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Main Forums => The Roundtable => Topic started by: White Horseradish on June 21, 2013, 09:28:41 PM

Title: Any bike can be an adventure bike
Post by: White Horseradish on June 21, 2013, 09:28:41 PM
We just got home. On the FJ. Through horizontal rain and water about knee deep.

We got caught not too far from home, there was no good place to hide, so going forward seemed like the better option.

It was absolutely insane, yet awesome.

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Title: Re: Any bike can be an adventure bike
Post by: RoadKingLarry on June 21, 2013, 11:51:00 PM
Of all the riding I've done over the last 35+ years it is the adverse conditions, the adventures, that are remembered the most. Either cold, torrential rain or extreme heat, bad roads, getting lost... the pleasant rides, while more enjoyable at the time, are seldom remembered years down the road.
It's all good though.
Title: Re: Any bike can be an adventure bike
Post by: White Horseradish on June 22, 2013, 12:41:05 PM
This was pretty amazing. I am mostly surprised that I actually made it through that, with a passenger, even. Here is the long version from a real keyboard:

The direct deposit did not come through and we had to run and get the paycheck for the Mrs.  We figured we would do a quick run there and back. It mostly worked. The rain started on the way back, but it was a regular rain, no big deal.

We stopped at a gas station, and as soon as we got done filling the tank the rain became torrential and the station went dark.

Figuring that getting wet sitting in place wasn't much different than getting wet moving we went. And then it got worse. The wind was blowing around rain to make it look like snow flurries. The stream of water down my back filled my underwear and started to fill the boots.

With boots full we got to the bridge. That wasn't too bad, except I couldn't see lanes. I think I was in a lane, but who knows. After the bridge I couldn't see a damn thing. All of a sudden the bike started steering real funny. I put my feet down, and something was not right. That's when I realized we are actually turning a corner in two feet of water.

I'm not exactly sure how I found the alley, I think it might have been some vestigial homing instinct. There was only about a foot of water there, and we pretended to be a jet ski all the way to our driveway, which is higher than the alley and therefore dry.

I'm sure glad the FJ is a tall bike and we didn't submerge the intakes. Were I to do this again, I think I'd like to have something more purpose-built...
Title: Re: Any bike can be an adventure bike
Post by: BobR on June 22, 2013, 12:44:23 PM
Quote
Were I to do this again, I think I'd like to have something more purpose-built...

Like a jet ski, that what it sounds like you needed! Glad you got home OK.

bob
Title: Re: Any bike can be an adventure bike
Post by: White Horseradish on June 22, 2013, 07:50:28 PM
Like a jet ski
Maybe I can just rig a couple of floats to the FJ...

 =D
Title: Re: Any bike can be an adventure bike
Post by: bedlamite on June 22, 2013, 07:55:12 PM
Were I to do this again, I think I'd like to have something more purpose-built...

http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/engineering/gonzo/4217932 (http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/engineering/gonzo/4217932)
Title: Re: Any bike can be an adventure bike
Post by: Regolith on June 22, 2013, 10:56:27 PM
http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/engineering/gonzo/4217932 (http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/engineering/gonzo/4217932)

Neat, but I thought that was the point of a jet ski.  ;)