thinking of some of the habits I have developed over the years, things i now do automatically without even thinking about it, sort of second nature I guess. Things like:

- on long interstate slogs when passing under a bridge I will stretch out my legs one at a time and rotate my ankles, and give my lower back a quick stretch. When going over a bridge I will stretch my shoulders and flex out my hands a few times. Really helps from getting sore on long rides.
- approaching a left turning car I will do a little weave and flash my high beams.
- walking up to the bike I walk around it and check oil level and tires, and anything else that might be amiss.
- I used to have a label that said, "wallet, phone, camera" right above the ignition to remind me to make sure I had them, now I am in the habit of just saying it every time the key goes in.
- If I think I might be getting tired I recite the first few stanzas of a poem I learned in the 8th grade and for some reason I've always remembered ("The Walrus and the Carpenter"), if I have any trouble with it I know it is time to stop and take a breather.

Those are the ones that come to mind. Anyone else do things like this?

[NI5L]

Good ideas that I think I will borrow if you don't mind.

[martinph]

Does beeping ones horn in tunnels count?

[NI5L]

Does beeping ones horn in tunnels count?

One would think so.....

[tommcgee]

Does beeping ones horn in tunnels count?

I sure hope so! I didn't buy that cattle caller for nothing!

[MIAirhead]

I ride with a buddy, who on his 74 Honda had a habit of skimming his shoes sometimes while riding. He made sure road was good, and out side of pegs. He would touch his shoes to the ground on long trips sometimes.

[tommcgee]

I ride with a buddy, who on his 74 Honda had a habit of skimming his shoes sometimes while riding. He made sure road was good, and out side of pegs. He would touch his shoes to the ground on long trips sometimes.

I do that on every ride. And then I think about how much boots cost, so it only lasts a few seconds.

[Bobmws]

At risk of sounding a bit ACD

- approaching a left turning car I will do a little weave and flash my high beams.

Flashing is generally perceived as a 'go ahead' signal. Switch to steady high beam until you have passed the left turner.

[Bmandiego]

Flashing is generally perceived as a 'go ahead' signal. Switch to steady high beam until you have passed the left turner.

+1 good point.

[Walking Eagle]

When it's not freezing-ass cold, I stand up on the pegs every 50-100 miles, and ride while standing for a couple of miles. Also move around a LOT on the bike as the daily miles accrue - twist sideways, raise arm(s) overhead, etc. The quads are some of the biggest muscles in the body, and you can move some "internal fluids" quite well by flexing this group regularly - you don't need to do a "full stand-up" and can just "flex/bounce" in-place.

In the west, staying well hydrated during a ride is absolutely crucial to alert (and alive). Camelbak to the rescue on anything but short day rides -- small drinks every 15-30 minutes, or you WILL get dehydrated over here in the left-and-southward territories.

Old body, two back operations, and -- when I do the above movements, I feel much better after 500+ mile days on two wheels versus doing that many in a cage.

Walking Eagle

[angysdad]

Before every (almost) ride, my wife gives me a kiss and says 'be careful'. When I was a kid living at home, my mom would do the same thing. If they would forget, I would go back in for the 'be careful' thing. It seems like good karma to know that someone who loves you wants you to be safe.

[jnrugg]

Before every (almost) ride, my wife gives me a kiss and says 'be careful'. When I was a kid living at home, my mom would do the same thing. If they would forget, I would go back in for the 'be careful' thing. It seems like good karma to know that someone who loves you wants you to be safe.

My wife would do that when I would go skiing. The one time she didn't I almost broke my leg.

[Bmandiego]

When it's not freezing-ass cold, I stand up on the pegs every 50-100 miles, and ride while standing for a couple of miles. Also move around a LOT on the bike as the daily miles accrue - twist sideways, raise arm(s) overhead, etc. The quads are some of the biggest muscles in the body, and you can move some "internal fluids" quite well by flexing this group regularly - you don't need to do a "full stand-up" and can just "flex/bounce" in-place.

In the west, staying well hydrated during a ride is absolutely crucial to alert (and alive). Camelbak to the rescue on anything but short day rides -- small drinks every 15-30 minutes, or you WILL get dehydrated over here in the left-and-southward territories.

Old body, two back operations, and -- when I do the above movements, I feel much better after 500+ mile days on two wheels versus doing that many in a cage.

Walking Eagle

My back gets sore also, so I have similar stretches. I've been wanting to get a camelbak as well. Are those worn inside or outside of jackets?

[26667]

On hot days when I'm out touring I not only "splash" some baby powder/cornstarch on my crotchal zone before putting on my underpants, I pour some in my socks and then stick my feet in.

Because of the way I arrange the hose of my camelbak coming out of my tankbag, the water in the hose gets heated by the sun. I spit it out on the arms of my mesh jacket or on my legs. I've even let it dribble down my chin and onto my shirt front. Voila! Instant swamp cooler.

On the slab, out in the middle of KS or NE or one of the other godforsaken places thru which one must sometimes ride to get to someplace pretty, both as a stretch and just for the variety, I occasionally sit w one leg, then the other across the front of the saddle.

Sometimes I rest one arm on my tank bag so I can rest my chin on my hand or arm.

[widebmw]

My back gets sore also, so I have similar stretches. I've been wanting to get a camelbak as well. Are those worn inside or outside of jackets?

I have used camelbaks for years. I pack them with ice in the morning and for the most part they stay cold until the afternoon.

Outside of the jacket (full moto) it is easy to get on and off but it warms up quicker.

Inside of the jacket (Quasimodo) it is much cooler for a lot longer but you look funny and complain about "the bells" all the time.