The walk of shame... damn. Who hasn't taken that walk at some point or other in his life, for whatever reason??? I know I have, LOL. But it's all relative, OldManAZ, when viewed in the grand scheme o' things. Reminds me of a time when some hand (another OTR driver) was ranting over the CB about an incident on the road, a near-collision with a four-wheeler or whatever, and his rant was interrupted by a third hand who said, "And if that's ALL that happens to you today, driver, consider yourself LUCKY..." And ain't that the truth? Moi, I always used to tell other drivers, "ANY DAY YOU DON'T KILL A WAGONLOAD OF KIDS IS A GOOD DAY!!!" The important thing, OldManAZ, is that you persevered and got that little bike running right again, and to heck with whatever ANYBODY ELSE thinks, yeah??? Even if you work with those folks who saw you make that so-called "walk of shame." I reckon you should take the bike back for a rematch, maybe the other guy's bike will take a dump on HIM this time, LOL. I see that you use your bike for the same purposes I do, to ride trails and perhaps cruise a few dirt roads and whatnot... sure is fun on these little bikes, I haven't quite dialed mine in the exact way I want it, but it'll soon be ready to roar through Bear Valley and Corral Canyon OHV areas. Hopefully, I don't get the drubbing I received on my first outing, learning to ride all over again on these little 8" wheels, LOL. Upon my return, I felt like Marlon Brando in that classic flick "ON THE WATERFRONT"---but instead of squawking about being a contender, "I COULDA BEEN A POSTER CHILD FOR OBAMACARE!!!"
LOL.
Now that I'm older and wiser, I am completely shameless in all aspects of life. Certain Zen Buddhist writings and proverbs have helped me move past any prior shame I felt over ANYTHING that ever happened in my life. One classic Zen proverb I like runs as follows:
"IF YOU ARE FILLED WITH DESIRE, YOUR SORROWS SWELL LIKE THE GRASS AFTER THE RAIN... BUT IF YOU SUBDUE DESIRE, YOUR SORROWS FALL FROM YOU LIKE DROPS OF WATER FROM A LOTUS FLOWER."
You really wanted to beat that hand on his Z50, which is why the cosmos (and your bike) took a dump on you and made you take that "walk of shame"---realizing that none of it matters, that it'll all be the same in a hundred years, well, THAT realization will set you free and let ya LAUGH about the incident, 10-4??? Of course, I still think you should go back with your bike and make a fresh challenge, this time backing it with a C-note, LOL. Just my $.02, my own warped perspective on your situation, as far as racing the bikes goes... moi, I'd be happy just to ride the bike down uncrowded trails and dirt roads, no other riders in sight (except maybe my friends). That whole "Keeping up with the Joneses" number is highly overrated, especially on the material side: I've been surrounded by rich wanks for much of my life, and though I have way less in material terms, I'm richer by far in life experience, and THAT is what really counts, I reckon. So here's hoping ya get to ride that little bike of yours in the near future, preferably down a cool trail with primo scenery and maybe some wildlife. Nothing wrong with seeing a few wild birds and cactus flowers, maybe a nice kick@$$ view of the landscape... enough said, I'm outta here, color me gone, ADIOS!!!
have some rust and had been sitting for some time.
