Two Tacan Rule - or - Safety has no Area Code

In Navy Air there was an unwritten rule that once you've changed navigational stations, or TACANs, twice then you are officially on a cross-country and home base rules don't apply. Analogous to that might be riding out of the county, or far enough to need to fill up your tank, or so far that calling home is long distance. And home rules no longer apply.
This is going to be a safety oriented piece, but not strictly about riding. It'll start there, and end there, but the bit in the middle is important as well.
How many of us would ride impaired, by alcohol, fatigue, dehydration, illness or distraction? OK, hands down.
How many of us would ride without helmet, gloves, eye-protection, or ear-plugs?
again, you may put your hands down.
How many of us would simply get on the bike and go, without looking (pre-flighting) at the tires, signals, brakes, or gas?
Lastly, how many of us would use our bikes as weapons to threaten, intimidate or risk an accident to prove a point?
I was working in the yard this week, repairing some storm damage. After all the nighttime thunder and lightning I was pretty tired, but I got out the chain-saw and started in on some branches. It must have been out of chain oil, since it cut like a dull knife on hard wood. When I stopped because of the hot smoking chain I found I had a little difficulty hearing, because of the ringing in my ears. And it took a little while for all the tears to abate from the saw-dust in my eyes. Of course it was easy to wipe them, I wasn't wearing gloves.
Got smart. Knew I needed to wear protection, so I jumped in the car to go to the hardware store for oil, sharpening file, ear-plugs and safety glasses. Wife called on the cell phone, which caused me to run an 'orange' light (I'll stop twice for the next one, promise). This evidently upset the fellow who had to gun it in the merging lane, and when he cut me off I was likewise upset, so I followed right on his bumper until he turned off, nearly causing me to sideswipe the car passing me as I swerved to avoid his quick deceleration.
Good thing there's a rally coming up to take my mind off it all. With family and work and home maintenance, I'm about up to HERE with it all. Can't wait to get out on some twisty roads and lay it over - that's what takes my cares away. Or maybe I'll blow it all out on a deserted straight-away doing a ton. Fresh air. Gotta remember to pick up a six-pack or bottle to take to the rally site. If I forget, no big - I'll just ride over to the drive-thru. No need for the helmet or jacket - I'm only going a couple miles at 35mph. Heck, I don't even have to wear my sunglasses! Sweet! I love rallies!
Hopefully this has become painfully obvious. There is no such thing as a two tacan rule for safety. If it makes sense to practice safe habits at home, on a bike, then it also makes sense to use the same behaviors away from home on a bike - or not on a bike! The major reason most pilots don't make it to retirement (well, before the current run on pension plans, but don't get me started on that!) was medical issues. Of those medial problems a large percentage were preventable - safety glasses, proper care and use of power tools, ear-plugs! Being bike riders we are aware of the sometimes stupid actions of cagers - how incredibly dumb would it be to follow suit just because we've exchanged two wheels for four?
I've written before about the little voice that speaks to us all when we're about to do something stupid. It's there on or off the bike, at home or away. Listen up. Just because it's long distance, don't make it a toll call - you may not be able to afford the charges!

Gulliver's Travels - or - maybe tomorrow

I watched a lot of TV as a child, and movies. One of my favorites was the cartoon version of Gulliver's Travels. You know, the satirical tale involving a normal sized human being, Gulliver, who is shipwrecked and stranded among the Liliputians, a race of tiny human-like beings. He washed up on their shore, and, in fear for their lives, they tied him down. They used hundreds and hundreds of their largest ropes, which (on him), look like threads. In any event they were sucessful, at first, in restraining him on the beach.

Seems like with the advent of riding season I find myself likewise restrained by hundreds and hundreds of threads. Ok, maybe dozens of threads. The point is, it seems every afternoon, day or weekend off is accounted for with church, school, chores, duties and responsibilities. Or conflicts with other fun activites. Just try getting away for a one day ride. If work isn't the first hurdle, then childcare may be. Or lawn maintenance. Or cleaning the car/garage/shed/living room. What about that lunch your wife has planned with your in-laws? They are all worthwhile things, like the ropes of the Liliputians. Your family has activities, concerts, plays, performances, and the like which you are expected to attend. And should - don't get me wrong (and don't tell my wife).

At first Gulliver looks pretty darned helpless, trussed up on the sand. Eventually, though, he makes up his mind and begins snapping the threads one by one until he finally breaks free and stands up - terrifying the populace, who are no longer able to control him. They realize that dealing with him will be done on his terms, not theirs, and therefore are petrified. While Gulliver could crush them with ease, he shows his true power by not doing so. He is keenly aware that a mis-step could cause disaster and so earns their trust and takes pain to co-exist in harmony - but in freedom.

Does anyone plan out an entire season of riding? I mean, actually take the rally/ride schedule and cross off each day on the family calander as "UNAVAILABLE"? Can't you hear the screaming of the Liliputians underfoot! Sounds a lot like a wife screaming "what about the soccer tournament!". Gulliver couldn't break free of all the ropes at once, and neither can we, but neither can/should we allow ourselves to be tied down prostrate on the beach. Instead we must look carefully at the schedule and cooperatively break free some days to go ride, maybe just starting with one unencumbered, me only, riding day.

Then a pair of days.

Then a rally in another state.

And then.......?

Although Gulliver came from another land, to which he hoped to return, he knew he would be living among the people's of this island for some time, and could make his time pleasant or unpleasant, depending upon how he used his freedom. While we must, as motorcycle riders/travelers, be free to ride and therefore must break or slip bonds to do so, it is important that we not wantonly and indiscriminately crush those around us in the process. Get a hand free this month, and another next month. Next season one or both legs, and so on. Find an alternate weekend for the family reunion instead of the rally weekend. Plan a family vacation outside riding season, or have them meet you after the rally to see the area before you ride home.

And, for God's sake, if you see another traveler tied up by the side of the road, bound by work, or family crisis, or any of the other day-to-day threads that will eventually hobble anyone, break out your pocket knife and help that rider cut a few cords.