Get off the bike!
 

Was going to run some errands on the little thumper today. Within a few blocks of the house I knew I didn’t need to be on the bike.

I’ve intended to ask this for a long time now. Anyone else have these “get off the bike days”?

Here are what mine are like.

1. Things just don’t feel right (very general…but enough said. I think everyone here has had that feeling.).
2. “Stop first then turn situations” are done as if I have only been riding for 6 months. Even though the speed is slow I have to make corrections during the turn. ie. The turn is not smooth natural feeling.
3. Curves. Uncomfortable feeling as if I’m in my first year of riding. Readjustments in speed and lean made during the curve that I don’t normally do on THAT curve or any other.
4. Stops. I have to think about it. My “feet on pavement” pattern is different from normal. Doesn’t feel right. Tend to use the hand brake more than usual at last second. May even twist front wheel and lean forward to rebalance bike.
5. “Long run”. During long runs between stops I think something is wrong with the way the bike feels. I tend to try to find things wrong with the bike.

Now in my case this could just be Alzheimer’s disease. (Or for those of you older than me “old timer’s disease.) But actually it has been present for me since I was in my 40s.

Does any one else experience this? Do you listen to “the inner voice”?

I have blamed this on inner ear infections, sinus infections, etc. But in reality when I have these medical conditions I stay off the bike anyway.

I am talking about days when you feel great. Yet nothing goes right on the bike and you know you should get off the bike.

Re: Get off the bike!
 

With the exception of the "days when you feel great" part, I recognize these symptoms. I haven't had them too much on the bike yet, but I have had them doing other activities that require focus, concentration and some coordination (skiing, playing the piano, racquetball, lifting weights.)

For example, one day I just could not get 185 pounds back up into the rack. I'd been lifting that much (6 reps) and more for a year, but, for whatever reason, I just didn't have anything. Had to dump the weights off. Ended up lowering my whole routine since then cause you don't know when it will strike. There are days I just get up and walk away from the piano cause I just don't have it and I'm not only wasting time, but practicing (learning) bad habits. There are days on the mountains where I can ski anything at full tilt and others where I am afraid to get off the lift.

I chalk it up a little to age and a little to a natural waxing and waning of one's abilities. It's sort of the opposite of being in the zone. When I was training for marathons, there were days I could run nine minute miles (fast for me, slow by most standards) for 15 miles. On other days, I struggled just to get through 8 miles at any speed. Over time, I've learned to do less and spend more time resting and recovering.

I ride the bike almost every day, and, yes, there are days I probably shouldn't be on it. On those days, I just lower my envelope of operation and raise my level of consciousness. In truth, for my commute, you don't need to be very adept to get through it. It's very short and very easy.

I have had whole days (and weeks) where I couldn't do anything right: stub my toe, hit my head, miss a meeting, can't remember my phone number, etc. I expect these will come more frequently in the future.

McCain fans, take note! (I am "only" 50.)

Re: Get off the bike!
 

I have wierd days sort of like that, mine is mainly riding highway speeds. Some days I will ride down the highway and will be just as comfortable as I am in a car, then there will be those days where I just can't shake this kind of nervousness that can only be compared to the first time I got up to highway speed on the GZ, I just feel like I am holding on for dear life the whole time I am riding, Sometimes I listen to this feeling and not ride or go back to the house(if I can), other times I just force myself to ride through it(not really such a good idea IMO) but I sometimes do it anyways. I have yet to figure out where this feeling comes from, but it is very wierd.

Like Graydog said, it is just this "something doesn't feel right" feeling, that I just can't shake for that whole day, then the next day everything will be back to normal.

[sidenote] I live out in the country, so any ride I take requires me to ride 8-10 miles at highway speed, which makes this problem all the more serious.

Later

Re: Get off the bike!
 

I had the same feelings the first year of owning my Shadow (after owning the GZ). I had 'weird' days that i just did not feel like i should be on the bike. Funny you bring it up because i totally forgot about it. There were a few days i just felt like 'wtf am i doing ... i know how to ride a dam bike' lol. Those 'off' days ... yep.

I havent had them since. I cant recall a day in the past year that ive had that problem. I guess it just wears off.

Re: Get off the bike!
 

Yes. Like you said, for whatever reason, there are days when you feel like crap and KNOW that you shouldn't be on the bike. That's one thing.

The "other" thing is really pretty strange.....for me, at least. An otherwise normal day when I feel fine and nothing usual has happened.......until I get on the bike and it's almost like I have NEVER ridden before; kinda seems like the "bike" cells in the brain aren't firing right. I park the bike and take the car.

This has happened to me once or twice a riding season for a LONG time.....maybe 15 years. That would mean that it started about 45.....or maybe that's just the first time I remember it.
Now I am in the habit of taking a 3/4 mile "test" run right at the beginning, including a sharp turn-around and 3/4 mile back. If things don't feel right, it goes back in the garage because in the past I have tried to "ride through it" and it just doesn't seem to work.

Oddly enough, those incidents don't seem to be getting any more frequent, at least for me. I've only had one this year, early in the season. I did stop smoking about a year ago, tobacco, that is. :cool:

Re: Get off the bike!
 

Everyone has an off day every now and then. When you ride daily it's bound to affect your riding. There are some days you should not be on a bike (and probably should have stayed in bed). Thank god I don't get them very often because those are the days when I could commit a first degree whoop-shit.

:whistle: :skull: :whistle:

Re: Get off the bike!
 

Interesting topic and one that should concern all riders. I too have had "OFF" days which are pretty scary when you think of all the bad things that can happen. Too much sleep, not enough sleep, medical condition, just a general feeling of not enough awareness and coordination today. I stayed off the bike one day b/c the air didn't smell right. Good thing too b/c the cage was a challenge that day.
Might even be a day off for the Angel who flies along side of me while riding. Rather be safe than sorry.

Re: Get off the bike!
 

I think the "inner voice" is good to listen to, but don't stress over it too much if your "hearing" is not as good on some days.

14 months ago I was in a motorcycle accident that has heightened my perceptions on the road, and that includes deciding not to ride on days when "things" just don't feel right.

If you commute by motorcycle, maybe you need to take a weekend (or day off) ride to a not-too-crowded road you haven't been on for awhile. Don't be in a hurry and enjoy the ride.

Good luck.

Re: Get off the bike!
 

I listen to my inner voice. After 26,000 miles on my GZ250 if something doesn't feel right something is wrong. So far, every time this has happened I found something. A bolt loose, the chain needing adjustment, or something not fastened.

Re: Get off the bike!
 

This happens occasionally to me also. If I'm already out then I pull in somewhere for a cup of coffee. Seems like me and the bike both settle down a bit with a 15 minute break.
Who said they were 50? I can't even remember 50! I've got shoes older than you are. The 60's are the new 30's.

Chris, retired and active near Atlanta

Re: Get off the bike!
 

Yup, been there done that. I went through a stage where nothing would feel right half the time. Stopped for coffee and a smoke to get it together. Climbed back on the bike and everything felt just so darn good it was amazing. Must be a "DO OVER" kind of thing. Also 60+ and retired.

Re: Get off the bike!
 

There's damn little I do that I don't do better with coffee. When I gave up the cigs, I just doubled my coffee habit.

It's not only legal, but you don't even need a prescription!

Re: Get off the bike!
 

When I took the MSF course they talked about this. They said you should be in the right frame of mind when riding. Never ride when sick, angry, sad, stressed out, etc.

Re: Get off the bike!
 

That sorts of limits the riding days a bit, don't you think? All for the good, I guess.

With summer safely behind, I try to pick the days to look forward to my next ride. Weather permitting and the chores done, its a great reward to get out and ride. I just returned from an awesome Autumn 111-mile ride in the sunshine and temps in the low 50's. It all felt good and the Guzzi ran great (57mpg).

Re: Get off the bike!
 

I think, to a certain extent, the more you ride, the more comfortable and capable you get. I was a bit late today for a friend's concert, so I pushed myself to hit the freeway in spite of my general discomfort with it. I did about 13 miles and was pleased to discover:

1) I am starting to be able to maintain 60 plus.
2) I'm getting a little more used to the wiggle waggle of the rougher patches. Not real comfortable, but less on edge.
3) It's not all the same - there are concrete parts that are not too bad and there are paved parts that are a welcome relief.

I'm finding the riding rough roads at speed is a little like airplane trubulence. You are as good as your worst previous experience. With the plane, eventually you realize that it apparently takes something pretty heavy duty to cause a problem. With the bike, I guess you start to be able to ignore all the wiggling, waggling and bouncing around and realize the bike is going to stay upright for the most part. I'm going to keep on hitting the freeway periodically until I get used to it.

Re: Get off the bike!
 

I'm finding that to be the key for me. Saturday's ride back from Elsinore was my longest stretch of freeway driving yet-some 55 miles on 4 different freeways: I-15 to the 91, to the 55 to the 22. Interstate 15, which you'd think would have the lightest traffic, was the worst with the 4 accidents in 8 miles that I mentioned in the other thread. Coming west on the 91, I was trying to decide if I wanted to try and and merge over through 80+ MPH traffic to get on the 55 south or just stay on the 91 to Buena Park. By the time I actually got to the 55, traffic had slowed down enough that I was able to merge over with no problems.

Re: Get off the bike!
 

Yes, I have had those moments or days. Some days I just really don't feel like going for a ride and my husband really wants to go so I go anyways. On some of those days I just feel like I have been hit by a case of dumbshit. I know I haven't been riding long but more often than not I feel pretty confident when riding. I think it is just a bad day or a lack of confidence kind of day. When the ride is all said and done I am glad I went because I overcame the dumbshit feeling and I am all about succeeding at what ever I do.

Re: Get off the bike!
 

Biorhythms! When you're hot you're hot, when you're not you're not! Sometimes you just feel like you're snakebit and sometimes you'll feel ready to throw Lucifer himself on his ass.

When I'm not in the groove and climb onto one of the rodeo horses he will let me know, conclusively, my head aint in the game.

My quarter horse stud will shamelessly toss my ass when his empathy tells him I didn't bring my A game.

I try to listen to those inner voices and adjust my behavior accordingly. Some days recreation is the scoot, some days it's the MR2, some days it's the diesel dually.

There's safety in mass and danger in ignoring those inner voices.

Re: Get off the bike!
 

Generally, I pride myself on being a pretty scientific sort, but I have to admit, there is definitely an ebb and flow to the mind/body connection. I'm also a little bipolar and, during the all-too-brief "euphoric" stages, I'm definitely a different person than the rest of time.

Re: Get off the bike!
 

A very good friend was killed on a club ride one day. He had said he wasn't feeling well and later lost it in a corner and was run over by a truck.

yesterday was the first day I did not ride to work since June. I wasn't feeling well and so I drove the truck. Some lessons are hard.

Re: Get off the bike!
 

Wow! You guys really got me thinking. I never noticed this kind of thing when I was younger, but with age and experience (and brains) I know you are right. Some days i go to shoot pool and everything just lines up. I can see every shot before I make it, and I am actually surprised when I miss. Other days I find myself missing a lot, and really having to force myself to concentrate. If you don't feel right its probably better to stay off the bike :cool: . Ditto on the inner voice too. I have learned that I ignore it at my peril. Fortunately I have been able to stay alive and learn from my mistakes. I have been in plenty of hairy situations. Most of them were my own fault, I was an idiot kid looking for trouble. If you look for trouble you will find it. Anyway, they waived my criminal record and let me join the military. I was sent to Desert Storm, and this really forced me to grow up. The old saying that there are no atheists in foxholes is the truth. One time a guy in a semi truck was coming toward me on a two-lane road, and a little voice said, "MOVE OVER". Fortunately I did, because he swerved over so far that I had to get off the road to avoid him! I think the bottom line is that God loves you and doesn't want you squished. :)

Re: Get off the bike!
 

I know this is a really old thread, but as someone, Patrick I think, pointed out recently, it's okay to re-open them when there is good stuff in them and we could all use to revisit the issues again. Strangely enough, I've noticed something similar to this recently when I drive an automobile. I ride the bike almost exclusively now and a few weeks ago I got home and needed to take the truck to Lowe's, man did it feel weird and I was having trouble driving, but I couldn't figure out how to carry plywood on my bike so I toughed it out. O_o

Humor aside, yeah, if you don't feel "right" on the bike, don't push it if you have a choice. :rawk:

Re: Get off the bike!
 

Yes, I think we all have those moments.

I have not had any in a long time.

Just back it down and ride safe, the next ride, you will wonder what was going on.

Re: Get off the bike!
 

I had plans for a ride today but called it off. After yesterday's bike checks, crawling around, a slightly sprained wrist and various old guy symptoms this morning I thought "NO WAY". I swear I have pain where there are no body parts. Tomorrow is another day.

Re: Get off the bike!
 

Old dude pain? Are there any days without it? :retard:


:)

Re: Get off the bike!
 

Actually most days are pain free. I did go through a period after retirement and a new bike where I hurt big time. It was mostly bike related and I was able to make adjustments to the bike. I still hurt from all the activity of bike checks 2 days ago. My legs mostly. All the get up, get down, half crouch kind of thing. There is a reason for bike lifts in dealer shops.

Re: Get off the bike!
 

i get this stuff all the time, im not even 30 yet, some days i can ride like a complete nut and other days im barely avoiding an off, ive had a few bad smashes and put half of this down to the confidence knock and some self preservation kicking in, i caught a pot hole badly the other night and for the next 20 miles to see my mate i was riding like a tool, just couldnt get my head back into it after getting flustered

before my really bad smash at 22 i was a loon on the road, i raced but was faster on the roads, i was planning on entering the manx, i could happily sit at 160 all day long, now i barely touch a 100

i must say dropping back to a small bikes started to get my confidence back quite quickly and im just taking my time with it all again now, relearning step by step

i guess these feelings are just self preservation and some primitive part of the brain interfering with riding, i used to have them as a kid but they were easy to put to the back of my mind then
now its more i cant afford a crash, break my arm again lose use of my hand kinda stuff, if i get them i just roll it down abit or go find a nice lit road n just bimble for a while til my heads back in the game

on another note tho, does anyone feel like they have an angel watching them ??
on many occasions ive been about to jump a bridge or full chat a blind bend and have had a voice in my head screaming slam on to me
round the bend etc and theres been an accident all over the road, which if i hadnt braked for would of been game over for me
all these times you couldnt know it was there and must of just happened moments ago
is it just me am i a bit nuts like hahaha ??

Re: Get off the bike!
 

Guardian Angels do exist in our lives. My Angel also has a cousin called Common Sense and a friend named Self Preservation. When I first started driving many years ago I would ignore all 3 but then Blind Luck stepped in to save my butt. I have since learned to make their jobs easier.

Re: Get off the bike!
 

well i get those days where i get on my bike take it for a spin and something tells me just drive it back home and park it, something about riding does not feel right today, it happens to the best of us i think. maybe your just tired or feeling kind of week or lousy that day or something along those lines.

if you feel like that constantly, not a good sign but on the occasional day it happens just park the bike and try again tomorrow.

Re: Get off the bike!
 

I certainly have some days when I'm more "there" than others. I don't leave the bike home unless I'm actually sick. I always keep a second self monitoring the primary self, keeping track of how "there" I am. On the not so "there" days I compensate - slow down, force myself to pay attention to the most important factors, not worry so much about being in the best form.

I think it comes from a couple of factors. First is all the motorcycle touring I've done. Unless I want to sit around a motel all day, I have to ride, so I adapt to the internal conditions just as I would to less than ideal external conditions such as weather or traffic. And, of course, after 6 or 8 hours riding (with breaks every hour or so), no one is as good as they are at the beginning of the day. If you want to tour, you just have to accept that. But, with experience comes the instinct to be aware of your limitations and work harder at survival skills.

The other factor is I just tend to ride so much, so many miles, even on a bad day I'm not all that bad. I do need to be aware of it, and adjust accordingly.

Re: Get off the bike!
 

And it's a good time of the year to mention that NOBODY who takes a few months off should ASSume that they can jump right back on the bike like they never left.

Sweeping turns gave me a problem on my Shadow for a few months right after I got it. The actual turn went OK but I had a VERY nervous feeling while IN the turn......just because the feed-back I was getting was different than what I was used to. Finally got over that BUT..........here we are after a few months off and that nervous feeling is BACK.

Got to find some low traffic, sweeping turns and re-train my mind/muscle memory again. :roll:

Re: Get off the bike!
 

Your muscles have Alzheimers.

Good point though. Everyone should re-acclimate themselves with their bikes before doing any long or twisty rides in traffic. People's lose their balance and feel for the movement of the bike - not to mention gain weight - during the winter months.

Re: Get off the bike!
 

Well that explains it. My bike gets fat over the winter months with lack of exercise. :roll:

Re: Get off the bike!
 

For me,
even after changing the gears; especially with boots and gloves, I felt differences when riding. ^^;

:blush:

Re: Get off the bike!
 

Mine just asked me the other day "Do these saddlebags make my butt look fat?".

But seriously, this is also the time of year for sand in the corners, very bad road surface, people not used to seeing bikes, colder road surfaces (less traction), etc. etc. I'm talking about places North of the Equator that have Winter, of course.

Re: Get off the bike!
 

I finally got out riding yesterday. Last ride was a month ago and a short one too boot. Rode 130 km (80 miles) total. Did a concentrated effort on handling the curves and smoothness of control. Must have worked b/c I was able to do a downhill left hander at 2x the posted limit. This was near the end of the ride when muscle memory was working with me. I continue to be amazed at the handling of this Vstrom. Although it is far from a sport bike it is all I do need. It's abilities are greater than mine.

Re: Get off the bike!
 

I take the same route to school every day. I think my muscles remember what to do! Sometimes if I go a different way I get a weird feeling, like I'm going to 'wrong' way, or if I make a stop at the bank or the store it's really weird for me. Also, after days of riding the bike I feel SO WEIRD getting back in my Jeep. The steering is okay but my braking skills are damaged, haha! I forget that it takes like 3x the distance to stop at a light in the Jeep.

I think a lot of this stuff has to do with being slightly dehydrated, the weather, not having enough coffee, and just weird stuff that happens on the road. Today I got caught in the rain for the first time in months and I had to consciously think "stay out of the middle where the oil is!" I almost stopped at a red light in a huge puddle of it. Ugh. Sometimes when I go to stop at lights I have to talk to myself, like downshift. keep it straight. front brake, back brake, foot down. It's weird. Most days I just do stuff without even thinking about it. I'm still a n00b though (it's only been like 9 months!) so maybe that's it.

Re: Get off the bike!
 

Talking to yourself is good. Just don't do it in a crowded mall. Don't ask me how I know. :whistle:

Re: Get off the bike!
 

Just don't answer yourself. O_o

Re: Get off the bike!
 

Ooooh, never thought of that. How well does it work for you ? :whistle: