I am going to backtrack a bit. Because I was so sick, I wasn’t doing any writing. Then a couple of big rides came up and I wrote about them. I had 2 relapses with this bronchial infection and could barely get out of bed some days. I probably should not have gone on those rides, but I fooled myself into thinking I was ok enough.
I received an e-mail from “Jake” asking if I would join him for an after work ride to Richmond on Tuesday. I replied that I would like to, except that I was off sick from work and didn’t feel confident of my ability to ride safely at the moment.
I asked, “How would you feel about doubling me on your bike?”
He responded positively and told me what time he would be by to pick me up.
When he arrived the next day, I was waiting outside with my digital camera set on movie mode. I thought that since he was so proud of his brand new bike, he might like to see himself in action. As I was standing outside, I got my camera ready so that I wouldn’t miss him as he came around the corner. Finally I heard a motorcycle engine getting near. As it got louder and louder I aimed the camera at the corner. (For those of you who have digital cameras, you are aware of not being able to see anything on the little screen when you are out in bright sunlight.) Although I could hear the engine getting louder, I could not see any detail in the screen of the camera. At the faint image of a bike leaning around the corner, I pushed the record button on the camera, and just followed the bike as it came near. Suddenly, the bike stopped. ??? A red helmet???
I lowered the camera to see that it was not “Jake” on his big cruiser. It was a resident in my complex arriving home on his little UJM. He had stopped dead because he saw me with my camera and was wondering what I was doing. 
When I lowered my arm and he saw it was me, he carried on into the garage. I just love this digital stuff. You can make all the mistakes in the world and just delete what you don’t want. 
“Jake” arrived a few minutes later, but by then I realized the batteries were getting low and I couldn’t be bothered to change them right then.
I have every confidence in my friend dr_bar’s riding ability, but as yet, I’m not sure about “Jake’s. The previous person I rode with scared me more than a few times. His riding was so rough I learned to sit way back to prevent helmet bonking.
“Jake” pulled up in front of my building, whereupon I climbed onto the back of his bike. I rode in his car once, and it left something to be desired. He seemed to be a bit distracted.
So, today would be a big leap of faith to ride as a passenger once again.After I got onto the back seat, he informed me that it had been quite a long time since he had taken a passenger. It was also the first time on his new bike. So, with that said, I put my arms around his waist, he put the bike into first gear and attempted to ride off. I say attempted, because he stalled. So, he tried again….and stalled again. It took about 4 or 5 times to get the feel of the throttle with the extra weight on the bike. Once he got the hang of it, it was smooth going.
I was pleasantly surprised by his riding. His shifting, accelerating and braking were smooth enough that we weren’t “bonking” helmets. When he had to brake suddenly, I squeezed him with my thighs to prevent me sliding forward. He asked if I was afraid. I said no. He thought I squeezed him because I was afraid but I told him it was so I didn’t go sliding forward into him. Apparently he liked the squeeze, because he made a funny comment about hoping to have to brake hard again. What the heck, I can give him a little thrill.
“You mean like this?” I asked innocently, as I squeezed him again. I believe this is called flirting, isn’t it? (Having been a shy person most of my life, flirting does not come easily)
I pointed to a button on the left handlebar and asked what it was. “Jake” told me it was the choke. He asked, “Doesn’t your bike have a choke?” I said that it did, but that it was positioned down here, gesturing with my hand under the seat where the choke is on a 650. I guess my hand must have brushed against his leg, because he turned to me with a smile and said, “Do that again.” We both laughed. (I guess dr_bar was right).
Before we got to Richmond, I asked if he could drop me off at Pacific Yamaha before he went to Richmond Motorsports. Logistically it was easier trafficwise and I could have walked back to Richmond Motorsports. Pacific had called earlier in the day to tell me that my Nitro pants were in. I wanted to pick them up. “Jake” said he would wait for me, because there was plenty of time. After I paid for my pants, we rode over to Richmond MS. He had some business to do with them. I found a tank bag there that would fit my bike, but I don’t have that much spare cash these days, so I will do without. They can always get another on in if I want it later.
“Jake” likes to shop.
He asked me if I wanted to come and browse, but I declined. I really wasn’t up to walking around so I said, “I’ll just wait here. Take your time.” I was happy to just plunk myself down in one of the showroom chairs. Finally, it was closing time. We collected our gear and headed back outside to his bike. Before we got our helmets on, though, he asked me if I’d like to go get a bite to eat. I said, sure, that would be nice, but that I had to be home early. He understood because of my not being well. It was a pleasant ride back into Burnaby and to the Cactus Club on Kingsway. Unlike when dr_bar and I go for coffee or a meal, “Jake” was decisive about where to go. I liked that.
When dr_bar and I get together it goes something like this.
“Want to meet for coffee?”
“Sure, when?”
“I don’t know. When do you want to meet?”
“How long will it take you to get ready?”
Once we have established a timeframe, the conversation then carries on like this;
“Where do you want to meet?”
“I don’t know. What do you feel like having today?”
“I’m easy.”
“And cheap.”
“Pick a place.”
“Anywhere is fine with me.”
And so on and so forth.
As luck would have it, there was a parking space right in front of the door of the restaurant. The host inside seemed awed by 2 middle aged folks coming to the restaurant by motorcycle. We had a fun couple of minutes with him before we got shown to our seats. I have to admit, “Jake” is good company. I think he can sense my discomfiture though, because he seems to be trying to put me at ease. Dinner was pleasant and it was almost a shame that it had to end. But, I needed to get home to rest and “Jake” needed to get home to get things ready for work the next day.
When we arrived back at my building, I got off the bike and removed my helmet. “Jake” got my belongings out of his saddlebags and handed them to me. I would have made to leave, but he wanted to give me hug before I left. He did give me just a hug, but I surprised him by giving him a quick kiss before he could react and then I walked away.
I turned to smile at him as I walked up the stairs to my building, and he was still standing there with a stunned look on his face. Well, actually, I’m not sure if stunned is the right word, but it was a look of some kind.
Maybe the guys would know what I mean.
Although I had enjoyed the ride and the evening, I was physically spent now and I needed to get to bed. I need to rest so that I can get well to go play another day.
Mike 
I'm just ....well...like gummi said..... 
It's a good thing I left a little early as it was only raining lightly when I left. The closer to home I got, the harder it was raining. If I had stayed until the end of the meeting, my whole ride would have been in the monsoon.
Damn! Maybe I should rephrase that.) How is your bronchitis doing? Sounds like a very nasty dose you have picked up, and tenacious with it. Sorry to hear you've been suffering. Bronchitis can be sooooo uncomfortable and debilitating. I do believe though, that chesty coughs can sometimes be caused by excessive flirting 