I've been thinking about how much I enjoy riding, and how stupid I am to take the bike to work when I know there is a 60% chance of being caught out in rain. It's pitch black when I pull out of the parking lot at work. I'm in full battle gear. My rain suit fits over my jacket like a glove. I slide on my gauntlet gloves, bought specifically to deal with rain and cold weather. Kimmie shakes off the water like a cat and we begin the long ride home. Dodging raindrops and looking at the lightening in our rear view mirror, praying that I can outrun the thunderstorms plaguing the area.
Lately I've not been riding much. This is due to a combination of factors which includes weather, my self employment and my regular job (I work for 3M). I have had to take the car places. I have had to attend meetings, classes and other events that, for whatever reason, I was not able to ride to. The fact that I've been working overtime has contributed as well. This is a pattern that is repeated at the end of every month. I just get to busy to go and enjoy a nice long ride somewhere, anywhere.
I am surprised at how much I miss riding. So when the chance to ride to work presents itself. I take it, even though I damn well know it's not a good idea. Riding to me has become more than just a cheap way to get from point A to point B. No, it's much more than that to me now. It's become my escape.
My job really is not that stressful. In fact, even during the worst moments when the board is filled with red and people are screaming, freaking out, panicking....I have an almost Zen like state. I used to work on projects that would cost a company hundred of thousands of dollars if they didn't do it right. My job was to make sure it was right. I had the right to shut them down if I wasn't happy. I did sometimes knowing that I was in the right.. Later on in my life I dealt with people's lives. Making decisions to grant loans, to help make dreams realities based on credit. Based on deposits and ratio's and choices...based on cold, hard calculations.
I left that job when the math didn't make sense anymore. When the logic was based on bad assumptions and greed. We all know what happened after that. Yes, you can blame me for the near collapse of the banks a few years ago.
So stress? Not in the least.
So why do I escape? Why am I feeling this desire to ride?
It's quiet for one thing. It just the wind noise and the bike, no other noise. My attention is on the road ahead of me. No fiddling with the radio trying to find something I want to listen to. No phone calls. I've considered a cheap bluetooth for the helmet but decided against it. I don't want the distractions.
Generally speaking I'm not a risk taker. I may speed but not excessively. I may ride in weather that I should not of, earlier this week being a perfect example, but have no issue pulling over and waiting. Or even leaving Kimmie somewhere and picking her up in the morning. There is a risk to riding. Cars are built to protect the rider, bikes give the rider responsibility. To pay attention, to always be aware of the surroundings. Some argue that riding is freedom. I understand that...it is freedom but it also takes us back to a time when we were not as "coddled" as we are today. I am responsible for my own safety.
For example, a giant chicken
Motorcycles are built for the back roads. Sure I can ride on the freeway, get up to at least 100 miles per hour (161 km/h) but honestly why? Personally for me; the freeway is designed for the car where as the bike is designed more for some back country road where I can smell the heather, listen to the spring peepers and actually see things that I would not see.
One of the reasons I was so excited about the Equinox to Equinox rally was because I know had an excuse to go out and ride. Sadly even this fun event fallen by the wayside lately. One day I just said, "It's to damn hot to ride!"
I know that soon enough I'll be able to ride more, I'll be going places again and not just to and through from work. I know that soon enough I'll be packing a weekend back into the top case and Susan and I will be off somewhere. In the meantime I just have to bide my time. And that is the hardest part.
I have a question for you as a scooter rider. Here in Ottawa I wave to anybody on two wheels but scooter riders never seem to wave back. What's up with that?
David Drouin, who maintains the excellent Motorcycle Addiction blog sent me an email concerning the so called "biker's wave." It's one of those questions that pop up now and again on the various forums I frequent. Scooters in most states require the same licensing, the same training as motorcycles. Today many of the maxi-scoots are certainly as powerful as many motorcycles. That line continues to blur as motorcycles are redesigned with automatic transmissions and internal storage. So why don't we scooterists wave?
I generally wave at passing bikes, either the traditional motorcycle or a scooter. Hell, I even wave at bicyclists...they are part of the brotherhood (and sisterhood) too. Generally speaking I get a wave back - although there are those snobs that will only wave at a particular type of bike, or worse - a particular model. Actually I have noticed that I tend to get a "one finger" wave as I pass certain types of bikes whose brand name I will not mention here. David's question did get me thinking however, so I'm introducing a new series which I'm calling "The Brotherhood of Two Wheels." Anything dealing with the perceived divided between the scootering and motorcycling community, anything that deals with helping out our fellow riders will fall into this category.
I really don't worry about if I don't get a nod or wave in return. Frankly you never know what is going on in the other bikers world. He could be concentrating on shifting, turning, safety, etc. What really annoys me however is two things I've come across again and again. The first is a arrogance, either real or perceived by those in the motorcycling community that scooter riders are not real "bikers." Therefore we are not worthy of a wave.
For example, when I lived in Tampa proper there was a big motorcycle garage. This was at the beginning of the scooter boom and they had a big sign hanging out front, "WE DO NOT SERVICE SCOOTERS - DON'T EVEN BOTHER ASKING"
It's been a few years since and to the best of my knowledge they still don't service scooters, which seems to be cutting off the nose to spite the face, after all scooters are the fastest growing segment of the motorcycling world. Some forums, like advrider.com (which I am a member of) have a section dedicated to scooters, but with the caption "If your secure in your manhood." I know, it's meant to be funny. It's not and again, shows a perceived bias against those of us that ride "scooters." That somehow we are not "real men."
I've been asked questions about my scooter. "Is it street legal?" "Can you ride on the highway with it?" These questions often come from the non-riding public. But I've been asked those same questions by "bikers" as well.
The second issue is the nature of scooters themselves. I ride a maxi-scooter - generally defined as anything above 250cc. Well I'm not a rarity; it's much more common to come across a smaller, slower scooter often in the urban environment putting along between 30 to 50 mph (48 - 80 kph). Even as a scooterist myself, I've railed against these smaller cc machines. For me it's an issue of safety. If your top speed is only 45 mph your limited to what roads you can ride safely.
When I first started riding I had a Zuma 125. My top speed was 55 mph (89 kph) and although I felt safe on the city streets, I was always looking about to make sure I was not going to get hit by some moron behind me. Any two wheeled vehicle is invisible to most cagers.
Scooters are smaller due to their very nature. So did I wave as often as I do now? No, I did not. Putting aside the safety issue however, we scooterists seem to have a bit of an inferiority complex. I will admit to lying about what I ride at times because of perceived bias on someone's part. I felt the sting of others scorn because I don't ride a "real bike." Even my beloved girlfriend wants me to buy a "real bike" sometime in the future.
Is it because we are underpowered for the most part? Is it because popular culture recognizes the motorcycle and celebrates the "outlaw lifestyle" it represents? How many shows and movies involved motorcycles? Can you name one movie other than Quadrophenia that has scooters in it? Even the quintessential American Graffiti has a kid riding a scooter, who promptly crashes it in the opening credits. At the end of the movie he is given a car. Given these images it is any wonder why scooterists have an inferiority complex.
We have very little in the culture that celebrates the scooter. American culture is about speed and power and going long distances. Sure a scooter is going to go further, some of them are capable of nearly 100 miles on a gallon of gas...but to do so we have to give up speed and power. Most Americans are not willing to do that. So the scooter is "inferior." Those of us that ride them are "inferior."
Finally, and sadly, I think most scooterists don't I can't speak for others of course, and I may be way off base. We don't know any better. We don't get the wave, so we don't give the wave. Give the wave. Give a smile.
I'm going to continue to ride Kimmie in all types of weather and on all types of roads. I will continue to wave at scooterists and motorcyclists. Hell, I'm even waving at bicycles. If I see an issue I'll pull over to offer what little help I can. I'm a scooterist, I'm a biker, I'm a proud member of the brotherhood of two wheels.
Serendipity: finding valuable or agreeable things not sought after. This last saturday I experienced both of those feelings. Susan and I started riding two-up for several reasons, but one of the main ones is she wanted to explore the local area with me. As part of the Equinox to Equinox rally I was visiting old cemeteries and traveling all around the back roads coming back home with interesting stories and pictures of what exactly was out there.
We agreed to go exploring, planning to take a two hour and 60 mile ride to a few places I wanted to mark off my list. The courthouse in nearby Dade City, the Muffler Man, a couple of cemeteries. I had heard of an old ghost town nearby...well not really a ghost town but a town that used to have over 1000 people living there that now had less than 100, yet somehow managed to preserve it's early 1900's buildings. As fans of history we had to see this!
First however we had some errands to run and breakfast to eat, so we climbed aboard Kimmie and took off. We had no issues, not a care in the world as we started off on our journey.
Then Susan started to tap me on the shoulder, she forgot something at the house. We turned around. About an hour later we left again. And turned around again as something else was needed or forgotten. Another hour passes. We are now into the heat of the day....to hot for Susan to ride. I'm on my own.
I've been looking for a way to map out my route and then have it transferred to my phone. I have some earphones that I can plug in and listen to the GPS directions as I ride. I head out, the voice in my ear tells me turn left, turn left, turn left...wait a second. It seems to be stuck on one turn, refusing to advance to the next. I try a different tack, inputting a new destination. It searches for GPS. It searches for GPS. It searches for GPS. I swear at it. It finds GPS.
It loses signal.
Fuck it, where does this road go anyway?
I turn and start to head down a road I've never been on before. It's a nice 2 lane road, heading into the wilderness that is central Florida. I ride through farmland and past citrus tree, there are more than enough twisties to make it interesting. I am the only bike on this road, and I realize it's a hidden gem as I putt along at about 40 to 50 miles per hour. It's a great road, no potholes, the curves well marked out.
I pull off here and there when something catches my eye, an old barn falling down or a baby calf grazing at the fence line. I try to entice it with some flowers picked by the side of the road but it wants nothing to do with some strange man riding a noisy machine.
I ride some more, the smell of lavender off in the distance. I turn a corner and see an old familiar sign. I'm in the Green Swamp now. The paved road gives out to hard scrabble but it's nothing that I've not ridden on before, Kimmie and I move forward, till the road were on dead ends at a small but well maintained little church and graveyard.
I ask permission of the dead to move my motorcycle close to the graves and take my photo. Taking a few minutes to watch the various butterfly's float through the air. It's peaceful here and I can understand why the Baptist Church seems to be in the middle of no where.
Off again now....through twists and turns heading home or at least in that general direction. I cross an old wooden one lane bridge. I worry about stopping in the middle of it, but I hear no cars...in fact I hear nothing but nature and the gurgle of the water below me.
I know now that I have to return to this road, this hidden gem. I hope to bring Susan here, she would love the quiet and the view. The flowers on the side of the road in their purple and golden glory. I'm tempted to post something to the various forums I belong to. Letting other bikers know about this find, this amazing remarkable road. Then again it's my secret...and I'm reminded of the legend of Brigadoon.
On the way home I was able to get a few historical markers out of the way. So I was able to get some points towards the rally. But the rally was an afterthought. All I wanted to do now was ride.
It's been one of those weeks where nothing got accomplished. I got buried at work, the weather did not cooperate and the lovely Susan and I didn't manage to get our stuff together to start trying to ride 2-up. We did make sure she was able to climb onto the back of the bike without difficultly but we haven't taken it out yet.
In fact, I've not ridden much at all in the last few days. When I have however I've noticed something about myself and my riding technique. I've become sloppy. Not really coming to a full stop when making a right turn at a stop sign. Looking down a bit when making a turn and not keeping my eye on what's ahead. Racing through yellow lights.
In other words, stupid.
I am not sure where or how I've picked up these bad habits. What I do know is that I need to break them. If something goes wrong when I'm riding solo that's one thing. I am responsible for my own actions, my own life. I've accepted that responsibility. Riding with a passenger means that I am now responsible for their life as well. With the additional weight of a passenger the bike will react differently. Act differently. It's simple basic physics. I need to break those bad habits now.
The second thing we need to do it get the lovely Susan some gear of her own. I have a secondary "back up" helmet which she can wear on our low speed trial runs around the neighborhood, but once we start heading out on the roads I feel a full face helmet for her is in order. It's probably the safest option as well. We have not talked about jackets yet but I would hope she go for some Hi-Vis.
I would like to get this all accomplished before our second cruise on Celebration Cruise lines (and third cruise overall) to the Bahama's (which we have never visited). Last year a local scooter group traveled to the islands and zipped around the whole island on rented scooters. Susan and I have done similar things on our other cruises, enjoying Cozumel for example in a rented jeep, but this is the first time I will be renting a scooter. You can see a video of last year's ride here.
When the same group offered a great rate to go this year we jumped at the chance. We are looking forward to exploring the islands. My only concern however is other people. The group we are riding with are all experienced riders, I'm sure the natives are familiar with their machines. These are not the people that concern me. I have watched enough You Tube video's of idiots on scooters to be concerned about people that don't know better being out on the streets of Nassau.
May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous and leading to the most amazing view. - Edward Abbey
The first of the month is always hectic, always insane as I try to maintain the various magazines and publications at all the stores and other locations I supply. So I've not really had much of a chance to go and ride. I did get away for a bit though, which is why that photo of the post office is to the right. There is a story behind it too! As part of the Equinox to Equinox Rally, you get a few points for getting a photo of your bike, your rally card and a certain object, in this case the post office. Seems easy enough...till a police car pulls up and wants to know why your taking pictures of the post office. I showed them the card and explained the rally point system to them. Then asked them to take me to the nearest police station was - after all it's on the list. The officer was not amused. I still don't have that picture. I take it as a matter of personal pride to do my best and finish in the top 25. That's my goal anyway, and I don't expect my name in lights or songs to be sung of my riding prowess...a tee shirt might be nice however. For me, its part of a bigger plan...I had set myself the goal of riding everyday in April, even if it was just around the block. I don't get to do that much "recreational" riding and am afraid that I'll become blase' about my daily commute. Becoming to familiar with the road might mean I don't pay the attention to it I should. Riding an unknown road, or at least a different road, is good for my soul as well as my skills. There are snags however. The state of Florida only has two national parks, neither of which are close to me. Then there is the fact that much of Florida is under 100 years old, which makes finding historic markers and cemeteries (again on the rally "bonus" list) that much more difficult and challenging. Much of Florida's history was only written in the last 100 - to 150 years and most of that was written in the panhandle. The interior of Florida was not opened up until the 1900's and that was due to trains. The more I seek out the historical Florida, the more I find. I've always had a deep and resounding respect for history, so coming across a lone sign or finding some forgotten spot appeals to me.
Because motorcycles are cool.
At work we have converted another one. That brings the total number of riders five. Three of us are riding in pretty much every day.
So I sit here and ask myself...why am I not out riding? Time to go!
I have a problem. When ever I get on the internet I have this strange desire to learn. So a link on a buddy's page takes me somewhere interesting. That strange word takes me over to another page. That odd picture leads me somewhere else. It was this "aimless but interesting" meandering that brought me to Fuzzygalore.com. A "Girlie Motorcycle blog" without a pink unicorn or pair of house slippers in sight. So I start to read a little and I'm taken with the idea of a virtual rally, A virtual rally is basically a treasure hunt. Your supposed to take pictures of your bike in front of various landmarks and other places and things. The contest runs between March 20 (the Spring equinox) and Sept. 22, 2013 (the Autumnal equinox). This rally is being sponsored by the Pace Podcast, which I have to be honest I've never heard of until this rally, but they seem like a fun bunch and have earned a new listener. I am number 096 and stole how to place my rally card from Ms. Fuzzygalore. My initial enthusiasm for the rally has waned a bit however as I think about when I how I will be able to do this. I work 40 hours a week at one job, own my own business on the side that takes up an additional 16 - 20 hours a week. Well many of the "treasures" are easy for me to find and take photo's of (you think it was designed that way), there are a few that aren't (you think it was designed that way). You can see the list here.
City Hall in Zephyrhills - points obtained!
The whole idea however is to get out and ride. Win, lose, it really doesn't matter. I just need to get out when I can (I feel that I can rack up a lot of points in one day if I can actually just spend it riding). Somehow I managed to get a few points just by riding around town for a bit. More points to follow I'm sure...and while I sure in hell I won't win, I would like to get a top 25 finish.
Static train car - points obtained!
I've a few more photo's, a few more places to go and some more places to go. Some major points to obtain. On those trips I might see some things and that is the whole point of the rally isn't it.
I could not resist. Even though I consider Disney to be evil in the end I am a fun of animation. The broad brush style and cheery colors is a nice contract to the computer animation that is so prevalent today. Plus its nice to see a cartoon not trying to sell toys today. Although it being Disney they do briefly show some of their products.
I was going to let the one year anniversary of this blog pass unnoticed and quietly. Then I thought I might project myself 10 years into the future where the Mayans were right...but how the end of the world was basically a bunch of Vegan Zombie's just wanting grains! And how a time travel kit installed on the Burgie made it impossible to be fashionably late.
Thanks to Aerostich.com
Instead I've been taking stock of all that's happened in the past year to me. How suddenly and completely expectantly I've become a "rounder", or someone that rides their bike the entire year. How I intended to eventually replace my car with my motorcycle...I just never expected it to be so soon.
How I have to do a "big job" on the bike - the replacement of the CVT belt (which I finally ordered and have in hand), and how confident I feel that I can do that, thanks to the friendly people at Burgman USA and some video's on You Tube (Thanks Mitch!)
I would also be lying if I didn't admit that lately all I have been feeling better about riding. Over the last three days I've been able to do some recreational riding. Just seeing where the left hand turn goes where I normally make a right, or what lies behind that blind curve up ahead. Commuting back and forth on my bike is good and all but frankly I want to do more with it than just run to the store or to work. Getting out, even if just for an hour on unexplored roads with the sun beating down in a clear blue sky has done wonders for my soul.
You would not think so...but passing by a farm that was burning something brought back memories of my parents fireplace when I was a young boy. The wood smoke so thick in the air that I'm tempted to brush it aside like a gauze curtain. These memories are triggered by smell and is something I don't think I would have experienced in the car. I had not thought about these things in decades...and then suddenly I'm that young 6 year old boy shivering and wrapped in a towel that want to go back into the water as I catch a whiff of chlorine from a nearby pool.
Or how good some random drops of rain feel on the skin as I ride through the hot air.
All this is part of riding. There are some unexpected little discoveries as well. Like an old tattered flag still flying proudly from someone's home which speaks volumes about this political season. Or a spot I've dubbed the "worlds loneliest train depot" which is a single chair sitting near a railway bridge which seems so out of place but somehow belongs there. A strange house that looks like a anthill/beehive in the middle of nowhere which has to be some sort of artists abode. I stopped to take photos of all these things only to find my batteries were dead...so a trip back is in order. If I can find them again, some things might only exist in that moment.
All of this comes as a revelation to me. This reconnecting to the world, what started out as a way to save some cash has turned into something more...something new. Reminding me that not everything has to be about work and there is always a life outside my door. Something wonderful. That philosophic rambling is for another time
I sit here in my house, protected from the first outlaying rain bands of Hurricane Issac that promise a couple days off the bike I count my blessings, drink my hot tea and smile. Soon, I'll be back on the road soon and seeking new adventures. Remembering to always check the batteries in the camera and keep my eyes and ears and heart open to possibilities
I have no more excuse. I am ready. I have a full day to myself, a full day with no commitments…no meetings, no deadlines. I decided that I am going to have an epic adventure and ride the Green Swamp Trail. What excites me about this particular ride is that it ends and begins in my home base of Zephyrhills. The ride itself is about 130 miles (so well within the Burgie’s range) and I understand the road conditions are good to excellent with lots of twisties and little side trips to enjoy. I am planning on doing this on Thursday, my next day off.
Thanks to 2uptouring.com
Most of the roads however are 2 lane highways and twisty. I’ve rode parts of this with my dear departed friend Gary, so it’s a remembrance of him as well. I figured I would get up early in the morning and proceed. The whole ride should only take about 3 – 4 hours. I'm leaving time for me to explore, get lost and maybe grab a bite to eat in Webster - which is about the halfway point. I also understand the town has some great examples of 1900's architecture. As well as a place to eat called the Hayseed Cafe. How could I pass that up?
My only wish is that I had someone to ride this with. I’m not worried about riding it by myself, but I am worried about getting the dreaded numb butt and being lost. I don’t have a programmable GPS. I don’t have a tank bag with a plastic cover for my map. All I have is the printed out route, my brain and my sense of direction.
I may never be seen again.
An example of a cypress pond
The Green swamp covers parts of five counties here in West Central Florida. It is the birthplace of four different rivers and home for countless species of animals. The swamp itself is roughly 560 thousand acres and has several distinct types of ecological systems, everything from sandhills, flat-woods, oak hammocks, river swamps and cypress ponds. The cypress ponds that dot the landscape are characteristic of central Florida. For an old hiker and amateur naturist like me it's fantastic Since the ride I'm planning literally loops around and through the swamp at times I will experience each of these systems.
The park has a nice interactive website here if you wish to learn more. So I'm running through a check list of things I have to do for this ride. Pictures and details to follow!
A little over one week has passed since I was caught out in the rain. I've ridden the bike a total time of twice since then. Once to work, and then back. It's due to a combination of reasons...if I can make an excuse for not riding...involving weather and timing. Other duties and distractions have kept me off the bike.
I miss it.
And then I don't.
Yesterday was the perfect day for a ride. The temperature was low (or lower than it has been). The sky clear and I had no excuse's not to ride. The yard did not need mowing, their were no little projects to do. No needs that had to be met at that very moment.
I stayed on the couch and watched TV. I had no interest in going out at all.
I bring this up because I don't get to do much in the way of recreational riding. I am not happy about that but it is to easy to blame my job(s) or girlfriend. I have no one to blame but myself.
Even now I could be out riding. The fact that I'm not makes me wonder what type of rider I want to be and what type of rider I am. Over the last week it's been raining hard during the afternoon and at night, the times I ride to work. Well riding in a thunderstorm is unsafe and frankly stupid, there have been days were I perhaps have ridden in without issue, but decided to stay dry and drove my car to work. Am I just a fair weather rider? Am I just a "scooter commuter?"
How does this bode for my eventual plan to replace one of my two cars with the bike? What really bothers me is that I bitch that I don't get out enough on the Burgie...then when I get the chance. I sit and watch tv.
Tropical Storm Debby has been just sitting in the gulf for some time, which means days and days of rain and wind...making riding dangerous if not down right impossible. Their is an old saying about being ugly but not stupid and I'm not the latter. I've been lucky enough to avoid most of the damage caused by the storm, being inland and "in the highlands" so to speak. Some photo's of the damage can be seen here. My heart certainly goes out to those affected.
I figured however that I should do some work on the bike that I felt comfortable with. Mitch has some wonderful video blog entries about simple maintenance that I could do, thus I cleaned but did not replace the air filter. I also decided that I would add a cup holder to my Burgie. There were a couple of ideas that I came across. Burgmanseats.com offers a simple cup holder for about $20 dollars. A very simple cup holder could be crafted together by following these directions:
There are also various cup holders that require a mounting bracket. I had a lot of different options before me but I decided the take the path of least resistance. After all it get hot here in Florida and if I planned on taking longer trips, then I needed a place for water.
If I followed the directions on the video then my cost would have about $26.82 (for the cup holder + shipping costs from Wally World since the local stores don't carry that type of cupholder) then an additional $10 for the velcro from JoAnn Fabrics. Total cost $36.82. I thought there has got to be a cheaper way! No that does not include the tile.
Kwick Tech offers a drink holder for under $7 but that requires a bag hook. Motorcycle super store had a very nice kit for $8.95 + $6.94 shipping = $15.94. Then it hit me like a bolt of lighting!
An idea is born!
I didn't need to spend any more money than I already did. The Velcro strips would come in handy. You see, I already had the solution in hand. Once upon a time before drink holders were standard in cars you had a plastic thing that attached to your window. I realized I could take one of these old things and attach it to the bike. A piece of Velcro could be cut and attached to the "crook" and to the arm to keep it in place. I wanted to take the bike out in my hood to see if the holder would interfere with my driving, my leg and if it would hold a cup, a bottle of water and a can of soda. If they did then I would cut and attach the Velcro and be good to go. My little ride proved my idea was sound. It didn't interfere with the bikes operation at all. So lets begin!
First I had to cut the Velcro to fit the cup holder. This tends to be sticky and had to be trimmed to fit the dimensions of the cup.
Then I had to place the other side of the Velcro onto the bike. I had a spot in mind and it worked out rather nicely. Again some trimming was required. My main concern was in the "crook" area where the cup holder would hang.
TADA!!! The final product. Total cost was under $5 for the Velcro and about 5 to 10 minutes of time to put the whole damn thing together. Now I don't have an excuse for a longer trip.
A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving. – Lao Tzu
A mural where you enter the city.
I decided I would have a little fun with this post. Over the last week or two nothing really "motor scootering" has happened. I go to work, I do some short jaunts here and there just to get out...my weekends have been busy with work, or going out with the girlfriend (for example we spent all day Saturday with friends on their boat) and doing what ever it is that normal people do. Sadly that has not included that much "recreational" riding. A weeks worth of solid rain and thunderstorms have not helped my riding situation.
An hour from Tampa and Orlando
So I thought I would show you where I live in pictures...at least some of the more interesting things about Zephyrhills, Florida. After all where I live is famous for it's water, it's skydiving and an interesting; although morbid, story about a man that lived with a corpse for several years. Z-Hills, as the locals call it, has a full time population of roughly 13,172 people (reported in 2009) which - this being Florida - goes up to 85,000 in the fall and winter. So it's practically a ghost town now.
With my camera tucked safely away and with a song in my heart I head out on a local epic adventure showing you the sites of a small town in Florida. I figured I would start with what were famous for and then just stop when I was done. Not really in any sort of an order.
a) Zephyrhills Water - part of the Nestle group of companies the limestone springs in the are produce a nearly pure bottle of water. However much of the water the company sells comes from springs not only in Florida but other areas as well.
He may need a metric set.
b) Muffer man - One of several hundred similar advertising logos found in the US, what is really interesting is the website Roadside America has a tracking map of sightings.
c) Skydive City - Z-Hills has the unofficial reputation as being the "Skydiving Capital of the World" which is due to our weird geography, we live in one of the more elevated parts of the state (in fact the 6th highest point in all of Florida is just minutes away) which creates interesting and almost constant winds. The warm weather allows for jumping nearly all year around as well. I understand that a mile up in the air you get to see not only the Gulf of Mexico but the Atlantic Ocean as well as the cities of Tampa, Orlando and the various surrounding lakes. My girlfriend has jumped seven times so far. I will stick to my two wheel thrills.
d) Airport Museum - The local Airport has been open since 1927 and has a long history of serving the military as a paratrooper and pilot training base. During World War Two the airport hosted heavy bombers, various fighter planes like the P-40 Warhawk and famed P-51 Mustang. Various restoration work on these and other planes occur at the airport and a C-47 transport plane from the same era is nearly completed.
e) Train Depot - This restored building, dating back to 1927, now serves as a small museum focusing on local history and the importance of the railroad in the growth of the town, and Florida as a whole.
Just an old rail card that is part of the museum.
f) Twisty Treat - I scream, you scream, we all scream for ICE CREAM! The first time I came across this ice cream shaped building (and their seems to be several in the Tampa bay area) I thought they were pretty cool - no pun intended - and part of Florida's history. In fact, it's part of a modern day marketing plan. Although it is nice to ride the bike out on a hot summer night and cool down with a dollar cone on Wednesday nights.
And there you have it. The town that I call home. My heart will always be in my home town of Pittsburgh, PA. My young adult life in Charlotte, NC and my soul will always reside in Charleston, SC. But for now, my home in here and you know, it's not that bad of a place. I guess this would be a good place to...
Lately I've been adding a lot of posts to my humble blog. Now I have a challenge to all the motorcycle and scooter bloggers out there.
June 13, 2012 is the end of the world. The cause is Zombies. Your mission, blog about the end of the world and involve your bike. It's fictional, it's fun and it's been going on for some years now (since 2008) and at various times have involved aliens, virus outbreaks, and nuclear strikes. All those years ago my blog at the time got a bit of attention because I barricade myself in my attic with only one way in or out of it. Zombies below me....and no weapons.
Personally I think the Zombie thing has been done to death...but not my rules.
I've been wanting to ride the Burgie down into St Petersburg for some time. After all I would be able to get some glorious shots of my ride against the ocean, the yacht club and other interesting things. This past Saturday night the local soccer team, called the Rowdies were playing, and I could not think of a better reason to ride down.
As it so happened though life through me a couple of twisties before I could even start to plan to go to the game. My camera went boom, meaning that any picture I took with it was a fuzzy mess. My wallet was either lost or stolen, and since my bank is up north it would take several days to get my bank cards straightened out. My license reissued, etc. I questioned if I should even bother going down but as a nearly perfect Saturday dawned I had my answer. I would ride the sixty miles down to the game, enjoy it and spend some time exploring the city. So I jumped on the Burgie and went.
Traffic was not this bad on Saturday.
Frankly there are lots of ways to get into St. Pete but generally speaking the easiest and quickest is to cross one of the three bridges that connect Tampa to St. Pete. The Howard Frankland being the one I choose. This is also a major highway (I-275) and a very long bridge which is open to the water on both sides (remember this, it's important for later). At various times I've seen dolphins leaping from the water, sea birds hunting from fish and several species of fish break the waterline for whatever reason. All while traveling at a nice clip of 70 miles per hour. The ride down into St Pete was uneventful, I don't care for driving on highways but felt pretty secure and sure of myself on the way in.
Photo courtesy of Jay Anthony
Once into St Pete I drove past the famed Dali museum, the Pier with its upside down pyramid (which has since closed and is being rebuilt. For pictures of the old pier please use this link), around the lovely yacht club with the boats flying their multicolored flags. The real fun started when you get to the game. I'm a member of Ralph's Mob, where your expected to stand, sing, clap and generally yell yourself hoarse for the entire 90 minutes of a soccer game. It was a pretty good game, with the Rowdies dominating it for the most part - but their is an old saying in soccer. "Football is a lot like life sometimes despite the effort, it's disappointing in the end." The Rowdies lost 2 - 1 in a game that they should have won. The reasons for that loss is for another blog. So I considered my options and decided that after the game instead of enjoying a soft drink or two at the after-game party, I would head home; after all I lived 60+ minutes away.
Courtesy of Jay Anthony (find the author as well)
St Pete's offers a lot of motorcycle/scooter parking which is nice, I found a spot 2 blocks from the stadium earlier that eveing and started home. I pulled out and the wind off the water hit me like a ton of bricks. It got worse as I entered the highway...hitting me from both the side and the front of bike. My speed dropped as I turned the throttle up, but if I turned it to much I didn't feel safe from the side winds that seemed to want to drive me into the next lane over. I moved over to the right as far as I could, feeling the bike be pushed, fishtailing a bit, the wind relentlessly pushing me over to the left. The bridge went on and on, I leaned forward and into the wind never feeling that I would lose control but feeling I was on the edge. Again and again I was buffeted. It seemed to take forever to cross that three mile span.
I got off the bridge safely and I'll be honest, feeling a bit lucky but decided to cut through town to avoid the rest of the highway as the wind was still playing havoc on the bike. What I didn't think about was the part of town I would be riding through. I was riding through an area of town so rough that even the cockroaches were packing guns. I never feared for my safety, I actually thought I was safer on the city streets then on the highway at the time and besides...I was on a scooter.
The last 15+ miles of ride was into a strong headwind but this I could manage. So eventually I made it home, safe and sound and with some knowledge under my belt about how to drive in unpredictable gusts of winds. I would have to work on that.
Well this year's Scooter Cannonball is in the books. Congrats go out to all the riders that made the journey from Savannah, GA to San Diego, CA. I've a feeling that the 2014 Cannonball will be bigger and better than ever.
It was a lot of fun reading about their adventures on their individual blogs (the links are available on the main page) as well as forums like Modern Vespa and Burgman USA. I know many of the riders have made lifelong friends and at least one had this as a bucket list item.
Again, congrats go out to all the riders and they adventure they had.
It's an interesting idea but I'm not sure if I totally agree with him or not. Well I do think we will continue to see motorcycles and scooters growing in popularity I'm not so sure if Wal-Mart would be best suited to the task. Different states have different regulations and even if Wally-world did start selling low priced scoots I feel they would probably push the 49cc models.
And I've written before how I feel they are under powered for most riding, even in the urban environment. Still though, interesting reading and worth your time and effort.
I write this blog because I am still new to the joy and the art of motorcycling. I have questions and concerns and hopefully someone just as new or newer than me stumbles across my pitiful attempt at being helpful. If they gain some new knowledge or somehow avoid making a mistake that I made then wonderful.
So with gas getting close to and, as your reading this, probably over $4 a gallon I thought it best to give a little run down on what to look for if your thinking about life on two wheels. I’m not going to say Brand X is better than Brand Y, that’s not my job nor the purpose of this entry.
Basically, if you were to come up to me on the street and ask me for advice on buying a scooter my answer might surprise you.
1) Do not buy a scooter based on gas mileage alone.
Buddy's all in a row.
Okay, so you want to get somewhere between 50 - 100 miles per gallon. You want to save money I understand that. But do a little research first. For example what is the speed limit on the majority of roads you drive on? Is that speed limit more wishful thinking or is it accurate. If you’re driving a little 50CC over 50 miles round trip down the highway with cars zipping past you at 75 miles per hour…it may be time to reconsider your choice of scoot.
That being said, buy a motorcycle or scooter based on what you want to do. Don't buy something that is to powerful for you either. You don't need 1200cc between your legs to make you a man if your not comfortable with that type of power.
What do you plan to use your Scooter for? Commuting? Touring? Errands? I was very surprised to find that, over time, my riding changed. I started as a simple commuter, and now I would rather take the bike out than the car. Your mileage may vary.
2) Get endorsed and Gear Up
To make it as simple as possible, this might save your life. It will also break you of some bad habits. Well motorcycles and scoots are great fun and a form of cheap transportation the truth is that jackets, helmets and other things are not. A good “cheap” armored jacket might run you $125. A really good helmet about the same. Gloves vary in price and frankly I'm not sure why. Find a pair that fit and your comfortable with. Boots can be found cheaply (for example I got mine at Wal-mart), just make sure they are waterproof and have oil resistant soles.
These are a one time expense. Wear them all the time. Hence the term "ATGATT" which stands for All The Gear, All The Time.
Scooters and motorcycles are dangerous, have a lower profile than your car and don't react like a car does. Preparing for that moment when something goes wrong, and it will go wrong, just makes common sense.
3) Are you a gearhead?
I’m not a gear head but I learned a few things because motorcycles and scooters can be expensive to work on. For example an oil change in your car can be done by your local mechanic for roughly $20 US dollars. An oil change on your bike might be twice that. You can go through life not ever learning how to do something, learning to change the oil and other basic maintenance is just part of owning a bike. Motorcycles and scooters are not that common (yet) and frankly your local mechanic may not be qualified to work on your ride despite the fact he's worked on your car for 20 years. Learning how to do basic maintenance is a requirement of owning a bike. If your not willing to do that consider public transportation.
4) Are you willing to suffer?
You will be hot. You will be cold. You will be wet. You are exposed to the environment and have to make a choice to accept that.
5) Are you willing to have a smile on your face for the rest of your days?
Because you will.
If your willing to take some advice, then I think your going to not only save money but have a hell of a good time doing it.
I need to replace at least one of my tires. The rear is looking worn and well used while the front still has some tread on it. Normally I don't think about tires, it's just part of the normal maintenance of owning a vehicle. I put air in them, I change them out when the tread is gone or I start to slip. Of course, in my car or Jeep the tread is a different story, the performance will be affected if one tire is an issue but not as much. A little spin on a bald tire in the rain is not really an issue as long as the other three catch. On a bike, it's another story. A spin can kill you. Not gripping the road surface correctly can cause an accident. Riding has made me very aware of what can and does go wrong. I've asked around and everyone points to the Pirelli Diablo as the tires to get. When your riding any sort of 2 wheel motorized monster I suppose you realize just how close the road is beneath your feet.
I used to very interested in hiking and Orienteering. It was a wonderful feeling to get out into the woods for a few hours, sometime with just a map and compass and my own wits and knowledge. Well I was not a serious orienteer I did enjoy getting out into nature and walking about. Being out in the woods brought me a peace I rarely find in everyday life. Nature recharged my batteries and cleared my head, no matter how bad the day or depressed I was; spending time out in the woods was the best thing I could do.
Running around on my bike does the same, but their are differences. I commute, I've used my bike for a route I run...only rarely have I've been able to get out and enjoy a ride where I can get lost for a bit. To see what is down that road, or to the left where I usually make a right. Working the way I do the chance to get out and do something different for a few hours is wonderful.
When I learned about a group in nearby Clearwater, Florida that is doing Geocaching by scooter I could not help but get a little excited. I am not a fan of Geocaching as such, preferring the older methods of compass of maps - a acoustic GPS if you will. It would allow me to explore the city of Clearwater and St Petersburg a little more. It allow me to get out a little more and meet some fellow scooter riders, which is a goal for 2012.
As spring approaches the GF and I are already planning and starting to work on our garden. A few tomatoes, cucumbers and carrots. Peppers, basil and of course some wonderful flowers, including some mammoth sunflowers to hold up the fence. I've been reading some books on Homesteading. I've been interested in making my life simpler. The bike is part of that equation. Growing my own food another.
