Six clues to judge when it’s best to not ride
America
is a big, sprawling place, vast enough that no one can cover all of it
in a lifetime. It is easy to be thirsty, to want to ride every inch from
the blue stone shores of Maine to the wide expanses of Nevada. But
sometimes it’s best to leave those miles unridden. Everyone has
different thresholds for when it’s too hot, too cold, or too wet to
ride. The same goes for state of mind, your health, and your level of
conditioning. When do these variables form enough of a distraction to
merit leaving the bike in the garage? When does exposure to riding
conditions make the risk greater than the reward? Here’s where we might
draw the line.
Nasty Weather
Riding in rain is no big deal if you
slow down and are adequately prepared. A forecast of torrential
downpours or gale-force winds, however, should have you rethinking your
ride or reaching for the car keys.
Extreme Heat
Temperatures reaching triple digits can lead to hyperthermia, especially if your skin is exposed to the sun and hot wind. Vented gear and a hydration pack can help, but there’s no shame in bagging a ride until the evening when temps have become more manageable.
Chill Factor
Riding
in 50 degrees Fahrenheit doesn’t sound too bad, but there’s a reason
cold comes at you so hard on a bike: windchill. Add 65 mph of
hair-waving breeze through your gear and exposed parts of you will feel
like they’re riding through 39-degree weather. The longer you’re
exposed, the greater the likelihood of hypothermia. Bottom line, if
you’re going to ride in the cold, dress the part.
State of Mind
Moto
therapy can do wonders for a person’s mood, but swinging a leg over the
saddle when you’re irate can skew otherwise good judgment. Pent-up
anger, disappointment, or frustration can be enough of a distraction to
delay decisions and fuel foolish behavior.
Health
Sometimes
your body just isn’t up to the task of operating a motorcycle. This is
often the case when you’re really tired, recovering from illness or
injury, or when other medical issues arise. Keep your key pocketed if
recovery includes strong meds.
High Risk, Low Reward
It’s
easier to accept the risk of riding a motorcycle when the reward
outweighs the risk. If your commute is a perilous nightmare, then you
may want to reserve your two-wheeled outings to the weekends. Sometimes
quality trumps quantity.
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