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04buell
Posted on Thursday, May 30, 2019 - 09:51 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Talked to our neighbor, the Harley guy, and he is interested in coming with us to the races Labor Day. Can I buy one of your extra tickets for him. Plueese!
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Pwnzor
Posted on Thursday, May 30, 2019 - 09:59 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

One of my tickets will definitely be available - possibly both, if I'm not able to make it.
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86129squids
Posted on Friday, May 31, 2019 - 02:05 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Mentql constipation...
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Crusty
Posted on Friday, May 31, 2019 - 08:11 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Plans


Tomorrow, I’m riding down to Lexington, Kentucky to see the Red Mile. I hope it’s a good race. It’ll be the first Mile of the season, since both Sacramento and Springfield got rained out and rescheduled.

I don’t know what happened. I’ve lost a lot of my enthusiasm and I can’t figure out why. Last weekend was fun, but I’m not fired up to go see the Red Mile. I think that maybe it’s because it might also be a rain out. The track in Lexington is only 90 miles from my house. I’m going to go, but I have a strong feeling that it’s going to be another rain out. We’re in a weather pattern that’s had it raining every day this week. Not constantly; maybe for a few hours in the morning, then the sun comes out during the afternoon and the weather is beautiful until the evening, or a little later. Then the next wave of “Scattered Thundershowers” comes through.

I just looked again, and the odds of the race happening are much better than they were; still, I’m feeling like it won’t happen. I hope I’m wrong; that the race does happen as planned and that it’s a barnburner with a photo finish. Whatever happens, I’ll be there; even if I’m not enthused.

My plans for the summer have been made and I don’t expect them to change much. I’m still in “Paying off the Plastic” mode. My focus is to be completely debt free ASAP. If everything goes as planned (Ha! Does anything, ever?), I should have the Mastercard paid off by this time next year, and the furnace loan shortly after. Then, I’ll be able to focus on getting a new Roadster.

My next trip will be in mid-July. I’m going to ride all backroads to Weedsport, New York to see the Short Track. The next afternoon, I’ll be meeting some friends for lunch at the Dinosaur BBQ in Troy, NY, then I’ll ride the Taconic Trail into Massachusetts. I plan to camp in the Clarksburg State Forest, then make my way east to Fitchburg and Hudson, Massachusetts. After a few days there, visiting with old friends and magnificent Pizza Joints, I’ll once again take secondary roads back to Cheviot.

A few weeks later, I’ll ride over to the West Virginia Buell Revival (Rally). Then, it’ll be Labor Day Weekend and back to Springfield. Hopefully, to see two Miles and a Short Track.

I hope that the races all happen and I can find my enthusiasm again. Right now, I’m feeling pretty anti-social and I prefer to be alone. There’s an old saying in AA that goes, “Whenever I’m in my head, all alone, I’m in a dangerous neighborhood”. I hope things improve soon.
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Ourdee
Posted on Saturday, June 01, 2019 - 12:32 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

A meeting may get you focused.
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Crusty
Posted on Saturday, June 01, 2019 - 06:29 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Grrrrr…


Last night, I got an e-mail from American Flat Track saying that the Red Mile was postponed until tomorrow because of rain in the forecast for today.

I just looked at the forecast for Lexington, Kentucky and it’s supposed to be sunny all day, but tomorrow, there’s a chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon.

Well; that means that now I can mow the lawn today. Or somethin’.

Grumble.

(Message edited by Crusty on June 01, 2019)
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Adrenaline_junkie
Posted on Saturday, June 01, 2019 - 03:41 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

If I understand things correctly, American Flat Track has only been running this show for a few years. Surely it won't take them too much longer to learn not to trust the weatherman, uh....person. Cancelling/postponing a race a day in advance based on a forecast will NOT be good for business long term. Fans understand when you have to cancel for rain but they are a lot less forgiving if you canceled because some meteorologist (who is likely wrong more often than right) predicts a chance of rain for tomorrow. Now, if the 600 mile wide remnants of a hurricane are bearing down on the track like a tornado heading for a trailer park, sure, cancel the race. But for summer thunderstorms, that's asking for unhappy customers.

Just my opinion.
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86129squids
Posted on Sunday, June 02, 2019 - 02:54 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

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Crusty
Posted on Monday, June 03, 2019 - 09:50 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

The Red Mile


Yesterday, I rode down to Lexington, Kentucky and saw the Red Mile. It was a very good day for me.

At first, it didn’t look like it was going to be a good day. I set out at 11:00. The track is only an hour and a half away and Practice was scheduled to begin at 1:00 PM, so I figured that arriving around 12:30 would be good. I didn’t get a mile from my house when the street I was on was blocked by Police cars. Somebody in an SUV had hit a utility pole and almost split it in half, so the cops had the streets blocked off. That led me to taking an alternate route.

I had decided that I didn’t want to ride through the city on the Interstate, so I was going to take the Anderson Ferry across the Ohio River, then get on the Interstate in Kentucky. I got to within a half mile of the Ferry when I had to take a lengthy detour (about 10 miles on city streets) because a bridge had washed out. Of course, when I got to the ferry landing, the boat was on the other side of the river, so I had to wait for it. By the time I got to Kentucky, I was half an hour behind schedule.

I consoled myself with thoughts like, “I don’t think that they’ve ever been on time for scheduled practice”, or “Well; it’s only practice; if I miss a bit of it, it won’t really hurt anything”.

I got to the track a few minutes after 1:00 and, sure enough, they were on time. I missed a little practice. But it really didn’t hurt anything.

I had attended the race last year, and I knew where I wanted to sit, so when I bought my ticket a few months ago, I shelled out the extra to get a “Premium” seat. It only cost me double the price that I paid last year. The Red Mile has sold out all three years it’s been on the schedule. Only a fool of a promoter would keep the prices low. It kinda galls me, but the race was still worth the price of a ticket. (For reference, the Springfield Mile is a much better track and the racing is usually a lot better, but the tickets cost just a hair over half what I paid for a similar seat location).

Anyway, the racing was good. One of the heat races was won by .002 seconds. In the Production Twins class, Cory Texter on a Yamaha just barely beat James Rispoli on a production XG 750. That’s the closest finish I’ve ever seen, or even heard of. I couldn’t tell who won, and I was sitting on the finish line.

In the Singles class, Mikey Rush beat Shayna Texter by .1 seconds. I (and most of the crowd) was hoping that Shayna would pull off the win, but Rush managed to get the job done.

The racing in the AFT Twins Main was good, mostly. Jared Mees and Bryar Bauman on Factory Indians traded the lead spot with Mees coming out on top. The Harley XGs were running fast. They were 3rd and 4th in qualifying. I think they’ve almost got the race bikes sorted, but not quite. While they were fast, neither finished the Main. That was a disappointment.

Even though I took my cane and used it, my ankle was giving me fits by the time the races were over. It was nice to get back on the seat of the Roadster. Another nice thing was that the races got over before sunset. Like last year, I managed to get lost when I left the track. I zigged when I should have zagged. Since all I’d eaten all day long was a cup of homemade ice cream at the track, I was hungry; so I found a Taco Hell and got a #1 Blimp Builder Combo and looked at my map. I figured out where I was and how to find the Interstate. Then I filled the Roadster up at an overpriced Shell station and headed for home.

Oh; I found out why the race had been postponed for a day. It had rained so hard and so long during the week that when the AFT crew arrived at the track on Friday, the water was so deep that it was in pools on the track. There was no way it would be ready to race on by Saturday. They did get the track prepped well and it resulted in a good day’s worth of racing.

I had left the windshield off the Roadster for this trip for a couple of reasons. First, I think she looks prettier without it; and second, I like the feeling of the wind against me as I ride. However, I’m out of shape for long rides and the ride back north really whipped me. I could feel the wind pulling me backwards and I could also feel it lifting my helmet. This morning, my neck and shoulders are letting me know just how far out of shape I am. To be honest, it’s a bit of soreness that I kind of like.

I’m back. I feel like a Tramp again and that’s a Great Thing. And it isn’t even officially summer yet! Oh, Boy!
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Tootal
Posted on Monday, June 03, 2019 - 11:22 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Once you have a windshield it's hard to go without one! I tried that on my old Electra Glide Sport which had a flat windshield. Once I got my Road Glide I stripped down the Sport and put a hotter cam in it and made it a short trip bike and "TTracer". The first night I rode into town without the windshield was the last for the same reasons you just mentioned!
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86129squids
Posted on Monday, June 03, 2019 - 11:23 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Good to hear/read of RoadCrust back in good spirits!
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Zacks
Posted on Monday, June 03, 2019 - 03:37 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

To be honest, it’s a bit of soreness that I kind of like.

Took the RS to Road America for the MotoAmerica races yesterday. back roads, so about 300 miles. Know exactly what you're talking about
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Zacks
Posted on Monday, June 03, 2019 - 03:39 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

To be honest, it’s a bit of soreness that I kind of like.

Took the (typo) RX to Road America for the MotoAmerica races yesterday. back roads, so about 300 miles. Know exactly what you're talking about
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Crusty
Posted on Wednesday, June 05, 2019 - 11:22 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

A Mixed Bag

It rained this morning. I just looked at the weather radar and the 7 day forecast and they’re saying it’s supposed to be cloudy until Monday. Yesterday, they said it was going to rain almost every day. Hell; they said it was supposed to pour today, and now, I think that the light shower we got earlier is all we’re going to get.

It must be nice to have a job where you can be wrong so often and still make a pretty good living.

When I was tramping with David Kaelin, back in the ‘70s, I learned a different way to cover miles. I had more of an “Iron Butt” style of traveling. Pick a destination and get there as fast as I could. David seldom even ran at the speed limit. His style of riding was to ride for a few hours, then stop for a while (usually in a bar). Then he’d get back on the road. When he got sleepy, he’d find a place to throw his sleeping bag down. He’d ride this way every day. It used to drive me nuts, because I like to travel faster, but he covered a lot of miles and was happy riding at those speeds. He never got a ticket, as far as I know and he saw a lot of the country. I don’t think the engine on his Superglide ever saw redline once. He wore that engine out, then traded that bike in on a Dresser. He taught me a lot about how to live on the road, which was really helpful when I gave up my apartment in 2015. There were a few things that I had to learn on my own, but I knew the basics and that went a long way towards making the experience pleasant.

David and I had gone our separate ways, and had drifted out of touch. Back in the mid ‘90s, I tried tracking him down and found out that he had died in a mountain climbing accident in Colorado. That saddened me when I heard about it, and it still saddens me now. He was a good guy and a good friend and he lived his life as he saw fit.

Thinking about it now, I’ve lost a few Traveling partners. Bill and I didn’t do a lot of really long rides together, but we managed to ride to the same drummer’s beat when we did. I think that was because we spent so much time riding bicycles together when we were kids, and the subconscious habits just translated to motorcycling. His death was the catalyst that pushed me to the point of giving up my apartment and going That Way. That first year on the road, I felt that Bill was riding right alongside and was helping me to see just how magnificent this country really is.

Then, there was Terri. She’d never ridden on a motorcycle until she met me, but was hooked, right from her first ride. She took the MSF course and got her own bike. We traveled quite a bit together and without a doubt, she was the best riding partner I ever had. We did quite a few long rides together, culminating in the trip that went from the Atlantic Ocean in Rockport, Massachusetts to the Pacific Ocean in Newport, Oregon and back in 2010. When our marriage ended, I became a lone rider; I preferred to travel solo.

Thinking back, when I started traveling by motorcycle, I did it solo and enjoyed it. Over the years, I rode with people and enjoyed that, as well. Now, however, I’m back to preferring to travel solo. I can go at whatever speed I want, stop when I want or even change my route on a whim. That last part is good, because I’ve developed a real flair for getting lost and having to figure out how to get back on track (I just did it again last Sunday, when I left the Red Mile). I still enjoy riding with others, but I’d rather do long rides on my own.

Next month, I’m going to ride to Massachusetts to visit. I plan to first attend the Weedsport, New York Short Track AFT races, then meet up with some friends at the Dinosaur BBQ in Troy, New York along the way. I’m hoping that I’ll be able to avoid Interstates and other Toll Roads and see some more of this beautiful country. It should be a wonderful trip.

It’s something that I’m really looking forward to.
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Crusty
Posted on Saturday, June 08, 2019 - 07:48 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Krispy Kreme, Pizza and BBQ


David (my brother) supplies lunch every Friday for the people who work in his shop. When we were running around on Thursday (his day off this week), he told me that he was buying pizza this week for lunch if I wanted to come by.

Yesterday was also National Donut Day. I saw that Krispy Kreme was giving away a free donut to everyone who came in and that lit the old Idea Bulb. I went online and found the nearest Krispy Kreme location and plotted a route. It was about 45 minutes away. I was laughing at myself that I was willing to burn over a gallon of gas to get a free donut, but I plotted a route on Google that kept me off any highway.

So, I called David and told him that I’d be there for lunch and that I was going to bring dessert.

I set out and made my way through the city on all the correct streets and wound up on US Rt. 50 as planned; but after a while, I knew that I screwed up somewhere. So I stopped at a gas station and asked for directions. I was about ten miles off from where I wanted to be. The helpful guys in the garage gave me simple and easy directions, and I eventually found my way to the Donut shop.

I figured I’d have a cup of coffee and my free donut, but one donut wasn’t enough. I had to eat a second donut from the dozen I bought. I’m not a big fan of donuts, as a general rule, but Krispy Kreme glazed originals are in a class of their own. To get one fresh and hot was an amazingly good experience. At a time when Drunkin’s quality has gone to crap (they even dropped donuts from their name), it was almost like having an epiphany.

I talked to David on the phone, and he gave me explicit directions on how to get back to the shop; so I set out following the river west and found myself back in Cincinnati eventually. I got to the shop, brought my donuts in and ate pizza and hung out for a while. So, I didn’t bring quite a dozen donuts, I only brought 11; but then again, I didn’t eat any while I was at the shop, so there were more than enough for everybody. I ate some Pizza and made it home.

It really wasn’t much of an adventure, but it got the riding juices flowing. I passed by Eli’s BBQ along the way, and now I’m thinking that maybe I should check it out. Google gives it five stars and it's got a bit of a reputation for good Q, but I’ve never eaten there. This morning, I’m thinking that it might be worth riding to and seeing how good their quality is. The catch is that it’s supposed to rain this afternoon.

It rains here a lot. We get more rain than Seattle, so I have to figure in rain to almost any travel plans. To counter balance that, there’s been rain in the forecast every day this week, but all we got was some light rain for an hour or two on Tuesday morning. What I do is look at the radar and gamble. I’m not always right. I’m wrong about as often as the TV weather men and women. Actually, they aren’t even meteorologists. They’re just hired to stand in front of a green screen and tell you what the forecast is; not to come up with one.

So; I don’t know what I’m doing this afternoon. I might go get some ribs or I might not. I’ll look at the radar later on and decide. (I won’t look at my finances. If I do, I definitely won’t go)

Still; yesterday’s ride was very enjoyable on some nice roads that I hadn’t been on before. Ride to eat, eat to ride isn’t a bad way to do a bit of exploring.
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Ourdee
Posted on Saturday, June 08, 2019 - 09:42 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Another great snippet. You have to try Long's Dough nuts in Indianapolis. Better than Krispy-Creamed if you can believe that. I will ruin a diet for them.
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86129squids
Posted on Saturday, June 08, 2019 - 10:19 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I grew up on Krispy Kreme. We'd go there after church, get them fresh and hot! One of my favorite things, with a cold glass of milk...

Funny story... I used to do my daily breakfast with a bowl of cereal, half a banana, coffee, and a glazed KK donut. I also used to have two hand-raised female cockatiels, great pets... miss them now, but my current two doggies would make snacks pronto. Anyway, these birds would join me for my meals, and would try anything I was eating, anything. A donut dipped in coffee is ambrosia, so I let them try it. They'd chow down on that until I pulled it away, clearly loved it. One morning I started getting my breakfast together, and the birds were at their regular kitchen perches, watching me... I noticed one of them getting kind of flinchy/twitchy! From that I surmised that the combination of sugary donut and coffee in a bird's metabolism might not be the best thing... omitted the donuts after that. Oh well.
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Crusty
Posted on Monday, June 10, 2019 - 08:37 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Surfin’ the Net


Last night, I was surfing the Internet. There was nothing that I really wanted to watch on the idiot box and I wasn’t in the mood to read, so I was checking out used bikes on Craigslist and then I was looking at bikes on Cycle Trader.

I had added a couple of small black pieces to replace their shiny counterparts on the Roadster and I was pleased with the result, so I was looking at other bikes to see what I might also want to trade black for shiny. One item led me to the Official Harley-Davidson website and I discovered that the MoFoCo has decided to revive the Superlow T. That led me to consider whether I should get a Roadster and change the fenders, gas tank, handlebars, etc., or whether it would be better to get a T and make changes to it.

The T comes with the right gas tank and rear fender. It has the conventional forks, but I could get a lower leg and put dual discs on the front. I could also put a full front fender on that front end that would do a better job of keeping the road spray down. I’d have to change the “Mini-footboards” for the equivalent footpegs and brake linkage, etc. from a Roadster, and I’d still have to change the bars. I also think I’d be changing the seat on either model. The T comes with bags, but I don’t know if they’re big enough. I suspect not.

There are other differences, as well. The wheels are different sizes. The Roadster has 19 inch front and 18 inch rear and the T has 18 inch front and 17 inch rear. I looked at tires for a while and discovered that I could get Pirelli Angel GTs for the T. I really liked the Pirellis on both my Buell Ulysses and my Moto Guzzi Norge, though I don’t know how they’d be on a Superlow.

There were a lot of other things to consider, but in the end, I decided to stay with my original plan and go with a Roadster. I don’t really care for Chrome and I prefer the blacked out cosmetics of the CX to the shiny of the T.

I guess Harley agrees with my choice. This morning, I can’t find any mention of a 2019 Superlow T on their website. That’s really bizarre. Last night, I had both the T and the CX side by side for comparison on Harley’s site. Today, that isn’t possible. Maybe I was looking at a Harley site for another country? I don’t know. It definitely said 2019 models.

I do know what I want to have for my next bike. Harley doesn’t make it, but if I play mix ‘n’ match with various Sportster models, I think I can build it. It will be a true Gentleman’s Express.





(Message edited by Crusty on June 10, 2019)
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Natexlh1000
Posted on Monday, June 10, 2019 - 09:18 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Just out of curiosity, did you ever find out what went wrong with your original engine?
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Tootal
Posted on Monday, June 10, 2019 - 11:07 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

John, I found the T and you're right, it's on the European site. Too bad, it looks nice. Kind of reminds me of the old Dyna Switchback with removable bags and windshield. I always thought the Switchback would make a great touring bike for those of less stature. I talked to a guy who owned one and he also owned a new Indian Chief. He said he only rode the Chief on long, long trips, otherwise he preferred the Switchback. It's a shame they don't have the T here.
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Crusty
Posted on Monday, June 10, 2019 - 07:32 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Piss and Moan


I just need to whine a little bit. I just got off the phone with a nice gentleman from the greater Cincinnati Water Works. They’re going to be working through my neighborhood replacing lead water pipes. According to the official records, my house has lead pipe bringing in the water. The GCWW is responsible to replace the pipe up to the edge of my property, but from the sidewalk to the house is on my nickel.

God; I’m tired of these unexpected expenses. First, my sewer drain pipe was clogged with roots. That cost me a chunk of change. Then, the furnace took a dump and I got it replaced, along with the A/C unit. I’ll be paying for that for another two years. Then, I had to get the tree in the back taken down before it came down on its own (and it was about to!). There went the rest of my savings. In January, the water heater shit the bed. I thought that was going to be the last major expense for a while. Now, I have to have the water pipe replaced.

I’m so broke I’m having trouble paying attention. I’ve been living on a very thin shoestring since I retired and all these unexpected expenses are getting really old. I don’t go out to eat because it’s a lot cheaper to eat at home and it’s a big deal if I spend six bucks to see a movie (The first show of the day at 10:15 is only six bucks. The price goes up after that).

I don’t know what I’m going to do, but something will materialize. I hope. I filled out the request a quote form on the GCWW site. They subsidize 40% of the cost up to $1500. Once a contractor comes out here, I’ll know just how bad it’s going to hurt. I suspect that it’s going to be pretty painful.

Well; I guess all I can do is take it one step at a time and do the next right thing. One way or another, I’ll survive this and maybe I’ll even grow a bit from it. I just hope that there aren’t any more expensive surprises waiting in the shadows for their opportunity to wreak havoc on my life.

I think I feel a little better, now.
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86129squids
Posted on Tuesday, June 11, 2019 - 09:28 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I'm with ya, John. A couple of weeks ago I've had to spend unexpected $$$ on both dogs, then more on one last week trying to control his seizures. Nowhere near ready to tackle my gearbox problem with the Beemer, getting ready to look into brake issues with my sweetie's car. Plus, I'm going into the slower part of the year for my work. Yeesh.

I keep a Page-A-Day Zen calendar on my desk, always nice to see what the new day brings when I tear off one. Here's today...


Life is complex. Each one of us must make his own path through life. There are no self-help manuals, no formulas, no easy answers. The right road for one is the wrong one for another... The journey of life is not paved in Tarmac; it is not brightly lit, and it has no road signs. It is a rocky path through the wilderness.

M. Scott Peck


I like him- years ago I read his book "The Road Less Traveled". I'd recommend it to anyone.
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Crusty
Posted on Monday, June 17, 2019 - 11:04 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Whither Shall I Wander?


In about three weeks, I’m going to do a little traveling. Not much and not for long, but I’ll be on the road again for a couple of weeks. I’m really looking forward to it.

To get in the proper mood, I’ve been reading some of the Snippets I wrote during the summer of 2015. That helped me to get in the right mindset and it awakened the Tramp again; but as I read Snippets from later in the fall, I saw where I had started looking at people who were settled with a bit of envy. The end result of that eventually brought me to living here in Cheviot with my own home. That has put a serious bind on my traveling.

When I first got the news that my water pipe is made of lead and needs to be replaced, I seriously considered selling the house and getting back on the road. With the house being worth almost three times what I paid, I could pay off all my debt, buy and modify a new Roadster and have money to travel with. But what would I do when the money ran out? I seriously doubt that I’ll ever get another deal like the one I got on this house. And I really like being a Home Owner. The improvements I’m making might be slow, but they are improvements. And, like my bike, they reflect my personality.

So, selling the house is out. I just have to reach a fairly reasonable compromise between the two sides of my personality. The Tramp wants to ride to the Arctic and the Home Owner wants to mow the lawn and trim back the brush along the fence. I think I can work it out. It’s just part of the price I have to pay for marching to the beat of my different drummer.

Speaking of that beat, I am really surprised at the number of people who would rather travel by car, rather than by bike. They love riding their bikes over roads like the Dragon or Wolf Pen Gap, but they loathe the Interstate. I enjoy doing both. My bike isn’t set up to be super fast through the twisties, but then again, I’m going to be 69 years old in September and my skills aren’t as sharp as they once were. And, to be honest, I wasn’t really fast even when my skills were at their peak. When I raced, I was the guy who made the really fast people look good. Still, I enjoy riding on curvaceous roads as much as anyone.

The Interstate highways can be tedious at times. But they’re the most direct way to get from Point A to point B. Why should they be any less tedious in a car than on a bike? I’ve got the Roadster set up to be comfortable enough for long rides. I’ve done a few 800 mile days on it and they were no worse than doing 800 mile days in a cage. My bike isn’t specialized. It’s not as fast as a sport bike through the tight turns and it’s not as comfortable as a dedicated Touring bike (like an Electra Glide or a Gold Wing) rolling down the Slab, but it’s comfortable enough to spend literally months in the saddle.

To be honest, I prefer to ride secondary roads. That’s when I get to experience this country. That’s when I see all the neat and interesting things that the Interstates avoid. The Interstate is all about the destination; the secondary roads are about the journey; and that’s why I’m planning to take the long route when I set out. The United States is an incredible place that encompasses a remarkable amount of diverse and amazing features. I’ll never see them all, but I hope to see more of them each time I set out.

While my upcoming trip is about seeing friends and taking in an AFT race and eating foods that aren’t available here in Cincinnati, it’s also about covering roads that I’ve never been on and seeing things I’ve never seen. It’s what the Tramp in me lives for.
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Tootal
Posted on Monday, June 17, 2019 - 11:18 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Many "Moons" ago I was given a book to read. It was called "Blue Highways". The author traveled the country in his Ford Econoline van which doubled as his sleeping quarters. His story was of places he'd seen, people he met and things he got to experience like helping out on a fishing boat and receiving a fresh fish to cook up for dinner. Then how it spoiled him for life when it came to eating fish. I experienced the same thing in Badger's Quay, Newfoundland. When I was traveling more it was always my intent to take the back roads but there always seems to be that point in the trip where you need to get back so you just jump on the slab and banzai home. I don't like it but it's sometimes necessary. Enjoy your trip John!
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Ourdee
Posted on Monday, June 17, 2019 - 11:40 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I am really surprised at the number of people who would rather travel by car

Ouch. That hurts Brother. When I trailered to Twos this Spring I was upset that the last 100 miles there was in a car. Same when I left. I really liked riding in Georgia. So, I plan on riding Lil Red to Twos in stead of the car this Fall. Lil Red just isn't a good touring bike. The ergos are all wrong for an old man.

I do plan on riding bikes with you to Springfield in August. I was just thinking out loud on the phone. What is the date for it?
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Crusty
Posted on Monday, June 17, 2019 - 06:47 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Ourdee; the rescheduled Mile will be on Saturday, August 31. The regular Labor Day weekend Mile will be on Sunday, September 1. I'm pretty sure that once you've seen the Mile on Saturday, you'll want to see the Mile on Sunday. Also; on Sunday, you'll be able to take a Parade Lap of the track for something like ten bucks.

My comments were not directed at anyone specifically; I was caught off guard by the number of people who would rather haul their bikes somewhere instead of riding there. I guess using the same bike for multipurpose riding is becoming a rare thing.

Well; I always was a bit different. Why be normal?
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Ourdee
Posted on Monday, June 17, 2019 - 08:03 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Full throttle mile run on Lil Red?



Butter My Butt and Call Me a Biscuit!
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Ourdee
Posted on Monday, June 17, 2019 - 08:17 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I'm working on hotel money.
















(Message edited by ourdee on June 17, 2019)
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Ourdee
Posted on Monday, June 17, 2019 - 08:20 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I'll try and get an 8' gate built in the rear tomorrow. If it would just quit raining.
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04buell
Posted on Tuesday, June 18, 2019 - 08:03 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Are you guys planning on using Hotel Ruffner on your way through? Y’all know you are welcome.
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