Well, colder climates have passed and wind chill is no more, many of you are dusting off one’s rockets and getting ready for the heat of another Texas summer. Take it from me, hot can be far more dangerous than cold. Here’s hoping you’re ready for the heat.

I’ve noticed a trend with the fair weathered friend. A few months off the bike (minus the nicer winter days) may add up to unfamiliarity with one’s ride. It might have something to do with needing new tires, maintenance, or just someone being locked behind the steering wheel of the cage they use in the "off season." There is always the chance that the navigator of the two wheels they take out has been greened by their daily lack of practice. No matter the reason, we all must make a concerted effort to ride seriously before we start it up, smack up the side stand, and hit the twisties with a fever that puts our heat index to shame.

The absolute most important thing I can say is take care of yourself, your bike, and your time the two of you weren’t together!

You must have summer friendly gear. There is perforated leather, cool stuff for underneath, vent friendly helmets and so many combinations of motorcycle gear that can make your rides safer as well as comfortable. To not do so is, well, suicidal. www.motoliberty.com is a great wealth of new, consignment and N2 (their own line of gear) summer navigator protection (not just for you, but great stuff for your bike) that is an investment in serious safety.

If you haven’t done much with your rocket since riding on a regular basis rings a bell, then you should look up your favorite mechanic (even if that is you). Give a good look over your bike. Fluid changes including brake, clutch, oil, fork, radiator, gas, etc. Check your tires. Do they need to be replaced? Can you see cracks around the rims? Is the tread thinner than your father’s (or mother’s) hairline? Is air not holding? If so, you need new tires. If not, have you checked the air pressure, looked them over for nails or road trash picked up in them? Have you WD-40-ed your small parts and lubed (or adjusted) your chain? Some bigger projects: valve adjustment, chain replacement, carbs, brakes, etc. What haven’t you done to your bike otherwise than ride this winter?

Do you remember how you felt riding at the end of the last rice rocket friendly season? One thing I see happen so much at the beginning of warmer weather is more accidents on road trips, outings or just a rides around the block. It has been a few months since one would choose to rocket on a regular basis. You need time to get used to your ride again. Even if one has done all of the above, the most diligent rider can get green without practice on a regular basis. I see so many wrecks (via email, stopping to render aid, or through hospital visits to friends, or friend’s of friends). I know all of them are not due to rider inexperience. Some are though. You haven’t done this on a regular basis for a bit. You need some warm up time in the newness of this spring/summer. Last summer you were pushing your redline in a 30mph twistie. Now you are trying to do the same without the constancy of last summer. The turn you took this time last year could be the same that has me visiting you in the hospital. Riding your bike after a winter hiatus is like driving a new car. You may know how to drive, but you still have to get used to it. After a few hours (miles) doing so, it comes back to you. Get to know your ride again, even if it takes awhile. Never go out cold turkey. You will be in a foul state if you do.

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You have done all of the above and here we are. There is still the fact of summertime to address. Even with the coolest of gear, you will sweat. A LOT! Hydrate, Hydrate, and Hydrate! Take the time to stop and walk around. Get off that hot engine between your thighs and drink some water. You can’t stand H2O? Drink something without caffeine, alcohol or large amounts of sugar. Gatorade makes a drink called Propel. It is low sugar (2 grams), high H2O, and many needed vitamins/minerals needed to replace lost rice rocketed fluids. Stopping every 100-150 miles is also good for increasing venous circulation to your body, thus increasing oxygenated blood to your entire body. Not doing so can cause tiredness, fatigue and sluggishness in your response time. Cage drivers call this road hypnosis. It is a real condition. Dehydration can make this much worse. As much as you love logging in the hours, take a break. Are fluid, pressure, and all around mentality OK? This checklist is for you and your bike.

Last, but not least, CHECK THE WEATHER! My first road trip into the hill country was 300miles of 30-40mph crosswinds, Hurricane like rain, tornado warnings and no overpass to hide under in sight! The saying here goes if you don’t like the weather in Texas, wait a few minutes, it’ll change. The worst thing about not riding for awhile is preparing for everything, only to forget about the weather. No one wants to try and outrun a Tornado (or even a thunderstorm). Some of us have had to. It is not fun! One more thing not to forget is the SUNSCREEN! I have seen far too many blistered burned bodies this time of year. Reapply it at stops as well. Even the waterproof type can be sweated off.

I know I sound a bit like a Jewish mother. Don’t worry, I won’t give you chicken noodle soup for your problems. Advice from experience is my best gift. Road rash, like love, is forever. If you are lucky, you will only have that. Wrecking a bike is expensive. Wrecking yourself is far more costly. Dying one way or another for any reason listed above is a tragedy. One can prepare themselves in the best manner, and there is still the unknown outcome of the next twistie. There are BGR postings of farmers, landowners, country folk who are frustrated with high-speed bikes taking turns near their land. They counter act with four quarts of oil on the peak of a turn (i.e.- Munster, TX), thus causing the rider to crash. Or like John Wailes, who hit his back wheel just right on road kill when navigating a turn. If so, we are blessed to still be able to talk about them. I want to keep all of us safe. Be it cold, considerate, warmer or sweltering, I want the rubber side down and all home as safely as they left.

I don’t have a car. I ride my two Hondas (CBR & VFR) every day. And I LOVE it!

When out there in the heat of it all. Burn the rubber, but don’t burn yourself.

Karen L. Rich
(The Rice Rocket Redhead)