Motorcycling History

Sorry that I have neglected this page for a wile. Life has been just trudging along and I haven't had much to report. It has been cold and wet and the start of the Holiday session has kept me off the bike most of this month. Anytime I'm off the bike I start to think about my past rides.

It seems the earliest memory I have of riding is on the gas tank of my dads Honda XL175 in somwhere around 1974 or '75. I remember the bike was orange and I'm sure that I could pick it out of a line up if I had to. I remember they where cutting a new road and my dad and I decided to check it out. At some point he got up on top of a hill over looking the roadwork. He then went down the hill and I remember thinking that he wouldn't be able to make the ditch... and he didn't make the ditch. I was maybe 3 or 4... could have been later, I really don't have a clue.

The most famous rides I don't remember is my first little blue mini bike. I remember it had a brown seat and blue paint, but I have no memory of riding it. My mother does remember my first ride. Seems I ran over my Brother who wasn't even walking yet. Oops, sorry Bro!

I was also remembering my old Yamaha YZ80. It was on that bike that I really fell in love with motorcycling. Not going fast, not jumping, not kicking up dust or mud... just riding. You see, it was on that bike that one day way back when, I was riding with my father and maybe child hood friend. We where riding on some land near Pickwick Lake that was owned by the TVA and open to the public. We had camped in a campground that was part of the Stat Park. There was a trail that went from the camp ground to "Big Hill" It was on that trail, dodging trees and rocks that I first ever remember it ever happening to me.

I'm not sure what to call it. I have heard it called Zen, or becoming one with the machine or road. But I sure know how it feels. It's that point when your not thinking about dodging the tree, or your line through the rocks. Your not feeling any sensations. There isn't any heat, or cold. There is no pain or discomfort. Your mind is totally free and your body and the machine are working together independent of thought. You are both completely aware of every single thing going on, but your also detached from it all. Your riding completely off of instinct, and your riding well.

TVA sold off the land surrounding Pickwick in the early 1980's. Houses where built and developments where put in. All the trails are closed, but I can still close my eyes and see all the trucks parked at the base of the big hill. All the motorcycles and three wheelers. The dust and exhaust in the air. The smell of gasoline and two-stroke oil. 50 people sitting at the bottom of that hill just waiting for the next fool to give it a try.

Why can't I find any place like that to take my own children?

Short Weekend ride

I got in a short ride on Saturday of about 200 miles. Not much to report, and I had no plan for anything other than riding when I left the house. I just went west and bounced between the traffic of DC and Fredrick.

The temps where about as perfect as it could get with a high of 74 and the sun was shining. The leaves where in full color, and the ride was great.

I noticed a ton of high end sport cars on the road being driven slowly but grey haired old men. There where a ton of bikes out two. I even saw 2 other FZ1's! The only bad part of the trip was on the way home, coming east on Highway 100 (a heavily traveled 4-lane divided highway with controlled access). The normal traffic flow on this stretch of road is 60 to 70 mph, with a good number of people running 80+. There where 4 or five cars cued up to pass a slower (65mph) car in the right lane. Now, normally I try to avoid passing on the right, but this que of cars was going nowhere. The lead car was maybe doing 2 mph faster than the car she was trying to overtake. I moved up on the right, and put on mu blinker to move in behind the first car when the second car in the que closed the gap as tight as he could in order to block me. I feel in behind the second car, riding just to the left of the dividing line. The second car then started failing back from both the first car and the car they where trying to pass. I fell back into the right lane to get around him, when he started speeding up again to block me. I dropped from 6th to 5th and blow past him. I first though about blocking him, but then I remembered reading about a guy in Delaware that got booted off road by someone who he had pissed off on the road. I decided fleeing may be the smartest move and jumped ahead in traffic, putting several cars between me and that vehicle made me feel a good bit safer (even if I was doing 80 in a 55).

I'm telling this story because I don't understand why this guy would try and block me. It's not like I was going to hold him up in traffic. It's not like I slow him down in any way. Come on, I don't ride a Harley! Maybe he felt I was going to fast, or maybe he didn't like getting passed on the right (I hate that myself) I don't know. I guess he was just a ass hole.

Helmet laws are funny, and the furry they cause when they come up for debate is mind boggling. The AMA http://www.ama-cycle.org/ does not support helmet laws stating that it maintains a long-standing fundamental belief that adults should continue to have the right to voluntarily decide when to wear a helmet. Sounds all well and good. The AMA goes on to dispute the many arguments given by people that support helmet laws. These being Injured motorcyclists are uninsured and disproportionately rely upon the public to pay for their injuries, The costs associated with unhelmeted motorcyclist injuries and fatalities compel the enactment of mandatory helmet laws to save taxpayer dollars, and Mandatory helmet laws are the most effective way to reduce motorcyclist injuries and fatalities. I have to agree with the AMA that these reasons are all crap.
But here's the reasons I support helmet laws.

First off, people are stupid. The AMA says it believes that adults should have the right to decide. Sounds good and for a long time I believed it too. Then I went to Florida where the helmet law was repealed and I was shocked by the number of people without helmets. I'm not talking about riding down the strip either, I'm talking about 70 mph bumper to bumper on I-70. These people are stupid! No one I knew wore a seat belt before it was required by law, as a kid I didn't ware a helmet on a bicycle and growing up in the Seventies, I don't think I ever road in a car seat. Why not? Because it wasn't required by law, and since it wasn't required people didn't do it. Everyone knew that seat belts saved lives, that car seats saved babies, and kids bang there head on bicycles, but nobody protected themselves. We have become dependent on laws to help us judge what is safe and what is dangerous. Helmet laws are needed simpley because people are stupid.

The AMA says that the most effective way to reduce motorcyclist injuries and fatalities is to prevent crashes from occurring in the first place. Helmets and helmet laws do not prevent accidents. But helmets may prevent a death and injury. No one is saying that we can't have helmet laws and effective rider and driver education. Better designed intersections, or anything else. A helmet law should not replace any of these safety measures, but it should be used with them.

I do understand the appeal of having the wind in your hair. And I also understand that effective helmets don't look so hot. But a helmet is not an item of personal apparel. No more so than a hard hat, safety glasses, or steel toed boots. All of which are required by law if you work in the right environment. A helmet is a item of personal protection equipment, it should be treated as such, and required by law in the right environment.

Ride Safe,
Deacon

Weekend of Birthdays and Motorcycle rides

Well, the weekend is over and tomorrow it's back to worrying about work and life. It was my wife's 30 something birthday Saturday, and I have had a bad head cold for the past several days. I got her a nice gold slide for her Omega necklaces. She was happy with it and we had a good morning. Later in the afternoon she had to take care of some things with work, and I promised to clean up the house. Well... I was feeling kind of bad and I'm a little on the lazy side anyway and needless to say, I moved some stuff around, but didn't do much I would call cleaning, which pissed her off big time. She headed out again to do a little shopping and I managed to get my butt up and spend a couple of good hours really cleaning up.

We then went out to one of our favorite places, Anne Arundel Seafood. We meet up with her brother Bill and his "partner" John, and some good friends from her work. Jeff, Todd and Todd's GF Shannon. We had a great night with good food and good friends. She wanted to go out and have some drinks, and since I wasn't feeling good I went ahead and brought the kids home. Her brother and John dropped her off back at the house really early, about 12:30. Seems she had had enough to drink...

This morning I awoke with major sinus pressure and a sore throat, but my energy was up a little. The weather was perfect and I was wanting to go for a ride. My youngest Nate, asked to come along. Now riding with my kid on bake makes me a little tense. I fully know and understand the dangers of riding a motorcycle on the streets and the thought of him getting hurt on my bike really scares me. I have taken him around on the bike before, but never on a "real" ride. His mother suggested that I take him and helped him find some gloves and boots and a good jacket so what could I say. His mom's helmet fit him well, so I let him come along.

I started the ride sticking close to home on a couple of the very few back roads around here that aren't clogged with traffic or have a driveway every few feet. We eventually made or way out to Howard county and a good tour of some of the back roads over that way. He made me proud, but he gave me a work out. He keep leaning from side to side in order to see around me, it was a constant battle to hold my line, but we had fun. I asked what he thought the best part was of the ride, and he said "Getting to go!"

I hope your weekend was as good as mine...
Jon

TGIF!!!

Happy Friday!

It's Friday morning and I'm still sitting at home. This second week has been surreal. I haven't done anything around the house, and I haven't even been able to keep up with my CBT's (Computer Based Training) I'm such a bum.

I did go in to have my third attempt with the polygraph machine this morning. It went surprisingly well! The polygrapher went over my security forms, and ran me through each set of questions 3 times. He didn't baggier me or ask me "What's going through your mind when I ask you ...?" He ran the questions, said thanks for your time and we will be in touch. I asked if I did well and he said that he didn't see anything that would cause me to fail, but he was also sure to point out that he isn't the final say in the matter. For that I will have to wait another few days.

Now on to the Motorcycling front.

I got my bike back from the shop on Monday and I have been meaning to post all week, but I have been just sitting around in my house robe watching the rain and dark clouds out side. I haven't got very many miles on the jet kit yet, but I did take a short ride yesterday morning to go and pick up my wife's birthday present. The bike started in 50 degree weather with no choke. It has always been a little cold blooded in the mornings, but now it fires right up. There isn't a dead spot or jerk at the critical point right between throttle on and throttle off, and Power Wheelies are much easier. I haven't put the bike on a dyno or anything, but it's definitely got more "get up" to it's go. I was making a left hand turn onto a overpass, coming up the overpass I got on the gas pretty good since there wasn't anyone around and up came the front end. It was sweet! I then headed over to a industrial area and found a empty parking lot and tested out a few more nice first and second gear power wheelies. I can see how the stunt kids can get addicted to the rush, but I will leave such things to squids.

This weekend the weather is suppose to take a major turn for the better (as a matter of fact, it's starting today) Saturday is my wife's birthday, but Sunday I'm defiantly getting a good ride in. I really need it. I need to clear my head and nothing does that for me like a good 500 mile day on my beloved FZ1.

Possibilities

It’s a Sunday morning. The sun is shinning, but there is a cool, crisp, nip to the gentle breeze out of the north. Normally a good morning to get out for a little motorcycle ride, but my bike is still in the shop! I knew that getting I back on Friday was going to be iffy, but I had assumed that they would have it ready for a Saturday pickup, but no such luck. I asked what the hold up was, and was only told that there was just more to do than first thought. I assume he meant in the shop and not working on my bike. He promised my bike would be ready tomorrow afternoon. I would sure like to be out riding right now!

I just got off the phone with my dad. He’s down at Barber’s Vintage Festival with my brother Mike and Joe Anderson from Joe’s Cycle shop. Sounds like they are having a good time. I really wish I could have gone down with them. Maybe if this job thing doesn’t work out in my favor I can move back home and do something. It would be nice to be back near my family. I would have space to allow my kids to enjoy the things I did growing up. Playing on dirt bikes in the woods, hunting, and guns. All things I just can’t offer them as past times up here in Maryland, but all things they love to do when they get to go to “Big Momma’s” and “Big Daddy’s” house in the summers.

Maybe I could do something Motorcycle related back home. I would kill to be in the motorcycle industry in some form. Maybe open a track on the land my wife inherited from her father. (He would roll over in his grave!) It would be nice to put in a road course with a motocross track. Or maybe do something small like a paved Supermoto track that comes right up to the Motocross track. Hold some go cart races too. Now, that my friends would be a great way to make a living.

Can you imagine what it would cost? Not only building the facilities, but the insurance. It’s got to be insanely high. I guess that’s out.

Maybe a dealership, dealing in the so-called “Exotic” brands like Aprilia and Ducati. Is Ducati still an Exotic? Facility, staff, bonds, franchise, and insurance… again, the cost to get started would be far beyond my humble savings account. I sure would love to do it though.
Oh well, a man can dream can’t he?

Ramblings

Not much to report today. It's cold and wet outside. The kids where out of school today, but we all just sat around the house watching TV and getting on each other nerves mostly. I call MRP to find out how my bike was coming along and to see if it would in fact be ready to pick up tonight. No such luck, which doesn't surprise me, but I did find disappointing.

Still no word form my company about when I can get back to work. I have been out for a week now and I haven't heard a thing. I have know idea whom I'm going to be billing this down time to, but I'm billing someone.

I guess I haven't really gone into the story here.

I work for a consultant firm I have been with them ever since I got out of the Navy about a year ago. My client requires a polygraph and background check before you can gain access to the facility. Since I had access in the Navy for the past 5 years, they allowed me to continue working as a contractor wile I waited for the security stuff to get worked out. Well, the background check and investigation went through fine, but the polygraph has been hard. Believe me, it's not that I'm trying to lie, I can't afford too.

I have establish my life here to be near this client. I have moved my family, relocated my kids, bought a house and pretty much put everything into working for this client. I knew going in that a polygraph was going to be required and I had full confidence that I would pass it. I haven't done anything that would deny me access to the client, the poly wasn't suppose to be an issue.

Well here we are a year latter and I am now without access to my client. I have no idea what I will do without the access. I mean I make about 3 times the rate I would on the "out side". Without access I'm sunk. So far I still haven't gotten a re-test date. Talk about stressing out. I don't know who to bill or anything. I have done a few "CBT's" (Computer Based Training) wile I wait, but they are hard with all the distractions around the house. That and the wife doesn't understand that I feel a need to remain productive in my workplace, even if that's just sitting at the computer working on training courses and praying for a email.

Left my baby Behind

Well I dropped my Yamaha FZ1 off at a shop today to have a Ivan's Jet Kit and AIS removal done. The Easement is $250, but I expect to see a $300 plus charge on there. I was going to do it myself, but I have limited work space and my tools are in total disarray. Heck, I had a hard time finding a freaking screwdriver today.

I did manage to replace the stock can with a Micron CF Slip-on. It sounds and looks great. It's not at all loud, but I also didn't notice much of a performance gain (Not like I need any more performance out of the bike). I can't wait to get out for a good ride. Now that I have so much time on my hands a nice week day ride may be in order. The temps at starting to really cool off up here now, and I don't have many weekends left.

Anyway, I'm a little worried abut my bike. I love that damn hunk of metal, plastic and steel and I really do miss it. It's strange, I look out at my shed and don't see it like I expect to and I really do miss it.

For more Information on Ivan's Jet kit and AIS removal check out Ivan's Performance Products at http://www.ivansperformanceproducts.com/

For the Shop where I'm having the work done check out Martin Racing Products at http://www.martinracingproducts.com/

For a great Web Sight on the work involved in Installing the Jet kit and removing the AIS check out Pat's FZ1 Sight at http://www.cartestsoftware.com/fz1/

For more about Micron Exhaust see http://micronexhaust.com/

The Photo's below

I'm still just playing with the blog thing. Thought I would upload some photos and see how that worked. All of the Photos below where taken at the FZ1OA rally held at Fontana Village near the "Dragon" See http://www.tailofthedragon.com/ for more information on riding the Dragon and http://www.yamahafz1oa.com/index.shtml for the Yamaha FZ1 OA. Information on Fontana Village can be found at http://www.fontanavillage.com/

Jon

Bikes lined up for the FZ1 OA rally 

Cleared up nice for a shot on the Mill on the BRP 

My ride down from Maryland to the Dragon was a little wet. 

Me on My FZ-1 in back, My Father on his 350 Four and my Brother Mike leading the charge up the Dragon.  

Even Big Daddy on his GoldWing 

Kill Boy can make anybody look fast 

My Dad "Big Daddy" Riding his 350 Four on the Dragon (I have no idea why he's on the wrong side of the road) 

Another one of Mike on his 919 

My Brother Mike 

Me on the Dragon 

First post

Wow... I'm starting a blog. I seem to have a good bit of free time on my hands these days, and now that I have finished reading the Internet, I decided to add a little pointless information to it.

I currently have no idea what I'm going to post here. You can expect to hear a lot about Motorcycles, my dislike of being forced to work, Video Games, and raising kids.

I don't know if I will keep this updated or if my first post will be my last. I guess it depends on the feed back I receive.

Peace,
JT