|
ATLANTA IS NOT MY HOME
By Dennis Oaks
I am looking out the window of my van as I
drive down the road. The Temps are mid 70's and I begin to
see motorcycles everywhere. The warmer temps make for some
good riding and I happen to be in the market for another street
bike. I have been looking for some time now as I sold my Triumph
Trophy to a friend of mine. I looked at the new Rocket and
that looks cool and I rode the new Hammer made by Victory.
These bikes are similar to each other and both a cruiser.
The more I thought about what I really wanted I guess it's
not a cruiser. I call these 50 mile bikes, once you ride 50
Miles you want to get off. I want something I can ride 200
miles on or maybe more.
While working one day I was close to the Triumph
dealer and I Decided to take a quick drive over and see what
they had. When I arrived they had the entire lineup out side.
This just got a smile on my face as I looked at everything.
Motorcycles are like candy to me, I like them all and wish
I had a bike for everyday of the month. I rode a Triumph Sprint
st last year and really liked it, so I went over to where
they have there used bikes and looked at four. All of these
bikes happen to be customer's bikes that were there for spring
setup and not for sale. There was a guy who pulled up on a
blue one and I talked with him a while about the bike. As
I looked at the sprints I decided right there that this was
going to be my next bike. It fit me well and was a sport touring
type bike. The red one caught my eye and new this was the
color I would try and find.
The internet has made the world a very small
place. Bringing people who might not ever meet together for
buying and or selling. I have made some good friends with
bike deals, some of who I didn't even sell or buy anything
from but just met and found someone with the same interests.
I guess I really don't look for a bike but someone that I
would want to buy a bike from. This may sound strange but
I have always enjoyed the bike more when I enjoyed meeting
and talking with the person. Learning what they do and other
interest they have is all part of it.
Finding the right bike is fun. Searching and e-mailing back
and forth until the right deal comes along. Then talking with
that person on the phone makes the details somehow all work
out. Then the plans start, how do I get it home? do I ship
it? Do I drive and get it? Well this time I decided to fly
down to Atlanta and drive it back. I did this two years ago
in a car that I bought and it went great. So I booked the
flight and Given (the bikes owner) agreed to pick me up at
the airport. I needed to pack light as I was riding right
back and all I was taking was a tank bag and helmet. I could
not have picked a worse weekend for poor weather. The rain
was everywhere and a cold front was right behind it with high
winds. All I could think was" maybe there wrong "and
" it won't be that bad" well I was in for a surprise!
The weather when I landed was upper 70's and
partly cloudy. Given Picked me up and all went really well.
When we arrived at his friends house Craig) I checked out
the bike. It was awesome and pleasantly surprised. I Installed
a few items, cruise and the tank bag while Given put on the
side bags. All the while we were keeping an eye on the weather
radar. When we were finished and I was set to go there was
a storm about to hit and we decide to grab a bite to eat and
let this blow over. It rained hard and was so glad to see
the sun come back out. I jumped on the bike and said my good
byes' to given and Craig's wife and daughter. I was on my
way and stop just up the road to top off the fuel. As I pulled
in to the station the roads were wet and I was getting used
to the bike, I thought that the tank bag just didn't seem
Right to me. I top off the fuel and pulled to the side. As
I looked at the bag I discovered that I installed the tank
bag backwards! I laughed at myself and then unloaded everything
to remount the bag.
Back on the road the bike now feels great and
I keep laughing at what I did. Thinking to myself that I am
sure glad Given didn't see me doing that ( Ha HA) . The weather
was nice and I was enjoying this moment. As I headed north
it was beginning to cloud up and I knew I was going to get
wet. I played dodge ball with the weather wherever I could
but after while I said to myself just RIDE! or your never
going to get home. I rode though heavy rain, darkness, winds
and cold. Out of all the elements The cold was the toughest
to endure. I was thinking when I was packing to bring everything
I could think of to keep me warm. When I finally decide to
tough it out I put on everything warm I had then my rain suit
over that. I installed the warming mitts over the entire handle
bar controls, bakleva on my head and rain X on the shield.
It was a long ride and took 17 and1/2 hours to complete but
I made it home safe. I did run out of gas on my last fuel
stop before getting home. Cold, tired and hungry I couldn't
believe I was going to run out of gas but I did. I ended up
walking to a farm and this guy was very helpful and got me
going again.
The bike is now all cleaned up and sitting in
my garage. I am not going to ride it any time soon though.
The weather has been cold and 930 miles of that has cured
me until it hits 70 degrees!
Dennis
|
