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
Sunday, September 20, 2009
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
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