Anybody gone back to two wheels after a number of years out?
Some things have changed in the 20 years since I had my last bike.
1) Not removing your crash helmet when entering a garage (or any other shop) is apparently now a cardinal sin and you will be treated like a potential terrorist for not doing so.
WTF? Nobody used to give a damn. Besides, when its cold, I have to take off my lid, unravel my keffiyeh, whip off my balaclava just for a few seconds while I pay and then stick it all back on again.
I committed this supposed faux pas last week and I was informed by the manager of the garage that I had caused distress to his staff by entering with a helmet on.
I resisted it, but I wanted to ask him what his policy was towards people in burqas.
2) No free parking slots. Every carpark would have a section for bikes. And it was free. Not any more. In fact, in the car parks round here you're expected to park like a car , use a full space and pay accordingly. Great joined up thinking there from local government. Aren't they the ones who like to use a big stick to get people out of their cars and into greener forms of transport?
3) Cars, and vehicles in general, are bigger than they used to be and are a bigger obstacle to avoid. Especially people carriers
Some things haven't changed at all though:
1) Plod are always over you like a rash.
2) People, in general, still don't seem to like motorcyclists. I get the impression that my neighbours were far from impressed when I pulled up on my Ducati Monster. It does have a set of very loud cans, mind you.
My revenge for their noisy offspring that they refuse to keep under control!
Some things have changed in the 20 years since I had my last bike.
1) Not removing your crash helmet when entering a garage (or any other shop) is apparently now a cardinal sin and you will be treated like a potential terrorist for not doing so.
WTF? Nobody used to give a damn. Besides, when its cold, I have to take off my lid, unravel my keffiyeh, whip off my balaclava just for a few seconds while I pay and then stick it all back on again.
I committed this supposed faux pas last week and I was informed by the manager of the garage that I had caused distress to his staff by entering with a helmet on.
I resisted it, but I wanted to ask him what his policy was towards people in burqas.
2) No free parking slots. Every carpark would have a section for bikes. And it was free. Not any more. In fact, in the car parks round here you're expected to park like a car , use a full space and pay accordingly. Great joined up thinking there from local government. Aren't they the ones who like to use a big stick to get people out of their cars and into greener forms of transport?
3) Cars, and vehicles in general, are bigger than they used to be and are a bigger obstacle to avoid. Especially people carriers
Some things haven't changed at all though:
1) Plod are always over you like a rash.
2) People, in general, still don't seem to like motorcyclists. I get the impression that my neighbours were far from impressed when I pulled up on my Ducati Monster. It does have a set of very loud cans, mind you.
My revenge for their noisy offspring that they refuse to keep under control!
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