The next trip we have planned is to Riding into History, a historic motorcycle show at World Golf Village near St. Augustine. We are going to be riding up with a small group, mostly teachers from our complex on Saturday, May 15. It should be a fun day for sure. We are going to Sea Oats Cafe in St. Augustine for breakfast, then the show, then an early dinner/late lunch before heading home.
This will be the second time I have led a group on a long ride. The first time was to Helen, GA but I really wasn't the full time ride captain, split that with Mike. This one I will be the guy in charge. I have to get the route all planned out and such. Some of the riders haven't gone very far before in a group or alone. So, it will be a challenge.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Turn and Burn
Here are some pictures of today's Turn and Burn ride to Trimble Park in Mount Dora, FL. It was a fun day of riding, visiting with friends and food! What would a ride be without the food? Boring is what it would be.
View of the lake from Trimble Park.
The Hillbilly Deluxe at the Turn and Burn.
The lineup of the bikes at the park.
I'm obviously making an important point to Mike about the virtues of riding the Nomad and pulling the Hillbilly Deluxe or I'm teaching him the hand signals to communicate with aliens...or not.
View of the lake from Trimble Park. 
The Hillbilly Deluxe at the Turn and Burn. 
The lineup of the bikes at the park.
I'm obviously making an important point to Mike about the virtues of riding the Nomad and pulling the Hillbilly Deluxe or I'm teaching him the hand signals to communicate with aliens...or not.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Bummed but not out
I decided yesterday that going to Moonshine Lunch Ride was not something I could do at this time. I'm kinda bummed about it but I know it is the right thing to do. Maybe I'll be able to go next year.
Instead of that, we are going to go camping over the last weekend, well, actually one night, of spring break. We will probably do some day rides over the course of the week around the area (Florida is a big state and we consider it all our area, lol). Gonna be looking at some things to go see and do around the state. I'm sure I'll find some interesting things to do.
Instead of that, we are going to go camping over the last weekend, well, actually one night, of spring break. We will probably do some day rides over the course of the week around the area (Florida is a big state and we consider it all our area, lol). Gonna be looking at some things to go see and do around the state. I'm sure I'll find some interesting things to do.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
WOW!
Man, oh man. My good friend Mike brought his new-to-him '08 Concourse over to the house today to show it to me. We stood outside and admired it's fine lines and talking about the performance of the machine. After a little bit, he tossed me the key fob and said "Where you taking it?". He didn't have to ask me twice...well, maybe a little bit of a nudge.
I went into the house and got my gear, put it all on and swung a leg over the beast. Looking down at the instrument cluster and seeing a speedo that ends at 180 mph and a tach that redlines at 10,000 rpm is quite different from the ol' Nomad. It took me a couple tries to get the dang thing started, different again from my bike with no key. I fired it up and it just hummed. I could sense the amount of power on the bike.
When I got on the road, I had to check the shift lever placement and rear brake so I knew where they were...never had my feet up under me like that. A little twist. and I mean little, of the wrist and away I went. I burped the throttle a tad when I got into 2nd and next thing I knew I was at 6000 rpm and the thing wasn't even struggling. When I got onto a section at the back of our development and let it out, 70 mph at about 6-7K rpm. WHAT A MACHINE!
All I said when I got back to the house was "WOW". I have always wondered what it was like riding a Connie or other sport-tourer and now I know. I will definitely have one in my future. As Mike and I discussed, there were a couple things that need to be altered to make it even more comfortable. But quite literally, I could see myself on one of those with a minimum of additions: risers, rear trunk, some additional reflector stuff on the rear of the bags and probably cruise control down the road...all of these are things Mike is going to do as he goes.
Thank you Mike for making my day and making me start Jonesing for a Connie. I still love my Nomad and spent some time with it today changing oil, final drive fluid, etc. and will ride it as much as I can. But the Connie is now on my radar and my piggy bank is going to have to get fed often to get one.
Friday, March 12, 2010
What to do now?
It has been a week since the Legends ride and boy has it been a bummer...in regards to riding. The weather has been very crappy, rain, rain and more rain the last couple days. Add in some sickness at the house and the bike stayed parked since Sunday.
We did have a beautiful ride on Sunday with one of our friends and her date. We met them and took them for a nice, leisurely ride around the county on some twisty roads (by Florida standards) that lasted about an hour or so. We stopped to get something to drink and I asked the two of them how they liked it and they were all gushing about the ride and scenery. So I took that as a good sign.
When we got inside the restaurant, I found out that the date had only been riding for 6 months and that it was only the 2nd time he had had a passenger on the pillion seat of his soft tail Harley. Oops! If I had know that, I wouldn't have picked a couple of the roads or taken such a long route. But it all turned out good.
Now I am eager for another ride of some length. Can't go anywhere tomorrow but maybe we can sneak out Sunday for a nice, long ride to nowhere in particular or maybe somewhere special. I'll have to figure out something because I am going somewhat stir crazy, lol. It amazes me that the call of the road is so intoxicating and strong that just a few days away makes you yearn for the ride even more.
I guess I could do some maintenance on the bike tonight or tomorrow to give me a little shot in the arm. At least that way I will be near the bike, lol.
See you on the road.
We did have a beautiful ride on Sunday with one of our friends and her date. We met them and took them for a nice, leisurely ride around the county on some twisty roads (by Florida standards) that lasted about an hour or so. We stopped to get something to drink and I asked the two of them how they liked it and they were all gushing about the ride and scenery. So I took that as a good sign.
When we got inside the restaurant, I found out that the date had only been riding for 6 months and that it was only the 2nd time he had had a passenger on the pillion seat of his soft tail Harley. Oops! If I had know that, I wouldn't have picked a couple of the roads or taken such a long route. But it all turned out good.
Now I am eager for another ride of some length. Can't go anywhere tomorrow but maybe we can sneak out Sunday for a nice, long ride to nowhere in particular or maybe somewhere special. I'll have to figure out something because I am going somewhat stir crazy, lol. It amazes me that the call of the road is so intoxicating and strong that just a few days away makes you yearn for the ride even more.
I guess I could do some maintenance on the bike tonight or tomorrow to give me a little shot in the arm. At least that way I will be near the bike, lol.
See you on the road.
A Couple of Pictures from the Legends Ride
I borrowed these pictures from my friend Mike's album. This is me working on the headlight in Pensacola. Luckily, Mike had an extra bulb! 
I don't know why he thought he had to be so close, I guess he needed the warmth, lol.
Almost done and ready for the last, cold leg of the ride.
The finish at 11:40 p.m. in Jacksonville. We are some cold puppies for sure but happy to be done.
I don't know why he thought he had to be so close, I guess he needed the warmth, lol.
Almost done and ready for the last, cold leg of the ride.
The finish at 11:40 p.m. in Jacksonville. We are some cold puppies for sure but happy to be done.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Done!
Whew...what a ride. The Legends Saddle Sore 1000 is in the books and what a ride it was. For those that don't know what a Saddle Sore 1000 is, it is 1000 mile ride on a motorcycle in under 24 hours. There have been over a bunch of SS1000's that have been certified by the Iron Butt Association but this one was special for two reasons: it was held in conjunction with the IBA's banquet and it had IBA legends at each check point.
I rode the ride with my good friend Mike for the entire 1038 miles. We were supposed to ride with another couple but they bugged out on us after our first gas stop. Guess we were too slow or something. Oh well, enough of that. We also had two other good friends on the ride, David and Ray, who we kept passing and being passed by during the day.
We started at 0600 with temps in the high 20's/low 30's from Jacksonville, FL, riding south to Daytona for checkpoint number one and the chance to meet our first legend, Bob Higdon. With 15 bikes at the checkpoint, we didn't get a chance to say anything but thank you and have a good ride, then back on the bike.
Checkpoint number two was in Tampa, which meant a ride through downtown Orlando on I-4 during morning rush hour. What a blast that was...not! It was slow sledding but we made it to Tampa in good time and met Dave McQueeny. Again, no time for pleasantries, had to get back going.
On the way to our next stop in Ocala, my left mirror came loose while riding. I had to twist it back tight while riding down I-75. This leg was very quick, all Interstate and smooth sailing. We got to meet a very gracious lady, Ardys Kellerman, who, even in her 80's, still rides and rides a ton of miles. In 2007 she had rode over 100K!
The next leg was to Chiefland and I had my second issue of the trip. My high beem burnt out, so I had to ride with low beam only. Mike didn't have any problems but misplaced his cell phone, which meant an additional stop down the road to find it. At this checkpoint we met Jim Owen, winner of the 2009 Iron Butt Rally.
Our fifth leg was up US 19 to Tallahassee and a chance to meet Shane Smith, former winner of the IBR. What a treat! He was so nice and encouraging to all of us, giving us bandannas to honor Fran Crane, a fallen rider that was dear friend of Shane's. We now had about 470 miles in the books, but the sun was heading toward the horizon.
Our next leg was due west to Pensacola...directly into the sun! I told Mike that we needed to hustle because daylight was running out and with temps in the 40's in daylight, our night temps would be considerably colder. On the way to Pensacola, we stopped to check on a group of 3 riders that had stopped, turns out one had run out of fuel and they were in the middle of siphoning fuel to his bike.
As we approached Pensacola, I noticed my headlight wasn't showing up on the vehicles in front of me. So I had Mike go in front of me and sure enough, all headlight function was gone. Lucky for me, when we got to the checkpoint, Mike had a spare in this saddlebag and another rider offered me his spare also. So after meeting Marty Leir, another former IBR winner, I got the headlight changed with Mike's help. Back on the road again, about 350 miles to go.
Heading back to Tallahassee for our last checkpoint and the sun dying at our backs, we started to brace for the cold...and boy did it come! As we pulled into Tallahassee for our last checkpoint with Ross and Jan Copas at the Waffle House, it had to be about 34 or 35 degrees and it was only 7:40 or there abouts...time gets away from you when you are having this much fun.
When we walked into the Waffle House, I playfully asked Mike if we could stay there but I knew that we only had 3 hours left once we gassed up and got back on the road. But I'll tell you what, those plates full of WH food looked like prime rib to me. We donned our gear another time, knowing that the last leg would have one more fuel stop and that the temps were still falling. As we left, we saw our friends David and Ray pulling in. Ahhh, we are out in front of the 'lectric wearing buddies.
Crossing the northern part of Florida on I-10 on a cold night is not fun. There are no towns dotting the countryside to look forward to, just an occasional exit with a lone gas station/convenience store. The cold was getting worse or maybe it was just starting to take it's toll. Nothing on my body was warm. All I could do was keep telling myself and Mike that it would soon be over.
As we got within 50 miles of Jacksonville and the end of the ride we had to make one last stop. That stop was problematic because neither Mike nor I had traveled this stretch of road so we didn't know what station or what exit would hold the valuable juice that gives our machines life. We had to get off three times until we found one open and then we found neither of our credit cards where working any more...dam theft protection!
On our last 50 mile leg into the finish, I was just trying to survive...not the ride but the cold! I was starting to shake and feel pain in my hands and feet. Not wanting to stop, I soldiered on. We ended up back at the finish at 11:40, all in one piece and cold but happy.
In retrospect there are a couple things I would do differently. First would be have heavy riding pants and heated gloves for the ride. Nothing beats good gear. Second, I would make sure go over my bike before leaving, checking all the connections and such so the mirror or something else doesn't seem loose. Third, bring extra bulbs! Fourth, make sure the credit card people speak English and understand what I mean when I call them and say "Hey, I'm going on a trip all over the state, so don't turn off my credit card, ok?" I guess I slipped into Chinese or something.
It was a great ride, a great time with my friend, and a challenge. On Friday I hatched a new plan for a ride, but more on that later. I can't wait for the next big ride!
I rode the ride with my good friend Mike for the entire 1038 miles. We were supposed to ride with another couple but they bugged out on us after our first gas stop. Guess we were too slow or something. Oh well, enough of that. We also had two other good friends on the ride, David and Ray, who we kept passing and being passed by during the day.
We started at 0600 with temps in the high 20's/low 30's from Jacksonville, FL, riding south to Daytona for checkpoint number one and the chance to meet our first legend, Bob Higdon. With 15 bikes at the checkpoint, we didn't get a chance to say anything but thank you and have a good ride, then back on the bike.
Checkpoint number two was in Tampa, which meant a ride through downtown Orlando on I-4 during morning rush hour. What a blast that was...not! It was slow sledding but we made it to Tampa in good time and met Dave McQueeny. Again, no time for pleasantries, had to get back going.
On the way to our next stop in Ocala, my left mirror came loose while riding. I had to twist it back tight while riding down I-75. This leg was very quick, all Interstate and smooth sailing. We got to meet a very gracious lady, Ardys Kellerman, who, even in her 80's, still rides and rides a ton of miles. In 2007 she had rode over 100K!
The next leg was to Chiefland and I had my second issue of the trip. My high beem burnt out, so I had to ride with low beam only. Mike didn't have any problems but misplaced his cell phone, which meant an additional stop down the road to find it. At this checkpoint we met Jim Owen, winner of the 2009 Iron Butt Rally.
Our fifth leg was up US 19 to Tallahassee and a chance to meet Shane Smith, former winner of the IBR. What a treat! He was so nice and encouraging to all of us, giving us bandannas to honor Fran Crane, a fallen rider that was dear friend of Shane's. We now had about 470 miles in the books, but the sun was heading toward the horizon.
Our next leg was due west to Pensacola...directly into the sun! I told Mike that we needed to hustle because daylight was running out and with temps in the 40's in daylight, our night temps would be considerably colder. On the way to Pensacola, we stopped to check on a group of 3 riders that had stopped, turns out one had run out of fuel and they were in the middle of siphoning fuel to his bike.
As we approached Pensacola, I noticed my headlight wasn't showing up on the vehicles in front of me. So I had Mike go in front of me and sure enough, all headlight function was gone. Lucky for me, when we got to the checkpoint, Mike had a spare in this saddlebag and another rider offered me his spare also. So after meeting Marty Leir, another former IBR winner, I got the headlight changed with Mike's help. Back on the road again, about 350 miles to go.
Heading back to Tallahassee for our last checkpoint and the sun dying at our backs, we started to brace for the cold...and boy did it come! As we pulled into Tallahassee for our last checkpoint with Ross and Jan Copas at the Waffle House, it had to be about 34 or 35 degrees and it was only 7:40 or there abouts...time gets away from you when you are having this much fun.
When we walked into the Waffle House, I playfully asked Mike if we could stay there but I knew that we only had 3 hours left once we gassed up and got back on the road. But I'll tell you what, those plates full of WH food looked like prime rib to me. We donned our gear another time, knowing that the last leg would have one more fuel stop and that the temps were still falling. As we left, we saw our friends David and Ray pulling in. Ahhh, we are out in front of the 'lectric wearing buddies.
Crossing the northern part of Florida on I-10 on a cold night is not fun. There are no towns dotting the countryside to look forward to, just an occasional exit with a lone gas station/convenience store. The cold was getting worse or maybe it was just starting to take it's toll. Nothing on my body was warm. All I could do was keep telling myself and Mike that it would soon be over.
As we got within 50 miles of Jacksonville and the end of the ride we had to make one last stop. That stop was problematic because neither Mike nor I had traveled this stretch of road so we didn't know what station or what exit would hold the valuable juice that gives our machines life. We had to get off three times until we found one open and then we found neither of our credit cards where working any more...dam theft protection!
On our last 50 mile leg into the finish, I was just trying to survive...not the ride but the cold! I was starting to shake and feel pain in my hands and feet. Not wanting to stop, I soldiered on. We ended up back at the finish at 11:40, all in one piece and cold but happy.
In retrospect there are a couple things I would do differently. First would be have heavy riding pants and heated gloves for the ride. Nothing beats good gear. Second, I would make sure go over my bike before leaving, checking all the connections and such so the mirror or something else doesn't seem loose. Third, bring extra bulbs! Fourth, make sure the credit card people speak English and understand what I mean when I call them and say "Hey, I'm going on a trip all over the state, so don't turn off my credit card, ok?" I guess I slipped into Chinese or something.
It was a great ride, a great time with my friend, and a challenge. On Friday I hatched a new plan for a ride, but more on that later. I can't wait for the next big ride!
Saturday, February 27, 2010
The Difference of Cold and Wet
Some of my friends don't understand the allure of riding and questions arise about riding in the cold and the rain. Well, as my friend David puts it "It's all about the right gear". He is SOOOOO right.
This morning, I set off to meet up with the Long Riders in Brooksville for a ride to Daytona and Bike Week. I geared up with all my rain gear: rain suit, rain gators (booties that keep the boots totally dry), helmet, gloves and headed out.
As I rode down to the meet spot I hit some light drizzle and then some heavier rain. Now at this point you are asking yourself "so what? You are totally covered for rain, so it couldn't be that big of a deal?" Well wait a minute there my friend. I forgot to add it was about 41 degrees. So now the picture is fully explained.
When riding in the rain, about the only thing that really gets wet on your body through your gear is your hands. No glove known to man...except rubber gloves, will keep the water out of your gloves, just ask most riders. So here I am, riding down the road with wet hands in the wind, 41 degrees and I'm feeling miserable about riding. I don't ever feel miserable riding my bike, never, ever...today was a different story.
So this afternoon we went shopping for replacement gloves, searching for something that may keep my hands dry and warm for the coming Legends Ride. I hope I found that magic glove that will do the job. Keeping my fingers crossed that they work and I don't end up with icicle hands next time.
The moral to the story: Riding in cold is ok, layering is your friend; riding in the rain is ok, just have your rain suit; riding in the cold AND rain, you best have all the right gear cause this is the most miserable of all conditions you can ride in...period.
This morning, I set off to meet up with the Long Riders in Brooksville for a ride to Daytona and Bike Week. I geared up with all my rain gear: rain suit, rain gators (booties that keep the boots totally dry), helmet, gloves and headed out.
As I rode down to the meet spot I hit some light drizzle and then some heavier rain. Now at this point you are asking yourself "so what? You are totally covered for rain, so it couldn't be that big of a deal?" Well wait a minute there my friend. I forgot to add it was about 41 degrees. So now the picture is fully explained.
When riding in the rain, about the only thing that really gets wet on your body through your gear is your hands. No glove known to man...except rubber gloves, will keep the water out of your gloves, just ask most riders. So here I am, riding down the road with wet hands in the wind, 41 degrees and I'm feeling miserable about riding. I don't ever feel miserable riding my bike, never, ever...today was a different story.
So this afternoon we went shopping for replacement gloves, searching for something that may keep my hands dry and warm for the coming Legends Ride. I hope I found that magic glove that will do the job. Keeping my fingers crossed that they work and I don't end up with icicle hands next time.
The moral to the story: Riding in cold is ok, layering is your friend; riding in the rain is ok, just have your rain suit; riding in the cold AND rain, you best have all the right gear cause this is the most miserable of all conditions you can ride in...period.
Legends Saddle Sore 1000
The first big ride of the year is coming up this week, the Legends Saddle Sore 1000. This ride is sponsored by the Iron Butt Association as part of their IBA Bike Week festivities. It is a 1,000 mile ride in 24 hours, your basic saddle sore ride that the IBA sanctions. The twist to this one is that it has two things: the entire trip is completely on Florida roads and at every check point of the trip there will be a legend of the Iron Butt Rally that will be signing our log book.
For those that don't know what the Iron Butt Rally is, you can go to and read about the history of the rally. In brief, it is a 11 day, 11,000 mile scavenger hunt on a motorcycle. The men and women that have done this are extraordinary riders. It will be a pleasure and honor to meet these IBR champions.
I will be riding with some of my good riding friends in addition to about 90 or so other riders. Mike, Jim, Leanne and I will be riding as a group and my friends David and Ray will be riding together but separate from us during the ride, if that makes sense.
We just got our ride map, instructions, GPS coordinates and some basic information about what to expect. We will get more information Wednesday night when we go to the pre-ride meeting at the hotel.
I'm stoked for this ride. I just hate one section of the road we have to take but that is the way it goes...take the good with the bad. At least we won't be going to Miami or Ft. Lauderdale during the ride.
For those that don't know what the Iron Butt Rally is, you can go to and read about the history of the rally. In brief, it is a 11 day, 11,000 mile scavenger hunt on a motorcycle. The men and women that have done this are extraordinary riders. It will be a pleasure and honor to meet these IBR champions.
I will be riding with some of my good riding friends in addition to about 90 or so other riders. Mike, Jim, Leanne and I will be riding as a group and my friends David and Ray will be riding together but separate from us during the ride, if that makes sense.
We just got our ride map, instructions, GPS coordinates and some basic information about what to expect. We will get more information Wednesday night when we go to the pre-ride meeting at the hotel.
I'm stoked for this ride. I just hate one section of the road we have to take but that is the way it goes...take the good with the bad. At least we won't be going to Miami or Ft. Lauderdale during the ride.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Aaaargh!
I AM SO READY FOR A RIDE!
Haven't been out on the bike for a couple weeks because of commitments on the weekends for wrestling and the crappy weather we've been having. It is either way too cold or way too rainy to go out on the bike. It is one thing to be either cold or wet but a totally different thing to be cold AND wet! That my friends, is a crappy combination on a motorcycle.
I'm wondering if the bike is getting lonely out in the garage. I haven't been out to visit it in a few days. I hear it calling me but haven't had the time to get on and ride.
Maybe tomorrow will be the day we can get back on the bike for a short ride...if it isn't too freakin' cold!
Haven't been out on the bike for a couple weeks because of commitments on the weekends for wrestling and the crappy weather we've been having. It is either way too cold or way too rainy to go out on the bike. It is one thing to be either cold or wet but a totally different thing to be cold AND wet! That my friends, is a crappy combination on a motorcycle.
I'm wondering if the bike is getting lonely out in the garage. I haven't been out to visit it in a few days. I hear it calling me but haven't had the time to get on and ride.
Maybe tomorrow will be the day we can get back on the bike for a short ride...if it isn't too freakin' cold!
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Big Rides Coming Up
Well, it has been awhile since I have written anything on the blog, so I figured I'd say a little something about some of the big rides I have coming up this year. One is a little bit of a mystery ride, one is to the middle of no-where, and the other is to be with friends from all over the eastern half of the United States.
My first big ride is called the Legends Saddle Sore 1000. This ride is put on by the Iron Butt Association. It entails riding 1000 miles, starting in Jacksonville, FL on March 4 and it must all completed within 24 hours time. My buddies Mike, Jim and David will be riding with me or at least doing the same ride. There is a banquet on March 5 to get completion awards. I've done one of these rides already but this is different because it is all in state and there will be IBR legends at different checkpoints throughout the day.
The second big ride will to Moonshine, IL for a Moonburger in April. This will be 950 miles up, a couple days of riding in IL then back again. The Moonshine Rally is a gathering of about 600 people just to eat a hamburger in a town that has a population of 2.
The third big ride will be in June to Staunton, VA for the KawaNOW South Eastern Regional Rally. We will be rolling out of FL on a Saturday morning and will spend 9 days on the road, with stops in GA, SC, NC, TN, VA and WV. Probably going to be visiting Monticello, President Jackson's home and riding both Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Will probably throw in a couple other shorter rides in there too but these are the ones that require some planning.
My first big ride is called the Legends Saddle Sore 1000. This ride is put on by the Iron Butt Association. It entails riding 1000 miles, starting in Jacksonville, FL on March 4 and it must all completed within 24 hours time. My buddies Mike, Jim and David will be riding with me or at least doing the same ride. There is a banquet on March 5 to get completion awards. I've done one of these rides already but this is different because it is all in state and there will be IBR legends at different checkpoints throughout the day.
The second big ride will to Moonshine, IL for a Moonburger in April. This will be 950 miles up, a couple days of riding in IL then back again. The Moonshine Rally is a gathering of about 600 people just to eat a hamburger in a town that has a population of 2.
The third big ride will be in June to Staunton, VA for the KawaNOW South Eastern Regional Rally. We will be rolling out of FL on a Saturday morning and will spend 9 days on the road, with stops in GA, SC, NC, TN, VA and WV. Probably going to be visiting Monticello, President Jackson's home and riding both Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Will probably throw in a couple other shorter rides in there too but these are the ones that require some planning.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
First Ride of the New Year
Would somebody explain to me why we would get up at 6:00 a.m., don layers of clothing, our heavy weight riding gear and head out into 33 degree temperatures for a ride? I know why: they are called friends.
That is what we did this morning. My wife and I headed out to meet some of our good friends and ride south to LaBelle, FL for another friend's birthday party. The chance to meet up with our nearby friends for breakfast and then to ride together to see some of our more distant friends was one we couldn't pass up in spite of the cold temperatures.
The conversations we share over meals is a highlight of every ride. It gives us a chance to get to know one another even better, to share our insights on news of the day, swap stories of our past. We talk about the trips we have made, the trips we are going to make and the ones we dream of making.
We had the opportunity to again reacquaint ourselves with our friends that live far to the south, that we don't get to see as much as we would like. We shared the highlights of our times away from one another and talked of bygone times. Our discussions turned to future meetings and the hope that we would indeed see each other again much sooner rather than later.
Hopefully, each of you that read this have similar experiences that you can relate to in your life. We all need these times of camaraderie and interaction with our friends to recharge our lives.
Until later, ride often, ride safe
That is what we did this morning. My wife and I headed out to meet some of our good friends and ride south to LaBelle, FL for another friend's birthday party. The chance to meet up with our nearby friends for breakfast and then to ride together to see some of our more distant friends was one we couldn't pass up in spite of the cold temperatures.
The conversations we share over meals is a highlight of every ride. It gives us a chance to get to know one another even better, to share our insights on news of the day, swap stories of our past. We talk about the trips we have made, the trips we are going to make and the ones we dream of making.
We had the opportunity to again reacquaint ourselves with our friends that live far to the south, that we don't get to see as much as we would like. We shared the highlights of our times away from one another and talked of bygone times. Our discussions turned to future meetings and the hope that we would indeed see each other again much sooner rather than later.
Hopefully, each of you that read this have similar experiences that you can relate to in your life. We all need these times of camaraderie and interaction with our friends to recharge our lives.
Until later, ride often, ride safe
Friday, January 1, 2010
Why do we ride?
It is interesting to think that for almost 47 years getting out on the open road wasn't something that I felt compelled to do...well, I'm sure my early formative years don't count, but you get the picture. Now it seems that my mind is constantly drifting off to thoughts of where can we go next, what great adventure can we take, what new sights will we see and new people will we meet. Why did this happen?
My thought is that on a motorcycle, no matter the brand or the type, you are closer and more in tune with your environment. Your senses are heightened, seeing things you've never really noticed on the 100 other pass past the old farm or smelling that big feed lot...lol. Yes, some of the sights are breath taking and some of the smells are breath holding but they all make the ride that much more special.
We ride when we can, sometimes with friends, other times just the two of us. We ride because it brings us together...a trust bond perhaps, or a feeling of being at one with each other and the machine. When we can't ride for some reason it makes us grumpy or makes us pine even more for the chance for the hours on the road with our friends and each other.
In a car or truck or bus, that isn't the case. There are far too many things that distract our attention. We pass by things that appear mundane, never thinking to stop and smell the flowers (sorry, MTF, borrowing your saying). I think that is the bottom line of it all...the ability to easily stop and smell the flowers. Sometimes we do this literally, a little walk in the woods or a park; or figuratively by going down some long forgotten road that leads to nowhere in particular.
Now my thoughts turn to the next adventure...where will we go....
My thought is that on a motorcycle, no matter the brand or the type, you are closer and more in tune with your environment. Your senses are heightened, seeing things you've never really noticed on the 100 other pass past the old farm or smelling that big feed lot...lol. Yes, some of the sights are breath taking and some of the smells are breath holding but they all make the ride that much more special.
We ride when we can, sometimes with friends, other times just the two of us. We ride because it brings us together...a trust bond perhaps, or a feeling of being at one with each other and the machine. When we can't ride for some reason it makes us grumpy or makes us pine even more for the chance for the hours on the road with our friends and each other.
In a car or truck or bus, that isn't the case. There are far too many things that distract our attention. We pass by things that appear mundane, never thinking to stop and smell the flowers (sorry, MTF, borrowing your saying). I think that is the bottom line of it all...the ability to easily stop and smell the flowers. Sometimes we do this literally, a little walk in the woods or a park; or figuratively by going down some long forgotten road that leads to nowhere in particular.
Now my thoughts turn to the next adventure...where will we go....
New Year, new outlook
Well, where do you begin one of these blog things? Is it a place to tell you stories of life or is it a place to record you insights for others to contemplate? I'm thinking, and this is the dangerous part, that mine will be a combination of things that will record what I have been doing and what I have been thinking.
My purpose for this blog is to record my travels and experiences from the road on my Nomad. The Kawa Tanker, as she has been dubbed by my friends, is a 1999 Kawasaki Nomad 1500. She's equipped with a 4 gallon auxiliary fuel tank (thus the Tanker nickname), cruise control, J & M 2003 CB radio and the usual stuff you find on a cruiser style bike that make it your own. The Kawa Tanker has taken my wife and I on many excursions both short and long. We purchased the bike back in November of 2007, unwittingly starting a journey that has enriched our lives with experiences from the road, and adding many friends both physical and cyber in nature.
Having only ridden trail bikes in my distant youth, the Nomad was a beast that I fell in love with at first sight, both beautiful and intimidating at the same time. I took my time learning how she handled, taking short trips around the neighborhood, feeling the wind in my face at 30 mph and discovering how a 800 lb. bike needs to be ridden. Taking the MSF course on the little 250cc bike was quite an experience and change from The Tanker, but it was something I promised my bride I would do before we would ride together.
Our first two-up experience on the bike was a simple trip around the neighborhood, blasting to speeds up to 35 mph! What a rush for us to do this together...the hook was set now. Since that fateful day, we have been on trips both near and far...as short as to the store and as far as South Dakota pulling our Clampet Mobile (Bunkhouse Camper), all the while smiling, laughing and enjoying our time together, with friends and with the road.
Welcome to my world of motorcycling. I'm not a biker, just an average guy that rides to enjoy the scenery, good friends and a good meal...albeit 400 miles away. That is for another day.
My purpose for this blog is to record my travels and experiences from the road on my Nomad. The Kawa Tanker, as she has been dubbed by my friends, is a 1999 Kawasaki Nomad 1500. She's equipped with a 4 gallon auxiliary fuel tank (thus the Tanker nickname), cruise control, J & M 2003 CB radio and the usual stuff you find on a cruiser style bike that make it your own. The Kawa Tanker has taken my wife and I on many excursions both short and long. We purchased the bike back in November of 2007, unwittingly starting a journey that has enriched our lives with experiences from the road, and adding many friends both physical and cyber in nature.
Having only ridden trail bikes in my distant youth, the Nomad was a beast that I fell in love with at first sight, both beautiful and intimidating at the same time. I took my time learning how she handled, taking short trips around the neighborhood, feeling the wind in my face at 30 mph and discovering how a 800 lb. bike needs to be ridden. Taking the MSF course on the little 250cc bike was quite an experience and change from The Tanker, but it was something I promised my bride I would do before we would ride together.
Our first two-up experience on the bike was a simple trip around the neighborhood, blasting to speeds up to 35 mph! What a rush for us to do this together...the hook was set now. Since that fateful day, we have been on trips both near and far...as short as to the store and as far as South Dakota pulling our Clampet Mobile (Bunkhouse Camper), all the while smiling, laughing and enjoying our time together, with friends and with the road.
Welcome to my world of motorcycling. I'm not a biker, just an average guy that rides to enjoy the scenery, good friends and a good meal...albeit 400 miles away. That is for another day.
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