I've seen quite a few posts by the bikers among us. I was new to the biking world last year when I got my 06 1200 Low Sportster. This year it's new to the band world. I'd like to know from my fellow riders out there if they have any tips on how to handle roadtrips, rallies, etc. I'm looking forward to participating more with weekend trips and want to be prepared with my new stomach. Thanks! :shade:

You are so cool Carol. I can only say at six months I can share a plate at any restaurant. So the inconvenience will not be forever. Hope you get lots of helpful hints.

edie (past rice burner rider)

Thanks Edie! I'm hoping to be riding again by March. Had achilles tendon surgery and I've been grounded. I'm already making plans though for May ride to Texas HOG rally in Amarillo and ROT in Austin in June so I'm hopeing I have this all figured out by then.

Congrats to you! I saw your picture on before and after and you look great! I can't wait to see the same changes in my own pictures!

I ride all the time, we do make stops so that I can drink some water. With Texas heat, it is necessary for me to drink often. Eating wise, I can eat most anything, just not as much of it. My DH cleans up what I can't eat!

I don't have trouble with the band at all while riding, unless I wear a tight waisted pair of pants, then it makes my port hurt. Enjoy your riding!

Thanks Betty! I know what you mean about the heat and the need for Water. I'm making plans with friends to ride up to Amarillo for the HOG rally in May so that will probably be my first big test. I'm really looking forward to riding with less weight as time goes by, should make it even more fun that it already is. I only learned to ride last year and finally got my Harley after wanting it for a very, very long time. Unfortunately surgery on my achilles has grounded me since October. I kept putting the surgery off because it didn't hurt when I rode...lol The weight loss will help that recovery as well.

May see you on the road sometime! :shade:

We will be at the ROT this year, too, Carol. I usually come down on Thurs and MsJoy follows me after work on Friday. Go to the rally, ride some of the Hill Country, go to the concert on Saturday night and watch all the crazy people riding around nekkid. Go home on Sunday. But this year, she is going home, I'm heading over to Garner State Park for a couple of days. (I've always wanted to go over there for some reason.)

The only hint I can give you is to "listen" (feel) what your body is telling you. Joy can eat just about anywhere, she just doesn't eat as much and sometimes it goes down, some times not. Last year we did the County Line BBQ, just outside of Austin and she had noooooooo problems. (and their bread pudding is to kill for.)

Maybe we will see you at the rally.....

*HI BETTY*

Thanks for the info Randy. It would be fun to meet some fellow LBT posters like Joy and you. I'm really excited to go to ROT this year. I've been a couple of times but this will be my first time on a bike. Went in the cage before I was an owner. I'm not sure if we're coming up Thursday or Friday. Definately want to be there in time for the ride downtown. I'm sure I'll have the hang of what I can and can't tolerate by June. It's just a new way of thinking I guess. :shade:

Wahooo....a biker group!!

I am normally on the back of hubbys 2005 Dyna Low Ride but will be taking the rider course at Reno Harley Davidson this spring. Looking at the new 2007 Sportster low for me...maybe just maybe

Summer rides between Reno and Las Vegas and down into the Auburn/Sacramento area have taught me alot about constantly sipping on Water because I just can't gulp it like I used to. I actually slip a waterbottle between hubby and I and we sip on it as we go. The one I have to watch is beer....the guys we ride with love their beer. It can be hard to turn down an icy cold one or three when it is a 105!

I look forward to hearing about everyones rides this summer!

Skye

Hi Skye,

Congrats on taking the Rider's course. I had never rode alone before last year. Took the course and now I ride as often as possible, primarily to work every day and then weekend jaunts whereever. I hope you get your own Sportster. I love mine. Course everyone says I'll want a bigger bike but I'm certain that I'll have this one for a long while.

I'm not sure how I'll handle the beer thing now. I've never had more than two if I'm out riding. I've always had a Water to match the beer too and it helps to even me out. However I know that my weight has allowed me the ability to drink more too. It will be interesting to see how that changes as I lose. However I remind myself when riding, it's not about the drinking, it's about the freedom of being out there on the bike. :shade: I've already decided at my 50 lb point I'll reward myself with an IPOD. That way I'll have something to sing along with. Right now, I just sing to myself...lol We were out on my first long ride to College Station and I broke into "Life is a Highway and I'm gonna ride it all night long..." No one else could hear me but I was having fun.

Oh yeah....Hi Skye...

Carol, I usually sing Bob Seger or ZZTop. You've got to love those drum riffs in "La Grange". (Am I showing my age, now??? LOL) Joy got me a MP3 player last year, but I still can't hear it over the sound of the wind and the pipes.

Hey Randy,

To me the sound of the pipes is the best music of all! :rockon:

And don't talk to me about age, cuz I'm there too...lol I want to take a road trip over to La Grange just so I can stop and go "ah huh huh huh huh you know what I'm talking about" :mad:

Can you use earphones with the player? I figured I would just wear it in one ear so I can still hear what's going on around me.

Yes, but I haven't found a pair that will fit well, read comfortable, under my helmet. Yes, I'm one of those. At 70, they will be able to find my head, at 35 or 40 I might survive it, so.......

I'm the same way. Won't ride without a helmet. It's tempting here in this Texas heat not to but I made a promise to my daughter that I will always wear it. Just need to find one that's not black to see if that helps with the heat. I'll have to ask my friend in College Station about her earphones. I thought her husband bought her some and she wears a full face helmet. If I find out I'll post the information here.

Okey dokey and as for the helmet, just talk to your friendly auto paint shop. They should be able to paint your helmet in nothing flat AND they should be able to match it to the color of your bike. All they need is the 'House of Color' color and your Harley dealer should be able to supply you with that. My bike always looked brown and gold to me until I found out that it is actually Midnight Red and Champagne Gold.

peeking in here!!!!

RIDER COURSES ARE THE BEST~!

You guys are making me want to go start the bike! LOL

Thanks for the great idea Randy! My bike is white with black down the middle and pinstripes in the Harley orange so that would be fun to have the helmet matched to that.

Hey Tracy! It's good to see you in here since you've given me some advice already! Hope to see more from you. I still don't have permission to ride yet as the foot is still recovering. However that didn't stop me from backing it out of the garage to wash it yesterday. Then I cranked it up and rode back in to the garage. An entire 5 feet! woohoo! lol I see my doctor on Thursday and hopefully will get permission soon to ride again. There was a rally in the area this weekend and gorgeous weather. It killed me to stay home. Okay, so I didn't die but I sure pouted alot. :shade: