Are You as Prepared for Riding Season as Your Bike?
By Wanda Carlisle - President
By now you’ve gotten emails from both Indian Motorcycle and Bair’s and have been shopping the deals on parts and accessories and gear. Your bike is going to be soooo happy with its shiny new parts! You’re following Mike Johnston’s tips to check your tires, your oil, your lights and making sure that bike is road ready. After all, our Kickoff Ride will be here before you know it!
But what about you? Are you ready…physically and mentally…for riding season?
We are all so excited to throw that leg over for the first time each season it’s easy to forget a few things, like your wallet, your phone (been there done that), and that riding a motorcycle is a little more strenuous than sitting on the couch all winter. Your body will remember though, after that first ride or maybe the morning when you get out of bed and your legs are sore, your back may be strained, maybe your shoulders are tired. And on top of that, in addition to the regular holiday overeating that was not that long ago, we’ve all probably added some Covid weight. Does the gear still fit? For that matter, do you know where all your gear is?
So what can you do to prepare yourself both physically (all tips below are personal health permitting) and mentally?
Stengthen and stretch your leg muscles as best you can with some deep knee bends or walking lunges, or even yard work will do it!
Do some daily situps/pushups to strengthen your core muscles.
Take some long walks to increase stamina.
Do some simple stretches of neck and shoulders.
While you’re still driving and waiting on the weather to clear or salt to go away, practice SEEing (search, evaluate and execute in case you don’t remember what that stands for). Natural selection month is coming and you need to be able to quickly spot all manner of 4-legged creatures scampering out in front of you.
Practice turning your head when driving. It may sound silly, but our muscle memory dwindles when not used. If you start sharply turning your head while behind the wheel, you won’t have to think about it when your first get behind the handlebars again.
Start playing the “what if” game while you’re driving.
Take a minute to review the contents of your saddlebags, windshield bags and jacket pockets to make sure everything is where it’s supposed to be (extra gloves, insurance and registration, rain gear, etc.)
Make the first couple rides short ones so you can build your stamina. We’ve done that for you in the 2021 Ride Schedule.
And finally, let’s refer back to the whole Covid pounds thing. If you put a few on, now’s the time to check the gear and make sure it still fits. If it’s uncomfortable, you’ll be distracted on the bike, putting yourself and others at risk.