Theme of Bigger Bikes

So a couple weeks after riding an inline four for the first time, I was given the opportunity to ride one on the track. The idea was a little daunting since the TrackHawk is a fairly easy, low powered bike to ride compared to something like a race prepped inline 600. It turned out to be not so bad. Didn't get to the scary lean angle I've acheived on the TrackHawk, but by the end of two days, I was pretty comfortable and happy on the R6. The TrackHawk apparently has been sold, and so now I'm on the lookout over winter for a new track bike. I have no idea what to look for though, another Hawk? An SV650? Maybe an inline 600?

2000 Miles - Part Three

Or, Does This Bike Make Me Look Fat?

Lunatic Fringer Ross found this pic of me going 5mph through Deal's Gap on the Barcalounger on the way back from Georgia.

I think it makes me look old and fat. It's more the jacket than the bike really, fancy new Cortech purchased at She Rides so that if it was cold on the way back I wouldn't freeze to death again. There was a guy behind us that had let us pass, and sever hours later he caught up to us again on the freeway, and followed us off at a gas station to "meet the chick on the FJR". I found this humorous, and it was kind of a theme, you get more props as a girl on a big fat bike than on a little sporty one.

Anyway, this was all several weeks ago, and many of the details are lost already. It was a fun trip though. Not sure I want to ride long distance again for a while, at least not without the proper equipment, but at least for now the Cortech might get some use if I can get my hands on a dirtbike and go ice racing this winter. Woo!

Here's what I posted to the Lunatic Fringers when I got back:

Haaarr... yeah, never made it to a coffee shop for internet access last night.

Did some errands and cooked up the only thing in my house: grilled cheese and tomato soup. That gallon of milk is doing something scary. (Richard and Harm know about my butch fridge situation. It contains nothing but condiments and beer, (although they're fancy condiments, and really good beer) along with the occasional take out container and tupperware containers of leftovers from Harm. I bought a gallon of milk a couple weeks ago, and that turned out to be a huge mistake.) Also ended up drinking 3/4's of a bottle of wine which put me straight to sleep.

The ride back was great in comparison to the ride down in the rain. I was seriously doubting any future long distance trips on Thursday, and it wasn't because of the bike. The Monster was actually totally comfortable. The only thing that was really sore were my shoulderblades. The airhawk probably saved it, and if I would have planned better and had my leathers, I probably wouldn't have been so miserable in the cold. If nothing else, it forced me to buy better gear. I love that coat, although the fact that it's puffy, and the squeaky boots make me think I should be hauling a snowboard around instead of getting on a bike.

I kind of expected Deal's Gap to suck so it wasn't really much of a letdown. Wasn't wanting to go fast on the Barcalounger anyway, although by the time I got back to the Mil I was pretty comfortable riding it and pushing it around on tip-toes. I wouldn't balk at having to ride one again for sure, but I don't think I really want one either. I don't think I'd ride it enough. Something medium sized would be good. Had the realization at some point on the way back that it's the first inline four I've ever ridden though, everything else has been a single, twin, or the viffer.

127 was a super nice road through TN and KY up to Lexington, along with whatever that "straight" road was that was supposed to get us to the freeway outside of the city. It's too bad it was too dark by then to see it.

For all the Lewis Black fans, Jay and I ended up at the Cracker Fuck Barrel for dinner. I swear walking into those places makes my eyes burn.

Monday morning I headed up 421 to Indianapolis, splitting between Cincinnati and Louisville, and I'm really glad I did. Nice and curvy through Kentucky, lots of zen riding alone on the Barcalounger. I was a little nervous about riding alone on "not my bike", but it really ended up being pretty cool. I say that I hate people, or am not really a people person, but for some reason really love the random conversations you get into with random people when you're on a bike (which can be good and bad).

The second half of 421 kind of blew though, and by the time I hit Indy I just wanted to get home, and realized I needed to get home in time to pick up my leathers before Alexa (http://www.spyderleatherworks.com - she fucking rocks. Seriously, she's the bee's knees, and she's got a super hot daughter that races in CCS. If you need leathers worked on, send them to her.) headed out of town.

Anyway, much love and thanks to the Vocaire's for the lodging, pancakes, and salsa, and to T for trailering the Hawk down for me. I was really glad to get to ride it a little bit there. I dunno, I'm happy doing a couple cooler runs and then just socializing, although yeah, moving the location and hitting less crowded roads would be cool too. I'm super happy Babs was able to make it, and if Richard, Harmony, and T all end up in Charlotte in a couple years Keener, y'all will have a lot more of like minded souls in the neighborhood.

I'm off of Monsters now, and back into the Hawk. Maybe it's all the track time spent on one, but it just feels... right. I mean, the Monster was super fun and all, and I'd still think about robbing a laundromat to buy the S4 when Richard gets it, (uh, I still want to talk you into trading for the 325 and some cash) but I want to keep the Hawk. So, the SleeperHawk project begins.

2000 Miles - Part Two

So, we made it to Suches. Mileage total so far, 1,200 miles.

I'm a little buzzed at the moment on Corona's so I make no guarantees as to my grammar or spelling, waiting for dinner. Yesterday was lots of riding in the rain, which kind of blew. At one point though, around dusk, the rain let up a little, we were on a road with long sweepers and the sky was pink, reflecting off the wet pavement, and it was beautiful.

We stopped in Pikeville, KY and stayed the night in a goofy old motel that was probably built in the 60's. Front office with mirrored walls and leather couches stinking of cigarette smoke. We got up early to get breakfast next door at a place with a great sign all lit up like Vegas.

The morning was chilly but right off the bat the iPod played an Edith Piaf song, riding through the Appilachians, and all was good. It was followed by The Frames and some Sixteen Horsepower and I couldn't even feel the chill. We saw all sorts of funny sights on the back roads through Tennessee and North Carolina like a pony in someone's front yard and three guys trying to break the bead on some huge tire that must have come off of some kind of huge earth moving equipment. Lots of yard sales and crazy stuff for sale. Jay nearly ran out of gas and we stopped at a tiny little gas station in the middle of nowhere that apparently has "hellacious" cheesburgers. We passed since we were still trying to make time.

This was after some great super twisty roads that were unfortunately wet, and covered in leaves. Wet leaves are terrible. They suck. A lot. Fortunately it stayed dry enought that I didn't have to put the Veruca Salt Blueberry suit back on that had to be worn all day yesterday.

People are talking and telling stories right now, so I'm loosing track of thoughts.

Ummmm... anyway.

We're waiting for food, we're drinking, telling stories, this is why I make this trip, even though this year is a little... um, awkward. Lots of laughing till your face hurts and lots of drinking and lots of completely fantastic roads.

Ok... more later... maybe I'll be more sober.

2000 Miles - Part One

This weekend is the annual voyage to Suches, GA. We're currently at a friend's house in Cleveland, OH waiting for other members of our group to catch up from a late start. Last night my friend Richard and I rode about 420 miles from Milwaukee in wind and clouds. I hate wind. I think I hate wind more than rain, and I really hate rain. With about 150 miles to go, swerving back in forth in the lane trying to keep the bike going straight instead of sideways, I decided that this long distance riding thing is a bunch of hooey. Gimme track days and dirt trails and the long distance stuff can be covered by trailering to the good roads.

We have 703 miles to go, not all of it today, but probably more than half of it. Hopefully we can leave soon as the more time we sit around Jay's house, the less time we have doing the fun roads in Georgia and North Carolina.

We've been washing bikes and eating chocolate chip pancakes to pass time.

We'll be meeting Wally somewhere along the way, then Richard will split off to go to Charlotte, and Wally, Jay and I will go the rest of the way to Suches and T.W.O. where we'll meet up with Richard's wife and sister, Keener and Babs, Ihab, Ross, and T. (Hopefully I'm not leaving anybody out, not that anyone on the Lunatic Fringe list ever reads this blog, heh)

I'll be sad to have to give up Richard's sister's '96 Ducati Monster 900, which is what I'm riding. Once the money tree sprouts I'll have to start looking for one.

Wheeee... doubt I'll get to add to this before I get back, but thought since there was time it'd be good to get this down now.