Ugh!

I get to look out of the garage windows as I sit on my ride and see the snow here in the northeast part of the US. Riding in the Adirondacks, NY and the Green Mountains, Vt, you realize how short or long our season can be. I say short because some years it rains or winters stays a little longer than necessary, and long because of the winter staying a little longer than necessary. This past season I was able to ride almost every day from May until halfway through November this year. I was able to start riding regularly in April this year, but did not take my March ride as past many years. My March ride usually takes place around my daughter's birthday, its a whole week of warm weather we often get here. This past year I was still moving and working a lot of hours. I am still holding out for my Christmas Eve ride before really calling it quits for a couple months. Ugh!
See you on the Road!

Garage time

I have spent time making room in the garage to accommodate the motorcycle. This is the part of the year I like the least. Autumn is over, winter is still a day or so away, making me wonder why we have mid 50 temps one day and below freezing the next. I rode the bike 75 miles from home to visit family and passed through several seasons getting there. It was fall in the upper valley, summer in the lower valley, and the dips and crevices of the routes I took had frost on the road where the sunshine didn't fall. Anyone who rides understands wet leaves and frost can be the biggest dangers a motorcyclist can face. I am not afraid to signal to the driver behind me (usually extra close, we will return to this driver) that I am slowing down for safety. I don't like the feel of a rear end sliding somewhere on its own without me. So slow and easy takes it. (now we return to the driver) I wonder why some people feel the need to drive extra close to my tail end of the bike. I just chalk it up to they don't have a bike and want to share mine!
So since the unpredictability of the season in the Northeast this time of the year, yes I have lots of garage time.
See you on the Road!

Snowbound

I look out my window at white stuff falling from the clouds. I am glad I have spent hours in the garage making room for the bike this past week. I wandered out and put the cover on it wondering why I haven't brought it inside yet. I have come to terms with the end of the season, (not willingly mind you) and will be making my plans to roll out onto the roads any moment I still have coming available. Until then, it looks like I am snowbound.
See you on the Road!

Ending the season, or beginning the next one

I spend a lot of time this part of the year ending my riding season writing about what I did over the year. I have ridden about 7500 miles, all of locally (within 200 miles of home). I, again, have met many new people and now on face book. Extending the network on the internet is going to help everyone. I intend to see that this site does what it accomplishes in fun for all. As I continue to look for rides to ist, I am hoping to meet more and more people. Always look forward to listing whatever people want to send. As we end the season or are we beginning the next one?
See you on the Road!

on the road again

I can say I am back on the road. Two weeks down without my ride. The tire had arrived, next the bike had to be inspected and then I had to go get it. What a nice feeling it was to feel the open road again. I was informed after traveling back the 70 miles, it should not have taken me over the two hours I enjoyed coming home(I was informed of how long I took). I ran into the trooper who was nice enough to give me a lift home after the rear tire blow out and since I was in my riding gear, he asked me about how the riding was. It has been warm on and off lately. Some rain in the air. Long story short, I said it was nice to be back on the road again.
See you on the Road!

Falling Flat

I have recently had the displeasure of having a rear tire flat on my bike. Cruising home through the dips and valleys, curves and flats of the mountains gives you time to reflect on life. Sounds and smells come at you at any moment, making you hesitate in the revelry of the ride.
I came across on LEO with someone stopped along side of the road, I slowed down and rubbernecked the scene. (I had to know how much ride time I could get before having to reduce back into a law abiding citizen) Realizing I should ride about the speed limit, I got back into the groove of enjoying the day. Throughout the next two curves I lost handling on my bike, which anyone could understand my nether regions puckered.
Dropping in speed quickly, without the use of brakes or down shifting, I managed not to get run over and to the side of the road. LEO came to my rescue, stopping traffic, allowing me to find a safe spot to stand the bike onto its' kickstand. I am waiting to hear from the shop about the rear tire and any damaged or malfunctions that may have resulted from this mishap.
See you on the Road!

Changing Seasons

I have been able to ride just about everyday this season and look at where I have been, where I am going and all my destinations. I think I wore out my rain gear with the amount of wet riding I had done at the start and now have been carrying an extra jacket to go over all the gear I normally wear this time of year. I ride in layers at the start of the day and end up in short sleeves at the middle back to just a jacket at the end. It seems to be routine this week, although next week looks like a change is coming. I look at the trees in the hills and vallys' and have noticed a coloring of the leaves and other subtle changes. I never look forward putting my ride away even for the night. I keep looking at my mileage and think "wow" so many this year. I look back on where my destinations have been, Patriot Guard standing for those who stood for us, Combat vets riding for the fallen of Vietnam, ghost rides, just to name a few. I look forward to seeing my fellow riders every ride I take out of the driveway. Knowing a couple of them are down for the rest of the season makes me wonder what their destinations are going to be come next season. Again I look at where this year has taken me and where next season will be taking me as I wonder about Changing Seasons.
See you on the Road!

Where have all our Flags gone?

As I ride home at night I have time to think about out United States Flag. I remember back when 9/11 happened everyone united and flew out Nations Flag. It could be seen everywhere, as bumper stickers on bumpers, tailgates, windshields, as flags on homes, cars, trailers, bikes, just everywhere. Now? You see them out here and there, but you really have to look for them. Most homes only have them hanging during great national holidays. Gone are the bumper stickers, gone are the hanging flags. Gone is the pride and unity of our great Country? We have relax in our pride as a Country and so our great Flag is being put away all to often. I remember growing up and seeing our Flag everywhere. Classrooms, and hallways, Government offices, Building had them flying everywhere from the peaks. Now I have to ask; Where have all our Flags Gone?
See you on the Road!

Riding into the night

I am working a later shift than I have in several years. I ride to work in the light of day with lots of people and traffic on the roads and ride home in the dark. Warm tires, cold roads, making for some nice curve action. 22 miles each way of pristine mountain riding, almost the best you could ask for in the Northeast. When the weathers nice I could almost wish the ride was longer, but then knowing how long the ride is to work, I almost wish it was shorter. No happy medium there. I look forward to my next day off, to enjoying the veiws of daytime riding, but for now, I am riding into the night.
See you on the Road!

Safety in the Numbers

I write about rider safety and responsibility on the occasion. So now lets look at the numbers. My first step is gear, and can never say enough about proper gear. Cold weather or hot weather the proper essentials are important. I won't debate helmets, too much controversy there, I wear mine. Although as I age, my brains and helmet have gotten smaller, but those who have known may agree only on the helmet, stating I didn't have brains to begin with. Chaps, jackets and gloves are my second number, leather or something close to it I would recommend. I live in the mountains of the northeast and have several jackets and gloves for all kinds of weather. Rain gear is quite important to me, I have been known to ride in all kinds of weather (yes, I am a hanger o'ner). My third number is the most important, a good bike. Let us clear this up. I mean one that won't fall apart on the first ride, run out of gas is okay (not recommended) but to lose a piece or part while riding in a large group makes for scary riding. Insurance, inspections and a good riding buddy will round it all off for my final number. I can say the most enjoyable days I have had have been Safety in the Numbers.
See you on the Road!

Graduation

It is graduation time in the northeast as I am sure as throughout the country. We see our children or neighbors children growing up and moving up into what we all hope is adulthood (altho, I sometimes wonder if I graduated that far myself) and becoming self aware into what they want to do. I would like to think they know and can offer that wisdom they have accrued themselves through their long lives to us. So now the partying begins. The wisdom and foresight they have may keep them safe to return home long enough to empty wallets and refrigerators in good time. I am looking forward to the new breed of riders that inhabit our roads every summer and keep my fingers crossed that they appear regularly at our rallies, camp-outs and rides. Stay safe and upright!
See you on the Road!

Rallies and Valleys

The end of Americade and the beginning of Laconia brings around the two biggest rallies in the Northeast. It brings out all types of motorcycle and riders. Those who have places to go and those who have places to be. I fall into both categories. First I want to be somewhere, but look for the most scenic route to get there. I look forward to seeing the side roads of the world knowing when I get there I can see the main roads on my way home or vice versa. Riding to rallies through vallies with the curves of the road and wildlife to see brings the reason for riding. I take a chance on going somewhere to see what is at the other end and may run into a friend or group I haven't seen since last time I was on the road. Being in the Northeast of the USA we have lots of backroads, mountain, valleys and rallies this time of the year. Come check one out.
See you on the Road!

Vt-Thunder 2010 video

http://picasaweb.google.com/PlattsburghVeteransWall/20100601?authkey=Gv1sRgCKTM_86TmaTFmwE#5477857957059046962

Weather Weather

I had a nice ride this Memorial Day weekend thanks to the Combat Vet MC of Vermont. I rode down the night before and camped out, actually this is the first camp trip I have taken in a year. I packed the bike tightly and minimum gear for the weekend. Got rained on the first half of the day, cold and after arriving my afternoon was sunny and warm. I got about 98% of my riding gear dried off for the Vt Thunder before leaving and just let nature do what nature does. We had winds, sun and clouds, thankfully no rain. I was thinking weather weather stay dry. I logged 625 miles the round trip on my bike, 145 miles in the cage. The Plattsburgh Barracks Veterans Park ceremonies went well, good turnout there without all commercialism of the last couple years. Thanks to all the organizers who did a fantastic job.
See you on the Road!

Dreaming Free

As I ride into this season, still between the snowflakes and the rain, two inches snow last week, to 70 degrees this week, I can spend my time thinking about where this ride is taking me. I am riding through parts of NY state this week and into the Adirondacks I still see ice hanging from the cliffs and snow caps around. As I check the weather forecast into the later part of the weekend I am enjoying listening to the weather people. I sometimes wonder how I can get from winter to summer in a hurry and then I realize I live in the Northeast part of the USA and it dawns on me, this could happen any week of the year. I am dreaming free.
See you on the Road!

Winters Dead

I have noticed that four months have gone by since I last wrote. Whatever could I have been doing? Those who know and to those who don't, I have relocated, changed jobs and got busy with plans. No excuse, now winter is over. Checked the machine for rodents, wiped off the dust, parked it in the sun, and riding season is here. Spring is a little screwy in this part of the country, season high temp could be 70+ with calls for snow is not unusual. Don't like the weather, blame the weather guy. I have plenty of gear, but lack the ability to put chains on my tires for riding in the mountains and valleys. All said and done, as far as I can see Winters Dead.
See you on the Road!

Longer Days

Being almost the end of January, we have weathered (pardon the joke) deep cold and snow, being the northeast part of the country. Rain, snow, ice, salt, sand and wind as the norm. Last week in the single digits at night and then today high 30's to mid 40's. Spring is just around the corner, riding season coming soon. This year I have my bike in a garage and not its own shed. I am able to look it over more often and move it around some. I long for my first ride which is usually in March when we have our warm up and then back away under cover for another 4-6 weeks as the days grow longer and sunnier (we hope), bringing warmth of a newer season. I am hoping to ride from the beginning to the end of each day. I have looked over my gear already and thinking only new gloves this year should get me through until all the rallies and vendors and sales start. I park my ride to wander around to see what new or old gear is around. Like an antique hunter I move from shop to hut in search of that treasure I must have. Spring shows signs of longer days!
See you on the Road!

Bricks for Memorial Day

http://plattsburghbarracksveteransparkwall.org is a site to view the Veterans wall at the former PAFB in Plattsburgh, NY and I have talked about this park before. A recap on the history of this project is: Disabled American Veterans Chapter 179 is the driving force behind this. These people include Paul Dumas, past DAV179 president, who we send the cost of a brick to, Carmen Rust, the present acting President, Steve Bowman, Veterans Affairs, most recent former President DAV179, and a variety of actors and volunteers. This park is located at a spot where every July 4th, while the air base was located there, we sat and watch the fireworks. Also called the Oval, the park grows every year with monies raised and donated. Come every May there is a day called Memorial Day, also known as Rememberance Day or Armistace Day, where there is a ceremony to remember all the vets killed in past conflicts throughout history. Every year, twice a year, the purchased bricks are laid on the wall, Memorial Day being the first, Veterans Day, being the second. This past year was the first year bricks were laid down three times. I look forward to spring to see the progress of this park and the wall located there. Anyone wanting to purchase a brick can stop by the site or contact anyone on the list for an application to do so. So Honor the Veterans in you life, buy a brick!
See you on the Road!

Ridin' into the New Year

I sat on my sofa last night, next to my warm wood stove, looking out at the snow falling, wondering about when the roads were going to clear. I look forward to taking the bike out on the open road, feeling nature run by my face. We all know the smells freshly uncovered ground can bring, it isn't my most favorite riding season, but will definitely take it anyways. As I sit here thinking about all this, I wondered if I dreamed that I was ridin' into the New Year. Happy New Years.
See you on the Road!