Capping off Motorcycle Awareness Month.

No photos this time. I just wanted to put down a few thoughts on Motorcycle Awareness Month now that's it's coming to a close. I've watched with interest what's gone on with press releases, discussion forums, etc. For some reason I feel sort of attacked as a rider. I would have thought it should be the other way around. Here's what's bothering me.

The whole tone seems to be one of making the best of a bad situation. Most of what I read tells me I'm part of a totally dangerous pursuit. What's more, they say I'm not really good at it. So much of the stuff published focuses on what riders are doing wrong. That we better work harder at getting it together. Here's another thing. Since you're going to crash anyway, we're going to work harder at making laws requiring safety gear, particularly helmets.

Then there's the perception from the car drivers around us. The tone's more like,

"These people are crazy and dangerous so you better look out for them!"

I know this is slightly exaggerated ( not that motorcyclists ever exaggerate, of course ) but you get my point.

Here's my thoughts on mandatory helmet laws. This is coming from someone whose passion for motorcycle rider training burns hotly. I'm sure trainers from other states who might be reading this will share my views. Whatever program we're currently teaching, our hearts are in the same place.

I'm an advocate for all the gear all the time. Laws or not, I'd wear a helmet. Not just any helmet, but a full face helmet. Whatever anyone says about helmets, I've seen too many severe facial injuries with riders wearing other types of helmets. What riders wear or not is their choice. My choice is based on my experience and I realize it's personal. That doesn't mean I'm not going to try to make sure a rider's choice is based on accurate information instead of peer pressure. Nonetheless, once the rider makes a choice I will respect it. I want it on the record that I'm totally in the camp of full face helmet use. That way there's no misunderstanding of the next thing I'm going to write.

What gets me about the big push for helmet laws is that it's shooting for the wrong target. I think the big push should be making quality rider training more readily available. Maybe even subsidizing a large part of it. As a trainer, I'm busting my butt trying to help riders avoid accidents in the first place. The government seems to be concentrating on making riders have safer crashes instead. Do you see the conflict from my viewpoint?

Here's the other part that bothers me. Motorcycles are a viable alternative to cars. For many reasons which have already been discussed, bikes are actually a desirable change. It's better for the earth. Riding makes better use of our resources. I'd even go so far as to say there'd be a lot less road rage, a decrease in horrible driving habits, and so many more generally happy people. Yet, most of the press releases I've seen for Motorcycle Awareness Month totally get it backwards.

What should be out there is stuff that tells car drivers that motorcycles have just as much right to be on the roads as cars. The message should be that riders are people trying to make a difference in the world just as much as those who drive hybrid cars. These riders are people who sit in an office just down the hall from you. Just like you they worry about raising kids and paying bills. Even further, you should try riding to work yourself.

That's why the proclamation from Oregon's Governor warmed my heart. Of course, he was prompted by the director of our program and the state's traffic safety officials. Notice the tone of this statement and how it fits in with what I just wrote.

MOTORCYCLE SAFETY AWARENESS MONTH PROCLAMATION

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR STATE OF OREGON


WHERAS: Oregon continues to be the national leader in motorcycle safety education; and

WHERAS: The Transportation Safety Division’s (ODOT) TEAM OREGON Motorcycle Safety Program was recognized by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as the most outstanding state motorcycle rider training program in the nation; and

WHEREAS: Education and safe riding habits are worthy of special recognition; and

WHEREAS: It is important that the citizens of our state should be aware of motorcycles on the highways and recognize the importance of sharing the roadway with these fuel-efficient vehicles: and

WHEREAS: Motorists should have special awareness of the vulnerability of motorcyclists; and

WHEREAS: The designation of Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month promotes public awareness of the energy-efficient motorcycle and its proper and safe use on the roads and highways of Oregon.

NOW,THEREFORE, I Theodore R. Kulongoski, Governor of the State of Oregon, hereby proclaim May 2008 to be

MOTORCYCLE SAFETY AWARENESS MONTH in Oregon and encourage all Oregonians to join in this observance.


Now that's what I'm talking about! This proclamation captures the spirit of what riding to work is all about. Notice the proper emphasis on rider training and the value of our fuel efficient mounts?

Further, there was a press release from the Oregon Department of Transportation. This release carries a similar tone with more detail. You can read it here. Gives a whole new meaning to Share the Road, doesn't it?

Ok. This post has gotten quite long. I just wanted to get this off my chest. Be proud of riding. Even more so if you ride to work despite inclement weather. You're doing a noble thing. Not to mention a really, really, fun thing!

Miles and smiles,

Dan

Sharin' the Road!

I'd like to introduce you to Stacy. In a small way I've been involved in her training, both directly and in the fact that one of her original instructors was trained by me.

Stacy's the kind of newer rider whose enthusiasm for riding is contagious. If you've ridden a long time and found yourself getting kind of jaded, hanging out with Stacy for a while will soon remind you of why we all started riding in the first place! She's also a faithful member of the ride to work club. Here's her story.

Hello everyone, my name is Stacy and I live in Oregon. I've been motorcycling a little over a year now, and I'd like to thank Dan for giving me a chance to share my story.

I never thought I'd be a motorcyclist. Motorcycling was something other, more adventurous people did, and it took a few seeds of memory and a few more strokes of luck before I found myself sitting on a motorcycle for the first time.

First, the memories. As a toddler, I once ran out in the middle of a street into the path of an oncoming motorcycle. The rider executed a perfect emergency stop and his motorcycle came to a halt several feet before me. This was my first experience with SIPDE, though I didn't know it yet.

The second memory. As a young girl, I watched from my bedroom window as the neighbors across the cul-de-sac unloaded a motorcycle from a trailer and proceeded to teach their eldest daughter how to ride. This was the first time I realized that women were not only passengers, but riders themselves.

It still took a few lucky breaks to get me into the saddle of a motorcycle. The first break was my job right out of college. I soon found that my boss rolled into work on a gigantic Harley. Another co-worker commuted on a Ninja 250, and yet another rode a Yamaha sport-tourer. I was surrounded by riders for the first time, and they were invaluable in giving me a good impression about riding. All of my co-workers suggested that I take the Team Oregon BRT if I wanted to learn to ride, and when my Ninja riding co-worker offered to sell his to me at a good price, I almost got bitten. But alas, it wasn't yet to be.

After a job change, a move up to Corvallis, and three years came the second lucky break: my soon-to-be partner decided to sell her car and learn to ride... a scooter. It didn't take me long to talk her out of buying a 50cc and in to taking the Team Oregon course -- sorry, scooter folks! -- just to try things out, of course, and if she didn't like the motorcycle, she could always buy a scooter and have some rider training to boot. I would also take the course with her, so she wouldn't be alone. Yeah, right!

So that's how I found myself on my first motorcycle: a cranky Suzuki GZ125 I named "Mr. Sparky." The classroom session earlier in the week was one thing, but actually sitting on a motorcycle and preparing to ride was another. I had no idea what to expect, but I'll never forget that first exercise of finding the friction zone and letting the bike roll just a tiny bit forward. After taking baby steps up and down the range, I thought to myself, "I think I can do this." But once we did the next exercise, easing out on the clutch enough to continuously move the bike, the thought changed to "I know I can do this."

The beauty of the Team Oregon BRT is that each exercise builds a foundation. Every exercise requires using the skills from all the previous ones. Together, they form a logical, and natural, progression. I began that first day having never been on a motorcycle and ended it starting, shifting, and turning -- a new rider! But I wasn't quite ready yet.

Day two, which began with such promise, ended with disaster: I failed the riding test. Passing the written test with a 100% was little consolation. I had done so well on the exercises! I knew I could do it, but what had gone wrong? A bad case of nerves, for one, and after I bought the Rebel, I discovered that a friction zone that felt more narrow than a toothpick was not the norm. I thought I was doing fine when practicing the exercises on Mr. Sparky, but really, I was just getting by. Combined with nerves, the lack of perfect practice led to a downward spiral that killed my confidence and led to even further mistakes and a failed test.

My instructor, of course, already knew this. She told me that what I needed was more time on a bike. Thankfully, my partner passed the test, so one of us could ride a bike to and from the nearest parking lot. It didn't take long before I bought the Rebel and started practicing in earnest for the retest.

Dan was the instructor at my retest. I rode the Rebel. I got nervous again, but all that practice paid off and I passed. I remember Dan's evaluation: I had done fairly well, but there was room for improvement with practice. There's that word again: practice.



Once I got my endorsement, I started commuting to work on the Rebel. The commute was only a couple miles each way, and it took longer to put on my gear and warm up the bike than it did to actually ride there! Sure, I could have taken the bus, but commuting meant two rides a day! A few months ago, my commute doubled to four miles each way. Now I'm riding home for lunch. That's four rides a day!

I began to see every single ride as a practice session. Every start, every shift, every turn is an opportunity to practice perfectly. This outlook keeps me focused on the ride and the improvement of my skills. I can tell within minutes if I'm just not in it that day; perhaps the body's telling me that I should take the car for the rest of the day. There's almost always another opportunity to ride tomorrow.

I've put about 3000 miles on the Rebel in the past year. That's not very much I suppose, but 90% of those miles were on city streets, rain or shine (and one snowstorm!) I feel much more comfortable on busy city streets than out in the twisties. However, my goal this summer is to put in some quality miles on longer rides. I'm hoping that my schedule's permitting, because the new SV650 parked in my garage is starting to demand it!

( end of Stacy's writing )

Thanks so much for gracing my site, Stacy! There's still a standing invitation out to everyone. Stop by and share your story with us. I'll help you put it together if you'd like. Drop me a line at intrepidcommuter@comcast.net.

Miles and smiles,

Dan

Riding is an ART!

I'm catching up on a post I wanted to do last week. It's from Monday when I worked an Advanced Rider Training ( ART ) course. We work on some accident avoidance skills. Stopping quickly in a corner, straight line maximum braking, and swerving. Swerving moves up to braking then swerving, or swerving then braking. Never both at the same time, mind you. Speeds approach those found in urban settings since we have some room.

We mostly concentrate on corners. Yes, those glorious corners! Students get to work on their lines, linking curves, and making smooth transitions before the turns. The problems that plague riders the most are not looking far enough ahead and not having all the transitions done before they actually lean the bike. Most riders brake far too late. As a result, they're still braking in the turn. They end up coasting in and powering out. Riders should enter the corners already under power.

Check out this great head turn from a student! This one was showing fine form.

Pay no attention to the rider behind the BMW. That's Dave. He's one of the instructors and the V-Strom is headed for a shortcut to another part of the track. Clear in the background is Balisada. You'll see more of her in a future post.

In an interesting parallel with the ART theme, most riders tend to "paint" their corners. In other words, instead of coming out of one corner and heading straight for the entry point of the next one, they'll move clear over. For example, if they come out of a right hand turn onto a short straightaway leading to a left hand turn, they'll turn right to go left. A standard line is "outside-inside-outside". For linking corners successfully, think "outside-inside-entry to next corner". That's a whole post by itself. In fact, I did a post a while back on this very subject. You can read it here.

I love teaching these classes for a variety of reasons. How many opportunities do we have to get paid to ride a track? Not only that, but get reimbursed for mileage? It's also like going to a bike show sometimes.

These are some instructor's bikes with the morning group's mounts in the background. Sophie's in there somewhere. This was a smaller crew. Lined up on the other side of the fence are the afternoon group's bikes. We ended up with 15 riders.

Once in a while we have something more exotic come through. Such was the case this time. If you look just behind the first two bikes you'll see something that looks different. Ok, I'll be kind and give you a closer look.

One of the students brought this MP3 by Piaggio. It's the first live one I've seen. This thing is pretty versatile. Riders just have to remember that the front end is a little wider. Going through the swerve gates, the guy would often wipe them out with the front wheels!

The owner's on the left. That's my good buddy Ray in the Hi Viz 'stich. So the thing looks interesting. But can it corner? Well, take a peek for yourself.

Looks pretty cool, too! The rider's a great example of popping the balloon on a stereotype I hear oft repeated. This guy has some great skills. So many times I hear riders of bigger motorcycles deride scooter pilots. The common theme is that people ride scooters because they don't have the skills to ride a "real" motorcycle. I have to laugh my posterior off. I see so many of these so called real riders come to classes with horrible skills. I also see many scooter riders with awesome skills. Riding a scooter is a choice, not a second class ticket. Jeez!

It was all in all a really fun day. I even got to appear in a video! The fellow on the BMW put a camera on his bars during a practice session. We run the track backwards to allow the riders to put their cornering skills to work in a new environment. There's two laps on video. Ken was kind enough to send me the link. At the end you can watch as he catches up to Sophie and I. It looks kind of strange because I have a passenger.

We follow students, watching their lines and transitions. Sometimes we have them follow us. Other times, when it seems they just aren't relating it to their bike, we have them ride a couple of laps with us. Such was the case with me. I'm not being caught because I'm slow with a passenger. It's because I've already caught up with the tail of a group in front of me! Besides, the passenger can better get a feel for what's happening if you're not riding at breakneck speeds. I learned that after I scared a few!

You can see the video if you click here. It's not super fascinating or anything. It just gives you an idea of what the track looks like from the rider's viewpoint.

Look for another Sharin' the Road post tomorrow or Friday. You'll get to meet Stacy and her new Suzuki!

Miles and smiles,

Dan

The urchin and the grizzled veteran.

I know, the blog's been quiet for a few days. I've been busy doing what I do. Working, and uh, working. Although the second work is kind of like play.

This is a picture from McMinnville, a small city of about 36,000 inhabitants. It's located approximately 35 miles East of Portland and 50 miles Northeast from my place. The trailer rolled behind me on the way up Friday afternoon and back to the ranch on Sunday night. In between times I drove the truck back and forth. I'm not ashamed to say I took full advantage of the air conditioning! We've been allowed to set up a range in a middle school parking lot. I'm hoping that the fact we trained 22 new riders will offset the twenty some gallons of diesel fuel I burned over the weekend.

Either way, it was quite the switch from being on a motorcycle! This one ton truck is built as stout as you'd ever wish. The trailer's 33 feet from nose to tail. There's 12 feet hanging out behind the tandem axles. One has to be careful about those 12 feet! In tight corners it's possible to take a mirror right off the side of a car. Ask one of the fleet maintenance guys how we know!

Sunday was an extremely long day. I arrived home Sunday night 16 hours after I left. The truck and trailer had to be returned to Corvallis. After unhooking and securing the trailer, I still had to drive home. Despite the long hours, it was a really neat class. My group was extremely personable and coachable. I had to laugh to myself hearing the students chatter excitedly among themselves as they dismounted the bikes for breaks. This isn't about the class itself, though. It's about a young man who showed up Sunday afternoon as I was hanging around waiting for the afternoon class to be finished so we could load the trailer for its trip home.

There was about an hour and half to wait between the time I finished with my class and the time the afternoon group was done riding. Gratefully, I settled into a canvas folding chair to wait. I'd been on my feet for too many hours. The trailer provided some welcome shade. On Saturday the area hit a hundred degrees for the first time this year. Oddly enough, it was one day before Phoenix hit a hundred for the first time on Sunday. That never happens. Until now, that is. So here I am, sitting, relaxing, drinking cold water, and snapping a few pictures. It would have been a good time to have tried the 55 to 200 mm lense but it wasn't with me. I did the best I could on the long shots with the 18 to 55 mm lense. I didn't have the energy to actually get out of the chair and move closer. There was still a trailer to be loaded and hauled back to the barn. I'd need to save some energy.

The last exercise of the day is a traffic interaction situation. Students turn into traffic at one of four intersections. The middle is a four way stop. At the same time, there's one way traffic circulating the pattern counterclockwise. At one end they had a new wrinkle to deal with. It was in the form of an urchin ambling across the top end of the range. He was headed for where I was sitting. I was ready to get up to correct his path of travel. Fortunately for me, he did it himself.

The picture above was taken earlier in the day but you can see the layout. The truck was parked farther away from the trailer as I'm sitting in the chair. My chair's close to the trailer's tongue. West is to the left of the picture. That's the direction the sun's headed as it seeks to light the other side of the world. With a plop the urchin parks his butt on the ramp. That's the way all young people seem to sit down. They perch their rear ends somewhere over the target and then come crashing down like their legs have suddenly turned to jelly.

I gave the young man a visual going over. His hair's a dirty blonde. The skin on his body not covered by his charcoal colored t-shirt and dark denim shorts is tanned and dirt streaked. Just what you'd expect from an 11 year old who spends long days roaming in the sun looking for adventures, real or imagined. I should have thought to have taken his picture. At the time, though, I didn't think I'd be writing about him. His name is Allen and he sits quietly watching the bikes. For a short while, that is. Then the questions start.

"What are you doing with all those motorcycles? Do the bikes belong to you? Why aren't they using their own motorcycles? Could they use their own?"

After I told him that this class had to use small bikes, he told me the bikes didn't look small to him. It's all a matter of perspective, isn't it? Allen probably didn't grasp the idea of large frames with smaller cc engines. The motorcycles simply looked big to this small boy. The questions continued; not obnoxiously, but certainly in large quantity.

I have to admit it. My first reaction was to shoo him away. I was tired and hot from a long, hard, weekend. Answering a bunch of questions wasn't first on my list of fun things to do right now. I guess the gleam of excitement in his eyes reminded me of myself a long time ago. It also triggered memories of my own boys when they were young. Remember the youngest who just got the VFR?

My nickname for him for a couple of years was "The Voyeur". It wasn't meant in the strictest definition of the word. Rather, it was because he'd follow me around everywhere, watching with intense interest and asking questions.

Katie calls me a tough creme puff. She claims that I really have a kind and tender heart but she's the only one who ever sees it. Well, I let Allen see it on Sunday. I answered all his questions, treating him like an adult and giving him straight answers. He really melted me more when it was time to put the bikes away.

All the bikes are lined up behind the trailer, waiting to be loaded and strapped in. It's not quite time, though. Students are being debriefed and given their completion cards. Helmets need to be sanitized and put away. Keys need to be pulled and put in the key box. I'm doing all this while Allen follows me around. I start pulling the cabinet doors shut. There's a dozen on each side. As I start down one side, I see Allen starting down the other side. He wants to be a part of what's going on. Allen helps me pick up the empty paper cups sitting around. There's a few more chores he chips in on.

Then we get to the where the bikes are. Allen, despite being 11, has his own cell phone. It's a flip up model with a camera. He starts taking pictures of the bikes. Then he stops at a blue and white Suzuki DR 200 dual sport. Allen's clearly taken with the bike. Here comes another question.

"Do you ever sell these bikes? I'd like to buy this one when you do!"

I let him down gently by telling him we'd probably be using it for quite a while yet, as the motorcycles only see about thirtyfive miles during a class. Allen wasn't done with the DR, yet, though. As I was putting keys away, he asked which key was the for the DR. I teasingly told him I was starting to get a little suspicious about why he was asking! When I showed him the key, which looked just like any other key, he was visibly disappointed.

"I thought it would be a special key", he seriously told me. Like I say, he was totally smitten by the bike! I knew exactly where he was coming from. We were seeing eye to eye, this 11 year old urchin and the grizzled veteran.

Keeping him safe, I let him hang out and help until we were done. Allen solemnly shook hands with me and the other two instructors. Then he ambled back across the parking lot the same way he'd arrived. The young man carefree and living in the moment like kids do. The grizzled veteran fired up the truck and started the trailer rolling. His heart and mind still smiling from the encounter with the urchin.

I wondered what he'd have to say to his parents over the supper table. I wouldn't be surprised to see him in a class in half a dozen years. He had all the makings of a future rider. Allen's felt the magic!

Miles and smiles,

Dan

Sharin' the Road!

This week I'm honored to introduce a rider who lives on the opposite coast from me. Though separated by a little over three thousand miles, we have more in common than the distance would imply. Motorcycling transcends boundaries that normally divide humans. The scenery and weather may be different but the passion for riding looks markedly similar. That's one of the things that's so cool about it!

Some of you are most likely already acquainted with Michael. He was a frequent commenter on Gary's blog. Now Michael graces this and other blogs with commentary from a character called Conchscooter. If you like looking at photos of Florida, cruise on over to his blog, Key West Diary. There's a link at the end of the post. I didn't put the link here because I didn't want you to go away, yet! Relax and enjoy the pictures and post Michael was kind enough to share with me. Ok, I nagged him into it, but the end result is the same, right? My blog is going to look like his for this post thanks to the many pictures. Don't worry, Conch, it's only temporary!

Without further ado, here's Michael.

So why is it everyone isn't abandoning their cars for a motorcycle or scooter to commute in this balmy climate? Beats me, but I sure do enjoy my Triumph at 24 degrees North latitude, and I enjoy it year round on my 25 mile commute to Key West.

I live in a stilt house in the Lower Keys, what we think of as "the suburbs", in this island chain, and there is but one road into town. Luckily for me it has great views and every day is a fresh ride for me. The commute varies between my different moods,the moods of the weather and the moods of my fellow travelers on the Overseas Highway. I've been riding the same road for three years and I never tire of the bridges and causeways.



Because I work nights ( as a Key West Police Department dispatcher ) I pull my stuff together around five o'clock on the afternoons I'm working and get ready to ride. This time of year it's broad daylight and the sun is a deep golden color as it edges towards the horizon, bathing my house in a glow that I just don't want to leave. My Bonneville is a good excuse to tear myself away and by the time I'm ambling towards the highway at the end of my street I'm in the mood to go.

The 2007 Bonneville uses carburetors which return less miles per gallon than fuel injection but if I'm careful on the acceleration I can get 47 miles per gallon. That drops to 43 if I wind up the 865cc motorcycle in a hurry. It's hard to resist the temptation, as it's the only time I really get to feel what the big air cooled twin can do on this sedate roadway. Speed limits are 45 and 55 miles per hour on various stretches and it's rare I get to see 70 miles per hour on the open bits. I got pulled over a few weeks ago at 6:15 in the morning but I got off with a verbal warning.

I've been riding for a long time and I think part of the reason my commute retains its magic is because I have lots of riding memories stored up in my head. These days I like the warm weather and the easy riding style of the single, no elevation highway. I do miss mountain twisties, but when I lived in Santa Cruz California, I had lots of excellent roads to ride in my back yard mountains. But the weather was awful: Cold! Fog! Drizzle! And that was summer!

If I wanted economy I'd drive a small car, one of the new generation vehicles like a Yaris or an Aveo with small tires, small engines and about as much joy on the road as a dead badger. No, I ride because it's fun. It seems almost criminal these days to confess that infernal combustion is fun ( and only theoretically economical ). Motorcycle tires are expensive and need frequent replacement ( rear every 8,000 miles front every 12,000 miles ) and they aren't cheap. Chain drive, accessories, spares, all cost money and even a flat tire can be a pricey proposition.

I ride about 1500 miles a month, year round, and on those days when I have to drive the car I stare out the windows at passing motorcycles and wonder why, even for one solitary day, I have to be in a cage. I think I'm obsessed, and I hope I don't change. I really like riding to work. And I like riding home from work in the dawn's early light even better. And so to bed.

Michael

http://www.conchscooter.blogspot.com/

Editor's note: Yes, you're obsessed. While we're at it, a dead badger in the road can actually be fun!

Next week look for Stacy. She's a newer rider finding her way on this journey of ours. Her fresh enthusiasm will have you smiling.

Care to share? Stop by the camp fire and share your story. Show off your bike and some favorite pictures. I'm working with a couple of folks for future visits. Love to have some more company. Drop me a line at intrepidcommuter@comcast.net and invite yourself over!

Miles and smiles,

Dan

New addition to the family!

"Dad, I'm going to buy another bike. Can I keep it at your house, and will you take me up to get it?"

Those were the words I was greeted with when I answered the phone. I'm not sure what happened to the plans for the Jeep that was going to come first. Guess the bike bug has its jaws in my son clear up to its neck. Gotta love it. That's my boy!

Last night I called Clinton on my cell phone to make arrangements to meet him this morning. Of course, I just happened to be out on the bike. Katie likes Ginger Altoids. She had a meeting last night so I went for a ride. There's a huge Wal-Mart in Lebanon. Since we hadn't had any luck finding them here, I decided to go out of town. Clinton told me I'd use any excuse for a ride. What nerve! Maybe he's right. How is it that when most people would put 28 miles on their odometers I manage to nearly double that? Clinton must suffer from the same quirk as me. The last I saw him was at 9:30 AM when I took this picture.

He's grinning all over his face and he hasn't even ridden the bike, yet! How shameful. It's now 3:30 PM. Clinton's truck is here, but he's not. Hey, he's got the day off. He's also got a new-to-him awesome Honda sport-touring bike with more emphasis on sport. Who can blame him? At the same time I worry just a little. I'm trusting Clinton to have the good sense to extend the honeymoon with the bike. Nothing too serious until he and the bike have had a chance to synch up with each other.

I was kind of flattered this morning when Clinton came over to the house. He told me that he'd gone into the motorcycle shop and said,

"That's right, I'm Irondad's son!"

It probably wasn't stated exactly that way but he did tell the guys who his "Daddy" was. It's cool to have a little stature in the local motorcycling community. It's even cooler for a father to be somewhat of a hero to his sons.

Ok, I can hear you. Get to the bike, already! It's a '98 Honda VFR with 36,012 miles on the digital odometer. At least that's what it had the last time I saw it. I'm sure it will have a lot more when it finally shows up here. The original owner's had it on consignment there at the shop for a while. The bike's sort of tricked out and it's been really well maintained. The modifications have been done intelligently. A Two Brothers can, polished wheels, a double bubble windscreen, and some other small things make up a nice package. Although the yellow graphics need peeling as soon as possible. Ick! It was interesting when Clinton told me he was going to buy this particular bike.

I'd been really close to buying it myself. Knowing I'd probably be replacing Sophie this summer I nixed the idea, tempted as I was. Anyway, I'm already quite familiar with the bike. What a bonus that it ended up in the family. Clinton's already been informed that the price for storing it here will be letting me ride it once in a while.

Clinton's kissed a couple of toads with the last two bikes. I'm pretty sure he's found his Princess this time.

Miles and smiles,

Dan

I have got to get me one of these!

It's been a long, tiring, weekend. Fun, though! I spent Saturday and Sunday running a workshop for instructor candidates. Four new instructors are starting their apprenticeships. Here's hoping they find the same fulfillment from teaching riders that I do. On top of the long days and effort, The Director was playing Wing Man for me. Always good for a little extra pressure, you know?

Stacy showed up with her new SV650. It's a very attractive blue color. What a nice bike these are! Look for her in a guest post next week.

Yesterday saw me up early and on the way to the track in Canby. I got to teach an Advanced Rider Training course there. I had classroom duty yesterday morning. Usually we have classroom in the morning and ride the track in the afternoon. Whoever has classroom has to be inside listening to the other instructors rip around the track. We're working, I swear!

If I had to take a turn in the classroom, yesterday was the best time to do it. There was a make-up group on the track in the morning. Which means we couldn't have played, I mean worked, on the track anyway. These riders got rained out earlier. It looked like the same thing might happen again but we were spared. There's no safe way to ride on a track when it rains. Rubber on the track, water, and rubber of the bike tires make a bad cocktail.

I'll write about the class later. We had a guy on an MP3, and I'm not talking i-pod, take the class. Stay tuned for the pictures.

Balisada was in the make-up group on her Rebel. I've got a couple of great pictures of her on the track. I'm hoping she'll grace us with a guest post soon. I'm saving the photos for then. By the way, Balisada, if you send me your e-mail address to intrepidcommuter@comcast.net I can send you the photos. One of my new instructors from the weekend was in the make-up group, as well. I'll bet he was as tired as I was, although his day yesterday was shorter than mine.

I was so tired last night I fell asleep on the couch after a late bite to eat. I'm cheating on the post today. It's kind of a "here's what's been happening" thing. As a part of my cheating because I'm exhausted ways, I'm putting a link to a video.

This is what I need for freeway traffic. Click here to see it. Catch you tomorrow!

Miles and smiles,

Dan