I MUST BE THE ONLY STUPID ONE!

[Bam Bam and Pebbles]

I guess everybody is right about me, I am an idiot. Here is why.

I see everybody posting about their great rides on Sunday. 65 degrees, sunny. Unlike all you smart people riding today, I decided to take a ride Saturday to see my brother who is in a DC hospital with a really bad leg. I decided to ride the Beast there, even though the temperature during my ride would not get above 44 degrees. Of course my wife tried to talk me into taking my truck, but since I had to work Friday night and not get off until 7am Saturday morning, I figured I would probably fall asleep at the wheel on the way home Saturday night. No matter how long I have been up, I don't get tired riding the Beast, and I was about to go about 30 hours without sleep. So I left at 8:30am Saturday morning, temp was 28 degrees in Rural Hall, but sunny. 340 miles and a couple of gas and cig stops later I am at the hospital. Stay with my brother until 5pm, and it is time to leave, 44 degrees and sun is already going down. Another 340 miles and 3 gas and cig stops I arrive home at 11pm Saturday night. 36 degrees when I got home but the worst part was watching the temp drop 6 degrees at the Virginia, NC state line in 5 minutes. Got down to 34 degrees at the coldest part of the ride. Gotta be honest, it did get a bit chilly out there. Doing 80 mph in that kinda cold makes a man tighten up a bit. Shoulders and neck were sore when I got home, but everything was good when all the smart people were out in the nice weather on Sunday. I did get out during that, but only to wash the salt off the Beast. Had to get some sleep before going in to work tonight. Anyway, after about 700 miles, near freezing temps and salt baths, the Beast performed like a CHAMP!!!

 

[Peter Aawen]

What's stupid about getting out there on your Spyder in conditions that challenged you enough to make the ride exhilarating AND enabled you spend some meaningful time with your brother?? :thumbup:

Staying at home woulda been a waste of a day, so between that, what you did, or the alternative of a boring doodle in the park without anything exciting to add to it except maybe feeling a little guilty cos you hadn't seen your brother as well, & I know which one I'd choose every time!! nojoke

But then again, maybe I'm not such a great example; I have been known to ride over 2000 miles in solid rain all the way on a weekend just to spend the day with an ageing Aunt!!

 

[cptjam]

Nice!

You got a good ride in, saw your brother, had a great Time! With the right gear, not so bad! The sleep deprivation piece is rough, but you made it! Nice job! Joe

 

[Bfromla]

:hun:Only stupid would have been if you ended up at hospital (wrecked) to be visited yourself not the other way around & if :ani29: Was out of commission. But you made it thru & more experienced from it. Hope your brother comes out ok & yall can wash the spyder after a more pleasant trip:thumbup: Say spyderfest So you missed a day (with good reason) their will be more. Better to miss a day riding than missing family.

 

[Chupaca]

No your not...

Glad you made the trip. I'm sure your brother is too. :thumbup: know you would do it again...all the best to your brother ray:

 

[Bam Bam and Pebbles]

It's funny. I have driven my truck 3 separate times, 3200 miles in 47 hours, and only get tired the last couple hours. Stopping only for food, gas and bathroom breaks. And they better be all at the same time. LOL. But if I stop driving for any reason longer than 30 minutes, I just might fall asleep if I have been awake for a day or so. I psych myself up for the longer drives but add a little stop in there, and I have trouble. Riding the Beast helps keep me awake. Guess next time I ride in the cold I should wear my Ski coat. I go over 80mph on my skis and I don't get cold. Just figure it was a bit too bulky to ride in.

Thanks for the good thoughts on my brother. He has been fighting to keep his leg from being amputated for the past two years. This visit is the closest he has come to it.

 

[Brian Kay]

I thought your story was going to say... With all of us in the deep south, riding around in 65+ temps, you were stupid for not moving further south from where you live??? Why battle the cold temps for 6 months???

 

[MouthPiece]

If you had been wearing one of Ron's thermal suits, you would have been as warm as toast.

Chris

 

[Bob Denman]

Glad to hear that you made it, and we'll keep your Brother in our thoughts and prayers... ray:ray:

 

[Bam Bam and Pebbles]

If you had been wearing one of Ron's thermal suits, you would have been as warm as toast.

Chris

Half of me was toasty. Had insulated coveralls. I also had my heavy lined riding jacket, a sweatshirt and a long sleeve shirt on. Thought it would be enough. Next time, ski coat.

 

[Bam Bam and Pebbles]

I thought your story was going to say... With all of us in the deep south, riding around in 65+ temps, you were stupid for not moving further south from where you live??? Why battle the cold temps for 6 months???

I love where I live. 2 hours from skiing and 3 1/2 hours from the beach. Can't beat it. And I ride every week. Just not 700 miles in the cold weather.

 

[blacklightning]

Glad you were able to make the trip and see your brother. I wanted to ride on saturday to visit my uncle in the rest home, but I had some items to take with me that couldn't fit on the spyder. The 28 degrees here in the morning was also a deciding factor as well.
BTW, where is Rural, NC? Sounds like you might not be too far from us. We are in the Apex area. I also love the idea of being able to be in the mountains in 3 hours, and at the coast in about 2 1/2 hours as well. I prefer the mountains though. Maybe we will meet and ride one day:thumbup:.

 

[JayBros]

Half of me was toasty. Had insulated coveralls. I also had my heavy lined riding jacket, a sweatshirt and a long sleeve shirt on. Thought it would be enough. Next time, ski coat.

My compliments on making a tough ride to see your brother. I'll bet if you'd worn a heavy 100% wool shirt you'd have been a good bit more comfortable. Remember the cold maxim about anything cotten, cotton's rotten.

 

[Bob Denman]

:shocked: If I may ask... :shocked:
What is causing the problems with your brother's leg?
(I ask because I've been a Type I Diabetic for almost 51 years now. I've had two episodes with my legs that got a bit too close for comfort...)

 

[ARtraveler]

Any ride that you enjoy--regardless--is a good one.

If it becomes an endurance test, then not so good.

Sounds like you were in the enjoy category. :yes::yes:

 

[Bam Bam and Pebbles]

:shocked: If I may ask... :shocked:
What is causing the problems with your brother's leg?
(I ask because I've been a Type I Diabetic for almost 51 years now. I've had two episodes with my legs that got a bit too close for comfort...)

No real root cause. Just poor circulation. Doesn't run in the family. Kinda like me. Kidneys failed 24 years ago. Dialysis for 8 years. Kidney transplant 15 years ago. Kidney problems don't run in the family either. Neither of us diabetic. Just poor Mosgrober male luck.

 

[Bam Bam and Pebbles]

Glad you were able to make the trip and see your brother. I wanted to ride on saturday to visit my uncle in the rest home, but I had some items to take with me that couldn't fit on the spyder. The 28 degrees here in the morning was also a deciding factor as well.
BTW, where is Rural, NC? Sounds like you might not be too far from us. We are in the Apex area. I also love the idea of being able to be in the mountains in 3 hours, and at the coast in about 2 1/2 hours as well. I prefer the mountains though. Maybe we will meet and ride one day:thumbup:.

Rural Hall is just north of winston salem. Maybe we can get together someday and ride some twisties.

 

[Bob Denman]

No real root cause. Just poor circulation. Doesn't run in the family. Kinda like me. Kidneys failed 24 years ago. Dialysis for 8 years. Kidney transplant 15 years ago. Kidney problems don't run in the family either. Neither of us diabetic. Just poor Mosgrober male luck.

My Missus just had her new kidney turn 10! (January 23rd... :yes:
She only did dialysis for 6 Months. Her best friend turned out to be an excellent match!
Poor circulation is never a fun thing... They tell you to exercise in order to improve it, and the exercise causes such MIZZERABUL cramping; that you can't stand it... :banghead:

 

[Bam Bam and Pebbles]

My brother is pretty active and the cramps are what gets him too. My dad was a match for me but I told the Dr. to make up an excuse because I didn't want to take his kidney. He wasn't in the best of health and I figured that might just make him worse. Good thing was I got to spend 8 years with my boys playing mr mom when they were both young. Sounds funny but I wouldn't trade that 8 years of dialysis for anything.