tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post1846594735277063576..comments2024-01-30T22:53:34.269-08:00Comments on Musings of an Intrepid Commuter: irondadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821323482397075170noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-37957601269056740492009-07-07T04:31:00.899-07:002009-07-07T04:31:00.899-07:00There is nothing like professional photo training ...There is nothing like professional photo training to move a person off the plateau and to the next level of skill. The Nikon D40 is a great camera. We all expect great things from your image making just as we do from your writing about riding. <br /><br />If you find time and want to thoroughly immerse yourself in the workings of the D40 you'll definitely want to look at Ken Rockwell's <a href="http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d40/users-guide/index.htm" rel="nofollow">D40 Users Guide</a>.<br /><br />Ken's reviews and experience are legend and simply the best. He is the irondad of the online photo world....*grin*<br /><br />I subscribe to Rider magazine and had read the Eric Trow article. Trow is a fine replacement for the columns that used to be written by the late Larry Grodsky. The one you refer to was excellent and something to revisit often.<br /><br />Thinking about what you posted and the role experience plays for each of us I was left sort of confused about how experienced I actually am. I have been in situations with the sudden appearance of gravel and negotiate them ok but am not sure if dumb luck is at work or experience.<br /><br />I guess I don't feel experienced. Whatever that is. I notice bad habits on the Vespa which I suspect are related to it's light weight. I find myself doing U-turns and stuff that would be disastrous on a big bike and wonder if I would do the same things on one of them. Or maybe I just know the limits of this particular machine.<br /><br />Anyways, it is something I should probably think about. <br /><br />Steve Williams<br /><a href="http://vespalx150.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Scooter in the Sticks</a>Steve Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04540977884513559091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-43252172342847880742009-07-06T01:02:56.738-07:002009-07-06T01:02:56.738-07:00Hey Irondad, geat post!
Funny you should mention ...Hey Irondad, geat post!<br /><br />Funny you should mention the scuba divers, one of the biggest problems i had when starting ... was breathing! I'd come into a corner, and hold my breathe, literally, fear i guess.<br />So one of the first things i had to train myself to do, was breathe. It helped tremendously, focusing on breathing took some of the edge off, ad allowed a more relaxed approach.<br /><br />As to your new picture ...<br />Whisky, tango, foxtrot, over?<br />;-)<br /><br />peace!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-54290114879760339432009-07-03T08:45:40.879-07:002009-07-03T08:45:40.879-07:00Irondad:
It sucks to grab too much front brake ...<br><br /><b>Irondad:</b><br /> It sucks to grab too much front brake on gravel. It happened to me on my way back from Oregon last year . . . luckily with minor consequences.<br /><br />bob<br /><a href="http://www.wetcoastscootin.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">bobskoot: wet coast scootin</a>Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05258612401956399482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-91282805897343438522009-07-02T12:35:45.233-07:002009-07-02T12:35:45.233-07:00Bucky,
I totally respect that fact that you stay ...Bucky,<br /><br />I totally respect that fact that you stay within your limits. Those limits will increase, and sometimes faster than we realize. This doesn't apply to the folks you ride with. However, I often ask riders in your situation to consider why the others are faster. Are they actually more skilled or more willing to take unwise risks?<br /><br />Take care,<br /><br />Danirondadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17821323482397075170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-89992953715177557472009-07-02T12:23:13.765-07:002009-07-02T12:23:13.765-07:00kz1000st,
You've hit upon a point that I'...kz1000st,<br /><br />You've hit upon a point that I've been contemplating doing a post about. The need to look past the rider ahead and map your own road. Sounds like you have already gained the wisdom. Thanks for sharing.<br /><br />Take care,<br /><br />Danirondadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17821323482397075170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-18806909251039910422009-07-02T12:21:22.093-07:002009-07-02T12:21:22.093-07:00Krysta,
The experience thing reminds me of my cop...Krysta,<br /><br />The experience thing reminds me of my cop days. An emergency to us is anything involving arterial spurting. An emergency to a civilian is anything they can't handle on their own. Which means it's likely much lower on our scale than theirs. It's all about where you've been before.<br /><br />Congratulations, Grasshopper, it appears you have successfully snatched the pebble and are ready to learn more!<br /><br />Gail,<br /><br />We're never happy. It's going to be in the low 90's for a few days here. I'd gladly send you some of the sun to get it out of here!<br /><br />Take care,<br /><br />Danirondadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17821323482397075170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-86799724380722871932009-07-02T04:58:29.487-07:002009-07-02T04:58:29.487-07:00Dear IronDad:
I am hardly the perso to comment on...Dear IronDad:<br /><br />I am hardly the perso to comment on technical riding of any sort. But one of the hardest things I have had to make my body do is look far ahead into curves, like leading a target on a skeet range. <br /><br />My mind tells me that this is always wrong and I have to consciously will it. I'm thinking of two separate trips to West Virginia. On the first one, we were riding on a stretch called Back Mountain Road, not far from the Cass Mountain Railroad. On a sharp, downhill turn to the right, the road crossed a narrow (single vehicle bridge, covered with gravel.<br /><br />There was a four-inch wide channel of open pavement all the way across the bridge. I swung into it like the bike was on a track. Three years ago, I would have been spooked into hitting the brakes hard.<br /><br />I was following long-time riding partner Dick Bregstein through a tight "s" turn last month, when I got distracted for a moment. My mind took over and processed a shrinking amount of space with a guardrail on one side and a rock wall on the other. I could feel the icy grip of fear on my balls. <br /><br />In a fraction of a second, I made myself get back on the clock, give "Fire Balls" the gas, and lean that sucker over by looking as far ahead in the curve as possible. <br /><br />The result from a momentary lapse in concentration can be catastrophic -- as you are well aware.<br /><br />Fondest regaerds,<br />Jack "r" Toad<br />Twisted RoadsJack Riepehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07531160098262862027noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-2041065016359829742009-07-01T19:31:36.974-07:002009-07-01T19:31:36.974-07:00Dan: The two stuffed bears on the motorcycle on yo...Dan: The two stuffed bears on the motorcycle on your header are cute!<br /><br />Gravel on the surface of the road<br />from anything can be dangerous, at any time/<br /><br />As to the digital course, enjoy.<br /><br />See what reading comments to your<br />blog can do?<br /><br />Maybe one of these days we'll connect, in person.<br /><br />BTW Goldwing still not sold; have summerized/winterized it and hopefully can think about my motorcycle future next year; just too many things going on in <br />my family's life, and mine at present.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-57644051007802139312009-07-01T14:01:49.198-07:002009-07-01T14:01:49.198-07:00Being a rider for just under two years and 12,000 ...Being a rider for just under two years and 12,000 miles, these things are just starting to become more automatic:<br /><br />"...we must discipline ourselves to push aside the threats that are screaming for our immediate attention...and concentrate on the important stuff. 'Still got grip?' Now let's focus on the exit of the turn and ride to it."<br /><br />"...our first reactions can be wrong. Riding well consists of unnatural acts. In other words, opposite our natural human reactions." <br /><br />I have used the following, as it works well for road hazards, but is not entirely foolproof and does nothing to predict what is [now] located beyond a blind curve: "Ride the road twice." <br /><br />As I am frequently the rider with lesser experience and ability in many of the groups I ride with, much as with your son. I sometimes feel as though I am holding them back. I try to push myself slightly each time out, but back off if I feel that panic of overload coming on. It is, nevertheless hard to watch the more experienced riders take off and disappear from sight ahead of me, though they always wait up.Buckyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05008065046166806739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-53840663550365297022009-07-01T13:32:17.949-07:002009-07-01T13:32:17.949-07:00Your story reminds me of my dirt racing days. It w...Your story reminds me of my dirt racing days. It was before a foot of suspension travel when 3" was the norm. We were always looking for the smoothest part of the track, sometimes not much wider than our front tire. Otherwise it threw the back end all over the place in the bumps in the broken dirt holes. You had to look passed the rider in front of you, the dust and the flying dirt and rocks. It was good practice for later on when I started riding on the highway. It made you look and plan ahead.kz1000sthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10322913253825488007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-16553364786584484172009-07-01T09:07:45.599-07:002009-07-01T09:07:45.599-07:00Sun...you have sun...I want sun. :)Sun...you have sun...I want sun. :)SheRidesABeemerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14090181977933654976noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-10093695591291970252009-07-01T08:00:23.802-07:002009-07-01T08:00:23.802-07:00"The more experience enters the picture the l..."The more experience enters the picture the less influence panic will have." <br /><br />I've seen this in emergency medical situations many times. Most parents freak out because they don't have the training to help. I solve the problem (for my kid or theirs). I've had at least CPR & first aid certs since middle school, worked as an EMT, & now teach CPR / first aid. <br /><br />Wish I had the $ to take an advanced rider training course. Right now I feel reasonably confident in most situations, but I know there's a long way before I'm really proficient. May never get there, but that mindset means I'm no longer an overconfident beginner.Krysta in MKEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07101287869577972478noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-7000905284853756882009-07-01T07:39:59.524-07:002009-07-01T07:39:59.524-07:00cpa3485,
In an interesting twist, our first react...cpa3485,<br /><br />In an interesting twist, our first reactions can be wrong. Riding well consists of unnatural acts. In other words, opposite our natural human reactions. It's experience that makes the right reaction happen automatically. Fortunately, that experience can also take the form of repeated practice which shortens the amount of time required. Keep up the great goals!<br /><br />Richard,<br /><br />We all have different circumstances to deal with. The important thing is to adapt accordingly which you seem to be doing admirably. Thanks for reading!<br /><br />Troubadour,<br /><br />I sent you an e-mail about bike night. Is it tonight? I'll have to come knock on the dark glass some time.<br /><br />Charlie6,<br /><br />Wow! Reading and responding so quickly. I'm honored. The slight drawback to being inside is that you have to avoid the temptation to apex early which can throw you wide coming out of the corner. I know you have the experience to pick the best spot and line for yourself.<br /><br />Take care,<br /><br />Danirondadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17821323482397075170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-10296604808245596482009-07-01T07:02:17.735-07:002009-07-01T07:02:17.735-07:00Irondad, yep about a third of the way or the outer...Irondad, yep about a third of the way or the outer clear of gravel channel left by the cagers in front of me.....didn't mean to write I was near the centerline of the road.<br /><br />heck, I usually go for the inner or closest to the rock walls cleared channel.redlegsrideshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10927757855921321097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-83636452222153763002009-07-01T06:42:11.799-07:002009-07-01T06:42:11.799-07:00Charlie6,
Blind curves are a different story. If ...Charlie6,<br />Blind curves are a different story. If you can't see through it, you have to assume the worst. In the ride I was writing about, I could see well ahead. <br /><br />As to riding outside, about a third of the way in is the place to be. Always leave a plan "B"!irondadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17821323482397075170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-18518015726859722202009-06-30T22:30:21.446-07:002009-06-30T22:30:21.446-07:00Thanks for the props and you are welcome to come i...Thanks for the props and you are welcome to come in and say "hi". Today would've been perfect as it is inventory week, my boss is gone and I am bored out of my skull.<br /><br />BTW, when are you going to make it to a bike night?Troubadourhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10567767701065756330noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-10360092979050611282009-06-30T21:41:05.955-07:002009-06-30T21:41:05.955-07:00I still see a lot of gravel on the roads around he...I still see a lot of gravel on the roads around here and I admit that I slow down and try to stay near vertical traversing some of them. Most of the gravel is left over from winter as it seems to take all summer to get it swept off the road. With such a short riding season, I don't think I will ever have the experience or confidence you have. We also have a lot of tourists gawking at the scenery as they are coming around the corners. I still get nervous whenever the rear tire slides a bit on the gravel. Thank you for the lesson Keep them coming.....RichardMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04773834892715980735noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-45836816911859953882009-06-30T21:14:34.890-07:002009-06-30T21:14:34.890-07:00Thinking and execution coming together. That's...Thinking and execution coming together. That's a very poignant way of putting it. It comes with experience I am sure and is something I think about sometimes as I ride and encounter little hazards like the gravel. The reactions do not always come to me as second nature yet, but I think I am getting better at it. This post serves as a good reminder to strive for that ability.cpa3485https://www.blogger.com/profile/00031439889267356735noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-4546479240007026182009-06-30T20:49:11.726-07:002009-06-30T20:49:11.726-07:00I really hate to see gravel around blind curves wh...I really hate to see gravel around blind curves while traversing the mountain roads around here....slows me right up. No looking ahead with a piece of the mountain in the way.....you get locked into narrow channels of clear pavement while trying to negotiate the curve AND look out for oncoming cars....it can be "interesting" at times.<br /><br />Sure, I try to ride the outside of the lane to see as far into the curve as I can, but then you can end up as a hood ornament for the cager coming the other way, gawking at the mountains and starting to slide into your lane.....<br /><br />Sometimes, I ride the road twice, the first time looking for where the gravel still remains, then a more spirited run the second time...I imagine I still don't take the curves as fast as you Irondad.....redlegsrideshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10927757855921321097noreply@blogger.com