To the uninitiated, a radio ride is a motorcycle trip. The destination or distance traveled is based on one of two criteria, AM or FM.

Let me explain.

An FM ride consists of riding in any given direction until the chosen local FM channel can no longer be received on your bikes radio.

The AM ride is the same but typically a much longer ride seeing how we have a powerhouse AM station down here that reaches all the way from the valley to Baton Rouge.

Short Wave rides are for the truly Iron Butted.

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Yesterday?s ride was an AM ride plus some.

It was decided I needed a day off. This was decided by the folks I work with so I must have really needed it.

My riding buddy Tom agreed he needed one as well so a plan was hatched. But where to go?

Rumor has it there is a great Mexican restaurant in Tyler Texas. This must be confirmed, and we are just the guys to confirm it.

At 8:00 AM we are off. It?s 45 and beautiful.

The ride north is fine, very little traffic and good roads all the way.

We hit Tyler after a few stops around 12:30.

Then it happens. POWW!!!

The clutch cable on Tom?s bike snaps. Sound like a rifle shot.

We?re in bumper-to-bumper traffic with no clutch.

This is important.

A clutch makes shifting a motorcycle much easier. You can shift without a clutch, but it can be exciting, especially in bumper-to-bumper traffic.

We pull over and survey the situation.

We decide a roadside fix is out of the question so we call the local dealership and arange for a tow to their shop.

It needs to be noted here that tow truck operators are a “special breed”. And I do mean special.

“Tow Mater” showed up, just as promised, and off we go to the Dealership.