Out of gas
I went on another trip out to The Bike Yard (which is way north of Toronto, just past Caledon) because the rear-tire that John had ordered for me had arrived. Given enough time, I could now put new tires on my motorbike, adjust the chain, and replace the brake pads. I have an good idea of how to do these things because I watched John work on my bike for several hours tonight in his garage, assisting him as if I had scrubbed into an operating room.
Getting to The Bike Yard was a bit of an adventure because I ran out of gas (for only the third time in my life, believe it or not) on the way there and had to walk to a gas station to fill a jerrycan. I don't know why there is a reserve switch on my bike. It does nothing. Luckily I stalled about two blocks away from a gas station. A few minutes before I had been on highway 427 which is a 12 lane freeway and not the best place to stall. A few minutes later and I would have been out in the middle of nowhere. You really couldn't ask for a better spot to learn that the reserve is useless. John waited for me to get there even though it was after 8 PM when I finally arrived. At one point he even called me to make sure I was alright.
Replacing the rear tire turned into a bigger job than John had bargained for. It was tricky to get all the components lined up, especially the rear brakes. To make things even more interesting, a system of violent thunder storms moved in. At one point there was so much electricity in the air from the lightning that John got a big shock from touching my bike with a wrench. The thunder was so loud that I literally jumped. At that point John invited me into his house and his wife Sue made us a cup of tea while we waited out the storm. By the time I left it was after 11 PM. It may have taken a lot of time, but at least I learned a lot about my bike. John, despite struggling with my rear brakes for a couple of hours, only charged me $45 for the job. Best of all Helen is now certified so I can finally register her.
I got hit by another storm on the way back. It's really hard to see in heavy rain at night. My legs and ass got absolutely soaked too. It was enough of a discomfort that I decided to add fair-weather rider to the list that already includes golfer, runner, and beach-goer. It is supposed to me nice tomorrow. I wonder where I'll cruise?
Getting to The Bike Yard was a bit of an adventure because I ran out of gas (for only the third time in my life, believe it or not) on the way there and had to walk to a gas station to fill a jerrycan. I don't know why there is a reserve switch on my bike. It does nothing. Luckily I stalled about two blocks away from a gas station. A few minutes before I had been on highway 427 which is a 12 lane freeway and not the best place to stall. A few minutes later and I would have been out in the middle of nowhere. You really couldn't ask for a better spot to learn that the reserve is useless. John waited for me to get there even though it was after 8 PM when I finally arrived. At one point he even called me to make sure I was alright.
Replacing the rear tire turned into a bigger job than John had bargained for. It was tricky to get all the components lined up, especially the rear brakes. To make things even more interesting, a system of violent thunder storms moved in. At one point there was so much electricity in the air from the lightning that John got a big shock from touching my bike with a wrench. The thunder was so loud that I literally jumped. At that point John invited me into his house and his wife Sue made us a cup of tea while we waited out the storm. By the time I left it was after 11 PM. It may have taken a lot of time, but at least I learned a lot about my bike. John, despite struggling with my rear brakes for a couple of hours, only charged me $45 for the job. Best of all Helen is now certified so I can finally register her.
I got hit by another storm on the way back. It's really hard to see in heavy rain at night. My legs and ass got absolutely soaked too. It was enough of a discomfort that I decided to add fair-weather rider to the list that already includes golfer, runner, and beach-goer. It is supposed to me nice tomorrow. I wonder where I'll cruise?
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