Tuesday, January 06, 2009

Creaky Joints

Why didn't anyone tell me the cold would make my joints all creaky when I reached my 30's?

Not that I would have listened. I've been laughing at my creaking knees after riding in to work in the practically arctic temperatures (mid-30's) we've had recently. I'm thinking it might be time to invest in a pair of double-front Carhartt's for the chilly days. Or battery-powered, knee sized heating pads. My knees are, after all, out in the breeze on the Triumph. It's almost enough to make a fella lust after one of those fully-faired touring bikes.

Almost, but not quite.

13 comments:

Canajun said...

I can relate!
But at least if they're creaking you know your joints are working. I can remember one ride (in Wisconsin in August!) when I was so cold that my feet would not... would NOT ... come off the pegs. So when we finally pulled into the parking lot of a motor hotel there was nothing I could do but topple over, ever so slowly, in my best Arte Johnson imitation. Hitting the ground broke the ice, so to speak, and the wife and I were then able to right the bike and hobble in to reception and soon, a hot shower.
Yup, it can get pretty chilly out there.

Anonymous said...

Wait 'til you hit your 40's and beyond. I'm just glad I live in Southern California, where temps in the low 50's is "cold."

Baron's Life said...

Relax guys, all the paining, freezing and creaking disappears when you hit 50 cause you've had plenty of time to practice in your 30's and 40's....trust me I know what I'm talking about....lol

Canajun said...

Yeah, I've heard those new teflon joints are real smooth......

Allen Madding said...

spray a little bit of wd-40 on each knee cap and rub in with your fingers. It'll fix ya right up :)


And I love all of my carhart gear and my UnderArmour!

-Peace

irondad said...

I don't creak. I also drink good microbrewed beer. As you saw while in Oregon. Or didn't see as I was on the bike. Still, you got to try the beer.

Hmm, microbrews, sport-touring bikes, and no creaking. Coincidence? Don't think so!

Unknown said...

As nice as they are, I'd not recommend Carharts for riding. The wind blows right through them. You'd be better off with some good cold weather riding pants with armor. Or a nylon snowmobile suit. Those are pretty warm and windproof.

Dave T.

Anonymous said...

A quote from John Scalzi's OLD MAN'S WAR "People tell you that getting old is just one damned thing after another, but the REAL problem is it's EVERY damn thing, ALL at once."

Why didn't anyone tell me that the worst thing about getting off of my 550 Honda, back in the day, at 45 mph, is NOT the injury itself, but the bone spurs in my shoulder 35 years later? And the worst thing about Hypertension is not the fist full of drugs I have to take every damned day, but the queasiness, all day, every day, and the other side effects that sidelined me at the peak of my "career", not to mention the induced Arthritis, that riddles my lower spine, shoulders and hips, so that I can barely walk, even here in Central Texas which is notorious for not having all that many cold days. Who knew? And would you have believed them if they told you?

Can't wait to find out what happens next!

Lucky said...

Canajun - I hope I never have that experience

Two Buck - SoCal is nice, but I don't think I could actually handle living in a place where "room temperature" is the norm.

Baron - As long as we keep improving...

Allen - WD-40 smells nice too!

irondad - Good beer IS a cure-all. I don't think I'm ready to move on to a non-hooligan bike, though.

David - Thanks for the tip. I don't think I'll be getting snowmobile pants anytime soon down here - it doesn't get THAT cold. I do want some snowmobile worthy gloves, though.

Tinker - Nope, I wouldn't believe it, though I can learn by watching some OTHER guy pee on the electric fence. The better question is: would you have done it differently?

Man, these comments have been so entertaining I've been hesitant to reply, in case I mess up alls y'alls comment-mojo.

Anonymous said...

If I'd known I was gonna last so long, yes, I'd have taken better care of myself.
Or maybe just never gone to see s doctor...

Biker Betty said...

When I reached my mid-40's my joints started to snap-crackle-pop, lol, and that's without cold weather :) Getting old sucks!! I think this year I will take the presents, eat the cake, but refuse to get a year older.

Unknown said...

If you want really good cold weather gloves, look into the Tourmaster insulated gloves. I have the heavy ones with the gauntlet style wrists. They work to keep my hands warm (no heated grips, yet) down to below freezing. Kinda thick though. I usually carry them in case it rains or gets cold. If it gets over 60 degrees my hands sweat to much to wear them.

Mr. Motorcycle said...

I agree, almost, but not quite!