as long as i am not barefoot and have some sort of a sturdy sole on my feet i can work the kickstand. however, anytime i deploy the kickstand at a gas station i have a problem. cement + kickstand = embarrassing situation. there is not enough grip on either surface (metal or cement) to allow for the kickstand to pop back up when i forcefully push forward. so, i look like someone lunging or abruptly stalling when i'm done gassing up and try to retract the stand.
this evening was no different. i went to fill up at the station behind the M casino. when i was done refueling, i couldn't retract the stand. i kept scooting forward but the whole stand went along. to make matters worse, a harley pulled up for fuel at the other side of the same pump. i tried to hide behind the pump and still look somewhat normal as i tried and tried with quick forward thrusts to retract the stand. no luck. all along, the hog rider was watching me on the other side of the pump because as i turned around, i saw him grinning a big santa clause smile. his yellow bandanna and tattooed arms became less threatening with his smile. we exchanged a few words about the stand and the helped me shove off. i thanked him and got outta there as fast as i could. dang kickstand.
