Last Saturday I went riding with a group through Lake County in Central Florida through some backroads that were surprisingly full of turns! I didnt know these existed in Florida and it's one of the benefits of riding with a group of expirienced riders who know the lay of the land.
Anyway I hung out in the back of the pack and we did some fairly sprited and responsible riding but these roads in Florida have sand and small rocks embedded deep in the pavement that likes to get kicked up with the back tires. Needless to say I was getting pelted and sandblasted pretty good!
Now Im one of those guys that pride himself of keeping my SF in immacualte condition. When I got home to clean up the mess as I do after every ride I discovered the sandblasting had put gashes all over the front fender, the forks, the headlight (painted and glass surface), and anywhere on the lower radiator that wasnt protected by the guards. It momentarily made me sick and then I quicky got to thinking if Im going to use this machine the way it was intended it's going to get buggered up and I can simply consider this "character marks". I can still keep the rest of the bike looking pretty but the front is going to be the sacrificial end. Maybe one day when Im old I can replace those parts (likely $4K+ yikes!). Either that or stay in front of the pack which would be impossible due to my abilities or lack thereof.
I was curious if anyone else felt the same way the first time you discovered the damage life introduces to your baby.
In the end the ride was way too much fun to not go again and the pelting will just make it worse. I have to just accept it.
Anyway I hung out in the back of the pack and we did some fairly sprited and responsible riding but these roads in Florida have sand and small rocks embedded deep in the pavement that likes to get kicked up with the back tires. Needless to say I was getting pelted and sandblasted pretty good!
Now Im one of those guys that pride himself of keeping my SF in immacualte condition. When I got home to clean up the mess as I do after every ride I discovered the sandblasting had put gashes all over the front fender, the forks, the headlight (painted and glass surface), and anywhere on the lower radiator that wasnt protected by the guards. It momentarily made me sick and then I quicky got to thinking if Im going to use this machine the way it was intended it's going to get buggered up and I can simply consider this "character marks". I can still keep the rest of the bike looking pretty but the front is going to be the sacrificial end. Maybe one day when Im old I can replace those parts (likely $4K+ yikes!). Either that or stay in front of the pack which would be impossible due to my abilities or lack thereof.
I was curious if anyone else felt the same way the first time you discovered the damage life introduces to your baby.
In the end the ride was way too much fun to not go again and the pelting will just make it worse. I have to just accept it.