The first journey was … magnificent and totally terrifying!
We live in Central Ohio and drove to Clinton County (southwestern Ohio) to purchase the Slingshot. I wanted used and they are not abundant in Ohio. This was a 2016 with only 1500 miles on it. I put a down payment having only seen photographs. (BTW – the guys at Clinton County Motorsports are awesome if you’re ever in the market.)
I was excited (to say the least!) and nervous – to the point I was hoping I wouldn’t have a heart attack before I got home with it! We arrived shortly after opening and processed the paperwork, which took forever. By the time we were leaving, it was the middle of the day on the first 90-degree day Ohio had seen in a while. Crazy hot – cloudless sky.
We walked out of the showroom and there it was, parked two slots down from our truck. And it was mine! It took all the self-control I could muster to keep from being a total freak – you know, not run over and hug it, not puke in the parking lot because anxiety got the better of me, not face plant because I was staring into the future instead of watching where I was walking! These things would NOT look good, but they were distinct possibilities in that moment.
Now I had to get in and drive. And do it well! Two things were going through my mind – I didn’t want to give Bryan any reason to worry (any more than he already did) and I really didn’t want to make these guys regret selling it to me. It’s 90 degrees, my pulse is racing, I’m sweating like I ran a marathon. My hands are shaking, my legs are weak. I was on the verge of putting myself in a seriously needed timeout!
I got in – stepped over that side like a boss. (Thank God I didn’t fall in!) Adjusted the seat and inserted the key. I had to stop and tell myself to breathe, or I was going to explode. Turn the key and push the button. And she rumbles to life – OMG. The engine sounds good! If you don’t understand that thrill, I doubt that I could explain it – the sound of a Harley going down the street would always turn my head. All that’s left is to make it go forward – don’t grind the gears and, God forbid, don’t hit anything. At that moment these things felt like a monumental challenge.
I made it out of the parking space and off the lot without incident. I breathed a sigh of relief – kind of. Bryan needed gas so we stopped just 100 yards down the road at the gas station. After he gassed up, we went to pull off the lot and it’s feeling like something is just not right. Considering I had only driven it 100 yards so far I was not feeling like the best judge of that, however. Then there was this squeak. That’s not right … I’m following Bryan, through the light and out into traffic. Need to go faster … and I realize the parking brake is on! (Note to self – check all gauges before departure.) Good grief! So… one bonehead move, and nobody would have known if I didn’t tell you. Except maybe the guy behind me that smelled it burning.
The ride home was 115 miles up US 22. Bryan followed me. Much to his dismay, I went the speed limit the entire way. I may have stopped shaking around 100 miles. We stopped half way home to get sun screen – it was cool enough when moving but the sun was baking me!
I learned a few things on that first ride. There are things I need to take with me on any ride that will encompass the middle of the day. Sunscreen was a must. Always park in shade. If you can’t, you’re definitely going to need a towel to sit on and driving gloves. That black plastic gets hot! There’s a small compartment behind each seat, just big enough for a go-bag or a small soft-sided cooler. Ice would be good, but it won’t last long even in a cooler. I had a bottle of water in the cup holder that actually got too hot to drink.
Regardless of what I did or didn’t have at that moment, I was in heaven. Harley riders were giving me the wave! Maybe you’ve ridden and you know what this is. Maybe you never have and never noticed this phenomena. It’s a comradery thing – bikers always give a nod or wave to passing bikers. I’ve noticed boats on the lake do it too. And here they were, waving at me! Holy crap, I’ve joined the club!
Love this!