[Author Index] [Date Index] [Thread Index]
[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next]

[no subject]



"Adrenalin - What Colour Is It Anyway?"

 Some of us wear BMW style two piece "open chin" helmets  -  you know the
type  -  where the lower chin piece can be opened by pressing two thumb
locks.  Some people have also fitted their bikes with electronic cruise
control or a version which operates on friction on the throttle - either
way
they hold the speed of the bike reasonably constant without any input from
one's throttle hand.  We also all wear gloves which invariably fasten
around
the wrist with either a velcro flap or a press stud;  some of the more
expensive types have a zip fastener as well, among other features.

 Picture if you will, one lone BMW rider with an opening chin helmet and a
pair of good quality velcro fastened gloves sailing along the Hume Highway
at 115 kph (that's all I'll admit to!!) dialled in on the electronic cruise
 control.  Weather is good, no cars in the immediate vicinity, scenery is
boring, no cops, life is good!!  Junction of highway with Albury/Wodonga
Road about 5 km away,  no need to slow down yet;  bike is running
beautifully!!   Looking forward to lunch.

 Bugger!  Is that a bee that just got into my helmet through the small gap
I've left for some fresh air?   Could be.  Well, I'll just open my helmet
visor to let him out.  Visor up ... no, the little bugger is going to be
stubborn, cantankerous even!  He's not going to leave and is now behind my
sunnies, must be tired from all that pollen hunting.  Don't want to be
stung
on the eyelid -- I'll just open the chin piece on my BMW helmet (very
handy)
and get him out .... let go of handlebars .... squeeze the release buttons
bike is nicely balanced and holding line well ... speed steady ... no cars
... this should be easy ... got the helmet open ... glasses off ... piss
off
bee! ... glasses on ... slam shut helmet ... hands back to bars ---- oh,
sheeite!  Thumbs of both gloves jammed in helmet!!!  Gloves won't move even
though I'm pulling like hell!!   Wow, this will be interesting... can't
quite press the release buttons with little fingers ... junction now 3.5 km
away ... I know, I'll just pull one or both hands out of my gloves.... no,
that doesn't work:  "velcro is good stuff,  won't come undone if you fall
off!"  I remember the salesman saying that.   He was absolutely right,
they're stuck fast,  I'd have to tear my head off first .

 Well, next brilliant idea, what if I just touched the foot brake ---
nooo,
dumb idea!  That won't work, this airhead beemer has great engine braking
and when I get to about 40 kph and can't balance the bike any longer and
the
dreaded BMW boxer wheel-wobble starts, which it will, I am going to have
major tank slappers --- sheeeiite!!  I'll be off on my bum so quick and
still hanging onto my helmet so tightly they'll have to bury me in it!!
Won't do the bike much good either!!!

 Hell, I can see the junction up ahead about one and half k's away and I
am
really starting to get the wind up ... tense even ... certain parts are
beginning to pucker ... if the lights change to red and that huge B-double
waiting at the lights is in the middle of the intersection when I get
there,
jeeesus, I'm going to be a hood ornament next to that bloody chrome bull
dog!!  Must try and pull hands really hard ... can I make them any smaller
... 800 metres ... the left one is giving a little ... maybe the gloves
are
slipping on the sweat now pouring from every pore ... 600 metres yes, yes,
that's it, they're wet with sweat ....... I am going to have to hit the
footbrake in the next few seconds ... can't hit that @#$*&@ big truck at
this speed, it might scratch his duco ... yes!  yes! ripper!   Got the left
hand out ... now hit foot brake to cancel cruise, de-clutch and slow bike
with foot brake ... steer for the shoulder ... slowing down ... slide
foot... stop ... ease out clutch to stall bike ... side stand down ...
switch off bike with left hand,  right hand still glued to helmet ...
tintops going past must think I've got toothache ... fall off into grass
...
lay there for 5 minutes till the shaking stops and the adrenaline rush
dissipates... now release helmet with left hand and remove sweat soaked
head.  Breathe out ---- shizer!  Was that ever close!  I'll buy a Tatts
ticket in Albury!

 When I had recovered, I realised there were two observation here:-
No. 1:
It's not a good idea to open or shut your helmet when on the move.  and
No.
2:   Did you know, "adrenalin" is brown!!


     *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *
      The ST/RS Mailing list is sponsored by Jack Lilley Ltd.
          http://www.TriumphNet.com/st/lilley for more info
   http://www.TriumphNet.com/st for ST, RS and Mailing List info

=-=-=-= Next Message =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=