I've not done much riding over the last two weeks or so. My job required odd hours from me and my second job - where I am a glorified paper boy - kept me busy over the last few weeks. I rode where and when I could however, enjoying the freedom that only two wheels can give a troubled mind and soul.
Then I noticed it. My bike had a small oil leak which bothered me slightly, since I could not seem to find where it was coming from. Kimmie does not require much in oil, and I was paranoid about possibly seizing the engine (even though I knew logically I wouldn't).
I'll be the first to admit that I am not mechanically inclined - Okay, I'm a monkey with a gun when it comes to things mechanical - but one thing that was always pounded into me is that if the machine is not working properly then you should not be riding it. She had an oil change earlier in the week and the first thing I thought of was to make sure the drain plug was nice and tight, it was...so that damn leak was elsewhere.
Therefore I tend to be anal to a fault when it comes to tires, lights and oil. So far I've not had any issue with lights but I expect that day to come when I bulb will blow out or their will be a short. Checking the lights should be part of everyone's pre-ride check. That being said, I don't do it all the time either.
The other reason I've not been on the bike is due to a general malaise I've had over the last few days. I just don't feel like myself. Yesterday I got into my gear, pulling my helmet on and then sitting down on my bike only to feel a momentary dizziness. It's not worth riding in then.
These things will pass, my oil leak ended up proving to be a small issue that my mechanic didn't even charge me for. My malaise will pass.
When I started this blog all those years ago I wanted to pass on my experiences to other new riders, those that had 1001 questions like I did.
So this post is about when it's OK not to ride. If you have a mechanical issue that worries you, even slightly, its okay not to ride. If your not feeling 100%, you don't have to be on the bike. In fact, listen to your body...it will tell you what is going on inside you.
Kimmie, and your bike, will be there waiting.
2 comments:
I would agree 100%, if you have issues mechanically on a bike you are worried over, best to stay off it. Always follow intuition whether it is about the bike, your body or just a feeling of bad juju for the day.
Well first things first, hope you feel back to your regular self soon! I tell this very thing to my students, if you aren't feeking 100% don't ride, and do the pretrip and fix problems. Glad Kimmie is fixed.
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