Anxiety Attack

I am craving for a quick ride on my Hawk. The streets are dry, the weather is fair, and temperatures are warming up to plus degrees. I am putting on my face mask, helmet and gloves, ready to roll, when I suddenly experience trouble breathing, and a dizziness coming up, so bad that I had to I get off the bike and to remove my full face Shoei.

A fit of claustrophobia? Frak! I remembered that this had happened to me before, and that's why in the past I always carried a 3/4 helmet as a spare. Hence, I will have to buy one for next season.

My favorite choice would probably be the ARAI SZ RAM III.
Pros: pleasant design, light, comfy, has good padding, and a large visor for eye protection.
Cons: less safe than a full-face, increased wind noise, expensive.

Now I am going to put my Hawk back in storage. I guess, I am done with riding this year. Wow, that was scary. :-(

Happy All Hallows' Even

Watch the Shadows!

Finally the Chinook Wind kicked in and delivered half decent temperatures for the first time this October, but also produced some nasty cross winds in its wake, ripping last remainders of leafs from the trees, and trying to force our vehicle off the road.

Counter-steering the car was difficult enough, and I can only imagine how challenging it would have been to keep a two-wheeler under control. I couldn't help reading the road as if riding on a motorcycle. The lanes were clear of snow, but wet leaves and gravel from the sand trucks were all over the place. The potholes were full with water, and the texas gates were wet and slippery. In treed areas the shadow would prevent the snow from melting and irregular pattern of icy patches could be found.

We went hiking for a couple of hours in an area that will soon be closed for the season, and enjoyed the blue sky and the fresh mountain air, before we returned to the warmth of our reliable four-wheeler.