Perfect riding day

Today was a perfect day to ride. Sunny, warm, dry, the kind of day you could pack on the miles...But I didn't ride today. Today I was a suburban slave: raking, mulching, washing, fixing, charging, seeding. Ah, the joy of home ownership!

Lucky for me, I have friends who are kind enough to rub in the fact that they were riding today and I was not. This morning at 11:15, bent over the mulch pile we all heard it. At first, it sounded like a distant plane. As it got closer my wife made some comment about a train, even though the nearest tracks are a mile or more away. And then I instantly knew what it was. A large group of motorcycles, headed our way.

As they roared around the corner to our street, I smiled a big grin as the insidious leader of this foray, Ultra Bosco cruised up the street bearing a smug, smarmy smile. I waved to some, flipped off others and laughed out loud as the bikes continued to pile into our neighborhood. I lost count after a while. It seemed like everyone in the club made it out today for a ride.

After they rounded the cul de sac the leader of this fiasco pulled up at the end of my driveway. They enjoyed the fact that I was hard at work, sweating in the warm sun. My son ran into the house for my camera so I'll post the few shots I took here.

New friends-


Old friends-














New riders with new bikes:


All of them sparkling prettily in the spring sunshine...



I hope you all had a great ride today. I'm considering having a bumper sticker made that says "My other bike is a rake." Well, we gotta do what we gotta do. When the lawn comes in and the gardens are in full bloom, I'll have my biker friends over to enjoy the fruits of our labors. And you know what? No matter how bad I ache tomorrow when I wake, I'm pulling on my boots and hitting the open road.

This is going to be a great season, a great year. I'm excited that we have new friends to join us as we explore every nook and granny in New England. I'll see you out there my friends.

A low, slow wave,

Joe Rocket

THEY'RE COMING TO TAKE AWAY, HA-HA!

If it doesn't get nice here soon, I'm going to FLIP OUT!




Okay, I realize that when men come from the "funny farm" they don't arrive in a short bus. More likely an ambulance. But I saw this in Nova Scotia last summer and still think it's funny. Funnier than an ambulance.

So who's daft now? Go ask Pat Joller in California.

A low, slow wave on a Thursday morning, on the way to a wet weekend...

Joe Rocket

Slooooow start!

All,

I feel listless, tired and uninspired. I've got little to say, for once! The slow start to the season is bringing me down. Last week, we had a small taste of what it means to ride again and then nothing at all this past weekend, due mostly to the temps, the drizzle and familial obligations. Ah yes! The never-ending battle between the "real world" (family, yard work, chores, etc.) and the open road (smooth roads, fast curves, scenic by-ways, flirtatious bar wenches). Come on! Permit me just a few indulgences!

On a whim, I stopped at the Yamaha dealer tonight on the way home from work, to see if they had the FJR 1300. I just wanted to SEE it. Our local shop is small and has limited inventory and I almost didn't go the 1/4 mile out of my way, on the assumption that they would not have this bike in stock. Well, they did. It was there, all glossy, shiny black in it's newness. The side (hard) bags were not on yet and they had a sold sign on it. Boo! Hiss.

After I raped it with my eyes, the sales guy asked me if I needed anything. A towel for the drool, I suppose (or Crumpet's spanky hanky!). To my happy surprise, it was not sold, the sign was there to protect it from errant feet and the inevitable scuff marks. He pulled it forward for me and I carefully swung a leg over it. Aahh! You know that moment of relief, when you get to sit after standing for a long while? This was like that. A nearly audible sigh escaped my lips.

Wow. Very nice. I didn't bother to ask the kid to run through the specs. I saw most of these online and know this is a killer bike. It looks big, in person, bigger than I expected. I was surprised by the protruding dual, stainless steel exhaust cans. I suppose they are hidden when the hard bags are in place. But, after having a bike with underseat exhaust, anything else looks like ancient history. I wonder how far you can lean this thing? I'd like to see that test in a bike mag!

It has a low seat that I can easily touch down (flat-footed) from, given my 30" inseam. Shorter guys will need smaller bikes, sorry. I would guess this bike is good for riders 5'10" and above.

I felt guilty and didn't tarry. I didn't want to fall in love with it, even though it was too late for that. I just had to "steal a kiss" and be on my way. Perhaps if I were in a better place and could take the hit on my new bike, I'd trade. I don't know. Now I feel all mixed up inside.

I want comfort on my trip this year but I think that I may have the slowest bike in our little foursome. I miss the speed that I got out of my VFR, which was reasonably quick, for a middleweight sport/tourer. Yes, it was a bit uncomfortable on long trips, but this bike is different. Big, roomy, comfortable, adjustable seat, power adjustable windscreen, 1300cc of inline four power, all 145 horses and ABS to haul them to a halt. Fast. Black. Naughty. God, I feel dirty! Like I just cheated on my bike with another bike. This is the bike my mother warned me about...

More to come, and many sleepless nights as I ponder the possibilities. Yes, Pinkie, I called you for a reason. Time to upgrade to a nice,(almost)new VTX 1300. It's been ridden slowly (sort of) and well-cared for. Call me.

A low, slow wave,

Joe Rocket

50 Ways to Save Your Life

Folks,

I don't normally "cut and paste" but I haven't posted all week and I saw this and thought it was a useful reminder. Most of you "cruiser dudes" probably don't read MotorCyclist magazine anyway, due to it's focus mostly on sportier bikes...

Enjoy -

Joe Rocket



50 Ways to Save Your Life
We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit. --Aristotle
writer: The Motorcyclist Staff

The best bike in the world is scrap--or soon will be--unless you learn how to use it. The most powerful piece of high-performance hardware is between your ears. To help you program it with the right information, we've assembled 50 potentially lifesaving bits of street savvy. Some you'll know, some you won't. All are worth remembering, because when it comes to riding motorcycles on the street, the people over at the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (www.msf-usa.org) have the right idea with their tagline: The more you know, the better it gets.




1. Assume you're invisible
Because to a lot of drivers, you are. Never make a move based on the assumption that another driver sees you, even if you've just made eye contact. Bikes don't always register in the four-wheel mind.

2. Be considerate
The consequences of strafing the jerk du jour or cutting him off start out bad and get worse. Pretend it was your grandma and think again.

3. Dress for the crash, not the pool or the prom
Sure, Joaquin's Fish Tacos is a 5-minute trip, but nobody plans to eat pavement. Modern mesh gear means 100-degree heat is no excuse for a T-shirt and board shorts.

4. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst
Assume that car across the intersection will turn across your bow when the light goes green, with or without a turn signal.

5. Leave your ego at home
The only people who really care if you were faster on the freeway will be the officer and the judge.

6. Pay attention
Yes, there is a half-naked girl on the billboard. That shock does feels squishy. Meanwhile, you could be drifting toward Big Trouble. Focus.

7. Mirrors only show you part of the picture
Never change direction without turning your head to make sure the coast really is clear.



Mirrors only show you part of the picture.
8. Be patient
Always take another second or three before you pull out to pass, ride away from a curb or into freeway traffic from an on-ramp. It's what you don't see that gets you. That extra look could save your butt.

9. Watch your closing speed
Passing cars at twice their speed or changing lanes to shoot past a row of stopped cars is just asking for trouble.

10. Beware the verge and the merge
A lot of nasty surprises end up on the sides of the road: empty McDonald's bags, nails, TV antennas, ladders, you name it. Watch for potentially troublesome debris on both sides of the road.

11. Left-turning cars remain a leading killer of motorcyclists
Don't assume someone will wait for you to dart through the intersection. They're trying to beat the light, too.

12. Beware of cars running traffic lights
The first few seconds after a signal light changes are the most perilous. Look both ways before barging into an intersection.

13. Check your mirrors
Do it every time you change lanes, slow down or stop. Be ready to move if another vehicle is about to occupy the space you'd planned to use.



Scan 12 seconds ahead for potential trouble.
14. Mind the gap
Remember Driver's Ed? One second's worth of distance per 10 mph is the old rule of thumb. Better still, scan the next 12 seconds ahead for potential trouble.

15. Beware of tuner cars
They're quick and their drivers tend to be aggressive. Don't assume you've beaten one away from a light or outpaced it in traffic and change lanes without looking. You could end up as a Nissan hood ornament.

16. Excessive entrance speed hurts
It's the leading cause of single-bike accidents on twisty roads and racetracks. In Slow, Out Fast is the old adage, and it still works. Dialing up corner speed is safer than scrubbing it off.

17. Don't trust that deer whistle
Ungulates and other feral beasts prowl at dawn and dusk, so heed those big yellow signs. If you're riding in a target-rich environment, slow down and watch the shoulders.

18. Learn to use both brakes
The front does most of your stopping, but a little rear brake on corner entry can calm a nervous chassis.

19. Keep the front brake covered--always
Save a single second of reaction time at 60 mph and you can stop 88 feet shorter. Think about that.

20. Look where you want to go
Use the miracle of target fixation to your advantage. The motorcycle goes where you look, so focus on the solution instead of the problem.



Check your mirrors every time you change lanes.
21. Keep your eyes moving
Traffic is always shifting, so keep scanning for potential trouble. Don't lock your eyes on any one thing for too long unless you're actually dealing with trouble.

22. Think before you act
Careful whipping around that Camry going 7 mph in a 25-mph zone or you could end up with your head in the driver's side door when he turns into the driveway right in front of you.

23. Raise your gaze
It's too late to do anything about the 20 feet immediately in front of your fender, so scan the road far enough ahead to see trouble and change trajectory.

24. Get your mind right in the driveway
Most accidents happen during the first 15 minutes of a ride, below 40 mph, near an intersection or driveway. Yes, that could be your driveway.

25. Come to a full stop at that next stop sign
Put a foot down. Look again. Anything less forces a snap decision with no time to spot potential trouble.

26. Never dive into a gap in stalled traffic
Cars may have stopped for a reason, and you may not be able to see why until it's too late to do anything about it.

27. Don't saddle up more than you can handle
If you weigh 95 pounds, avoid that 795-pound cruiser. If you're 5-foot-5, forget those towering adventure-tourers.



Stay in your comfort zone riding with a group.
28. Watch for car doors opening in traffic
And smacking a car that's swerving around some goofball's open door is just as painful.

29. Don't get in an intersection rut
Watch for a two-way stop after a string of four-way intersections. If you expect cross-traffic to stop, there could be a painful surprise when it doesn't.

30. Stay in your comfort zone when you're with a group
Riding over your head is a good way to end up in the ditch. Any bunch worth riding with will have a rendezvous point where you'll be able to link up again.

31. Give your eyes some time to adjust
A minute or two of low light heading from a well-lighted garage onto dark streets is a good thing. Otherwise, you're essentially flying blind for the first mile or so.


32. Master the slow U-turn
Practice. Park your butt on the outside edge of the seat and lean the bike into the turn, using your body as a counterweight as you pivot around the rear wheel.

33. Who put a stop sign at the top of this hill?
Don't panic. Use the rear brake to keep from rolling back down. Use Mr. Throttle and Mr. Clutch normally--and smoothly--to pull away.


34. If it looks slippery, assume it is
A patch of suspicious pavement could be just about anything. Butter Flavor Crisco? Gravel? Mobil 1? Or maybe it's nothing. Better to slow down for nothing than go on your head.


35. Bang! A blowout! Now what?
No sudden moves. The motorcycle isn't happy, so be prepared to apply a little calming muscle to maintain course. Ease back the throttle, brake gingerly with the good wheel and pull over very smoothly to the shoulder. Big sigh.



Hedge your bets at intersections.
36. Drops on the faceshield?
It's raining. Lightly misted pavement can be slipperier than when it's been rinsed by a downpour, and you never know how much grip there is. Apply maximum-level concentration, caution and smoothness.

37. Emotions in check?
To paraphrase Mr. Ice Cube, chickity-check yoself before you wreck yoself. Emotions are as powerful as any drug, so take inventory every time you saddle up. If you're mad, sad, exhausted or anxious, stay put.

38. Wear good gear
Wear stuff that fits you and the weather. If you're too hot or too cold or fighting with a jacket that binds across the shoulders, you're dangerous. It's that simple.

39. Leave the iPod at home
You won't hear that cement truck in time with Spinal Tap cranked to 11, but they might like your headphones in intensive care.

40. Learn to swerve
Be able to do two tight turns in quick succession. Flick left around the bag of briquettes, then right back to your original trajectory. The bike will follow your eyes, so look at the way around, not the briquettes. Now practice till it's a reflex.

41. Be smooth at low speeds
Take some angst out, especially of slow-speed maneuvers, with a bit of rear brake. It adds a welcome bit of stability by minimizing unwelcome weight transfer and potentially bothersome driveline lash.

42. Flashing is good for you
Turn signals get your attention by flashing, right? So a few easy taps on the pedal or lever before stopping makes your brake light more eye-catching to trailing traffic.

43. Intersections are scary, so hedge your bets
Put another vehicle between your bike and the possibility of someone running the stop sign/red light on your right and you cut your chances of getting nailed in half.

44. Tune your peripheral vision
Pick a point near the center of that wall over there. Now scan as far as you can by moving your attention, not your gaze. The more you can see without turning your head, the sooner you can react to trouble.



Everything is harder to see after dark.
45. All alone at a light that won't turn green?
Put as much motorcycle as possible directly above the sensor wire--usually buried in the pavement beneath you and located by a round or square pattern behind the limit line. If the light still won't change, try putting your kickstand down, right on the wire. You should be on your way in seconds.

46. Every-thing is harder to see after dark
Adjust your headlights, Carry a clear faceshield and have your game all the way on after dark, especially during commuter hours.

47. Don't troll next to--or right behind--Mr. Peterbilt
If one of those 18 retreads blows up--which they do with some regularity--it de-treads, and that can be ugly. Unless you like dodging huge chunks of flying rubber, keep your distance.

48. Take the panic out of panic stops
Develop an intimate relationship with your front brake. Seek out some safe, open pavement. Starting slowly, find that fine line between maximum braking and a locked wheel, and then do it again, and again.

49. Make your tires right
None of this stuff matters unless your skins are right. Don't take 'em for granted. Make sure pressure is spot-on every time you ride. Check for cuts, nails and other junk they might have picked up, as well as general wear.

50. Take a deep breath
Count to 10. Visualize whirled peas. Forgetting some clown's 80-mph indiscretion beats running the risk of ruining your life, or ending it. -MC

Thanks, but I'm not ready yet!

My younger brother had a heart attack a week ago today. At age 47, he is too young for this sort of nonsense. In retrospect, his age was a big advantage in his surviving this medical crisis. I'm not going to go into the causes of his illness but I do know that one factor was stress.

As we spoke tonight, I laughingly blurted out that it was time for him to get a motorcycle. He agreed that life was short and that maybe he would look into this. After I hung up the phone, I realized this is exactly what he needs to alleviate some of the stress in his life.

Another friend, an old friend, a good man, is in the process of getting a divorce. His world has been turned upside down and he struggles to keep his family together while being forced to sell his home, so he can pay off his cheating wife. He too, is at a crossroads in his life. A motorcycle is just what he needs to meet a better class of people.

They say you never see a motorcycle parked outside a shrink's office. I'd bet there's some truth to that.

We are the free, the feral, the untamed, the unwashed. But we're also eloquent, thoughtful, generous, kind and considerate. I'd do anything for my brothers and I know they would always be there for me too.

It's important to me to have the time, the freedom and the free will to go where I want, when I want and with whom I want. I need a little inner space to be myself, to explore this side of me. I can be domesticated but I can't be tamed. Call that anti-social if you will, I prefer to think of it in terms of being in touch with one's id, devoid of the social niceties and political repression foisted upon us by pressure groups trying to force conformity and their own world-view.

I have goals and dreams which are mostly about living my life the way I decide to. I want my life to be memorable, to me and others around me. I want to laugh with my friends and have fun.

Life's too short to settle for a crappy one. I'm going to ride as long as I can, knowing that this lifestyle is a healthy part of who I am.

Follow your dreams..."'cause if you don't know where you're going, any road will take you there".

A low, slow wave,

Joe Rocket

First ride, 2008

The Open Road Beckons.......




















First ride 2008: Impressions

Sunny, cold
Tires low
Manny & Jay
Bad drivers elicit thrown crackers
Snow melting, falling through sunny sky
Frost heaves 6, front fork 0
Bump, thump, Whoa!
Hang on.
Loud pipes, growly twin
Old friends, new acquaintances
Twisty, turny river road
Snowy fields glisten
Warm sun, cold hands
Tom Turkey napping
Hot coffee, spicy chili
No gas
Late for Whizzer, Bye Jay
Stop for smoke
Purple haze
Hurry, now late!
Gas, home
Hidden smile
Repeat as necessary.

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.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
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

Tow job

I mentioned this in an earlier blog but I'll mention it again as I think it is important and a great value. Get a towing option for your bike this year. I know there are several different ones out there and some of you may be covered by your car insurance or AAA.

If you are a member of AMA (and why wouldn't you be?) the cost for MoTow is $25/year. Short money for peace of mind. Yes, I got responses back from several who have, or think they have, better policies. Great. Good. As long as you have one.

I don't anticipate any problems on the way to Sturgis this year but I DO plan to anticipate them (all) in advance. Good planning = POM (peace of mind).

And I promise not to go all "hinky" on my riding partners but rather to "go with the flow", as long as the flow is @ 80 MPH.

The new issue (April) of the AMA mag The American Motorcyclist arrived today with 99 riding tips. Can't wait to devour this issue. Get your own free subscription (and that membership) at http://www.amadirectlink.com/

This weeks rain will devour the snow. A rider was spotted in Milford this weekend. Was it you?

A low, slow wave,

Joe Rocket

S'no Problem!

Maybe we should all just trade our bikes in for snowmobiles and call it a day.

Happy Saturday, or at least it is while I am writing this post. Another weekend, another snow storm. This is like the itch you can't scratch. We are so close to the start of the season here and yet, the snow contines to pile up.

I was in Boston for a good part of the week, attending a work conference. I ended the week with lunch at a small Italian restaurant. Within minutes of sitting, I heard the familar rumble of a V-twin. I looked up and there was Burly Earl, astride his white (WTF?) H-D. A few minutes later a sport bike. A few more and here comes a BMW Dual Sport. I swear, by moving south by 20 miles, we could extend our riding season by a few months!



Click on the link above (in title) to see a very cool video and potentially the solution to our problem. As I sit here and wonder how others cope with the same problem, I allowed Mr. Google (just Goog, to me) find me some answers. Here are a few of the pictures I found:





Thank goodness there are enough insane people in this world to keep it interesting.

That's all I have for today. I just wanted to share the link and these photos. I'm going to turn my attention to the latest issue of MotorCyclist magazine (www.motorcyclistonline.com) and a nice, hot cup of coffee.

Enjoy your weekend and don't hurt yourself shoveling!

A low, slow wave,

Joe Rocket

Best source of music for My G-G-Generation

If you are of a "certain age" (and you know who you are) then you will appreciate this site I am about to lay on you: http://concerts.wolfgangsvault.com/

Wolfgangs Vault (www.wolfgangsvault.com) is the brainchild of Bill Graham,the pre-eminent concert promoter of the 60's and 70's. From the site:

Wolfgang was Bill Graham, the man whose genius for bringing performer and audience together shaped the rock concert as we have come to know it. Born Wolfgang Grajonca in Berlin in 1931, he escaped Nazi Germany to grow up in a foster home in the Bronx and anglicized his name at the age of 18. Bill Graham, who would come to be known as the midwife of the modern rock concert, was smart and forward-thinking, an opportunist and a listener, fair and ferociously demanding, and he remembered his roots: in the 1980s he opened a small San Francisco club and named it Wolfgang's.

This site allows one to stream live concert audio from some of the best live rock shows of that period.

It's free, just give them your email address and a password and you're in. You can thank me for this later.

Joe Rocket

Let's Go Tripping!

Road tripping, that is. Man, I can't wait. I can almost taste the smell (?) of exhaust, gasoline and rubber. Today's downpour is eating away at the huge snowbanks and washing off the roadways. I'd settle for another few days of this if it meant I could ride by this weekend.

My little roadtrip to CT and NY this past week put me in the mood. I saw more than a few guys out on their scooters. The temps were in the low 50's and I was heartened by the sunny days and clean roads. The trip was fraught with frustration but had some high points as well.

For one, I was out of the office, which is always a good thing. I like to travel and feel quite claustrophobic when I get stuck in the office on a regular basis. I intend to fix this!

The frustration lies in working on a project, facing hurdle after hurdle, finally to run into a brick wall at the end. I had to do some fast adjustment to the situation (road hazard!) and move on. I was a tad PO'd but I've since moved on. Some of that anger was borne out of fear and disillusionment but I recovered and am moving down the road.

I tossed the the question out last to see who would be the first to get their bike on the road this year and several took this as a challenge. Maybe tomorrow will be the day. I need to check the weather, pull the charger off and put the stock seat back on. Of course, when I tore this all apart late last year, I put bolts all over the place. I sure hope I can find all the parts!

The roads here are a mess, with deep fissures in the pavement, large upheavals of tar, thanks to the frost "heavies" and sand everywhere. If I do get out soon, it will be a short, slow ride.

Here's a shot of me and my buddies, taken last year:

Yeah, we look great in tight leathers!

Okay, so that's not really us and we ride more traditional cruiser-style bikes these days. But that shot gives me hope for a long riding career and many more miles behind me.

It's about time to start planning some of the early rides of the season. Shorter, closer to home and definitely in a southerly direction. I guess we missed Daytona Bike Week again. I'll have to save that for another year. What else is coming up? Is there a big ride happening soon in the Mid-Atlantic states? Hatteras??? Let me know if you hear of anything good and I'll post it here.

It is supposed to hit high 40's to low 50's here by late this week. So, maybe a week from today, I'll be out there, on the road again ("...I just can't wait to get on the road again..."). I guess Willie was right. Nothing better than that unfettered freedom that you find only on the road, away from your worries, cares and problems.

I'm long overdue for some two-wheeled therapy.

A low, slow wave,

Joe Rocket

This is what it's all about...Sturgis

I'm feelin' a bit "unda the weathah", under by about four feet of snow! By now, I had hoped to be telling you about some upcoming rides but the local weatherman is not cooperating. I have a friend working over there at WMUR now and I may need to have him lean on the "weather-boys" a little bit...

But fear not, Spring is on its way. The Vernal Equinox is less than three weeks away. The weather this week is trending warmer with some "In like a lion" rainfall to help wash away the snow. I'm doing some traveling this week so I will be able to check out some of the states just south of us. I'll report back on any bikes spotted. I did hear one sport bike in the Boston area tearing down the highway but I was parked out of sight of the road and couldn't make out what it was. It sounded like an inline four, though.

I have a whole list of stuff to talk about but, it seems too soon. I can't wait for the season to start so I can post some ride reports and photos, interspersed with my trip plans. I can't wait for the start of camping season too, so I can test drive all my new gear. I hope to be able to share those gear reviews with you all.

On the commercial side of things, the Google ads on this site are there as a curiousity. If you see an interesting ad, click on it and go see what they have to offer. Since November, I think I "earned" a grand total of $7 (I'm rich!) but I didn't bother to fill out a tax ID form so I'm not getting that in any event or, until I do so.

I put the hyperlink to the Official Sturgis Rally in the title (just click on the title headline) so you can see what we have in store for us. I think that the official countdown is 154 days (from today) but, we plan to leave in advance of that date so we leave in about 20 weeks or so. I am sure we will do a lot of riding before then.

Last night, I flipped through the Kuryakyn Metric catalog for some billet and chrome goodies. Lots of nice stuff in here and it pays to spend the extra dough if you plan to keep your bike for a while. You can download the 2008 catalog right from their site. Here's the link to their home page: http://www.kuryakyn.com/index.asp. At the very least, I want to add a light bar from them.

The seat has been picked out but I'll hold off on that purchase until I can put it on the bike and properly test it.

On a positive work note, my company has decided that "dress down" is the new standard of work wear, which means I can wear jeans and riding boots to work every day, should I choose to. That will give me a little more flexibility and should allow me to ride the scooter to work most days. It's a PITA to throw outer gear over work clothes and to bring shoes, etc. This will be a nice benefit, come spring.

I guess that's all for today folks. I'm not much in the mood, I have a work assignment hanging over my head, that I've been dabbling at all afternoon, and I can't quite get psyched yet about the start of the season. The locals here know that after snow comes mud season, followed by road repair (for all the potholes and damage from frost heaves). Somewhere around June the DPW will get around to sweeping all of the sand off the roads, that they dumped all winter.

For the guys and gals in my crew, don't forget about T3 on 3/20. We'll have this at a new venue this month so make sure you read the emails on Yahoo or look at Da Flugel's calendar. I'll see you soon.

A low, slow wave,

Joe Rocket

Southport and "The Habbah"

I realize this is not going to be a motorcycle post but, with the 6-8" of snow we got Fri./Sat., winter is still here.

Yesterday we returned from a quick visit to Boothbay Harbor, affectionately known to us as "The Habbah" (you have to cover your mouth in your best "Password [game show] impression", when you say it) and Southport Island. For our friends who have visited with us here at "Lillian's" on Southport Island, ME, this is a shot from the parking lot of the Southport Yacht Club, at Cosy Harbor.

We made a quick trip north to visit family and enjoy the solitude of a summer destination in the dead of winter. The trip up on Friday night was white-knuckle, at times, thanks to the on and off driving snow. AWD makes a big difference and I wouldn't trade the Subaru at a time like that!

Saturday dawned sunny and bright from the new-fallen snow. After a quick breakfast, we headed up to Boothbay Harbor. The ride was easy and we got there in about an hour. We poked around BBH and Boothbay aimlessly and docked at The Ebbtide for lunch. After a sturdy serving of hamburger, fries and coffee, we noodled over to Southport to see the changes to Lillian's, at the hands of her new owner.

Not much to see, from the outside, and we didn't want to leave footprint evidence in the snow. The house has been gutted on the inside and all of the interior walls, with the exception of structural supports, have been removed. The Cozy Nook had scaffolding in front, and on the roof, and it appears to be getting a new roof.

We dubbed over to Christmas Cove road and eventually to Cosy Harbor, where this shot was taken. We ended our visit to Southport with a stop at the General store for a chocolate treat to fuel the 3-hour ride home. The roads were clear and dry, making the return trip pleasant.

Will share more news when next I see you,

Joe Rocket

Seasonal warm-up, re-learning good habits

Kids, ignore the pending snow. Hunker down this weekend and read/brush up on your riding skills.

As we approach the start of a new season (at least for those of us who do not enjoy a 12-month riding season) it makes sense to refresh ourselves on the basics of good riding. There's nothing as harrowing as riding with a bad rider and it is equally comforting to ride with a group whose riding style is known to you.

I'll never forget the profound embarrassment the first time I overtook a group member in the same lane. We were heading to the beach, me the second guy in the left lane. The rider in front of me spotted a state trooper and eased off his throttle. Without the benefit of a brake or hand signal, I missed the fact that he was decelerating and blew right past him in the lane! I'm sure I scared the crap out of him and it was a mistake I would not repeat. Thank goodness we were riding in a staggered formation.

As much as I enjoy seeing a nice tight group of bikes in formation heading down a road, I hate to be crowded. It's funny to see people fight for last position in a group ride. It seems that few want to lead or have the skills for it. There are all types of articles on riding in groups available on the internet. As we approach the start of our (Northeast) riding season, it behooves us all to read this and refresh ourselves on some of the "Rules of the Road." The link above (hyper-link in blog title) will take you to the MSF Quick Tips page about Group Riding.

I have a couple of habits that I think are borne out of experience. Each year we add a few riders to our group and until I've seen you ride, I don't want to be anywhere near you. On back roads, without a breakdown lane, I don't stagger. I want, and own, the whole damn road. Don't creep up on me as I toodle down a pretty country road, enjoying the view. That's why I'm here!

At a rest stop, if we stop for gas, top off your tank. I don't want to stop 50 miles down the road for you to now get gas. Show up for a ride on time, with your gas tank full and your bladder empty. Too much coffee or OJ before a ride is not conducive to putting miles behind you. Make sure you've checked the air pressure in your tires too. Unless you are running with Nitrogen in your tires, there is a constant loss of air pressure.

When I first started riding in groups, I was told "Never run into the guy in front of you!" Good advice. Equally important too, no matter where you are in the formation, is to watch out for the rider behind you. If the lead rider (or other riders) start to pull away from you, speeding up to catch them will only strand the people behind you. Slow down a bit and let the distance increase in front of you. The riders ahead should get the message and reduce their speed, as well.

Plan for tolls, carry an EZ Pass, coins or plan to have one rider pay for all the bikes. You'll all get through the tolls together as opposed to scattering a dozen bikes across two or more lanes, improving the odds of getting punted by a car. Or, if you can't do that, pull over beyond the toll and re-form your group.

Ride with your high beam on in the daylight UNLESS you're in a group. No need to blind the folks in front of you. Have a sweeper rider maintain a position at the rear to catch stragglers. This should be an experienced rider who knows the route and can reach other riders in the event of a breakdown.

Have a plan, use good hand signals (see MSF link) and have fun. That's all for now. I'm sure once we start our season I'll see a few things that will set me off and will report on them here.

For now, don't forget to cancel those turn signals following a turn and start planning for a safe riding season.

A low, slow wave,

Joe Rocket

Great Rides

Hello guys and gals, it's your old friend Joe Rocket here with an update of your second favorite motorcycle blog. It's been a week since my last confession, so give me a few "R Faddahs" and Hail Marys and I'm good.

The bike show last weekend was a letdown. If you read my previous post, you know why. I'm not going to dwell on that now. Riding season is almost upon us and you can sense the excitement building. The days are getting longer which equals more sun. More sun = less snow and ice. There are actually bare patches in the driveway! It's been a long cruel winter.

So much preparation to do for the Sturgis ride. I'll discuss them in greater detail once I get the bike out and off to the shop. There are a few add-ons that will need to happen this year to provide for a more comfortable, and safer, ride.

I know recently I asked you to provide comments with your best and most necessary gear. Bear with me as I figure out how to get a comments section live so you can post your contibutions right to this blog. If you want to email me, send to joerocketmc@yahoo.com. Today, I want to discuss great rides.

What makes a great ride? Is it the road, the destination, the riders, the bike? I think it can be all of these things and more. I can think of rides that turned south after one day, thanks to unpredictable weather. In retrospect, I still cherish the memories of those days.

We had a ride last summer to Errol, NH to camp at the Bull Moose Lodge. We had a great night but, on the return trip, the weather headed "South" along with us. It rained so hard, we had to slow considerably. Well, all except K & D, who putted happily along on their Road King. What is the wettest you have ever been? That's how wet we got, some of us without proper rain gear, some of me too dumb to use it.

When I reflect on that day, I'm still happy that we had that experience. We were in a bad situation but not a dangerous one. We all got home a bit soggy and prune-y but, so what. A hot bath and we were good as new. We can laugh about the time we came through "The Notches" in a driving rain and survived it. And I learned from the experience.

I learned to put the rain gear on when everyone else does because your textile suit isn't as waterproof as it USED to be. I learned that my favorite female rider is pretty good on her scooter and does not need me to worry about her like an older brother. She can take care of herself.

We had a similar ride, a couple of summers back, to Quebec. The ride up was great, the start of a 4-day excursion around the higher terrain and coastal areas. We got as far as Quebec City at the end of Day 1, made camp, found a great local restaurant, quaffed a beer or two along with dinner, before heading back to our site. The day dawned for me at 4AM, when I rolled over in my tent and put my arm down in a puddle. The rain was so hard, it had flooded the sodden camp site. (Some say that water ran down the open periscope of my play tent.) Nothing could keep the water out of my tent as "a river ran through it." I huddled on my air mattress for a couple of hours before wandering out into the light and rain.

With bad weather forecast for the next three days, most of us headed home again, in torrential rain. An emergency repair needed to be effected on one of the bikes, an hour into the ride. We found shelter, made the fix and rode eventually into dry weather. That is STILL one of my favorite trips!

Other great rides include multiple trips to Nova Scotia. Either in a group or solo, both had their high points. On the first trip, it was a new experience and I enjoyed the camraderie of my mates and enjoyed many new vistas. On my second trip, I did it solo and reveled in the accomplishment, the perfect highways, the speed and the long hours I was able to put in, to keep my taut schedule.

Great rides happen when you make them. For me, a great ride entails riding new roads, visiting new places, sharing these events with good friends. Good company, in concert with good food and drink help, as does a longer than normal ride. Running to the store to get bread is not a great ride! An overnight adds to the enjoyment as this is when you can relax and spend quality time with people with whom you have something in common.

If you click on the blog title above, it will take you to a site for NH Great Rides. Check it out and give some of these a spin. If you don't live in the New England area, there are other links on that site for your state. Instead of riding in circles, try a new destination, outside your local area and you'll understand what I mean. I know we can't take off EVERY weekend to do this kind of riding but, if you sprinkle enough of these types of overnights (and longer trips) into your plan for the coming year, you'll be able to look back at the previous riding season and smile all the way through the cold or rainy winter months. Ride it while you can!

A low, slow wave,

Joe Rocket

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

Social Media

Twitter.com

Check it out. Look for me there as JoeRocket.

It's like chat but can be done from a PC or a phone or both. It's cool.

Find your friends online and stay abreast of what they are doing, at any given moment.

That's all.

Tweet!

PS - Okay, just one more. Check out Plaxo.com too. It works like LinkedIn.

What shape is your shape in?

"I just stopped in, to see what condition my condition was in..."

Here's a great article on fitness for motorcyclists. I'll add that web link again, just to make sure you all get it.

http://www.sportrider.com/features/146_0010_motorcyclist_fitness/index.html

Every year at this time, I drag out this article and read it over, promising myself to do better/ride better by being in better physical shape. Two friends, Jerry S. (see Squid Jerry below) and Kenny B. have both undertaken steps to get in better shape, having lost weight and/or starting fitness regimens not only for riding but for overall good health.

I'm still down 12 pounds but the trend is flat and I need to do more to lose more weight. And, I need to work on overall strength, muscle and cardio training. I know that the Sturgis trip will be a test of fitness and endurance. We plan to ride long hours each day and if I am not ready, I will be tired, sore and dragging ass.

Okay, just this short post today. It's Stupor Bowl Sunday and there is still plenty to do before the first commercial break.

Follow the link, read the article, do the work so you will be prepared to hoist around that heavy bike effortlessly this year and be a better rider. Personally, I plan to be in the best shape possible by July. See you on the road soon.

A low, slow wave,

Joe Rocket

What are we doing???

What are we doing with our lives? How is it that I/we spend most days indoors staring at a computer monitor all day and dealing with bullshit issues? I'm so tired of it all.

In a previous job, I traveled more, moved around the country and region interacting with people and the environment. Now, I'm stuck in a box with little time to escape and feel the sun, wind or air temperature on my face. I miss all that. Yes, there are trade-offs to be sure. Travel delays, security lines, the hassles of post 9/11 America. I'd take all that for the infrequent moments when I'm outdoors, in the real world, or just motoring down the highway.

Maybe that's why motorcycling appeals to me as much as it does. It's not the great (or sometimes not-so great) destinations that we arrive at, it's the feel of the breeze through a partially-opened visor, the sun on my forearms in the summer months, the smell of honeysuckle, rubber and gasoline. It's the lack of walls, PCs, telephones, emails, spreadsheets and PowerPoint presentations. It's the quiet of your own thoughts without the interruption of extraneous distractions.

I'll admit to sometimes medicating myself with music, turning on the tunes for background noise or to kill time on a boring ride. I listen to talk radio most mornings on the way to and from the office, to numb the pain. But increasingly, I find myself switching it off, in disgust, at the sameness of today's rant, or the latest info on Brittany's meltdown. Who cares? Why are we so sheeplike that we willingly accept the pablum on TV and radio. Why am I afraid to listen to my own thoughts?

The truth is, I'm not. They creep in, when I allow, and when I am not overstressed or overburdened with work or other obligations. As I reflect, I think "What am I doing? Why am I living my life this way?" There has to be more. There has to be a greater satisfaction out of one's daily existence and, taken in total, one's life. That little voice I hear (along with the constant ringing) is the roar of dissatisfaction.

According to the Dalai Lama, the Secret to Happiness is to learn to be happy with what you have. How true. We all have so much and yet feel the pressure of our conspicuous-consumption society. Bigger, faster, sexier, Wow! We gotta have it. Mea culpa. But I'm trying. Not to go all Al Gore on ya, but I'm trying to consume less.

I'm a very lucky guy. I have a wonderful family, great friends and good health. We live in an incredible part of the country, with clean air, abundant water, mountains, beaches, little traffic and access to the rest of the world just minutes away. And we squander all that by breathing recycled air in a dank office environment, hunched over an LCD display sending worthless emails for crap we don't really believe in. Gotta pay the bills. Well, my psychic bill is overdue.

This year, I promise to do something more positive with a portion of my time, so I can look back on that accomplishment and know that I did something meaningful. I'm going to join the Surfrider Foundation (http://surfrider.org/) and do some volunteer work to help clean up our beaches and work to improve the water quality. It won't be easy as the nearest chapters are in Portland or Boston, but I'm going to try. Spring will be here soon and our favorite 12-mile strip of coastline will be awash in winter trash, debris and other crap. If you want to help, follow the link, join and donate money to a worthy cause. Or, if you know me, bend my ear and join me for the experience.

Yes, I want to lie on a warm, sunny beach with the smell of the ocean and coconut-scented sunscreeen wafting over me. But before I retire, I need to accomplish something. I need to do something positive so that I can look back on this time and admit to myself that I did more than shuffle papers and make empty promises. I need to rethink the job thing.

I know a lot of you already volunteer for cancer walks, Toys for Tots, Patriot Guard. So many people doing good. And still, there are so many needy people, so many less fortunate, so many causes. Pick one in 2008 and make it your own. Turn off the noise and listen to what your soul tells you is right, and act on it. How are you going to do more this year?

Oh crap, I'm turning into a hippie in my old age! Peace out everyone,

Joe Rocket

Winter's almost gone...

Well, it feels that way, given that we haven't had a blizzard in quite some time. January has been a lot less snowy than the previous, record-breaking month. Sometimes it wears on you to face the cold snow and ice. I've used several hundred pounds of salt/ice melt on the driveway and it's still patchy with ice.

Last night we huddled at our local tavern for liquid cheer and to bask in the warm friendships that have developed in our little biker club. We are an odd assortment of middle-aged folk with the love of motorcycling as our primary raison d'etre. We can look past our differences and focus on the things that bring us together as a group. It's a mutual respect thing or recognizing that thing in each other that you have in common.

Our plans for Sturgis move forward. Now we are four and others have inquired about joining us for this adventure. It's open to all but small groups ride more efficently than large groups. Multiply two kidneys by the number of riders and you'll know what I mean. More riders means more stops for gas, pee breaks, food, aches, pains, etc.

I need to start shopping for a new seat soon as I have more or less resolved that I will be riding the VTX to Sturgis. So, I'll need to upgrade the stock unit, add a light bar and figure out what I can do about the crappy Honda side bags. It would be nice to have water-tight and lockable hard bags, like on the VFR. Does anyone make such an animal for the VTX 1300??? I'll need to peruse J&P Cycle and other catalogs.

The motorcycling "wish" book arrived in the mail a week, or so, ago. Of course, I am referring to the Rider Wearhouse catalog from Aerostitch, Duluth, MN. In it you will find hundreds of items you "must have" to start the season right. Excellent timing. I've already dog-eared a few pages and am saving the book for serious trip planning.

In a future post, I'll provide a gear checklist. Kenny B. sent me his and I have seen many others in the past few years. My challenge will be to travel light versus the desire to bring all the comforts of home along. Only so much room and only so many bungee cords!

Gotta go to work now. But it's Friday so it's mental dress down day. Let me clean up all the junk that accumulated in my absence yesterday, make it home, plop in front of a nice fire and kick back for a couple of days.

I hope you are all well and thinking warm thoughts. Spring is just around the corner...

Joe Rocket

The Bitterest Pill

In my haste last night to put down my pseudo S&M experience with the cute DO, I forgot to mention that I have been listening to Dan Klass's The Bitterest Pill podcast for the past week, non-stop. I discovered "Pill" soon after buying an iPod and enjoyed it until he recommended another podcast, Cush's Things I Say. I got hooked on Cush and left Dan behind, until now.

Both are talented writers and speakers. I can sit here in my (home) office and enjoy as the mellifluous sounds wash over me.

But, Cush's posts started getting farther apart and I stopped listening. Then I remembered Dan. Now, in all fairness, the thing that drove me away initially, was the squeaky-clean family nature of the show. Where Cush would speak of getting laid or getting into fights, Dan talks about trips to Target and running into "Pilates bodies" and Japanese stewardesses and lusting in his heart, a la President Jimmy Carter.


Klass, I'm back. I'm sorry for the break. In the last week or so, I have spent all of 2007 with you. I especially enjoyed episode #99, which I think is posted on his web site under March 2007. You can find his stuff on the web or on iTunes. Here's a link to the web site:


http://www.thebitterestpill.com/ and I think you can just listen to that one story here:

http://danklass.com/pill/?p=387

This post is especially important for anyone over the age of 40 who works in a corporate environment. Spend some time with it and you will understand why you need to "Get a Thing of Your Own". Damn. It was like he was talking right to me. Oh, right, he was.

Give a listen, subscribe, whatever. But get working on your "Thing", whatever that might be.

I'll see you soon,

Joe

Short excuses

Yes. Christ, yes. I've done it again. My "normal" days got in the way of me writing to you (and only you. YOU know that, don't you?). Ah, but what is normal these days?

My bathroom is torn apart and we juggle the numerous lotions, potions and pastes out of the tiny master bath. Um, I think the correct term for this room should be "mistress" bath because I don't get to use it much. See honey? You DO have your own room! Anyway, I refer to it as "the spa" thanks to the teak shower mats from Brookstone. And I always ask permission before using "her" room.

The "boys" room is torn apart, thanks to a leaky bathtub that must be as old as the house. After a week of demolition, much dust and few cups of java with friend Jerry, it's almost complete. BTW, he does a good job and if you live in the Nashua area, look him up for this type of work. Just email me and I'll pass it along. So, the bathroom project coincided with yet another snow storm here. I took off 1.5 days to lend a hand, tote that barge, smoke that bale. With all that free time, I tried to cram in every personal appointment in the one full day. I'm beat!

Work is nuts and it seems to be that way for everyone else there, too. Something is afoot and I've heard rumor of an acquisition of a competitor. To pave the way for that, management has been pushing a few folks out the door. Others are parachuting (not in the "golden" sense) to safety. Me, I need help. I'm torn between my financial reality and a desire to do more interesting work. Some days I just feel like I am digging to China. I know that if I just stopped long enough to listen to my inner voice, I would be able to make sense of this odd assortment of skills & experience.

Ampersand apologies. I didn't sleep well last night (you did read the above paragraph, right?) and I am tired and taking short-cuts.

I wish I had time to take all of the constructive criticism I've rec'd on these missives and put it to good use. That would mean taking time and since I can barely keep up, well........So, I'll bump along. I'm afraid to wish for more time to write because we all know how THAT will come out.

Does this happen to you? I type "good" and get "god". And it pisses me off every time. Because I'm not religious and I know it's just my clumsy fingers at work and not the hand of God. Because I am sure She can type better than me.

I had a point to all of this, really. What I wanted to tell you about was my experience yesterday at the doctor's office. Remember when I stayed out last week to help on the bathroom and tried to schedule all of my personal junk in one day? The doctor's office called and rescheduled me for yesterday. In the interest of FULL DISCLOSURE, I've already shared this story with my wife. So, there!

My back has been bothering me for over a month. I mostly attribute that to age but this was a weird pain that caused a dull ache in my upper back, when I took a deep breath. I put up with it and only occasionally complained about it. You know, like every time I took a deep breath. And the pain appeared at about the same time that my upper back started to make these loud cracking noises when I stretched. So, I didn't really think there was a large tumor growing on the inside of my rib cage and pressing in on my lungs. Just only once in a while.

It turns out that my sporty new physician is an Osteopath and SHE was recommended in case I needed "an adjustment". I need a serious adjustment but that will take longer than an hour visit. (The chicken's the "special" today. Can I get a cup of psychotherapy on the side?) Now I have to describe her in detail. First, she seems really cool. Like "Hey, man, I went to Med school and know a bunch of shit." She is smart, cute, funny, engaging, petite. She's small. Man, she's tiny.

So, after all of the pleasantries, history, etc., she asks me to remove my shirt and lie on the table. Now I think she had a step-stool or ladder because, in one swift movement, she's up on the table straddling me. I'm not normally shy but, she had me in a clinch, her arms around my back and she trying to "crack" my back. She's up there on my chest, like a crazed Elfin mountaineer looking for purchase. To no avail. So, what does she do? She rolls me over. Or rather, she asks Shamu here to roll over.

And here we go again, she goes from standing beside me to practically sitting on me, trying to get my muscles to loosen up. Hey, I don't mind a little huggin' and a-squeezin' now and then! In the end, I think she got the muscle a little looser but I got the impression she was a bit disappointed that she did not get the results she wanted.

So, what does one tip for that???

Past bikes (or is it passed bikes?)

Happy New Year. 2007 is done and now I can look forward to messing up the date for the next few months until I realize it's '08 (and not '88)....Time flies! This week came and went too fast. Not enough got accomplished but, I made some small progress.

In my last post, I mentioned that I picked up a few camping items at LL Bean (http://www.llbean.com/). I plan to slowly accumulate everything I need for the trip over the course of the next seven months. We leave at the end of July and plan to be gone for sixteen days of riding and camping. It won't be an Iron Butt rally but I'm sure I'll be grateful to get horizontal each night.

Speaking of that, I got vertical today for the first time. I purchased an inversion table from Brookstone recently and found the time this week for the assembly. It took longer that I had thought but, this is a very sturdy unit, well capable of supporting my 200 lb. frame. I tested it out in a variety of positions, including fully vertical, with my head just inches above the ground. Very cool. I'm hoping that this will be a good way to decompress my lower back at the end of each day.

But, back to the topic of past bikes. I guess I didn't have any/many digital pix of my last two bikes so I had to troll the 'net to find shots of my last two rides. Here they are, in order of ownership. The first was a 2000 Kawasaki Ninja 600:

This is the first bike that I owned/paid for but there has been a long line of mini-bikes, dirt bikes and "borrowed" street bikes over the past 40+ years. I had always wanted a bike like this and did not hesitate to buy it.

My second bike was a 2002 Honda VFRA. To me, this is still the most beautiful bike built today, short of a couple of Ducatis or the stray MV Agusta or two. Here is a shot I found online:

You can tell from the shot how pleased the designers were with this bike. This was a redesign and a technological leap for Honda, at the time. In the past six years, this bike has gone largely unchanged. Rumors abound about larger displacement but this bike can run with all of the 600 or 750 class sport bikes and still give you all of the room you need for a weekend away.

That's it for tonight. I just wanted to post these two shots but got a little gabby. If you've owned either of these bikes and want to email me a photo of yours, I'll post it here with a note. Just send an email to me at joerocketmc@yahoo.com. I'd be interested in trading tales about them.

Thanks and have a great 2008!

Joe Rocket

PS - If you live in Southern NH and are looking for a group to ride with in the Nashua area, check us out online at our club site: http://www.amherstnhmc.com/

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to all of you, my dearest friends and family! It's a quiet New Year's Eve as we sip eggnog by the fire. The Christmas tree is beautifully decorated but the presents have long been whisked away, from under it.

Christmas came and went and New Year's Eve will soon be behind us while the new year lays ahead. December has broken all records for snowfall and we are somewhere above 46" in one month. I hope January will be less snowy or I won't be able to get the bike out of the driveway when spring comes, thanks to the ice build-up.

Our planning continues for Sturgis. We've picked a campground and we've set the dates. We'll arrive in Sturgis the week prior to the rally and get some riding in before it gets crazy busy. I hope to shoot a lot of photos along the way and while we're there. Jerry will pack his pc so I'll try to send posts during the trip.

Over the holiday week, I shopped at LL Bean, in Freeport, ME and picked up a couple of camping supplies. I found this great little LED lamp from Coleman for inside the tent and a LED headlamp for those midnight trips around the campground. I want to find a Therm-a-Rest mattress (http://www.thermarest.com/) but LL Bean had few available after the holiday rush. I'll take a peek at EMS (Eastern Mountain Sports) or buy online, as we get closer to camping season.

I buy a lot of my gear at EMS. They understand outdoor gear and bad weather. I probably stop in to one of their stores every month, just to review new gear. I plan to stock up for the new riding season. Motorcycle camping is a lot like backpacking in that the amount of space is limited and you need to minimize weight.

In the coming months, I'll post a camping gear packing list and other preparations for our epic trip. We plan to do 1900+ miles in 4 days and then do some exploring once we land in the Sturgis area. Additionally, I'll post my bike plans, including the aftermarket seat, lights, etc. to modify it for the ride.

For now, I'm going to have a glass of champagne or wine, sit by the fire and daydream about the coming riding season.

Happy New Year and a safe riding season in 2008.

Joe Rocket