Topic: I am a brat when I can't ride! How 'bout you?

[Hope]

I know I can't be the only one.  I really feel that anyone who is passionate about riding feels the same.  I wait all week for Saturday, so that I can put 100+ miles on 'er, and ride like I have no destination.  When strange things happen, and for some reason -any reason- I can't ride, I turn into a total brat.  No, I don't want to work on the bike today, no I don't want to cut the grass today, and why the hell did it have to rain on my Saturday?!?!

I want to throw myself down, and kick and scream until I get my way...  because it's my freaking Saturday, and I want to freaking ride!

However, I've never acted out like how I feel like acting out.  But once I saw someone who did.... AND I TOTALLY RELATED. 

A few years ago, I went to a local bike shop for a part.  I just needed one part and a little labor and I would be riding off into the sunset.  Oh, sweetness...  I was salivating at the thought of tootling around without a care in the world.

Up to the parts counter comes a boy, about 13 or 14, I guess, and his dad.  Boy has a nail or something in his tire.  Shop explains to dad and boy that the shop is backed up and it will be Monday before they can fix the tire.  Shop is backed up, service closes early on Saturday, blah blah blah.  Boy says loudly, "But dad, you said it was my weekend to ride.  You said I could ride this weekend, and I want to ride this weekend.  It's my weekend to ride...."  Boy goes on and on, throwing a tantrum, really makes a scene.

Owner of the shop comes and asks if I have been helped, and I said that I had been helped, that I was just waiting on a part.  Owner apologizes for me having to see this scene.  I was thinking to myself, "what scene?!?!?  That is exactly how I feel when I can't ride - in fact that's how I feel about standing behind this parts counter, when I could be riding blissfully somewhere if I didn't need this damned part."

I could relate so well to that little boy throwing a tantrum that it wasn't even funny.  I mean, I really felt for the boy.  God, I know how he feels.

Some may say that he was an ill-mannered spoiled brat who needs his ass whooped.  I say that he was just saying everything that I feel like saying when I am doing anything but riding.  (However, I'm not against whooping brats' asses, but I didn't think this particular tantrum merited anyone having their ass whooped.)

This story is on my mind because I just dropped Cassandra off at the shop this morning.  20 mins to crank, battery was mostly drained by the time she did crank, ran like sh*t, missing...  I was at the point where my gut tells me its the timing, but I just didn't want to work on her.... in fact, I really needed to get to work instead of taking 20 mins to crank her.  Oh well, took the lazy route and dropped 'er off at the shop.  Friendly shop guy made some suggestions as to what I could do to get her back tip-top.  Frustrated, I said, "Look, your job is to fix 'er.  My job is to get on and ride."

I want 'er to crank on the 1st kick.  No more of this b.s.'ing around for 20 minutes.  It's something minor I know, but dammit it's my freaking weekend to ride!!!!!

[ledbetter]

Yup I get the same way

Ledbetter

[mcpuffett]

Its my weekend for riding to, wifes at work tonight then off for 2 days  , weathers ok tomorrow  , but sunday when i could be riding ,wind & rain , , but if its dry at 8am i'm off & if i get wet well i get wet  all part of the fun  ,   cheers mick.

[tsflstb]

If you have young kids...every weekend is like that.  I'm lucky to still have a bike in the garage, but it's mostly there to taunt me these days.

[TwoTired]

Why oh Why can't I pass on these easy shots....


What makes you think riding has has any relation to you being a brat?









Sorry, just a joke!! 

[333]

I can relate, but...

Regarding the scene you witnessed.  It sounds to me that some kid needs to learn how to change a tire.  A pair of spoons and a tube and that kid could be riding.

[medic09]

Yep, I know how it feels.  I have a perfectly good car, but I only drive it out of need about once a month.  Rain or shine, I ride my commute every day until there's ice on the roads.  It's my therapy.  If either/both of my rides are down for some reason, I'm tempted not to go to work or school or wherever IF I CAN'T RIDE TO GET THERE!  'Course, I don't exactly throw myself on the floor; but it does put a dent in my day for sure.

[UnCrash]

If I'm not riding I'm ususlly thinking about it.

When I lost a tappet adjustment nut up a couple weeks ago I was heartbroken and frustrated.  When I found it up under the valve cover and got the bike back together and rode it into work it was a truly happy day. 

I was practically giddy all day.

Wait,






I was giddy.




I totally get your pain.

[mikedialect]

you just need several bikes

There was a few weeks this summer I didn't have one to ride as I was waiting for money for parts... but other than that I've been lucky enough to have one running at all times. Right now I have THREE running... which is rare. I'm working on getting the fourth running right now as I get ready to bring the 5th bike into the shed.

[fuzzybutt]

wife told me today i'm a total $#it when i cant ride lol. i've decided rather than buy another horse to replace the one that died, i'll take the 2000 i was going to spend and put a down payment down on a nice, new thruxton or maybe even a speed triple.

[Hope]

Yeah, I am with you on having more than 1 to ride.  Usually Cassandra starts right up, with few problems... so I really don't long for a second motorcycle too much...  but I am also in the middle of building a cafe racer....  the progress on my cafe build is going really slow.  however, I work full time, and go to school, and do freelance web design.  I am spread really thin... 

This is the 1st time I put Cassandra in the shop in 5 yrs, and it was because I am just sooooo short on time that I wouldn't have time to do fix her and get the grass cut and study and work on the web sites....  It was out of sheer convenience that I put 'er in the shop.  But the purpose of this thread wasn't to talk about mechanical problems, because I think the problem is a simple one like timing or the spark plugs, something easily remedied but something I just couldn't be bothered with at that moment.

One of these days everything will come together and I will be able to ride any/every time that I want again... In fact I'm working on it... I'm gonna scoop up a set of saddlebags and ride 'er to work and school.  I usually drive my car when I have to go to work and school because I don't like wearing my backpack, but with a set of saddlebags, there will be no reason to keep her parked.

Less pouting, more riding!!!  YAY!!!

[Raul CB750K1]

I like riding, but with little kids, I have a hard time finding the time to ride. Some sundays I have to choose between staying in bed or waking up early to ride. Many times I choose the former, my body doesn't have trouble staying up late but have a hard time waking up regarless of the time of day.


In any case, dealing with my old bikes I've learned that there are many things that delay your plans. A nut that hasn't return from the chromer doesn't let you install the front forks, therefore doesn't let you install the wheel and have the frame ready to install the engine. So, you either sit in frustration or change your plans.

The same goes with riding. IT's rainy today and my plan to ride is ruined? Then let's change the plan and do whatever I planned to do tomorrow, and let's ride tomorrow. I've learned not to get pissed off because of things not under my control, like a nail in the tire, a needed part or the wheather.

[mrblasty]

I'm a regular #$%* when I don't get to ride.  I'm addicted to the smell of exhaust and gas fumes.