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