Another reason not to wear shorts while riding

[yjleesvrr]

I was cruising happily on my Dyna Glide Sunday night near dusk. I took an easy pace (10 mph above the posted speed limit) to enjoy the scenery of Route 42, 311, and then Newport Road in Virginia's Montgomery, Giles, Craig, and Roanoke counties.

I was having a wonderful time with a big grin on my face, hearing the burbling exhaust of the v-twin, maneuvering through the twisty roads one can only find in the mountains. I got on Newport Road to head back south toward Blacksburg when I felt it.

An undeniable prick at first, then a rapid linearly rising pain that builds to a crescendo in a concentrated area right on my butt!

I knew then that I had been stung by a bee/wasp/hornet. I quickly began swatting hard against my derriere to kill whatever it was that had stung me, all while motoring down the road at 50 mph. The crazy thing was, it didn't occur to me to stop. I kept riding, swatting at my butt, and at one point screaming out in pain inside my helmet as the wound started throbbing.

I got home, stripped down naked, and looked at the area in question in front of a dress mirror. I couldn't find the dead insect - it must have fallen out when I was at a stop light in town. But dang. Sure enough, there was a nice big red welt on the right side of my right cheek. I had to be careful how I sat that night and early Monday.

I know the bee (or whatever stinging insect it was) flew right into my shorts, got agitated, and took out its frustration out on me. This would NOT have happened had I been wearing jeans.

[DJ Downunder]

That'll teach ya... ....btw..It could have been worse..

DJ

[popgazer]

Glad nothing too bad happened.
But, the whole scene

Darn! Where is the camera when you need one ?

[rph802]

An undeniable prick at first, then a rapid linearly rising pain that builds to a crescendo in a concentrated area right on my butt!

I knew then that I had been stung by a bee/wasp/hornet. I quickly began swatting hard against my derriere to kill whatever it was that had stung me, all while motoring down the road at 50 mph. The crazy thing was, it didn't occur to me to stop. I kept riding, swatting at my butt, and at one point screaming out in pain inside my helmet as the wound started throbbing.

OMG Get that image out of brain...must scour with Brillo pad....anything to not see this....

Sorry dude but that mental image, while disturbing, is also quite hilarious. Glad you're OK!!

[machew01]

Yong,

Don't you have armor in those shorts?

mac

[darcym]

Don't be too hard on yourself, I had a bee sting me through my jeans when it got caught between the side of the bike and the inside of my left knee. (not as funny as one on the buttocks though ... )

damn fuggers hurt, too.

[wncbmw]

Yong, just because you are riding the Harley, doesn't mean you have to dress the part!

I had a wasp go down my shirt on the Blue Ridge Parkway when I unzipped my jacket partway for air. It's hard to concentrate on your riding when something is stinging you. You have to establish some priorties of which will hurt worse - being stung or wadding up the bike against a rock cliff!?

[yjleesvrr]

I have to admit that I am prone to riding in shorts during short rides in July regardless of which bike I ride. It gets so hot. I should just quit riding during this most steamy of months. And yeah, in hindsight I should have stopped first before trying to kill/remove the insect from my shorts! It's a good thing I didn't crash.

I'm glad you guys got a good laugh at my expense. I have to admit I even laughed at myself that night. It's a story to tell my grandkids some day.

[beekstersocal]

know you know how squids feel

[DSKYZD]

That puts a smile on my face Yong, and I can truly relate. I was riding up toward the Cabot Trail in Nova Scotia the other day and got stung at least twice by the same bug. It hit me in the neck and must have gotten caught up under my helmet. He zapped me on the neck and your description of the pain and yelling out in the helmet mirrors mine exactly!!

My father tells a tale of riding a long with a leather jacket on when one went up his sleeve. It worked its way up and started down his back. He could feel it but it wasn't biting him. It finally started down his back side and got frustrated. Thats when he stopped at the endge of the road and violently began digging it out. It get a chuckle of him standing at the side of the road with his hands down the back of his pants.

I always worry about getting the shock. You never know when you're going to react badly to a sting.

Great story!!!


DSKYZD

[wncbmw]

It could have been worse, you could have been Scottish and riding to the Highland Games at Linville in a kilt!

[yjleesvrr]

That tells you that Scotsmen are real men!

Actually, I'd love to let things simply, well, hang...

[houndog]

Take if from me. Do not, I repeat, Do Not ride in a kilt. I had a hard time explaning myself to the nice officer.
Tommy

[wncbmw]

You guys do know the only way to properly wear a kilt is to "go commando" underneath, right? Quick access and all that!

[DSKYZD]

I am Scottish, but not into kilts. A sting to the junk would be most uncomfortable.


DSKYZD

[houndog]

You guys do know the only way to properly wear a kilt is to "go commando" underneath, right? Quick access and all that!

wncbmw It is called "Regimental".

Enough hijack.
It is very easy to want to dress in street clothes to ride in this blasted heat we are all sharing in right now. I have to force myself to put on the armored jacket in the afternoon rides from work. Thank God my commute is only about 35 minutes with 2 red lights. I have to drink a couple of bottles of water as soon as I reach the house from the heat.

Tommy

[yjleesvrr]

That's the problem we motorcyclists have. Wear pants durable enough to provide protection and you overheat in this summer weather. I generally limit my riding in July to late evenings or early mornings unless I'm using my R1150R for business travel.

So I risk my skin (literally) and ride with shorts and sometimes t-shirt on. Works fashionably well on a Harley, but I know other Beemerites would scold me if they saw me doing this on a R1150R!