Sports & Recreation

Motorcycle Mama
by Christine Wilson Weaver
Mannington, NJ

Mission: To unite Salem County Women who ride or want to learn how to ride motorcycles for recreation, education, mutual support, recognition,
and to promote a positive image of motorcycling.

It’s finally Saturday morning and as you look out your window you notice the sky is filled with dark gray clouds. As you drink your first cup of coffee, you wonder if you really want to chance getting a wet butt on your bike. You have been looking forward to this day all week to have fun with your crazy biker buds. You ask yourself, "Do I really want to get my shiny bike all dirty?" Well, if you’re anything like me, you answer, "Hell Yeah!"

I have ridden on my motorcycle for hours during rainstorms, high winds, lightning, and even tornado warnings to get to my destination. When we get it in our mind that we are ready to ride, rarely can mother nature hold us back. As the days are getting warmer you may think, “What’s a little rain going to hurt?" Well just in case luck isn’t on your side, here are a few tips and reminders to help you rebel bikers prepare to ride in the rain and keep yourself as dry as possible...but most importantly, safe. After all, we are in New Jersey...home of rainy days and crazy automobile owners on the roadways!

Most of you riders may have already purchased waterproof boots or waterproof boot spray. At the very least you should have also bought gloves which securely fasten around your wrist to help keep your hands dry and warm during the rain. Some of you may even have gone as far as purchasing a rain suit. We’ve all seen those bikers pull over under an overpass to put their gear on as the unwanted rain comes down upon them while enjoying their bike ride. You may have also seen frugal bikers who wear a couple of large trash bags over their clothing or grocery bags inside their boots. Hey, don’t you dare laugh...they may not look cool, but at least they’re dry! Riding in the rain is not fun without the proper gear.

Make sure your tires have good tread to help grip the slippery road. Whether drizzle or downpour, even with good tires you should not continue to ride in the rain with your bike. You may hydroplane or worse yet, lay your bike down in front of oncoming traffic. Pull over under an overpass and take cover. I’ve met some of the coolest people that way. Sit back and enjoy listening to the peaceful rain until the storm passes.

Oil and grease tend to loosen up and sit on the surface of the roadways just as the rain begins, especially at tolls booths. If you have to continue to ride to your destination wait for about 15 minutes after the storm begins. The cars will splash the grease and oil to the side of the street. Be sure to stay away from the painted lines and ride in the paths of the tire trails from the vehicles in front of you. If at all possible, avoid the slick manholes and railroad tracks. Make sure to keep a steady throttle while doing so. I know, just my mentioning the word "throttle" has got you all excited and you want to run out to your garage and rev her up!

If you are riding with a full face helmet, Rain-X works great to help the water roll and bounce off your visor. It really sucks when your visor or glasses become foggy when on the road. If you’re not fortunate enough to have a beautiful backseat Motorcycle Mama to help you wipe them down every 5 minutes, you can crack your visor and hopefully eliminate the problem.

Obviously we all want to avoid riding in the rain with our precious manicured bikes that take forever to clean, but there is still the possibility those nasty clouds may open up and suddenly ruin your trip. So please, just be prepared and stay alert so that I will be able to continue to see all of you out there riding those beautiful back roads on the anticipated warm and sunny days with our hair flowing wildly in the wind. I’m sure there will be the chance you will see me and my hubs, "Reds," on our Harley. We live for beautiful days to go out on the bike.

Be safe, have fun, and may the rainy days be few and far between. However, if not for the rain, there would be no rainbow.....which hopefully would be followed by a beautiful warm sunset.

Peace...Love...and Happiness.....Motorcycle Mama

Motorcycle Mama can be reached by email for questions or comments at mrschrisweaver@yahoo.com. Her articles can also be found on our sister sites at www.cumberlandcountywoman.com and www.womenofatlanticcounty.com.

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