bad weather Nomad but this is crazy

[peterdarby]

I don't mind riding in the rain but Saturday was insane. I camped out near Beckley Va. Friday night after a straight run down from Manassas VA via the interstates. I spent Friday at an archery event shooting my longbow and enjoying the day. Saturday morning looked to be a nice day at 0630 in the morning. I packed the bike and decided to head back through the mountains for a day of twisting mountain roads. I headed NW toward Charleston then cut up through the mountains. As I turned off the interstate it started to drizzle. I figured putting on my rain suit would soon have the sun shining down. Wrong! It got worse and worse. From 0930 to 1530 or so it didn't rain it poured. I didn't have to stop for a drink I could just open my mouth and drink. Periodically the road would have little streams crossing it with a healthy mix of mud and gravel. I spent the entire time at full alert riding through the twisties. Throttle, brake, lean, countersteer and above all don't make a mistake. About 1530 I told the GPS to take me home and it took me out of the mountains and into the flat land. I stopped at a DQ for a rest and a group of bikers also stopped. As I stripped off my sodden gloves, rain suit and tried to get my shoulders to unlock I looked at their clean bikes and dry warm t-shirts and I just didn't have the heart to engage them in conversation. By the time I got home I had shooting pains in my throttle hand. My shoulders hurt, lower back was sore and my legs were stiff. When I finally got home about 1930 I decided Sunday would be a good time to unload the bike and dry everything off. I have decided that I like riding the mountain roads but not so much in a storm and not for ten hours. How was your weekend? By the way, how was your weekend?

[peterdarby]

Try not to look to hard at the grammer. It has been a hard weekend. By the way Beckley is in WVA not VA. However, Manassas is in VA near Washington DC if your interested.

[glwilson]

Bet you'll talk about that trip for many years... and I'll even bet to some degree it will be with fond memories. Things are funny like that sometimes... where some of the most miserable experiences are looked upon in a better light years later.

A similar experience happened to me, only it involved camping, canoing, and portaging up in the boundary-waters of Canada. It about killed me when it happened. I hated most of the trip (due to the weather and other occurrences). And I vowed to never do it again.

Well, I haven't done it ever again; but every time my buddy, (who went with me), and I get together we talk invariably about that trip as if it were a great time. I am not so sure we actually talk as much about those times we had that actually were great. Strange how that works sometimes.

Anyway... had a great weekend.

(Regarding correcting any post you make... you can click on the "modify" button on the upper-right of your post and it will bring you back to where you can edit it and spell-check it if you want.)

[Cajunrider]

I had never ridden in the rain until my trip to Custer. I was able to ride in torrential downpours and hail and stiff crosswinds and head winds. Neither of them are a pleasure and will flat wear a person out physically and mentally. I am working this weekend so I didn't get to ride. It didn't matter so much anyway being the temperatures have been in the upper 90's with extreme humidity. Picture yourself riding through a huge sauna.

[nomad561]

Just think what it would have been like without a windshield

[waterman]

peter, know what you mean about driving in rain. However, the pucker factor takes over when the lightning starts and you have no where to hide.

[bobhamlin]

Originally Posted by peterdarby

I spent Friday at an archery event shooting my longbow and enjoying the day.

I picture the bow being carried diagonally across your back with the string across your chest? Arrow feathers sticking out of the quiver that is attached to the right saddlebag guard? You used a throttle lock or cruise control to free up both hands as you approached a game animal or a badly-behavin' cager?

btw-- This WILL turn into a great story. Legendary stories that help to teach the next generation ALWAYS involve hardship. That's why we walked 8 miles to school, barefoot, in waist deep snow, uphill in both directions.

[patmahoney]

As others have said that will be a trip you will look back on more fondly in the future than you do today. I think this happens out of the pride we feel in our ability to endure tough circumstances.

By the way I had a great weekend, we finally had a weekend without rain!! Actually had to put some sun screen on my pale Irish skin to keep from burning. Was able to get about 300 miles of comfortable cruising around the South Shore of Massachusetts.

[markusmaximus]

My brother once told me that you're not a true biker until you have ridden through some hellish elements. I think you earned your colors this weekend. Welcome to the club.

[skeeter]

Aint life Grand!