Back in the saddle

This is an update on our status now that it's been almost 11 months since our accident. Almost one year gone. Diane's leg is almost healed. She can walk normally when she remembers but when she forgets or is tired she limps again out of habit. No visible sign of facial surgery. She triggers the alarm every time we go through airport security and has to get the pat down.

I have almost regained the strength in my left arm except for permanently limited mobility in the wrist (only 45 degreee flexion but almost full extension) and some pain when I do reverse curls. No lasting effect from my chest injuries.

Monday I picked up the motorcycle I purchased last fall as a replacement for the VN750. It is a Honda Varadero (the bigger one) and it had been sitting in storage over the winter.

The timing wasn't the best. I had booked a pick up time of 2:00 pm with Rocky Mtn Honda but what with one delay and another I didn't get out on MacLeod Trail with it until after 4:30. Those of you familiar with Calgary traffic will know that's not a good time and place for a first ride.

I was a nervous and a bit rough on the controls for the first few miles. Fortunately I had planned a route that took me on to the 22x westbound to Bragg Creek within a mile and I settled down for what should have been a more relaxing ride. The only problem was that I was paranoid of each vehicle that I passed waiting to turn out from a side road. As I approached each I would visualize it pulling out across my lane and would involuntarily slow down. But no matter how slow you go there is a point of no return beyond which you have no sure recourse should the other driver decide to pull out. I eventually decided that was part of the irreducible risk I had to accept if I wanted to continue riding.

First day jitters. I took the 1A west from Cochrane and by the time I reached Exshaw I felt a lot more in control and had gained enough confidence to do the curves at 15 km/h over the advisory limit. The bike handled them very well. The next day I took the bike into Calgary for a meeting and this time was able to deal with traffic without having to think too much consciously about its handling.

The bike: it's upright, tall, heavy and powerful. I like the seat height, which gives a commanding view of traffic. Shifting is smooth. It's not exactly flickable but it responds instantly to steering inputs from the wide handle bars and holds its line very well. The suspension handled everything the rather ripply 1A highway could throw at it without getting unsettled in the curves. Acceleration is miles ahead of any cruiser I've ridden (including the VN750) though I do miss the VN750's howl and surge in the high rpms. I don't think I've taken the Varadero over 6000 rpm yet, and that got me up to 130 km/h.

The riding position is very slightly forward, which puts relatively more weight on my arms when I brake. This is something I'll have to get used to due to the arm injury. However a winter of push ups is now paying off. The brakes are insanely good. I haven't used the ABS yet (plan to test it in the parking lot first), but the bike hauls down very fast with two fingers. I tend to end up against the gas tank when I do that so I have to train myself to use a knee grip when braking.

Gear: Full face helmet (Airoh S4), which is enduro style and therefore has a large field of vision and allows plenty of air flow. I've removed the beak for highway use. Darth Vader gloves, motocross knee guards with articulated joints that strap on above and below the knee. Protects the front of my legs from mid-thigh most of the way down my shins. Draggin jeans are back ordered. Riding boots. Hit-air jacket - remember to hook up when mounting, or you'll ride away trailing the connector cord behind you.

So I'm back in the saddle and it feels very good. Looking forward to a productive summer of riding. Diane has said she will ride with me again, but first wants me to get to the point where the bike is an extension of my body.

I'm working on that.......