Forty-something Biker Crashes for the First Time in 20 Years

I'm Taishi, a forty-something who's been riding a motorcycle for the first time in about 20 years.
(A middle-aged man with ambition | 👉Self-introduction)

The other day, I wrote about how motorcycles add color to life.

With that said, here is the story of how I started riding again after 20 years and crashed for the first time in 20 years.

It was time for my motorcycle's one-year inspection.

It was raining outside.

I didn't want to go because of the rain, but I had scheduled this appointment a month ago in the only available slot.

If I missed this timing, it would be difficult to coordinate schedules between myself, my family, and the bike shop, so I decided to put on my raincoat and head out.

In the first place, riding a motorcycle in cold weather is bad for your health.

I remember my fellow forty-something friend, Yasaburo Tanaka, repeatedly preaching the importance of dressing warmly to protect against the cold while riding.

So, I layered up.

On the bottom, I wore Uniqlo Heattech underwear, jeans, and a raincoat. On top, I wore Heattech underwear, a sweater, a down jacket, a jumper, and a raincoat. I also had a disposable body warmer on my lower back.

I was fully prepared.

I headed out while being pelted by raindrops.

Over the past year, I had managed to go without any accidents or traffic violations, and the bike didn't have a single scratch.
A year goes by so fast.
I headed out while being pelted by raindrops.
I wasn't cold because I was dressed warmly.

I arrived at the bike shop.

I arrived at the bike shop.
I turned the handlebars to park the bike in front of the shop.
The slope was steeper than I thought.
I put my left foot down to brace myself.

I slipped on the rain. I crashed.

I fell to the ground along with the bike.
I landed on my left hip.
My left leg got pinned.
I hit my head.

The guy from the bike shop asked, "Are you okay!?"

He helped me pick up the bike.
My left hip and leg hurt.
I stood up while saying, "Ouch..."
I looked at the bike.

It's scratched.

On a bike that I hadn't put a single scratch on for a whole year.

I fell right in front of the bike shop and was seen by other riders, but more than that, I'm heartbroken because my beloved bike is scratched.

My back and legs hurt, but my heart hurts even more.

The bike inspection shows no issues.

I fell, but there was no problem with the bike itself.
Everything on the 1-year inspection menu was fine.

I had the oil changed and picked it up.
But the scratch on the bike hasn't disappeared.

The lady at the bike shop said, 'It's a good thing the brake lever didn't break!'

A silver lining, I suppose!
If you color it black with a permanent marker, you won't even notice it!
I do it all the time!
I was comforted by the lady at the bike shop and headed home.

The physical pain subsided in two days.

After two days, my back and legs stopped hurting.

Yasaburo TanakaThanks to his enlightenment, I was wearing thick clothes, so they acted as a cushion.
Gratitude.
Thank you very much.

However,

Even after two days, the scratch remained on the bike.

The white scratch on the contact surface was still there.

The scratch on the bike will remain there forever.
(Obviously)

But,

The emotional wound disappeared in two days.

I'm a positive person by nature.

I'm starting to feel attached to the scratch on the bike, like it's a badge of honor.
A badge of honor from slipping and falling. Lol

There are probably hundreds of the same bike in Japan, but mine is the only one with a scratch exactly here.
Attachment. Lol

My bike has added color to my life once again.

Motorcycles are dangerous. That's why I don't ride on rainy days.

To all my fellow bikers, let's ride safely. Especially in winter, be careful as road surfaces can be frozen.

Also, falling hurts a lot...

That's why I layer up.

Also, it's been really cold lately.
If you get cold, you'll catch a cold.

That's why I use pocket warmers.

To be continued