We would ridden collectively earlier than. In actual fact, a number of occasions, placing round Portland, simply touring the town and the encompassing countryside. I would put about half an hour at a time on her, perhaps an hour a couple of times. However this journey was going to be longer. I used to be heading to The Dalles the good distance round, driving with the Suffragettes Centennial Experience, up and over the roads that put you on the slopes of scenic Mount Hood. It is an ideal motorbike journey. Often.
My brother-in-law’s 1995 Harley-Davidson Fats Boy parked beneath Rowena Crest. A head turner, proper?
The bike suits…
The bike belongs to my brother-in-law Richard who’s 6’2″ to my 5’8″. So the attain to the handlebars is a little bit of a stretch, and so are the foot rests. The seat is sloped a bit backwards so I type of cuddle into it, tail tucked beneath.
I do not know, perhaps I am simply older now, however the seat felt someway more durable this time. So a few days earlier than the journey I cruised over a bike store and purchased a gel pad for it.
Aaaaah. A lot extra comfortable!
Backroads round Mt Hood
The journey began nicely sufficient. The group super-slabbed it for a short time to get to the again roads to Mt. Hood the place we gained altitude and skilled gratifying sweeps across the curves. We stopped for pictures about 45 minutes in. Good factor, as a result of within the final quarter-hour of that phase I used to be shifting round in my seat attempting to get extra comfy.
That 5 minute pause gave me one other 30 or 40 minutes of driving consolation and simply after I was getting determined, we stopped for gasoline.
The following 20 minutes we rode uphill at pace the place, missing a windscreen, I used to be preventing the wind and gripping the handlebars with all my would possibly.
Our route round Mt. Hood.
No strategy to lean
I desperately wished to lean ahead and get my toes beneath me however my boots had just one place to relaxation—ahead on the pads. On the subsequent cease, I folded the passenger pegs all the way down to see if I may attain them a la race place, however no luck.
On this picture be aware that the cruiser has your toes and fingers in entrance of you. Nice for cruising round city however arguably not a lot for lengthy distance.
Strolling it out
Stopping helped rather a lot. We paused for an excellent very long time at Rowena Crest to take pictures. By now, I accepted that I may solely make the journey in 30 minute segments pain-free and, past that, would simply should endure to stick with the group.
We stopped at Rowena Crest to get pictures of everybody rounding the curves. This was an ideal route!
The Dalles
We hit The Dalles proper as I used to be feeling determined once more. The hour mingling with buddies who’d taken the opposite means across the mountain offered a a lot wanted relaxation.
The street again to Portland
Our route again to Portland adopted the Hood River and the picturesque cities on its banks. It was a beautiful day with sunshine and a cool breeze and so I targeted on the encompassing magnificence as a substitute the of the mounting strain on my tailbone.
Site visitors jams and lane splitting (or lack thereof)
One rider dropped off to take the route residence to Vancouver, Washington after which it was simply two of us by Portland, freeway all the way in which. We stayed in shut staggered formation to current two headlights to impatient drivers within the frequent intervals of congested visitors. It was particularly worrying for me as a Californian who’s accustomed to lane-sharing.
Sadly, Oregon’s lane-sharing invoice had simply did not move, so we had been caught in Portland’s record-breaking warmth in stop-and-go visitors. There have been a couple of occasions I thought of risking it anyway, not solely as a result of my butt was killing me, however the warmth thrown off the pipes, mixed with the warmth of all of the engines of the vehicles reflecting off the asphalt, together with the recent solar beating down, was making me really feel a bit woozy.
Subsequent vote, please allow us to by! (Thanks 🙂
Dwelling protected
By the point my exit got here up I used to be so very prepared for a relaxation. Arriving, I hopped off and shed my gear, pushed the bike again into the nook of the storage, stated thanks and goodbye. I grabbed a chilly one from the storage fridge, stated hello to my sister Celia, showered, and loved the remainder of the afternoon within the air-conditioned home.
The following day…
The following day was busy with household duties. Celia and I went over to my nephew and his spouse’s home to assist re-plumb the kitchen disposal (Celia) and do some gardening (me). They had been anticipating a child any day now, which was thrilling, and wanted all the assistance they will get.
We made a run to Dwelling Depot to get plumbing components, which is the place I began to really feel some strain in my chest and tingling in my arms. I additionally felt a immediately light-headed and inexplicably drained.
I attempted to shake it off, reasoning that it was simply the gardening. A few of it was fairly strenuous, pulling roots and trimming timber. However I do know what muscle soreness appears like and it did not really feel like that. After we obtained again to the home I regarded up “coronary heart assault in ladies” and the signs matched fully.
A visit to the emergency room
I could not ignore it. My dad began having coronary heart assaults earlier than he was even 50 years previous, and has survived a number of extra (yay for the quadruple bypass!) and a critical stroke from which he doggedly recovered.
I felt greater than just a little foolish, like I used to be overreacting, however there was no denying the rising strain in my chest. Celia insisted on driving me to the hospital the place I used to be instantly admitted, given a few child aspirin, an EKG, a blood check, and an X-Ray. The docs agreed, each symptom was there. There have been apprehensive faces and a second EKG and blood check ordered.
The physician requested, “Are you experiencing any stress in your life proper now?”
Ha!
We waited for the outcomes, discussing plans A and B and situations C, D, and E. We had been each scared, however at the very least I used to be in the fitting place.
We waited and waited, satisfied that I might be admitted so they might discover and restore the blockage.
Blockage! It was irritating as somebody who eats nicely, workouts, does yoga and meditation, bicycles, bikes, and hikes. My blood strain is low and so is my ldl cholesterol.
The prognosis
I used to be discharged a few hours later. Analysis? Muscle pressure and fatigue, and possibly just a little dehydration. The driving place had exercised muscle tissue I did not know I had throughout my chest, straining my again, shoulders, neck, and jaw, and in addition most likely prompted tingling in my arms and fingers. Nervousness about my signs most likely prompted the shortness of breath and lightheadedness, and nausea, too, although there might have been residual dehydration from the day past sitting in visitors and from consuming energy bars as a substitute of lunch.
“You probably did the fitting factor by coming in,” stated the physician.
“Actually, do not feel foolish,” stated the nurse. “You solely have one coronary heart.”
Good level.
However actually, I do not suppose I am going to ever journey a motorcycle that does not match me nicely… for lengthy, at the very least.
How one can make your bike suit you
You are able to do all types of issues to make your bike suit your physique for a extra comfy and safer journey.
- Set up handlebar risers to maneuver the handlebars nearer or farther away.
- Alter foot pegs or foot rests up or down, although if there are pipes in the way in which, motion could also be restricted.
- I’ve put customized seats on all my bikes and presently have a Corbin on my KLR 650 and Seat Ideas for each my KTM 950 SM and EXC 450.
- A windscreen or fairing will hold the wind from tiring you out. I’ve added them to all however my grime bikes over time.
- In case your fingers tire simply, contemplate changing the brake and clutch levers, or set up a Rekluse clutch, which eliminates the necessity for pulling within the clutch to shift. It is an costly add-on however will be price it to battle fatigue or offer you confidence within the grime. Motocross execs have been utilizing the Rekluse for years.
You could find the knowledge you want on motorcycling and brand-specific boards, and magazines as nicely. Ladies Riders Now has a very good article that features assets for aftermarket levers for Harleys and Indians, right here.
Signs of a coronary heart assault in ladies vs males
Noticing my embarrassment, the nurse was very form to remind me, “You solely have one coronary heart.” So now I would prefer to encourage you, in the event you suppose you are having a coronary heart assault, get on all the way down to the emergency room.
Bear in mind, signs for ladies will be a lot completely different than for males. Here is the data.
I am sharing this, though I am fairly embarrassed about it, within the hope that somebody will profit. So do not speak your self out of going to the emergency room if in case you have any of the signs above. And in the event you’re uncomfortable on a motorcycle you personal or borrow, attempt to customise it to fit your needs. My three bikes are fully personalized to suit me, and my brother-in-law’s bike suits him.
Have you ever skilled any of this stuff? I would like to know within the feedback under. Additionally please share this publish with a buddy or on social media. Consciousness helps rather a lot! Thanks!
