In defense of the $5 hat...

All ~

I'm not paranoid and I'm not feeling defensive about my purchase...much.

I spotted the golden blonde deerskin cap on the table amongst the tan, black and brown toppers. It stood out from all of the rest. I popped it on my melon and the effect was immediate.

I could see the admiring looks from the bevy of beautiful by-standers, my wife included. A lesser man would not have proceeded. It's so soft and luxurious. The funny little man in the head-to-toe leather overalls smiled and said "For $5, take it home and rub it!" He was right. Here was a perfectly sumptuous piece of deer hide.

With it on my dome, I felt a change come over me. Instantly more confident, I felt like a superhero. In a flash, I knew who I resembled; Mercury, Messenger of the Gods.

The physical resemblance to me, here, is uncanny. Under the protective layers of Polartec and fat, the chiseled Italian body is identical. He's got a cape and I might have to look into getting one of those.

Yes, his cap has wings and I may want to add some to my sporty new cap. Perhaps some black leather ones can be sewn on.

Here's a better comparison:

Okay, so I don't have the curly hair.

Go find yourself a spankin' new lid and wear it proudly. Now, I wonder where I can get a goat....?

Happy Sunday,

Joe Rocket

Boston Bike Show, 2008

Hi,

Despite the company, the show was a bit of a disappointment, for me.

Last year we attended the bigger show in New York City, at The Javits Center, and all of the manufacturers had booths/displays there. They all had the full complement of their bike line-ups and all of the custom bikes were there, as well. So, the best of both worlds. This show was the chaps, gloves and local vendors.

I took a few pictures and will add them here.

This was nice blue custom I saw:

This is a nice wide rear-end to look at, on a different bike.

And some nice chrome pipes:

And here is a pretty red number, with great pinstriping work.

I'll leave it up to the others to tell you about my great, new hat and my "hat buddy", Jerry. We look like the twins, Frick and Frack.

Ride season can't arrive soon enough!

PS - As there were no manufacturers at the show, I did not get to see the new Yamaha FJR 1300. It was a big disappointment to not get to see it or sit on it. I did get on the new Ducatis, the 1098 and the new 848. Very nice, but the shape of the tanks go the opposite way of my belly....not so comfortable to lie on!

Talk to you soon. Enjoy the day.

Joe Rocket

Can't ride without this (what is it?)

Hi kids,

Today I'm asking for your input. So, comments are necessary and very welcome.

What is the ONE piece (or maybe two) of gear that you always carry when you ride? That must have, essential piece of something that without, you'd feel almost naked?

For me, after this past year, it is my TomTom Rider GPS. My closest friends and club members have heard me blather on about how clever it is. Yes, I admit to making and taking phone calls, while riding (there is an override that prevents outbound calling, while moving, but it wasn't working that day for some reason) but the bluetooth connectivity is only a part of the "cool" factor.

The real benefit, to me, is the "never lost" functionality of it. Honestly, I could get lost coming home from the grocery store. So, to never to have to worry about that by giving the navigational duties over to "Chad", puts me at ease and allows me to enjoy my riding more.

So, what is it you always carry, that provides the same peace of mind? Is it a tool kit, a favorite pair of goggles or gloves? A face shield cleaner kit?

Please, I want to hear from you so send me an email at: loudrocker@yahoo.com. I promise to collect these recommendations and list them for everyone in a future post. Thanks.

The countdown has begun. I think we have less than six months to go to our departure to Sturgis. That seems like a lot, perhaps to those who ride year-'round, but here in the Northeast, that's almost the length of our whole riding season!

I just purchased a bunch of camping gear from EMS that will get tested (hopefully) soon. I now have a new tent (bought last season) a new Thermarest mattress, pillow and chair/sling device (like Crumpet's) and the requisite compression sack/cover.

With the bike show coming to Boston this weekend, I will be on the lookout for EVERYTHING else I need for this trip. I hope to hear from you before then.

a low, slow wave as we pass,

Joe Rocket