Rust never sleeps, but skills do

Damn, nice curves!

Cold, snow, fugglin' salt all over the roads eating at the aluminum wheels and turning the bike into a 1978 Chevy Citation bucket o' rust right before the eyes: Lots of reasons to not ride these past few months and I've taken every one of them into account, mulled them over and used each one judiciously.

But the time to avoid The Ride is over.

The Ride will not wait.

Being blown about in yesterday's 50 mile an hour gusts, changing lanes when I meant to go straight, was fun as my baby Buell chugged like a 500 cc well pump up and down Jeffersonia's streets. Good times, mate.

Good news, too, as the rest of the week, according to Normal Sprouse, looks like good riding weather. Unfortunately, for a lot of us, the skills are a little behind the times having not been used for some time.

No matter. Follow the recommendations of British Columbia cops and all will be good.

Basic advice for coming back is don't drive like you did last fall. You're not as sharp as you were in October after six months of constant rolling and stopping. You're eyes aren't looking for all the odd spots in the road and

Safe driving, safe riding, safe sex and safe parking

you're Spider sense is slow to tingle when the dorkasaurus, unfortunately not extinct on most roads in this country, in the Ford Exploder is rocking your way with a text in one hand and a Camel in the other.

Practice. Take the next few days to ride often and gently. Get yourself into shape. Take an experienced rider course, either at Shenandoah Harley Davidson on March 26 or at Albemarle High School on April 9. Good times, fun instructors, new SOBs to ride with.

Other advice? Hey,  I know you want more.

Wear obnoxious colors and rude clothing to make yourself visible. White helmets are proven to make you more visible than black. Wear bright and reflective protective gear, at least until your skills are up and more riders are out. Because they don't see you. They are stupid, and their stupid hurts you. Watch out for their sorry asses.

Make sure all your lights are working before every trip.

Wear the gear. Wear padded jackets, boots, gloves. It's spring, but prepare for the fall.

Keep your tires properly inflated and in good working condition. Google fatal crashes at Sturgis 2010 and see how many wrecks were caused by under-inflated tires.

Watch for sand in the road, grit, salt, anything that could send you ass over tail section.

And for crying out loud, get out there. The Ride waits for no one.