Today I made a chilly 70 mile ride back to my home town. A life long member of the community had past away and I was headed back to go to the funeral.
I had a good ride over and all but I had kind of a sadness over me the whole trip.
This old man was 82 when he passed. For the last twenty or twentyfive years he had a very long snow white "mountain man" beard. Top that off with a pair of overalls and you kind of get a picture of what he looked like.
He knew me all of my life and at times we were very close. I remember what first made him seem so different from everyone else in town...he and his wife had moved to California for a few years. When he moved back, well...he didnt just settle in to the local lifestyle like all of his brothers and others in town. One day I saw him blasting down the road on a fairly new looking Yamaha 305 scrambler. Seems a friend from out west brought it down and ended up leaving it with him to 'take care of.' The way he ripped around and the way people talked about his rippin (that was something my dad and others that age wouldnt do) made him 'too cool' to an eleven year old.
Now flash forward about ten years. I was home from school and he comes driving up to my house. He wanted me to go test ride a little motorcycle he was thinking of buying. I jumped in and the little bike turned out to be a Yamaha RD 350. I rode it around some and laid out what I thought for him. He paid up and we loaded it. As he dropped me off I warned him that the RD was one fast bike. To this day I remember his grin as he headed home.
A couple of years later he laid it down and got pretty "road rashed." Enough to make him stop riding the way he told it.
A couple of years after that it came up that he still had the bike. He'd had it fixed and parked it in his basement. I was between rides and had met a beautiful girl...who liked to ride around on a little Yamaha street bike. I asked if he'd sell it, just making conversation as I had heard he'd turned down several offers for it. When I told him why I wanted he grinned and got me the title. I rode it around for a while chasing around after and ended up giving it to my future wife as a present.
Yes my uncle Conley was one of the originals. A wild one before it was fashonable. He showed me a side of life that I'm just pretty sure only uncles are suppose to. I am so proud he took the time.
On the ride home I offered my prayers for my uncle and hoped someday I'd have a grin like that plasterd all over my face.
catch ya on the road
Monday, January 23, 2012
Monday, January 2, 2012
mixed emotions
A group of my friends and I gathered together to say goodbye to a riding companion. It was sad occasion even though the group acted more like they were at a party. Something a kin to an Irish wake. In their own way each remember things and places visited, further cementing memories of their time spent with the departed.
With this years Polar Bear Ride we sadly said goodbye to the 2011 riding season.
On a happy note. The same group welcomed in the 2012 riding season with much 'pomp and circumstance.' (everybody seemed pompy & circumstancy to me)
We had a good lunch and a great ride after just to kick 2012 to a decent start.
Luther, Louis,Emily,Steve,Johnny,Zack & Wes all made the cut and are Polar Bears.
With the Lords blessing the coming years riding is going to be great.
catch ya on the road
With this years Polar Bear Ride we sadly said goodbye to the 2011 riding season.
On a happy note. The same group welcomed in the 2012 riding season with much 'pomp and circumstance.' (everybody seemed pompy & circumstancy to me)
We had a good lunch and a great ride after just to kick 2012 to a decent start.
Luther, Louis,Emily,Steve,Johnny,Zack & Wes all made the cut and are Polar Bears.
With the Lords blessing the coming years riding is going to be great.
catch ya on the road
Thursday, December 15, 2011
short ride, but well worth it.
These last couple of days have been slow for me. I managed to catch a stomach virus on top of everything else I got going on.
The doctor said " just lay around and you'll know when it passes".
That is hard to do. Especially when the weather is half way decent for riding. I made through to the evening of the second day and I guess the doc was right. I noticed that I felt much better.
I had'nt eaten anything in Three days so I decided to try some soup. That meant running down to the store as I did'nt have any of the standby 'chicken noodle.'
It was cool to cold out but not freezing so I figured a little ride would'nt do too much damage.
The bike fired up on the second kick and we were off.
Let me tell you it was a great ride! I rolled in at the store, grabbed the soup and was back on the road in record time. (if everytime I had to go shopping went this quick)
I fired up and really wound the bike up on the return trip. When I pulled in to park I realized, like most times, I could have just kept going. Maybe tomorrows weather will be at least as good and I can put on more than a mile or so.
catch ya on the road
The doctor said " just lay around and you'll know when it passes".
That is hard to do. Especially when the weather is half way decent for riding. I made through to the evening of the second day and I guess the doc was right. I noticed that I felt much better.
I had'nt eaten anything in Three days so I decided to try some soup. That meant running down to the store as I did'nt have any of the standby 'chicken noodle.'
It was cool to cold out but not freezing so I figured a little ride would'nt do too much damage.
The bike fired up on the second kick and we were off.
Let me tell you it was a great ride! I rolled in at the store, grabbed the soup and was back on the road in record time. (if everytime I had to go shopping went this quick)
I fired up and really wound the bike up on the return trip. When I pulled in to park I realized, like most times, I could have just kept going. Maybe tomorrows weather will be at least as good and I can put on more than a mile or so.
catch ya on the road
Saturday, December 10, 2011
By the light of the silvery moon
Last night the moon was full and with the cold weather it was a very nice night.
I hadnt been doing too much lately. Health wise there just wasnt any energy. So when a friend called up and said lets go get coffee I thought maybe a little fresh air would hit the spot.
I fired up the bike as I was only going down to the little gas station. I figured I could stir a better quality of air if I was out in it. The ride down was pretty quick and the chill went all the way to the bone. The air was fresh! By the time I got to the station, like most times I get started on the old gal, I was ready to put on a few miles.
We visited and had coffee till about 8pm. As we were leaving my friends asked several times about how I was feeling and I guess were concerned since it had cooled a bit while we were there. I ran over again all that the Doctor had said and that seemed to satisfy everyone that I'd make it back the whole quarter mile to the house.
I was feeling pretty good as I fired up and decided, just for grins and giggles you understand, to take the long way home.
Pulling on to the highway I ran west to the mountain and cut across to Highway 412 and ran east to Huntsville. From Huntsville I ran the back roads through Wesley and around back to the house.
About a hundred miles later it was 38 degrees when I got back to the house. Yep, it was cold! However, like most other times when I ride...it's only cold when I'm stopped. I actually felt great when I got back. There is a lot to be said for fresh air on a full moon night. I may have to research this form of treatment further?
catch ya on the road
I hadnt been doing too much lately. Health wise there just wasnt any energy. So when a friend called up and said lets go get coffee I thought maybe a little fresh air would hit the spot.
I fired up the bike as I was only going down to the little gas station. I figured I could stir a better quality of air if I was out in it. The ride down was pretty quick and the chill went all the way to the bone. The air was fresh! By the time I got to the station, like most times I get started on the old gal, I was ready to put on a few miles.
We visited and had coffee till about 8pm. As we were leaving my friends asked several times about how I was feeling and I guess were concerned since it had cooled a bit while we were there. I ran over again all that the Doctor had said and that seemed to satisfy everyone that I'd make it back the whole quarter mile to the house.
I was feeling pretty good as I fired up and decided, just for grins and giggles you understand, to take the long way home.
Pulling on to the highway I ran west to the mountain and cut across to Highway 412 and ran east to Huntsville. From Huntsville I ran the back roads through Wesley and around back to the house.
About a hundred miles later it was 38 degrees when I got back to the house. Yep, it was cold! However, like most other times when I ride...it's only cold when I'm stopped. I actually felt great when I got back. There is a lot to be said for fresh air on a full moon night. I may have to research this form of treatment further?
catch ya on the road
Saturday, December 3, 2011
back in the saddle again
I had a fork seal leaking on the old gal. At 35 years old I guess it was time she started showing her age.
A friend help me refill the forks as a stop gap till I could manage to get new seals. That helped with the 'all over the road' feel in the ride.
My shop called with the seals and I took her over. I was expecting a couple of days at the most to be a "slave to the cage" as a friend put it. He kept saying "embrace the cage"
The next day the shop called and the lady says 'John, do you have another set of forks that would fit your bike?' Now I'm not a expert or anything but this did'nt sound in any way like a good thing. Come to find out the forks had worn in one spot to the point they broke. Yep, wasnt good. I had a set off an XS1100 that were close looking to the same size. I ran them over right fast in a double quick hurry. (We're in kind of an Indian summer feeling kind of weather right now. Perfect riding weather and I got nothing to ride. plus there was this voice running through my head saying 'embrace the cage') Ok, couple of days now and I'll be back on the road I'm thinking when the phone rings..."have you got anymore forks laying around?" The XS forks wont work. Like I said, I aint no expert, but anybody could tell this was just wrong. This weather is not going to last and I'm still walkin and that voice was getting louder.
Finally I broke down and got the forks off my parts bike, and hurried them over.
Looking at the caller ID on my phone I started getting nervous. This last set had worked and I could pick it up anytime.
I caught a ride out to the shop and got the low down on all that was done to the forks and steering neck. My bill ended up costing me a little more due to the extra labor involved.
I fired up and got out on the road. Let me tell you, words cannot describe the difference in the ride. At 85 miles per hour you can let the bars go and she just floats down the road.
The weather is still holding and I'm riding along without even the slightest thought of 'embracing the cage.'
In thinking about it all my friends are the real reason I'm not 'embracing the cage.' I thank you all. (God has blessed me with the greatest friends.)
And a big thank you to my mail order bride for all your help.
catch ya on the road
A friend help me refill the forks as a stop gap till I could manage to get new seals. That helped with the 'all over the road' feel in the ride.
My shop called with the seals and I took her over. I was expecting a couple of days at the most to be a "slave to the cage" as a friend put it. He kept saying "embrace the cage"
The next day the shop called and the lady says 'John, do you have another set of forks that would fit your bike?' Now I'm not a expert or anything but this did'nt sound in any way like a good thing. Come to find out the forks had worn in one spot to the point they broke. Yep, wasnt good. I had a set off an XS1100 that were close looking to the same size. I ran them over right fast in a double quick hurry. (We're in kind of an Indian summer feeling kind of weather right now. Perfect riding weather and I got nothing to ride. plus there was this voice running through my head saying 'embrace the cage') Ok, couple of days now and I'll be back on the road I'm thinking when the phone rings..."have you got anymore forks laying around?" The XS forks wont work. Like I said, I aint no expert, but anybody could tell this was just wrong. This weather is not going to last and I'm still walkin and that voice was getting louder.
Finally I broke down and got the forks off my parts bike, and hurried them over.
Looking at the caller ID on my phone I started getting nervous. This last set had worked and I could pick it up anytime.
I caught a ride out to the shop and got the low down on all that was done to the forks and steering neck. My bill ended up costing me a little more due to the extra labor involved.
I fired up and got out on the road. Let me tell you, words cannot describe the difference in the ride. At 85 miles per hour you can let the bars go and she just floats down the road.
The weather is still holding and I'm riding along without even the slightest thought of 'embracing the cage.'
In thinking about it all my friends are the real reason I'm not 'embracing the cage.' I thank you all. (God has blessed me with the greatest friends.)
And a big thank you to my mail order bride for all your help.
catch ya on the road
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Non issues and the odd conspricy
A good number of years ago I owned a Triumph motorcycle. Like a lot of motorcycles I've owned through out my life there was nothing really special about it. It stuck in my mind because it was the first bike I had saw that didnt have a rear brake light. It had a bright tail light but no brake light. As I remember it there was no switch or anything. It just didnt have one. This wasnt a big deal given the area I was in, very rural, and the point in my life, very young. Today they refer to it as a non issue.
Flash forward to present day. A while back the rear brake light switch on my KZ had finally worn out. Only 35 years old and worn out. At the time of this discovery I remember thinking that at least it quit in the on position and people could at least see me in lower light, that sucker was bright with both sides of the bulb burning. It also has a large clear side so I had bright red and clear light after dark. The biggest thing was, it was "English", remembering my old Triumph. Over the several months that I have been running it this way I have been out in all kinds of weather and all kinds of traffic without any kind of problem what so ever...untill last night.
Coming in late last night I pulled into my parking space at the house and turned off my head light. I hit the kill switch instead of the key for some reason and got to listening to the foxes barking behind the house. They sounded closer than usual. I was hearing them over the bikes engine as I pulled in. With all of the noise and so forth I didnt notice my tail light burning brightly. This morning I thought it odd that the bike wouldnt do anything. A quick check of the main fuse led me to a dead battery. A quick jump from the car(they are good for a few things) and it fired off. Then it all came clearly to mind. My "English" style light pulled the battery down. In thinking it over, I used the kill switch and left the key on. Maybe a brake light switch would'nt be a bad investment? Then again it might have been the Foxes? A conspricy! Ya never know...
Catch ya on the road
Flash forward to present day. A while back the rear brake light switch on my KZ had finally worn out. Only 35 years old and worn out. At the time of this discovery I remember thinking that at least it quit in the on position and people could at least see me in lower light, that sucker was bright with both sides of the bulb burning. It also has a large clear side so I had bright red and clear light after dark. The biggest thing was, it was "English", remembering my old Triumph. Over the several months that I have been running it this way I have been out in all kinds of weather and all kinds of traffic without any kind of problem what so ever...untill last night.
Coming in late last night I pulled into my parking space at the house and turned off my head light. I hit the kill switch instead of the key for some reason and got to listening to the foxes barking behind the house. They sounded closer than usual. I was hearing them over the bikes engine as I pulled in. With all of the noise and so forth I didnt notice my tail light burning brightly. This morning I thought it odd that the bike wouldnt do anything. A quick check of the main fuse led me to a dead battery. A quick jump from the car(they are good for a few things) and it fired off. Then it all came clearly to mind. My "English" style light pulled the battery down. In thinking it over, I used the kill switch and left the key on. Maybe a brake light switch would'nt be a bad investment? Then again it might have been the Foxes? A conspricy! Ya never know...
Catch ya on the road
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Bullet Proof
By some folks accounts today was "freezing."
When I got up this morning the weather line said it was 34 degrees with a chance of rain. Looking out I saw that it had rained.
I figured on a cool ride so I pulled on some extra layers and headed out. It was actually kind of nice. No wind made it cool not cold.
I strapped on the thermos and kicked the old gal to life. while warming up I thought about something a friend had said about my old bike. "That's really some bike. It's taken everything you've thrown at it and keeps on going." ( that was a genuine Bull moose of a complement) Yep, so far it's shown it's self to be nearly bullet proof. I've owned several bikes over the years and have always had the best luck and most fun with the older vertical twins.
I got on the road and had a enjoyable ride. Traffic was slight and we all just kind of flowed through the early morning.
Riding through town I didn't see another bike anywhere and to me that's just sad. People just don't know what they are missing. It really was a good morning for riding.
Later in the morning at work when people started to venture out I started getting the comments about the cold and rain. I don't get near as many as I use to. Like one of the corporate office ladies said "after 10 years of seeing you roar in on that thing every morning rain or shine, whats left to say?" However she did go on to say that they all thought I was crazy. Really, I'm not crazy...I have been diagnosed as being a carrier for it though.
Toward the noon hour the sun came out and it turned out to be a great afternoon. My ride to the house was just about perfect. (It could have lasted a little longer)
Tomorrow is suppose to be a tad bit warmer and I'm hoping to maybe get in a little longer trip.
"she may lay down on me tomorrow... today she runs with the heart of a timex"
catch ya on the road
When I got up this morning the weather line said it was 34 degrees with a chance of rain. Looking out I saw that it had rained.
I figured on a cool ride so I pulled on some extra layers and headed out. It was actually kind of nice. No wind made it cool not cold.
I strapped on the thermos and kicked the old gal to life. while warming up I thought about something a friend had said about my old bike. "That's really some bike. It's taken everything you've thrown at it and keeps on going." ( that was a genuine Bull moose of a complement) Yep, so far it's shown it's self to be nearly bullet proof. I've owned several bikes over the years and have always had the best luck and most fun with the older vertical twins.
I got on the road and had a enjoyable ride. Traffic was slight and we all just kind of flowed through the early morning.
Riding through town I didn't see another bike anywhere and to me that's just sad. People just don't know what they are missing. It really was a good morning for riding.
Later in the morning at work when people started to venture out I started getting the comments about the cold and rain. I don't get near as many as I use to. Like one of the corporate office ladies said "after 10 years of seeing you roar in on that thing every morning rain or shine, whats left to say?" However she did go on to say that they all thought I was crazy. Really, I'm not crazy...I have been diagnosed as being a carrier for it though.
Toward the noon hour the sun came out and it turned out to be a great afternoon. My ride to the house was just about perfect. (It could have lasted a little longer)
Tomorrow is suppose to be a tad bit warmer and I'm hoping to maybe get in a little longer trip.
"she may lay down on me tomorrow... today she runs with the heart of a timex"
catch ya on the road
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