I swallowed an HTFU pill this morning

**Radar** · 9th April 2009, 20:36

Absolute shiite weather early this morning: 7 degrees, heavy rain, dark gray clouds, windy. Who in their right

mind would choose to go for a ride in crap conditions like that? Me. And I have KB

to blame. It's like this...

Last month I bought a pair of rain pants with a 31 day money back guarantee (see my thread here), with the 31 days nearly up. In the last month I have been in a bit of rain with the new pants but nothing really bad, nothing to give them a good test.

One of the first things I learned here on KB was about HTFU. Had to google what the fk that meant, but then it made sense to me. After all, if any of us wanted comfort we would be driving cages all the time. Just HTFU, get out on the road, and have fun - this is one of the many things I have known to be true, from being on KB.

With the cold rain pelting down outside, I geared up and got on the bike and guess what? Fk me days - I really enjoyed the ride! I went for an hour at 100+ kph, passing trucks, water everywhere, visor fogging, the usual wet weather ride stuff. I almost decided to go all the way to Napier but since I passed through the rain I then did a U turn to get back into the shiite weather. Actually saw a bike two up, touring, then later another touring bike - both times we exchanged waves, probably thinking "Nice to see another idiot out in this muck!"

Passed through Masterton, my home, and was enjoying the ride so much I kept going, only to see a guy stranded by the road sitting on his bike. Another U turn to see what was wrong. He got the bike yesterday on spec from a Masterton bike shop and it crapped out on him - guess it did not like the wet and cold. I offered to go to the shop and get them to bring a truck or trailer to rescue him, but he said his mate was on the way and he would be OK. The poor bugger was not wearing wet weather gear and must have been soaked and freezing. But funny thing... he kept smiling as we talked and was obviously enjoying being on the bike, even if it was dead. A champion. Guess he took an HTFU pill also.

I started by saying "who in their right

mind would choose to go for a ride...". Let's admit it folks, we aren't exactly like others and for sure most non bikers must think we have a few screws loose in our heads but all I can say is: LUCKY US! Reminds me of a Ulysses guy I saw recently wearing a T shirt: "We all DIE, but not all of us LIVE!"

OK, its wet cold and dark outside. Anyone for a ride?

**YellowDog** · 9th April 2009, 20:40

No HTFU pills at this end.

Took the car this morning.

**Taz** · 9th April 2009, 20:55

I rode my bike to work today. But I ride in all weather.....

**Ryan432** · 9th April 2009, 21:04

Lucky bastards get to ride their bikes to work... I had to pedal 23km in the rain today to get to work! funtimes..

**Taz** · 9th April 2009, 21:06

Originally Posted by Ryan432

Lucky bastards get to ride their bikes to work... I had to pedal 23km in the rain today to get to work! funtimes..

Bet you're fitter than me though.

**Ryan432** · 9th April 2009, 21:09

I will be at the end of the three months, at the moment not so much.. Old ladies have been known to come jogging past me!

**vifferman** · 9th April 2009, 21:13

I would've taken the car this morning, but my back is fukt, so I took the bike*. Rode all the way from Albany to Birkenhead and back in the rain to visit the doctor, and it was a bit cool (no liners in my gear, and the heated grips cut out, boo-hoo) but it was satisfying.

* Funny that, huh? Sitting in the nice, comfy, supportive, ergonomically designed Peugeot seat makes me want to scream within seconds. My back/shoulder still hurts on the bike, but not as much, and (as you know) riding is such a totally absorbing activity it's a little easier to not notice the pain. I guess for me this week, riding isn't a case of taking an HTFU pill...

**Taz** · 9th April 2009, 21:16

Originally Posted by vifferman

and the heated grips cut out, boo-hoo)

Oxfords????

**klingon** · 9th April 2009, 21:27

Originally Posted by Radar

...
With the cold rain pelting down outside, I geared up and got on the bike and guess what? Fk me days - I really enjoyed the ride! ...

OK, its wet cold and dark outside. Anyone for a ride?

Brilliant post. Makes me want to get out on the bike in the wind and rain! Good onya.

**Mystic13** · 9th April 2009, 21:32

Yeah, I ride with a few guys who are up for it when the weather is real bad. Now that you have the wets, you should also look into rain-off gloves. www.rain-off.com in Titirangi.

The other thing I recommend is a high viz bike. Mine has a blue neon glow which you can't miss at night or in the dark. Cages really notice it.

**BMWST?** · 9th April 2009, 21:36

Originally Posted by Radar

Absolute shiite weather early this morning: 7 degrees, heavy rain, dark gray clouds, windy. Who in their right

mind would choose to go for a ride in crap conditions like that? Me. And I have KB

to blame. It's like this...

Last month I bought a pair of rain pants with a 31 day money back guarantee (see my thread here), with the 31 days nearly up. In the last month I have been in a bit of rain with the new pants but nothing really bad, nothing to give them a good test.

One of the first things I learned here on KB was about HTFU. Had to google what the fk that meant, but then it made sense to me. After all, if any of us wanted comfort we would be driving cages all the time. Just HTFU, get out on the road, and have fun - this is one of the many things I have known to be true, from being on KB.

With the cold rain pelting down outside, I geared up and got on the bike and guess what? Fk me days - I really enjoyed the ride! I went for an hour at 100+ kph, passing trucks, water everywhere, visor fogging, the usual wet weather ride stuff. I almost decided to go all the way to Napier but since I passed through the rain I then did a U turn to get back into the shiite weather. Actually saw a bike two up, touring, then later another touring bike - both times we exchanged waves, probably thinking "Nice to see another idiot out in this muck!"

Passed through Masterton, my home, and was enjoying the ride so much I kept going, only to see a guy stranded by the road sitting on his bike. Another U turn to see what was wrong. He got the bike yesterday on spec from a Masterton bike shop and it crapped out on him - guess it did not like the wet and cold. I offered to go to the shop and get them to bring a truck or trailer to rescue him, but he said his mate was on the way and he would be OK. The poor bugger was not wearing wet weather gear and must have been soaked and freezing. But funny thing... he kept smiling as we talked and was obviously enjoying being on the bike, even if it was dead. A champion. Guess he took an HTFU pill also.

I started by saying "who in their right

mind would choose to go for a ride...". Let's admit it folks, we aren't exactly like others and for sure most non bikers must think we have a few screws loose in our heads but all I can say is: LUCKY US! Reminds me of a Ulysses guy I saw recently wearing a T shirt: "We all DIE, but not all of us LIVE!"

OK, its wet cold and dark outside. Anyone for a ride?

yeah but how were the pants?

**Mikkel** · 9th April 2009, 21:50

That would be "I swallowed a HTFU pill this morning" even if the "H" was mute the T kinda gives it away... I suppose.

**vifferman** · 9th April 2009, 22:00

Originally Posted by Anthrax

Oxfords????

Dunno.
They were on the bike when I bought it, and are the kind with the variable heat controller. They've been playing up since I rewired the bike a bit. Originally they were plugged into the power for the front brake light switch, so I wired them into my BlueSea fuse box. Dunno if it's the controller or a loose connection. Dunno how to test the controller, as it's not the resistive type.

BTW - I don't like my rain gear in the rain without thermal liners in. The water trickles down around the waterproof bits, and it's cold so you'd swear they're leaking. But no - I arrived back at work completely dry.

Pants are Spidi Gran Turismo, gloves are Spidi H2Out, boots are StylMartin StylSafe, jacket is Macna (Summit? I think). It all works well, just feels like it's leaking. The chill factor from wet things at 100km/h.

**klingon** · 9th April 2009, 22:23

Originally Posted by Mikkel

That would be "I swallowed a HTFU pill this morning" even if the "H" was mute the T kinda gives it away... I suppose.

Yeah thought the same thing myself. Depends if you're pronouncing it "aitch-tee-eff-you" though...

**Radar** · 9th April 2009, 22:56

Originally Posted by Mystic13

Yeah, I ride with a few guys who are up for it when the weather is real bad. Now that you have the wets, you should also look into rain-off gloves. www.rain-off.com in Titirangi.

The other thing I recommend is a high viz bike. Mine has a blue neon glow which you can't miss at night or in the dark. Cages really notice it.

I bought Rain-off gloves last year and they work perfectly. I actually have used them to keep my hands warm as often as in the rain. My bike has heated grips but Rain-offs keep all of my hand warm, not just the palms.

Mystic, do you actually have neon glow lights or is it the paint on your bike?

Originally Posted by Mikkel

That would be "I swallowed a HTFU pill this morning" even if the "H" was mute the T kinda gives it away... I suppose.

Well, I thought either way - a or an - someone would probably pick at it. There are times when English doesn't make sense and I am sure glad that I don't have to learn it like some immigrants have to - it must be frustrating and complex.

Originally Posted by BMWST?

yeah but how were the pants?

Dry. The Oringi rain proof pants worked perfectly. See the link to my thread on this topic in my first post, above?