After waiting all summer to get new tires, I decided I did not want or need two bikes. I put both the shadow and the ninja up for sale, and the shadow is the one someone was willing to pay for. I think it went to a good home, but I wish that the ninja would have been the one to go.
Shortly after that, I finally got new tires on the ninja. Just before winter, the coolant sprung a leak. It's been in my garage since because I just have not wanted to work on it. I'm disappointed that it has had as many problems as it has in its short life span. I won't buy another ex500, and maybe not another kawasaki.
My other major hobby is music. In the last year, I joined a classic rock band. The band went through some major changes, including a full-on mutiny! It tries my patience at times, but I stick with it because I appreciate the chances to play and use the skills I learned as a music major. The other members are good people.
I also bought a hammond XK3-c (have always loved the hammond) and started a jazz organ combo. That has been very fun and educational. It is my first experience leading a group, and I often don't know what to do. I think everyone is enjoying it though.
It has been a long and snowy winter. My sleep schedule is really messed up - I am very tired all afternoon and early evening, but at bedtime I am wide awake. In the morning I have a difficult time getting up. I want to get up at 6 to practice piano, but lately it is all I can do to get up at 7:30 and rush off to work. Maybe now that I have written it down I will have more ambition in the morning and be able to get up.
I've been missing my family lately. They all live in the same area 9 hours away from us. I think it would be nice to be able to join them for get-togethers like birthdays or just for an occasional boardgame. At the same time, I don't want to leave the comfort of my stable job, familiar mortgage, etc.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Friday, June 29, 2007
July 2007 ride
Google Maps lets you save custom maps now.
I will be riding my ninja (with my new tribags from cortech) along this route to my parent's house.
My brother Alan, who just got a Honda Nighthawk 650, will be meeting me part way.
I will be riding my ninja (with my new tribags from cortech) along this route to my parent's house.
My brother Alan, who just got a Honda Nighthawk 650, will be meeting me part way.
Friday, May 11, 2007
Water in my oil
Several weeks ago I noticed droplets of water condensed onto the inside of the oil level viewer on my ninja. I changed the oil shortly after, but the droplets remained. Not too long after the water in the viewer was replaced by a white foam. In order to prevent problems with the foam interfering with oil flow throughout the engine, I removed the crank case cover to clean the engine out.
Here's what I found:
That is a thick and sticky foam, I believe caused by water mixing with the oil.
I was able to clean it all out, and I let the crankcase drain and dry for a few weeks while waiting for the replacement casket. The bike is back together and has been running for two weeks with no sign of water in the oil level window. Hopefully no permanent damage was done.
I don't know how water could have got into the engine - I suspect it was just from riding so much during the wet winter.
Here's what I found:
That is a thick and sticky foam, I believe caused by water mixing with the oil.
I was able to clean it all out, and I let the crankcase drain and dry for a few weeks while waiting for the replacement casket. The bike is back together and has been running for two weeks with no sign of water in the oil level window. Hopefully no permanent damage was done.
I don't know how water could have got into the engine - I suspect it was just from riding so much during the wet winter.
Saturday, October 14, 2006
Leaf Peep 2006
October 14 2006
Riders in New England, and I'm sure elsewhere, go on a "leaf peep" ride in the fall to view the changing foliage. I decided to go on my own leaf peep today.
Here is the photo album.
I rode down to Kendrick, then to Orofino, through Kamiah and Kooskia, up onto the Camas Prairie at Grangeville, and now I'm sitting in a dinner called the Cadillac Ranch.
I stopped to take a picture of the Cadillac, complete with bull horns on the grill, hoisted atop a thick pole. A combination truck stop / cafe, this is as good of a place as any to step inside to stretch my legs and use the restroom.
Above the toilet was a sign stating that if I wasn't a customer I don't get to use their johns. The claim was that 15 to 20 people use their toilets each day without buying anything. Well, too late to stop now... I picked up a candy bar to purchase so I wouldn't make any enemies.
Another sign at the cash register warned of a minimum $5.00 purchase for all debit and credit cards. I added some fries, a peanut butter shake, and some crackers to just get over the minimum purchase requirement. No worries if it would have been just under $5; to-go orders are an extra twenty cents. The grub is good, but I wasn't hungry. Maybe I'll use the bathroom one more time before I leave to get my money's worth..
I hope they don't charge for the entertainment. As I've been sitting here under a dead bear's head, I've been watching the local colors do their shopping. A boy of about 10 grabs a box of Q-tips off of the shelve and shows his enormous mother. Acting exasperated, she growls that she had already bought Q-tips. He puts them away with a look on his face that he's tired of trying.
I just ate a fried dirt clod that somehow got mixed in with my freshly cut fries. Perhaps the gas station attendant / short order cook forgot to rinse off the russet before slicing it in their stainless-steel french (or perhaps freedom) fry machine.
Near my table is a glass case full of knives and belt buckles. Next to a two foot long knife with an antler for a handle is a belt buckle that says "Wichita Kansas - 1985". Where else but Craigmont, Idaho can I get a Kansas belt buckle for five bucks? Maybe I should have sprung for that instead of the treats.
A pickup pulls up next to the window at my table with a dead elk in the bed. It's tongue is hanging out of it's stiff mouth as if it's dying wish was a glass of water. The driver and his son enter the store to purchase sodas. They are congratulated on their prize by the owner of the shop.
As I leave the diner, there's a 5 year old girl playing in the landscaping with what looks like an eight foot rattlesnake. A better look reveals the snake is just a toy, but looks real enough.
I love to ride. I read books and Internet message boards about other rider's adventures around the world through interesting places like Mongolia and Africa. I hope to someday soon take on those adventures and experience the people of the World. Today's ride reminds me that there are interesting, if not a bit bizarre, experiences to be had not far from home.
Riders in New England, and I'm sure elsewhere, go on a "leaf peep" ride in the fall to view the changing foliage. I decided to go on my own leaf peep today.
Here is the photo album.
I rode down to Kendrick, then to Orofino, through Kamiah and Kooskia, up onto the Camas Prairie at Grangeville, and now I'm sitting in a dinner called the Cadillac Ranch.
I stopped to take a picture of the Cadillac, complete with bull horns on the grill, hoisted atop a thick pole. A combination truck stop / cafe, this is as good of a place as any to step inside to stretch my legs and use the restroom.
Above the toilet was a sign stating that if I wasn't a customer I don't get to use their johns. The claim was that 15 to 20 people use their toilets each day without buying anything. Well, too late to stop now... I picked up a candy bar to purchase so I wouldn't make any enemies.
Another sign at the cash register warned of a minimum $5.00 purchase for all debit and credit cards. I added some fries, a peanut butter shake, and some crackers to just get over the minimum purchase requirement. No worries if it would have been just under $5; to-go orders are an extra twenty cents. The grub is good, but I wasn't hungry. Maybe I'll use the bathroom one more time before I leave to get my money's worth..
I hope they don't charge for the entertainment. As I've been sitting here under a dead bear's head, I've been watching the local colors do their shopping. A boy of about 10 grabs a box of Q-tips off of the shelve and shows his enormous mother. Acting exasperated, she growls that she had already bought Q-tips. He puts them away with a look on his face that he's tired of trying.
I just ate a fried dirt clod that somehow got mixed in with my freshly cut fries. Perhaps the gas station attendant / short order cook forgot to rinse off the russet before slicing it in their stainless-steel french (or perhaps freedom) fry machine.
Near my table is a glass case full of knives and belt buckles. Next to a two foot long knife with an antler for a handle is a belt buckle that says "Wichita Kansas - 1985". Where else but Craigmont, Idaho can I get a Kansas belt buckle for five bucks? Maybe I should have sprung for that instead of the treats.
A pickup pulls up next to the window at my table with a dead elk in the bed. It's tongue is hanging out of it's stiff mouth as if it's dying wish was a glass of water. The driver and his son enter the store to purchase sodas. They are congratulated on their prize by the owner of the shop.
As I leave the diner, there's a 5 year old girl playing in the landscaping with what looks like an eight foot rattlesnake. A better look reveals the snake is just a toy, but looks real enough.
I love to ride. I read books and Internet message boards about other rider's adventures around the world through interesting places like Mongolia and Africa. I hope to someday soon take on those adventures and experience the people of the World. Today's ride reminds me that there are interesting, if not a bit bizarre, experiences to be had not far from home.
Saturday, September 30, 2006
David and Teri's ride to Kendrick
Teri's afraid to ride.
It's understandable. She passed the MSF basic course using a Honda Rebel 250. We own an 800 cc Shadow and a 500 cc Ninja. Both bikes are faster than the Rebel, the Ninja is taller (she can't flat foot on it) and the Shadow is a lot heavier.
Shortly after she got her endorsement, we rode past Potlatch and to the end of White Pine drive. The day was windy and there was (as always) moderate traffic on Highway 95. She also mistook a gravel pit for a gravel road and dropped the Shadow. This particular ride did not help with her riding confidence.
On September 30, several months later, we got a babysitter and planned another ride. This time she took the Ninja, which is lighter and easier to control than the Shadow. Even a day before the ride she was getting nervous. I tried to comfort her and remind her she always has the option to back out. I also told her that she needed to go her own pace and not worry about me or any other traffic. We picked an easier path too, Moscow to Troy on Highway 8, then South to Kendrick (which includes a neat little canyon road that has very little traffic).
Teri never got any faster than 5 miles per hour under the speed limit all the way to Troy. We had a bit of a parade going, but I stayed close behind her and towards the center lane in an effort to hide the traffic and keep her from worrying about it. She did pretty good, though I could tell she really needed to learn to trust the lean in corners.
When we stopped in Troy she told me that she still thought the bike would tip over if it leaned much at all (which isn't true). She also suggested that she get on the Shadow with me and we ride two-up the rest of the trip, picking up the Ninja on the way home. I did not like the idea of leaving the Ninja alone like that and offered to just head home. She decided to ride the rest of the way. Her body language revealed that she was pretty wound up and stressed.
The traffic, though not bad on 8, was even lighter on the highway between Troy and Kendrick. I think this made things easier on her because she brought her speed up a little. Her corners were still incorrect - she would slow down in the middle of a turn rather than lean a little harder. She took the canyon road at the end of the stretch into Kendrick surprisingly well. I could tell she was learning to trust the bike and her skills. She even tried a small swerve.
We stopped at a park in Kendrick to rest and talk. Teri said she was still nervous and I don't think she realized that she was doing just fine. I tried not to give too much advice; I thought she just needed time in the saddle to get confident. After a short rest and drink, we took off for home.
I watched a completely changed rider in front of me this time. Teri kept her speed up, took corners at a proper speed, and rode with much more confidence. I pulled up next to here at a stop sign in Troy and gave her the thumbs up. She had a big smile on her face.
From Troy to Moscow was even better. Teri even safely passed a slow motorcycle.
Both of us were really excited about the progress she made when we got home. It was great to see her start to believe in the skills she gained while taking the motorcycle training course. I hope to do it again soon and often.
It's understandable. She passed the MSF basic course using a Honda Rebel 250. We own an 800 cc Shadow and a 500 cc Ninja. Both bikes are faster than the Rebel, the Ninja is taller (she can't flat foot on it) and the Shadow is a lot heavier.
Shortly after she got her endorsement, we rode past Potlatch and to the end of White Pine drive. The day was windy and there was (as always) moderate traffic on Highway 95. She also mistook a gravel pit for a gravel road and dropped the Shadow. This particular ride did not help with her riding confidence.
On September 30, several months later, we got a babysitter and planned another ride. This time she took the Ninja, which is lighter and easier to control than the Shadow. Even a day before the ride she was getting nervous. I tried to comfort her and remind her she always has the option to back out. I also told her that she needed to go her own pace and not worry about me or any other traffic. We picked an easier path too, Moscow to Troy on Highway 8, then South to Kendrick (which includes a neat little canyon road that has very little traffic).
Teri never got any faster than 5 miles per hour under the speed limit all the way to Troy. We had a bit of a parade going, but I stayed close behind her and towards the center lane in an effort to hide the traffic and keep her from worrying about it. She did pretty good, though I could tell she really needed to learn to trust the lean in corners.
When we stopped in Troy she told me that she still thought the bike would tip over if it leaned much at all (which isn't true). She also suggested that she get on the Shadow with me and we ride two-up the rest of the trip, picking up the Ninja on the way home. I did not like the idea of leaving the Ninja alone like that and offered to just head home. She decided to ride the rest of the way. Her body language revealed that she was pretty wound up and stressed.
The traffic, though not bad on 8, was even lighter on the highway between Troy and Kendrick. I think this made things easier on her because she brought her speed up a little. Her corners were still incorrect - she would slow down in the middle of a turn rather than lean a little harder. She took the canyon road at the end of the stretch into Kendrick surprisingly well. I could tell she was learning to trust the bike and her skills. She even tried a small swerve.
We stopped at a park in Kendrick to rest and talk. Teri said she was still nervous and I don't think she realized that she was doing just fine. I tried not to give too much advice; I thought she just needed time in the saddle to get confident. After a short rest and drink, we took off for home.
I watched a completely changed rider in front of me this time. Teri kept her speed up, took corners at a proper speed, and rode with much more confidence. I pulled up next to here at a stop sign in Troy and gave her the thumbs up. She had a big smile on her face.
From Troy to Moscow was even better. Teri even safely passed a slow motorcycle.
Both of us were really excited about the progress she made when we got home. It was great to see her start to believe in the skills she gained while taking the motorcycle training course. I hope to do it again soon and often.
Friday, September 22, 2006
selkirk2006
Sept 10 2006
I took a week off of work with the intention of riding the Selkirk scenic loop - taking my time to stop and visit anythging that looked interesting.
Here is the album.
This morning, as I prepared to go, I kept finding reasons to bail on the trip. First of all, I just had a bad feeling about it - can't say why. I also found that I had been reading my service manual wrong and missed my 7500 mile service (though I did a full lube job yesterday). By the time I packed everything on the bike, it just looked way too top heavy. I removed some things even though I did not feel I had packed anything unnecessary.
Teri and the boys got home from church at noon, and were surprised to see I had not left. I told Teri about my apprehension with leaving, and she said to just take off and if I felt like it, turn around and come home.
I am now a few miles North of Bonners Ferry along side a logging road, and have had a very good ride.
I took Highway 95 to Potlatch, where I had to fill up. The White Pine scenic byway leaves Potlatch to St. Maries and includes the wonderful White Pine drive - a twisty corridor of trees and little traffic. From St. Maries, I went along the St. Joe river and Lake Benewah to Plummer. Back on Highway 95, I headed North to Coeur d'Alene. Just south of CdA is an elaborate tribal casino, which was just a tent when Teri and I moved here in 1997.
There's a long bridge that takes highway 95 across Lake Pend Orreille; parallel to a train track bridge. It was an exceptional view riding alongside a three engine train atop the beautiful lake. I raced tha train from Sandpoint to Pend Oreille (the city) where we parted paths.
Although it was just 6 pm when I arrived in Bonners Ferry, the sun was dropping below the mountains and I decided to begin looking for a camping sport. But first I needed to fuel up. I found a 24/7 conoco whose credit card reader slots at the pumps were duct taped over. A sign said to pay inside. I went to the doors, and there was a sign hung that said "Closed Sunday for church and restock." Luckily Bonner's Ferry is NOT a one gas station town.
About 6 miles north of Bonner's Ferry, I saw a camping sign and turned off. I followed a gravel road for about three miles before picking a spot to set cammp. Along the way, I saw a large black bear. I really need to figure out a way to get to my camera fastyer. The bear made me decide to skip dinner tonight.
Woke up at 6am after a chilly night.
By the time I packed and started to roll out, the sun was just peaking over the mountains.
Riding in the cold towards the border, I thought of the things I did right and wrong so far on the trip:
right: packing my winter riding gloves and helmet liner.
wrong: leaving my sweats (no packing space)
right: bringing long johns
wrong: bringing an old tarp with paint on it (should have sprung for a new one)
I hit the northern end of US highway 95 at about 8:00 am. I spent a bit of time taking pictures before crossing the border. Crossing was no hassle, I just had to answer a few simple questions and show my drivers license. A family of wild turkeys welcomed me as I entered British Columbia.
I filled up and had breakfast in Creston. From Creston I head north along highway 3a.
I arrived at the Kootenay Bay at 11:30, and boarded the Osprey 2000 at 12:15. The loader told me to pull up right next to a Harley Softail in front; the riders weren't too pleased about that nor was the guy in the car adjacent to me who was trying to get out just as I pulled up. The ferry ride is supposed to be the largest free ferry in N. America, and runs just over 30 minutes. The scenery across Kootenay Lake is wonderful - the type of clean blue mountain air that makes you take a deep breath and clear mountain water that makes you thirsty.
There's a real friendly local guy who asked what type of bike I had. I told him it was a Kawasaki Ninja. "Crotch rocket, eh?" He rides a Yamaha V-star himself. We talked bikes for a bit. Later he saw me typing and said "Boy you just bring yer computer right with ya hey?"
Another guy came up to ask where in the States I was from. I told him Moscow, ID and he said he had heard that there was a "Testy Festy" near there in Montana. I told him I had seen the signs but never attended. He'd heard it was a real party and was going to look it up on the internet. One of these days I might ride to the famous Testical Festival - might even try a nut.
While debarking, I apologized to the harley rider for crowding him. He smiled and said that's ok. He said he just likes to watch over his bike because sometimes when he parks it but doesn't put it in gear it likes to walk off while on the ferry.
From Balfour it's on to Nelson.
Update Sept 21 2006
The rest of the ride was beautiful - so much so that I didn't even stop to write.
On my way back to the border at Nelway BC & Metaline, WA, I had a desire to cut across Highway 3 instead. The only problem was that it was getting late in the day and I needed to find a camping spot. I flipped a mental coin and went to Highway 3. I'm sure glad I did because it is one of the more scenic roads I have been on. The highway is closed during the winter, and features nice rocky cliffs and unspoiled forested valleys.
Crossing the border at Rykerts / Porthill was interseting. I took pictures, but got into trouble because of it with the border guard. He told me it was a risky thing to do on 9/11, and asked to examine my pictures. He said he wouldn't make me delete them (I didn't care if he would have..). Although he said there was a sign posted that said no photos, I didn't see it. He then proceeded to lecture me on the risk of hitting animals I was taking by riding a motorcycle. I was in a foul mood by the time he finally let me go.
As I rode south, I was keeping an eye open for a camping spot. Something drove me to keep riding. I got as far as Sandpoint and it was still light. I began calculating how late it would be when I got home, and this combined with whatever was making me want to keep at it made me decide to just return home. This was Monday night, the beginning of what was supposed to be my week long vacation.
Riding South of Coeur d'Alene, Highway 95 is narrow and under construction with a 45 mph speed limit. It was dark, and a guy was tailgaiting me real bad. I usually pull over and let these clowns move on out of my life in this type of situation, but there is nowhere to pull over on this stretch of road. He finally passed me on a double yellow line, driving me to the edge of the road. The shoulder there was steep gravel, so I dared not go onto it. I couldn't see it due to the tailgater's bright headlights, but immediately behind him was a semi truck pulling a trailer. I don't know if the driver didn't see me or was just being a jerk, but he passed on the double yellow as well. Since I did not see the truck, I was starting to pull back onto the highway. I saw the truck just barely in time and swerved over. As the trucker passed, he laid on his horn (it was too late for the sound to have warned me). I was glad when that stretch ended at the casino.
I made it home just after 10 pm. Shortly after that I broke out in a fever and spent the rest of the week in bed with a terrible flu. I'm glad I wasn't in a tent when the bug hit me.
The trip was good. I learned I can be awake and aware and ready to react to aggressive drivers late at night on narrow roads.
I took a week off of work with the intention of riding the Selkirk scenic loop - taking my time to stop and visit anythging that looked interesting.
Here is the album.
This morning, as I prepared to go, I kept finding reasons to bail on the trip. First of all, I just had a bad feeling about it - can't say why. I also found that I had been reading my service manual wrong and missed my 7500 mile service (though I did a full lube job yesterday). By the time I packed everything on the bike, it just looked way too top heavy. I removed some things even though I did not feel I had packed anything unnecessary.
Teri and the boys got home from church at noon, and were surprised to see I had not left. I told Teri about my apprehension with leaving, and she said to just take off and if I felt like it, turn around and come home.
I am now a few miles North of Bonners Ferry along side a logging road, and have had a very good ride.
I took Highway 95 to Potlatch, where I had to fill up. The White Pine scenic byway leaves Potlatch to St. Maries and includes the wonderful White Pine drive - a twisty corridor of trees and little traffic. From St. Maries, I went along the St. Joe river and Lake Benewah to Plummer. Back on Highway 95, I headed North to Coeur d'Alene. Just south of CdA is an elaborate tribal casino, which was just a tent when Teri and I moved here in 1997.
There's a long bridge that takes highway 95 across Lake Pend Orreille; parallel to a train track bridge. It was an exceptional view riding alongside a three engine train atop the beautiful lake. I raced tha train from Sandpoint to Pend Oreille (the city) where we parted paths.
Although it was just 6 pm when I arrived in Bonners Ferry, the sun was dropping below the mountains and I decided to begin looking for a camping sport. But first I needed to fuel up. I found a 24/7 conoco whose credit card reader slots at the pumps were duct taped over. A sign said to pay inside. I went to the doors, and there was a sign hung that said "Closed Sunday for church and restock." Luckily Bonner's Ferry is NOT a one gas station town.
About 6 miles north of Bonner's Ferry, I saw a camping sign and turned off. I followed a gravel road for about three miles before picking a spot to set cammp. Along the way, I saw a large black bear. I really need to figure out a way to get to my camera fastyer. The bear made me decide to skip dinner tonight.
Woke up at 6am after a chilly night.
By the time I packed and started to roll out, the sun was just peaking over the mountains.
Riding in the cold towards the border, I thought of the things I did right and wrong so far on the trip:
right: packing my winter riding gloves and helmet liner.
wrong: leaving my sweats (no packing space)
right: bringing long johns
wrong: bringing an old tarp with paint on it (should have sprung for a new one)
I hit the northern end of US highway 95 at about 8:00 am. I spent a bit of time taking pictures before crossing the border. Crossing was no hassle, I just had to answer a few simple questions and show my drivers license. A family of wild turkeys welcomed me as I entered British Columbia.
I filled up and had breakfast in Creston. From Creston I head north along highway 3a.
I arrived at the Kootenay Bay at 11:30, and boarded the Osprey 2000 at 12:15. The loader told me to pull up right next to a Harley Softail in front; the riders weren't too pleased about that nor was the guy in the car adjacent to me who was trying to get out just as I pulled up. The ferry ride is supposed to be the largest free ferry in N. America, and runs just over 30 minutes. The scenery across Kootenay Lake is wonderful - the type of clean blue mountain air that makes you take a deep breath and clear mountain water that makes you thirsty.
There's a real friendly local guy who asked what type of bike I had. I told him it was a Kawasaki Ninja. "Crotch rocket, eh?" He rides a Yamaha V-star himself. We talked bikes for a bit. Later he saw me typing and said "Boy you just bring yer computer right with ya hey?"
Another guy came up to ask where in the States I was from. I told him Moscow, ID and he said he had heard that there was a "Testy Festy" near there in Montana. I told him I had seen the signs but never attended. He'd heard it was a real party and was going to look it up on the internet. One of these days I might ride to the famous Testical Festival - might even try a nut.
While debarking, I apologized to the harley rider for crowding him. He smiled and said that's ok. He said he just likes to watch over his bike because sometimes when he parks it but doesn't put it in gear it likes to walk off while on the ferry.
From Balfour it's on to Nelson.
Update Sept 21 2006
The rest of the ride was beautiful - so much so that I didn't even stop to write.
On my way back to the border at Nelway BC & Metaline, WA, I had a desire to cut across Highway 3 instead. The only problem was that it was getting late in the day and I needed to find a camping spot. I flipped a mental coin and went to Highway 3. I'm sure glad I did because it is one of the more scenic roads I have been on. The highway is closed during the winter, and features nice rocky cliffs and unspoiled forested valleys.
Crossing the border at Rykerts / Porthill was interseting. I took pictures, but got into trouble because of it with the border guard. He told me it was a risky thing to do on 9/11, and asked to examine my pictures. He said he wouldn't make me delete them (I didn't care if he would have..). Although he said there was a sign posted that said no photos, I didn't see it. He then proceeded to lecture me on the risk of hitting animals I was taking by riding a motorcycle. I was in a foul mood by the time he finally let me go.
As I rode south, I was keeping an eye open for a camping spot. Something drove me to keep riding. I got as far as Sandpoint and it was still light. I began calculating how late it would be when I got home, and this combined with whatever was making me want to keep at it made me decide to just return home. This was Monday night, the beginning of what was supposed to be my week long vacation.
Riding South of Coeur d'Alene, Highway 95 is narrow and under construction with a 45 mph speed limit. It was dark, and a guy was tailgaiting me real bad. I usually pull over and let these clowns move on out of my life in this type of situation, but there is nowhere to pull over on this stretch of road. He finally passed me on a double yellow line, driving me to the edge of the road. The shoulder there was steep gravel, so I dared not go onto it. I couldn't see it due to the tailgater's bright headlights, but immediately behind him was a semi truck pulling a trailer. I don't know if the driver didn't see me or was just being a jerk, but he passed on the double yellow as well. Since I did not see the truck, I was starting to pull back onto the highway. I saw the truck just barely in time and swerved over. As the trucker passed, he laid on his horn (it was too late for the sound to have warned me). I was glad when that stretch ended at the casino.
I made it home just after 10 pm. Shortly after that I broke out in a fever and spent the rest of the week in bed with a terrible flu. I'm glad I wasn't in a tent when the bug hit me.
The trip was good. I learned I can be awake and aware and ready to react to aggressive drivers late at night on narrow roads.
Sunday, August 20, 2006
Group Ride
Yesterday I went on a group ride with 5 other people I know from work and the pnwriders.com message board. All of us were on sportsbikes.
The plan was to ride Spiral Highway, then Rattlesnake and back.
Spiral was fun. Although I tell myself I won't let others in a group push me beyond my comfort riding level, if I was completely honest I'd admit that I also wanted the others in the group to be impressed by me. I think I may have pushed it a little bit because of this, but not by much. This, to me, is one of the dangers of riding in a group and one of the reasons I prefer to ride alone. I took off first from the top of spiral, partly in hopes of being able to get to a good corner to take some pictures. It only took a few seconds for three of the other riders to pass me. I didn't even see the first one come up behind me. I took most of the curves at 50mph after that, so it was pretty easy going.
The Asotin grade was fun as well. I scraped a peg in one of the final corners, but was still one of the slower riders.
Rattlesnake is where things got interesting. I fell behind on the flat highway before Anatone; my ex500 just couldn't keep up with the others, except for one other which was also an ex500. We met up at the campground near Rattleskale, and I elected to take up the rear (I thought I'd probably be stopping for pictures and didn't want to slow anyone down). After approximately three miles, the bikes in front of me suddenly slowed down. Around the corner I saw that one of the bikes had gone down. It was wedged wheel first into the guard rail, If I hadn't been thinking about making sure everyone was OK, I would have thought to get some pictures. Except for being quite shaken up by the experience and some minor scratches, the rider was fine.
It appears that he may have fixated or took the corner too fast and rode into the rail. All he remembers is flying ahead of his bike. The bike took a pretty bad beating. It's forks were broke, front upper and lower fairing cracked, gas tank punctured, and most things that stick out like blinkers and pedals were snapped off. Past the guard rail was a 200 foot drop – everyone commented that it was a good thing the rail was there.
As we were waiting for a pickup, some guys in the group commented on how many wrecks they had seen and been in. One guy has either seen or been in a wreck on eveery group ride this summer. This is the one that passed me first on Spiral. I've been riding for about two years now, and this is the first wreck I have seen.
I can't help but wonder, if they see and experience so many accidents, why ride so aggressively? Maybe a sense of self-preservation is something that comes with age, or with having a family. I know of some people who would quit riding after seeing one wreck. I certainly cannot give up riding yet, but I have kept my speed in check since seeing the accident yesterday.
I have also been thinking a lot about riding alone versus with a group. I have always been a loaner. At times I wish I could be more social; it's dificult for me to initiate communications, and I often feel akward around others. When it comes to riding, I do enjoy rides with small groups, and have been in one large one that was pretty fun, but I enjoy myself much more when riding alone. I like the freedom of selecting a speed I comfortable with, having my choice of when to stop for whatever reason, and many times what path to take or explore without a specific destination. There is one thing I would change – I'd like Teri to be with me more often on my lonesome rides. I think riding with her would have all the benefits of riding solo, but with the pleasure of sharing the experience with her.
The plan was to ride Spiral Highway, then Rattlesnake and back.
Spiral was fun. Although I tell myself I won't let others in a group push me beyond my comfort riding level, if I was completely honest I'd admit that I also wanted the others in the group to be impressed by me. I think I may have pushed it a little bit because of this, but not by much. This, to me, is one of the dangers of riding in a group and one of the reasons I prefer to ride alone. I took off first from the top of spiral, partly in hopes of being able to get to a good corner to take some pictures. It only took a few seconds for three of the other riders to pass me. I didn't even see the first one come up behind me. I took most of the curves at 50mph after that, so it was pretty easy going.
The Asotin grade was fun as well. I scraped a peg in one of the final corners, but was still one of the slower riders.
Rattlesnake is where things got interesting. I fell behind on the flat highway before Anatone; my ex500 just couldn't keep up with the others, except for one other which was also an ex500. We met up at the campground near Rattleskale, and I elected to take up the rear (I thought I'd probably be stopping for pictures and didn't want to slow anyone down). After approximately three miles, the bikes in front of me suddenly slowed down. Around the corner I saw that one of the bikes had gone down. It was wedged wheel first into the guard rail, If I hadn't been thinking about making sure everyone was OK, I would have thought to get some pictures. Except for being quite shaken up by the experience and some minor scratches, the rider was fine.
It appears that he may have fixated or took the corner too fast and rode into the rail. All he remembers is flying ahead of his bike. The bike took a pretty bad beating. It's forks were broke, front upper and lower fairing cracked, gas tank punctured, and most things that stick out like blinkers and pedals were snapped off. Past the guard rail was a 200 foot drop – everyone commented that it was a good thing the rail was there.
As we were waiting for a pickup, some guys in the group commented on how many wrecks they had seen and been in. One guy has either seen or been in a wreck on eveery group ride this summer. This is the one that passed me first on Spiral. I've been riding for about two years now, and this is the first wreck I have seen.
I can't help but wonder, if they see and experience so many accidents, why ride so aggressively? Maybe a sense of self-preservation is something that comes with age, or with having a family. I know of some people who would quit riding after seeing one wreck. I certainly cannot give up riding yet, but I have kept my speed in check since seeing the accident yesterday.
I have also been thinking a lot about riding alone versus with a group. I have always been a loaner. At times I wish I could be more social; it's dificult for me to initiate communications, and I often feel akward around others. When it comes to riding, I do enjoy rides with small groups, and have been in one large one that was pretty fun, but I enjoy myself much more when riding alone. I like the freedom of selecting a speed I comfortable with, having my choice of when to stop for whatever reason, and many times what path to take or explore without a specific destination. There is one thing I would change – I'd like Teri to be with me more often on my lonesome rides. I think riding with her would have all the benefits of riding solo, but with the pleasure of sharing the experience with her.
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