Ran out of gas. O. M. G.

I've mapped out this great little ride between our house to Eden Valley and back. It has some nice sweeping curves on it, the roads themselves are in great shape & it takes me through Marty & St. Nicholas.

Heading home today (I turn around in Eden Valley) & as I was passing a corn field with two gentlemen hoeing in it, I suddenly lost all power. Did I mention I was on my motorcycle? I was on my motorcycle.

I downshifted, turned the throttle & there was nothing. I was thinking... WTF ? This is the first time I feel as if I really am justified in using wtf btw.

As i pulled onto the shoulder I realized the bike was turned OFF. As in NOT running!! So I got off, stood to the side of my motorcycle and looked at it in bewilderment. What is WRONG with you I thought?

Then I suddenly realize #1 I don't have any cash with me #2 I don't have my cell phone and #3 I know NOTHING about fixing a motorcycle!

I got back on my motorcycle, checked to make sure that I didn't accidently hit the kill switch (i hadn't) and tried to start it up. It turns over but doesn't start. I put the choke on, tried again, it not only won't start but the battery is now struggling.

This is going to take a little more time than I thought. I dismounted again, took a furtive glance at the fellows in the field to see if they notice me and they seem to be oblivious. Whew!! I have time to check things out and not be watched & if I really have to ask for help, I can.

Now I take my helmet off & put it on the ground & I kneel by it looking at my motorcycle engine like it is some sort of alien or something. I'd never really looked at it before. Did you know that there are a LOT of springs and cables , wires and textured pieces of metal on an engine? I didn't.

But I DO know that there is a reserve setting on what is called a "petcock" and that the "petcock" has something to do with gasoline getting to the engine. I looked on the right side of the bike, then the left, the right again, and the left a little closer. There it is. The petcock. There is an "on" an "off" a "prime" and a "reserve" setting. Great. Could it really be the gas?

I got back on my motorcycle and swished the tank around. I HEAR gas! I opened up the tank, peered in and swished it around. I even SEE gas! How could I have run out of gas???

Since I really seriously know nothing else to try, I put the petcock on reserve hopped on , checked all the controls, turned the key, hit the start button & it started right up. Still not being completely confident that it will be this easy, I quickly remind myself to not only put my helmet back on but to STRAP it on, I get set , look back and take off for home.... slowly.

I suppose all of that took no more than five minutes , probably less, but it seemed longer. To get an idea of how nice this route is, not ONE car passed me from either direction throughout this whole process.

I will carry cash from now on and my cell phone.

Gotta go. Dan's home from fishing & I can't wait to tell him of my adventure.

I am anticipating that he will make a comment about having put the gas can next to my motorcycle last night.

Mary