Bike mojo, where is it?

[dizzyblonde]

One seems to have lost it. :(
I've been riding for seven years. Loved every minute of it. I haven't ridden as long, or as much as I used to, in a very long time. The last real good run, was to Hovis's funeral in the back end of 2009, which is about 18 months.
Six weeks after having DizzyPeg, I got on my new steed and went up to Whitby for the day, super duper, then there was nothing until March. I've been out a half dozen times since.
I enjoy the Raptor, and am perfectly capable of handling it, I'm still learning its behaviours, far from frightened of it. I just don't enjoy riding as much as I used to. I don't know if its because I don't get out as often, petrol is too expensive or just because I'm actually bored of riding, or just plain old out of practise...or even if its because I'm tied up with two kids these days. Its almost as unpleasurable as driving the car!!!

Theres roads out there I've thrown an SV around, but the same ones today just don't hold as much pleasure:( Others I'm riding with a big grin on my face, if only for a short time:mad: My body aches, I'm knackered and really can't be ar$ed to think about the next time!

Someone find my mojo, I'll give you a piece of tigers eye, a bit of lego, and some bread I've just picked out of my ear, kindly placed in there by baby!

[Milky Bar Kid]

This does not bode well for the rest of us.....

[dizzyblonde]

This does not bode well for the rest of us.....

Why:confused:

[yorkie_chris]

It's the worry caused by these unreliable italian bikes.

All aches and pains are just because you are not used to it.

[maviczap]

It happens DB, I lost mine when I bought my first house. I'd done all the big trips I'd wanted to do, so I wasn't that bothered to sell my bike to furnish my house.

I also lost my mojo with my cycling, I used to race every weekend in the summer, then one spring race, I just stopped. Didn't ride for almost 10years

But the good news is I never lost my mojo for biking or cycling, I just put it in a cupboard for safe keeping.

Two kids later I'm back to biking, although nowhere near with the same enthusiasm as when I was 18. I can't be arsed with long rides, unless its the AR. But I still get the thrill when opening the throttle, but because of the kids I'm a lot more restrained.

I got my cycling mojo back and enjoy every ride, although I don't have the time to train to race.

It'll come back, but you're a busy mum, so sometimes you have to give priority to the kids. I know as a Dad, that I'll have to forgo a ride or something else, because they what to do something.

Plus with carp roads, bad drivers and too many cars our roads aren't as good to ride on as they used to be

[Milky Bar Kid]

Why:confused:
I mean that if you of all people have lost yer mojo, there is no hope for the rest of us....

[dizzyblonde]

It's the worry caused by these unreliable italian bikes.

.
I haven't had any worrying unreliability issues. I've had many more with the SVs

[kellyjo]

Mines gone a bit too :-( I didnt have a bike for 6 months and was desperate to ride, got another in March but havent done any proper miles because ive been in and out of hospital and still not 100% so when i do get on i find myself dawdling along, not really in 'the zone'.

Ive also split with my boyfriend so have lost my riding 'partner' which probably hasnt helped, i was always the one planning routes and getting us out and about but now that motivations gone too.

Im riding out with the EAR in a couple of weeks and hoping that will get my mojo mojo-ing again :p

Hopefully by AR we'll all be full of the joys of biking again!!

Im sure you'll get it back Diz, life just takes over sometimes.

[Geodude]

My mojo's a bit lost this year too dizz so its not just you. You got a lot of other stuff on aswell which pinches big chunks of biking mojo but im sure you havent lost it its just in a different pocket. I only had six months off the road and im all over the place and still have my off in my head that has taken some of my mojo but im sure i will find it again, and you have kiddy's to look after so that will take away from riding. Im sure you will get back into it properly when you get the chance :D
Ps i dont need tigers eye as i have a chunk of it under my seat (along with others) to keep my bike and me safe but that lego and bread sound like an interesting combination ;)

[dizzyblonde]

but havent done any proper miles because ive been in and out of hospital and still not 100%
.

One of the reason my beloved Suzy hasn't made an appearance on the road(apart from being skint) is the nice six inch caesarian scar they gave me. Not a particularly pleasant feeling pushing over her tank:( In fact its not a pleasant feeling full stop. Raptor is different riding position, so I don't feel the creepiness. Eight months on I still can't bear for it to be touched.

[dizzyblonde]

it its just in a different pocket.
Ps i dont need tigers eye as i have a chunk of it under my seat (along with others)

Which one, which one...this bike jacket has got three layers, and god knows how many pockets. If I'd have left it in the see through one on my arm I think I'd have noticed:p

I have snowflake obsidian carried in my hip pocket. For Capricorn and for safe travelling;)

[yorkie_chris]

I have snowflake obsidian carried in my hip pocket. For Capricorn and for safe travelling;)

Rocks in your pockets will only slow you down.

[dizzyblonde]

Very funny, they're only the same size as a 1/2 carat diamond stuck on my finger

[Geodude]

You will know the pocket when its time. :D
Ooo i like snowflake nice stone i have my bikes mojo bag under seat and my personal always on me mojo bag with snowflake, aventurine, citrine, rose quartz, obsidian, apache tear and quartz to keep them happy.

[Kenzie]

Sorry to butt in, but what is with the stones? Is it a mystic sort of thing?

[Geodude]

Yep a mystic sort of thing, for me anyway.

[dizzyblonde]

Aye, I gave Pete two large lumps of malachite to carry with him. Ease the pain as hes riding. High in copper, a bit like wearing one of those copper bracelets

[kitkat]

i know exactly where you are at dizzy. I have not ridden the raptor properly for about 4 years. I went out a couple of times when Libby was a baby with adam, but didnt enjoy myself. went out myself a week later and had a better time. I dont think its to do with kids as when I started riding 10 years ago I had an 8 year old and 4 year old. If I had a spare half hour I would nip out on the bike. any excuse to get out, no matter what the weather (just as well as it was Scotland). I dont know what is up with me either, dont know if its cos the roads down here are just too busy and basically rubbish, compared to my old stomping ground (loch lomond, callendar, A81, Glen Coe etc) or because Im out of practice, or because Im old.

[Geodude]

Ive got a big chunk of raw malachite but keep it out on reach of normal peeps cos it can be toxic so i hope pegs stones are tumbled, good choice btw also known as the midwifes stone cos its good for childbirth. anyway i'll stop there before i derail to far or the pi$$takes start i.e. bloody tree huggers etc ;)

[dizzyblonde]

Yes, its tumbled. Nice and smooth :)


Hazel, two old birds, what the hell we gonna do????

[richwill68]

Hang in there Diz'! As with all things there is a natural ebb and flow, even in biking mojo. Has happened to me a couple of times in 27 years of riding but it's always come back;)

Remember; life, love, kids, jobs all demand our time and input, sometimes to the detriment of other enjoyments (or mojo's). Stick with it kiddo!:D

Regards

Rich

[Kenzie]

No tree hugging implied. I wear a St. Christopher as it happens. Just find it interesting that's all. Where can they be bought, and what is for what? (if that makes sense?)

[yorkie_chris]

Personally I don't really "do" superstition and think that the only thing that matters in riding is physics. Kinetic energy should not be argued with. Inertia isn't superstitious. You are in control of yourself and to think anything else will weaken the mind when faced with a risky situation.

[fenjer]

Dizzy you've taken on a huge task of organising the AR, and that as far as I can see has the potential to sap any joy out of biking. It's a huge responsibility and at some sub conscious level you probably feeling a lot of pressure to put on a good route/weekend for all of your fellow organs... That pressure will be nipping away at any pleasure you might get from being out and about on the bike in your own time.

The baby thing possibly has a lot to do do with it too, there is a self preservation thing that kicks in and stops "new mums" (by that I mean mums who've had babies in the last year or so) seeking adrenaline based activities, in order to protect their young.

I hope you find your mojo again, I'm sure it'll return...

Meanwhile *hugs*

[Biker Biggles]

Sorry to butt in, but what is with the stones? Is it a mystic sort of thing?

Greatest rock and roll band in the world.:cheers:

Charlie's good tonight:cool:

[andrewsmith]

My mojo seems to be trying to escape. I was at the point of selling the bike on the other week and buying a project bike. I've found (from being around people on here and trying to get an old 400 going) I have more passion for fiddling and building bikes, than riding. I'm like YC and ride almost every day as its my principal transport.

Personally I don't really "do" superstition and think that the only thing that matters in riding is physics. Kinetic energy should not be argued with. Inertia isn't superstitious. You are in control of yourself and to think anything else will weaken the mind when faced with a risky situation.

+1
I don't do the superstition, but know why people to do it. Racers is to walk the track the night before a meet (and remove sh** and find knee sliders in Berlin's case)

[dizzyblonde]

No tree hugging implied. I wear a St. Christopher as it happens. Just find it interesting that's all. Where can they be bought, and what is for what? (if that makes sense?)

Well, I have a dedicated rock shop in town. Crystals or 'rocks' come in many different forms, and have been used for centuries for healing ills, feelings etc. Take them as they are, rocks. I have used them for years. I have a Alexandrite Cats eye hanging round my neck. To anyone else, it looks like a pretty necklace.

Personally I don't really "do" superstition and think that the only thing that matters in riding is physics. Kinetic energy should not be argued with. Inertia isn't superstitious. You are in control of yourself and to think anything else will weaken the mind when faced with a risky situation.

If you think I ride around thinking a rock will save me, you are even more mad than you think I am. :lol:
I studied Physics, I know all about kinetic energy and inertia. I'm not interested in the scientific side of life in this particular instance. Its not the physics that are wrong in this scenario.
Back to the 'treehugging' rocks, don't dismiss something that has been used for centuries.


PS, if anyone even utters the words track day....I shall hit em with my temporary mod stick!

[yorkie_chris]

Back to the 'treehugging' rocks, don't dismiss something that has been used for centuries.

So have horses and carts but you're riding around with a 996cc injected engine under you :confused:

You know a track day or better a cornering school day may be the way to get used to your new steed in a safe and predictable environment.

[dizzyblonde]

So have horses and carts but you're riding around with a 996cc injected engine under you :confused:


In other words.....

Chris, sometimes, you read far too many text books. Science isn't the answer to everything, or mechanical know how, or indeed getting your knee down, roadcraft etc etc
Right now, I have hit a brick wall.....
watch this, its kinda how I feel, sort of
6pttqFUviWs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pttqFUviWs

Now, have you found my mojo in the garage of doom, you didn't send it off packing with that chenhoi tyre from the XJ did you?

[dizzyblonde]

Dizzy you've taken on a huge task of organising the AR, and that as far as I can see has the potential to sap any joy out of biking. It's a huge responsibility and at some sub conscious level you probably feeling a lot of pressure to put on a good route/weekend for all of your fellow organs... That pressure will be nipping away at any pleasure you might get from being out and about on the bike in your own time.

The baby thing possibly has a lot to do do with it too, there is a self preservation thing that kicks in and stops "new mums" (by that I mean mums who've had babies in the last year or so) seeking adrenaline based activities, in order to protect their young.

I hope you find your mojo again, I'm sure it'll return...

Meanwhile *hugs*

Its not too much of a biggie the AR, Orose has broad shoulders you know! Although I am tearing my hair out because I'm scared I might not buy enough food! If it was the baby thing, I've got a ten year old, hes been around all my biking life, and it hasn't stopped me before, but i know what you're getting at.

[Bri w]

Diz, check down the back of the sofa...

Don't worry, just like lost keys, it'll turn up and you'll be happy to see it when it does.

[leebex]

so tigers eye is a rock/mineral?

never leave home without a st christopher myself, dont actually think it will stop anything bad happening, but been wearing it for about 17 years without barely ever removing it, so darent even try now :smt083

know what you mean about mojo, I simply cant be bothered this year, use my bike daily and only cover 40 miles a week, but fun rides, dont get the chance much, and when I do go out wish I hant bothered except for the odd 5 mins.

[Jackie_Black]

I was losing mine until yesterday.

I went out in the blasting wind and on/off rain. I didn't expect anything of the ride but it was just great. I wasn't really fast, in fact quite the opposite. I concentrated on controlling the bike, being smooth and the correct use of throttle in corners. I did about a hundred miles before I knew it and was tired when i got in but satisfied with myself.

Take the bike out when you really fancy it and try a few different roads, I reckon you'll get it back!

[bodget]

i have to say ive lost me mojo,every corner i freeze despite telling myself tip it in it`ll go round i run wide ride slower than a vicar except when i get on a556/a54 roads i know really well im back up to speed

[Jackie_Black]

i have to say ive lost me mojo,every corner i freeze despite telling myself tip it in it`ll go round i run wide ride slower than a vicar

Go read twist of the wrist 2 if you're struggling with all aspects of bike mojo and fun. I just did. It made me want to ride!

[-Ralph-]

The sensibilities of motherhood added to the normal increase in caution that comes with age, seem to combine more aggressively if you are having children in your mid thirties and onwards. Causes you to loose interest. Sandrine's lost her pillion mojo too. She's not scared of getting on the bike per se, but she's perhaps a little more mindful what could happen if both of us were in an accident. She's just lost interest in getting on the bike, and if I give it any beans at all she gets travel sick, though she is not consciously 'scared'. Her helmet gets used about twice a year nowadays. I also have a few female friends in their 30's and 40's with kids who used to love pillion, but they've pretty much all lost interest, haven't been on a bike for a few years, and no longer beg for a joyride on the pillion whenever they come round for a BBQ on a sunny weekend.

Age has an effect on you that causes you to ask "what if". I hope I'll never loose my biking mojo, but I've lost my fast riding mojo, which is a good thing 'cos I needed to loose it and stop crashing! I see some of the younger guys on rideouts and I cringe as they fly over blind crests with complete abandon, that have me on the brakes and straining my neck to see over the top, and they fly round corners where I am holding back because I can't see far enough round to stop if I find something stationary in the road. Always asking "what if" there's a broken down car on that bend, or a stationary JCB on the other side of that blind crest? Though some of the younger riders now make me cringe, all I am seeing is the way I used to ride myself.

I'm not slower because I'm scared or have lost the ability to ride fast though, I can still keep with the young guys if I want to have some fun, but after a few miles of that the head tells you that kind of fun is dangerous, and you throttle off again. I'm just quite happy to bimble along nowadays, I don't have the desire to crack the the throttle open the same as I used to, but I still ride pretty much every weekend and still do several long trips every year.

With women who've reached an age where sensibilities kick-in so thrill seeking or adventure doesn't push them towards the bike, and they have kids and so don't get much time to ride the bike, lack of use seems to turn into a complacency towards the bike, a loss in interest in the bike, and so a lack of motivation to then get on the bike and ride it. It's seems with biking mojo, that if you don't use it, you loose it. That's what I think you, Sandrine, KellyJo and KitKat are suffering from. You can each slap me later ;-)

[rictus01]

Age has an effect on you that causes you to ask "what if".

speak for yourself, i still have the enthusiasm & passion and get the same excitement and adrenaline rush I had 36 years ago from riding, about the closes I've come is the frustration of having to learn to ride again.

Lou you're more than welcome to some of mine, I've bags of the stuff, or if you prefer just shout and I'll pop up for a play day, no testosterone or heroics, just give me a couple of hours and I'll make you feel right at home on the bike.


I love the enthusiasm of new riders or those wishing to improve (matches mine) both in riding skills and mechanical understanding and am more than happy to give my time to both.

I realise most people get a jab of excitement from biking every once in a while and that's enough or they "mundane" it for the commute to work, but not me, it's an IV in my case; i've ridden in every weather condition and known just about every kind of mishap, but loved it all, sure I'll one day be incapable of riding and on that day I'll turn green, no not becoming some angry Hulk like creature, more green with envy for all those that still can and do enjoy riding.

As they say "life is but a journey" and "no one gets out of it alive", I'm in no rush to reach the destination, but I'll try my damnedest to have fun on the way.

Cheers Mark.

[Messie]

I know exactly how you feel and asked the same question last year

http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=148167

Turns out it was down the back of the sofa!

I don't feel like riding as much as I used to, but it doesn't bother me any more. Go with how you feel and don't put any pressure on yourself either way - you will or you won't - either is ok

[AndyBrad]

Dont know if you want my 2penneth... anyways :)

Firstly you had a cracking time over to whitby yea? great. Bet you and smudge had a nice time last time you were oout? i dont know but you appeared to. It all felt a bit wobbily and as though you were going to drop it at the weekend? didnt want to push it and risk anything? yup been there done that and got the tshirt.

Youve had some time off the bike and your getting back into it. I dont think you can expect to be as good as you were 18 months ago after jumping back on the bike. I see it as a sport (like my skiing or snowboarding) and i only get to do that once every year. It takes me time to get back into it every holiday a bit of practice is needed because all of those muscles ive not used for ages (yea im not 100% flab just yet) need to get going and get their "program" back. As you say i bet you would have been much happier on suzy because your body would have felt more "programed" to the bike. I think the body has a long term memory and changing bikes means you need to put some real time into the new bike to get yourself and your subconcious used to it. I hope that makes sense?

Sat wasnt easy. it was wet and very very windy. You almost ran out of fuel and yes i was tired too by the end of it (i was living off those energy drinks!) getting back into it isnt going to be helped with conditions like that. If i had had a few months off i would have been struggling like buggery. I know some people wont and thats just great but personally i would have been leaning back in the corners, hitting the breaks, not feeling right.

Following you you changed 100% from going over the tops (no fuel, light front end, sheep, ditches scary times) to the main roady (if you can call it that) where by your lines were great, you were tipping the bike in more, much faster and smoother (could just about keep up) so no you havnt lost your mojo its just in that waterproof/windproof pocket imo.

Get a nice day and go out. Bet its there!

[dizzyblonde]

Take the bike out when you really fancy it and try a few different roads, I reckon you'll get it back!

Unfortunately I am not blessed with being able to take it out when I want. I have to go through a great big co ordination challenge getting someone to look after the kids, and follow baby instructions to the letter. If I could just go out, then I would be perhaps be happier. I also have another biker in the house, who is at work all week, and wants to go out on his day off too....but both of us can't most of the time, its either him or me, or neither :(
Go read twist of the wrist 2 if you're struggling with all aspects of bike mojo and fun. I just did. It made me want to ride!


errrrrrr NO (no offense). I don't want to read a book on how to ride a bike like a riding god, it appeals to a certain type of rider, and I'm not it. I've been tortured by hearing YC bang on about it, and he still hasn't got the fact that me and Peg are completely different in the riding department, and have been riding a rather large combined figure(that adds up to an age older than him). We don't hoon, we're seasoned 'tourers' if we had Goldwings, the picture would perhaps be clearer! We're not of the gang who is completely bogged under with getting a knee down, riding out of a book to be technically brilliant, reading so much info that everything is down to technique. Start reading bumf like that at my point in riding, I like to look at whats around me, not hone in what someone writes I should be doing....if that makes sense. In my book, track riding has no influence on road riding. But thats another arguement in itself, and I shan't be saying any more about it.

The sensibilities of motherhood added to the normal increase in caution that comes with age, seem to combine more aggressively if you are having children in your mid thirties and onwards. Causes you to loose interest. Sandrine's lost her pillion mojo too. She's not scared of getting on the bike per se, but she's perhaps a little more mindful what could happen if both of us were in an accident. She's just lost interest in getting on the bike, and if I give it any beans at all she gets travel sick, though she is not consciously 'scared'. Her helmet gets used about twice a year nowadays. I also have a few female friends in their 30's and 40's with kids who used to love pillion, but they've pretty much all lost interest, haven't been on a bike for a few years, and no longer beg for a joyride on the pillion whenever they come round for a BBQ on a sunny weekend.

Age has an effect on you that causes you to ask "what if". I hope I'll never loose my biking mojo, but I've lost my fast riding mojo, which is a good thing 'cos I needed to loose it and stop crashing! I see some of the younger guys on rideouts and I cringe as they fly over blind crests with complete abandon, that have me on the brakes and straining my neck to see over the top, and they fly round corners where I am holding back because I can't see far enough round to stop if I find something stationary in the road. Always asking "what if" there's a broken down car on that bend, or a stationary JCB on the other side of that blind crest? Though some of the younger riders now make me cringe, all I am seeing is the way I used to ride myself.

I'm not slower because I'm scared or have lost the ability to ride fast though, I can still keep with the young guys if I want to have some fun, but after a few miles of that the head tells you that kind of fun is dangerous, and you throttle off again. I'm just quite happy to bimble along nowadays, I don't have the desire to crack the the throttle open the same as I used to, but I still ride pretty much every weekend and still do several long trips every year.

With women who've reached an age where sensibilities kick-in so thrill seeking or adventure doesn't push them towards the bike, and they have kids and so don't get much time to ride the bike, lack of use seems to turn into a complacency towards the bike, a loss in interest in the bike, and so a lack of motivation to then get on the bike and ride it. It's seems with biking mojo, that if you don't use it, you loose it. That's what I think you, Sandrine, KellyJo and KitKat are suffering from. You can each slap me later ;-)

Ralph, you've pretty much hit it on the head. The crest scenario is actually a very good example. The problem is, why is it happening after child number two, when it didn't even rear its head with child number one? Lack of use, really does give a negativity towards the bikes. I'm not no willy waving 20 something with a point to prove, I bimble along now pretty much as I always have, well, slightly more grannyish some days, like Sunday! I've got a different agenda in life to those who want to ride balls out. You go out and ride like a tw4t( from where I'm sitting) but I'm afraid I ain't going to follow you, as I know at some point, yer going to hit a tractor, and it ain't going to be pretty......bimbling has its uses!

speak for yourself, i still have the enthusiasm & passion and get the same excitement and adrenaline rush I had 36 years ago from riding, about the closes I've come is the frustration of having to learn to ride again.

Lou you're more than welcome to some of mine, I've bags of the stuff, or if you prefer just shout and I'll pop up for a play day, no testosterone or heroics, just give me a couple of hours and I'll make you feel right at home on the bike.


I love the enthusiasm of new riders or those wishing to improve (matches mine) both in riding skills and mechanical understanding and am more than happy to give my time to both.

I realise most people get a jab of excitement from biking every once in a while and that's enough or they "mundane" it for the commute to work, but not me, it's an IV in my case; i've ridden in every weather condition and known just about every kind of mishap, but loved it all, sure I'll one day be incapable of riding and on that day I'll turn green, no not becoming some angry Hulk like creature, more green with envy for all those that still can and do enjoy riding.

As they say "life is but a journey" and "no one gets out of it alive", I'm in no rush to reach the destination, but I'll try my damnedest to have fun on the way.

Cheers Mark.

Mark, the reason you don't get like that is cause you have gone over the hill with regards to the kids, yours are all grown up, and they are big enough to go their own way, you've done the daddy job, and now yer just plain old dad (if that makes sense)
The Hulk used to come out with me, if I couldn't go out on the bike, I used to be right royally peed off, I'd be climbing the walls if I couldn't go out, but recently, I really couldn't give a monkeys.
Its always a pleasure to ride out in the sticks with you, I enjoy every minute of it, theres very few people I like to ride with these days, only other one is Pete TBH, and a couple of others I don't see often.

Dont know if you want my 2penneth... anyways :)

Firstly you had a cracking time over to whitby yea? great. Bet you and smudge had a nice time last time you were oout? i dont know but you appeared to. It all felt a bit wobbily and as though you were going to drop it at the weekend? didnt want to push it and risk anything? yup been there done that and got the tshirt.

Youve had some time off the bike and your getting back into it. I dont think you can expect to be as good as you were 18 months ago after jumping back on the bike. I see it as a sport (like my skiing or snowboarding) and i only get to do that once every year. It takes me time to get back into it every holiday a bit of practice is needed because all of those muscles ive not used for ages (yea im not 100% flab just yet) need to get going and get their "program" back. As you say i bet you would have been much happier on suzy because your body would have felt more "programed" to the bike. I think the body has a long term memory and changing bikes means you need to put some real time into the new bike to get yourself and your subconcious used to it. I hope that makes sense?

Sat wasnt easy. it was wet and very very windy. You almost ran out of fuel and yes i was tired too by the end of it (i was living off those energy drinks!) getting back into it isnt going to be helped with conditions like that. If i had had a few months off i would have been struggling like buggery. I know some people wont and thats just great but personally i would have been leaning back in the corners, hitting the breaks, not feeling right.

Following you you changed 100% from going over the tops (no fuel, light front end, sheep, ditches scary times) to the main roady (if you can call it that) where by your lines were great, you were tipping the bike in more, much faster and smoother (could just about keep up) so no you havnt lost your mojo its just in that waterproof/windproof pocket imo.

Get a nice day and go out. Bet its there!

Yeah I get what your saying Andy. Whitby was fantastic, I was freee of the 'Alien' that had taken over for 9 months! When I went out with Smudge, he'd just got the 955, and was as wibbly as me! We had a right laugh, as hes joined the self preservation society, and although will wizz off in the distance at times, reels it back in to watch the scenery, as he feels his mindset has changed rather a lot since his recent accidents.

Wibbly wobbly, I don't like, I put up with it, but i don't like it. I'm not as strong as I used to be. For a small bird, I'm somewhat built rather well, but the baby has taken things out of me in a way I wasn't expecting. Its like my middle has disappeared!
Top half works, no good if the middle don't eh! Strong I may be, but I'm a bit broken from other injuries, so adding a baby in there seems to have just made little old me even more buggered than what I was before!

With Suzy, I was at one with my bike, I moulded to her, as I've said, I'm very comfortable on the Raptor, but still learning to be at one with it, I'm pretty much nearly there, as you've noticed, I think certain stresses took its toll on Sunday....all at once!!
Nice shot in a bottle, got me home that ;)

[kitkat]

maybe riding a bike is like sex, the less you have the less you want. I going to try and get out on the bike in the next few weeks. dizzy - I dont know what the answer to being a couple of old birds is, Ive got kids (supposed to keep you young), toyboy (again supposed to keep you young) maybe need some anti wrinkle cream too lol. keep up the rideouts and hopefully you will start to enjoy it as much as you did.

[Dicky Ticker]

"They seek it here,they seek it there"----------just one of those things that seems to come and go,well thats what I have found after nearly 50 years of riding.
I keep saying it is time to hang up my lid but one of these special days come along and everything is fine again.
After the wet and windy week we had in Scotland its not so much lost Mojo,more of a lost mind and insanity with the terrible conditions we had at times.

HAVE YOU TRIED LOOKING UNDER THE BED?---kids tend to hide things there:D

[dizzyblonde]

HAVE YOU TRIED LOOKING UNDER THE BED?---kids tend to hide things there:D


I've got no chance then......you ain't seen what Dylan has stashed under his!

[AndyBrad]

I've got no chance then......you ain't seen what Dylan has stashed under his!


raptor throttle cable?


sorry couldnt resist. ;)

Its just the self preservation society dizz. chill and go with it. It will all come good in the end, everything allways does. :D

[Sid Squid]

You can have mine.

It's rabidly functional and of little use to me.

[dizzyblonde]

You can have mine.

It's rabidly functional and of little use to me.


:(:(
Still no better Sir?

[punyXpress]

Nearly posted last night, but thought a ( little ) bit of reflection might help.
I thought Sunday was a re-baptism of fire ( if that's possible in all that rain ) and to start with a pretty rugged bit of road was just at the point ( for some of us ) where invigorating become very hard work. The last bit after T Hill was the sort of thing people go to Alton Towers for instead of using laxatives. That blast of wind that shoved you into the next parish was quite terrifying and lots would have just parked up & had a bloody good cry. YOU carried on, blaming lack of pace on your fuel light, but I know better - you were just going steady to see this old frat got safely home!
Others have said that this time of year can be like that, particularly for those of us who don't ride all year ( oh, the shame of that ) but the Mojo is like the cuckoo - it gets you when you least expect it. You did bloody well on Sunday! :D
Just a final thought - was Dylan wearing a nappy or a turban when you got home ?

[dizzyblonde]

Nearly posted last night, but thought a ( little ) bit of reflection might help.
I thought Sunday was a re-baptism of fire ( if that's possible in all that rain ) and to start with a pretty rugged bit of road was just at the point ( for some of us ) where invigorating become very hard work. The last bit after T Hill was the sort of thing people go to Alton Towers for instead of using laxatives. That blast of wind that shoved you into the next parish was quite terrifying and lots would have just parked up & had a bloody good cry. YOU carried on, blaming lack of pace on your fuel light, but I know better - you were just going steady to see this old frat got safely home!
Others have said that this time of year can be like that, particularly for those of us who don't ride all year ( oh, the shame of that ) but the Mojo is like the cuckoo - it gets you when you least expect it. You did bloody well on Sunday! :D
Just a final thought - was Dylan wearing a nappy or a turban when you got home ?


:smt008

No, seriously, I was completely out of fuel, sold light means, shi1t yerself, feckin shift or yer going to get stuck in the middle of nowhere!
Going slow was my hand shaking after that gust nearly took me and you away with the sheep, and an urge for the bike not to slurp but sip.....honest;)

The last bit after T Hill was the sort of thing people go to Alton Towers for instead of using laxatives.

:lol:
That has to be the best description of the day ever!

Dylan was out playing cricket, and Oliver somehow managed to get fed, watered and bathed by his dad:smt104 and was wearing his nappy in the correct place....how this is possible is anyones guess, I expected it to be on his head:-D Even grandad survived the day!

[punyXpress]

Soory, got their names crossed. :confused:

[The Idle Biker]

maybe riding a bike is like sex, the less you have the less you want.

Dizzy I don't know you so I'm not even going to try to give advice.
I'd just like to add though that KitKat is just wrong. Wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong on every level, well for blokes anyway.:)

[-Ralph-]

Unfortunately I am not blessed with being able to take it out when I want. I have to go through a great big co ordination challenge getting someone to look after the kids, and follow baby instructions to the letter. If I could just go out, then I would be perhaps be happier. I also have another biker in the house, who is at work all week, and wants to go out on his day off too....but both of us can't most of the time, its either him or me, or neither

Ralph, you've pretty much hit it on the head. The crest scenario is actually a very good example. The problem is, why is it happening after child number two, when it didn't even rear its head with child number one?

I dont think its to do with kids as when I started riding 10 years ago I had an 8 year old and 4 year old. If I had a spare half hour I would nip out on the bike. any excuse to get out, no matter what the weather (just as well as it was Scotland). I dont know what is up with me either.

Sorry ladies, I know I'm cruising for a bruising here, but it's age. Age changes the way you think about things. Have you noticed any changes in the way you do things with the baby, compared to the way you did things with your first child? I was a step parent from the age of 19 to 25, then I had Euan when I was 31, I'm a very different Dad now to the one I was then. I realise that a lot of the approaches I took to education and discipline then were the wrong approach. As just one example, my patience level is 100 times better now than it was then. If you are a different person in other aspects of life since your first child, why wouldn't you be a different person when it comes to your riding?

The childcare thing is difficult. If we had had easier access to childcare for the first two years of Euan's life (one of the main reasons we moved to Englandshire closer to my mother and sister), Sandrine probably wouldn't have lost her pillion mojo. When you do eventually get the time to ride again, it'll come back.

Andybrad is right about the new bike too. I had a spell where I couldn't ride due to a wrist injury, then I sold the SV and bought the Daytona, and that was last December right at the beginning of what was a very long winter. It look me until about May before I felt comfortable on the Daytona.

It sounds like you guys had a hard day too, on a new bike, in **** weather, when you haven't ridden for ages. Doesn't sound much like fun to me. Your not going to feel like you've got much biking mojo under those conditions. Try getting out on a rideout with some other similar paced riders, on a nice dry sunny day, and see how you feel then.

I feel like coming up and babysitting for the day to let you and Peg go and stick some miles under your belt. And I would, but not sure DizzyPeg would agree that it was such a good idea! ;-)

I've got no chance then......you ain't seen what Dylan has stashed under his!

He hasn't started stealing from Peg's porn collection already has he? ;)

[dizzyblonde]

Soory, got their names crossed. :confused:


No matter, you just reminded me of a movie I watched on saturday afternoon. Sums up our trip rather nicely!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfoNmmJcgV4&feature=related
zfoNmmJcgV4&feature

:pukel:

[Ceri JC]

It's the worry caused by these unreliable italian bikes.

All aches and pains are just because you are not used to it.

Yup, the aches mean you're not "bike fit". The answer is to ride more. :)

[dirtydog]

My bike mojo has been missing for a little while, have ridden in quite a while now but I can feeling it starting to come back now

[dizzyblonde]

Yup, the aches mean you're not "bike fit". The answer is to ride more. :)

I know this, but again, I'm in a predicament where I can't ride more, anymore. I can lift all the weights in the world, and keep trim as best I can, but if i can't ride.......:(


Now....if Chris would like to look after the kids for me for a day or six.......:rolleyes:

[kitkat]

Sorry ladies, I know I'm cruising for a bruising here, but it's age.

yes you are, you cheeky whipper snapper lol

[-Ralph-]

yes you are, you cheeky whipper snapper lol

:mrgreen:

[AndyBrad]

I know this, but again, I'm in a predicament where I can't ride more, anymore. I can lift all the weights in the world, and keep trim as best I can, but if i can't ride.......:(


Now....if Chris would like to look after the kids for me for a day or six.......:rolleyes:

good plan, can you not palm the kids off to yc? after all hes not got maria for the time being so will be twiddling his thumbs at home....... ;)

[-Ralph-]

Twiddling thumbs isn't what a few weeks without a girlfriend usually results in ;-)

[andrewsmith]

Twiddling thumbs isn't what a few weeks without a girlfriend usually results in ;-)

Haha ralph your on form mate!

[missyburd]

I KNOW! BOB ATE IT :lol:

Eeee what we gonna do with you! I was going to suggest what fenjer did, about the new mum thing again. You weren't riding when you first had Dylan, you can deny it all you like but ultimately you have just brought a little sproglet into the world and he needs you, you want to be there, end of. We know how much you love your bikes, how much you've been pining for them all through your pregnancy so you don't need to justify that. You're just feeling crappy atm because you know you don't have the freedom to ride like you did. That will come! Patience old bean! :mrgreen:

Besides which, I'll be back in a month and then we'll see about getting you out and about again. You'd better not DARE to back out now with your mojo bol-locks, I need my girlie riding buddy so (in true Mr T style) quite yo' jibba jabba! Oh and if you actually manage to get YC to agree to babysit I may fall off a cliff in shock :D


Twiddling thumbs isn't what a few weeks without a girlfriend usually results in ;-)
Oi, don't give him any ideas! :p

[dizzyblonde]

I KNOW! BOB ATE IT :lol:

You weren't riding when you first had Dylan, Besides which, I'll be back in a month and then we'll see about getting you out and about again. You'd better not DARE to back out now with your mojo bol-locks, I need my girlie riding buddy so (in true Mr T style) quite yo' jibba jabba! Oh and if you actually manage to get YC to agree to babysit I may fall off a cliff in shock :D



Oi, don't give him any ideas! :p
:lol: Bob eats everything else!!
I'm afraid my ass has been sat on the back of a bike since Dylan was six weeks old, if only as a passenger. I got my L plates when he was 2. Remember Matt was changing his nappies from him being 2, I can't forget that. Dylans 9 going on 10...I may be blonde but I ain't forgetful....much:p

I now feel reeeeeaallly old. you n chris wouldn't have been much older than Dylan is now, back then :(

I know you need a riding buddy, but its not as simple as chucking them under the stairs. Theres another person in this house insisting on bike time too on his days off, so not as easy as some may think to steal the odd hours here and there.

so shurrrup foooooo :lol:

[Bibio]

as others have mentioned its the kids. its always in the back of your mind and you are always on a 'time' constraint. i think that whenever you get 'spare' time you are thinking to yourself 'i must get out on the bike' for some 'me' time. i know i do, but i also know that every week on the same day i 'get out to play' so the day is always planned and i know i don't have to be back until i want to be back which is usually about 10-12pm.

there is no easy answer but if it helps, you don't have to go out on the bike. go do something else instead this will take the pressure off the 'have to' and turn it back into the 'want to'.

but i'm no shrink and always talking bollox.

[missyburd]

:lol: Bob eats everything else!!
I'm afraid my ass has been sat on the back of a bike since Dylan was six weeks old, if only as a passenger. I got my L plates when he was 2. Remember Matt was changing his nappies from him being 2, I can't forget that. Dylans 9 going on 10...I may be blonde but I ain't forgetful....much:p

I now feel reeeeeaallly old. you n chris wouldn't have been much older than Dylan is now, back then :(

I know you need a riding buddy, but its not as simple as chucking them under the stairs. Theres another person in this house insisting on bike time too on his days off, so not as easy as some may think to steal the odd hours here and there.

so shurrrup foooooo :lol:

Well even so, I'm sure it plays some part. Unfortunately with biking, you need to keep with it to keep the confidence up, the fact you've been out of the loop for a bit, then launched into a new bike (to you) doesn't help, means any spare time you have you're almost feeling the pressure to get on the Rap and get used to it and we all know having to do things makes them seem less fun. Hell I'm going to lose all confidence just having 2 motnhs off and launching into the SV! And there's not going to be much chance of you getting much practice in really. I don;t know how new mums juggle their time to keep riding, doesn't seem feasible. But I reckon it's just one of those things, grit your teeth and enjoy Ollie before he goes too school and before Dilbert hits the teenage years, then fling yourself back into biking. But don't get rid of em! You may think it's hard to get back into it properly, it's even harder when you don't have a bike to do it with ;)

Anyway, is this just a long winded way of saying you miss me? :mrgreen::mrgreen::mrgreen:

[yorkie_chris]

Now....if Chris would like to look after the kids for me for a day or six.......:rolleyes:

You can f*** off. I don't mind taking care of bikes but there are definite limits!

good plan, can you not palm the kids off to yc? after all hes not got maria for the time being so will be twiddling his thumbs at home....... ;)

You too!

Twiddling thumbs isn't what a few weeks without a girlfriend usually results in ;-)

And you as well!


:smt098

[dizzyblonde]

Well even so, I'm sure it plays some part. Unfortunately with biking, you need to keep with it to keep the confidence up, the fact you've been out of the loop for a bit, then launched into a new bike (to you) doesn't help, means any spare time you have you're almost feeling the pressure to get on the Rap and get used to it and we all know having to do things makes them seem less fun. Hell I'm going to lose all confidence just having 2 motnhs off and launching into the SV! And there's not going to be much chance of you getting much practice in really. I don;t know how new mums juggle their time to keep riding, doesn't seem feasible. But I reckon it's just one of those things, grit your teeth and enjoy Ollie before he goes too school and before Dilbert hits the teenage years, then fling yourself back into biking. But don't get rid of em! You may think it's hard to get back into it properly, it's even harder when you don't have a bike to do it with ;)

Anyway, is this just a long winded way of saying you miss me? :mrgreen::mrgreen::mrgreen:

It ain't confidence thats the issue. I can't even be ar$ed to get Suzy on the road. I aren't under any pressure to get on the Raptor, both were supposed to be on the road by now, but things have gotten in the way of Suze and TBH it has peed me off a tad.:smt019

Yea of course I miss me mate....:p

anyway....WTF is with this Panythozuz person, their posts are filthy and filling the forum with not very U rated stories!

[yorkie_chris]

Obviously a spammer. If you see owt like that just report the post so a mod can zap them.

[dizzyblonde]

Tiz wot I did..,,it was spammer on epic scale, twas everywhere!!!

[dizzyblonde]

Found it.............bottom of Suzys airbox\\:D/

Took her out today, got her MOTd and taxed, shes like an old pair of slippers, my old friend who has been with me for years, found my mojo:D

Even if she popped, banged and farted, felt as stiff as a board, back brake only lights up if you completely stamp hard on it, tyres probably got flat spots. She only needed a tickle to get the fuel through and she roared into life.:p

Only thing is, shes a bit slow.....Raptor shows her up big time, but then I like the slow way that she is!

[DJFridge]

That's exactly 3 weeks to rediscover your mojo - I reckon that's pretty good going! Glad to see you sounding positive

[dizzyblonde]

....and I haven't ridden in between either. Feels longer than that!
Oh its not entirely returned, don't be convinced it has. BUT, having her back on the road is helping.
I should have insisted she got T&Td at the same time as the Raptor, but best laid plans etc.
Today we had a lot of stuff to move around in the shed, so she came out in the sun, and I took a decision she was coming out and staying out, or she'd have stayed there another year :(
TBH, I was annoyed earlier I'd been done out of three weeks of tax, but now I couldn't give a rats ar$e, cause she won't be run in December anyway!!

[Bibio]

well it seems to me that your mojo is firmly fixed to the SV. you like the rap but if its not giving you that loving feeling then get rid. i see it as the rap is lust but the sv is true love.

[rictus01]

hold your horses, riding wise Lou's had the raptor 5 minutes, totally different to anything she's ridden before, and she's being told to get rid of it ? both bikes require a degree of learning to fully enjoy them, she's done that on the SV but obviously not quite there yet with the raptor, I'd hate to see her limited to one model of bike just because she didn't give it a fair crack and was swayed by other peoples options to "get rid".

[dizzyblonde]

Correct mark.
I've had the SV in my life since it came from the dealers to be shown off at my house, I've sat pillion on it up and down the country, it was my first big bike when I took it from its impending doom in Matts garage rotting, I've nursed it back to life, spent a fortune on it, and basically know every square inch. It was my work horse, the source of many a frustrating hour and many a jubilent moment.
I don't ride every day any more, I'm lucky to get out once a month, it took me years to perfect my riding style with the SV, as I had two for four years, with differing traits.

The VRap has been in my possession for a year, with only a half dozen proper rides on it. I'm very comfortable on it, but you have to remember I've been on an SV for seven years in the pilot seat, with only a handful of 'tryouts' on a nakid SV, I've not been interested in any other bike whatsoever, so how do you figure that the VRap ain't for me Lance, when I'm still learning to get along with it?
At this rate it will take me two years just to get to know its every inch!
Its a totally different machine, and at times I start riding it like an SV, which I've to retrain my brain not to do.
Its like getting to know a dog from the rescue centre, you have to give it time and full attention, something I don't have right now.....another thing to point out is, for four years of the other VRap being in the house, I was told scary stories and totally put off ever putting a key near it.....the minute I took mine out, I was puzzled because none of what I was told has rung true so far!
its far from lust, I've gone with a bike I've always wanted, I've known and stared at for years, I'm picky about riding positions, this one suits my limited shoulder positioning, I aren't ever going to get anything but a Vtwin, I aren't stretched over a tank like on a mille, or a Falco, it suits a petite rider(I'm tall but small) the raptor fits ME like a glove..........I just need time to get on with a big bike, I haven't got it! It was always meant to be a toy anyway, besides I know who I need to come to visit, and I know straight away if I'm ok cause he'll be frank and honest what we go out to play......won't you MArk ;)
Peg will tell you, no matter which bike it is I wobble off down the road, and it takes me a good twenty minutes these days to feel ok on the road, I'm so out of practise for a seasoned rider its terrible. Was the same with Suzy yesterday, I rode to the MOT centre not getting above 20mph! Once that was out of the way I was a different bunny. TBH the VRaps a lot more planted than the SV is, it may be big and heavy but its oh so different in the wobble off down the road. If I was having difficulty of it being the wrong bike, Pete would have said something by now, he hasn't, in fact quite the opposite. Before I bought it, we used to go to a few shops browsing, still do, he likes to do that sort of thing.....I've not found a bike that I can't pick holes in yet, I'm not meaning looks, I'm meaning how I see it, sat on it...apart from the VRap, perfect from day one.

APART from anything, I'm big enough, and very much hard enough to say 'thats bikes a bag o sh1te, I frickin hate it, wish I ain't bothered I'm getting rid'...........I'd have said that last year, IF it wasn't the right bike, been round here long enough for folks to know that ;)

[AndyBrad]

agreed. took me 6 months to get to grips with the speed four. then i started to learn to ride it.

[dizzyblonde]

Andy has ridden with me, and has said I've been like two different people in two different situations.......at one point he couldn't keep up......poof :lol:

Still haven't changed that front yet Andy, haven't had time:rolleyes:

[454697819]

lost mine...

was well fixed to the Tuono which was abruptly brought to an end...

meh.

[AndyBrad]

Andy has ridden with me, and has said I've been like two different people in two different situations.......at one point he couldn't keep up......poof :lol:

Still haven't changed that front yet Andy, haven't had time:rolleyes:

ahh ha, yea thats right lou, :)

your call, dont feel as though you have to change it. I was just saying i really really didnt like them.

i could see you were exactally the same as me when i got the s4. Happy as larry on a nice smooth wide road. scared silly on something twisty covered in gravel.

dont worry after youve dropped it a few times youll be ahppy to throw it about more ;)

did you have a look in the tank?

[dizzyblonde]

ahh ha, yea thats right lou, :)

your call, dont feel as though you have to change it. I was just saying i really really didnt like them.

i could see you were exactally the same as me when i got the s4. Happy as larry on a nice smooth wide road. scared silly on something twisty covered in gravel.

dont worry after youve dropped it a few times youll be ahppy to throw it about more ;)

did you have a look in the tank?

No you were right. I remembered I was a bit like it when I had an old Azaro on the front of the SV and a new Storm on the rear. Its alright if both tyres are excellent, but if you have one thats just 'ok' better to get rid.
I wouldn't say scared silly though. More a case of being a little bit more tentative, choosing my path slightly more carefully.

I shan't be dropping it a few times, can't afford the bill for the indicators:rolleyes:
What about the tank? oh you mean the air filter? nope not had chance for that either:mad:

[G]

My bike mojo comes and goes all the time.

I've not been on my bike for a couple of weeks, theres a good chance I'll not be getting back on it until the middle or end of August :(

I'm offshore from Monday until the first week in August, then I'm off on holiday for a couple of weeks.

Work has very much taken over in the past few months, I enjoy work and I'm fortunate that it pays well enough to allow me to buy nice things so I can't really complain. It's a pain that the same 'work' prevents you from enjoying the things you've bought.

When you have a decent chunk of cash tied up in an asset you don't use very much it does make you question the logic of having it.

Everytime I open the garage or look at photos on my phone it swiftly makes sense again.

[dizzyblonde]

My work is my kids. And I agree opening up those doors gives you a moment of clarity some days. I don't smoke, I very rarely drink, I don't go out every weekend with mates to the pub, I'm pretty much stuck in apart from an odd day here or there.
My bikes are my hobby, and usually my passion, so for anyone who says why should you have them if you don't use them, its pretty much going to be a two finger reply.
I might sacrifice an awful lot, if you look carefully, or know me properly, there is no way I'm going to turn into a nun and give up everything, just because someone might say so :)

[Bibio]

well call me a well and truly told off :dwarf: :smt046

so what your saying is the sv is your pipe ans slippers and the rap is yer roller blades :safe:

[dizzyblonde]

Aye, you could say that :lol: