The Cell Phone Menace

I usually don't immediately pass drivers ahead of me in the HOV lane that are going too slow. I've found it's necessary to observe the slowbie's habits, especially if they have tinted windows.

This afternoon, I wound up behind the stereotypical frustrating hybrid driver in the HOV lane. Couldn't maintain speed up hills. Would speed way up when someone passed on the right, then slow down again for no apparent reason. I noted a speed variation between about 80 mph and just over 55 mph.

If the driver is just slow, I just pass and don't think about it any further. But when they're inconsistent in their slowness, I keep back until I can get a car or two of cushion between my rear end and their front end.

That opportunity didn't present itself today, so I had one slow ride (except for occasional quickness) home. Eventually, the slowbie ahead of me got to the right, and I passed. I glanced over and, wouldn't you know, they were on a cell phone.

I think there is enough anecdotal evidence about the dangers of drivers on their cell phones to justify immediate vehicular detonation when they're spotted...

Nothing to Say, Except "This Sucks."

Eight motorcycles rammed from behind by a dump truck this afternoon in North Phoenix. 3 dead, 6 injured.

Fuck.

A Pitfall of Helmets

Generally speaking, I love my helmet. I find I'm more comfortable wearing it than not, although I do have to live without the joys of wind in my hair. A small price to pay to avoid the sensation of pavement in my hair.

But there is a downside: itches. Somehow, there always seems to be a hair that ends up tickling my ear once I get on to the road. These itches are the itchiest itches that ever itched. It's enough to drive a biker to madness.

That Part Wasn't Supposed to Break

So last night I was tightening a bolt on the Triumph's oil pan when all of a sudden it got... looser. I did a quick mental check (righty-tighty, lefty loosey), and realized something was horribly wrong.


I reached over and pulled a nice sized chunk of metal off the motor. Awesome.


After a minor heart attack, I collected my wits and realized the bit that came off was apparently there just to hold on a small wire bracket keeping a cable out of the way of... I don't know. It's a very well-secured cable.


I'm sure I'll find out why it was there at an inopportune moment.

Maybe I Won't Ride Today.

Yes, when you hear those words out of my mouth, you know I'm either sick, or concerned about the mechanical state of the bike.

Today, I'm sick. I woke up in the middle of the night with chills - under my comfy warm blanket - and decided perhaps riding in the cold would not be a good plan. I hear uncontrollable shivering makes it hard to pilot a motorcycle, and I"m not eager to test the idea.

So I stayed home.

I hope your ride today, however, is lovely. Back to bed for me.

Scare Yourself Silly in Three Easy Steps

1. Inflate flat bicycle tire to recommended pressure before noticing tire was not 100% in place on rim.

2. Frantically try to deflate the tire and watch with growing horror while the inner tube forces its way out the gap between tire and rim, pushing more and more of the tire aside.

3. Fall over backwards on to garage floor when BANG!! the inner tube pops.


My ears hurt for half an hour after that.