Getting Some Head

I had to drop my Jeep off yesterday to have some work done.  I need an inspection sticker but my engine light has been on for a bit.  Zig checked the code for me and it's a misfire on the #4 cylinder.  I'd hoped it was something simple like a clogged injector but nope, it's more serious than that.  Apparently the head has to be replaced.  (The thought of what that was going to cost made my wallet begin to pucker, but then he said it was covered under warranty so all was good again.)

It also needs rear brakes and new wiper blades but I can take care of those so I passed on having the dealership do those.  Besides, I need to get it back as soon as possible because without it, I only have the bike for transportation.  Ordinarily that wouldn't be a problem but we are in the midst of (what's supposed to be) winter-time-weather and wouldn't you know it; snow is forecast for tonight and tomorrow.  We've had balmy temps for the whole stretch so far but as soon as I'm relegated to just the bike, we get snow.  Granted; nothing too bad, but still; ice, snow, sleet and lousy roads.  Awesome.  Just...awesome.

I don't mean to bitch.  I think I'm just grumpy because my Jeep is getting more head than I am.

Ride Hard, Take Chances

Merry Ho Ho Ho

It's Christmas! That wondrous time of the year for peace, love and harmony...

Or, you grab Matt and Zig, jump on the bikes and fucking hammer the highway for a little over an hour, pull in to Foxwoods casino, stroll the floors for a bit, looking for a table with a minimum bet limit that fits our thin wallets, finally give up and drop $5 into a slot machine and promptly kiss it goodbye, then you say fuck it and hit the bar.

It's another good day!

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Another Good Problem To Have

Having to squint.

Because the sun is in my eyes...

On the eve of Christmas...

Temps in the high 60's...

On two wheels...

It's a good day.

Ride Hard, Merry Christmas Eve!

Winter Solstice!

Wa-Hoo!  Today is the shortest day of the year!  From here on out, the days begin to get longer again!  Sunshiney mornings!  Sunshiney evenings!  Not having to wear clears on the way in to, nor on the way out from, work!  Oh glorious sunshine, how we've missed you!!

(It's gotta be some kind of cruel joke, though, that today is also the official start of Winter...)

But no fear - longer days are coming!!!  We'll have lots of sunshine, any day now!

(All the better to see all the snow we've probably got coming our way...)

Wonderful, welcoming, warming sunshine!!

(Glinting off of ice covered roadways...)

Yay for summery sunshine!!

(Sub zero temperatures...)

Sunshine!

(Snow...)

Sunshine!

(Ice...)

Sun?


Ride Hard, Fight with your inner multiple personalities

RIP Dana

We're experiencing the warmest winter on record so far. Do we have you to thank for that, Dana? Or are you and Russell (and Chuck, and Gapper, and Garv) setting us up for a fantastic prank? Is this going to be like last year where we have a great December but then get walloped in January/February?  If yes, I think it's safe to say we're ok with it. I'll gladly put miles on now,  and worry about the cold and snow later.

Either way,  it makes for a funny thought, thinking of you all huddled together and chuckling at what is coming our way.

We miss you guys...

An Early Christmas Present

Here we are, over half way through December and it hasn't snowed yet.  Yeah, it's cold (and raining again today), but it sure as hell beats snow and salt and slush!  Still riding each day and still getting weird looks from people who don't get it, but this is awesome!  Normally I'd be sliding into a seasonal depression from lack of cycle miles, but I'm still flying high and loving life.  It's like an early Christmas present from the road gods!

Sure, we may wind up having to pay the bill for this in January, but - like those enormous credit card bills that Christmas presents cause us to have - we'll worry about that then!  For now, live the moment!  Get out there and ride!

Don't forget to bundle up, though.  It's cold, windy and rainy out there...

I'll take it over snow, though!

Ride Hard, Take Chances

Christmas Cards!!

I was at CVS at lunchtime, printing out this year's Christmas cards, when a woman happened to walk behind me, then paused (I could tell she was looking over my shoulder at the picture on the screen) and then laughed.

Sitting down at the photo kiosk next to me, she said;

"When I first saw you, I thought "Isn't that nice; a big burly biker guy is actually making Christmas cards!"  (I was in full gear because it's cold and raining outside.)

"And then I saw what you were making, and I thought; well...that fits."

We had a good laugh and when it was time for me to leave, I wished her a great day.  She seemed like a good sport with a good sense of humor.

Maybe I should've asked for her address to send her one?

Ride Hard, Keep An Eye Out - The Cards Are Coming...

A Good Problem To Have

My company closes each year for the week between Christmas and New Year's.  For the past 3 years, Christmas has fallen in the middle-ish of the week which basically bungs up the whole week off because there's so many things going on.  This year, though, with Christmas on a Friday and New Year's on the following Friday, it means I've got almost a whole week in between that (as of right now) I don't have anything planned for.  On top of that, the weather has been amazingly favorable to those that enjoy two wheels, and they're saying that this pattern is going to last right through Christmas.

So that leaves me with the possibility of clear roads, not-bad temperatures, and almost a week with nothing to do.  Granted; the weather could turn quickly and even something like a rain storm followed by a drop in temps could spin any road trip plans out of reach.  But for now, I should start thinking about some place to go.

Zig just got his bike back and is tentatively planning on heading out to Olean for the Christmas weekend.  I'd love to join him but I do have plans for the Christmas weekend and can't make it.  Besides, I'm going to be out there in Feb for President's day weekend and I don't want to wear my welcome out.

So...where to go?  It'd probably be somewhere in a southerly direction since I don't want to run into colder temps, but where to?  Where to take a road trip during unseasonably warm temps in December...

It's not a bad problem to have.

Ride Hard, Take Chances

Misplaced Trust

The weather forecasters have been saying it's going to a nice week; warmer than normal temps, no rain until Thursday, then a nice weekend.  Sweet!  Sure, we'll probably pay for this later (like last year), but that's "later", and I'll take the good weather "now".

When I walked the bike out this morning, the sky was pretty overcast but I just chalked it up to overnight cloud cover which would soon burn off.  I mean hell; the forecasters have declared clear weather for another two days!  Surely I can trust them!

And then I got to the gym and the TV's were talking about the 60% chance of rain we have today.  Dammit!

Oh well, it won't be too bad.  The temps aren't that cold today and with all the gear I'm wrapped up in, I doubt any precipitation will actually reach me.

Still, though...I shoulda known better than to trust those stupid forecasters...

Ride Hard, Take Chances

Where's The (Family) Love?

Anyone that rides, knows that cage drivers are a breed to be wary of.  Whether they're stuffing their faces, playing with their GPS', or finger diddling their phones, they're not focused on the road, which means they're a danger to those of us on two wheels.  It's unfortunate, but it's something that riders are aware of and we do our best to prevent any unwanted introductions to their bumpers.

So one would think that folks who ride would understand that they should drive carefully - especially when driving a cage - and watch out for their brothers and sisters of the two wheeled variety.

Why is it, then,  that some of the worst offenders are these idiots whose vehicles are boldly displaying (HD, Victory, crotch rocket - take your pick) window decals or bumper stickers or hitch receiver caps?   If  you're sporting one of these "I ride a motorcycle" proclamations and then you almost wipe one of us out, the Road Gods should immediately materialize and shove that decal/sticker/hitch cap up your ass.  Or let me do it, if the Gods themselves are too busy to make a personal appearance.

At the least (and in particular to the asshat from this morning who is the pretext for today's rant); take the decal/sticker/hitch cap off of your vehicle and throw it away.  You've lost the privilege to fly it, douchebag.

Ride Hard, Take Chances