5/31/09 mom's b-day

365 Group (f)

This morning was an almost perfect morning to go for a ride. Bright and sunny. temperatures suppose to be in the eighties.

I strapped on my coffee thermos and camera, jumped on the starter and headed east.
Traffic was light as the church crowds hadn't started out yet. I pretty much had the road to myself until I got over to Hwy 412. As it was still cool the bike was running like a new one and I made good time.
At 412 I hit the merge lane and got blown off the road by a Harley with a small car tailgating it. Thinking that this might not be a good thing I backed off a little and let these two crazies get on down the road. After a couple of miles they slowed down and the car was matching the bike, move for move. At a passing lane the rider waved me around. I figured that the two were traveling together and the car was afraid of losing sight of the bike.
The rest of my trip down to Deer was a good one. The bike ran great and the weather was perfect.
I made it to my mom's in just over an hour. Just in time to wish her a happy birthday and ask what was for breakfast.
I had a good visit with the family and about five I headed back to the land of fruits and nuts.
The ride back up was a much slower pace. I took my time and just settled into a good comfortable ride.
At the Boxley Valley I slowed and looked over some floaters on the river. Looked like they had high centered their canoe and were having a devil of a time trying to get it off the rocks. I took a couple of pictures and then yelled at them and when they looked at me got a couple more. They didn't seem to fully appreciate the humor of their situation like I did.
Back on the road I met a few bikes heading the opposite direction and every body waved and grinned like they were having fun.
Pulling back into town I opted for a burger and headed for the cafe to top off the bike's tank and my hungry stomach.
It was a good ride and a perfect day for it. Hopefully I can do it again next weekend.
Catch ya on the road

mail: bikin_ridin@yahoo.com

5/30/09 a great morning

365 Group (f)

This morning I woke to a absolutely gorgeous day for riding.

I had managed to get in a few miles after work yesterday and that seemed to just make for a good nights sleep. As a result, today I was ready to hit the road for at least a couple or three hundred miles. While mulling over the wherefore's and where to of a short day trip, I got an invitation to breakfast and an early movie. Cant turn down free anything, especially food.
I saddled up and headed toward Fayetteville. Lots of fast moving traffic greeted me as I got on Hwy 45. That was OK I was in a hurry sort of mind. Coming out of town I met a long herd of bikes. It looked like about thirty or so. A poker run maybe? Looked like everyone was having fun.
Pulling in to Fayetteville I hit a couple of side streets that would let me make some time and stay in third gear. Some of these side roads are great for missing the bulk of things and even though you don't get up any speed, it balances out.
I made it to the Village Inn and had breakfast with a good looking woman and then we went on and watched the movie "UP". It was great movie! I think it is billed as a kids movie but We had a blast. For what ever it's worth, I highly recommend it.
After the movie I slipped out on to College ave. and made a quick run down town to cut across and head home. Once I got on the east side of town traffic started clearing a little. leaving just the "totally crazy". I saw two very close calls at traffic lights. Bikes with the right of way and cars not paying attention. I was actually glad to get back out on the highway.
It's only about nine or ten miles back to the house. This morning they were really enjoyable. I just sat there and listened to the engine hum and the chain sing.
Since the day was already into afternoon I decided to make my day trip. tomorrow. That way I wont have to hire a pup sitter and hope to make an early start in the morning.
Yep! It was a good morning. Good food, company, a good short ride of about thirty or so miles. I could stand to do this all the time.
Catch ya on the road

mail: bikin_ridin@yahoo.com

5/29/09 morning fog

365 Group (F)

This morning there was a lot of ground fog.

With the weather constantly changing these last few days I never know what to expect in the mornings.
I headed`out a little earlier than usual to try and get a couple of extra stops in. The bike seemed to be running better in the moist air. Before I knew it I was pulling into Fayetteville. After the money order-bill paying that goes with Ebay, I headed out down 265 for work.
The fog wasn't as bad along 265 as it had been coming from home. Traffic was light at that hour and everyone seemed to be behaving themselves on the road. In fact, this is the first morning that there has been fog that I haven't had a close call of some kind.
Since I was running a little early it figured that I would get behind every school bus in N.W. Arkansas. Still, I decided to try and find a Biscuit something or other for breakfast. I headed west on 412 to seventy one and went north. At the Sonic I noticed a bunch of bikes and figured that this would be the place for a biscuit. I pulled in and parked beside the bikes and went in. I didn't know any of the riders. They were traveling through on their way to Eureka Springs and Branson. After a few minutes of chat I got my breakfast and headed on over to work.
Pulling in to work I noticed that the fog kept most every one from riding today. Or that's the story they will use. I parked and ambled in to find out that today was going to be a short one. Seems that something is broke that shouldn't be so we'll be getting out just about whenever we want. This being Friday, I'm thinking around lunch time would be a good time to make a run for it.
I think lunch in Eureka Springs would be in order. Be a nice short ride anyway.
Catch ya on the road

mail: bikin_ridin@yahoo.com

5/28/09 like a poker run only with fish.

365 Group (F)

This morning was a great riding morning!


Aside from the usual ride into work, which is still the best way to get rid of those early morning cobwebs, going off smoothly.
I pulled up to a traffic light and noticed another bike pulled over on the shoulder. Me being me pulled over on the shoulder and asked if there was a problem. There wasn't, just a pit stop to make a phone call.

One word led to another and a fishing trip was born.

The guy on the side of the road was Danny. He rides a Shadow and likes to fish. We got to talking and I explained that I had been trying to get up some riders to take off with me on a ride where every time we crossed a river or lake or creek we'd stop and do a little fishing. At the end of the day we would have a cookout, or, find a burger place.
Danny thought this was quite possibly one of the greatest ideas mankind has ever heard of. (did I mention that he rides and likes to fish?) We traded phone numbers and I headed on for work. I dodged traffic all through town like it was bonus point day for getting anyone on a bike. Finally pulling into work I saw several others had ridden so I figured I would bring the fishing trip to a couple and see how it goes.
At lunch time I visited with a few of the others that rode a lot and told them of the fishing trip. A couple seemed really interested and so we set about making plans and mapping a course. Also, around lunch time I got a couple of calls from guys I didn't know. All asking about this fishing trip. Evidently they had been talking to Danny and he had sic'd em on me.
Currently we are planning on a small trip, seventy five to a hundred miles, as kind of a shake down to work the bugs out. Hopefully this will be a lot of fun and draw a fair number of riders in the future. We even have a volunteer to drive the support truck with a cooler full of Ice to pack what we catch.
Think about it. Riding a bike and fishing. Does it get any better than that?
Catch ya on the road

mail: bikin_ridin@yahoo.com

5/27/09 daily therapy

365 Group (f)
This morning was a cool, sixty seven degrees, overcast, kind of damp feeling morning.
I loaded the bike and started out for work. The ride was great. Traffic was light and the bike was running like a song.
I started my run around the mountain and toyed with the idea of calling in. Kind of had the idea of seeing how far down the road I could get before the rain caught up to me.
Anyway, I made my run to work and apparently was the only rider on the road. I didn't see another bike anywhere.
Pulling into work I noticed that a lot of the employees had ridden. That always makes for a good day.
As the day slowly wore on, I had a chance to talk some of the others and we set up and after work ride for drinks.
Quitting time finally arrived and we all headed out to a little Mexican place that was on the way home for most of us. It was a lot of fun. Blasting through traffic, a dozen of us, cars moved over giving us room at just about every turn.
We had a good get together and the beer was cold. I headed out for the house and thought that this was a good day. Even if the rides were only to and from work. I was still riding and have a big time.
Catch ya on the road.

mail: bikin_ridin@yahoo.com

5/25/09 Memorial Day

365 Group (f)
Yesterdays storm dumped about an inch and a half of rain and continued through out the night.
This morning when I got out the sky was still very rainy looking. I thought that I would probably be better driving my car and started getting ready. I don't really like taking my car as it tends to make me feel less attentive in traffic. I may be wrong but I feel a lot sharper and more in control when I'm on my bike.
My Pup's looked like they had no interest whatsoever in going out in all that wet. I started out to take the car and heard the sounds of a big v twin over on the road. looking again at the sky I turned and went back to the hose for a couple of plastic bags and an extra pair of dry socks. I struggled into my rain gear and packed all my junk in the plastic, strapped it on and hit the kicker. About half way through the kick she fired off. Now I was beginning to feel right about all I had planned for the day.
Bouncing down my worn out driveway was a workout in itself, Dodging all the slimy red clay that had surfaced. I got on to the pavement and slung gravel and clay for about a hundred yards as I took off. I really don't like red clay.
At the highway there wasn't any traffic as I headed west. Remembering that today was memorial day explained the absence of traffic. I got up to speed and had a great run for about ten miles. The pavement was all washed off and I was making really good time.
Pulling into Fayetteville I ran by the ATM and got some lunch money and it started to rain a little. I sat for a few minutes and it didn't get any heavier so I pulled out and went North toward Springdale. Traffic started to pick up a little but I wasn't slowed any. It was a good morning to ride.
Pulling into Springdale I headed for a close fast food place and got Biscuit something or other covered in cheese. After eating I jumped back on and headed the last few blocks to work. Stopping to chat with the Guard at the Gate I found that over half the company would be off today and also noticed that several bikes were on the road. Holiday weekenders, caught out in this storm.
Since no one was working today I managed to park up under the awning.
It was a great morning ride. Hope the afternoon one is as much fun.
catch ya on the road

mail: bikin_ridin@yahoo.com

5/23/09 Short fun

365 Group (f)

Today was nice. Warm and clear. I had relatives stop by for a while so I didn't get to get out on the road like I had planned.

I did manage to get out about three or so. I headed down to the Gas station and topped off the tank then headed east. After a few miles I pulled over to try and take some pictures. In the blink of an eye the sky darkened and thunder started booming. I jumped back on and shot off down the road toward the small community of Hindsville. My thought was to get to the Gas station there and at least wait out the storm.
This was something. There wasn't anyone talking about rain or any kind of bad weather before I left. Now here I was looking for something to crawl under.
I pulled up to the station and went in. Thinking I might just have to get back out in a storm I took my rain gear with me. The lady behind the counter asked if I had brought the rain with me. I got a coke and assured her that I wasn't to blame.
After a few minutes it looked like the storm was headed away from me so I headed back out. I caught Hwy. 412 and continued East. My though was to run over to Carrol County and maybe get some pictures of the Dam and Lake. Down almost to the first turn off to Huntsville I came upon a couple of bikes and pulled up beside them. They were up from Dallas, on the road since early morning, heading on over to Branson. We visited a little and they were ready to get on the road again. They were afraid of getting caught in a shower. I rode along with them for a few miles to the turnoff to Eureka Springs.
After I left 412 I noticed lots of vehicles pulling boats. I thought this odd for a Saturday afternoon on a Holiday weekend. Usually you cant blast people off the lake in weather like this.I finally got to talk to a couple of them and from what they told me I was fixing to get wet. Apparently the storm was coming down in front of me. Thinking about it. While I don't really mind riding in the rain if I have to, I try not to start out in it. So I headed back in the direction of the house. I ended up running the back roads through the little communities of Old Alabam and Alabam and Clifty. From Clifty I ran over and caught Hwy. 412 again and on up to a little cut across called Blue Springs Road that took me across the lake and on to Hwy. 45. Just about a half mile from the house.
Thinking about the time of day I decided to go up to the Gas station where I'd started this ride and hit their little Grill and get a burger.
As I pulled in I noticed that the same locals that were there earlier were still in place. One of them commented to me that "that didn't take long" and asked if I got rained out. As we were discussing the storm that seemed to be following me the sky opened up and poured. I had just barely made it in. The wind picked up and started blowing rain sideways. Everyone started inside and I grabbed my camera and jacket and joined them.
I ended up eating my burger and waiting for almost an hour for the storm to pass enough
that I didn't have to suit up to get the half mile on up to the house.
It was a real short ride, onl;y about 80 miles, that didn't go anywhere. It didn't even go anywhere near the way I had planned. But, it was fun.
I've had worse Holiday weekends. Tomorrow I'm going to try another short ride around the home area and see how far I get.
Catch ya on the road

mail: bikin_ridin@yahoo.com

5/23/09 Riding in the 21st Century

365 Group(f)


A bunch of us older riders happened to meet at a little out of the way place the other night in Fayetteville.

Weather was good and I guess we all had the same idea, a short ride and a quick bite to eat. A bunch of us used to have a weekly bike night that was sort of like that. We'd all ride for dinner someplace new each week. It was lots of fun. Dinner with your friends.

As we all noticed each other we naturally did the push the tables and chairs together thing. It was big fun. I got to know some of these guys that before I had only seen around here and there at bike events.
Before long the topic of conversation turned to the new modern style of biking. It was refreshing to see that there were several people that shared my views on this new way of doing things. Technology has evolved to the point that it has bred a whole new biker culture.
The first thing that came up was the new electronic or computerized systems on bikes. Now you have to take them to the shop for any kind of tune up. From what some of these guys were telling me about their own rides, there is not even a minor repair that they can do beside the road. "It all effects the computer that runs everything". Mine has carbs and points. Both are "user friendly" beside the road. Then, there's belt drive. Granted that belt drives have been around since the earliest days of motorcycles. If you look at the newer bikes, again you have to take them to the shop to do anything with the belt. On mine you may get a little greasy but again, it's "user friendly" chain can be dealt with along side any road. A lot of things were griped about that fits into this new and improved category. The biggest gripe that was generally shared by all is the cell phone. While it is one of the greatest of modern conveniences to ever come along. And, everyone has one. Trouble is everyone just assumes that everyone has one. Well, back I guess in my "dark ages" if you rode and came upon a bike beside the road, you'd stop and see if help was needed and at the very least make a new friend. Now since the availability of the cell phone,there is no need to stop and check to see if someone is having trouble. You see it everyday. A bike beside the road and other bikes just zoom on by. Some do go as far as to give you a thumbs up or that two fingered booger picker hand gesture that you see a lot around punk rock concerts and on a lot of the new reality shows. Ya know the one with the index finger and the pinkie finger extended that sort of says " hey, I can pick my nose and someone Else's if I need to". Guess it's better than them just extending the middle finger?
This phenomenon I found out is experienced by a bunch of people. Not just us old "use to wazer's". While we were talking several younger riders had came in and drifted our way. They agreed with us that a certain part of the brotherhood was gone. Most stated that they had grown up Reading about and hearing how riders took care of each other on the road. One even went so far as to relate that he had broken down recently and really hadn't worried too much until it became obvious that no one was paying him any mind he said "I just couldn't believe that none of the bikes that went by even offered to stop". Everyone, young and old there also agreed that was one of the real down sides to riding in this new 21st century.
Before we knew it it was almost closing time for this great little sandwich shop. Heading out it occurred to me as I'm sure it did to most there. I have my on feelings toward this new trend in riders and riding. If you can't spare a few minutes to check on a fellow rider, well as for me, you don't need to spare any effort at sign language. I'm not a punk rocker and I can pic my own nose.
My sign language is limited so I'll have to catch ya on the road.

mail: bikin_ridin@yahoo.com

A good ride

365 Group


Last night some friends were having a graduation party for their younger brother and sister.
I got off work and rode to the house to change clothes and feed my pups. The holiday weekend was already starting for some as the traffic was bordering on the stupid. I really felt that I was riding around with a target on me and my bike as I headed out of town.
Once I made it out of town things kind of opened up and didn't seem as intense. My ride home was a good one for the most part. Around eighty degrees, sunny and clear. What more could you ask for?
The pups were glad to get out and I hurried through feeding them and getting ready to take off.
Back on the road I eased down to the gas station and noticed that gas had gone up again. $2.35 a gallon. As I was topping off I wondered what it would be by the end of the weekend. After gas I kicked to life and headed back toward town and the madness associated with getting off work on a Holiday weekend Friday.
I picked a route through Springdale that was, I hoped, less traveled this time of day. I made my way around the spur and there didn't seem to be as much traffic but it was slow going. Everything seemed to be clicking right along and I thought that this would be a good ride. I poked my way through town to Hwy 71 and started North. As I came up on the street I was looking for, at the intersection by the A.Q. Chicken Restaurant, traffic was heavy and bunched up waiting for the light to change. I eased into the left turn lane and waited. When the light changed my bike kind of coughed and died. Humm..? Setting on a down hill run with a dead bike and cars backed up behind me. Not pretty. I motioned traffic around and started kicking. After the light changed it finally roared back to life. Not sure what caused it to die unless it was over heated. I finally got through the light and started looking for the cross street I needed. As I made all the cross streets and was pulling up to the last stop sign, with my destination in sight, the bike coughed again and died. I rolled over and got out of the street as much as I could and started kicking. After about a dozen kicks she fired up and all seemed well. I still haven't figured out what the problem was unless it was all the slow poking along through town.
The party was a blast. The food, grilled burgers hot dogs and chicken, really hit the spot. Everything was good.
About nine everyone started drifting off. I shot the breeze with my host for a few minutes telling him I would call if my bike took a dive. The bike started up like normal and I warmed up a little then took off. I had a good ride back to the house, no problems anywhere. I made my trip back the reverse of the one over and it was much more bumpy. Running with a headlight from the seventies you can't see those little imperfections in the road like you do in daylight. The only thing I can come up with so far on the motor is maybe it was overheating? Aw, well, tomorrow I'll check into it .Tonight was a keeper.
Catch ya on the road.

mail: bikin_ridin@yahoo.com

5/22/09 Air cooled

365 Group

Man! I really love the warm mornings.
It was so nice getting ready to go to work this morning. The temperature was just right. I strapped everything on the bike and fired up on the first kick. While the engine was warming up I finished a cup of coffee and thought again about how nice it was not to have to have on so many clothes that I couldn't walk. That is nice!! The engine all warmed up and my coffee drank I couldn't put it off any longer so I headed down my drive toward the street. Traffic was heavy this morning. It was a chore just to get out on my street. Finally I caught an opening and blasted in. Once I got to the highway things lightened up some and I had a good run of three or four miles. As I came up to my turn off at the foot of the mountain I again got caught up in heavy traffic and slowed down to the pace of an old Beagle. Once I got off the highway to run around the mountain I was able to get up speed. My trip around the foot of the mountain, as always didn't last nowhere near long enough. Seems like it was over before I got started. But I did enjoy it. Today must have been one of those Fridays that you always hear about where everyone over sleeps or something. Seemed like most of the morning crowd was running late. I haven't seen morning traffic like this in a long time. Inching along at stop signs and lights, and with no breeze this morning, it seemed like my engine was starting to over heat. Finally I chucked it and hit a side street and ambled over to the four lane and got some air moving across my heads. After about half a mile my engine cleaned out and. It ended up being sort of the long way around but with an air cooled older twin, it was necessary.
My ride this morning was like a lot of rides this time of year. Too short. I'm hoping that today doesn't drag as it's Friday and I want to put on a few miles.
Catch a on the road.

mail: bikin_ridin@yahoo.com

5/21/09

365 Group

Today was an off work kind of day. I felt like just doing nothing so I fired up the bike and took off. By the time I got on the road the morning going to work traffic was all gone. I kind of had the road to myself. I headed east towards Hwy. 412 and Huntsville. The day was starting out warm and clear. With no real plan in mind before I knew it I was coming into Alpena. I topped off my tank and headed up Hwy 62 toward Eureka Springs and breakfast (or) lunch. The roads were winding and twisting and a lot of fun. I passed a few bikes on 62 and they all seemed to be having as much fun as I was. In Eureka I stopped in at little Bean and Cornbread place and had a small bite to eat. The food has always good there and today was no exception. After eating I looked over the leather shop next door and decided to make a fast run through town Kind of see if anything caught my eye. There were more people than I expected for a Thursday. I tooled up and down through town and headed back in the general direction of Hwy. 412 and eventually work. Thought I'd check and make sure payroll went in without a hitch. The ride over to 412 was a slower one than I had hoped for. Too much traffic kept me sort of poking along.I finally made it to the highway and was able to open up a little. The bike seems to have a sweet spot at about seventy. I had a most enjoyable ride in to Springdale and work. With payroll all taken care of I headed toward the house and the "Little Republicans". I'm pretty sure they will enjoy being out in the sun for a while. I did notice that when your relaxed and riding without a plan, the day goes by really fast.Trip meter showed around 270 miles. I cant remember resetting it before I left. It was a good ride anyway.
Catch ya on the road

5/20/2009

365 Group

This morning I kicked the old bike to life and sat there while it warmed up giving thought to taking a trip real soon. Work is dragging and it's harder and harder each day to do the "nine to five" routine. I headed out still giving serious thought to hitting the road for about a month.Traffic was heavier than normal this morning. Seemed that everyone was in low gear this morning. I felt like I was just idling along most of the ride. A few places I managed to get up to speed. As I pulled up to a stop light at Hwy 412 I saw a large pack of bikes heading east. Looked like a bunch on vacation. My bike was running good this morning and since I was already going to be a little late I called and told them I would be about an hour later than I thought. Pulling across Hwy 412 I topped off the tank and headed east. I made a lazy circle of the lake and looked over a couple of the Boat ramps.After the Boat ramps I took my time and really enjoyed the winding road back out to the Highway and headed to work. I totaled sixty miles and had a much better attitude when I got into work.Still thinking about just hitting the road. Just not as bad.
Catch ya on the road

5/19/09 Fishing?

365 Group


This morning was one of the best rides I've had in several days. The weather was just right. Traffic was light. The bike ran great. I again picked up a couple of stray riders on my way from home. They stayed with me for most of my trip. If this keeps up it'll make mornings much more fun.
I made it to work with a few minutes to spare and decided to ease over to the companies truck shop. Several of the employees ride and I hadn't had anyone pick on me for not riding a Harley in a day or two. The guys at the shop weren't too busy. Grabbing a cup of coffee I took a jab or two about my "Rice burner" and joined in. They were talking about taking a trip over to Bull Shoals lake. A little dab of Fishing seemed to be in order from the way everyone was talking. The details are still in the works but it looks as though a fishing ride is in the works for maybe this coming weekend. Maybe even an over night? I got my daily dose of Harley vs my bike and headed to clock in. Today was going to be a nice day. Too nice to be cooped up. Hopefully I can get out by lunch and get in a few miles while this good weather is here?
Hope to catch ya on the road

5/15-16/2009 "only flat on the bottom".

It was a simple plan. Get off work. Ride to the house and feed the little Republicans. Ride to Deer and photograph my Niece and Nephews graduation.

All was going well. The bike was running great and I was only slightly crowded on time.

Running down Hwy 412 I was having a good time. I was with a bunch of cars that were hitting about 65 to seventy miles per. We seemed to be just floating along.

Coming into Marble traffic started slowing a little and I got on my back break. As I got on the break I heard a "whoosh" and the rear end started acting like Jello, wiggling and jiggling. Opps! I thought, this can't be good. Sure enough it wasn't. I got over and off the road to find a flat back tire.

Looking around I was about half a mile from the store in down town Marble. Half a mile isn't much unless you have a flat. Then it might as well be five or six miles. If you don't believe me try pushing your bike with a flat. Weighing my situation and options I decided to idle - walk it to the store and skip as much pushing as I could.
I finally made it to the store and their air hose. Yep, I managed to confirm that I was officially stranded. At one point the air came out faster than I could put it in. Since I run the original wheels on this bike, spoked with tube tires I couldn't plug it. So I thought about it some and decided to go make a few phone calls. I called Mom's house and let everyone know that I wouldn't make it to Graduation. Next I called my riding buddy Luther and asked if he'd run the truck over and pick me up. Luther said sure and I settled in for about an hour wait. It really wasn't so bad. I got an order of Hush Puppies and cup of Coffee, crowded into a booth and relaxed.
Luther arrived about the time I finished eating and we loaded up. the drive back to the house was a good one as I enjoy Luther's company and conversation. On the trip home we agreed to leave my bike in the truck and unload it in the morning at his shop.
Saturday morning and I jumped into my car and headed to the shop and to tear down the back tire. Patching the tube, twice, was an experience. First time was a hole caused by a piece of sand or something that had gotten inside. The second came from pinching the tube putting it back together. Finally we got everything back together right. I visited with Luther for a few minutes and headed out for a shakedown ride.
I'm planning on a Sunday morning ride over to Eureka Springs. Who knows, I may even make it down to Mom's? I still have Graduation gifts to deliver.
Yep! That was me beside the road.

5/13/2009 just ridin around

365 Group


Yesterday was a great day to ride! So, I did.
I loaded up for my usual trip into work and headed down to the street. As I started to pull out the engine started cutting out. this was a little upsetting as I was already running late.
I managed to make it to the one stop and found the problem. Apparently the cover I had on the bike has blown around some and it had gotten wet. In this monsoon we've been experiencing everything was soaked. The plug wires were wet and arcing. I managed to get a lot of the water dried off and fired back up. Still ran a little rough but that worked itself out after about four miles.
Coming out of town I hit the straight stretch of Hwy 45 and really twisted it up. I was late and thought I might make up some time. Trouble is there just isn't enough straight stretch.
I made my turn at the foot of the mountain and kind of settled back to enjoy the next few miles of light twisting roads. I was running along pretty good. If nothing, like a possum or deer or small stature blue hair jumped out in my way, I'd be OK and on time. This morning I got lucky and made it to Springdale without seeing anything.
I was early enough that traffic was light and it wasn't a bad ride through town. I enjoy riding through town at the odd or off hours. People don't seem to be trying their best to run you over.
About two blocks from my job I fell in with a bunch of Harley's. They looked like they were vacationing and like they were lost. Maybe missed a turn off? I pulled along side and asked one of them what was up. They were looking for Hwy 71 and thought they had gone too far and missed it. I pointed ahead and told him not far enough, two more traffic lights. He pulled ahead of his bunch and motioned for them to follow. They all waved like they were happy as I made my turn in to work.
Work drug along as it always does. No one that I came in contact with seemed to have any life or energy in them. Sort of like everyone was in the Dog days of summer. Spring fever maybe?
Finally I started seeing bikes going by on the street and thought, this isn't so bad.
At four o'clock I hit the kicker and fired up. I picked a hole in the afternoon traffic and jumped in. An 18 wheeler pulled up behind me and the driver let me know that he was aware of me. I like those kind of truck drivers. I don't have to worry about him running over me and they usually are good about keeping people off my butt.
Giving the driver a wave I pulled in to top off my tank at a Spee Dee mart. Gas in my area has started to climb again. So I have began to keep my tank topped off more often than usual. The lady behind the counter looked out at my bike and said " I need to get me a bike". I told here that I agreed on any and all levels. After getting a whole dollar and seventy cents worth of gas I started my ride home. I picked out a route to the house that would give me lots of hills curves and would make for a slow trip. I wanted to kind of do a real drawn out stress test on my bikes rebuilt rear end. I wanted to know if everything was going to hold together before my trip Friday.
Pulling into the house I was well pleased with my bike and the ride. Everything held together well.
As I was unpacking I heard my pup Austin howling. Wasn't too long before the whole pack of Republicans were "woofin and snortin". With any ride, it is one of those little pleasures you think about, getting back home and having the hounds jump on you and love you up.
Hope to catch ya on the road

5/12/2009

365 Group


Well I'm re insured and almost back on the road.

With all the wet weather I took the opportunity to tear down the rear end of my bike and do some pre maintenance. All the things that normally don't get checked until a problem surfaces. Like swing arm bearings. I should have it all completely back together by this afternoon. And... not any too soon. I've about gone crackers in this spring weather, driving my car. Also, I have a trip planned for this weekend.
So, It is my hope that quitting time here at work is at least on time today so I can finish putting the bike back together and get in a shake down ride this evening.
Hope to catch yan the road.

5/5/2009

365 Group

With all the rain and stormy weather we've been having I haven't been doing as much riding as I'd like. Today is bright and sunny and a perfect day to ride. However I didn't get to ride today and probably wont for another week or so. I have developed insurance issues. Seems my insurance ran out without and for some reason I wasn't notified that it had expired...almost a year ago! From what I can determine, this particular company doesn't send a notification when you buy on line. In all fairness, they did offer to re insure me. There's just something about finding out that you've been riding around in all kinds of weather and some rather serious traffic for almost a year without insurance...

So while I'm shopping around for a new insurance company, I've decided to use this time to tear down the rear end on my bike and look over the swing arm bearings and some other areas that aren't routinely serviced.

Hopefully, the sun will stay out for another few days and it'll get everything looked over and back together by the time I've found a new insurance company.

Hope to catch ya on the road

5/1-2-3-4/2009 Heavy Rain

365 Group



There has been so much rain lately that I have been forced to drive my car everywhere I go. That is really the pits! Springtime in Northwest Arkansas is always unpredictable. This year apparently everything needs a good washing.
After being a rider for many moons I have learned to tolerate periods like this. When I have access to a shop I use this wet weather to tinker what needs tinkering. These last few days I was caught in between. The rain was heavy enough that riding, short of a real have to case, would be most uncomfortable. The tinkering will just have to wait. So will the many poker runs in the areas. The day trips through the hills and, the most enjoyable late night runs to find a hamburger.
A friend of mine put it like this. The Good Lord decided that we need the water. I guess that sums it up.
Hope to catch ya on the road.