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March 25, 2010 - Night Ride

The darkness is palpable. It swirls in great inky blobs over the windscreen and past my legs. It eddies in my helmet and rolls in under my bandana and creeps beneath my collar. All that can be seen is the dim, inadequate light of the gauges, the black on black of tar strips on asphalt and the dashes and bars of the center line as it moves ceaselessly beneath the machine. The night is as cool as it is black, no moon and no stars. A canopy of leaves only imagined above. The tires and the engine play a sweet duet - each imperfection in the pavement adds its own erratic syncopation. The destination is not far ahead. The promise of light, of warmth and laughter awaits but the road, the road and the night, the sounds, the night sounds, the road sounds, the sweet aroma, the smell of the night conspire. I want to ride, I want to ride on and on in this tiny world that contains only me - only me, the machine and the road. An entire universe within the cone of a headlamp.

 

January 14, 2009 - I'm Back.
Yes, it has been quite a while since I have written and, no there is no good reason why. I have been doing other things, not just sitting around. I wish I could say that I have studying classical guitar for the whole time but or that I have been writing "The Great American Novel." No, none of those things but I have been down in Northern Sonora Mexico building a hotel for the past year. We have a ways to go but more on that another time. The good news is that "el Tigre de Plata," the silver Tiger is here with me. The weather here is in the 60's most days in the winter just fine for a ride to the bank or the hardware store or just around town. Groups of riders from Arizona blast through once in a while and riders from the city of Hermosillo show up on occasion. We hope to boost the number of motorcycle riding visitors here in the near future by offering a great place to stay and ride. The local favorite ride is the Chinese made Italika. They are imported and sold by a large Mexican company, Grupo Salinas. They reportedly have up to 55% of the Mexican market for low displacement bikes. Check them out. For better or for worse, Chinese bikes will be coming to the US. By the way, I spotted a Chinese Chang Jiang CJ750 sidecar rig at the Applebee's restaurant in Hermosillo. This is the same concept as the Ural (and the same Applebee's.) The Chang Jiang, like the Ural, is a knock off of the pre WWII 1938 R71 BMW. The owner told me that he bought it at auction from US Customs after it was seized at the border for not having the proper US safety and emissions equipment. At least that what I gathered through understanding of Spanish. I did mistake it for a Ural at first glance but the side-car was different. It did have a machine gun mount. Search Google, lots of interesting info on these bikes.



February 9, 2007 - Mountain Riding
Reading the news and watching the tube the last few days, it seems that the weather has gone wild all over the country with snow, unseasonable cold and ice storms from California to the Carolinas. Northern Europe has been pounded as well.

Right now, I'm sitting here with temperatures in the teens and blue skies. I'm thinking about getting on the bike and going somewhere, anywhere. Maybe the post office, maybe the hardware store - anywhere.

While I'm thinking about riding it may be a good time to think about some riding tips and mountain riding specifically. Some of these are found on the Tips and Checklist page but I though I'd expand them here

So what's different about mountain riding? It's you, the bike and a road, right? Yes, but at altitude, both you and your bike that will perform differently and mountain roads will require adjustments in riding style and awareness.

First, the bike. Don't worry about having the wrong kind of bike for the mountains. If you are staying on the pavement and maybe a few well-graded gravel roads, any type of street-legal bike, from an enduro to a full dresser will work just fine. Be sure the bike is comfortable for mid to long distance touring. And most important, make sure it's in top shape mechanically, with good tires and brakes. If you rent a bike for your mountain ride, don't select a type and size bike you've never ridden before. Try to stay with something you are comfortable with in tight turning situations.

The big issue for your bike at altitude is reduced horsepower. For example, the published spec (at sea level) for my Triumph Tiger is 106 HP. It pumps out only 89 hp in the Mile High City and 78 hp at home at 8800 feet. By the time we get up to 10,000 feet (think Leadville) I have 75 horses to work with. Check out this nifty on-line calculator to see the effects at different altitudes. I have not done the math to verify its accuracy but it matches up pretty well to other sources I have seen on the subject. It only goes to 10,000 ft. but you can extrapolate above that. Control and braking will be more important at high altitude than horses anyway. No high-speed runs up that high.

What does reduced power mean for safe riding? Obviously, acceleration is reduced from what you may be used to at lower altitudes. Twisting the throttle to get past a hazard may not have the expected result so it is important to get the feel of how the bike will react before you need it. Starting, especially uphill, will require more gas and a different touch on the clutch lever. Don't worry about making adjustments to your fuel mix. If your bike is running well at home, it will run rich here but not enough to worry about unless you plan to stay. Modern carbs adjust for barometric pressure and altitude, and electronic fuel injection pretty much takes care of itself. The bike will let you know how it's doing. Keep the revs up, use a lower gear and things will be fine.

The same thin air that robs horsepower can also affect your body. The effects of altitude on your body are usually just a feeling of being out of breath. It may seem obvious but we often have to remind people to breathe. If you find yourself out of breath, a few slow deep breaths and avoiding physical exertion for a few minutes will help. Some people visiting the mountains may be susceptible to altitude sickness. Over 8,500 feet, a very small percentage of people may start to get headaches and feel vague, flu-like symptoms. Don't ignore these but let your companions know so they can keep an eye on you. These will usually go away in a day or two and acclimatizing at lower altitudes, like Denver's mile-high altitude, before spending time in the high country will help prevent symptoms. Drinking lots of water often clears the symptoms completely. If the symptoms don't go away, the best treatment for altitude symptoms is to return to lower altitudes (8,000 feet or lower), which almost always brings quick relief. It's important to note that severe symptoms are rare at the altitudes typical for riders in North America and medical treatment is rarely required. In any case, it is critical to watch out for one another and discuss any symptoms with your riding partners so together you can handle any issues and make good decisions. A person's strength or level of fitness has no bearing as to whether they will be affected and there is no reason to feel embarrassed by altitude sickness.

Ok, Now you know how your bike and your body will react what's different about the roads? Cliff on one side, rock wall on the other, no guardrail, tight turns with limited sight lines. Add rocks, gravel and critters on the road, a slow moving RV or even an extreme sports dude on a skateboard and worries about horsepower tend to fade away. Brakes, and time and space for evasive action quickly come to the fore.

The first rule is don't ride beyond your own or your bike's abilities. Rule two is to expect the unexpected. Riding a perfect line through a blind turn won't mean much if there is an elk in the road or a car coming at you in your lane and you have no where to go. Ride single file and stretch out your following distances - four seconds is the minimum where sight lines are limited. More is better. When approaching a curve, keep your head up and look as far as you can into the curve. Always ride your own ride.

Expect loose gravel and sand on the inside of sharp turns from cars cutting the corner and watch for rocks and other debris on the road in steep areas. When you are riding through a series of switchbacks glance up and down to spot cars on the roadway above or below that may be closing or approaching. Be aware that you may not be able to see all the traffic this way. Practice your low speed riding and u-turn skills, keeping your feet on the pegs. These skills can be very helpful when maneuvering through tight switchbacks and will make you a better all around rider.

Stopping on a hill requires the foot brake. If you park and you can't find a flat spot, face uphill and leave the bike in gear. If the slope is not too great, park across the slope with the side-stand on whichever side provides the safest lean angle. If the angle isn't comfortable then move to a better spot. Picking up a dropped bike on the downhill side of a slope is no fun. And always watch for loose sand and gravel under your feet when stopping.

Another thing to remember when parking your bike in a high exposed mountain area is the wind. A strong gust can easily blow a bike over. Gauge the wind direction and park so the wind will tend to push the bike onto the side-stand as much as possible and always leave the bike in gear. I have seen middleweight cruisers lifted off the side stand and rolled backwards by the wind. Once again, if you don't feel comfortable parking the bike, make adjustments or move on.

What about the weather? The mountains make it tricky to guess the weather (I said guess, not forecast for a reason.) Prepare to ride through three seasons each day on your way up and down with temperature changes that can be 40 degrees or more each day. Proper gear including a rain suit, warm gloves and a good jacket liner are essential. Layers are best. Bring a heated vest or jacket liner if you have one but it's not a requirement. If the rain suit and extra layers stay packed, then better still.

The final thing to remember is why you ride in the mountains. If you want to enjoy those beautiful mountain vistas then slow down or pull over where it's safe and get out the camera. Splitting your attention between a narrow, winding strip of asphalt and a snow capped peak won't allow you to enjoy either one to their fullest.

Riding in the mountains isn't hard and it is much less dangerous that riding in city traffic. It does require that you make adjustments to your riding style and your mental awareness. Relax, slow down and enjoy your high altitude adventure.



December 28, 2006

I hope you all had a great Christmas and you are looking forward to a great 2007. Since I wrote last time, Denver and the metro area has been in the news. Two feet of snow hammered Denver and closed the airport a few days before Christmas. Up here in the foothills, we got 42 inches of snow and we are facing another big storm as I write this.

This has certainly put a damper on riding for the past week. While we are in good shape with well-plowed roads up here in the foothills, the city streets are still snow packed and a real mess.

With my rides safe in the garage, I'm envious of my 14-year old neighbor. He has been out riding his dirt bike, seemingly oblivious to the ice on the roads. He says its no big deal, you just ride. I am not one of those riders who grew up on dirt bikes and I haven't spent any time riding them so I guess I just don't understand. I've been a street rider for all of my riding time with a few forays onto dirt roads (like the one we live one.) Now that Lynn has a BMW F650GS and I have a Triumph Tiger (old adventure touring style, not the '07 FJR clone), we are prepared to do more detours off the pavement. But I'm still not terribly comfortable on an icy road. While we do occasionally get snow on the high-mountain passes during our summer tours, it doesn't stick on the roads very often and its gone in a few hours. I guess my winter riding is put on hold for a while unless I get ambitious and get the sidecar rig out.

In the meantime, I have had requests for more info on the Gerbing Cascade Extreme heated clothing I wore on my Florida to Colorado ride in early December. My review will be in Motorcycles: On the Road Again Magazine but here is a quick synopsis.

The jacket and pants appear extremely well made. Both have an abundance of pockets inside and out. All the outside pockets have storm flaps using hook and loop fasteners and zippers. The jacket has a double pull zipper, snaps and hook and loop patches to keep the wind and rain out. The double pull zipper allows you to open the bottom of the jacket to get to the watch pocket in the pants. The pants have two large flap pockets on the thighs and long zippers to make it easy to get them on over riding boots. Heavy CE approved body armor in all the right spots and reflective piping enhance rider safety. The jacket has lots of well placed vents for warm weather riding (without the liner) while the pants do not have any vents.

Aside from the heated liners and the overall quality, I really liked the neck on the jacket. The flap folds back with a handy snap to keep it away from your face when open and zips up high under the chin in the cold. Unlike some of my other jackets, it's easy to close and comfortable to wear when closed.

The heated liners pump out prodigious amounts of warmth, even at below freezing temperatures. I used the Gerbing dual thermostat controller and the handy leather case. With the controller on my belt, I was able to adjust the temperature and even turn it off with out taking my eyes off the road. Definitely recommend this optional accessory.

The jacket and the pants do weigh a bit. The heavy thread count fabric, the weight of the wires and the connectors combine with the heavy-duty body armor and the pounds pile up. This isn't a problem when riding but the clothing is bulky to pack and will strain those cheap hangers when you hang it in the closet.

The jacket will work for 3 seasons or even year-round riding. The heated liner is easy to zip in and out and a shot of warmth will be a great way to chase the chill off a cool mountain morning. The lack of vents on the pants may make then too warm for summer riding. The jacket liner is wired to attach heated gloves and the pants ready to plug in heated socks. If you have heated grips, the gloves are not critical but if you are riding in cold temperatures buy the socks.
E-mail me and let me know how you are dealing with winter weather




December 12, 2006     Merry Christmas and Happy Chanukah.

Winterizing. Interesting word. There are all kinds of forums and motorcycle magazine articles that explain the process and it sounds complex. Drain the fuel or use a stabilizer, overfill the oil or not. Of course there is the battery to worry about. Did you know a battery can freeze? Here in Colorado, we don't worry too much about these things. The extremely dry climate almost eliminates issues with moisture in the fuel system or on the cylinder walls. The best thing is that it's easier to winterize yourself instead of the bike and keep riding whenever you can.

Winter weather along the front range of Colorado runs the gamut from heavy snow (30 inches here in Conifer on Oct 26) to mild sunny days (80 degrees in Denver the week before Thanksgiving.) This is a very different world than up higher at the ski areas along the Continental Divide. Any of you who have skied Colorado have seen the difference between the Denver area and the mountains 70 miles away. The reasons for the winter weather are complex but the simple explanation is that the Rockies block most of the really harsh weather from reaching the Front Range. The storms that really sock us in are those that take the southern route and wrap back in from the east.

But as long as the road is clear of ice and snow all you need to do is deal with the temperatures and the short hours of daylight. (Oh, and those crazed drivers rushing to the mall.) The temperature swings in the thin air can be as much as 40 degrees or more and when the sun goes down, it cools off fast.

Assuming your battery is in good shape then you need to stay warm. If you ski, you might just have much of what you need to beat the cold. Long undies, a heavy, wind proof parka and ski pants can keep the cold at bay but won't provide the abrasion and injury protection that a good motorcycle jacket and pants will. I have worn ski bibs and parkas over leathers - it just fits better that way - and allows layers to be removed or added as the temperature changes. Just watch out for nylon on hot engine and exhaust parts. Ski gloves can work well if you can maintain good a good feel for the throttle, brake and clutch. Protection for you neck and face can be had by using a neck gaiter and a full-face helmet. I wear a half helmet with the collar zipped on and a flip up shield. A silk balaclava and the neck gaiter do the trick. Cold feet are always the problem for me. Heavy socks don't fit my riding boots all that well so I've put up with it up to now.

If all of this sounds like a lot of hassle, it can be. If you have the cash or if it's not too late to get on Santa's good side, opt for heated clothing. Gerbing and Widder both make a full line of heated vests, jackets, pants, and liners to keep you warm. They also make heated gloves and socks. I had the opportunity to try out a Gerbing Cascade Extreme Jacket and Pants on a ride from Florida back to Colorado in early December. I didn't have the socks or the gloves but the bike had heated grips. I was snug and warm and had the protection of gear specifically made for motorcycling with body armor in the right places. My feet were cold so get the socks. (An article on the ride and review of the Cascade clothing will be in an upcoming issue of Motorcycles: On the Road Again Magazine

There are kits and instructions for sewing your own heated vests and jackets available on the Internet but I have not looked carefully at them. The concept seems to be that you thread the thin heating wires through an existing garment, like an insulated vest, and add a plug. Seems simple enough. I'd like to hear from anyone who has tried it.

The important thing to know before buying heated clothing is how much electrical wattage your bike produces vs. what it needs to run the bike. What's left is the juice available to run the clothing. You'll need the right connections from your battery or accessory plug to get hooked up. Check the Gerbing and Widder websites for info on determining wattage requirements. It's also critical to get the right fit. The heated clothing must fit snugly to allow good heat transfer to your body. Heated clothing is not just for riding in the dead of winter, it can extend the riding season in spring and fall.

So keep riding if you can, stay warm and stay safe.

E-mail me with your cold weather riding stories



November 24, 2007

My neighbor Harry came over today to show off his new toy. It's a GPS system for his car. It mounts on the windshield with a color display and a touch screen. It even has a Bluetooth connection to his cell phone and a built-in MP3 player. It gives him audible turn-by-turn instructions and shows him where he is. It is very cool and according to Harry, it is very accurate. His verdict: it works great and everyone should get one. Based on the barrage of ads on TV, they will be a big gift item for Christmas this year.

I have an older GPS. It's great for telling me the elevation when we are touring in the mountains (people want to know.) It's also useful for figuring just how far off our motorcycle speedometers really are. But, even though it has mapping features (not color) it doesn't talk to me and I don't use it to find my way around. I either know where I'm going or I look at a map. I have a good sense of direction and a good memory and that's why, like most real men, I never get lost and never need to ask for directions. (Note to reader, italics indicate sarcasm.)

So I like maps. I'm trying to remember the first time I used a map. I'm pretty sure I had the classic wooden puzzle map of the US when I was a kid (the lower 48 only, yes, I'm that old.) My grandmother had a map hanging on the wall in her basement. It was "The World at War" put out by the Esso Petroleum Company. (They call themselves Exxon in the US now.) It was very cool, it had the shapes of both the Allied and the Axis warplanes on the legend, apparently to help civilians identify any enemy planes in the skies over Long Island, and it showed which side controlled what territory. I think my grandparents used it to keep track of where my mother was in the South Pacific. Mom showed us where she went to WAC boot camp, and showed us New Guinea and the Philippines where both she and my father served in WWII. That map is long gone and I don't know what ever happed to it. Later, in high school, we learned to read topographic maps to study geology and I guess I was hooked.

Maps have lots of eye appeal, you can see the big picture, there are photos of the area and those free maps provided by the state tourism agencies even have a photo of the governor. I just found some old maps in a box of stuff. These are oil company maps that were handed out free at gas stations. I smiled at the drawings of the gas station attendants wearing a cap and a bowtie. It took me back to when I was a kid, a time when you didn't pump your own gas, they washed the windshield, checked under the hood and gave away freebies like glassware and dishes. Sadly, the maps are in bad shape, torn, with coffee stains, and coming apart at the folds. Worse, they are hopelessly out of date. They were never meant to last too long. I'm not even sure how I came to have most of them.

We encourage clients to bring their GPS units on tour. It makes it easy for them to take off on their own and meet back up with the group but they get a map of the day's ride every morning during the daily ride briefings. Maps can't give me turn by turn instructions, can't tell me where to find a Denny's but that's ok - they don't need batteries either. I have my maps (and my Boy Scout compass) and over the years, I've even figured out how to refold them.

E-mail me and tell me your preference - maps or GPS.



November 9, 2007
It was a very warm day for November but a big cool down is coming for the end of the week. Our next tour isn't until February when we have a tour in Sonora Mexico, so as winter sets in, I'll be riding a bit less and spending more time inside at the keyboard writing.

I did get out earlier in the week and Lynn and I had coffee in Evergreen with Randy Klamm, CEO of Chicane USA. Chicane manufactures great looking, high quality motorcycle touring luggage - (check out their site.) We talked motorcycles, motorcycle travel and finally, we talked about what makes some of us strike out across the landscape while so many others stay close to home. We really didn't come to any conclusions over coffee but I thought about it about all day.

So why do people leave their homes and their families and set out across the ocean, across the desert or over the mountains? What makes them different than those who stay behind? I guess I'm glad that my ancestors had that wanderlust, that sense of adventure, that need to go and didn't stay still. Funny thing is, that as I look at my brothers and sister, only two of the four of us wandered from home, and yes, I'm happy to say, a lot of my wandering has been on two wheels.

There's nothing better than just getting on the bike and just riding. Ride to the store, the post office or over the mountain just to see what's on the other side. That's why we started our touring business. We want to get those riders who might not take the plunge into touring to experience what we have, to embrace their need to wander and do something different.

Even though we put a lot of planning into our tours, there is always something new, something special on each trip. A herd of elk in a meadow below us, a towering thundercloud in the distance or a rainbow. One of my most memorable moments riding was a cloud burst in the Uncompahgre Canyon on Red Mountain Pass. Water was everywhere. It seemed like a hundred waterfalls cascaded down the steep sides of the canyon and low clouds hung below us. It was incredible, like something out of Lord of the Rings, and we stopped the bikes at every turnout to stand and marvel at what we were experiencing. There were smiles all around and no one complained about the rain or about getting wet. Don't get me wrong, riding mountain passes in bright sunshine with clear blue skies is great but this was truly special.

So wander. Come ride with us, find that special moment and see for yourself what is on the other side of the mountain.

October 31, 2006

Last time, I wrote about Colorado weather and about motorcyclist's penchant for participating in charity events and raising money. I'll continue that theme. Early in October, something amazing happened. After the tragic shooting in late September at Platte Canyon High School (in Bailey, Colorado just 10 miles south of our location) local resident Danny Patino was angry and upset. He got on his bike and rode. While he rode, the idea came to him that others felt the same way and he put together a ride to raise money for the victims and their families.

Danny's thoughts went back to the Columbine shootings that took place just 40 miles away and he felt this latest incident must be opening old wounds for their community as well. Thus was born Columbine to Canyon Ride (also know as Emily's Parade) for shooting victim, Emily Keyes. Dan gave himself only 10 days to pull the event together. With many volunteers from the both the mountain community and Columbine area, they pulled it off. Local Denver media, biker clubs and dealers jumped on board and on October 7, 2006, over 7,000 bikes made their way from Columbine High School up Turkey Creek Canyon and on to Bailey and Platte Canyon High. (Read more here.) The final tally of money raised is close to $60,000. An incredible job by Dan, the community volunteers and motorcyclists from Colorado and as far away as New York. Thanks to all. (Additional info and photos here.)

The weather for the C to C ride was perfect - Blue skies and cool fall temperatures. But October weather did take a turn though with two snowstorms including a 30" dump on Thursday the 26th. (Denver, down the hill, got 4 to 6 inches.). The fun part is that it has been sunny and warm for the past several days and, you guessed it, people were out riding Saturday. (I didn't get out until Monday.) There is some sand on the side streets and melt water on parts of the highway but the sky has been that famous Colorado blue. A cold front just moved in and temperatures dropped about 10 degrees - just in time for Halloween - but the long term forecast shows things warming back into the 50's later in the week.

If you like to ride in this kind of weather, or ever find cool summer mornings a bit too brisk, then check out this local Colorado business, Hoodlum Gear . These fine folks have super neck gaiters and hoods to keep you warm year round. With Christmas coming, these will be a great gift idea and they are perfect to wear on those holiday charity runs coming up.

Another great gift idea is giving a tour - Mexico in February or a great summer tour. We can provide a special gift certificate and a Turkey Creek tee shirt to put under the tree. Call or e-mail and we'll get it ready for you.

In the mean time, put on those long johns and that heated vest if you have one and get out and ride.


October 3, 2006

I slept late this morning and woke up starving. I want to eat, no, not just eat, I want to gorge myself on nuts and berries, pizza, pasta and pretty much everything. I feel the need for large amounts of calories. It's this way every October. I assume that somewhere along the line, I have taken on some of the characteristics of a bear. Part of me just wants to eat and then hibernate for the winter.

Well, I know it isn't going to work for me, never has and never will. Besides, there is too much to do during the cold months. Ski, snowshoe and of course ride. (Oh yeah, and work on the 73 Honda.)

Now I'm looking out my office window. The sun has come up over the ridge and the gold and orange aspen leaves appear lighted from within. I love this time of year.

Along the Front Range of Colorado we can ride all year. Winterizing a bike is an option but riding it is a better one. It will get cold, it will snow but there will be glorious days with temperatures in the 50's or higher, brilliant blue skies and clear dry roads.

It does take a bit of knowledge, preparation and a look at the weather and the road reports before heading out. Colorado weather is famous for its wild swings. A 70-degree day in November or December is just as likely to be followed by temperatures in the 20's and snow the next. If the road is dry even at our base at 8,800 feet we can ride as long as we look out for sand on the road. (In the snow, the sidecar rig is a hoot.)

If the uncertainty of the weather (or the certainty that it will change) makes you nervous, then head south to New Mexico, Arizona and southern Utah. Watch our website for developments in this area as we will be adding Fall and Spring tours in the Southwest.

Sunday, December 3rd is the 21st Annual Toy Run for Children's Hospital in Denver. Sponsored by the Rocky Mountain Harley Owner's Group (RMHOG) and supported by many other groups like the Triumph RAT and other riders. Its truly amazing how committed the motorcycle community is to local charities here in the Denver area and across the country.

At Turkey Creek Tours, we want to support Motorcycle Clubs that support charities. We have instituted a program that provides donations to your club's favorite charity when you book a group tour with us. Shoot me an e-mail, or call at me 303-838-6505 or 1-888-763-6185 for details.

Ride safe and ride warm.



September 6, 2006

Romancing the road.
Way back in high school, my friend Rich and I would ski whenever we could. My approach was always to "attack the mountain." I'm not sure what I really meant back then and neither did Rich. Many years later, we skied together again and Rich asked if I was still "attacking" mountains.

The answer was no. I told him I had decided it was better to be, "one with the mountain." It's the same on the motorcycle - I don't try to beat the road because, like the mountains, it can't be beaten. Riding a motorcycle in the mountains brings this into sharp focus.

Now, whether on skis or on the bike, I just let the mountain take me. . Maybe its age and the fact that I don't ride a sport bike, but let's put the hardware piece aside. Just to be out on the bike is a joy. A twisting road, a rushing creek, towering peaks rising up to blue sky - it all lets me lose myself, lets me live in the moment. Of course I try to ride a clean line and pay attention to what's going on but getting that extra 5 miles per hour through a turn is not important. I just want to let the road caress the bike and caress me with it. In return I try not to be too clumsy, to keep the rhythm, not to break the mood, never to hit a false note. It doesn't work all the time, I get sloppy and either under or over think things. And, ok, this is not a technical discussion of how, it's more a matter of why.

I guess this is the essence of riding for me. Sure, I use my motorcycles as basic transportation, I ride to the store, to the post office, business meetings and I even enjoy that aspect of riding. But it's out on the open road that it hits you, that the sense of it creeps into your consciousness and it all starts to click. All your senses tune in, but not in a mechanical way. There is a feeling that you, the bike, and the road are a trio, playing off each other. The road provides the rhythm and you and the motorcycle each take a lead, showing what you have. But not in a boastful way, not showing off but just expressing the joy of it all.

This would seem to make this type of motorcycling a solitary pastime, perhaps even antisocial but this works with the group as well. It requires a bit of compartmentalization and some compromises to lead a group and still fully experience these feelings. It's like being with someone you're madly in love with while with a group of people. You stay aware of the group dynamic, the conversations, what's going on and where the group is heading but you steal glances and whispers and maybe a brief brush up against one another. So check the mirrors then steal the moment and let the road take you through the curve, surrender yourself to it and enjoy.

Now, back to business; check on the group behind but be ready for the next moment. It balances the needs of the group with the feeling of the road. It's a subtle thing but it makes you more aware, a better rider and a better ride leader. Of course, if you are driving in city traffic or on the interstate there is no romance allowed. Total concentration is required but on that 2 two-laner rising into the forest you can let go.

Neither Rich or I ski much anymore; he also gave up his motorcycle and now is a very serious bicyclist. I hope he can say as I do that while riding, he is one with the mountain.

August 31, 2006

"Are you sure you want to sell it?" That was the third time I asked the question that day. I had asked twice that many times on the phone and in e-mails the week before. Phil started to answer, paused and his wife said, "Yes, he needs to get it out of the garage." After a pause, Phil allowed that this was the right answer. In any case, he had a new project, we had just picked up his 30 year old Honda Ellsinore from his brother-in-law and had no room for the street bike. I handed over the cash, Phil signed over the title. I told him to run it up the ramp and into the trailer. He jumped on the bike, fired it up and took the long way - around the block - before he ran it up the ramp and brought it to a stop against the chock. We strapped it down and closed up trailer. A few more goodbyes and I was rolling back home.

I remember when Phil first rode the bike to the office - A Honda CB 750 with only 1800 miles that he bought for a song. It was fast, it's still fast. My CL350 (long gone) was tame, almost pathetic in comparison. Like many of us, Phil stopped riding on the street as his family grew although there was a set of high passenger pegs installed for his son.

So now the CB 750 is in my garage along with my Triumph and Lynn's Shadow. The other two bikes, an '81 Honda CM and a 2001 Enfield Bullet with a sidecar are in the shed. This makes me wonder, how many bikes make a stable? How many bikes do 2 people need?

I don't know the answer. I have people tell me I can only ride one at a time although I have ridden all 5 bikes in a single day - if only just up and down the driveway for two of them but that's not the point. It's a visceral thing, and in your blood, under your skin and deep in your psyche thing.

Is it a sickness, an addiction, a harmless compulsion or something else? Is there a 12 step program, a support group or maybe a pharmacological solution? I think the answer for me is less complicated and already made for me - floor space is the limiting factor. Half the garage is now bikes and the shed is full with bikes, an emergency generator and assorted motorcycle parts. I'm out of room. To bring one in, I have to let one go. I can't build another shed because I live on the side of a mountain and there is no more flat space available. I could swap the Bullet with the hack out and replace it with 2 others as the sidecar takes up as much space as a separate motorcycle. But I kinda like the thumper and with the car bolted on, it gets lots of attention and makes people smile. For that matter, so does the Triumph. It causes what one guy called the "geezer effect". Since I am rapidly approaching "geezerhood" I take offense at the term, but it means that old guys who had a Triumph back in the '50s, '60s, 70's and the first 3 years of the '80's all want to talk about it. This is a good thing, I get to meet people and hand out business cards. As for the Shadow, well, Lynn loves that bike. Lynn's CM 400? Well that's a collectors item and its going up in value. I guess that leaves the CB 750. But wait, I'm going to clean it up and get it back to stock or close and then I'll sell it.

Does this mean I can't buy another bike? What about that Kawi Concours on E-bay that I'm watching or that Sportser that needs a new home. What if a really good deal on an FJR comes up or a Tiger? And I've never really done much dirt bike stuff, maybe one of those. Maybe it is pathological, maybe I need a psychologist. Jonathan wanted to talk, wanted to help. Wait, he's a motorcycle saleman, he wanted to sell me a new Ducati Strada. This isn't working, I have to stay out of the bike shops.

I have to face facts that I just really like motorcycles. I like to look at them, I like to see them on the street and watch others ride them. I like to look at antique motorcycles restored or not. I even enjoy looking at a basket case to try and figure out the puzzle. I'm not into working on my bikes other than oil changes and minor stuff and I not fanatical about keeping them spotless. I like to walk out into my garage and see them lined up. But most of all, I like to ride them. By myself, with Lynn own a tour group, I like to ride. I'll ride to the post office, the bank, the grocery store. Take the car? Not if I can carry my purchases on the bike. Gallon of paint in the tank bag? No problem. (32 foot extension ladder, not happening.) I don't even care that much what I'm riding as long as I'm riding. So maybe I'm ok after all. I think I'll ride the Triumph tomorrow, check out a new route, get a burger. No e-bay, no classifieds. Yes, I think I'll just ride.