Damn Sexy

I don't care what you think, I still say this bike is DAMN SEXY!

Are you listening?

I'm just wondering if anyone has used the FineTune application that sits on the left side there (go ahead, scroll down to look). If you click on it, you can listen to a playlist I picked out just for you (yes YOU). See? You don't think I do anything for you but I do.

Anyway, there's two different playlists there and I was about to add a third one when I realized I CAN'T REMEMBER ANOTHER PASSWORD! Holy shit. I don't know why I need so damn many passwords. Every friggin' site has its own protocol. Is it six letters and a number or eight letters. My brain RAM is full. I'm going to start carving these into the top of my desk at home. If you break into my house, you can have all the crap on my PC. How's that? Jesus!

So, this may be the end of playlists or I'll have to start over with FineTune. I like this program because it's (say it with me) FREE. I actually found songs there that I can't BUY on iTunes. Hmm. So, I'll try again or, get some vitamins or whatever will help me unclog my brain.

Also, I think we might ride (oh yeah, this is a motorcycle blog, innit?) tomorrow, Sunday. It is forecast to be in the high 40's and it will be warm enough to pull the cover off and put all the parts back together today. I'm going to try to rendezvous with Jerry midday. Not sure who else has their scooter out yet, besides Manny.

So, here we go. Back on two wheels again. Jeez, I sure hope everything still fits...

A low, slow wave,

Joe Rocket

A sturdy stool

Yes folks, at my age, all I want out of life is a good sturdy stool!

This is a shameless plug for a product I bought today at EMS. It's called the Tri-light stool and it is manufactured in Orono, Maine. If you click on the title (tired of hearing that YET?) it will take you to the manufacturer's site.

I was looking at some triangular seated camp seats, or stools, last year at EMS. They were too large to pack on the bike and I didn't like the way that third section snuck up on me, if you know what I mean. The guys in the crowd certainly will. It was a bit like riding a Western saddle.

Anyway, I was goofing off during the day yesterday and I wandered next door to EMS. I saw this small collapsible camp stool and had to have it. My only trepidation was the weight limit (200 lbs) but, I tested it and it did not groan audibly once. The legs are tubular steel and it has a nylon connector in the middle.

Here are a couple of shots I just took. That pica stick (who can tell me what it's used for?) has measurements up to 12" but the overall length is closer to 13".



I know that I can drop this into my saddlebags or bungee it to any part of the bike for a trip. It's light and durable and it will keep me off the ground. The next shot here is the opened stool. It is very easy to deploy.



The absolute best part of this nifty little camping chair is the price. I bought this for $20 at EMS. I grabbed the only one in stock but I bet you can find it online. The mfr. also offers links to retailers so poke around until you find it.

I'll do a test evaluation after its first real use. My teenager predicts that I will forget that it doesn't have a back and I will tumble ass over tea kettle. We'll see.

Stay tuned for more EXCITING product reviews.

A low, slow wave,

Joe Rocket

The advantages of deerskin

Click on the title to visit Lee Parks Design web site. Lee is a friend of a former co-worker and he was kind enough to spend time on the phone with me a few years back as I was trying to get ideas for self-employment. I haven't made that leap yet but his advice has stayed with me and I truly believe I am moving closer to that goal.

Check out his gloves and stuff. They make the nicest deerskin riding gloves for motorcyclists. I see that he will be at Americade this year and maybe, if time permits, we can finally meet in person.

Maybe I can get a new pair of gloves to go with this stylin' chapeau....



Here's that link again, for the anonymous user who can't follow directions:

http://www.leeparksdesign.com

Now go get yourself some deer hide.

Joe Rocket

Happy Easter/Pulpit Rock Hike

From Wiki:

A rock formation called Pulpit Rock (originally the Devil's Pulpit), is located in the northwest part of the town on New Boston Road and is the feature of the town-owned Pulpit Rock Conservation Area.
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We managed a short hike today as the man-child has been working since early this AM. We were so THRILLED when his alarm went off at 5:30 AM, an hour earlier than planned. The whole family was up and we two got out of bed to find out what was going on.

After a groggy start and much coffee, we dragged off in search of adventure. The parking lot at Pulpit Rock Conservation area was glassy with ice and it made for a fun start to our hike. The trails to the waterfalls were mostly packed granular but there was a good amount of ice on them as well.

The bridges that traverse the many small streams were covered with 2+ feet of snow, worn to a narrow, icy ridge. How comforting to stroll across these and know that a good soaking is only a misstep away. Somehow, I managed not to fall in.


We made our way to the falls and enjoyed the solitude and quiet whooshing sounds of the water in motion. There were lots of icicles and ice-covered rocks. A few spots of sun shone in so I could capture these:





It's almost time to roll the motorcycle out of the garage and fire it up for the first time of the season. It's been on a charger all winter and, as I sit here writing this, the thought occurs to me that I have not seen the key to the VTX since I covered it! I sure hope I didn't leave it in the ignition. Most likely in one my jackets. Ah well, it will turn up.

Anyway, the weather is slowly turning warmer and more and more riders/bikers are being spotted out and about (oot and aboot). Yesterday, it was a BMW K1200S rider on a bumblebee yellow and black model pulling out not far from Second Wind BMW. I'm sure he was either test-riding or stopping in for a bit of gear.

Friend Manny "claims" to have had his Harley-Davidson V-Rod (AKA The MAN-Rod) out for a 30 mile jaunt recently. He also reminds everyone he knows that, "Yes, it is for sale." It's just one bike in his collection...

Apologies to the friends who attended this month's T3 (Third Thirty Thursday) event which took place this past week. I was returning from a road trip and arrived too late to join you. But I was there in spirit, even if my sad, solo dinner that night came courtesy of a road-side Taco Bell instead of a higher quality mexican restaurant. I heard about the band but no one mentioned the food. Was it that bad? Was Shorty's better than the new Casa Blanca restaurant? I'd like to know and will endeavor to get there soon, mariachis or not.

That's all I have for today. The season should be starting soon and I will have something motorcycle related to write about again. It's been a long winter but spring is officially here, even if it doesn't look much like it, from my vantage point. I'm looking forward to riding again, lots of new roads, some camping, lots of fun and time spent on the road with you, my fellow riders. It looks like it will reach 50 degrees here by 4/1 but then we have some April showers to contend with. Are you getting wet?

A low, slow wave,

Joe Rocket