Where to go...where to ride...

Looking out of the window, I see new snow on the ground, and listening to the news flip-flopping on whether there will be more in "Wave 2" and "Wave 3".  The last of the Kermit maintenance items is sitting on the
workbench waiting to be installed on the bike (brake shoes).  I noticed the map on my blog, and started to think - where will I go this year?

Up around the great lakes, through NY, VT, NH, ME? Hills and History abound on this route.  Or maybe West, through IL, IA, NE, KS, MO? Flat lands, long stretches of road flowing into the sunset.  Both routes can have amazing food and even more amazing people to meet.

Ah, the beauty of this time of year...plans plans plans....

I think I see the end of the snow tunnel

It has been a long, very very cold winter.  Tried to get to the Detroit Motorcycle show...snowed in.  Tried to get to the Cleveland Motorcycle show...snowed in. Temps dropped to -15F several times through the winter.  To cold to even work in the garage with the heater going full blast.

But finally got some warm(er) weather and heated the garage was warm enough to work on the bike.  Stripped down the bike and replaced handlebars (have been bent for many years), break fluid front and front and back (if you ever changed the brake fluid, you will get that), clutch fluid, and coolant.  Noticed that I needed rear brake pads too and ordered them. 

Put Kermit all back together again, and he started right up.  Each time I do that, I am surprised and relieved!!!  Pretty happy about that!  I did have some extra parts but will probably just throw them away.  Oh, did I mention those parts are a bent handlebar, used brake fluid, clutch fluid (ok, that is brake fluid too), and coolant.


So now, wait a week or two for those brake to show and then finish the maintenance for 2014!  Come on Spring!!!!

Prepping for another winter

The end of the year is at hand.  It has been a wonderful year full of good friends, good rides.  For the first time, I took a 1000+ mile ride by myself to clear the head and do a bit of a "Walk-About."  I needed it.  Christmas saw new handlebars for Kermit, replacing the bent ones I have ridden with since 2006 (or was it 2007?).  As the winter wraps it's snowy arms around us once again, I will fire up the propane heater in the garage and spend time doing all the prep and repairs that are needed for that first ride in the spring...hoping no more than 3 months away.

I asked Lana to go with me to the Motorcycle Show this year, either in Detroit or Cleveland.  She has not really been into motorcycles before, so time she gets immersed in the culture!  I do not suspect that she will be as impressed with the new models as the new leathers! LOL...

I hope to post some pics, both of the show and of the bike maintenance.  I keep promising to add more to this blog, but, well, you know how that goes...

A fall day in October

The sun peeked over the horizon on Saturday.  I struggled to get out of bed, but knew what would be a motivation to entice me to get the housework done (or at least most of it).  A RIDE!!! OK, was not really that spontaneous, but taking part of a day off for a ride was the motivation I needed.  And the weather was amazing, something rare during my free time.

I rushed through the various chores and called a friend.  "Ya Ready?" I asked?  She said that she would be by the time I got there to pick her up.  I ran late as I drove through the four lane traffic jam in Northern Columbus. But finally arrived to pick her up.  She was very young when her father had taken on the back of a bike, so I had my challenge to make this a great trip.

The weather continued to cooperate, and we took a wide range of roads; residential, city, country, highways.  We rode through a state park (parts of which were closed because of govt shutdown) and saw some vibrant trees showing their autumn splendor.  We hit a bar in Waldo known for their bologna sandwiches.  It was a great fall ride and great company.

Prepping for Interlochen

An annual pilgrimage, Interlochen,MI is about 400 miles north near traverse city.  The campgrounds are on sandy soil, always rains, temps range from mid 90's to high 30's. The location's claim to fame is that it has the hottest showers around.  Somehow, this less than hospitable "resort" becomes a playground for the VROC riding club every August!  

A few days away still, I have already done half my packing. This year I go it alone.  I have a tent, camping gear, stove, cooking utensils, cooler, and clothes all packed up for a long weekend ride.  Did I mention pain killers? Plenty of pain killers for my rear end...that is a long 8 - 10 hr ride!

Now...to contain my excitement until I can twist that throttle!!!

Resting at home on Saturday morning, having a cup of strong coffee and reliving the ride.  This really is one of those "Bucket List" things for me.  I am not sure what is the most attractive in the adventure; Walk-about aspects of being by myself to think about the challenges and wonderful things that have been laid at my feet, spending entire days on my motorcycle, meeting new people, seeing new things, or just proving I can do it.  The randomness of the trip was very important, not knowing where I will end up each day.  It was great to have the technology to stop at a gas station, fire up the iPhone and find the nearest inexpensive hotel then call and make reservation.  The AMA and AAA discounts were very valuable!

But it is great to be home. Soaked in the tub last night, and then crawled in my own bed.  What a great way to end the trip. 

Here are some misc pictures and the route I took.  Each star represents were I ended up spending the night.

And a few miscellaneous pictures

Views like this were commonplace, but far from common!

Ohio River as I took a short rest.

This is a Red Roof Inn!  Really!!!  $40/night

Kicking back after 400 miles.  Far better than pitching a tent!

The total is in....

1,224 miles, the longest ride I have ever done. I am home now, safe and sound, tired and sore.  But what a great time it has been. Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, Virginia, West Virginia. I rode through some very large cities and small country towns. Spent hundreds of miles on America's highways and two lane back roads.  It was beautiful weather when I started, but had some nasty front that brought in rain and colder temperatures. Had good rain gear, great luggage, warm clothing when I needed it.  Met some interesting people on the road.

I will load up a map and more pictures when I get a moment, and also update the states I have ridden.  This has been one of the best vacations I have ever taken.

400 miles down, 400 miles to go...

It was a great day for a ride. Decided to take the long way home. From Georgia to Alabama to Tennessee to Virginia. It started out cold, and threw on the chaps. Fingers got a little cold by late morning, but was able to take the chaps off. Got to Wytheville, VA after a little over 400 miles today. Decided I earned a good dinner and went with catfish at Crack Barrel.

Did a google maps to find out how much longer I had to ride tomorrow to get home. Just under 400 more miles! Oops, knew it was a longer ride, but not THAT much longer!

Rainy day in Georgia

Started the day missing breakfast. No rain outside! Then looked at the radar. Yikes!!!

Decided that I would try running South and was able to stay dry - for a while. The storm finally caught up with me just South of 40 and 75. Ducked into a Marathon to get a drink and put on my rain gear. Soon a Goldwing pulled up with a couple. Had a great talk - he had a lot of history and we spent some time talking about some of the great riders that he road with, and I just read about! When the rain let up, we rode together for about an hour - he was headed to the TN Goldwing rally, and I to Georgia. So we split ways just north of Chattanoga.

The rain kept coming on and off. Picked out Baymont Inn, parked and checked in. Sure enough, another downpour. Defn a rainy night in Georgia! Here is hoping the weather improves tomorrow.

Day one - kinda

Got a good night sleep and on the road this morning. Rode through Ohio on small two lane roads. Listened to some great country music, hit some nice roads and detours as well. About 250 miles later, it looked like rain coming in so I grabbed a room in Richmond KY. Got lucky at a Red Roof with a $60 room with king size bed and jacuzzi.

Now for some pizza, beer, and water!

Getting ready

 Went to sleep last night, thinking about my upcoming trip.  Get up at 7:30, have a leisurely cup of coffee and breakfast. Go to the dentist at 9:00, and then pack and head out for a week of riding. Relaxing, relaxing, relaxing....

Then reality hit...

Woke up this morning, looked at the clock and it was 8:35!!!  I overslept!!!! My dentist appt was in 25 minutes!!!!  I rushed through shower, and other morning routines. I got dressed, and went downstairs to put on my boots.  Whew!! Checked the clock on the cable box.  I did all my morning routine in about 10 mins!  I had 15 minutes to get to the dental appointment, and I rushed out the door!  I made it to the dentist 5 mins before the top of the hour!!!

As I pulled into the parking lot, i saw no...NO...cars in the front parking lot. I look at the truck's clock.  Clearly I forgot to reset it with the time change since it said it said 7:55. Made a mental note to reset the clock.  Looked at my watch.  7:55...Oh dang...I am an hour early!!!!

 I am now back from dentist, sore gums, but all good.  Having a couple cups of coffee and then pack and head out!  Look out drivers, here I come!
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Update. 

• Headed out, and immediately found that I needed to stop for fuel. Stop at gas station...
• After fueling up, I remembered I forgot my medication (I am diabetic).  Turn around...
• Leave again...and then could not remember packing my iPhone (my primary contact with the rest of the world). Stopped, checked out all the packing places on my bike.  No phone.  Turn around.
• Spent about an hour or more looking for phone through bike, house, garage, bedroom.... before remembering I took it to the dentist in the morning, and left it in the truck!

By this time, I was frustrated, hot, frustrated, sweaty, frustrated ... and did I mention frustrated? I decided that it was best NOT to get on the road in that state of mind. So now I am ready to take off first thing in the morning, rested, and not frustrated.  Crossing the Ohio River in Maysville (at least that is my current thoughts!)

Cobra Pipes installed

Stripped off the old pipes.  Found out that I had an exhaust leak in the stock pipes.  I thought my leg was hot on the right side, but figured it was my imagination.  But there was a burn mark on the inside of the chrome cover where the exhaust gases where coming out.

It took a lot of effort to put the new pipes on.  I made several mistakes, and could have done a few things easier. Directions were sparse, but that is a Cobra standard  If I had to do it again, it would go a lot faster.


I thinks the pipes look pretty good. Very similar to the stock pipes.  But they are very different.  Each cylinder has its own exhaust.  The pipes are a single piece instead of welded pipes like the stock. The catalytic converter is gone, and the airflow is significantly less restrictive.  I changed the air/fuel ratio as well.with the PowerCommander.

Fabricated new passenger backrest

After getting back from Interlochen, decided that I needed to do something about increasing the passenger riding space.  The most obvious is is to thin down the HUGE stock passenger backrest.  It measures 4" thick on the sides - an unnecessary waste of space. 

 
 So I decided to try my hand at prototyping a new backrest.  All I needed was a piece of plywood, some foam, some faux leather, some tacky spray cement, and some staples.  Did not want to disasseble the stock backrest, so I also needed some bolts.  And how can you do anything like this without a good bourbon to make things easier!

Here is how the prototype looks.  It is smaller, fitting inside the sissybar frame, and a LOT thinner.  Now I have to put some miles on it to see how it feels.  Anyone up for a ride on the back of the bike?

Getting ready

Getting the bike ready for a vacation ride around the great lakes. Expecting it to take one to two weeks as I explore all sort of things on the way. For Kermit, he has a new airway to get more power and torque, and a power commander III to manage that air/fuel ratio. Got a new GPS that is made for motorcycles so I will have clearer directions and know where gas stations are as well. And finally had my motorcycle seat redone for a more comfortable ride. Now I need to get some seat time!!!

Ouch - an expensive ride this morning

So much to do, so little time...where have I heard that before? So I took the opportunity to combine my errands with a bike ride. Temperatures had broken and were in the 50's when I took off. For me, that is the perfect riding temperature range!

I took off to buy some coffee, going to Hemisphere Coffee Roasters and picking up my normal Papua New Guinea and got half pound of pumpkin pie flavored coffee. Also stopped by the grocery store and picked up some fruit. Rode over to St John's for their Christmas bizarre. I still get excited when I see the majestic bell tower as I approach the church.

I also need some furniture. The family of a friend of mine, someone I worked with years ago, has an Amish furniture store, so I thought I would start there. I got there, walked in and saw exactly what I wanted. But wearing my leathers, I did not get approached by any of the people. Guess I did not look like the buying type. Met my friend's son - last time I saw him, he was a baby!!! I ended up dropping 20 Benjamins there!

I hope I can get out a couple more times yet this year, but time is definitely running out.

A Sunday Ride in the fall

I FINALLY took some time on the bike. It is a warm day, sunny with the colors coming out to celebrate the changing of the season. It is not often when we get these days, especially on a weekend.

I headed out of Marysville (west of Columbus OH) into some of the very rural and hilly part of central Ohio. Plenty of switchbacks, 90 degree turns, and rolling hills. Not much traffic means that I can enjoy the roads as well as the scenery. We have plenty of wooden covered bridges in the area, some old and some newer.

It was a nice diversion, a reminder of why I love my bike, and why I love living in Ohio.

Starting to look back...

The temperatures tell us there is a change of seasons in the air. In a few months, there will be snow on the ground. I look back of the summer and wonder "What Happened?" Not nearly the miles I had hoped to put on the bike. Did not take the adventure I have planned on for years; packing some clothes, tent, sleeping bag and head out with no destination in mind. I did not take the week long trip where I meet unexpected people, and explore unknown places. In short, work trumped free time, and I will loose close to a month of vacation because I cannot afford the time off to take it.

But lets look at the other side of the coin. First, and foremost, I am employed. It provides a sense of contribution, it provides the finances to live comfortably now and hopefully in retirement. It provides the finances to put gas into the bike. I was able to attend the GLVROC rally in Swanton, seeing old friends and new. And got a chance to act as grill chief. I was able to put about 1,000 miles in the saddle as we attended the Interlochen, MI Rally. New friends and old, great roads. And as true every year, there was some rain. I was able to strip out all of the "unnecessary" stuff on my bike. And I had a problem with the bike that would force me to use logic and wrenching skills. Maybe, it really was not that bad!

Even cooler, I have reconnected with VROC.org finding a lot of the "old gang" going strong, and some new people that I am beginning to know. What is unnerving is that there are now over 34,000 members worldwide! WOW!!!

So now, with the cooler weather, the leaves are beginning to change color and fall. It is a beautiful time of year. And that leaves me with one question...Why am I writing this instead of putting some time on the bike?!?!

See ya, I am out a' here!

FINALLY

After rides canceled over and over, I will finally be able to get on the bike this weekend. After a week of vacation that involved work at home at the office, I will be able to get on Kermit once again. Just a 100 mile ride, followed by some camping, and another 100 miles back. Just short rides, but in some difficult heat. In between the rides will be time spent with friends that I have not seen in too long of a time.

I am looking forward to this weekend no matter how it goes. It will be good to get away into a different world, a different focus, a change of the mind. Wind against the chest, music and rumble in the ears.

The happiest time of year, the saddest time of year

Christmas and New Years are just around the corner. Celebrating The Birth, and the start of a New Year as well. Its a beautiful time of year.

Yet, it is the first full winter day. Kermit is in the garage with no plans until spring. In years past, I have been able to ride just a few days before Christmas, and on New Years Day. This year, with snow and ice covering the roads and temperatures often dropping near zero, Kermit will simply have to sleep quietly in the garage. It is such a sad sight to see a bike like this simply leaning on the kickstand with no where to go.

Sleep well, Kermit. Dream of spring rides and VROC rallies in 2011.

5th annual Biker Bash - Findlay OH

Just 65 miles ride (with construction detour), the 5th annual Bike Bash in Findlay OH is a great destination. Its a family friendly event (Friday 8/27 from 5pm-9pm) with live music, great food, and bike parking on Main street which they block off for the evening! Its free and a LOT of fun. There are auctions, 50/50 raffle, services, food, etc where proceeds go to United Way of Hancock Country.

2010 Interlochen

Four hundred miles riding north from Columbus Ohio to Interlochen Michigan. Its the annual VROC rally held in NW lower peninsula near Traverse City. After the long (repeat LONG ride for me anyway), I get to set up camp. There is very little better than a motorcycle and tent. The grounds have the hottest showers around. Oh does that feel good after a long ride and sweaty day.

The best part of the time is the people. We had probably 30 VROCers and shared the park with the Goldwing riders and a couple of small Harley groups. It is amazing how such a great diversity in people, machines, and friendships can enjoy the same lifestyle. We had some tough weather, and also great weather.


There are a lot of great things to experience on these rallies. One of my favorite is the local food. We ate at a restaurants that served huge amounts of good food, a tavern that had good perch right on the lake (they would even cook up your own catch as you came in from a day of fishing), and my favorite - The Cherry Hut. This area is famous for its cherries, and this restaurant has some traditional fare as well as cherry burgers, cherry chicken salad, and wonderful (I mean WONDERFUL) Cherry Pie.

Areas all over the US have some amazing history. As we drove around, we took route M37. It dead ended at the Old Mission Lighthouse. It is half way between the equator and the Pole at the 45th parallel.


But all good things have to end. And with most camping trips, there are plenty of challenges that inhibit sleeping comfortable. We had a huge storm which flooded the tent, and then the final night the mattress we slept on a 1/2 inflated mattress. Why we did not get up and inflate it with the pump, I will never know. But we got up, broke camp, and started back on the 400 miles home.

Sleep deprived, we rode off about 40 miles and grabbed breakfast. Three cups of coffee, but still drowsy. Stopped at McD's for their heavy duty caffeine which eventually did the trick.

Its that time again! Interlochen!!!

In a little while, I will be able to head back up to Interlochen for a VROC rally. Its about 400 miles up there, about 7 hours if I road straight through. I wont! I will probably stop every 100 miles or so, fuel up, get some water, stretch the legs, and take some additional ibuprofen for the saddle sores. There is a common knowledge rule that states that if it is the Interlochen weekend, then it is rain season. The first year I went, I rode back in thunderstorms and tornado warnings virtually the entire trip. The last time, it rained while I was up there and the tent flooded. Yet, it is a good time!

After we get up there, we will have to check in, and then drive back into the camping area of Cycle-Moore. Its a couple of large circles of gravel roads with plenty of sandy ground to pitch a tent. The bath house is known as the showers with the hottest water.

Wow - Time slips by too quickly!

I appologize for the LONG delay on posting an update on the Michigan ride. It was a great ride North. Stopped a few times, had some water, then got back on the bikes.

I had a great time in Michigan with my friend and their family. A little (ok, a lot) of drinks, a little work, and a lot of fishing. The place was nice (see below) and we had some interesting drink/gun discussion combination.


Here are the two GPS runs. First one was on the way up, second is the return trip. Had to make it on my own due to a job possibility.

300 miles - great ride!

Put 300 miles on the bike. It was a great ride. The vest kept me comfortable, and we stopped every 100 miles to refuel and stretch. The place is absolutely beautiful and spent a few hours fishing after dinner. But there is no wireless here, so I will update the site more later. Putting pics on Facebook too!

Getting ready to head out!

I have the privilege of riding to Michigan with a buddy of mine. His family has a house on a lake up there. During the day, I will still be searching for employment and following up with applications already submitted. It really does not matter where I am, as long as I have cell and internet access! In the evening, I will be able to enjoy the area and quiet of the country.

I will be taking pictures and posting as I have time and access. For now, here is the map. Its over 300 miles, and I suspect it will take 7 hrs when you factor in stopping for drinks of water and some dinner. Its going to be hot, and my rear end and my back will be really sore. Ah, but the stories I can tell when it is over!

Another 100 miles

On the early news, they have the "2-Minute Mechanic" who shows things that people should look out for on their cars. Today, he talked about "Jax Wax" products - something I have NEVER seen him do. He was head-over-heals over the products.

I did a quick search and found the company at www.jaxwax.com. Dropped them a note about what would they recommend for a motorcycle. Within minutes, they sent a message back with a phone number indicating I should call and they have exactly what I need. Thinking that I would get the $100 package recommendation, I gave him a call. Instead, he suggested one of their lowest cost products, and said that is all that I would need! We talked more, and he also gave me an alternative suggestion if I wanted to go with a little more flexible solution for both wet and dry cleaning/waxing.

It was such a beautiful day today, and I just had to get out and enjoy the day. So around 1:00, I jumped on the motorcycle and headed off to pick up the product. It was a little hard to find, and found that he was a very small business (but with a successful history). Also found out that he was out of the building and no one else was there! CRAP. Well, I called him and he is sending me the product I wanted to buy, covering the shipping costs! HOW COOL IS THAT! I am hoping the product is as good as his customer focus!

In the same area was a couple cool things. The H2 was mod'ed out for Big Star promotional activity. The building was an old Railroad station that had been converted to a bar/carry out.



Ran around for about 100 miles. It was good, but not great. I had to run through a lot of high traffic areas. I hate the busy areas where cars just do not pay attention to their driving, and stop-and-go traffic.