'Nuff said!Catch ya on the road
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Thursday, December 10, 2009
12/10/09 COLD!
365 Group (f)
14 degrees here this morning!
There was the promise of a rise to the middle 30's today. Now that's a heat wave...don't care who ya are. I managed to get out and put the charger on the battery as that seems to help with my "one and a half to two thirds" kick wonder. This morning I even managed to prop a heater up against the oil pan. That seemed to make all the difference in the world. Yesterday was as cold but I didn't ride as the car was handy and all that. Today however there were many variables, like a friend that needed my car. So, a ride in was in order.
I got into my snow mobile suit and went to disconnect the charger and heater. The bike fired up on the second kick, settled into a nice rumbling idle. I gave it a few minutes to warm up and headed out.
Like yesterday, it wasn't too bad in the short haul. This translated into slower speeds. About 45 was the sub Arctic sweet spot. I made it down the highway to my turn off without any problems. Most people on the road I think were just too cold to be stupid this morning. After I got off the highway and on the county road my 45 mph sweet spot ran out good and I even felt like I made pretty good time. I also didn't feel like I was freezing.
Pulling on the Parkway traffic picked up a little and since it's mostly short straight shots between traffic lights I hammered down between the lights. As I pulled away from my last light on the parkway, a sport bike pulled in behind me. He was all leathered up and frozen looking. He followed me over to my turn off at work and pulled in beside me.
Introducing himself as Josh he said he was curious as to how far I had ridden this morning. When I explained that I was coming only a total of thirteen miles he seemed impressed. Telling me that he had only just gotten started where he got in behind me and was going to take his finals at the university. He also asked if there was any tricks to riding in the cold. All I could think of to tell him was go slow and stop to warm up when he felt like it. Josh nodded and pulled back out into traffic. Hope he made it and was able to hold a pencil.
I asked the Security guy if he had seen any other "idjit's" on two wheelers this morning. Laughing, he said, yep. Seems that a lot of the morning "in town" riders rode in as usual. This made me feel pretty good about my morning adventure.
Hope work gets in gear. Cant wait to see what the evening ride is like.
Catch ya on the road...(if I don't wave it's because my arms are frozen in place)
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
12/09/09 13 degrees
365 Group (f)
This morning it was thirteen degrees when I got up. No I didn't ride in today. I thought about it and ...nahhhhhhhhh.
When I got back to the house this afternoon it was up to 25 degrees. A regular heat wave. I couldn't resist. I Fired the old bike up and ambled down the drive. I figured on just a quick pass through the neighborhood and back to the house.
Once I got on the paved road and got going it really wasn't too bad, for a short haul. I tooled down to the gas station and ordered some fries to go.
As I waited on my fires several people ask me silly questions about being cold and did my heater work. I managed a straight serious face and replied yep, heater works good. Defroster doesn't do so well though. A couple of these people even came on with the old "I was going to ride my Harley today but..." routine, to try to impress the young the girls working there. It was quite humorous actually. Posers is I think what they are call now days.
The girls at the store all know me and knew that I was having fun. I got my fires and a coke and saddled back up. The trip meter on my LSI said 2.3 miles. 0.3 miles over the daily requirement.
For a short run and I do mean short, it wasn't too bad. Kind of fun actually.
Oh yeah, fries werent too bad either...lots of ketchup and all.
Catch ya on the road
This morning it was thirteen degrees when I got up. No I didn't ride in today. I thought about it and ...nahhhhhhhhh.
When I got back to the house this afternoon it was up to 25 degrees. A regular heat wave. I couldn't resist. I Fired the old bike up and ambled down the drive. I figured on just a quick pass through the neighborhood and back to the house.
Once I got on the paved road and got going it really wasn't too bad, for a short haul. I tooled down to the gas station and ordered some fries to go.
As I waited on my fires several people ask me silly questions about being cold and did my heater work. I managed a straight serious face and replied yep, heater works good. Defroster doesn't do so well though. A couple of these people even came on with the old "I was going to ride my Harley today but..." routine, to try to impress the young the girls working there. It was quite humorous actually. Posers is I think what they are call now days.
The girls at the store all know me and knew that I was having fun. I got my fires and a coke and saddled back up. The trip meter on my LSI said 2.3 miles. 0.3 miles over the daily requirement.
For a short run and I do mean short, it wasn't too bad. Kind of fun actually.
Oh yeah, fries werent too bad either...lots of ketchup and all.
Catch ya on the road
Monday, December 7, 2009
12/8/09 Not bad
365 Group (f)
This morning was a cool one. The weather channel said it was around 38 or so. Felt cooler to me but who am I to argue with experts.
I tanked up on some really good coffee and "wooled" the hounds around some. As daylight started creeping in the windows I slipped on my snowmobile suit and headed out.
It really wasn't all that bad when the wind wasn't blowing. It took three kicks this morning as the oil was a "weee" bit thicker. But hearing the way the rumble split the morning quiet it was worth the extra effort.
As it warmed up I strapped down all the junk for work. I couldn't help but chuckle at the "extra over sized saddle bags" a well meaning friend told me I needed. Bless her heart, she just still don't get it. No more than I carry, no farther than I go it would just be a waste for me. But she means well.
Bouncing down the drive I get a great picture of early morning heavy, almost ice, frost on everything. With the sun light hitting it, everything is bright, clear and clean looking. I love mornings like that.
The traffic was light and I settled into a easy ride of about fifty mph. It wasn't too cold at this speed. With the light traffic it was just about as good as it gets. I made my turn at the foot of the mountain and started through the short twisties, slowing down to look over a herd of deer that were ambling around with some cattle. Smart critters, it's deer season around here. I almost stopped and took a couple of pictures, but it's cold and that's a good enough reason for me to weenie out.
Once I topped the hill at my half way point I could feel a warm temperature change and figured that it probably would get a little warmer through out the day. So my ride back in should be a good one.
I got on the parkway and fell in with a bunch of hooligans that were trying to play bumper car tag or some such nonsense. I finally had enough and as the next light changed I put some real distance between me and them. It's bad enough riding around this small town morning traffic with the regular idiots. No sense encouraging the ones with a pedigree.
A look at my watch showed me to be several minutes ahead this morning so I figured a cup of coffee and and a biscuit "somethingorother" was in order. I jumped on 71 north and hit the first drive through I saw, a Sonic, where a lovely older lady took my order and cheerfully advised me that as cool as it was she was convinced that I had left my good sense at home. Man! This was going to be a good day. I rode out laughing and headed over to the office.
Work oozed by as it always does and at quitting time I was really ready to head for the house. I pulled out into the evening traffic and headed toward the side streets I use to get across town to the new parkway. Once on the side streets the traffic is normally light as I'm slipping through mostly residential areas. Today was a little different as there was some work on the traffic lights going on. As I sat in traffic waiting on the cop to let us go I saw another rider coming up behind me in the turn lane. He was just easing along trying to get to as close to end of the line of traffic and around whatever obstruction there was as he could. He pulled up beside me and motioned ahead in a questioning way. "Workin on the lights" I yelled. He nodded and we sat there for a few. Finally the cop motioned us on and we eased our way out of the traffic. We ran along to the 265 intersection. With a wave he went his way and I went mine.
I had a good uneventful ride back to the house and felt very relaxed. Pulling back in at the house I thought about the day and, well, "not a bad ride".
catch ya on the road
This morning was a cool one. The weather channel said it was around 38 or so. Felt cooler to me but who am I to argue with experts.
I tanked up on some really good coffee and "wooled" the hounds around some. As daylight started creeping in the windows I slipped on my snowmobile suit and headed out.
It really wasn't all that bad when the wind wasn't blowing. It took three kicks this morning as the oil was a "weee" bit thicker. But hearing the way the rumble split the morning quiet it was worth the extra effort.
As it warmed up I strapped down all the junk for work. I couldn't help but chuckle at the "extra over sized saddle bags" a well meaning friend told me I needed. Bless her heart, she just still don't get it. No more than I carry, no farther than I go it would just be a waste for me. But she means well.
Bouncing down the drive I get a great picture of early morning heavy, almost ice, frost on everything. With the sun light hitting it, everything is bright, clear and clean looking. I love mornings like that.
The traffic was light and I settled into a easy ride of about fifty mph. It wasn't too cold at this speed. With the light traffic it was just about as good as it gets. I made my turn at the foot of the mountain and started through the short twisties, slowing down to look over a herd of deer that were ambling around with some cattle. Smart critters, it's deer season around here. I almost stopped and took a couple of pictures, but it's cold and that's a good enough reason for me to weenie out.
Once I topped the hill at my half way point I could feel a warm temperature change and figured that it probably would get a little warmer through out the day. So my ride back in should be a good one.
I got on the parkway and fell in with a bunch of hooligans that were trying to play bumper car tag or some such nonsense. I finally had enough and as the next light changed I put some real distance between me and them. It's bad enough riding around this small town morning traffic with the regular idiots. No sense encouraging the ones with a pedigree.
A look at my watch showed me to be several minutes ahead this morning so I figured a cup of coffee and and a biscuit "somethingorother" was in order. I jumped on 71 north and hit the first drive through I saw, a Sonic, where a lovely older lady took my order and cheerfully advised me that as cool as it was she was convinced that I had left my good sense at home. Man! This was going to be a good day. I rode out laughing and headed over to the office.
Work oozed by as it always does and at quitting time I was really ready to head for the house. I pulled out into the evening traffic and headed toward the side streets I use to get across town to the new parkway. Once on the side streets the traffic is normally light as I'm slipping through mostly residential areas. Today was a little different as there was some work on the traffic lights going on. As I sat in traffic waiting on the cop to let us go I saw another rider coming up behind me in the turn lane. He was just easing along trying to get to as close to end of the line of traffic and around whatever obstruction there was as he could. He pulled up beside me and motioned ahead in a questioning way. "Workin on the lights" I yelled. He nodded and we sat there for a few. Finally the cop motioned us on and we eased our way out of the traffic. We ran along to the 265 intersection. With a wave he went his way and I went mine.
I had a good uneventful ride back to the house and felt very relaxed. Pulling back in at the house I thought about the day and, well, "not a bad ride".
catch ya on the road
Sunday, November 29, 2009
11/28/09 Holiday rides, good food and all that.
365 Group (f)
I looked over the weather channel and thought it looked like a good day for a ride through the hills. Ya know, a settling of the Turkey as it were. I figured on a quick 150 miles of twisties and in the process drop in on some relatives and "mooch" a meal (or several) of leftovers.
Pulling out from the house I eased down to the highway and drifted east. Thinking that I would just take my time and not be in any hurry I planned for traffic that is normally pretty hectic in this area around a holiday. Once on highway 412 I noticed that there wasn't any traffic. An occasional bit of local traffic was all. I found this odd for a few miles then it came to me. "Global Warming". That must be it. Man! All that mental preparation for the traffic on my part for nothing.
As I came into Huntsville I happened to look in my mirror and saw a neatly worded sign that read "Kenworth" . I gave this sign some thought and decided that I needed to get over on the shoulder and ponder it further. It was funny after the fact. I didn't hear the big rig come up on me. If I had I might not have gained more gray hair than I had when I started. After I got settled back down I pulled back over into the lane and opened up. Really it was shaping up to be a nice ride.
Coming into Marble I toyed with the idea of an order of hush puppies. But decided to pass in favor of some leftover dressing. Hammering on I hit 21 and ran over to Kingston got in behind some locals and was slowed down some. Once out of Kingston I had a real leisurely ride down to the Buffalo River. There weren't too many holiday weekend floaters out so I had the chance to stop and look over the Elk herd. There were a couple that I had heard about that were suppose to have massive racks. I wanted to get a couple of pictures of these guys. Looked like about forty of them were grazing in the field next to the road. The big ones I had been hearing about were with a smaller bunch across the field from me. Too far for a decent picture, but even at that distance I could see what all the talk was about. They truly were impressive. Next time I'll bring a bigger rig and maybe get my shot.
Leaving the Elk to do what ever it is that professional tourist attractions do I headed across the valley and up the mountain. As I climbed out of the valley I could feel the temperature change and ran through several pockets of warmer air which always seemed like a surprise treat.
Pulling into my place I saw several family member sort of lounging around the front of the house. Holiday dinners with my family usually last for a couple or three days. This was the start of day two. After a great lunch, most of the afternoon was spent nibbling and visiting and tinkering with the bikes. When it came time to leave I really felt stuffed. I said goodbyes all around and packed up a doggie bag, kicked the old bike to life and headed out wondering why it seems we only do this at holidays. Everyone was saying the same thing "we should get together like this more often". I agree, but then again, I'm always hungry.
The ride back up was a little more traffic filled and a lot of cross winds. It was like an 18 wheeler was passing you every few minutes. The kind of riding that wears you out.
Finally I pulled into the house and unsaddled. Radar came trotting over and gave me the once over sniff and decided that I was a keeper. I gave him and my little guys some of the glazed ham and cemented my position around here for a little while yet.
Ended up being one hundred eighty four miles and three dinners. Not a big ride. But not too shabby either.
This little "brat" is my niece She wanted a picture to remember the "moment"...?
It's always the ornery ones that get to your heart.
Catch ya on the roadTuesday, November 24, 2009
11/22/09 pos. stage two...but the jury's still out
365 Group (f)
This weekend was about as good as it was going to get for a while. Daily highs were forecast for the upper forties to maybe mid fifties.
Since it had been 15 months, my Dr. hinted that I needed to get around to some tests that he had told me about ...well, fifteen months ago.Since it was fairly warm and all, I saddled up Miss Tilley and headed toward the sprawling metropolis of Jasper, Arkansas. Hopefully this trip would keep my Doctor at bay for another year or so. The ride started out good and crisp. I mean it was a great start. Bike running great and me on it. I tooled over and jumped on highway 412 and thought what the heck. I opened up. Deciding that a ticket wouldn't be such a bad thing at this particular point in my life, I peaked a hundred and stayed there for a few miles. Feeling the cool air and the vibrations and all that goes with it. I ran up behind a small car loaded with kids and was forced to slow some. It was good while it lasted. I had ran this stretch of road many times over the last thirty years. Sometimes with friends, mostly by myself. It's always a great ride for clearing out the cobwebs of Doctors, Lawyers, livin and dyin, vermin of that lk. There was a bright spot on the horizon. After the Doctor there was a family get together. All the remaining family was getting together. So this should be good. After my run down 412 I peeled off on to 21 and headed towards Kingston and the ride over the mountains to the valley. I pulled the hill out of Kingston and had a good run up.Topping 80mph. That is one of the places I check the condition of my ride. How fast it will top that half mile long hill from a dead stop take off. Today was a good climb.
In all this foolin around I had worked up a chill and decided the after the short ride over to the Valley I would pull over and have a cup of coffee. The ride over to the valley was all too short. I pulled in to the brake check area and poured a cup. Several people blew by and waved shaking their heads as it dawned on them that I was riding in this weather. As I waited around for the coffee to cool I looked around a little. This is a real out of the way place, on the side of the mountain and people use it as a dump when they are in the area. I noticed lots of beer cans, a couple of old TVs and an old refrigerator. Standing there looking around I also noticed a critter.
This guy was sleeping on an old rusty refrigerator door. I first thought he was a recent road kill till he opened one eye and looked at me as if to say "hey! I'm sleepin here".Firing back up I tooled down the mountain and made and easy ride of the remaining thirty miles to my place at Deer.
I stored my junk at the house then headed off to hear out the Doctor.
There isn't anything like living in the hills. "Upppp one side and then downnnnn the other" with lots of great curves all over.
The pow wow with the Doc went more or less OK, kind of like I had planned for. I headed back up the mountain to see the kinfolks and do a little visiting (eat a lot of great food) with the family.
Maybe with a little luck I'll find a half nekkid Mermaid or something just as cool on the return trip tomorrow.
catch ya on the road
Saturday, November 14, 2009
11/14/09 Slacking
365 Group (f)
Today was a nice day to do just nothing. So, being an expert at nothing...
I figured to get in a little riding and a little maintenance on the bike today and generally just be a slacker.
I managed to get out around nine A M. With cup of coffee in hand I did a walk around of the bike to see if anything jumped out screaming "fix me". Nothing did. I had been having a lot of vibration noise lately. I figured a good snugging up of bolts and screws would take care of the aggravation and wouldn't take all day.
As I got into it I didn't find too many loose anything. I did find a couple of things that had just worn out. The signal light on the left front. The stem is a pressed together two piece unit and it was drooping like a bloodhounds ears. I guess age had finally gotten into the joint as it was really floppy. I had noticed it at some point apparently. There were a bunch of rubber bands and some electrical tape on it. They too had given up.
Looking through my small salvage yard I found a new pair of those Harley style clip on signal lights. They were still in the package. I must have had them for a really long time as the price on them was $4.99 . I spent the next couple of hours trying to sort out the wiring harness. It is old, dried out and after all these years molded into position. It took a while but I managed to get the wires routed and everything insulated. They really only had one real problem with these clip on types. Handle bar sizes. I had to make a spacer of sorts to get them solid on the bars. They work good and if I do say so myself, don't look half bad.
By the time I finished with the lights it was well past lunch time. Not being one to turn down an excuse to take a ride or eat a meal, I fired the bike up and announced to which ever governmental agency was watching me by satellite, "shake down" and headed down the drive.
I figured to make it quick and so I headed toward my favorite Bar B Que place. It's a quick seven to eight mile trip and a good straight stretch for twisting the grip. On the way down I remembered one of my last visits there where I had a lovely young lady tell me how things were fixing to shape up. This produced a good chuckle and made the ride all that much better.
As I neared town the traffic started picking up. People were acting like they were totally lost to their world of cell phones and associated junk. Plus they were acting as though they hadn't noticed I was sporting new cool looking signal lights. I guess there really isn't any accounting for some people?
I eased up to the traffic light on Mission just in time to see a herd of sport bikes blast by like they were late for something. This is the second time I've see these guys and I'm still not thinking much of them. I like to go fast. But I'm not too interested to tearing down narrow city streets in heavy traffic at a hundred miles per plus.
Finally my light changed and I pulled into the B.B.Q. place. As I walked through the door my little honey looked up and smiled real big. I made my order and grabbed a seat. A few minutes later "Honey" brought my food and sat down with me. While I ate we chatted about a little bit of everything then she brought up the bike rally at the end of the month. I couldn't help it and started to chuckle. When she wanted to know what was so funny I almost couldn't tell her. Finally I got it out about her giving orders and how funny it struck me. After her face returned to it's normal color she said "would you please take me to the party"? Seems that her current boyfriend is motorcycle challenged. In several areas. Seems that he's even challenged walking and chewing gum.
After everything settled down And we had a real chat about the whole thing, Well, I got roped into going to a bike show and following party. I still think I was hosed on the deal but it aint the first time. I didn't come away empty handed though. My meal was on the house.
I fired up the bike and decided to make a few errands and circle back to the house. The temperature was starting to drop a bit and it was definitely jacket time.
As I was getting back on the highway for the house I noticed a real lack of evening traffic. Thinking it over it came to me. It's game night at the University. One of the best times to be out around this area on a bike. Everyone is out in a parking lot "tail gating". That means no traffic.
I had a good ride back to the house. Although it was just too short it was fun. I also did a pretty fair job of slacking. So, over all, today was a keeper.
Catch ya on the road
Thursday, November 12, 2009
11/11/09 I blame Amanda (ha ha ha)
365 Group (f)
Today was a rather good day for riding, after the fog burned off. Temperature got up to the low 60's and was just all around nice.
I got an early jump on the morning traffic and headed toward Fayetteville to the bank. My plan was a simple one. Go to the bank and get money. I had forgotten to get gas or money the day before and it was getting really down there on the reserve.
I roared into the bank and up to the ATM and that's when it happened. I was headed to work and would have made it had it not been for the bikes that roared by. The last bike had the wife of a friend of mine on it and she turned around and rode up to me.
Apparently they were all playing hooky from work and she said I might as well too. Try as hard as I could to resist, well, I caved.
Barb told me where they were heading and I agreed to meet up with them in a few.
Today was payroll day and I at least had to go and make sure everyone got paid. So I pulled out and made a mad dash down Old Missouri Road toward a gas station and then work. Not once did I give thought to how silly this was. Others did and told me as much, but not me.
I pulled into work and rushed the payroll through. Once I had the confirmation in hand. I left "sick" and headed north on Highway 71 towards Bella Vista. Once I got over to the little community of Bella Vista I caught up with everyone and we all roared out for a day of back road riding that was just what the doctor ordered. Well, If he'd been there he would have ordered it.
We tooled around Benton county and wound up on hwy 62 and made a lazy circle up into Missouri. Not really headed anywhere or doing anything other than just riding around. A bike version of follow the leader. We road back roads that I didn't see a sign or number or anything on. Finally we dipped back down and tooled through Carrol County to a point between Green Forest and Berryville. Everyone agreed that it was about lunch time so we headed for Eureka Springs and lunch.
After lunch, it just seemed that the day was done. Everyone had a full belly and the laziness that comes with a good meal settled in. We all stood around and shot the breeze for a while then started drifting off to where ever.
Keeping a slower pace I headed out for the house. I just tooled along enjoying things. The way the bike was humming along, the way the sun was shining and kind of warming me, it was all good.
Pulling into my little town I looked down at my trip counter. 258 miles and didn't go anywhere that I could really remember. Nor could I tell you how to get there. But I'm making plans to go back soon.
Catch ya on the road
Today was a rather good day for riding, after the fog burned off. Temperature got up to the low 60's and was just all around nice.
I got an early jump on the morning traffic and headed toward Fayetteville to the bank. My plan was a simple one. Go to the bank and get money. I had forgotten to get gas or money the day before and it was getting really down there on the reserve.
I roared into the bank and up to the ATM and that's when it happened. I was headed to work and would have made it had it not been for the bikes that roared by. The last bike had the wife of a friend of mine on it and she turned around and rode up to me.
Apparently they were all playing hooky from work and she said I might as well too. Try as hard as I could to resist, well, I caved.
Barb told me where they were heading and I agreed to meet up with them in a few.
Today was payroll day and I at least had to go and make sure everyone got paid. So I pulled out and made a mad dash down Old Missouri Road toward a gas station and then work. Not once did I give thought to how silly this was. Others did and told me as much, but not me.
I pulled into work and rushed the payroll through. Once I had the confirmation in hand. I left "sick" and headed north on Highway 71 towards Bella Vista. Once I got over to the little community of Bella Vista I caught up with everyone and we all roared out for a day of back road riding that was just what the doctor ordered. Well, If he'd been there he would have ordered it.
We tooled around Benton county and wound up on hwy 62 and made a lazy circle up into Missouri. Not really headed anywhere or doing anything other than just riding around. A bike version of follow the leader. We road back roads that I didn't see a sign or number or anything on. Finally we dipped back down and tooled through Carrol County to a point between Green Forest and Berryville. Everyone agreed that it was about lunch time so we headed for Eureka Springs and lunch.
After lunch, it just seemed that the day was done. Everyone had a full belly and the laziness that comes with a good meal settled in. We all stood around and shot the breeze for a while then started drifting off to where ever.
Keeping a slower pace I headed out for the house. I just tooled along enjoying things. The way the bike was humming along, the way the sun was shining and kind of warming me, it was all good.
Pulling into my little town I looked down at my trip counter. 258 miles and didn't go anywhere that I could really remember. Nor could I tell you how to get there. But I'm making plans to go back soon.
Catch ya on the road
Thursday, November 5, 2009
11/4/09
365 Group (f)
This morning was another good bright and sunny start. The 48 degrees was another plus.
Yesterday I was saddled with a must appear at work but still managed to have great morning ride in. This morning wasn’t as intense as yesterday so I was able to over sleep and get back into my routine. Up and going. I started early looking for my gloves, keys and junk. The little bandits had snatched them again. Funny but the longer we play this game the more creative the little one gets in hiding things.
After lovin everybody up I grabbed my helmet and headed out to burn up some road.
The bike fired up and purred like a content little kitten. I ambled down toward the road and watched a couple of bikes slide by. Seems everyone was making the most of this nicer weather. There was no truck this morning to use as an excuse to twist the throttle but I did anyway, making good time down to the highway.
I had apparently timed things just right as there was no traffic allowing me to do one of those “evil old California stops”. Blasting onto the highway I kept everything more or less civilized till I hit the edge of town. As I cleared town I saw a local on a sport bike coming up on a side road and the race was on. He rolled the stop and jumped out just ahead of me and took off. Crossing the twin bridges I was climbing on ninety five and starting to really gain on this guy when he decides to shut it down and run respectable. Well, it was fun while it lasted.
We tooled along for a couple of miles to my turn off, he waved and I headed on towards work.
I ran the curves down Habberton and decided to run on out to 412 and make it a little more of a ride. This is such a nice stretch of road with hills and curves that it’s at times a treat to ride, especially at this time of year with the cooler temperatures.
Pulling up to 412 I see several bikes out headed toward town. Another indicator that today was going to be a good day.
The traffic was flowing nicely at about sixty five to seventy with no one acting like they were in a life and death struggle to get someplace. It was just a nice ride all the way around.
As I pulled up to the first light coming into town things really bogged down. Apparently there was an accident ahead and the cops were holding everyone up. I eased over on the shoulder and started slowly walking the bike up the shoulder. Before long I had managed to get ahead of most of the backed up traffic to the point where when the cops started moving everybody along again I was first in line. I really don’t think anyone realized that I had jumped them while they sat there. Anyway, no one tried to run me down.
The rest of my ride was just traffic light to traffic light all the way to work. Lots of starting and stopping. As I pulled up to the Security Gate I noticed that several people didn’t ride this morning. The Security guy pointed out that it was a whole two degrees cooler this morning than it was yesterday. Yep. That must have been it. Pulling on in I parked and made my way to the break room and coffee. I was also curious as to what today’s excuses for not riding were.
This morning was just another ride to work but it was a keeper. If they were all like this last couple of days, well, maybe work wouldn’t be such a bad thing?
This morning was another good bright and sunny start. The 48 degrees was another plus.
Yesterday I was saddled with a must appear at work but still managed to have great morning ride in. This morning wasn’t as intense as yesterday so I was able to over sleep and get back into my routine. Up and going. I started early looking for my gloves, keys and junk. The little bandits had snatched them again. Funny but the longer we play this game the more creative the little one gets in hiding things.
After lovin everybody up I grabbed my helmet and headed out to burn up some road.
The bike fired up and purred like a content little kitten. I ambled down toward the road and watched a couple of bikes slide by. Seems everyone was making the most of this nicer weather. There was no truck this morning to use as an excuse to twist the throttle but I did anyway, making good time down to the highway.
I had apparently timed things just right as there was no traffic allowing me to do one of those “evil old California stops”. Blasting onto the highway I kept everything more or less civilized till I hit the edge of town. As I cleared town I saw a local on a sport bike coming up on a side road and the race was on. He rolled the stop and jumped out just ahead of me and took off. Crossing the twin bridges I was climbing on ninety five and starting to really gain on this guy when he decides to shut it down and run respectable. Well, it was fun while it lasted.
We tooled along for a couple of miles to my turn off, he waved and I headed on towards work.
I ran the curves down Habberton and decided to run on out to 412 and make it a little more of a ride. This is such a nice stretch of road with hills and curves that it’s at times a treat to ride, especially at this time of year with the cooler temperatures.
Pulling up to 412 I see several bikes out headed toward town. Another indicator that today was going to be a good day.
The traffic was flowing nicely at about sixty five to seventy with no one acting like they were in a life and death struggle to get someplace. It was just a nice ride all the way around.
As I pulled up to the first light coming into town things really bogged down. Apparently there was an accident ahead and the cops were holding everyone up. I eased over on the shoulder and started slowly walking the bike up the shoulder. Before long I had managed to get ahead of most of the backed up traffic to the point where when the cops started moving everybody along again I was first in line. I really don’t think anyone realized that I had jumped them while they sat there. Anyway, no one tried to run me down.
The rest of my ride was just traffic light to traffic light all the way to work. Lots of starting and stopping. As I pulled up to the Security Gate I noticed that several people didn’t ride this morning. The Security guy pointed out that it was a whole two degrees cooler this morning than it was yesterday. Yep. That must have been it. Pulling on in I parked and made my way to the break room and coffee. I was also curious as to what today’s excuses for not riding were.
This morning was just another ride to work but it was a keeper. If they were all like this last couple of days, well, maybe work wouldn’t be such a bad thing?
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
11/3/09 The Amanda & Kim Chronicles
365 Group (f)
This morning was a riders dream. Sun was shining. Temperature was right around fifty. It was a most beautiful start to the day.
Yesterday afternoon had been great. The ride was a keeper. I even got to spend a little time with one of my favorite female types over dinner who casually informed me that there was a poker run and bike show coming up at one of the local watering holes. She also pointed out in a matter of fact fashion that she was going and I was taking her. This should be good. She’s roughly half my age and already giving orders. After dinner I had a good ride and an even better laugh all the way home.
Since this was a mandatory day at work I couldn’t really get out and enjoy this morning like I wanted but I was going to make the most and best of what I had.
As I packed up my junk for work the pups looked a little on edge. Duhhhh! I hadn’t given them their morning treats. They are pretty much little junkies. They just got to have their morning fix. Now that I had them back on track they settled in to helping me get ready. The little one hid my gloves and my little “bear” was sitting on my keys while I raced around looking for them. The two males just stayed pleasantly under foot. And, Woodrow, my bird finally woke up and felt that he had to give a dissertation on all the ills of this world at the top of his lungs. Yep! They love me.
I finally got it all together and headed out. I strapped everything on and jumped on the starter. Rumbling to life the old gal seemed like she was ready to go. On these cooler mornings the old bike really seems to run great. I warmed the engine a couple of minutes and took off bouncing down my drive. One of these days I’m going to have to fix my drive or maybe buy a dual sport?
At the street I jumped out ahead of a pickup truck and hammered it for about a quarter. The truck really wasn’t that close but any excuse to wind up is a good excuse. I made good time down to the highway. Traffic was light and I was able to ease out and over to the Post Office without too much trouble. With no more errands, it was time to settle in and enjoy the ride.
Pulling back on the highway I noticed the Marshal was sitting at the gas station driveway. Since I consider him a friend and he usually doesn’t hassle riders, I eased my way out of town at a respectable speed. Soon as he was good and out of sight and I was good and out of town I opened up. Running along at about seventy I was feeling good and really beginning to enjoy the ride. Every morning should be like this.
Everyone must have had corn flakes with honey or something for breakfast this morning? They all seemed to be feeling pretty good. Two cars passed me at just slightly under warp speed. I had thought about making them work for it but what the heck, my turn off was coming up and there just wasn’t enough road to really make it interesting.
I made my turn at the mountain and leveled out down the center line. No traffic meant I could fudge a little and before I knew it I was through the curves and pulling the hill at the half way point. Man it goes by fast when it’s good. Running up to Guy Terry Road I toyed with the idea of jumping across and doing the back roads for as long as I could. I thought better of it and decided to get on in and hopefully get the day done early so I could take the long way back home.
At the first light traffic was really piled up. They all seemed to be soaking in muddy molasses. I finally got tired of messing around and as soon as everything started moving I jumped the turn lane and managed to get ahead of it. Everyone and was poking along and each light seemed worse than the last. I guess it’s better than that pinball feeling I normally get, but I still don’t care for poke along driving. It’s funny, in this small metro type are it’s either everyone pokes along or every ones drag racing from light to light. There never seems to be a middle ground.
Pulling up to the Security gate at work I noticed that about everyone that works here that owns a bike had ridden to work. I stopped and chatted with the Security Officer for a minute and watched several of the areas regular riders scrambling down the four lane towards work.
This was a good morning ride even if it was way too short. Only thing I can think of that would have made it better is if I were heading out on a trip.
Catch ya on the road
This morning was a riders dream. Sun was shining. Temperature was right around fifty. It was a most beautiful start to the day.
Yesterday afternoon had been great. The ride was a keeper. I even got to spend a little time with one of my favorite female types over dinner who casually informed me that there was a poker run and bike show coming up at one of the local watering holes. She also pointed out in a matter of fact fashion that she was going and I was taking her. This should be good. She’s roughly half my age and already giving orders. After dinner I had a good ride and an even better laugh all the way home.
Since this was a mandatory day at work I couldn’t really get out and enjoy this morning like I wanted but I was going to make the most and best of what I had.
As I packed up my junk for work the pups looked a little on edge. Duhhhh! I hadn’t given them their morning treats. They are pretty much little junkies. They just got to have their morning fix. Now that I had them back on track they settled in to helping me get ready. The little one hid my gloves and my little “bear” was sitting on my keys while I raced around looking for them. The two males just stayed pleasantly under foot. And, Woodrow, my bird finally woke up and felt that he had to give a dissertation on all the ills of this world at the top of his lungs. Yep! They love me.
I finally got it all together and headed out. I strapped everything on and jumped on the starter. Rumbling to life the old gal seemed like she was ready to go. On these cooler mornings the old bike really seems to run great. I warmed the engine a couple of minutes and took off bouncing down my drive. One of these days I’m going to have to fix my drive or maybe buy a dual sport?
At the street I jumped out ahead of a pickup truck and hammered it for about a quarter. The truck really wasn’t that close but any excuse to wind up is a good excuse. I made good time down to the highway. Traffic was light and I was able to ease out and over to the Post Office without too much trouble. With no more errands, it was time to settle in and enjoy the ride.
Pulling back on the highway I noticed the Marshal was sitting at the gas station driveway. Since I consider him a friend and he usually doesn’t hassle riders, I eased my way out of town at a respectable speed. Soon as he was good and out of sight and I was good and out of town I opened up. Running along at about seventy I was feeling good and really beginning to enjoy the ride. Every morning should be like this.
Everyone must have had corn flakes with honey or something for breakfast this morning? They all seemed to be feeling pretty good. Two cars passed me at just slightly under warp speed. I had thought about making them work for it but what the heck, my turn off was coming up and there just wasn’t enough road to really make it interesting.
I made my turn at the mountain and leveled out down the center line. No traffic meant I could fudge a little and before I knew it I was through the curves and pulling the hill at the half way point. Man it goes by fast when it’s good. Running up to Guy Terry Road I toyed with the idea of jumping across and doing the back roads for as long as I could. I thought better of it and decided to get on in and hopefully get the day done early so I could take the long way back home.
At the first light traffic was really piled up. They all seemed to be soaking in muddy molasses. I finally got tired of messing around and as soon as everything started moving I jumped the turn lane and managed to get ahead of it. Everyone and was poking along and each light seemed worse than the last. I guess it’s better than that pinball feeling I normally get, but I still don’t care for poke along driving. It’s funny, in this small metro type are it’s either everyone pokes along or every ones drag racing from light to light. There never seems to be a middle ground.
Pulling up to the Security gate at work I noticed that about everyone that works here that owns a bike had ridden to work. I stopped and chatted with the Security Officer for a minute and watched several of the areas regular riders scrambling down the four lane towards work.
This was a good morning ride even if it was way too short. Only thing I can think of that would have made it better is if I were heading out on a trip.
Catch ya on the road
Saturday, October 24, 2009
10/24/09 odds -an- ends
365 Group (f)
Today was much better than the last entire week has been. The rain stopped and it actually warmed up some this afternoon.
I went up to my friends shop to try again to do something with my bike. Looks like, bad as I hate to, I'm going to have to haul it to a shop where they can get to the bottom of my carburetor problems. Everything I do seems to get me close but always ends up where I started.
I did manage to get the new tires done and mounted and had a good visit and looked over my buddies new house that he's about got built. It is nice! Hope it all finally ends up being finished for him smoothly. Coming back to the house I took apart the carburetors on my Kawasaki. A little cleaning was in order as it's been kinda sluggish and doing some "poppin" and "bangin" at traffic lights. I have gotten quite good at tearing the carbs down and cleaning them while they are mounted. Doesn't beat a rebuild but gets me through till I have enough time to have the bike down for a while. I filled every nook and cranny with carburetor cleaner and let it soak for a few minutes then took an air tank and blew it all out. After all this and we were back together I fired up and the engine sounded pretty good. Nice low rumbling idle and no noticeable popping or banging.
The rains were back before I could do any test riding. I guess we are in for a monsoon season for a while. The weather picture doesn't look so good and my weather forecasting back is at def con 27. So I'm a four wheelin for another day looks like.
You know it's bad when 1. ya can kick the bike over without tears 2. it's raining so hard you cant see the road in front of you. Hopefully the saw bones will have something figured out, other than surgery or an electric starter before too much longer.
Who knows? Maybe I'll...
Catch ya on the road
Today was much better than the last entire week has been. The rain stopped and it actually warmed up some this afternoon.
I went up to my friends shop to try again to do something with my bike. Looks like, bad as I hate to, I'm going to have to haul it to a shop where they can get to the bottom of my carburetor problems. Everything I do seems to get me close but always ends up where I started.
I did manage to get the new tires done and mounted and had a good visit and looked over my buddies new house that he's about got built. It is nice! Hope it all finally ends up being finished for him smoothly. Coming back to the house I took apart the carburetors on my Kawasaki. A little cleaning was in order as it's been kinda sluggish and doing some "poppin" and "bangin" at traffic lights. I have gotten quite good at tearing the carbs down and cleaning them while they are mounted. Doesn't beat a rebuild but gets me through till I have enough time to have the bike down for a while. I filled every nook and cranny with carburetor cleaner and let it soak for a few minutes then took an air tank and blew it all out. After all this and we were back together I fired up and the engine sounded pretty good. Nice low rumbling idle and no noticeable popping or banging.
The rains were back before I could do any test riding. I guess we are in for a monsoon season for a while. The weather picture doesn't look so good and my weather forecasting back is at def con 27. So I'm a four wheelin for another day looks like.
You know it's bad when 1. ya can kick the bike over without tears 2. it's raining so hard you cant see the road in front of you. Hopefully the saw bones will have something figured out, other than surgery or an electric starter before too much longer.
Who knows? Maybe I'll...
Catch ya on the road
Thursday, October 22, 2009
10-22-09 none
365 Group (f)
Today the rain was back.
It was a mess anyway you looked at it. I had pulled a something or other in my right side yesterday evening that produces muscle spasms at every thought. This morning the spasms combined with my arthritis flaring up in the middle of the night as the storm moved in and a kick start only bike, I would be better off taking the car.
So, as far as riding, I did'nt. That means you can stop reading now. No bikin, no ridin means no reading.
Hope to Catch ya on the road
Today the rain was back.
It was a mess anyway you looked at it. I had pulled a something or other in my right side yesterday evening that produces muscle spasms at every thought. This morning the spasms combined with my arthritis flaring up in the middle of the night as the storm moved in and a kick start only bike, I would be better off taking the car.
So, as far as riding, I did'nt. That means you can stop reading now. No bikin, no ridin means no reading.
Hope to Catch ya on the road
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
10-20-09 A good day to ride
365 Group (f)
This morning was an absolutely perfect day for riding. 55 degrees and the promise of 70's in the afternoon with no hint of rain in the forecast.
I filled my thermos with some of my award winning coffee and grabbed my helmet.
The bike fired up without a lot of whining, begging and pleading on my part and I took that as a good sign. As it is getting colder it's getting to where it takes a few extra kicks to get going in the mornings. But I write that off to old age.
While the bike was warming I kind of did a walk around to check for loose this and leaking that. I didn't find anything new, another good sign. Finally I eased down the drive to the street. At the street I had to wait for morning traffic to settle down. Seems like everyone was running late again and traffic was coming in little clusters of three to five vehicles at a time. Plus my drive hits the street at the start of an almost blind curve.
I finally got out and eased toward the highway and a gas station. I topped my tank and grabbed a bottle of carb cleaner and just for grins and giggles I bought a $2 lottery ticket. My gas came to $4. Carb cleaner $2 Lottery ticket was $2 ...big winnings on the ticket $10 So the state bought my gas, Carb cleaner lottery ticket and gave me 2 bucks out of the goodness of their heart.
Yep it was going to be a good day.
Since I'm still in the parts hunting mode I headed east for Harrison and points in between. The short scoot over 45 to Hwy 412 was a smooth one as all the heavy part of the morning traffic was pretty much gone. As I topped the hill to merge into 412 I noticed a car beside the road. The driver appeared to be an older woman. I pulled over and asked her if she needed any help. "darn thing wont start" was her reply. Sure enough it was dead. I asked the lady to raise the hood and let me look over the battery connections. Finally she said "I guess you'll have to do it, I don't have the strength to pull the latch". As I reached in to pop the hood I noticed the head light switch was in the on position. I asked how long she had been sitting there and she said she had pulled over just about day light to rest a bit. It was starting to look like she had pulled over and shut off the engine leaving the lights on. This I explained would be a quick fix if she had any jumper cables. We'd just flag someone down and get a jump and she could be on her way.
Looking through the car, lots of junk but no cables. Not even a spare tire. Unusual way to be traveling. Also, no cars came by. This was odd.normally cars are all over at this time of the morning.
I explained again what I needed and told her if worse came to worse I'd ride back and get some cables. While we were talking I noticed a short extension cord laying in the trunk with all the other junk. Thinking of an old trick I had used on bikes before, I asked her if I could use her cord to try and get her going. She said have at it. I cut the ends off the cord and stripped off the insulation and made a make shift set of jumper cables. I hooked them to her car and the bike. I had her take the keys out and lay them on the dash. I wasn't sure what it would do to my system if she got over anxious and tried to fire up the car while The bike was hooked to it. Starting the bike I idled it up to about 3500 rpm's and asked her if she drank coffee. I poured her a cup of coffee and set down to wait. After the coffee was drank I unhooked from the car and told her to try it. The car fired up like it was suppose to. I was tickled. My small alternator and make shift cables had done the trick. The lady was more than surprised as she had at the start of this little experiment, uttered many doubtful phrases. I took the extension cord lose from her battery and put the hood down. She asked what she owed me. I really hate it when people do that. Anyway, I told her I'd keep the extension cord and she wouldn't owe me anything. She gave me a look like I had gone simple standing in front of her. I pointed out that my mother was about her age and that I would hope someone would stop and help her if she were ever stranded. She seemed to understand my thinking and grabbed me and hugged all the air out of me and thanked me again. She also told me that she was headed to her daughters and when they wanted to know why she was so late, well, she had a story to tell em. She grinned real wide and got in the car. I watched her pull away and thought yep! a real story to tell everyone.
Pulling out onto 412 I tooled on down to Marble. I figured to top off my thermos and grab some of the mandatory hush puppies before continuing.
After my Marble stop I eased on over to Harrison in a pretty uneventful fashion. At the bike shop I gave em my list and asked what they could do to help me. Most of the stuff would have to be ordered and would take a couple of days. I paid them for the parts and told them I'd be back through in a week or so. This was to their liking, someone not in a life and death hurry. While we talked one of the shop guys spotted my bike and they all went out to look it over. One remarked as to how there are lots of them out there still yet but they hardly ever see em or see one that someone actually puts the miles on. Every one seemed to like the old bike and thought the glass packs off the old ford pick was cool as all get out.
After talking to the shop guys I decided it was close enough to lunch either way and headed toward something to eat. It's been so long since I spent any real time in Harrison, so aside from fast food places I really didn't have any idea where would be a good place to eat. Tooling through town, remembering how things ustawas it hit me. The Hospital. Sounds funny but when I was there with mom for her surgery I was told that they have a great lunch buffet. What the heck, worth a try. I eased up to the Emergency room entrance and made my way to the cafeteria. The buffet wasn't bad. They had a little bit of everything. Really the only thing that was missing was salt.I had a real good meal of roast beef with all the trimmings for right at five dollars. Not too bad I didnt think. have to remember this place in the future.
Pulling out from the Hospital I dodged a couple of obvious speed traps and made my way back north. I seemed to recall a place somewhere around Berryville or Eureka Springs that had a motorcycle bone yard.
The ride out to Berryville was a nice one as the weather had really warmed as the weather channel had promised. I asked around at several places but know one knew of a bike bone yard. heading on toward Eureka I met a lot of bikes on the road. Late season vacationers from the looks of the license plates. Pulling in to outskirts of eureka springs i stopped at the Iron Horse stables and a couple of other places that catered to bikes and ask them if they knew of this bone yard. All anyone knew of was the usual places, nothing new. So it looked like another strike out on new junk to prowl through. All in all I really wasn't too disappointed. It was a great day for riding and I was really enjoying it. I managed to kill a little time riding around Eureka and finally headed back toward the house.
It really was a good day for a ride. The bike ran along pretty well for all 237 miles and I was on it. Couldn't ask for more than that.
Catch ya on the road
This morning was an absolutely perfect day for riding. 55 degrees and the promise of 70's in the afternoon with no hint of rain in the forecast.
I filled my thermos with some of my award winning coffee and grabbed my helmet.
The bike fired up without a lot of whining, begging and pleading on my part and I took that as a good sign. As it is getting colder it's getting to where it takes a few extra kicks to get going in the mornings. But I write that off to old age.
While the bike was warming I kind of did a walk around to check for loose this and leaking that. I didn't find anything new, another good sign. Finally I eased down the drive to the street. At the street I had to wait for morning traffic to settle down. Seems like everyone was running late again and traffic was coming in little clusters of three to five vehicles at a time. Plus my drive hits the street at the start of an almost blind curve.
I finally got out and eased toward the highway and a gas station. I topped my tank and grabbed a bottle of carb cleaner and just for grins and giggles I bought a $2 lottery ticket. My gas came to $4. Carb cleaner $2 Lottery ticket was $2 ...big winnings on the ticket $10 So the state bought my gas, Carb cleaner lottery ticket and gave me 2 bucks out of the goodness of their heart.
Yep it was going to be a good day.
Since I'm still in the parts hunting mode I headed east for Harrison and points in between. The short scoot over 45 to Hwy 412 was a smooth one as all the heavy part of the morning traffic was pretty much gone. As I topped the hill to merge into 412 I noticed a car beside the road. The driver appeared to be an older woman. I pulled over and asked her if she needed any help. "darn thing wont start" was her reply. Sure enough it was dead. I asked the lady to raise the hood and let me look over the battery connections. Finally she said "I guess you'll have to do it, I don't have the strength to pull the latch". As I reached in to pop the hood I noticed the head light switch was in the on position. I asked how long she had been sitting there and she said she had pulled over just about day light to rest a bit. It was starting to look like she had pulled over and shut off the engine leaving the lights on. This I explained would be a quick fix if she had any jumper cables. We'd just flag someone down and get a jump and she could be on her way.
Looking through the car, lots of junk but no cables. Not even a spare tire. Unusual way to be traveling. Also, no cars came by. This was odd.normally cars are all over at this time of the morning.
I explained again what I needed and told her if worse came to worse I'd ride back and get some cables. While we were talking I noticed a short extension cord laying in the trunk with all the other junk. Thinking of an old trick I had used on bikes before, I asked her if I could use her cord to try and get her going. She said have at it. I cut the ends off the cord and stripped off the insulation and made a make shift set of jumper cables. I hooked them to her car and the bike. I had her take the keys out and lay them on the dash. I wasn't sure what it would do to my system if she got over anxious and tried to fire up the car while The bike was hooked to it. Starting the bike I idled it up to about 3500 rpm's and asked her if she drank coffee. I poured her a cup of coffee and set down to wait. After the coffee was drank I unhooked from the car and told her to try it. The car fired up like it was suppose to. I was tickled. My small alternator and make shift cables had done the trick. The lady was more than surprised as she had at the start of this little experiment, uttered many doubtful phrases. I took the extension cord lose from her battery and put the hood down. She asked what she owed me. I really hate it when people do that. Anyway, I told her I'd keep the extension cord and she wouldn't owe me anything. She gave me a look like I had gone simple standing in front of her. I pointed out that my mother was about her age and that I would hope someone would stop and help her if she were ever stranded. She seemed to understand my thinking and grabbed me and hugged all the air out of me and thanked me again. She also told me that she was headed to her daughters and when they wanted to know why she was so late, well, she had a story to tell em. She grinned real wide and got in the car. I watched her pull away and thought yep! a real story to tell everyone.
Pulling out onto 412 I tooled on down to Marble. I figured to top off my thermos and grab some of the mandatory hush puppies before continuing.
After my Marble stop I eased on over to Harrison in a pretty uneventful fashion. At the bike shop I gave em my list and asked what they could do to help me. Most of the stuff would have to be ordered and would take a couple of days. I paid them for the parts and told them I'd be back through in a week or so. This was to their liking, someone not in a life and death hurry. While we talked one of the shop guys spotted my bike and they all went out to look it over. One remarked as to how there are lots of them out there still yet but they hardly ever see em or see one that someone actually puts the miles on. Every one seemed to like the old bike and thought the glass packs off the old ford pick was cool as all get out.
After talking to the shop guys I decided it was close enough to lunch either way and headed toward something to eat. It's been so long since I spent any real time in Harrison, so aside from fast food places I really didn't have any idea where would be a good place to eat. Tooling through town, remembering how things ustawas it hit me. The Hospital. Sounds funny but when I was there with mom for her surgery I was told that they have a great lunch buffet. What the heck, worth a try. I eased up to the Emergency room entrance and made my way to the cafeteria. The buffet wasn't bad. They had a little bit of everything. Really the only thing that was missing was salt.I had a real good meal of roast beef with all the trimmings for right at five dollars. Not too bad I didnt think. have to remember this place in the future.
Pulling out from the Hospital I dodged a couple of obvious speed traps and made my way back north. I seemed to recall a place somewhere around Berryville or Eureka Springs that had a motorcycle bone yard.
The ride out to Berryville was a nice one as the weather had really warmed as the weather channel had promised. I asked around at several places but know one knew of a bike bone yard. heading on toward Eureka I met a lot of bikes on the road. Late season vacationers from the looks of the license plates. Pulling in to outskirts of eureka springs i stopped at the Iron Horse stables and a couple of other places that catered to bikes and ask them if they knew of this bone yard. All anyone knew of was the usual places, nothing new. So it looked like another strike out on new junk to prowl through. All in all I really wasn't too disappointed. It was a great day for riding and I was really enjoying it. I managed to kill a little time riding around Eureka and finally headed back toward the house.
It really was a good day for a ride. The bike ran along pretty well for all 237 miles and I was on it. Couldn't ask for more than that.
Catch ya on the road
Sunday, October 18, 2009
10/18/09 Bikin, not ridin days
365 Group (f)
This weekend was kind of a dry one compared to the past couple. It rained a little a couple of times and was overcast more than sunny. Temperatures got up to the middle fifties. All in all it was a keeper.
I had big plans starting into this weekend but like most of my plans they unraveled pretty quickly. I managed to get a few parts picked up here and there. Stuff that I had bought several weeks ago along with some tires that a friend had given me.
In between work, running around picking up parts I managed to visit with an online friend in the center part of the state and had a lot of fun chatting with her. She rides and always has a way of lightening the load when I chat with her. I have gotten a couple of ideas about the bike from her and am trying to incorporate them.
I made a quick ride over to the bicycle shop in Springdale and got a pair of mini ape hangers to fit my bike. I plan on trying out a whole new sitting position on my lower back for more than just short time as I ride. Planning on making it everyday for a while and see if it helps. After the bike shop I headed out to the salvage yard to pick up a pair of struts they had made for me. After the salvage yard I decided to go and grab some grub.
The ride between Springdale and Fayetteville is short hop between traffic lights. Several of them. I was told that it's real deceiving as it looks like a good long stretch from one light to the other but you cant ever make any time on it. That's true. But I always ask, whats the hurry? If your riding in any town, anywhere you should know that it's rare to make any kind of good time.
Finally I pulled up to the light at Mission and still had one skin. I felt that this was a special accomplishment during this quitting time of the day afternoon rush traffic. The light changed and I slipped across the intersection and into the parking lot of the Bar B Que place. This place is great food and all the atmosphere you could want rolled into one location. Plus one of my favorite people is back working there. After eating and visiting I headed back out to run everything out to the house. It was a rougher than normal ride with everything tied to the bike. Cant say enough good things about bungee cords.
I Clanked up my drive way and unloaded the parts. Radar came up and gave everything the once over sniff and trotted back to his spot on the porch. He's looking pretty good lately. Sandy seems to be keeping the groceries to him. He don't even look like the flea carrier I brought home.
I let out my pack of hounds and started on the bike. I pulled off the worn out shocks and replaced them with some homemade struts that lowered the rear about an inch and a half. Next I repositioned the rear fender to try and redirect the rooster tail of water that it throws out when I'm riding in the rain. Then the fun part. Measuring for the springs for the tractor solo seat. I have been told that if set up correctly it will ride as comfortably as what I had. I'm up for trying that. Plus being one of the inseam challenged, lowering the bike was big on my list of important thing to do.
Progressing from one little project to another I killed all afternoon. It was starting to get dark when I finally noticed. The pups are normally a good gage of time. I mean they always make sure that I know it's dinner time. Looking around I found them all sacked out beside Radar. Little vermin...picking up bad habits.
After feeding the pups I got back out to the bike and went back over everything to make sure I wouldn't lose anything tomorrow on the ride in.
In spite of all my plans crashing down around me I still got a few things accomplished and had a good time. Only got in about a hundred miles running around picking up parts and such. But hey, beats a jab in the rump with a pointy object.
catch ya on the road
This weekend was kind of a dry one compared to the past couple. It rained a little a couple of times and was overcast more than sunny. Temperatures got up to the middle fifties. All in all it was a keeper.
I had big plans starting into this weekend but like most of my plans they unraveled pretty quickly. I managed to get a few parts picked up here and there. Stuff that I had bought several weeks ago along with some tires that a friend had given me.
In between work, running around picking up parts I managed to visit with an online friend in the center part of the state and had a lot of fun chatting with her. She rides and always has a way of lightening the load when I chat with her. I have gotten a couple of ideas about the bike from her and am trying to incorporate them.
I made a quick ride over to the bicycle shop in Springdale and got a pair of mini ape hangers to fit my bike. I plan on trying out a whole new sitting position on my lower back for more than just short time as I ride. Planning on making it everyday for a while and see if it helps. After the bike shop I headed out to the salvage yard to pick up a pair of struts they had made for me. After the salvage yard I decided to go and grab some grub.
The ride between Springdale and Fayetteville is short hop between traffic lights. Several of them. I was told that it's real deceiving as it looks like a good long stretch from one light to the other but you cant ever make any time on it. That's true. But I always ask, whats the hurry? If your riding in any town, anywhere you should know that it's rare to make any kind of good time.
Finally I pulled up to the light at Mission and still had one skin. I felt that this was a special accomplishment during this quitting time of the day afternoon rush traffic. The light changed and I slipped across the intersection and into the parking lot of the Bar B Que place. This place is great food and all the atmosphere you could want rolled into one location. Plus one of my favorite people is back working there. After eating and visiting I headed back out to run everything out to the house. It was a rougher than normal ride with everything tied to the bike. Cant say enough good things about bungee cords.
I Clanked up my drive way and unloaded the parts. Radar came up and gave everything the once over sniff and trotted back to his spot on the porch. He's looking pretty good lately. Sandy seems to be keeping the groceries to him. He don't even look like the flea carrier I brought home.
I let out my pack of hounds and started on the bike. I pulled off the worn out shocks and replaced them with some homemade struts that lowered the rear about an inch and a half. Next I repositioned the rear fender to try and redirect the rooster tail of water that it throws out when I'm riding in the rain. Then the fun part. Measuring for the springs for the tractor solo seat. I have been told that if set up correctly it will ride as comfortably as what I had. I'm up for trying that. Plus being one of the inseam challenged, lowering the bike was big on my list of important thing to do.
Progressing from one little project to another I killed all afternoon. It was starting to get dark when I finally noticed. The pups are normally a good gage of time. I mean they always make sure that I know it's dinner time. Looking around I found them all sacked out beside Radar. Little vermin...picking up bad habits.
After feeding the pups I got back out to the bike and went back over everything to make sure I wouldn't lose anything tomorrow on the ride in.
In spite of all my plans crashing down around me I still got a few things accomplished and had a good time. Only got in about a hundred miles running around picking up parts and such. But hey, beats a jab in the rump with a pointy object.
catch ya on the road
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
10-13-09 Ridin in the Rain....finito
365 group (f)
In keeping with the duck days of October, it rained again.
I woke to another drizzly mess. It was cool and soggy all over. If this keeps up I may have to start parking at the church next door.they don't seem to have the red clay problem that I have.
Kind of rough every once in a while to find your bike laying on it's side because the kickstand buried up in the soft clay.
I uncovered my bike and it fired up with with just the minimal amount of sweet talking. Strapping on my thermos and camera's I planned to make a day of this mess. As the bike was warming I went back to the house for some last minute extra lovin on the "hounds". They always seem to like this last minute stuff, or maybe it's the treats I give em? grabbing a hand full of treats for radar I headed out. Radar got up and showed an unusual amount of interest in walking with me to the bike. he even reared up on the seat and gave everything the serious sniff over. Kind of like saying "OK, I got a good grip on things." I gave him his treats, scratched his ears and he trotted back to the dry porch. Hound after my own heart.
I bounced down my drive to the street and headed southeast. My intent was to run the county roads toward Elkins and pick up hwy 16 and run it all the way to hwy 7. From there I guessed I'd just flip a coin and go north or South.
The county road I was on brought me into the middle of Elkins. Elkins is a small town with a big reputation for being a speed trap. I'm always hearing stories of people getting tagged for as little as one mile per hour over. Since this is far from being my first rodeo, I eased through town about five under. Clearing Elkins I got up to a good comfortable speed and started making a dent in the miles.
Before I knew it I had run through the small communities of Crosses and Combs and was coming up on St. Paul. St. Paul is a very small community on hwy 16. All that I know of there is the gas station and store. As the station came into view I was reminded of a Poker run a few years back. One of the runs stops was at this store. While we were there , one of my buddies blew an oil line off his Harley and had managed to soak everyone riding behind him with oil. Turned out to be a small fix, just a clamp. I had gone into the store to see if they might have a small clamp and as I came out I was struck by the size of the town and the number of bikes. Bikes were parked side by side for what seemed like a half a mile in each direction. As I stepped onto the porch of this store I said to no one in particular "looks like Hollister California in the forties". For some reason the sight of the bikes had brought an old movie about that incident to mind. As I stood there looking around an old guy grinned real big and says, "It does." we started talking and he told me that he had grown up out side Hollister and was living there when that incident took place. Although he wasn't in town during the incident. He was in the area and recalled the numbers of bikes and all the Cops. He said it was big talk for days after. His introduced himself and all I can remember is, his first name was Lenny. We chatted for a few minutes and I remembered the clamp and oil line. As I tooled on through the little town, I wondered if the old man was still around.
Leaving St. Paul the road is a pretty fair two lane that you can travel for it's entirety at times without ever seeing another vehicle. Today was almost one of those days. All in all I rode about eighty miles without seeing a vehicle. I finally came up on a pickup as I neared the town of Fallsville. Fallsville is a neat little wide spot. Sometimes there is a store-gas station there sometimes there isn't. Not a whole lot of business in the area. Today it looked dead as I came through. Setting my sights on the station at Nail I eased on down the road and hoped I made it. The bike does pretty well but over the years I have learned a thing or two and pushing your luck when you didn't have to was one of them.
At nail I gassed up and headed on towards Deer and lunch with mom before I flipped the quarter. I have four days to kill and I wanted to get in several miles before I turned back. So far I only had a hundred and forty seven of them. I'm hoping for at least that many more through these hills before I call it a day.
Let ya know tomorrow how today ended up.
I ended up staying over with mom for another day and night with Flu like symptoms. I felt like I was done. No energy no nothing. It was a job to just get out of bed and into the kitchen for breakfast. I finally gave up and went back to bed. I slept all day and most of the night. I mean I slept. Deep with out interruption. That seemed to be what I needed. I got up the next morning much improved. Since I had lost so much time I just decided to scrap trying to recover and had mom make me an appointment with her doctor.
About ten I struck out for Jasper and the Doctor. The ride to Jasper is always a good one. A real good combination of straights and twisties. Especially on the mountain. Great curves on the mountain.
Pulling into Jasper I slowed way down and just looked over everything. Not much changes around this small town, but there is a yard sale of something of interest usually going on.
I made my turn off the square and ripped up to the clinic. The doc is a cool dude and gave it too me pretty quick. I had a case of a new fast moving flu. Usually hits the stomach and lasts a day or three. Yep that would be me. Told me to down lots of liquids and hold on. I could do that.
back out at the bike I had picked up some "groopies". A pack of neighborhood hounds were laying beside my bike. They looked all comfortable and kind of sad that I was taking their "leaning post". Firing up I eased back out to the street with the hounds trotting along behind. I though it looked cute. It only lasted a couple of minutes. One saw a squirrel or something and they all took off like they were late for something.
Getting back on 7 I decided that since I was actually diagnosed with the flu I would just be line it to the house and try for a trip next weekend. With this all settled the rain started again.
I picked a route home up 74 and over to 21. 74 out of Jasper is another favorite short ride of mine. Like most of the little area rides around this part of the country, straight stretches and twisties. Very enjoyable but very much too short.
Pulling the Boxley mountain I made good time all the way to Kingston and actually, good time all the way to the house. Pulling into the drive I saw a bunch of Rabbits sitting in the middle of my drive. On up at the house where I normally park I saw Radar laying by one of my other bikes. Neither party of critters seemed overly concerned. Man! It's always good to get back.
My ride this weekend wasn't as much as I had planned but sometimes it happens that way. I did have a good time while I was on the road. I enjoyed my time with my mom, always do. I'm hoping that the coming weekends are a little dryer and that I can get in my last trip of this years season in without too much trouble or fanfare. About 370 miles this time around. Not bad.
Catch ya on the road
In keeping with the duck days of October, it rained again.
I woke to another drizzly mess. It was cool and soggy all over. If this keeps up I may have to start parking at the church next door.they don't seem to have the red clay problem that I have.
Kind of rough every once in a while to find your bike laying on it's side because the kickstand buried up in the soft clay.
I uncovered my bike and it fired up with with just the minimal amount of sweet talking. Strapping on my thermos and camera's I planned to make a day of this mess. As the bike was warming I went back to the house for some last minute extra lovin on the "hounds". They always seem to like this last minute stuff, or maybe it's the treats I give em? grabbing a hand full of treats for radar I headed out. Radar got up and showed an unusual amount of interest in walking with me to the bike. he even reared up on the seat and gave everything the serious sniff over. Kind of like saying "OK, I got a good grip on things." I gave him his treats, scratched his ears and he trotted back to the dry porch. Hound after my own heart.
I bounced down my drive to the street and headed southeast. My intent was to run the county roads toward Elkins and pick up hwy 16 and run it all the way to hwy 7. From there I guessed I'd just flip a coin and go north or South.
The county road I was on brought me into the middle of Elkins. Elkins is a small town with a big reputation for being a speed trap. I'm always hearing stories of people getting tagged for as little as one mile per hour over. Since this is far from being my first rodeo, I eased through town about five under. Clearing Elkins I got up to a good comfortable speed and started making a dent in the miles.
Before I knew it I had run through the small communities of Crosses and Combs and was coming up on St. Paul. St. Paul is a very small community on hwy 16. All that I know of there is the gas station and store. As the station came into view I was reminded of a Poker run a few years back. One of the runs stops was at this store. While we were there , one of my buddies blew an oil line off his Harley and had managed to soak everyone riding behind him with oil. Turned out to be a small fix, just a clamp. I had gone into the store to see if they might have a small clamp and as I came out I was struck by the size of the town and the number of bikes. Bikes were parked side by side for what seemed like a half a mile in each direction. As I stepped onto the porch of this store I said to no one in particular "looks like Hollister California in the forties". For some reason the sight of the bikes had brought an old movie about that incident to mind. As I stood there looking around an old guy grinned real big and says, "It does." we started talking and he told me that he had grown up out side Hollister and was living there when that incident took place. Although he wasn't in town during the incident. He was in the area and recalled the numbers of bikes and all the Cops. He said it was big talk for days after. His introduced himself and all I can remember is, his first name was Lenny. We chatted for a few minutes and I remembered the clamp and oil line. As I tooled on through the little town, I wondered if the old man was still around.
Leaving St. Paul the road is a pretty fair two lane that you can travel for it's entirety at times without ever seeing another vehicle. Today was almost one of those days. All in all I rode about eighty miles without seeing a vehicle. I finally came up on a pickup as I neared the town of Fallsville. Fallsville is a neat little wide spot. Sometimes there is a store-gas station there sometimes there isn't. Not a whole lot of business in the area. Today it looked dead as I came through. Setting my sights on the station at Nail I eased on down the road and hoped I made it. The bike does pretty well but over the years I have learned a thing or two and pushing your luck when you didn't have to was one of them.
At nail I gassed up and headed on towards Deer and lunch with mom before I flipped the quarter. I have four days to kill and I wanted to get in several miles before I turned back. So far I only had a hundred and forty seven of them. I'm hoping for at least that many more through these hills before I call it a day.
Let ya know tomorrow how today ended up.
I ended up staying over with mom for another day and night with Flu like symptoms. I felt like I was done. No energy no nothing. It was a job to just get out of bed and into the kitchen for breakfast. I finally gave up and went back to bed. I slept all day and most of the night. I mean I slept. Deep with out interruption. That seemed to be what I needed. I got up the next morning much improved. Since I had lost so much time I just decided to scrap trying to recover and had mom make me an appointment with her doctor.
About ten I struck out for Jasper and the Doctor. The ride to Jasper is always a good one. A real good combination of straights and twisties. Especially on the mountain. Great curves on the mountain.
Pulling into Jasper I slowed way down and just looked over everything. Not much changes around this small town, but there is a yard sale of something of interest usually going on.
I made my turn off the square and ripped up to the clinic. The doc is a cool dude and gave it too me pretty quick. I had a case of a new fast moving flu. Usually hits the stomach and lasts a day or three. Yep that would be me. Told me to down lots of liquids and hold on. I could do that.
back out at the bike I had picked up some "groopies". A pack of neighborhood hounds were laying beside my bike. They looked all comfortable and kind of sad that I was taking their "leaning post". Firing up I eased back out to the street with the hounds trotting along behind. I though it looked cute. It only lasted a couple of minutes. One saw a squirrel or something and they all took off like they were late for something.
Getting back on 7 I decided that since I was actually diagnosed with the flu I would just be line it to the house and try for a trip next weekend. With this all settled the rain started again.
I picked a route home up 74 and over to 21. 74 out of Jasper is another favorite short ride of mine. Like most of the little area rides around this part of the country, straight stretches and twisties. Very enjoyable but very much too short.
Pulling the Boxley mountain I made good time all the way to Kingston and actually, good time all the way to the house. Pulling into the drive I saw a bunch of Rabbits sitting in the middle of my drive. On up at the house where I normally park I saw Radar laying by one of my other bikes. Neither party of critters seemed overly concerned. Man! It's always good to get back.
My ride this weekend wasn't as much as I had planned but sometimes it happens that way. I did have a good time while I was on the road. I enjoyed my time with my mom, always do. I'm hoping that the coming weekends are a little dryer and that I can get in my last trip of this years season in without too much trouble or fanfare. About 370 miles this time around. Not bad.
Catch ya on the road
Saturday, October 10, 2009
October 9, 2009 The Duck days of October
365 Group (f)
These last few days have been really strange weather wise. Rain and sunshine. Rain and rain....
This morning I rushed around and got ready to leave hoping to catch a break in the rain or at least get out before the morning traffic. It was coming down hard. Finally I was ready and couldn't put it off any longer. I grabbed my helmet and went out. Thinking again for the umpteenth time I need to hit the salvage yards and get my car back on the road. Putting on my helmet I stepped out into what I refer to as an Ozark Hurricane. Heavy winds and lots and lots of hard driving rain.
Strapping my thermos on I figured the bike wouldn't start after being left out in the storm. Hey, it was warm and sunny when I parked it. I hit the kicker and she fired up. After sitting all night in a down pour, fired on the first kick. I'm ever and always amazed at my old machine.
Sloshing down the drive I saw just how much it had rained. My drive was all washed out again and water was standing everywhere I looked.
I eased onto the road and started down toward the highway. There wasn't much traffic so I just eased along and looked over all the trash and gravel that had been washed into the road. The next thirteen miles was going to be a ride.
At the stop at the highway the street makes an ever slight dip. Water was running about four to six inches deep. I pulled out and eased up to highway speed. The rains had washed off all the oils so going wasn't too bad, just had to keep an eye out for standing water.
From town to my turn off at the foot of the mountain wasn't too bad. I made as good of time as I normally do. After I made my turn I hit some heavy ground fog. I also had the high lite of my trip. In the fog I saw what looked like a small truck with one head light. As it got closer I saw that it was a Honda Shadow with a totally drowned young man riding it. He had on a leather jacket and chaps and looked like he was soaked through. I figured he had been riding in the worst part of the storm. He was wet to the point of normal. I've been that wet a couple of times in my life. Just comes a point when you just don't notice the water anymore. He was at that point. As we past he waved real big and kept on going.
I made good time over to Butterfield Coach Road. As I came up on the stop sign the rain eased noticeably and the fog was all but gone. I could see both ways well enough to slowly roll the stop and not break my ride. I was having a good time. That's another thing that always amazes me. No matter the situation I can get lost in riding.
Pulling up to the new parkway as it's called traffic was stacked up due to the rain. I managed to get on and got out ahead of most of it. I did have that feeling of being the ball in a pinball machine run up my back. Especially when a guy in a duel cab pickup tried to jump out on top of me. By this time the rain had all but stopped and I had decided that I needed to get out of every ones way before they figured they could go back to their normal driving routine. So. I wound the twin up and put some real distance between me and the advancing enemy forces. From each traffic light I blasted away ahead of everyone so I had time to pull over almost off the street at the next light. That way maybe someone wouldn't slide all over me.
Finally I got off on the side street I was looking for and just tooled on up to the job.
Rumor had it we had gotten around six inches of rain. It looked like. everything was definitely soaked. The job site looked washed.
Good rain gear is a must. Don't care who ya are. Nothing cooler than being dry on a wet day.
About noon the sun started peaking out and I got that old familiar feeling....come on 4 o'clock so I can get on the road.
May be doin the back stroke but I'll catch ya on the road
These last few days have been really strange weather wise. Rain and sunshine. Rain and rain....
This morning I rushed around and got ready to leave hoping to catch a break in the rain or at least get out before the morning traffic. It was coming down hard. Finally I was ready and couldn't put it off any longer. I grabbed my helmet and went out. Thinking again for the umpteenth time I need to hit the salvage yards and get my car back on the road. Putting on my helmet I stepped out into what I refer to as an Ozark Hurricane. Heavy winds and lots and lots of hard driving rain.
Strapping my thermos on I figured the bike wouldn't start after being left out in the storm. Hey, it was warm and sunny when I parked it. I hit the kicker and she fired up. After sitting all night in a down pour, fired on the first kick. I'm ever and always amazed at my old machine.
Sloshing down the drive I saw just how much it had rained. My drive was all washed out again and water was standing everywhere I looked.
I eased onto the road and started down toward the highway. There wasn't much traffic so I just eased along and looked over all the trash and gravel that had been washed into the road. The next thirteen miles was going to be a ride.
At the stop at the highway the street makes an ever slight dip. Water was running about four to six inches deep. I pulled out and eased up to highway speed. The rains had washed off all the oils so going wasn't too bad, just had to keep an eye out for standing water.
From town to my turn off at the foot of the mountain wasn't too bad. I made as good of time as I normally do. After I made my turn I hit some heavy ground fog. I also had the high lite of my trip. In the fog I saw what looked like a small truck with one head light. As it got closer I saw that it was a Honda Shadow with a totally drowned young man riding it. He had on a leather jacket and chaps and looked like he was soaked through. I figured he had been riding in the worst part of the storm. He was wet to the point of normal. I've been that wet a couple of times in my life. Just comes a point when you just don't notice the water anymore. He was at that point. As we past he waved real big and kept on going.
I made good time over to Butterfield Coach Road. As I came up on the stop sign the rain eased noticeably and the fog was all but gone. I could see both ways well enough to slowly roll the stop and not break my ride. I was having a good time. That's another thing that always amazes me. No matter the situation I can get lost in riding.
Pulling up to the new parkway as it's called traffic was stacked up due to the rain. I managed to get on and got out ahead of most of it. I did have that feeling of being the ball in a pinball machine run up my back. Especially when a guy in a duel cab pickup tried to jump out on top of me. By this time the rain had all but stopped and I had decided that I needed to get out of every ones way before they figured they could go back to their normal driving routine. So. I wound the twin up and put some real distance between me and the advancing enemy forces. From each traffic light I blasted away ahead of everyone so I had time to pull over almost off the street at the next light. That way maybe someone wouldn't slide all over me.
Finally I got off on the side street I was looking for and just tooled on up to the job.
Rumor had it we had gotten around six inches of rain. It looked like. everything was definitely soaked. The job site looked washed.
Good rain gear is a must. Don't care who ya are. Nothing cooler than being dry on a wet day.
About noon the sun started peaking out and I got that old familiar feeling....come on 4 o'clock so I can get on the road.
May be doin the back stroke but I'll catch ya on the road
Monday, October 5, 2009
10/5/09 settling back down
365 Group (f)
Today was a good cool and damp morning. It was about fifty five degrees and overcast. Perfect riding weather. Too bad I had to go in to work.
While I was warming the bike up and getting ready I had one of those thoughts of running away from home. Just jump on and ride for a while. Then radar came trotting by and snapped me back into reality. Some one has to be around to feed that hound.
I headed down my worn out drive to the pavement and thought maybe it'll be a good ride to a short day.
The damp in the air seems to agree with my bike and it was running like a fine watch or some other costly something or other. I pulled onto the highway, traffic was light and before I knew it I was out of town heading down the straight stretch towards the mountain. I managed to pick up some traffic that held me close to the speed limit. I was running a little earlier than usual so I was hitting the early early going to work crowd. This wasn't too bad. Most of these people didn't seem to be in a texting mood and no one tried to run me over.
I made it to the foot of the mountain and made my turn to skirt around to Springdale. It was just a great morning to ride. I have been having to do a lot of forced riding these last couple of weeks due to family obligations and it was really nice to just get to settle down some and enjoy.
Running through the hills was fun. Cool damp air then into a warm air pocket. I could do this all day.
As I came up to Butterfield Coach road the traffic started picking up a little and indicated a cop was near by. So I ran along close to the speed limit and sure enough there he was. He even pointed his hand held radar gun at me and waved. After getting by him I tooled along and made it into town and the traffic light madness. I really hate traffic lights. Except for the blasting away and leaving the SUV's sitting still. That tends to tick them off and makes me all tickled. Kind of my version of dragging between lights. No matter how they try they just cant get off the line like I can.
My ride into work was a good one. Not nearly long enough, but a keeper anyway. I was a little down as I didn't see any other bikes on the road I guess winter is already here for most of the riders in this area.
I'm hoping that this day goes by fast and I can get back out while it's still cool enough to enjoy. I'd like to put on a couple of hundred miles for therapy. Guess I'm just not ready for summer to be over.
catch ya on the road
Today was a good cool and damp morning. It was about fifty five degrees and overcast. Perfect riding weather. Too bad I had to go in to work.
While I was warming the bike up and getting ready I had one of those thoughts of running away from home. Just jump on and ride for a while. Then radar came trotting by and snapped me back into reality. Some one has to be around to feed that hound.
I headed down my worn out drive to the pavement and thought maybe it'll be a good ride to a short day.
The damp in the air seems to agree with my bike and it was running like a fine watch or some other costly something or other. I pulled onto the highway, traffic was light and before I knew it I was out of town heading down the straight stretch towards the mountain. I managed to pick up some traffic that held me close to the speed limit. I was running a little earlier than usual so I was hitting the early early going to work crowd. This wasn't too bad. Most of these people didn't seem to be in a texting mood and no one tried to run me over.
I made it to the foot of the mountain and made my turn to skirt around to Springdale. It was just a great morning to ride. I have been having to do a lot of forced riding these last couple of weeks due to family obligations and it was really nice to just get to settle down some and enjoy.
Running through the hills was fun. Cool damp air then into a warm air pocket. I could do this all day.
As I came up to Butterfield Coach road the traffic started picking up a little and indicated a cop was near by. So I ran along close to the speed limit and sure enough there he was. He even pointed his hand held radar gun at me and waved. After getting by him I tooled along and made it into town and the traffic light madness. I really hate traffic lights. Except for the blasting away and leaving the SUV's sitting still. That tends to tick them off and makes me all tickled. Kind of my version of dragging between lights. No matter how they try they just cant get off the line like I can.
My ride into work was a good one. Not nearly long enough, but a keeper anyway. I was a little down as I didn't see any other bikes on the road I guess winter is already here for most of the riders in this area.
I'm hoping that this day goes by fast and I can get back out while it's still cool enough to enjoy. I'd like to put on a couple of hundred miles for therapy. Guess I'm just not ready for summer to be over.
catch ya on the road
Sunday, September 20, 2009
9-20-09 just ridin around.
365 Group (f)
This morning I got up to the Sun coming up. The rain had finally stopped for a while.
After a hurried breakfast I headed out to the shop to start on my bike. It needed a few things before hitting the road. And with the sun out I definitely wanted to hit it today.
I plugged in the coffee pot and started plasma dripping then moved to the bike around to the chain hoist. Once I had the bike in the air the rest would be easy. It timed out just about right. I got the bike lifted just as the coffee quit dripping. Break time!!
After a couple of cups and lots of figuring I hit the drain plug and emptied out the oil. It was black but I didn’t find too much of anything in it that concerned me. Next I put the plug back in and filled it with diesel and pulled the sparkplugs out and rolled over the engine by hand several times to loosen everything. I drained the oil pan again and let it drip till I was finished with everything else.
The chain and sprockets were new about a month and a half ago and was still looking pretty good. I washed them off and looked it all over then adjusted and lubed the chain. A quick check of the points and plugs and I was ready to pour new oil in and be done with it for today.
I put in the new oil and rolled it through the system a few times by hand then put the sparkplugs back in and let it back down to the floor .
After all the coffee was gone I jumped on the starter and half through the second kick she fired, and was back in business as some say.
Bouncing down mom’s driveway and out to the highway I had a feeling that today would be a good one. I headed for Clayborns and gas. Topping off I poured in a bottle of Carb cleaner and eased out for today’s run through the hills.
I ran 16 over to Hwy. 7 and headed south. This is a pretty good ride. A scenic route all the way down to I 40.
I figured on just a few miles this morning and then back to the house and maybe do some more tinkering. At Lurton I took a left and got on Hwy.123 and headed down what you could call a local equivalent to the Dragons Tail. Not as long but definitely as much fun. Having grown up in this part of the world had its advantages at times. Like not needing a map. In real rural parts of the world some things never change and the road I was on was like that, unchanged. I tooled down the mountain and through the community of Mt. Judea (Mt. Judy) and just ambled along until I came back into Jasper and Hwy. 7 again. Having grown up in this area also has disadvantages as I couldn’t really tell you anything about this part of my ride. Other than it was a great one. What can I say; I was home and just riding around. I hit 7 and headed back south. Pulling the mountain is always loads of fun. It literally starts as you leave the actual town. A tight curve at the town limit, that when I was lots younger I drug foot pegs on several times leaving the shop in an alcohol induced state of "gotta get home quick." It would be an almost daily ritual. Larry would close the shop and we’d all jump on our bikes and chase each other up the mountain.
About half way up the mountain there is an emergency truck run away ramp. It has a nice paved spot around it for the tow trucks to set up. Today, no tow trucks, a bunch of bikes had pulled over there. They had ridden up 7 from I 40 and were taking a break. I visited with them and explained the area a little. They all seemed interested in the local roads and what would make a god ride. I showed them a few things on their maps and pointed out the Hub Motorcycle Resort over at Marble Falls. We chatted a while. I gave them my numbers and I explained that I would be in the area for another couple of days. Should they have trouble just give a call.
Pulling out from the truck ramp I pulled the rest of the mountain and settled in for an all too short seventeen mile ride back to the house. Along the way I was stuck by the lack of traffic and just how much fun it was to ride these hills.
Pulling in at moms I looked at the trip counter on my L.S.I. and some how I had racked up 113 miles. Thing is, I don’t really remember any of them. I do remember the people I talked to along the way and their cars, trucks and bikes. I also noticed that I am more relaxed than I’ve been in months. Kind feel like Jell-o looks. Let me tell ya, it be good!!
Catch ya on the road
This morning I got up to the Sun coming up. The rain had finally stopped for a while.
After a hurried breakfast I headed out to the shop to start on my bike. It needed a few things before hitting the road. And with the sun out I definitely wanted to hit it today.
I plugged in the coffee pot and started plasma dripping then moved to the bike around to the chain hoist. Once I had the bike in the air the rest would be easy. It timed out just about right. I got the bike lifted just as the coffee quit dripping. Break time!!
After a couple of cups and lots of figuring I hit the drain plug and emptied out the oil. It was black but I didn’t find too much of anything in it that concerned me. Next I put the plug back in and filled it with diesel and pulled the sparkplugs out and rolled over the engine by hand several times to loosen everything. I drained the oil pan again and let it drip till I was finished with everything else.
The chain and sprockets were new about a month and a half ago and was still looking pretty good. I washed them off and looked it all over then adjusted and lubed the chain. A quick check of the points and plugs and I was ready to pour new oil in and be done with it for today.
I put in the new oil and rolled it through the system a few times by hand then put the sparkplugs back in and let it back down to the floor .
After all the coffee was gone I jumped on the starter and half through the second kick she fired, and was back in business as some say.
Bouncing down mom’s driveway and out to the highway I had a feeling that today would be a good one. I headed for Clayborns and gas. Topping off I poured in a bottle of Carb cleaner and eased out for today’s run through the hills.
I ran 16 over to Hwy. 7 and headed south. This is a pretty good ride. A scenic route all the way down to I 40.
I figured on just a few miles this morning and then back to the house and maybe do some more tinkering. At Lurton I took a left and got on Hwy.123 and headed down what you could call a local equivalent to the Dragons Tail. Not as long but definitely as much fun. Having grown up in this part of the world had its advantages at times. Like not needing a map. In real rural parts of the world some things never change and the road I was on was like that, unchanged. I tooled down the mountain and through the community of Mt. Judea (Mt. Judy) and just ambled along until I came back into Jasper and Hwy. 7 again. Having grown up in this area also has disadvantages as I couldn’t really tell you anything about this part of my ride. Other than it was a great one. What can I say; I was home and just riding around. I hit 7 and headed back south. Pulling the mountain is always loads of fun. It literally starts as you leave the actual town. A tight curve at the town limit, that when I was lots younger I drug foot pegs on several times leaving the shop in an alcohol induced state of "gotta get home quick." It would be an almost daily ritual. Larry would close the shop and we’d all jump on our bikes and chase each other up the mountain.
About half way up the mountain there is an emergency truck run away ramp. It has a nice paved spot around it for the tow trucks to set up. Today, no tow trucks, a bunch of bikes had pulled over there. They had ridden up 7 from I 40 and were taking a break. I visited with them and explained the area a little. They all seemed interested in the local roads and what would make a god ride. I showed them a few things on their maps and pointed out the Hub Motorcycle Resort over at Marble Falls. We chatted a while. I gave them my numbers and I explained that I would be in the area for another couple of days. Should they have trouble just give a call.
Pulling out from the truck ramp I pulled the rest of the mountain and settled in for an all too short seventeen mile ride back to the house. Along the way I was stuck by the lack of traffic and just how much fun it was to ride these hills.
Pulling in at moms I looked at the trip counter on my L.S.I. and some how I had racked up 113 miles. Thing is, I don’t really remember any of them. I do remember the people I talked to along the way and their cars, trucks and bikes. I also noticed that I am more relaxed than I’ve been in months. Kind feel like Jell-o looks. Let me tell ya, it be good!!
Catch ya on the road
9-19-09 Radar and the Hairy legged mountain woman
365 Group (f)
The rain continues and this morning, I got up to a wet everything.
My plan had been to get an early start on some light maintenance on the bike and hopefully get in a few miles before lunch. With the rain, it was looking now like I would get the chance to hit my bone yard and pick up a couple of parts for one of my project bikes instead of any before lunch riding.
I have a friend with an old 305 Honda that I have been working on for a while. I was hoping to get up and going for the Bikes, Blues and BBQ rally.
It’s not anything, special, a bike her dad cobled together from a Dream and a couple of old 350’s, just an older bike in good condition. Something for her to ride around a little and to park on the curb for folks to look at and say, "I had one of those when I was in college" or "I started out on one of those." Today looked like I might get the chance to finish it.
I finally got enough coffee in me to get both eyes open at the same time and headed out to my junk pile. A lot had changed around this place in the last thirty years. Fields, barns, Goats…no no the Goats are the same.Still in the way. The roads around the place have had to change from time to time. My bone yard however was still the same. A trip down memory lane as some say.
Old Honda’s in various conditions. Cushman’s, Triumphs, BSA’s My Suzuki’s, notably the old water buffalo. This small piece of ground with all this junk piled on it is one of the most comfortable places in the world for me. Every time I’m here I end up spending more time than necessary for whatever I’m doing. Today was no different.
From my motocross days the Suzuki 125 was standing off to one side looking dapper as ever even with a blown engine.
The old Honda CL 90 that has been every thing from a hill climber to a road burning "hog" with ape hangers for that classy look and running on just the header pipe for the annoying the neighbors approach. I guess this little bike was the best of the bunch. For a kid of 13, growing up with these wheels was awesome! The places that I was able to go and all I was able to do because of it, is like being in your 30’s and tearing across the country on an old shovel head. I can’t adequately describe it. Other than to say I’ve been lucky. I have been allowed to experience something unique in my life, twice. It’s almost like getting to live two lives.
The Suzuki GT 750 Water Buffalo. A fast bike I don’t care who ya are. My uncle bought it with big ideas. He wasn’t a rider and asked me to come over and look it over and see if it was worth what he had given for it. Long story short I convinced him I needed it and he needed to stay on four wheels. That was a great bike for years. It was just the thing to get on the road several days at a time. Road trips became more fun, if that’s possible. A freak accident took this bike out of service. Due to having to be away on a job, I had to leave the bike sitting, the engine locked up. The shop advised spraying something like WD40 in the cylinders and rocking it in gear to break it loose. It worked. A second time this happened I had help in spraying the cylinders. Due to this help the little red straw from the spray can ended up inside the middle cylinder. Since money was too tight to have the shop get it out. And their advising against running it with the straw in the cylinder, I rolled it into my parents carport and there it set for years. Actually I have two of them, one for parts. One of these retirement days, I’m planning to bring it back to service.
My bone yard is hard to visit because I get back into another time with everything I look at and end up forgetting what I was there for.
Finally, I grabbed up the parts I had came for and headed back to the shop for more coffee and to get started. After another couple of cups I started to clean up the bone yard swing arm for the 305. It was in pretty fair shape. A little surface rust, that came off with mild effort and steel wool. After a good cleaning and repacking I put it all back together and started bolting all the little pieces in place. Before long it was starting to resemble a motorcycle’s back half. Once I had everything back together I primed everything and hit the kicker. Finally after lots of coaxing the old ride fired up and blew smoke for about thirty seconds. A little rough running from setting but it sounded real good. I let it idle for a few minutes and shut it off. Time to start the clean up, mostly dust and cobwebs from 5 years sitting in a shed. The last owner had thought to drain the gas so the tank was in good shape. I replaced the gas lines and added fuel filters and scrubbed all the age discoloration off.
The rain was really coming down now. I had an idea and got a bucket of water and some dishwashing liquid. I lathered the old bike up from with a brush and rolled it out in the rain. In just a few minutes it was looking pretty good. I brushed around on things till I was satisfied and rolled it back in the shop to wipe down. I wasn’t going for "brand" new looking, just serviceable. Once I got it all dried off I started with the replacing of all the rubber. New tires, cables, chain and sprockets and anything else that looked like it needed it. Before long it was at a point where I felt comfortable about riding it.
I went in for something to eat and called Sandy and told her I had a surprise for her. She laughed and said "it’s not another hound dog is it?" I had to remind her that Radar was a special member of the family and not just any old hound dog. Then I told her to come by and look at her dad’s old bike.
Sandy showed up and looked the bike over from head to tookerus and broke in to her big silly grin. I explained that all it needed to be totally finished was tags and insurance but if she wanted to try it out we could burn up the roads around the house without too much worry. That was all it took. She jumped on and turned on the key and went to pushing the horn button and looking lost. I had to laugh. This isn’t your sportster girl. No fancy push buttons on this old ride. Again she looked lost. I patiently explained that she would have to be a real "hairy legged mountain woman" to ride this machine as it had to be kick started. I walked her through the starting process and I got to admit it was fun to watch her jump on the starter. Finally she got it right and it fired up. Yep! She was happy.
We tore around the dirt roads around the house for about an hour and after getting good and soaked, packed it in. Sandy was happy as I’ve ever seen anyone. She said she was going to go call her dad and tell him all about it, and headed toward the house. I noticed that she stopped and gave old Radar a big hug.
Now all that’s left is a little more cleaning and for her to tag and insure the old ‘girl’ and let the hair grow on her legs so she can start it without too much trouble. Oh, and maybe get a side car for Radar?
With a little luck she make it to the rally and people can poke each other as they walk by and drop an octave in their voice and say I used to have one of those. Otherwise she’ll just have to suffer and ride her Harley, again.
Catch ya on the road
The rain continues and this morning, I got up to a wet everything.
My plan had been to get an early start on some light maintenance on the bike and hopefully get in a few miles before lunch. With the rain, it was looking now like I would get the chance to hit my bone yard and pick up a couple of parts for one of my project bikes instead of any before lunch riding.
I have a friend with an old 305 Honda that I have been working on for a while. I was hoping to get up and going for the Bikes, Blues and BBQ rally.
It’s not anything, special, a bike her dad cobled together from a Dream and a couple of old 350’s, just an older bike in good condition. Something for her to ride around a little and to park on the curb for folks to look at and say, "I had one of those when I was in college" or "I started out on one of those." Today looked like I might get the chance to finish it.
I finally got enough coffee in me to get both eyes open at the same time and headed out to my junk pile. A lot had changed around this place in the last thirty years. Fields, barns, Goats…no no the Goats are the same.Still in the way. The roads around the place have had to change from time to time. My bone yard however was still the same. A trip down memory lane as some say.
Old Honda’s in various conditions. Cushman’s, Triumphs, BSA’s My Suzuki’s, notably the old water buffalo. This small piece of ground with all this junk piled on it is one of the most comfortable places in the world for me. Every time I’m here I end up spending more time than necessary for whatever I’m doing. Today was no different.
From my motocross days the Suzuki 125 was standing off to one side looking dapper as ever even with a blown engine.
The old Honda CL 90 that has been every thing from a hill climber to a road burning "hog" with ape hangers for that classy look and running on just the header pipe for the annoying the neighbors approach. I guess this little bike was the best of the bunch. For a kid of 13, growing up with these wheels was awesome! The places that I was able to go and all I was able to do because of it, is like being in your 30’s and tearing across the country on an old shovel head. I can’t adequately describe it. Other than to say I’ve been lucky. I have been allowed to experience something unique in my life, twice. It’s almost like getting to live two lives.
The Suzuki GT 750 Water Buffalo. A fast bike I don’t care who ya are. My uncle bought it with big ideas. He wasn’t a rider and asked me to come over and look it over and see if it was worth what he had given for it. Long story short I convinced him I needed it and he needed to stay on four wheels. That was a great bike for years. It was just the thing to get on the road several days at a time. Road trips became more fun, if that’s possible. A freak accident took this bike out of service. Due to having to be away on a job, I had to leave the bike sitting, the engine locked up. The shop advised spraying something like WD40 in the cylinders and rocking it in gear to break it loose. It worked. A second time this happened I had help in spraying the cylinders. Due to this help the little red straw from the spray can ended up inside the middle cylinder. Since money was too tight to have the shop get it out. And their advising against running it with the straw in the cylinder, I rolled it into my parents carport and there it set for years. Actually I have two of them, one for parts. One of these retirement days, I’m planning to bring it back to service.
My bone yard is hard to visit because I get back into another time with everything I look at and end up forgetting what I was there for.
Finally, I grabbed up the parts I had came for and headed back to the shop for more coffee and to get started. After another couple of cups I started to clean up the bone yard swing arm for the 305. It was in pretty fair shape. A little surface rust, that came off with mild effort and steel wool. After a good cleaning and repacking I put it all back together and started bolting all the little pieces in place. Before long it was starting to resemble a motorcycle’s back half. Once I had everything back together I primed everything and hit the kicker. Finally after lots of coaxing the old ride fired up and blew smoke for about thirty seconds. A little rough running from setting but it sounded real good. I let it idle for a few minutes and shut it off. Time to start the clean up, mostly dust and cobwebs from 5 years sitting in a shed. The last owner had thought to drain the gas so the tank was in good shape. I replaced the gas lines and added fuel filters and scrubbed all the age discoloration off.
The rain was really coming down now. I had an idea and got a bucket of water and some dishwashing liquid. I lathered the old bike up from with a brush and rolled it out in the rain. In just a few minutes it was looking pretty good. I brushed around on things till I was satisfied and rolled it back in the shop to wipe down. I wasn’t going for "brand" new looking, just serviceable. Once I got it all dried off I started with the replacing of all the rubber. New tires, cables, chain and sprockets and anything else that looked like it needed it. Before long it was at a point where I felt comfortable about riding it.
I went in for something to eat and called Sandy and told her I had a surprise for her. She laughed and said "it’s not another hound dog is it?" I had to remind her that Radar was a special member of the family and not just any old hound dog. Then I told her to come by and look at her dad’s old bike.
Sandy showed up and looked the bike over from head to tookerus and broke in to her big silly grin. I explained that all it needed to be totally finished was tags and insurance but if she wanted to try it out we could burn up the roads around the house without too much worry. That was all it took. She jumped on and turned on the key and went to pushing the horn button and looking lost. I had to laugh. This isn’t your sportster girl. No fancy push buttons on this old ride. Again she looked lost. I patiently explained that she would have to be a real "hairy legged mountain woman" to ride this machine as it had to be kick started. I walked her through the starting process and I got to admit it was fun to watch her jump on the starter. Finally she got it right and it fired up. Yep! She was happy.
We tore around the dirt roads around the house for about an hour and after getting good and soaked, packed it in. Sandy was happy as I’ve ever seen anyone. She said she was going to go call her dad and tell him all about it, and headed toward the house. I noticed that she stopped and gave old Radar a big hug.
Now all that’s left is a little more cleaning and for her to tag and insure the old ‘girl’ and let the hair grow on her legs so she can start it without too much trouble. Oh, and maybe get a side car for Radar?
With a little luck she make it to the rally and people can poke each other as they walk by and drop an octave in their voice and say I used to have one of those. Otherwise she’ll just have to suffer and ride her Harley, again.
Catch ya on the road
9-18-09
365 Group (f)
I was sitting at work, watching the clock slowly tic off minutes, waiting to head for the weekend. Unless I crashed my bike, my weekend would be a good one no matter what happened. I was headed to my moms place down home and that’s always good.
Finally! Quitting time. I pulled up to the Guard shack, told the Guard that I would be out of pocket till Monday and eased on. Traffic finally broke enough that I could get out on the street and head east. This afternoon everything clicked and I was out of town in about ten minutes.
I had a couple of errands on my way, pup treats, bird food and ATM. I headed down Old Missouri Road toward Mission and Walgreen’s.
I grabbed my critter supplies and headed on to the ATM and the house.
It was cool this afternoon. My bike was purring like a happy little Kitty as I made my way down HWY45. In no time at all the eight miles to the house was over. I could hear my bird whistling as I pulled up. Critter loves me, what can I say.
I fed and loved up all my critters and they helped me pack. Even Radar put in an appearance and gave his approval. Once I had everything all tied down, I ‘wooled’ everyone around again and kicked the old bike to life. Sitting there listening to the low rumble and feeling the mild vibration, I couldn’t help but grin. I finally toed into gear and hit the road.
I jumped down and caught Hwy 45 east for a ten mile run over to Hwy 412. This little ten mile stretch usually goes by fast especially when my bike is running like it was today. However, here we are on a Friday afternoon at about quitting time in a rural part of N.W. Arkansas. Two things pop to mind. Loonitec driving and local radar toting cops. For the ten or so miles I made good, ‘within the speed limit,’ time.
The last time I made this ride it was slow going on 412 at the start. Not today. I got on as a fast moving chicken loader went by and it was 70 MPH for the next seventeen miles. Just outside Huntsville my "escort" turned off and I backed off my speed a little, coming upon a place known for Cops watching traffic. Past that I opened back up and made really good time all the way down to Hwy 21.
Turning on 21 I settled into a smooth pace that made good time and allowed me to look around and see what had changed in the last week or so. Relax as it were. The road is twisty and for the most part in good shape. It’s a big hit with tourist riders. A little effort with a map and you can have a really good ride through the North part of the state and connect with most major highways.
The weather was cooling down as I neared Kingston. A couple of places a felt a sprinkle or two. In Kingston I stopped and put on some gloves.
Pulling the long hill out of Kingston was fun. It always is. Kind of a game I play when I get to do it from dead stop. I see how fast I can top out. This evening I hit about 85 by the time I crossed the finish marker. On top of the hill I really noticed the cool. The sky looked darker. I had the feeing I was going to get wet.
As I tooled along things popped into mind like Deer jumping out on the road. It sort of unconsciously caused me to ride the center line most of the time from then on. It was a good ride. No traffic other than a couple of Dual Sport riders that I met.
As I came off the mountain into the Boxley valley there were cars all over the place. I slowed thinking that I had come up on an accident. Turns out that a herd of Elk were grazing and providing a photo op in a small field next to the road. People had stopped to take pictures and get a good look as they were real close.
The run through the valley was sweet. It’s a straight shot for about three or 4 miles so I got to open up again and had a good time. Pulling the mountain on the other side was just as much fun. Tight curves all the way to the top. Another big hits with touring riders.
From the top of the mountain all the way to moms it was a great ride. Tight curves and then open straight stretches, then more curves. All the way down I kept thinking about the accounts of "The Long Ride" I had read recently in "The Horse" magazine. Those guys had a blast on that ride and this little mountain run was having a similar effect on me. I gotta bounce Luther and Stan and a couple of others about starting our very own "run what ya throw together ride". Maybe make a couple of hundred mile trip around through the hills and eventually grow it into a long ride.
I rolled into mom’s place just as dinner was being set on the table. Tell me I’m not lucky.
This trip was a good relaxing one. Like all trips of that kind, it didn’t last near long enough.
But, like an old guy on an old Harley told me once about 30 years ago. "Any miles on a bike beats a jab in the butt with a sharp stick any day".
Tomorrow is going to be a maintenance day on the bike. Oil change, chain tightening and all that really good stuff that makes up the "bikin" part.
Catch ya on the road
I was sitting at work, watching the clock slowly tic off minutes, waiting to head for the weekend. Unless I crashed my bike, my weekend would be a good one no matter what happened. I was headed to my moms place down home and that’s always good.
Finally! Quitting time. I pulled up to the Guard shack, told the Guard that I would be out of pocket till Monday and eased on. Traffic finally broke enough that I could get out on the street and head east. This afternoon everything clicked and I was out of town in about ten minutes.
I had a couple of errands on my way, pup treats, bird food and ATM. I headed down Old Missouri Road toward Mission and Walgreen’s.
I grabbed my critter supplies and headed on to the ATM and the house.
It was cool this afternoon. My bike was purring like a happy little Kitty as I made my way down HWY45. In no time at all the eight miles to the house was over. I could hear my bird whistling as I pulled up. Critter loves me, what can I say.
I fed and loved up all my critters and they helped me pack. Even Radar put in an appearance and gave his approval. Once I had everything all tied down, I ‘wooled’ everyone around again and kicked the old bike to life. Sitting there listening to the low rumble and feeling the mild vibration, I couldn’t help but grin. I finally toed into gear and hit the road.
I jumped down and caught Hwy 45 east for a ten mile run over to Hwy 412. This little ten mile stretch usually goes by fast especially when my bike is running like it was today. However, here we are on a Friday afternoon at about quitting time in a rural part of N.W. Arkansas. Two things pop to mind. Loonitec driving and local radar toting cops. For the ten or so miles I made good, ‘within the speed limit,’ time.
The last time I made this ride it was slow going on 412 at the start. Not today. I got on as a fast moving chicken loader went by and it was 70 MPH for the next seventeen miles. Just outside Huntsville my "escort" turned off and I backed off my speed a little, coming upon a place known for Cops watching traffic. Past that I opened back up and made really good time all the way down to Hwy 21.
Turning on 21 I settled into a smooth pace that made good time and allowed me to look around and see what had changed in the last week or so. Relax as it were. The road is twisty and for the most part in good shape. It’s a big hit with tourist riders. A little effort with a map and you can have a really good ride through the North part of the state and connect with most major highways.
The weather was cooling down as I neared Kingston. A couple of places a felt a sprinkle or two. In Kingston I stopped and put on some gloves.
Pulling the long hill out of Kingston was fun. It always is. Kind of a game I play when I get to do it from dead stop. I see how fast I can top out. This evening I hit about 85 by the time I crossed the finish marker. On top of the hill I really noticed the cool. The sky looked darker. I had the feeing I was going to get wet.
As I tooled along things popped into mind like Deer jumping out on the road. It sort of unconsciously caused me to ride the center line most of the time from then on. It was a good ride. No traffic other than a couple of Dual Sport riders that I met.
As I came off the mountain into the Boxley valley there were cars all over the place. I slowed thinking that I had come up on an accident. Turns out that a herd of Elk were grazing and providing a photo op in a small field next to the road. People had stopped to take pictures and get a good look as they were real close.
The run through the valley was sweet. It’s a straight shot for about three or 4 miles so I got to open up again and had a good time. Pulling the mountain on the other side was just as much fun. Tight curves all the way to the top. Another big hits with touring riders.
From the top of the mountain all the way to moms it was a great ride. Tight curves and then open straight stretches, then more curves. All the way down I kept thinking about the accounts of "The Long Ride" I had read recently in "The Horse" magazine. Those guys had a blast on that ride and this little mountain run was having a similar effect on me. I gotta bounce Luther and Stan and a couple of others about starting our very own "run what ya throw together ride". Maybe make a couple of hundred mile trip around through the hills and eventually grow it into a long ride.
I rolled into mom’s place just as dinner was being set on the table. Tell me I’m not lucky.
This trip was a good relaxing one. Like all trips of that kind, it didn’t last near long enough.
But, like an old guy on an old Harley told me once about 30 years ago. "Any miles on a bike beats a jab in the butt with a sharp stick any day".
Tomorrow is going to be a maintenance day on the bike. Oil change, chain tightening and all that really good stuff that makes up the "bikin" part.
Catch ya on the road
Thursday, September 17, 2009
9-17-09
365 Group (f)
This morning was another damp one. As I headed out to town the rain had all but stopped and it looked like a good day was starting.
Pulling on to the highway I headed west toward Fayetteville and before I knew it I was crowding 80 mph. The damp air was agreeing with my old twin. I floated along like this for three or four miles until I came up on a sub division. A car pulled out in front of me causing me to greatly reduce my speed and mutter unwholesome phrases. This seems to happen more around this time of the year. Think it has something to do with school starting back.
After getting past this "chuckle head" I had a good ride on into town to the first convenience store I saw. Coffee and gas were greatly needed. While I was sipping my coffee I made small talk with the woman behind the counter. She had mentioned Bikes, Blues & BBQ Rally that was coming up at the end of the month. She pointed out that there seemed to be more bikes around than normal and that she had noticed people that she had known for years and never seen on a bike before riding around town. Pointing out that it was funny how you can not really know someone. As we chatted I asked her if she wanted to have some fun with these neighbors of hers. (Of course.) I told her to start asking questions about their bikes. See if they stuttered and stammered over their answers. Look over this leather they were now wearing and see if it all looked new. And....if she could manage it to get a look at their bike. See if it had a rental sticker on it. I explained that since this rally has grown to one of the biggest in the country. Every body wants to be a part of the crowd, a few people break down and buy a bike. But, now, bike rentals are a going business. She thought about what I said then cracked into a laugh.
After leaving the gas station I headed over to work to turn in some paperwork to get my guys a raise. Running down Old Missouri Road I noticed a couple on a newer Harley inching along ahead of me. Traffic was backed up as everyone was apparently running late for work. By cheating a little I managed to get up beside them and we talked a bit about the slow moving traffic. They were headed to almost the same place I was. Finally I had had enough inching along and decided to hit the back roads and get around all this mess. Without asking, I just told them to follow me and took a right on Old Wire Road and tooled the narrow back roads over to Hwy.412. Rolling into a parking lot, they were laughing about the traffic. He said he hadn't considered doing that. I explained that it was one of the benefits of being on a bike.
The rest of the day I spent picking up camera supplies and all the junk that goes with it for me and Bikes,Blues & BBQ. After last year, I'm getting it all done early. Nothing worse than going to photograph something and running out of film and or memory or battery before you really get started. I had to run back to the house about every three hundred or so shots to download. So this year I'm hoping for around a thousand to 1500 before taking a break. People have asked me for more so these albums have steadily grown each year and that's what we are all about. Keeping everyone happy.
If you get the chance I recommend you visit Bikes, Blues & BBQ. I always have a good time.
Catch ya on the road
This morning was another damp one. As I headed out to town the rain had all but stopped and it looked like a good day was starting.
Pulling on to the highway I headed west toward Fayetteville and before I knew it I was crowding 80 mph. The damp air was agreeing with my old twin. I floated along like this for three or four miles until I came up on a sub division. A car pulled out in front of me causing me to greatly reduce my speed and mutter unwholesome phrases. This seems to happen more around this time of the year. Think it has something to do with school starting back.
After getting past this "chuckle head" I had a good ride on into town to the first convenience store I saw. Coffee and gas were greatly needed. While I was sipping my coffee I made small talk with the woman behind the counter. She had mentioned Bikes, Blues & BBQ Rally that was coming up at the end of the month. She pointed out that there seemed to be more bikes around than normal and that she had noticed people that she had known for years and never seen on a bike before riding around town. Pointing out that it was funny how you can not really know someone. As we chatted I asked her if she wanted to have some fun with these neighbors of hers. (Of course.) I told her to start asking questions about their bikes. See if they stuttered and stammered over their answers. Look over this leather they were now wearing and see if it all looked new. And....if she could manage it to get a look at their bike. See if it had a rental sticker on it. I explained that since this rally has grown to one of the biggest in the country. Every body wants to be a part of the crowd, a few people break down and buy a bike. But, now, bike rentals are a going business. She thought about what I said then cracked into a laugh.
After leaving the gas station I headed over to work to turn in some paperwork to get my guys a raise. Running down Old Missouri Road I noticed a couple on a newer Harley inching along ahead of me. Traffic was backed up as everyone was apparently running late for work. By cheating a little I managed to get up beside them and we talked a bit about the slow moving traffic. They were headed to almost the same place I was. Finally I had had enough inching along and decided to hit the back roads and get around all this mess. Without asking, I just told them to follow me and took a right on Old Wire Road and tooled the narrow back roads over to Hwy.412. Rolling into a parking lot, they were laughing about the traffic. He said he hadn't considered doing that. I explained that it was one of the benefits of being on a bike.
The rest of the day I spent picking up camera supplies and all the junk that goes with it for me and Bikes,Blues & BBQ. After last year, I'm getting it all done early. Nothing worse than going to photograph something and running out of film and or memory or battery before you really get started. I had to run back to the house about every three hundred or so shots to download. So this year I'm hoping for around a thousand to 1500 before taking a break. People have asked me for more so these albums have steadily grown each year and that's what we are all about. Keeping everyone happy.
If you get the chance I recommend you visit Bikes, Blues & BBQ. I always have a good time.
Catch ya on the road
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
9/16/09 Last couple of weeks.
365 Group (f)
This past couple of weeks has been fast paced and wet.
My mom had surgery and I have been running back and forth almost daily. About 70 miles one way so it's been a fun couple of weeks. The surgery wasn't as major as some. However it has her pretty much immobile for a while.
Starting out this last trip down the weather was warm and clear. I hit the highway over to 412 and made record time for the ten mile stretch. Thinking that if 412 went this good I'd make it down in about and hour. That's what I get for thinking. I hit 412 at 40 MPH. A pickup with a trailer load of water melon had everything down to a snails pace for about 17 miles. That with the going home from work crowd, well, it wasn't pretty.
I finally got out of any real traffic about 30 miles from the house and got to open the bike up a little. Highway 412 down to Highway 65 is a nice ride. The road has been widened and had a few passing lanes put in. A short trip, only 66 miles to the Hospital in Harrison but really a lot of fun.
Pulling into Harrison small town traffic kicked in and it was poke along time again. Finally I made it up to the Hospital and sent everyone home. I had a great visit with my mom. The nurses were top notch. They brought me a blanket and pillow so I could sack out in the UN easy chair. Funny that was the most uncomfortable recliner I have ever been in but I got one of the best nights sleep I've had in a long time. The way it forced me to lay took all the pressure off my lower back. Next morning I felt GOOD!!
While the nurses and Doctors did their thing I went out to check on my bike. Coming back in I had my spare helmet in my hand. As I walked back into the room, my moms Doc and the nurses asked her if she had someone coming to pick her up as they were releasing her. She pointed at me and said he's here now. I handed her my helmet as she spoke and every ones jaws hit the floor. Absolutely priceless!!
After moms release I followed them out of town. At a long section of highway I passed them and went on to get some gas so we would all get to the house at the same time. Running down Highway 7 south is a very nice, twisty ride of about eighteen miles to Jasper. As I crossed the bridge coming into town my back tire got all squiggly. Pulling up to the pump I got off to a flat tire. This isn't good. This tire has a history. It was on an old parts bike and recently when I had worn my back tire thin I noticed that it was the same everything. So I just swapped out the sprocket hub and rolled it on. No telling how old it is.
It had good tread depth and no dry rot that I could find. So...? Ya know how it goes.
My mom and sister pulled up and we discussed the situation. I pumped air in and it seemed to hold so I ran the seventeen miles out to the house . I made it to the house and the tire went down in about 20 minutes. The next day we broke the tire down and found it full of rust from the spoke heads and that someone had folded the tube when it was mounted. Thats where it had the hole. No telling how old that tire is. Might even be close to original? I cleaned the rim and saying it was in bad shape is putting it mildly. Every spoke head was rusted bad. My brother patched the tube and it held. I'm still amazed.
I left moms to head back to the house and work on Tuesday. I took a little longer route and ended up doing seventy miles in the rain. It was all good. I even met a couple on a dresser. However due to the down pour we didn't stop and exchange pleasantries. They waved and both, best I could tell, had big grins plastered on their faces.
This last couple of weeks has been hectic. Work, worry and weather will always do it for ya.
I totaled a little under 600 miles so far in my running back and forth. Needed a paddle most of the time, but all in all I had a great past couple of weeks. Think I'll try it again this coming weekend.
Catch ya on the road
This past couple of weeks has been fast paced and wet.
My mom had surgery and I have been running back and forth almost daily. About 70 miles one way so it's been a fun couple of weeks. The surgery wasn't as major as some. However it has her pretty much immobile for a while.
Starting out this last trip down the weather was warm and clear. I hit the highway over to 412 and made record time for the ten mile stretch. Thinking that if 412 went this good I'd make it down in about and hour. That's what I get for thinking. I hit 412 at 40 MPH. A pickup with a trailer load of water melon had everything down to a snails pace for about 17 miles. That with the going home from work crowd, well, it wasn't pretty.
I finally got out of any real traffic about 30 miles from the house and got to open the bike up a little. Highway 412 down to Highway 65 is a nice ride. The road has been widened and had a few passing lanes put in. A short trip, only 66 miles to the Hospital in Harrison but really a lot of fun.
Pulling into Harrison small town traffic kicked in and it was poke along time again. Finally I made it up to the Hospital and sent everyone home. I had a great visit with my mom. The nurses were top notch. They brought me a blanket and pillow so I could sack out in the UN easy chair. Funny that was the most uncomfortable recliner I have ever been in but I got one of the best nights sleep I've had in a long time. The way it forced me to lay took all the pressure off my lower back. Next morning I felt GOOD!!
While the nurses and Doctors did their thing I went out to check on my bike. Coming back in I had my spare helmet in my hand. As I walked back into the room, my moms Doc and the nurses asked her if she had someone coming to pick her up as they were releasing her. She pointed at me and said he's here now. I handed her my helmet as she spoke and every ones jaws hit the floor. Absolutely priceless!!
After moms release I followed them out of town. At a long section of highway I passed them and went on to get some gas so we would all get to the house at the same time. Running down Highway 7 south is a very nice, twisty ride of about eighteen miles to Jasper. As I crossed the bridge coming into town my back tire got all squiggly. Pulling up to the pump I got off to a flat tire. This isn't good. This tire has a history. It was on an old parts bike and recently when I had worn my back tire thin I noticed that it was the same everything. So I just swapped out the sprocket hub and rolled it on. No telling how old it is.
It had good tread depth and no dry rot that I could find. So...? Ya know how it goes.
My mom and sister pulled up and we discussed the situation. I pumped air in and it seemed to hold so I ran the seventeen miles out to the house . I made it to the house and the tire went down in about 20 minutes. The next day we broke the tire down and found it full of rust from the spoke heads and that someone had folded the tube when it was mounted. Thats where it had the hole. No telling how old that tire is. Might even be close to original? I cleaned the rim and saying it was in bad shape is putting it mildly. Every spoke head was rusted bad. My brother patched the tube and it held. I'm still amazed.
I left moms to head back to the house and work on Tuesday. I took a little longer route and ended up doing seventy miles in the rain. It was all good. I even met a couple on a dresser. However due to the down pour we didn't stop and exchange pleasantries. They waved and both, best I could tell, had big grins plastered on their faces.
This last couple of weeks has been hectic. Work, worry and weather will always do it for ya.
I totaled a little under 600 miles so far in my running back and forth. Needed a paddle most of the time, but all in all I had a great past couple of weeks. Think I'll try it again this coming weekend.
Catch ya on the road
Sunday, September 6, 2009
9-05-09 a good time.
365 Group (f)
After a long day working on the boy's bike, he hadn't ridden it in almost a year, we decided to get together for dinner at one of the area restaurants. That evening as I was having dinner with the son and a few of his cohorts, having the usual good time, actually we were doing a "can you top this, a crude joke-a-thon", one of them took a little ditty and turned it around and made something out of it. We all decided that here was a new entry for "Wikipedia"... A new descriptive term of measure.
Hooter meaning one. ex; male
Hooters meaning two. ex; female,
Here is where I think you can take over with your imagination.
The son is preparing for possible redeployment in the near future, crude or not we had fun, Wikipedia got a new entry and I even rode back home in the rain.
Catch ya on the road
After a long day working on the boy's bike, he hadn't ridden it in almost a year, we decided to get together for dinner at one of the area restaurants. That evening as I was having dinner with the son and a few of his cohorts, having the usual good time, actually we were doing a "can you top this, a crude joke-a-thon", one of them took a little ditty and turned it around and made something out of it. We all decided that here was a new entry for "Wikipedia"... A new descriptive term of measure.
Hooter meaning one. ex; male
Hooters meaning two. ex; female,
Here is where I think you can take over with your imagination.
The son is preparing for possible redeployment in the near future, crude or not we had fun, Wikipedia got a new entry and I even rode back home in the rain.
Catch ya on the road
Sunday, August 30, 2009
8-30-09 Just piddlin around
365 Group (f)
This past week work has been a real issue. Employee problems and all that goes with a forced change of personnel.
I was looking foreword to taking the weekend and maybe making a lazy trip down home and visiting with the folks and unwinding. Of course it didn't happen. Work followed me home.
I did manage to get a few things done in the way of parts for the old Yamaha. I'm tired of battling the Gremlins in the Carbs and since I cant find anyone to rebuild them for me or order the rebuild kits, I'm trying to order another set. I figure it wouldn't hurt to have a back up set in case this comes up again.
I spent most of yesterday, Saturday, on line with a place in Canada that sells kits and parts for these old bikes. Maybe they'll find something for me?
Around 11 am I jumped on the bike and decided to head out to a local BBQ place for some chow. It was close and is always good. The ride down was nice. Not too much traffic and air had a definite cool to it. One of those rides that you can just get lost in.
The BBQ place was jumpin when I pulled in. Place was packed! Seems that every one had the same idea for lunch. I managed to get to the counter and get a beer and waited. Finally a table opened up and I jumped it before they even got it cleaned off. I eat here a lot and the girls working there are always tickled with me. They cleaned the table and brought my order and another beer. All was good. I visited some with the manager as I ate. She said the place had been a zoo all morning long.
Walking out to the bike I had a couple on a Newer Gold wing pull up and ask if the place was any good. I told them I couldn't recommend it high enough, to ask for the manager and give her my name. That seemed to tickle them and they waited till I pulled out and took my space.
Pulling out on the four lane Traffic was bumper to bumper. A guy in an old pickup motioned me in otherwise I probably would still be setting there waiting. Funny how this end of town sometimes goes berserk.
Waiting at the light I looked around for the sport bike crew that blasted me about this same place a while back. I had been told that they prowled this end of town quite a bit. Not that I have anything against sport bikes. These guys are just down right nuts. No sport bikes and the light changed and I eased back toward the house. Again the traffic was light and everything just kind of clicked. Made me wish I could have gotten away like I had originally planned.
Tooling into town I was flagged down by one of the locals. He was wondering if I'd be interested in a motorcycle he had. A 1978 KZ 650. Said it needed some cosmetic work, side covers and seat and a few other things. Not really interested as money is tight right now, I asked him how much. When he said nothing I had to ask him again. Zero dollars. I had to ask, why are you giving it away? He said he thought I might could use it for parts. He didn't know anyone else that was into old bikes like it. Seems he works detailing houses for a local contractor. In one of the houses was the motorcycle. They told him to haul it to the dump. He said he wouldn't have a title for it. No problem. We'll just get the local police to look it over, run the VIN and if it's not stolen I'll do the lost title thing with the DMV. So now I have a new bobber project. Price was right. So right that I'll probably buy him a case of whatever he drinks. The good Lord always seems to keep life interesting for me as I go along.
Now I'm waiting on the police to get to it and back to hunting parts and, looking at Cats ride sitting in the drive. Wonder if she'd ever miss those little old side covers?
Catch ya on the road
This past week work has been a real issue. Employee problems and all that goes with a forced change of personnel.
I was looking foreword to taking the weekend and maybe making a lazy trip down home and visiting with the folks and unwinding. Of course it didn't happen. Work followed me home.
I did manage to get a few things done in the way of parts for the old Yamaha. I'm tired of battling the Gremlins in the Carbs and since I cant find anyone to rebuild them for me or order the rebuild kits, I'm trying to order another set. I figure it wouldn't hurt to have a back up set in case this comes up again.
I spent most of yesterday, Saturday, on line with a place in Canada that sells kits and parts for these old bikes. Maybe they'll find something for me?
Around 11 am I jumped on the bike and decided to head out to a local BBQ place for some chow. It was close and is always good. The ride down was nice. Not too much traffic and air had a definite cool to it. One of those rides that you can just get lost in.
The BBQ place was jumpin when I pulled in. Place was packed! Seems that every one had the same idea for lunch. I managed to get to the counter and get a beer and waited. Finally a table opened up and I jumped it before they even got it cleaned off. I eat here a lot and the girls working there are always tickled with me. They cleaned the table and brought my order and another beer. All was good. I visited some with the manager as I ate. She said the place had been a zoo all morning long.
Walking out to the bike I had a couple on a Newer Gold wing pull up and ask if the place was any good. I told them I couldn't recommend it high enough, to ask for the manager and give her my name. That seemed to tickle them and they waited till I pulled out and took my space.
Pulling out on the four lane Traffic was bumper to bumper. A guy in an old pickup motioned me in otherwise I probably would still be setting there waiting. Funny how this end of town sometimes goes berserk.
Waiting at the light I looked around for the sport bike crew that blasted me about this same place a while back. I had been told that they prowled this end of town quite a bit. Not that I have anything against sport bikes. These guys are just down right nuts. No sport bikes and the light changed and I eased back toward the house. Again the traffic was light and everything just kind of clicked. Made me wish I could have gotten away like I had originally planned.
Tooling into town I was flagged down by one of the locals. He was wondering if I'd be interested in a motorcycle he had. A 1978 KZ 650. Said it needed some cosmetic work, side covers and seat and a few other things. Not really interested as money is tight right now, I asked him how much. When he said nothing I had to ask him again. Zero dollars. I had to ask, why are you giving it away? He said he thought I might could use it for parts. He didn't know anyone else that was into old bikes like it. Seems he works detailing houses for a local contractor. In one of the houses was the motorcycle. They told him to haul it to the dump. He said he wouldn't have a title for it. No problem. We'll just get the local police to look it over, run the VIN and if it's not stolen I'll do the lost title thing with the DMV. So now I have a new bobber project. Price was right. So right that I'll probably buy him a case of whatever he drinks. The good Lord always seems to keep life interesting for me as I go along.
Now I'm waiting on the police to get to it and back to hunting parts and, looking at Cats ride sitting in the drive. Wonder if she'd ever miss those little old side covers?
Catch ya on the road
Friday, August 21, 2009
8/21/09 Best laid plans...
365 Group (f)
I'm doing my part to bring the country out of this economic slump. I've bought so much carburetor cleaner lately that it has to have had a stimulating effect on things.
Today I decided to take the day off and make an all out effort at getting the Yamaha back on the road. I got a quazi early start at things. The pups were all worried that something was up, like a Vet visit, since I didn't go in to work. Once their fears were put to rest and they came out from under whatever piece of furniture they were hiding under they pitched in and helped me like they normally do.
Finally the sun came out and the dampness of the morning dried off. I made a little adjustment to the carbs on my old double barrel and fired up to a smooth low rumble. Man that's the way to start the morning. Glaspaks off an old truck help. I was even nice and didn't let my neighbors enjoy the sound of my bouncing down my driveway.
Pulling out on the street I headed into town to do my part to shore up the economy.
Man! It was such a nice morning. Temperature was just right and bright and clear. I was starting to have second thoughts about today and just riding off into the sunrise. I was late enough that there wasn't any morning traffic and I was able to really twist it up. The short ride into town was a blast. I got all my running around done and was heading back toward the highway when I was accosted by a bunch of sport bikes. You always hear how they sound like a heard of bee's... this was no exception. I heard a high pitched buzz and there they were screaming around all of us on both sides. They timed it just right and made the light. I don't think they even slowed. On a fairly busy city street the blew past me and the four wheeler traffic at what I guessed to be about a 100. Enough to spook ya on a lazy morning.
The ride back to the shop was a nice one. Still no real traffic. Again I had that ride off and forget feeling creep in. Such a nice day.
Pulling up to the shop I was suddenly hit with a big case of the lazy hinie. Just had a total lack of energy. I tinkered with the carbs a little and made a few notes on what I needed and spent the rest of my time visiting. It was a good day for visiting.
Since I didn't have the drive to really do anything I headed back to the house to work on some of my other projects.
Funny, I had made big plans, even to the point of taking a day off work, to get the bike back on the road. Guess it's just not it's time?
I managed to do about 150 miles and even got some of the smaller projects finished. Maybe tomorrow will be a better day as far as the old Yamaha. If not, well There is a lot to be said for visiting.
Hope to catch ya on the road
I'm doing my part to bring the country out of this economic slump. I've bought so much carburetor cleaner lately that it has to have had a stimulating effect on things.
Today I decided to take the day off and make an all out effort at getting the Yamaha back on the road. I got a quazi early start at things. The pups were all worried that something was up, like a Vet visit, since I didn't go in to work. Once their fears were put to rest and they came out from under whatever piece of furniture they were hiding under they pitched in and helped me like they normally do.
Finally the sun came out and the dampness of the morning dried off. I made a little adjustment to the carbs on my old double barrel and fired up to a smooth low rumble. Man that's the way to start the morning. Glaspaks off an old truck help. I was even nice and didn't let my neighbors enjoy the sound of my bouncing down my driveway.
Pulling out on the street I headed into town to do my part to shore up the economy.
Man! It was such a nice morning. Temperature was just right and bright and clear. I was starting to have second thoughts about today and just riding off into the sunrise. I was late enough that there wasn't any morning traffic and I was able to really twist it up. The short ride into town was a blast. I got all my running around done and was heading back toward the highway when I was accosted by a bunch of sport bikes. You always hear how they sound like a heard of bee's... this was no exception. I heard a high pitched buzz and there they were screaming around all of us on both sides. They timed it just right and made the light. I don't think they even slowed. On a fairly busy city street the blew past me and the four wheeler traffic at what I guessed to be about a 100. Enough to spook ya on a lazy morning.
The ride back to the shop was a nice one. Still no real traffic. Again I had that ride off and forget feeling creep in. Such a nice day.
Pulling up to the shop I was suddenly hit with a big case of the lazy hinie. Just had a total lack of energy. I tinkered with the carbs a little and made a few notes on what I needed and spent the rest of my time visiting. It was a good day for visiting.
Since I didn't have the drive to really do anything I headed back to the house to work on some of my other projects.
Funny, I had made big plans, even to the point of taking a day off work, to get the bike back on the road. Guess it's just not it's time?
I managed to do about 150 miles and even got some of the smaller projects finished. Maybe tomorrow will be a better day as far as the old Yamaha. If not, well There is a lot to be said for visiting.
Hope to catch ya on the road
Thursday, August 20, 2009
8/20/09 I got lucky, it was just another day in paradise
365 Group (f)
This morning the storm really hit. It had sort of been making little jabs here and there for most of the week. I woke about five a m or so to a real light show and lots of loud thunder. Looking at the weather map showed a big storm all across my part of the state. Should prove to be interesting as my car is back in the shop with an oil leak.
Doing all my morning running around, shower, coffee and all, it came to me, I left the bag with my rain gear hanging on the sissy bar. OUTSIDE...in the rain. Not good. Thinking about it I tried to get my pups to mount a daring mission and rescue my rain gear. For some reason they weren't too quick to pick up on this plan.
I finally couldn't put it off any longer and headed out to the bike. The rain had become light and my rain gear bag hadn't soaked up so it was all good. I ran back in and "laddie dahed" the pups. Putting on the gear I noticed they still didn't seem real interested. Radar did show a little interest as I was leaving. He raised his head and looked at me like he was glad all the commotion was over and he could get back to nap time.
Pulling out on to the street you could see the high water marks all along the ditches. It had really been a big rain. At the highway traffic was light and I opened up a little to shake the water off the bike. Seems it always runs a little better when it's good and damp. As I was hitting the end of town, at the cafe, I noticed all the regular "blowflies" were in place at the picnic tables. I get a big kick out of being their topic of conversation each morning.
I ran on up to highway speed and into Fayetteville, missing any real rain. Stopping at the bank I grabbed some gas money and hit back out into the heavy early traffic. Guess the rain had slowed every ones leaving time from home. It was bumper to bumper. That old pinball feeling was creeping back in as I inched along. Finally, after two closer than I like calls traffic started to ease a bit. It got down right livable as I hit the area between the cities. All along my ride in town I noticed where several wrecks had happened. Must have been a harder rain than I first thought.
I pulled into work and noticed that none of the "Bad Assed" bikers had ridden theirs in.
Guess that's a good thing? Shortly after I got in it started to pour. Hard rain for over an hour.
By lunch time the storm had moved on a little and the Sun was working it's way out. According to the weather map this afternoons ride should be a good one. Who knows, I may take the long way around again? Might even see another rider? Didn't see any on my way in.
Hope to catch ya on the road
This morning the storm really hit. It had sort of been making little jabs here and there for most of the week. I woke about five a m or so to a real light show and lots of loud thunder. Looking at the weather map showed a big storm all across my part of the state. Should prove to be interesting as my car is back in the shop with an oil leak.
Doing all my morning running around, shower, coffee and all, it came to me, I left the bag with my rain gear hanging on the sissy bar. OUTSIDE...in the rain. Not good. Thinking about it I tried to get my pups to mount a daring mission and rescue my rain gear. For some reason they weren't too quick to pick up on this plan.
I finally couldn't put it off any longer and headed out to the bike. The rain had become light and my rain gear bag hadn't soaked up so it was all good. I ran back in and "laddie dahed" the pups. Putting on the gear I noticed they still didn't seem real interested. Radar did show a little interest as I was leaving. He raised his head and looked at me like he was glad all the commotion was over and he could get back to nap time.
Pulling out on to the street you could see the high water marks all along the ditches. It had really been a big rain. At the highway traffic was light and I opened up a little to shake the water off the bike. Seems it always runs a little better when it's good and damp. As I was hitting the end of town, at the cafe, I noticed all the regular "blowflies" were in place at the picnic tables. I get a big kick out of being their topic of conversation each morning.
I ran on up to highway speed and into Fayetteville, missing any real rain. Stopping at the bank I grabbed some gas money and hit back out into the heavy early traffic. Guess the rain had slowed every ones leaving time from home. It was bumper to bumper. That old pinball feeling was creeping back in as I inched along. Finally, after two closer than I like calls traffic started to ease a bit. It got down right livable as I hit the area between the cities. All along my ride in town I noticed where several wrecks had happened. Must have been a harder rain than I first thought.
I pulled into work and noticed that none of the "Bad Assed" bikers had ridden theirs in.
Guess that's a good thing? Shortly after I got in it started to pour. Hard rain for over an hour.
By lunch time the storm had moved on a little and the Sun was working it's way out. According to the weather map this afternoons ride should be a good one. Who knows, I may take the long way around again? Might even see another rider? Didn't see any on my way in.
Hope to catch ya on the road
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
8/18/09 A good, slow, easy day.
365 Group (f)
These last few days have been more Bikin than Ridin, but, to quote a friend, "it's all good".
For the last couple of weeks I have been working on getting my Yamaha back on the road. I had high hopes in having this old bike back on the road fairly quickly but that hope has sort of fallen by the way side with a Gremlin living in the Carburetors. That and chasing down parts here and there with no real luck.
What riding I have been getting to do has been just locally, dodging the rain that seems to have made a come back.
This morning the rain woke me from a real nice deep sleep. From the sound of it coming down I figured I'd have at the very least a soggy ride into work. However, when I got out to pack up the bike, it looked more like a real heavy dew than rain.
Firing up I looked around for the newest addition to my "tribe", Radar. As of late he'd been splitting his time between being, almost too comfortable looking beside a big rock in the yard and roaming the country side. This morning he was roaming. I sat out a few crunchies for him and headed down the drive.
Out on the street and no traffic I opened the bike up. Having several errands to run before checking on work is always a good way to start the day. If I time it right all the places I need to stop at will have just opened and I'll not have to wait around.
My timing was good except for one small business. I was still ahead so it wasn't all that bad. While I sat on my bike in the parking lot waiting for them to open I heard the unmistakable sound of a Harley chugging my way. Looking out at the street I saw an old fire truck red Shovel head lumber into the parking lot. As it pulled up beside me I noticed that it had been well taken care of but not polished as most of the Harley's around my area are. The rider turned out to be the "lady of the shop" and the person I was looking for. I introduced myself and told her what I needed. We tended to do more bike talk than business. She was a real rider at heart. Her shovel belonged to her late husband. After he died she sold her bike and started riding his to kind of keep him around. Made sense to me. We chatted until I was dangerously close on time. In parting she asked if I went to either of the bike nights in the area. I explained that they had gotten sort of stale to me and told her of how my bunch used to pick a different place to eat and ride there once a week. She seemed to like the idea and I left promising to let her know when we started doing it again. Nice lady.
Pulling out in a gap in morning rush traffic I got up to speed and made work with about ten minutes to spare. Due to the early morning rains only two of us had ridden in. Through out the day you could see that a lot of em had wished they'd bit the bullet and rode. It turned out to be a great day. Work drug by as it usually does. Pulling out I fell in a line of quick moving traffic and was forced by my turn off. I decided to just go with the flow and we made all the lights all the way out of town.
As I left Springdale traffic thinned out and it was fun to jam down 412. I was having such a good ride that I took the long way and added 37 miles to my daily commute.
Pulling into the house Radar was back beside his rock. As I pulled past him he looked up like he was going to "bust a move". I guess he thought it over and decided to just settle back down. After my own heart.
It was an average day, by some standards not much of a day. But...the weather was great, the bike ran smoothly and I was riding it. I had a good ride. By my calculations it was a keeper
Hope to catch ya on the road
These last few days have been more Bikin than Ridin, but, to quote a friend, "it's all good".
For the last couple of weeks I have been working on getting my Yamaha back on the road. I had high hopes in having this old bike back on the road fairly quickly but that hope has sort of fallen by the way side with a Gremlin living in the Carburetors. That and chasing down parts here and there with no real luck.
What riding I have been getting to do has been just locally, dodging the rain that seems to have made a come back.
This morning the rain woke me from a real nice deep sleep. From the sound of it coming down I figured I'd have at the very least a soggy ride into work. However, when I got out to pack up the bike, it looked more like a real heavy dew than rain.
Firing up I looked around for the newest addition to my "tribe", Radar. As of late he'd been splitting his time between being, almost too comfortable looking beside a big rock in the yard and roaming the country side. This morning he was roaming. I sat out a few crunchies for him and headed down the drive.
Out on the street and no traffic I opened the bike up. Having several errands to run before checking on work is always a good way to start the day. If I time it right all the places I need to stop at will have just opened and I'll not have to wait around.
My timing was good except for one small business. I was still ahead so it wasn't all that bad. While I sat on my bike in the parking lot waiting for them to open I heard the unmistakable sound of a Harley chugging my way. Looking out at the street I saw an old fire truck red Shovel head lumber into the parking lot. As it pulled up beside me I noticed that it had been well taken care of but not polished as most of the Harley's around my area are. The rider turned out to be the "lady of the shop" and the person I was looking for. I introduced myself and told her what I needed. We tended to do more bike talk than business. She was a real rider at heart. Her shovel belonged to her late husband. After he died she sold her bike and started riding his to kind of keep him around. Made sense to me. We chatted until I was dangerously close on time. In parting she asked if I went to either of the bike nights in the area. I explained that they had gotten sort of stale to me and told her of how my bunch used to pick a different place to eat and ride there once a week. She seemed to like the idea and I left promising to let her know when we started doing it again. Nice lady.
Pulling out in a gap in morning rush traffic I got up to speed and made work with about ten minutes to spare. Due to the early morning rains only two of us had ridden in. Through out the day you could see that a lot of em had wished they'd bit the bullet and rode. It turned out to be a great day. Work drug by as it usually does. Pulling out I fell in a line of quick moving traffic and was forced by my turn off. I decided to just go with the flow and we made all the lights all the way out of town.
As I left Springdale traffic thinned out and it was fun to jam down 412. I was having such a good ride that I took the long way and added 37 miles to my daily commute.
Pulling into the house Radar was back beside his rock. As I pulled past him he looked up like he was going to "bust a move". I guess he thought it over and decided to just settle back down. After my own heart.
It was an average day, by some standards not much of a day. But...the weather was great, the bike ran smoothly and I was riding it. I had a good ride. By my calculations it was a keeper
Hope to catch ya on the road
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