A Day in the Rain post reminded me of a trip 30 some years ago.
I lived in South Africa at the time and had only a GPZ750 as the only mode of transportation, rain, or shine.
One of my late dad’s friends passed away and I felt obligated to pay my respects. Didn’t have much money then, still don’t, so my riding gear consisted of an old hand me down leather motorcycle jacket, pair of gauntlet leather gloves, pair of jeans where my then girlfriend had sewn additional padding onto, pair of high-top gym shoes and a good helmet. Helmet was a top-of-the-line Shoei, complements of the said girlfriend.
As soon as I left the little town I used to live in, it started to pour. Trust me it can RAIN in South Africa.
I had a 300 km trip ahead of me, and seriously considered turning back. However, when you’re 20 yrs. old you think nah, it will stop pretty soon. I rode in pouring rain almost all the way to Newcastle from town called Kriel. It stopped raining a couple of kilometers from the church where the services were held. Because I was soaking wet, I decided to head back right after the funeral. Hoping that the weather will hold. Guess what, it started to rain as soon as I left.
About halfway back I have had enough. I pulled into a gas station; soaking wet all the way thru. I asked the clerk for one of those big black garbage bags. I thought that the plastic might create some kind of barrier from the wet, penetrating cold. I wanted to cut out holes for my arms and neck and wear this contraption under my soaking gear. Went to the restroom and proceeded to undress in the middle of it.
And at this precise moment walks in this older, straight and narrow, farmer type gentlemen. He took one look at me standing there shivering in my skivvies among the pile of wet clothes, and without a word or change of expression just turned around a walked right out. I will always remember his expression of utter disbelief and surprise.
I dressed as quickly as I could, put on all the wet stuff back on and rode home in the pouring rain.
It stopped raining just as I got off my bike in the driveway.
I lived in South Africa at the time and had only a GPZ750 as the only mode of transportation, rain, or shine.
One of my late dad’s friends passed away and I felt obligated to pay my respects. Didn’t have much money then, still don’t, so my riding gear consisted of an old hand me down leather motorcycle jacket, pair of gauntlet leather gloves, pair of jeans where my then girlfriend had sewn additional padding onto, pair of high-top gym shoes and a good helmet. Helmet was a top-of-the-line Shoei, complements of the said girlfriend.
As soon as I left the little town I used to live in, it started to pour. Trust me it can RAIN in South Africa.
I had a 300 km trip ahead of me, and seriously considered turning back. However, when you’re 20 yrs. old you think nah, it will stop pretty soon. I rode in pouring rain almost all the way to Newcastle from town called Kriel. It stopped raining a couple of kilometers from the church where the services were held. Because I was soaking wet, I decided to head back right after the funeral. Hoping that the weather will hold. Guess what, it started to rain as soon as I left.
About halfway back I have had enough. I pulled into a gas station; soaking wet all the way thru. I asked the clerk for one of those big black garbage bags. I thought that the plastic might create some kind of barrier from the wet, penetrating cold. I wanted to cut out holes for my arms and neck and wear this contraption under my soaking gear. Went to the restroom and proceeded to undress in the middle of it.
And at this precise moment walks in this older, straight and narrow, farmer type gentlemen. He took one look at me standing there shivering in my skivvies among the pile of wet clothes, and without a word or change of expression just turned around a walked right out. I will always remember his expression of utter disbelief and surprise.
I dressed as quickly as I could, put on all the wet stuff back on and rode home in the pouring rain.
It stopped raining just as I got off my bike in the driveway.