2009 in Review: 100 Things I’ve Learned About Motorcycling

2009 was an excellent year here in Fuzzygalore-land. I’m blessed with good health, a great family, prosperity and an amazing group of motorcycle friends from around the world.

100 Things I’ve Learned in 2009

  1. If for a split second the thought “I should stop to look at that” crosses my mind, I should indeed stop.
  2. My friends will wait – No excuses necessary.
  3. My motorcycle blog is my blog. I have to remember to not feel bad because it’s not like someone else’s motorcycle blog.
  4. I still need to work on handing out my trust.
  5. I no longer want to do track days. That time has come and gone.
  6. A Costa Rican bike tour is on my short list.
  7. I need to let other people lead and make routes.
  8. It’s okay to make friends with other riders. Not everyone is a squid.
  9. At this point I much prefer a textile jacket.
  10. I’m still not tolerant enough to be nice when people ask if “I’m hot in that.”
  11. Waterproof boots made my life better.
  12. I am definitely not a BMW person.
  13. Fanatical brand loyalists can be incredibly annoying.
  14. I really think the Speed Triple is my most-favorite bike ever.
  15. I still can’t ride with a tinted visor.
  16. The term biker still seems like it has a negative connotation to it.
  17. I’m still waiting for someone to change my mind.
  18. At this point, I think 3 cylinders are the way to go for me.
  19. If I could figure out how to get my dog to ride the with me, I’d probably take her along.
  20. Riding helps me relax.
  21. I want a pink motorcycle and I won’t apologize for that.
  22. It’s okay to not be mechanically inclined.
  23. I really don’t need a GPS.
  24. GPS fanatical loyalists can be really annoying.
  25. Metal flake paint makes everything okay.
  26. I would still love a Givi box on the Triple.
  27. Motorcycle riding dents all of my cameras.
  28. I’m even more certain that I am not cut out for any type of Iron Butt riding.
  29. I’m really impressed with anyone else who can sit that long without going bonkers.
  30. I see a banana guard in my future.
  31. I have no idea where I “fit” in the motorcycle world.
  32. I’m strangely drawn to bobbers.
  33. I would really like to go to the Isle of Man.
  34. I still don’t see why people looked down on Long Way Round. Those guys still rode the miles!
  35. Discovery HD had some great motorcycle shows to pass the time.
  36. RoadRunner magazine makes me want to go places.
  37. A giant cauliflower is just as good a reason to go for a ride as any.
  38. I prefer riding in the cold over riding in the heat.
  39. Motorcycle bloggers are an interesting and diverse bunch. They help the workday go by.
  40. I’m struggling with whether it’s better to have slabbed and seen or not seen at all.
  41. I often think about what riding in California was like and think I’d like to move there one day.
  42. I really like other motorcyclists who don’t seem to “fit” a lifestyle or clique either.
  43. I want to ride in the Alps sooner rather than later.
  44. I sometimes wish I had a scooter but I know I’d never ride it.
  45. I need to ride to work more often.
  46. I wish I could feel okay about riding in jeans.
  47. No other leather smells like Vanson.
  48. My gloves usually fade to brown before I ever wear them out.
  49. 75% of the things that are in my tank bag could probably be taken out and thrown away.
  50. I need to pack lunches on some of my day rides instead of buying.
  51. I should ride with other people more often.
  52. Sneaking out for a midnight summer ride is something I should do.
  53. I don’t know what to do with all of the old motorcycle gear. I hate ebay.
  54. I never have any idea what rpm or gear I use.
  55. I love riding in West Virginia.
  56. I hate it when other motorcyclists speed past my house.
  57. Motorcycling is romantic.
  58. There is a strange comfort to the smell of exhaust in my own hair.
  59. I don’t want a new motorcycle.
  60. I find myself envious of west coasters motorcycle photos.
  61. I still want Wonder Woman leathers.
  62. I dream of moving to a rural place just so I could have good roads to ride.
  63. I don’t care about upgrading my suspension.
  64. I’m probably the only person who finds it funny that there are loose Goldfish in my tankbag.
  65. I wish I could figure out how securely attach a giant stuffed Domo to my seat cowl.
  66. The smaller off the beaten path roads are getting more and more appealing.
  67. Not having my earplugs in on the highway now makes me nuts.
  68. The new RSV4 is seriously foxy.
  69. That Icon Speed Cretin helmet has grown on me in kitsch value.
  70. I’m not impressed by horsepower.
  71. I have exactly zero interest in working on or cleaning my bike.
  72. I wish I could go for a ride with my Dad.
  73. I find myself listening to Third Eye Blind often on the bike.
  74. No kidding, I think I do all my best thinking in the saddle.
  75. I can’t remember 99% of my thoughts when I turn the key off.
  76. I ogle those lithe bicycle guys on the road when I’m out on the bike in the summertime.
  77. Watching Catfish compete in the IBR this year was awesome.
  78. I still don’t understand why I can’t make a living riding around looking at and photographing big, silly things.
  79. I will ride to no place special for a cup of coffee.
  80. Almost all of my friends ride motorcycles
  81. I still have no desire to ride a cruiser.
  82. I still fail to understand why anyone would ride to Sturgis, Americade or Laconia when the roads are clogged with people.
  83. If your jacket has fringe on it, it looks stupid.
  84. Think someone should make motorcycle boots that look like Gene Simmon’s demon boots.
  85. I think in 2010 I’d like to camp on the bike.
  86. I need to pay more attention to my tire pressure.
  87. I’m hoping my tipover in November satisfied my mishap for the next decade.
  88. Motorcycle people are still fascinating to me.
  89. I just like saying Hippo Hands.
  90. I don’t care if they’re great, the Hayabusa and the new VFR are fug.
  91. I wonder if I would be any good at a small 24 hour type rally?
  92. It never fails, I never ride as much as I’d hoped to for the year.
  93. I’d love to ride in Utah.
  94. I would love to get a ride in a sidecar.
  95. I think I might buy myself some new leather gloves this year. Maybe.
  96. Yea, Gerbing is still where it’s at.
  97. The Knox glove exoskeleton, even if it is “useless”, is very sexy.
  98. I still don’t know how to hold on if I am pillion.
  99. 80% of my daydreaming involves a motorcycle.
  100. Some things never change – It’s new Year’s day and I am dreaming about my first ride of the year.

Happy New Year from Fuzzygalore.com

This post is nothing without you. Have you learned anything in 2009 you’d like to share?

Fuzzygalore

Rachael is the whimsical writer behind the 20+ year old Girlie Motorcycle Blog. As a freelance blogger, she is on a mission to inspire laughter, self-examination, curiosity, and human connection. Girlie Motorcycle Blog can be found on several Best Motorcycle Blog lists.

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21 Responses

  1. soth says:

    Fuzzy said –

    “If for a split second the thought “I should stop to look at that” crosses my mind, I should indeed stop”

    That’s a valuable lesson I NEED to learn

    “It’s okay to make friends with other riders. Not everyone is a squid.”

    🙂 I’m half a squid

    “I still can’t ride with a tinted visor.”

    You had me on the floor with that one!

    “I would still love a Givi box on the Triple.”

    If I managed to put that gigantic top box on my RC, you can certainly do it on your Triple.

    “I have no idea where I “fit” in the motorcycle world.”

    You fit right where you are! And that’s a great place cause I’m in the same boat.

    “I really like other motorcyclists who don’t seem to “fit” a lifestyle or clique either.’

    Moi aussi.

    “I sometimes wish I had a scooter but I know I’d never ride it.”

    One of my dreams is to get my hands on a Honda Ruckus 250 and try and 360° it at the skatepark near my place.

    “I wonder if I would be any good at a small 24 hour type rally?”

    YES!! This year’s MinuteMan, WE’RE IN, just give me the word!!!

  2. Rascal King says:

    I’ve come to the realization that there will be no time in the near future that any of my friends get bikes, so I’m going to go out on my own to explore.

    The journey is the important part, not the destination.

    Stop and smell the roses.

  3. fuzzygalore says:

    2009 in Review: 100 Things I’ve Learned About Motorcycling: 2009 was an excellent year here in Fuzzyg… http://bit.ly/7WMM4U #motorcycle

  4. soth says:

    Speaking of things people learned this year…

    I learned that Fuzzy don’t tell the true sometimes!

    In reference to the Crotona Midnight Run, Fuzzy said*…

    “…yeah. I’d do it again. ”

    *snipped from Fuzzy’s CMR Ride report that which can be found here – http://www.fuzzygalore.com/category/crotona-midnight-run/

    :):):):):):):):)

  5. ArcDeDucati says:

    That list is oddly similar to mine. Except I would add fitting an aux tank to the Ducati. It’s nice to know others have so many ambitions like mine.

    “I really like other motorcyclists who don’t seem to “fit” a lifestyle or clique either.” – Seems all the black sheep have found each other.

    Oh how do you like your Vibrams? Can’t justify spending $125 on them unless I have a smart persons opinion. Thought they’d be handy on the boardwalk.

    • Fuzzygalore says:

      @Arc
      Though I have a closet full of shoes and then some, it seems like i’m always walking around barefoot. The 5fingers are like walking around barefoot, just.. not 🙂

      I got them for Mother’s Day 2 years ago now. Aside from being pointed at and mocked mercilessly when I wear them I like them very much. You feel everything which is a sensation you aren’t generally used to when you’re out walking in the world. Your feet are usually so disconnected by the soles of your shoes. I never really thought about that until I wore the 5fingers. They offer a connection to what you’re doing that I very much appreciate. They also fit easily into your travel bags on the bike 😉

      I think if you look around the web you can get them in the non-bootie style for around $80. You buy them by actual foot measurement and not shoe size (which you probably already know) so just be mindful of that.

  6. Pinto says:

    “I still don’t understand why I can’t make a living riding around looking at and photographing big, silly things.”

    Perhaps not quite a living, but I don’t see why you couldn’t make a little pile on the side while feeding the habit, Fuzz. You’ve clearly got the writing and photographic skills to put together “Coffee Table” type travel books (bonus points if the jackets include folding legs). Travel books seem to fall into two categories:

    * Amazing photography with little or no backstory. Visually appealing but unsatisfying.

    * Sterile guides on the best places to stay, eat, pick up trinkets, etc. Blah.

    Surely there is room for a few more personal “Roadside America”/”Oddball America” offerings? Think Charles Kuralt, without the geezer or the RV! I’d say your style would have made for a great magazine column as well, but it seems most of that has migrated here to the web.

    You never know – “Muffler Men of Manitoba” could be next year’s runaway bestseller!

    • Fuzzygalore says:

      😆 muffler Man of Manitoba, eh?

      Well, thanks for the vote of confidence, Pinto. Someday when I quit my day job and hit the road I’ll send you a copy of my book 🙂 Of course by the time I can afford to do that I’ll be 187 years old, but it’s something to aspire to!

      I just need to focus. Also, knowing what the hell you’re doing would probably be a good thing. I think that is mostly what I’m lacking 🙂

  7. redbone says:

    please tell me that isn’t your feet in the photo!!! ackk!!!! :O)

  8. redbone says:

    monkeyhands LOL you got monkey feet at the ends of your arms? :O)

  9. fuzzygalore says:

    2009 in Review: 100 Things I've Learned About Motorcycling http://bit.ly/7WMM4U

  10. I will ride to no place special for a cup of coffee – 2009 Things I’ve Learned About Motorcycling – http://bit.ly/4LC0lH via @fuzzygalore

  11. RT @alxrocks @fuzzygalore I will ride to no place special for a cup of coffee – 2009 Things I’ve Lrnd Abt Motrcycling – http://ow.ly/1mOEuW

  12. Biker Ted says:

    2009 was a difficult time at Ted’s Towers. Biking was seriously dented due to loss of employment etc. However all I can say is that life without a bike just isn’t. Here’s hoping for a better 2010, for ourselves and many others.

    • Fuzzygalore says:

      Aww, BikerTed –
      Sorry to hear you were out of work in 2009. That really stinks. 🙁 I hope that you get back on your feet and get out and do some living on the roadways in the very near future.

  13. If the road ends and I wasn’t anticipating, it’s not necessarily the road’s fault. It might be navigator error.

    Rain takes no pity just because you’re about to cry.

    Save the ride videos to the computer before deleting them from the camera.

    And many more. Wonderful entertaining list!

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