Is My Motorcycle Killing Me?

[James Burleigh]

This morning I pulled into my parking space at work after my usual ride through very thick, fast-moving traffic, first on local arterials, then on the freeway, then through town.

After I got off the bike and was getting out of my gear, I noticed how tense I was: I was breathing rapidly, my heart rate was accelerated, and my arms were shaking slightly as though I'd just been lifting weights. I could feel what I took to be adrenalin burning my chest, as though I'd just been in a shouting match that threatened coming to blows.

And I wondered: Isn't this what is called stress? And isn't stress a contributing factor in heart disease? And didn't I have a very unlikely heart attack about a year ago, on the heels of having put in tens of thousands of miles commuting in rush-hour traffic?

And it made me wonder: Is my motorcycle killing me?

 

[FJRay]

This morning I pulled into my parking space at work after my usual ride through very thick, fast-moving traffic, first on local arterials, then on the freeway, then through town.

After I got off the bike and was getting out of my gear, I noticed how tense I was: I was breathing rapidly, my heart rate was accelerated, and my arms were shaking slightly as though I'd just been lifting weights. I could feel what I took to be adrenalin burning my chest, as though I'd just been in a shouting match that threatened coming to blows.

And I wondered: Isn't this what is called stress? And isn't stress a contributing factor in heart disease? And didn't I have a very unlikely heart attack about a year ago, on the heels of having put in tens of thousands of miles commuting in rush-hour traffic?

And it made me wonder: Is my motorcycle killing me?

No, your job is. If you didn't work then you wouldn't comute and you wouldn't have stress. A motorcycle properly operated in the right enviornment relieves stress.

 

[fJROB]

This morning I pulled into my parking space at work after my usual ride through very thick, fast-moving traffic, first on local arterials, then on the freeway, then through town.

After I got off the bike and was getting out of my gear, I noticed how tense I was: I was breathing rapidly, my heart rate was accelerated, and my arms were shaking slightly as though I'd just been lifting weights. I could feel what I took to be adrenalin burning my chest, as though I'd just been in a shouting match that threatened coming to blows.

And I wondered: Isn't this what is called stress? And isn't stress a contributing factor in heart disease? And didn't I have a very unlikely heart attack about a year ago, on the heels of having put in tens of thousands of miles commuting in rush-hour traffic?

And it made me wonder: Is my motorcycle killing me?

No, your job is. If you didn't work then you wouldn't comute and you wouldn't have stress. A motorcycle properly operated in the right enviornment relieves stress.

That's why they call it cycletherapy!

 

[TomInPA]

I don't know the cure for competitive driving syndrome, but compare what you feel when trapped in a cage and unable to split lanes. My tension comes from being unable to filter, or split and control my position on the road. If however you find the futility of KNOWING you must wait and proceed safely with traffic more calming, then do that. Really, for your own good, you need to dial it back a bit. Can't tell you how, but I'm pretty sure you already know being a "road warrior" everyday, is probably not a good thing for your health, safety or clutch.

 

[allrider]

It's that frickin Californy traffic, and them knucklehead cagers you got there. :scare: I am always amazed and confused by what I see when I drive around in CA. They're almost as bad as the "driving dead" :scare2: we have to deal with up here in Seattle. Add lane splitting to the mix it gets downright death defying in some of the traffic I've seen. But what do you do, hang around between the cages and crawl with em, or try to go around as best you can?

I'm lucky, I have a carpet commute. I take the bike out when everyone else is out of their cages and in their cubicles.

 

[SwollenRaccoon]

Yup, it's killing you alright. Best move, for your health, would be to sell me your bike for $500, so that I'll have a Gen I to compare my Gen II against. I'll fly out to pick it up. Let me know when you have it prepped for my return ride.

 

[DailyCommuter]

Close your eyes and repeat:

Serenity now-Serenity now-Serenity now

 

[madmike2]

Close your eyes and repeat:

Serenity now-Serenity now-Serenity now

Don't forget to click your heels 3 times...... :yahoo:

Orrrrr......repeat this mantra: This isn't real and it isn't happening...this isn't real and it isn't happening...this isn't real and it isn't happening.....

Actually, Hans, I like Tom's advice. Find a way to dial things back 10% so the stress threshold is lessened. You don't NEED to be first to the stop signal, merge, off ramp, etc., even if you are driven to do so.

You know that riding your bike is a combination of mental and physical control. Find a more balanced approach and see if that doesn't produce a better result.

 

[James Burleigh]

Orrrrr......repeat this mantra: This isn't real and it isn't happening...this isn't real and it isn't happening...this isn't real and it isn't happening.....

Actually, Hans, I like Tom's advice. Find a way to dial things back 10% so the stress threshold is lessened. You don't NEED to be first to the stop signal, merge, off ramp, etc., even if you are driven to do so.

You know that riding your bike is a combination of mental and physical control. Find a more balanced approach and see if that doesn't produce a better result.

Some great advice here, as usual from forum members (except that $500 thingy ).

But you're right, Mike--and I HAVE been dialing it back. I cruise in traffic much more than I used to, and I usually take the twisty, slow, back-road way that avoids the freeway.

And it's funny you mention "this isn't happening." I actually DO practice that mantra. In other words, I remind myself that a commute to work is a kind of unreal, 'tween reality, a transition activity from one more real reality (brilliant use of language ) to another. I think that way so I don't get caught up in feelings of stress and anger when people rushing around do stupid things that jeopardize my safety.

And yes, commuting is also a clutch killer, but I'm tryyyyyyyyyyying to be better!!!

 

[BikerGeek99]

You need a vacation, dude.

Throw some crap in your saddle bags.

Hop on the bike.

Head east.

Come to Cumberland Falls, Kentucky, this weekend for EOM.

We'll pontificate over some fine Kentucky bourbon.

 

[Jon_PDX]

Yeah that sounds like stress to me.

I too have been doing things to lesson my stress level's and here is what I've done regarding my commute to work. Which by the way starts at 5pm from across town.

I try to leave a little earlier than I used to. Once I'm on the road if I feel the need to rush I tell myself I can only go so fast and I'll get there when I get there. Almost instantly I relax when I take that attitude. Try it, you will be surprised at the result.

Also you know how if you feel rushed and try to make up time that 90% of the time you get stopped by every red light? Well I found out years ago that if I stop trying to make up time I get more green lights than red. And I get a lot of pleasure watching drivers that just passed me waiting for me at the next light when I do catch a red light. The best part is when it turns green just as I get there and I pass them because I did not have to come to a full stop

I still take a opening when the opportunity presents it's self (Gotta have some fun afterall) but not as often as I used to and only after reading the traffic to see if it's really going to gain me anything worthwhile.

Another way to look at it would be if you were in a 500 mile race would you go all out for 500 miles or would you pace yourself.

Jon...

 

[HotRodZilla]

Maybe it's not stress...Maybe its excitement. Excitement is good for you. It gets the endorphins flowing. Stress on the other hand will melt your brain and kill you just for the Hell of it.

You gotta figure a way to lessen your stress and try to get enough physical exercise to burn it off when it hits.

 

[FJReady]

Relax...

You California guys think too much.

 

[allrider]

Dude,

You gotta chillax, slow it down, take a breath or two. I found these words of wisdom out on the road less traveled that might help...

I don't know who Burma Shave is but he's one wise Dude.

 

[BwanaDik]

Another youngster here.

Burma Shave was, well, here, read for yourself

Burma Shave

Signs

 

[03HiYoSilver]

Well Yes... getting out of bed in the morning starts the stress levels in both positive & negative ways.

In a way you are in a quandry, take a car and almost double your driving time...still have stress with less personal time. Unless you get a helicopter, it is tough to get around in congested traffic without stress.

The other part of the equation is, you may get more oxygen starvation in heavy traffic since you are breathing the lines of exhaust from the Cars & Trucks.

So there is no easy answer.

 

[allrider]

Another youngster here.

Burma Shave was, well, here, read for yourself

Burma Shave

Signs

Bwhattadik

 

[allrider]

This one was clever: Here lies / Heaven's neophyte / signaled left / then turned right / Burma-Shave

 

[dcarver]

But, but, don't you feel the same way after having ***? :lol: Except then you fire up a ciggie and drink Scotch?