My annual motorcycle trip is over......; (
Pat McDonald
motorcycle trip down to Florida.
While the majority of the nation was freezing their nads off last week, I was
sitting by the pool in Key West getting some sun and having a margarita. It
DID get a little cold there on the last day......I think it got all the way
down to 67! ; )
A buddy and myself take an annual winter trip.....just the two of us and a
couple of bikes. No plans, no schedules, no preconceptions about much of
anything (except having a couple of frosty beers, a pile of stone crab claws
and the Oysters Rockefeller at the Half Shell Raw Bar in Key West!) Every
day is pretty much a "Whaddya wanna do? Hell, let's go scope the babes for
awhile then have lunch....." kind of day.
We decided this time to go thru the Mel Fisher Museum which has all the
artifacts from the wreck of the Atocha. I remember being really into that
as kid on the National Geographic Specials and to get to see the stuff up
close is mind boggling. There are some absolutely breathtakingly beautiful
gold and jeweled artifacts. I can only try to imagine how it must have
felt to finally find it after all those years.
I have to say that I've found no other lifestyle that suits me any better
than living in the Keys, fishing every day, enjoying the weather and just
relaxing without a care in the world.
If I could live there and still do what I do, I'd sell my house tomorrow!
Someday I'll make it down there permanently.
Stopped off in my hometown on the way back and visited with my brother and
his family. My little 4 yr. old nephew is just the greatest! He's my
buddy! He's a budding drummer and has a little toy kit. He sets it up
in front of the TV and plays along to our DVD and tries to look like his
Uncle Pat! It's just the best feeling in the world to have a little guy
like that think so much of me. I only wish I could see him more often.
Made it back to Nashvegas this afternoon and it's back to work. Got a 10
and a 2 tomorrow so I hardly get a moment to get back into the swing! Oh
well, gotta make the doughnuts!
Pat
Wishbone1961
My wife and I were just in Key West in December.
My favorite place to vacation in the states, thats for sure! We try to make
it there once a year.
We have friends that own a condo right on Smathers Beach (overlooking the
beach and the turn where it seems a tourist on a moped wrecks about 3 times
a day) which is very convenient for us.
Our usual days are very similar. Lots of drinks by the pool or from Fat
Tuesdays, Duval crawl, a phat dinner somewhere (Latitudes on Sunset Key is
awesome!) and we always make it to Half Shell at least once while we are
there.
Great people watchin!
"Pat McDonald" <patd...@NOSPAMmindspring.com> wrote in message
news:0001HW.C1F29688...@newsgroups.bellsouth.net...
Dan R H
Pat,
Glad you had a great time. My trip is on a bicycle in June from SF to
LA. I've been doing it for the last 11 years.
Side note, Being I'm born and raised in Miami, the ONLY thing I miss
not living in FLA anymore is #1 my dad and #2 the Keys! Key West is
one of my favorite places in the world. I'd personally love to ride my
bike (bicycle) from Miami to Key West.
Dan RH.
Paul Hobson
> Pat,
>
> Glad you had a great time. My trip is on a bicycle in June from SF to
> LA. I've been doing it for the last 11 years.
>
> Side note, Being I'm born and raised in Miami, the ONLY thing I miss
> not living in FLA anymore is #1 my dad and #2 the Keys! Key West is
> one of my favorite places in the world. I'd personally love to ride my
> bike (bicycle) from Miami to Key West.
Yeah. The hard part about being in my cast right now (aside from not
getting to play) is not being able to ride my (real) bike (bicycle).
Once I'm all healed up, I want to right from my house in Atlanta to the
parent's place in Birmingham.
Oddly enough, my dad is a big motorcycle enthusiast. He first got on a
Honda when he was 13. He always wanted me to ride with him, but I'm not
the 'type' to burn gasoline if I don't need to ifyaknowwhatimean.
That said, being able to join him on one of his North Dakota to Seattle
and big trips would be a blast.
\\paul
Steve Turner
> Side note, Being I'm born and raised in Miami, the ONLY thing I miss
> not living in FLA anymore is #1 my dad and #2 the Keys!
I lived in Delray Beach for about 3 years and the thing I hated about
Florida was all the FREAKING BUGS. You couldn't even walk out to the
mailbox and back without a bunch of those damn little pecker gnats
trying to fly into your eyes. Drove me nuts! *Everybody* has screened
in porches down there; it's a must if you want to sit outside.
--
"Our beer goes through thousands of quality Czechs every day."
(From a Shiner Bock billboard I saw in Austin some years ago)
To reply, eat the taco.
John P.
> I lived in Delray Beach for about 3 years and the thing I hated about
> Florida was all the FREAKING BUGS. You couldn't even walk out to the
> mailbox and back without a bunch of those damn little pecker gnats trying
> to fly into your eyes. Drove me nuts! *Everybody* has screened in
> porches down there; it's a must if you want to sit outside.
Helps to keep the gators out of your pool too!
Drums
"Pat McDonald" <patd...@NOSPAMmindspring.com> wrote in message
news:0001HW.C1F29688...@newsgroups.bellsouth.net...
Pat McDonald
(in article <45cf3c5a$0$28071$4c36...@roadrunner.com>):
> Pat, what kind of Bike?
>
'04 Harley Road King Custom
Pat
Drums
Nice! My bro in law has a 90 heritage and he let's me borrow it once in a
while.
I am hoping one of these will be my retirement present. My Dad us to take
me fishing down in the key's.
It's awsome down there. Glad you had a good time.
"Pat McDonald" <patd...@NOSPAMmindspring.com> wrote in message
news:0001HW.C1F49E4C...@newsgroups.bellsouth.net...
Benj
Whoa! Nice hog! But speaking of freezing 'nads, given cold weather
here and the North Dakota style on-bike wind chill, I'm guessing the
first and last leg of the trip is the killer! Whatcha do? Start with
about 50 layers of clothes and pitch them by the side of the road on
the way down and then pick them up and put them back on during the
trip back? :-)
benj
(Who notes that if your ride ain't a HARLEY, you ain't sh!t)
Pat McDonald
(in article <1171224576.5...@v33g2000cwv.googlegroups.com>):
No, no.....I actually was considering riding down if the weather wasn't too
bad but it was about 20 degrees here in Nashtown on the morning that I left.
Scratch THAT! So I loaded her up on my trailer and drove down to Sarasota
where my buddy lives. Than we left from there on the bikes. It was
still pretty damn cold that day (about 45 degrees) but we layered on the
clothes and actually were pretty comfy. By that afternoon, we were
ditching gloves and sweatshirts at every stop.
The whole time in the Keys it was shorts and t-shirt weather up until the
day. It was raining lightly and the Weather Channel showed rain all the
way north to Miami. We suited up in rain gear and headed north, right into
it. Wouldn't you know it....not a friggin DROP all day! Nothin like
wearing a rainsuit in Florida all day and not needing to!
Pat
Mike
Sure and if the rest of us wanted couches on wheels we would all be
riding Harleys.
Regards
Mike
Go Bears!
Join the Minutemen.
http://www.minutemanhq.com/hq/
PETITION TO THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS & President Bush
to Stop Amnesty for Illegal Aliens.HIT THE LINK BELOW and fill out the form. Takes one minute or so.
Pat McDonald
(in article <gffvs25cg4dne2fnf...@4ax.com>):
>> benj
>> (Who notes that if your ride ain't a HARLEY, you ain't sh!t)
>
> Sure and if the rest of us wanted couches on wheels we would all be
> riding Harleys.
>
>
> Regards
>
> Mike
Abso-FUCKIN-lutely right. I'm not a kid trying to impress my buddies or
race to the next stoplight anymore. If I'm gonna ride, I'm gonna damn well
be comfortable. I don't need a bike that can go 190 mph. My bike is
like a 2 wheeled Cadillac. It's smooth, comfortable and I can ride hundreds
of miles at a pop without having to stop at a chiropractor at every town I go
thru. I don't give a shit anymore. If I'm not comfortable, I'm not
having fun. I like to sit back and enjoy the scenery, not watch it fly
by in a blur. My younger brother is a rice rocket fanatic. I dread
the day I hear he ran it up a tree at 150 mph and I get to help raise his
kids.
When I dive, I'm the first wimp to suit up with a wetsuit and hood. I
catch shit all the time from the macho fucks...."A wetsuit? Man! That
water isn't even CLOSE to cold! Jeez!" Then we hit the boat and the sun
is behind the clouds and they're shivering like mad with their fingers and
toes turning blue, trying to act like they're NOT cold. I always get a
giggle.
To each his own but If I'm gonna do it, I'm GONNA be comfortable or I'm not
interested.
; )
Pat
jeff wald
--
Jeff Wald
" I can handle things, I'm smart - not like everybody says - not dumb, smart
and I want respect."
Fredo - Godfather II
jeff wald
Oh, I remember. So you didn't try to impress people on your *ride* to the
Keys.
--
Jeff Wald
" I can handle things, I'm smart - not like everybody says - not dumb, smart
and I want respect."
Fredo - Godfather II
"Pat McDonald" <patd...@NOSPAMmindspring.com> wrote in message
news:0001HW.C1F52224...@newsgroups.bellsouth.net...
> Abso-FUCKIN-lutely right. I'm not a kid trying to impress my buddies
> or
> race to the next stoplight anymore. If I'm gonna ride, I'm gonna damn
> well
> be comfortable. >
>
> Pat
>
Pat McDonald
(in article <eqolj...@enews4.newsguy.com>):
> Which is why you trailered all the way to Florida. Why take the bike at all?
> Oh, I remember. So you didn't try to impress people on your *ride* to the
> Keys.
>
>
Wait a minute there chief....
Damn right I trailered it to Florida. And I'm telling everybody right here
that I did. I'm not trying to pull anything over on anyone. I'm the
first to admit I'm not one of those hardcore guys who think trailers are for
wimps. I'm not gonna freeze when I ride. Period. If it's THAT cold
out, I'll leave it parked OR take it on a trailer to somewhere that is
warm....like.....oh, I don't know....FLORIDA maybe? Get it? Like I
said, I ain't here to impress anybody. And I'm not impressed by anyone
who rides in brutal conditions and then puffs his chest up like he's a tough
guy. He's a fucking DUMBASS in my mind. Freeze if you want, but I'll
be over here warm and toasty in my truck.
; )
Pat
John P.
> The whole time in the Keys it was shorts and t-shirt weather up until the
> day. It was raining lightly and the Weather Channel showed rain all
> the
> way north to Miami. We suited up in rain gear and headed north, right
> into
> it. Wouldn't you know it....not a friggin DROP all day! Nothin
> like
> wearing a rainsuit in Florida all day and not needing to!
I went to recruiting school down in Orlando for 5 weeks or 8 weeks or
something. Rode my bike down from Va Beach. It was my only transportation
the whole time I was there. Orlando gets that "rains at 3:00 every day for 5
minutes" thing. On the weekends, I'd usually see someone on a Goldwing pull
over, under an overpass, to put on a rainsuit. Generally, it was done
raining by the time they'd pull out again. Even if I got a bit wet, with the
wind and the heat, I'd be dry in a few minutes.
My favorite weekend down there was when we left Friday night (myself and a
couple other squids with bikes) and spent a couple of days in Daytona.
jeff wald
I *get it* just fine, and I never suggested that you were misleading. I do
take issue with people who believe that trailoring bikes to a destination is
a *ride* though. I picture you as one of those nouveau *Bikers*. You know
the type. Weekend, fair weather riders that want to be seen at the scene.
You can take your iron anywhere you want; it ain't shit to me. As long as
you're on 2 wheels is cool with me. But to those that think they are bikers
because they spent too much to be in the *in* crowd don't have a clue as to
what it's about.
I do not consider myself a biker, but I do ride bikes. I've been riding them
in the dirt and street for over 40 yrs. I've ridden and or owned American,
British, Japanese, German, Swedish, and Spanish motorcycles. I prefer the
Japanese models for many reasons, including price/reliability. I currently
own 6 bikes and do not ride them in the extreme cold. I do not think that
those that do are any better or worse than those that don't. I'm also not
judging them to be DUMBASSes, as you are. What you think, and $1.50, will
get you a Pepsi from the Quickie Mart. I wave at ALL other bikes I see on
the road too. Do trucks HAULING bikes as qualify well?
--
Jeff Wald
" I can handle things, I'm smart - not like everybody says - not dumb, smart
and I want respect."
Fredo - Godfather II
"Pat McDonald" <patd...@NOSPAMmindspring.com> wrote in message
Frisco
are reminding me of my daughter when she was all upset at the age of
13 that "I liked R.E.M. before THEY did", so she thought she was "a
more deserving R.E.M. fan". I didn't get her beef then and I don't
get either of your beef's now... he rides, you ride - go meet each
other for a beer somewhere this summer and duke it out over a game of
pool. Or at least start talking about drums again... ;-)
Paul
On Sun, 11 Feb 2007 22:52:50 -0600, "jeff wald" <wl...@grics.net>
wrote:
Pat McDonald
(in article <eqorr...@enews4.newsguy.com>):
> Hey poser, what's with the chief remark?
> I *get it* just fine, and I never suggested that you were misleading. I do
> take issue with people who believe that trailoring bikes to a destination is
> a *ride* though. I picture you as one of those nouveau *Bikers*. You know
> the type. Weekend, fair weather riders that want to be seen at the scene.
> You can take your iron anywhere you want; it ain't shit to me. As long as
> you're on 2 wheels is cool with me. But to those that think they are bikers
> because they spent too much to be in the *in* crowd don't have a clue as to
> what it's about.
> I do not consider myself a biker, but I do ride bikes. I've been riding them
> in the dirt and street for over 40 yrs. I've ridden and or owned American,
> British, Japanese, German, Swedish, and Spanish motorcycles. I prefer the
> Japanese models for many reasons, including price/reliability. I currently
> own 6 bikes and do not ride them in the extreme cold. I do not think that
> those that do are any better or worse than those that don't. I'm also not
> judging them to be DUMBASSes, as you are. What you think, and $1.50, will
> get you a Pepsi from the Quickie Mart. I wave at ALL other bikes I see on
> the road too. Do trucks HAULING bikes as qualify well?
>
Okay, I think I see where the confusion lies....
I trailered the bike down to Sarasota, where my buddy lives. Then we both
got on our bikes and rode the rest of the way down to the Keys in the sun and
warmth for the week. I didn't haul it to Key West, pull it off the
trailer and then ride up to the city square and act like I had just rode it
in from Texas or something! Sorry for the confusion. We put right at
1000 miles on the bikes, running all over Florida---thru the Everglades,
Miami (a nice place to die if you ride a bike!) and on down into the Keys and
back. It was a great ride and the only transportation we had when we were
there was the bikes.
I'm far from a weekend, "fair weather" rider. In the eyes of the hardcore
guys, I probably am because I don't LIVE the lifestyle. But if I am home,
have the time and am able, my ass is on my bike. Unfortunately, those times
are rare. I bought her new in the Fall of '04 and am at just under 10K
miles as I type this.
No, I DEFINITELY ride mine. I wave too. Waved to ALOT of folks down
there. I just don't ride it if I know I'm gonna be miserable. 20 degree
weather in Nashville on the day I left qualifies.
Pat
Glenn Dowdy
"Pat McDonald" <patd...@NOSPAMmindspring.com> wrote in message
>
> Stopped off in my hometown on the way back and visited with my brother and
> his family. My little 4 yr. old nephew is just the greatest! He's my
> buddy! He's a budding drummer and has a little toy kit. He sets it
> up
> in front of the TV and plays along to our DVD and tries to look like his
> Uncle Pat! It's just the best feeling in the world to have a little
> guy
> like that think so much of me. I only wish I could see him more often.
>
It isn't too late to get one of your own, Pat.
Glenn D.
jeff wald
You're right. I guess this just hit my *take offense at nothing important*
button.
Vroom Vroom!!
--
Jeff Wald
" I can handle things, I'm smart - not like everybody says - not dumb, smart
and I want respect."
Fredo - Godfather II
"Frisco" <pfr...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:knq0t2p4bvpoa0ru0...@4ax.com...
Mike
Hey Pat my response was not directed at you. You don't have to
explain. Ben needs to get a clue about motorcycles. The coldest night
of riding for me was in the state of Florida on my way to Jacksonville
from Savannah GA. I was crusing down 95 at night and I wasn't dressed
for the weather. Me being from Chicago I was thinking Florida is
always warm. Boy was I wrong. That was torture but I made it to
Jacksonville,Slept for a few hours, than rode to Daytona beach. I
would have traded the Buell for an old Goldwing in a second that
night.
G.I.D.
Why not ride it like a man?
Seriously though--I also dont believe in freezing ones ass off on a bike.
If its too cold outside-I dont ride--I am a pussy!
But, then again, i dont ride hardly s............
Drums
Getting hit with foreighn objects in the head and body doing 70 is not fun
not mention you can ride later in the season without frezing your balls off.
If the ride is not fun why bother? I catch crap sometimes for having a
winshield.
It's macho crap. There is nothnig macho about losing an eyball of getting
frost bite.
"Mike" <mf2112RE...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:t7j1t25o8ilu0uhoh...@4ax.com...
John P.
> I have a Jap bike and I won't ride without a winshield.
> Getting hit with foreighn objects in the head and body doing 70 is not
> fun
> not mention you can ride later in the season without frezing your balls
> off.
> If the ride is not fun why bother? I catch crap sometimes for having a
> winshield.
> It's macho crap. There is nothnig macho about losing an eyball of getting
> frost bite.
That's why the motorcycle gods created full face helmets. Of course, you
wear a helmet for the crash, not the ride, but, yeah, they go a long way
from keeping rocks, bugs and other crap out of your face.
One of my favorite helmet ads is from the 1970's when Bell used to run one
that said "If you have a $10 head, wear a $10 helmet"
Drums
dudes.
I know it's dangerous but that's what I do. I figure I am taking enough risk
so I use the windshield and wear shades. I like freedom and the fact that I
can hear everything
around me. Full face is to restrictive for me. Then again It's not a crotch
rocket
and I don't drive like a wild man. I have been riding for years and will
probably regret saying this but I have never gone down.
"John P." <Admir...@neveragainvolunteeryourself.com> wrote in message
news:O4OdnecnKtiRREzY...@comcast.com...
Pat McDonald
(in article <45d4e2a1$0$5724$4c36...@roadrunner.com>):
> I don't wear full face. In fact I use the half skull cap like the harly
> dudes.
> I know it's dangerous but that's what I do. I figure I am taking enough risk
> so I use the windshield and wear shades. I like freedom and the fact that I
> can hear everything
> around me. Full face is to restrictive for me. Then again It's not a crotch
> rocket
> and I don't drive like a wild man. I have been riding for years and will
> probably regret saying this but I have never gone down.
>
I have 3 helmets....a standard Harley half helmet that I wear most of time in
the summer, a 3/4 that I hardly wear at all anymore and a full face that I
take on long trips. I use my IEM's and my iPod when I'm riding long
distances and the full face helps keep the wind noise down. Aside from that,
I've gotten caught in enough driving rainstorms to know that a full face is a
gift from the heavens if you have hours to go and no option of waiting it
out. Riding in a rainstorm with your face uncovered is like staring into
the barrel of a sandblaster!
And I know you've heard it before.....there are two kinds of riders......
those who have gone down and those who are GONNA go down.
; )
Pat
John P.
>I don't wear full face. In fact I use the half skull cap like the harly
> dudes.
> I know it's dangerous but that's what I do. I figure I am taking enough
> risk
> so I use the windshield and wear shades. I like freedom and the fact that
> I
> can hear everything
> around me. Full face is to restrictive for me. Then again It's not a
> crotch
> rocket
> and I don't drive like a wild man. I have been riding for years and will
> probably regret saying this but I have never gone down.
I always wore a full face. Never restricted my hearing or peripheral vision.
As an MSF instructor, I was teaching "Dress for the crash, not for the
ride", and I believed it, but I always respected that everyone has their own
preferences and should be free to make their own choice in the matter - no
helmet, 1/2 helmet, open face, full face, 1/2 a basketball painted black
held on with a string ... well, he died, but, anyway...
I was a member of the Tidewater chapter of ABATE (back when Bear was
president) and did my part in attempting to eliminate the helmet laws in
Virginia and across the US.
Malcolm Forbes had over a million miles on a motorcycle without an accident.
My hope is that you will do as well for how ever many miles you manage.
John P.
> I have 3 helmets....a standard Harley half helmet that I wear most of time
> in
> the summer, a 3/4 that I hardly wear at all anymore and a full face that I
> take on long trips. I use my IEM's and my iPod when I'm riding long
> distances and the full face helps keep the wind noise down. Aside from
> that,
> I've gotten caught in enough driving rainstorms to know that a full face
> is a
> gift from the heavens if you have hours to go and no option of waiting it
> out. Riding in a rainstorm with your face uncovered is like staring
> into
> the barrel of a sandblaster!
Ain't that the truth. Of course, as you probably know, as far as safety
goes, you are far more likely to need the full face driving near home than
on a road trip. Most motorcycle accidents happen in clear weather, on a road
free of debris, water, ice, etc, within 5 miles of your home (which all
makes sense if you think about it).
When I heard that I was most likely to get into an accident within 5 miles
of my house, I moved! :-D
> And I know you've heard it before.....there are two kinds of riders......
> those who have gone down and those who are GONNA go down.
Be a weirdo Pat. Be the third kind of rider - the kind that never go down
(unless it's on a chick).
As I mentioned in my previous post, Malcolm Forbes managed over a million
miles on a bike without an accident.
Mike
I cannot say enough good things about the MSF course. I took it myself
and learned a lot. I recomend it to newbies and expirenced riders a
like. I agree with you on helmet laws and the freedom to NOT wear them
although I have to admit I always wear a full face. I had the
misfortune of getting launched over the handle bars on my dirt bike. I
landed right square on the top of my head and being a silly teen I
wasn't wearing a helmet. I landed four feet from a concrete drive way.
Ever since that day I have been a safety advocate when it comes to
riding bikes. I crashed pretty bad again on my old CR 125 although
this time I had a helmet on but no leather. I was almost impaled by a
tree stump to the rib cage. Man I really miss riding in the dirt. So
John when you going to get a bike?:-) Let me know. I can hook you up
with a nice Duc or a Buell.:-) Heck you can even get a Harley and come
out and ride with my group. We have a couple cruiser guys that ride
with us. One Triumph,a Guzzi or two, once in a while we get a couple
side car rigs. If my Dad rides with us that makes for one Harley. The
rest are sporty bikes but they are Italian with a few Buells mixed in
for good measure.
Here is a ride we do every second Saturday of the month:
http://www.italianmotobrunch.com/index.html
Click on the pics. There are some nice rare bikes at this ride.
Regards
Mike
Go Blackhawks!
Paul Hobson
I know it's might be flame war fodder, but would you agree that a
mandatory MSF would benefit more people (in terms of safety and $$) than
mandatory helmets?
\\paul
Mike
I don't believe these things should be mandatory despite the benefits.
I believe in freedom. Just like I don't agree with our seat belt
laws. I would recommend the MSF and wearing helmets\safety gear as I
think these things can be equally beneficial to one's survival on a
motorcycle. That all said there are certain individuals that behave
irresponsibly on motorcycles. No helmet or MSF course is going to
save them. Some of them don't even have M endorsements on their DL's
or even no DL's at all.
Regards
Mike
Go Blackhawks!
John P.
> I cannot say enough good things about the MSF course. I took it myself
> and learned a lot. I recomend it to newbies and expirenced riders a
> like. I agree with you on helmet laws and the freedom to NOT wear them
> although I have to admit I always wear a full face. I had the
> misfortune of getting launched over the handle bars on my dirt bike. I
> landed right square on the top of my head and being a silly teen I
> wasn't wearing a helmet.
Not that I can fathom the concept of getting on any bike (motorcycle type)
without a helmet, but I *really* can't fathom the concept of getting on a
dirt bike to go do crazy things and jumps and slid around and you *know*
you're gonna fall down at least a few times, because that just what you do
on a dirt bike... and not wear a helmet. I don't recall ever seeing more
than a couple people riding dirt bikes without helmets.
As much as I miss riding a street bike (which is quite a bit), I *really*
miss riding a dirt bike. ... but it's just so abusive. I remember reading
somehwere, and I have no idea what the source was or how true it is, that
dirt bike racers are among the most physicaly fit athletes there are.
A friend of mine in Mississippi used to always try to convince me that
wearing a helmet on any bike was pointless. To prove his point, he botched a
jump on a dirt bike and the guy behind him landed on his head - leaving him
in a coma for 3 months.
My cousin was in a bad bike wreck. Managed to stay "alive" as a vegetable in
a hospital for nearly a year. His brother, oddly enough, also my cousing,
would go there almost every day. They were really close and it really tore
him up. Then he died, and my cousin (the borther - the one that didn't die)
really took it hard. I remember him saying something like "Stupid stupid
stupid... all he needed to do was put on a helmet and he'd still be here
today." ... which, as you and I know, may or may not be true.
Anyway, my cousin (the brother - the one that didn't die) was on his bike a
few blocks from his house. This was about 3 months after his brother died.
His wife was on the back. They got sideswiped. As wrecks go, it wasn't all
that bad. His wife was wearing a helmet. He wasn't. She was checked out at
the hospital and released the same day. He knocked his noggin' and was in a
coma for a few weeks. He woke up, but he's kind of a retard now. After a
couple years of physical and other therapies, he can sort of function like a
fiarly normal human.... but he has zero short term memory. Go more than
about 5 minutes into the past, and he has no idea what you're talking about.
I remember when he was finally remembering that he wrecked his bike. We were
talking about it and he asked me what I thought. I said "Stupid stupid
stupid...."
.... but I will and would *still* defend everyone's right to make that
choice for themselves.
> So John when you going to get a bike?:-) Let me know. I can hook you up
> with a nice Duc or a Buell.:-)
The more I talk to you, the more tempting it sounds. ... and you come up
with all the cool shit. I don't read bike mags anymore, so I don't know
what's out there. Less temptation.
You're evil man! :-D
> Heck you can even get a Harley and come out and ride with
> my group.
That'd be a nice trip from Chi-Town to Elkorn in this weather! :-)
> Here is a ride we do every second Saturday of the month:
> http://www.italianmotobrunch.com/index.html
> Click on the pics. There are some nice rare bikes at this ride.
OMG! I'm typing one handed right now!
Man... what a collection of bikes. That's awesome. If there is a heaven, I
imagine that's what it looks like.
<drooool>
John P.
> I know it's might be flame war fodder, but would you agree that a
> mandatory MSF would benefit more people (in terms of safety and $$) than
> mandatory helmets?
Actually, groups like ABATE *do* tend to favor stricter motorcycle licensing
and required training (such as the MSF course) over mandatory helmet laws. I
recall some talk in bike circles about having different classes of
motorcycle licensing where one would be required to prove a greater degree
of proficiency and skill prior to being licensed to ride some of the more
intense machines. Of course, that was 20 years ago when "superbike"
performance was limited to a few models, as opposed to now where even the
lower end bikes are pretty amazing in regard to performance, power to weight
ratio, etc.
When I got my bike license in Va, the guy at the desk told me to go drive
around the building twice - using turn signals and following all laws and
rules as appropriate. I waited. He didn't come up. When I went in and asked
him of he was going to come up, he said "No. Just go drive around the
building twice.". ... I went out, did it, came back in and he handed me the
license.
To me, that's a bit ridiculous. For the MSF course, you have to pass a final
riding skill test for completion. I am all for having something similar as a
requirement to be licensed to ride a bike.
Would it benefit more people? I don't know. I don't know if it would save
lives, keep anyone from killing or maiming themselves are causing death or
injuries to anyone else. I suspect it would... but I don't know. Kind of the
old "You can lead a horse to water..." deal. You can give someone the
knowledge and the training, but, in the end, it's up to them what they do
with it.
At the very least, considering one must demonstrate some level of skill to
be licensed to drive a car, I would think it only reasonable to have a
similar requirement for a bike license.
Mike
>
>Anyway, my cousin (the brother - the one that didn't die) was on his bike a
>few blocks from his house. This was about 3 months after his brother died.
>His wife was on the back. They got sideswiped. As wrecks go, it wasn't all
>that bad. His wife was wearing a helmet. He wasn't. She was checked out at
>the hospital and released the same day. He knocked his noggin' and was in a
>coma for a few weeks. He woke up, but he's kind of a retard now. After a
>couple years of physical and other therapies, he can sort of function like a
>fiarly normal human.... but he has zero short term memory. Go more than
>about 5 minutes into the past, and he has no idea what you're talking about.
I hate to hear stories like this when you know good and well if these
individuals would have simply worn proper gear they basically could
have 100% recovery. It just terrifies me when my dad goes out. He
doesn't believe in helmets either.He is very lucky. 50 plus years of
riding and no crashes. Sooner or later the luck runs out. He isn't
riding as often as he used to though. He does like 4000 miles a year
now since he is in his 70s.
>
>I remember when he was finally remembering that he wrecked his bike. We were
>talking about it and he asked me what I thought. I said "Stupid stupid
>stupid...."
>
>.... but I will and would *still* defend everyone's right to make that
>choice for themselves.
>
>> So John when you going to get a bike?:-) Let me know. I can hook you up
>> with a nice Duc or a Buell.:-)
>
>The more I talk to you, the more tempting it sounds. ... and you come up
>with all the cool shit. I don't read bike mags anymore, so I don't know
>what's out there. Less temptation.
I would be happy to hand over my Cycle world mags to you every month
after I get done droo..... I mean reading them.:-)
>
>You're evil man! :-D
>
>> Heck you can even get a Harley and come out and ride with
>> my group.
>
>That'd be a nice trip from Chi-Town to Elkorn in this weather! :-)
You can drive up. In here I am a prick but in person I am a nice
guy.:-) You have to drive up when it is warm.
>
>> Here is a ride we do every second Saturday of the month:
>> http://www.italianmotobrunch.com/index.html
>> Click on the pics. There are some nice rare bikes at this ride.
>
>OMG! I'm typing one handed right now!
LOL! There is a grey Laverda in one of the bottom pics. This is one of
a few Laverda RGS 1000 Executive in the USA. The serial # is #00012
Oh here is a great pic of the Laverda:
Those Italians sure make purty motorcycles.
>Man... what a collection of bikes. That's awesome. If there is a heaven, I
>imagine that's what it looks like.
><drooool>
Well I think in Heaven there would be a lot more Buells.:-)
Regards
Mike
Go Blackhawks!
Go Cubs!
Go Bulls!
John P.
>>Anyway, my cousin ...
>> ...He knocked his noggin' and was in a ...
> I hate to hear stories like this when you know good and well if these
> individuals would have simply worn proper gear they basically could
> have 100% recovery.
Yeah well... I suppose there are many people who don't or wouldn't like when
I put it this way, but, I firmly believe people should have the right to
make stupid choices for themselves. I don't like when the government attempt
to legislate away stupidity. I always consider the number of moron drivers
who would be dead or maimed to the point where they couldn't drive if not
for seat belt laws. Why are we saving these people from themselves and
keeping them on the road to terrorize others?
Things managed to come together well for me last night. I've driven a
company car (a Taurus) every
day for the past few years. (why pay for gas if I don't have to?). We've had
so snow lately, and then very cold temps. Driving from where I live (in a
subdivision, but in the boonies) to civilization requires me to drive some
back country roads, among open fields, that usually don't get plowed until
maybe April or so. With the snow and the ice, for the past week, I've left
the Taurus home and taken my Jeep (Grand Cherokee). ... I even had to buy my
own gas once ($40 to fill the tank - there goes the rent budget!)
So, last night, I'm tooling up the road with my wife, heading for dinner
prior to our weekly Pheasant Run gig. The street is two lanes in each
direction with a raised median in the center. The median has street lights
on it. There is a min-van pretty much right next to me, in the right lane.
We're doing about 50 mph or so. I have no idea why, but some moron in a neon
pulls out *right* in front of the minivan - like, inches. The mini-van
driver swerves to the left to avoid said moron. Unfortunately, that's where
I am. So I pull up onto the median... but I can only do that so much because
of the light poles. We made it past two light poles where I had a minivan
about an inch to my right and a light pole about an inch to my left. She
(the mini-van) goes back to the right, I go back into my lane, and we all
continue toodling up the road.
Stuff like that happens to me fairly regulalrly, since I spend a lot of time
driving. It's become so common, I usually don't even flinch. I have to admit
though, as we passed the second light pole, my sphincter was starting to
tighten up a bit... but, not too much. I had it in my mind that I would
never challenge the light poles and sideswiping a mini-van wouldn't be all
that a horrendous thing to do - so, if we ran out of room, I was going to
take the minivan out. :-)
If I had been in my Taurus, I think the median would have taken me out.
Too many morons!
>It just terrifies me when my dad goes out. He
> doesn't believe in helmets either.He is very lucky. 50 plus years of
> riding and no crashes. Sooner or later the luck runs out. He isn't
> riding as often as he used to though. He does like 4000 miles a year
> now since he is in his 70s.
Hopefully, he'll ride as many years as he can and wants without ever
dumping.
>>> So John when you going to get a bike?:-) Let me know. I can hook you up
>>> with a nice Duc or a Buell.:-)
>>The more I talk to you, the more tempting it sounds. ... and you come up
>>with all the cool shit. I don't read bike mags anymore, so I don't know
>>what's out there. Less temptation.
> I would be happy to hand over my Cycle world mags to you every month
> after I get done droo..... I mean reading them.:-)
See? I knew you were evil. I even stopped at a Buell dealer this past week.
Arrrrggghhhh.
The best part was when I cam home and said "Honey, How's the saving's
account look?" (she handles all the money around here - I'd just spend it
all and throw the bills away) - the look on her face when I told her why?
That would be either 'priceless' or maybe, 'scary'. :-D
>> That'd be a nice trip from Chi-Town to Elkorn in this weather! :-)
> You can drive up. In here I am a prick but in person I am a nice
> guy.:-) You have to drive up when it is warm.
You're probably a prick all the time... but I don't mind. :-)
Honestly... I don't remember shit from here most of the time. I suppose if I
met Dennis or Rob, I'd know who they were and what our RMMP conversations
were like. ... but anyone else, we could be in a raging flame war all week,
and if I ran into Driday night and you said "Hi. I'm Mike from RMMP" I'd be
like - cool! How's it going. The connection just wouldn't be there (because
I don't take any of this all that seriously)...
... and, two friends could have the same disagreement/argument in person,
and it'd be something totally different. Your friend says something dumb and
you go "You're a fuckin' moron" and you laugh, then you go have a beer
together. It's different online.
> LOL! There is a grey Laverda in one of the bottom pics. This is one of
> a few Laverda RGS 1000 Executive in the USA. The serial # is #00012
> Oh here is a great pic of the Laverda:
http://home.earthlink.net/imagelib/sitebuilder/misc/show_image.html?linkedwidth=actual&linkpath=http://home.earthlink.net/~trospers/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/LaverdaSide.JPG&target=tlx_new> Those Italians sure make purty motorcycles.It's like art. Functional art. That's part of what helped kill the Americanauto industry. Designers used to put some style, flair and maybe even a bitof art into their car designs. Then, for a long time it seemed they werejust trying to work on the best box shape. Finally, most recently, we seeAmerican cars with a bit of personality again.I've been havin' a hankerin' lately for a little car with a stick. Those canbe a lot of fun if you abuse them properly. I'm not much of a fan of fast &furious cars, but, a little car with a 4 banger, a 5 speed and some nicesticky tires... that coud be fun. I think a Dodge Caliber might be cool...but I've never driven one and have no idea if you can get one with a stick(although I know their auto trans is a CVT).>>Man... what a collection of bikes. That's awesome. If there is a heaven, I>>imagine that's what it looks like.>><drooool>> Well I think in Heaven there would be a lot more Buells.:-)It's a big place, if you look in the third picture from the left in thesecond row, you can just catch a glimpse of the miles ling line of them justout of the photo. ;-)