Nodding Off

Its been raining ….. Hard.

I mustn’t complain though. We have just had 10 days of unusually hot weather, this has allowed a lot of riding, which is always a good thing.

Riding in the wet holds no fear for me, but equally no appeal. This is not due to any fear of water on tarmac, more, water on tarmac – mixed with the odd diesel spill and idiots in 20 year old Ford Focus’ really not understanding that getting too close to a motorcycle, taking a corner in a steady and sedate manner, could result in the death of the rider if either make a mistake.

Cold has never bothered me (above freezing), Ill ride most dry winter days, though they are few and far between. It always amazes me how many riders are like me, one glimpse of sunshine, the cold weather riding gear is out and, more importantly, so is the bike. Many a discussion has been had over a hot coffee as you try to take the edge off the bitter cold.

Winter bikers …. always nod.

Anyone not au fait with motorcycling may not understand what I am talking about. So, for the avoidance of doubt, Motorcyclists nod or wave to acknowledge one another.

Why? I’m not entirely sure. Legend has it that that William Harley passed Arthur Davidson on the road, being friends they waved at one another, a following biker noticed this wave and presumed it was ‘what bikers do’ …and so, the biker acknowledgement began.

How true this is, I don’t know, but its kind of a cool story.

Anyway, back to our winter bikers… They always nod, always. Perhaps its pity, perhaps in seeing another frozen soul on the winter highway, brings out a natural need to acknowledge his fellow traveller ..,. a signal that ‘I feel your pain, brother’.

I As a child on the back of my Fathers Honda Goldwing GL1500, the nods from other bikers were exhilarating …. I was one of them…. me and the man on the other bike … we are brothers (lets be honest though, they weren’t acknowledging me, but my Dad, 12 year old me probably didn’t care ).

I remember my first nod going solo. Riding on my tiny Derbi GPR 50, a guy on a cruiser (I dont remember the model) nodded …. I nodded back … I spent the next 10 minutes with a huge grin on my face… I’d been accepted … I ….. was a BIKER.

I always nod, Winter or Summer.

I do believe there is something different about bikers and riding, I still, just about, believe its a community. A brotherhood. I don’t care what you ride (I’ve even taken to nodding at scooters) you are one of us.

So why do so many not acknowledge back? ‘Ah…. too cool for school’ is usually what I will mumble under my helmet at the lack of a nod.

I have (with no evidence of any kind) noticed its mostly guys with new(er) sports bikes, with blacked out visors and a Power Ranger suit an expensive top of the line all in one suit on. Maybe the ‘bike cause I can’ brigade are unaware of the custom.

But…. I’ve heard people say ‘Harley Riders won’t nod’. So maybe we are getting to a stage where sports bike riders acknowledge one another, as do cruiser riders, GS riders etc etc…

I hope this isn’t true… I hope, whatever you ride, you acknowledge your fellow rider. I would hate for us motorcyclists to get to a point where we are ‘just another motorist’. Because we are not …. We are bikers.