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You will feel like you are flyingJun 10 '00 (Updated Jun 24 '00) Write an essay on this topic.Highway riding is what motorcycling is all about. This is the best way to feel the bike, enjoy the outdoors, and get that wonderful rush from the speed. The wind whipping through my hair, the sense of flying makes it the best ride possible. Before leaving for a highway ride, we always check the bikes carefully. The fluid checks are standard each and every time we ride. A look at the tires assures they are in good repair. Checking for loose bolts is another important feature. Today we went for a ride, and I noticed in my pre-ride check that the bolt attaching the brake line to the handlebar had wiggled loose. I choose not to think what could have happened had I not checked it. Mirrors often get shifted when in our garage, so we re-adjust these each and every time. Just listening to the bike will tell if the gas is ok, no pinging is desired. After all checks out, we are ready to go. We always decide who will lead and who will follow. Who will take off first at stops and turns. This prevents asking at each decision, and avoiding some stupid mistake. We also discuss the basic travel plan so we have an idea what roads to look for etc. Since we always wear helmets, we make sure that the straps are not slapping our necks or faces, and that they are not too tight or too loose. If it is not adjusted correctly, it means a stop just after starting out to re-adjust it. After all the checks are in place, we take a short ride around the block to make sure all is well, then we proceed on our trek. While riding, we usually ride side by side, and my place is on the outside. This is standard for us, we get used to the positioning and it is comfortable. We also are in sync in turning, stopping and starting. This is important as we know what the other is going to do, as it is the same each time. Riding side by side also allows us to talk if we need to. Just having eye contact and giving the thumbs up, indicates all is well. Highway riding can be rough when there are a lot of trucks. We usually slow down and allow them to pass us, as it is better to let them move ahead than to be right behind us. We also allow a great deal of distance behind a truck so we can see what is on the roadway. Distance is important whatever vehicle is in front. Hitting some road debris can be a fatal mistake, and it is important to watch for it continuously. We prefer to ride at about 50 mph, as it is comfortable, safe and gives us the luxury of watching the scenery as well as the road. Today was a beautiful day for riding, so we chose a two lane highway without much traffic. This is our preferred roadway, as opposed to a four lane. Life goes much slower, and we can "smell the roses" along the way. We enjoy seeing the countryside, the farm animals, the farmers in the fields. This is the best kind of ride for us. Occasionally we hit a straight-away and rev it up to 65 mph, just to feel the speed. We then slow it down to our usual pace. For my husband and I, motorcycling means enjoying the outdoors. It means relaxing in the wind, clearing our minds of all life's problems, if only for a few hours. It means being careful and smart in our decisions that could be life-threatening. But most of all it means being together and enjoying our lives! We 'Ride to live, and live to ride'.  |
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