On 30 Aug 2004 11:03:35 -0700,
[email protected] (dw) wrote:
>Do the 2-wheel skills go along when you use a metal motor?
Well, the physical skills might not be particularly transferable
(chances are you won't even use the same hand to work the front
brake), but there is still a litany of important lessons you will have
learned from bicycling that will be invaluable for motorcycles:
- You'll have learned the importance of equipment selection and
maintainence and how to prioritize those expenses. If your choice of
hardare doesn't reflect that you have special, esoteric needs beyond
the scope of mere mortals, you're doomed to be regarded by your peers
as just ordinary. In cycling or motorcycling, there is no greater sin
than being breathtakingly plain. Just as you discovered with bicycles,
there's no glory attached to performing regular service with OEM
parts. Only aftermarket items that are conspicuously different from
mainstream parts have pose value, so don't bother replacing worn
chains or sprockets -- nobody'll notice that. Put that carbonfibre
exhaust cannister on instead; folks'll fawn all over you just like
when you installed a carbon crank. Just as you did with your bicycle,
you'll want to pick only the most expensive upgrade parts. Show the
world that you're willing to sacrifice for your sport: that it's okay
that your family lives on sandwiches of tunafish taken from the pet
food aisle for a while just as long as you can indulge your latest
upgrade jones.
- Dress for success. Bicycling taught you the importance of choosing
appropriate clothing and accessories. The contibutions that having the
right helmet, footwear, gloves, sunglasses and whatnot can't be
overstated lest you incur the scorn of the Fashion Fascisti that
dictates the approved styles for these items. As important as it was
that you looked like you regularly trained with LoneStar and the
Letter-Carriers, so will you now want to dress like a member of Team
Repsol on your motorcycle. Corollary to this, you'll have discovered
how vital it can be to appear to be "sponsored". Every available
square inch of your helmet and other clothing, as well as the bike
itself (frame tubes, rims, fork legs, fairing, etc.) should be
festooned with the logos of companies who've never given you the time
of day, let alone any free products.
- Naming Rights. Having the right nickname is critical in both
bicycling and motorcycling. Be careful, though. You're coming late to
this party and the good names (The Cannibal, The Badger, The Roman
Emporer, The Doctor, et al) are mostly already taken. It's possible
that you'll be saddled with "The Marmoset" or "Hedgehog". Also, your
choice of tattoos and piercings as a bicyclist may or may not help
your transition to motorcycling. "Born To Ride" probably works, but a
Presta valve core dangling from your earlobe or a 1020/A derailleur
inked on your forearm isn't really likely to ingratiate you with the
Savage Skulls.
The list goes on and on, but don't let anyone try to tell you that
bicycling hasn't prepared you for the challenges of motorcycling.
(my "other" bike --
http://www.businesscycles.com/research.htm)
-------------------------------
John Dacey
Business Cycles, Miami, Florida
Since 1983
Our catalogue of track equipment: online since 1996.
http://www.businesscycles.com
