Motorcycle Rides

I took quick motorcycle trip to Houston and left Sunday to return on Monday. A very fine trip, beautiful views. And thanks to a Skeptical Walrus who lead me through Sam Houston National Forest.

On Monday I rode back to Dallas and stayed off the Interstate a bit and along the way I stopped by the giant Sam Houston statue near Huntsville, TX. I've driven by that thing for 30 years and this is the first time I stopped. Strangely it looked less creepy when viewed close up.

I don't know what the story behind is but there is giant face of Sam Houston in front of some concrete steps, and I thought it really looked like something from a Doctor Who episode.

Plus I now know there are a bunch of stray cats wandering around that the Visitor Center

Indian

Here is a motorcycle I saw last month on my trip to Houston.

Trip To Houston

Here are some pictures from my motorcycle trip to and around Houston this past weekend. I had a wonderfully pleasant ride with the Skeptical Walrus on Sunday which is heavily representing. Plus a trip downtown to an art fair.

Myth Perception

"The wind whistled through nets and cable. Peter Lake gave one last glance to the city, and turned south to the marches as the second wave started to close. Athansor began the tiger pacing, but this time it was north-south, across the narrow walkway of the bridge. They thought he was crazed. Trying for the kill, they fired their pistols. But he ignored them. When he was ready, he leaned back on his haunches. Pearly's men stopped for they had never seen such a sight. Athansor arched on visible waves of power. He compressed himself into something almost round. Then, with a roar, he unfolded in a long white silken movement, and flew into the air, parting a thick steel cable that had been in his way, and clearing the nets with ease."

Two weeks ago I went with on a motorcycle ride with my Brother in law for over two hours and at one point we passed a field with what I first thought was large horse statue posted over a wire fence. But then the statue turned and looked at us and after we passed it the horse “took off” and galloped after us and was so majestic that for a moment I thought it would leap over the fence that stopped it following us and not only follow our path but take off towards the clouds.

Later when talking about it my Brother in Law described the horse as “Mythic” and that really is accurate to my experience. I know it was “just a horse” but at that moment and at that place and who I was as I came through...somehow it really was something more than a horse. NOT that it “felt” like something more than a horse.

Anyway it reminded me of Athansor in Winter's tale by Mark Helprin where in one scene he and the rider protagonist are trapped by the bad guys in NYC (they really are bad guys). Above is the part where we find out Athansor can fly

Back In Texas

Two weeks on the road and over 3000 miles and here is the pic I took when I crossed back into TX yesterday.

Fortunately the ominous clouds only sprinkled me a litte so I got home dry.


Over 3000 miles

THE PLAN

OK, here's the plan. I ride to Houston, then to Tennessee then to Oklahoma, then back to Dallas. I “plan” to camp as much as possible. For the adventure and for the economy.

On a Friday in May I head to Houston where I spend the weekend visiting relatives.

The Monday morning I leave Houston and drive to Jimmie Davis State Park near Chatham, LA
http://www.crt.state.la.us/parks/ijimmiedavis.aspx

Tuesday morning go from Jimmie Davis State Park, LA to Trace State Park near Tupelo.
http://home.mdwfp.com/parks.aspx

Wednesday leave Holly Springs for Rock Island, TN near Sparta, TN
http://www.tennessee.gov/environment/parks/RockIsland/

Thursday Leave Rock Island headed to Jellico, TN but stop in Crossville, TN to get knobbies installed at a local motorcycle dealer.
http://www.tennessee.gov/environment/parks/IndianMtn/
http://www.myyamaha.com/

Then on Friday I met two friends and ride the TransAmerica Trail(http://www.transamtrail.com/) to Oklahoma taking 7 days, arriving the following Thursday and I ride back to Dallas on Friday.

I've discovered I can update a blog with pictures taken from my blackberry, so I think I'll start a separate blog just for this trip and update it with more pictures and comments after it is all over.

Silent Super 8 Memories

Here is an old Super 8 I had and finally uploaded to YouTube

A Road Slightly Less Taken

If things go as planned, in two months I will be riding with two or three other old men to ride from the middle of Tennessee to Oklahoma using only backroads of which most are dirt roads.

I will ride my Suzuki DRZ400S to the departure location to meet up with my fellow travelers.

Partly for fun and partly for a small prep, last week I rode my motorcycle from Dallas to Houston but avoided the Interstate, which I took the last time I made such a trip.

I can report that for me it is WAY easier to ride on nice roads when they are NOT Interstate Highways. It may take longer but the recovery time is much easier.

So my plan for the TransAmericaTrail trip, is to parallel the Interstate Highway system but actually stay off the Interstate itself.

Above is the route I took last weekend and below is a picture of my Cycle on that trip during a short break.

FIRST GEAR, IT'S ALRIGHT!

Some time in the past year I bought a new front sprocket that was one tooth less than the stock version. This was first prompted from my one off road experience where I could immediately feel that any trail riding would demand different gearing.

However, after I got the sprocket I just could not get the nut off that holds the old sprocket onto the shaft. I was on the verge of buying an impact driver but this afternoon I called the nearest Suzuki dealership and they said they would do it for $40. Well...I figured an impact driver would cost at least $30 dollars and the only time I was likely to use it was for this task.

And when they said they could do it today my impatience and laziness where in alignment, so I rode over and they took care of it.

Although first gear really is alright now, I think I will change the rear sprocket because it just doesn't feel quite right when moving below 10 miles an hour. I still feel I would have to really work the cluctch if I ever get back on a trail.

A Long Way Down

Tonight I went the one night showing of Long Way Down where Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman Ride some BMWs from Scotland to South Africa.

All in all a very pleasant evening. The most dramatic footage was of Africa and while some might complain that it they weren't really riding by them selves since they had such an extravagant support team. But to me you just accept it for what it is, if I had money and sponsors I would do exactly the same thing.

I made me think I would really enjoy riding with friend rather than alone. And that you have to PLAN to take the route that looks most interesting rather than the fastest.

Maybe this fall I can take a trip to Houston but stay off the highways. But for now the heat is a real beating.

The Cat Is Out Of The Bag

I took the day off to “DO” some things. Unfortunately I tried to do a thing I had never done before (well I did it thirty years ago).

I was going to replace the front sprocket on my motorcycle. First I discovered it wouldn't come off with an adjustable wrench. Then I found the Home Depot near me didn't have a 30mm socket but Loews did. THEN I discovered I didn't have a 1/2” drive....anyway it took a while but I finally ....gave up.

It made me think about what I hope to use this motorcycle. If I want to ride in even a semi-serious off road way I HAVE to make more changes. But I think what I really want is the more “off road if I have to” ability. And take back roads to get places. Much like the motorcycle Transamerica Trail.

In that vein, above are the results of my installing “Saddle Bags” (way easier) AND I attached a 25 year old bicycle carrying bag where the tool kit was bolted on. I wonder if I should question my design sense because it does look a bit odd but I went ahead and did it. You now see Dirt Bagz and Kangaroo Baggs.

Below is a picture of our crazy house cat (he really has mental problems) that got out while I was going in and out today.

Re-Tiring at 51!

For the first time in almost 30 years I changed a motorcycle tire today. Actually TWO tires! I spent about 3 hours changing 2 tires and it was an experience. I used the YouTube video and the ADVrider thread from Neduro plus the 4strokes.com info to answer a question for me, all to make it happen. Maybe the Internet has something more than porn after all!

I think I can maybe cut that time in half in the future, but I was interesting since whenever I thought it just wasn't going to work I thought back to th eYouTube video that said if you have to work at changing tires you are doing something wrong.

Anyway, above is th photo of the end results.

I've had a head/chest cold for the past week, in addition to being out of town last weekend. So I've missed over a week of Aikido. I hope to make the Saturday class.

Clear Night, Fuzzy Picture

Tonight I went to the North Dallas “Meet and Greet”. There were maybe 20 motorcyclists with their bikes. I was the smallest motorcycle there, but nobody pointed it out to me. Anyway I saw 3 Triumphs, of which I took one fuzzy picture displayed above.

Anyway I talked to some people and it was fun. There was one other dual sport (a DR650), so I wasn't totally alone.

I couldn't help but notice there were quite a few BMWs and Triumphs. Nice big bikes.

Boot Full of Mud

Warning; this is a motorcycle posting

I finally took the DRZ400S off road today. Yes it was a blast, but maybe the best thing for me was that I was not too afraid. BUT, I think the motorcycle had a lot to do with that since it was PERFECT!! Well except for the tires and the gearing.

Before I was trapped in a mud bog...(more later), the first thing I noticed was that it handled wonderfully and was VERY forgiving. BUT, 1st gear is WAY TOO HIGH. I must get different sprockets. If you ride off road in even a semi serious way and don't want to burn up the clutch, get some new sprockets.

I was having a grand old time but I really blundered when I tried to ride along the edge of a medium sized Mud /Water pool. First by front tire slipped into a shallow mud pond and I finally just lifted the wheel out of BUT when I tried to ride forward with my front tire free, my rear tire slipped down into the track of some ATV tire rut. This is where you understand the buddy system, and I had no buddy. Well, at this time my rear wheel was firmly entrenched. I rested and pondered my options.

There where other ATVs and motorcycles around but at this time nobody was coming by me. So, with the front wheel on somewhat firm ground I tried to lift the rear wheel out, but was afraid the whole thing would tip over into the water. But I was unsure how deep the remaining pool was and couldn't let go the the bike to test the depth.

Finally I gambled, let out the clutch and figured with the front wheel out I could put the bike forward the remaining 6 feet and find dry ground.

Yes I made it out on my own without having to find help. But many lessons were learned. First, I need to get new gearing, maybe before knobby tires. But new tires are another must. Then I have to go to some local motorcycle group meetings and find other people to ride with. And I probably have to get new boots. My old boots did really well, and I mean really well. But when I got home the right boot looked like it was about to fall apart.

Out of the bog I crawled.



The water in the background was where I spent 15 or 20 minutes.

---

Tomorrow an AIKIDO posting!

The Rack Of Time

Time, time, time
See what's become of me
– The Bangles

Life is complicated. But at least part of the “problem” is time.

Tonight I tried to install the rear rack on my motorcycle before I left for Aikido class since tomorrow night I hope to be installing a skid plate. But given my poor mechanical abilities I should have known better. What should have been at most a 30 minute job turned into over 2 hours. So...I missed my Wednesday Aikido class. But I felt really crummy on Monday so I wimped out and skipped on Monday. AND I will miss Satlurday becasuse of family obligations....AND I missed last Wednesday because I stayed late at work and somehow forgot my Gi (Aikido outfit).

Anyway, this is where my personal deficiencies come into play. I should have dropped the project tonight and gone to class, but once focused on something like that I can spend hours and hours and I HATE being distracted by anything once I'm in process. But the gist of the thing is, I ran out of time.

I also should have sucked it up and gone to class on Monday and the previous Wednesday. So I just have to make sure I make Monday's class.

Below is a picture of the accursed motorcycle rack

Mid Life Crisis Successfully Navigated!

Thanks to a very friendly loan I was able to buy a Suzuki DRZ400S Dual Sport Motorcycle. I suppose it might be considered similar to the middle aged man getting a Corvette, something that denotes youth but is actually a hollow attempt to recapture a lost age.

Yeah, I suppose...but, DAMN motorcycles are cool!!! And the DRZ400S strikes at my soul with it's coolness even though I now owe a good friend a ton of money. Anyway my high school chum and his friend from work met in Bartlesville, Oklahoma to by 4 motorcycles (mine, theirs and another sucker they talked into this project) from the same shop we bought our high school Suzukis from.

Then we rode a very short portion of the TransAmerican Motorcycle Trail, before I pealed off to ride the bike back to Dallas (over 300 miles according to Google maps). It was a heck of a windy day but I made it safely back a and felt great. DAMN motorcycles are cool!!!

The picture shows me and an old College roommate with our new motorcycles.

Am I a cliché? Perhaps, but there are reasons clichés are..well, clichés. BECAUSE they point to a truth. If you don't want to be old...act young. Not childish, but young. But for me riding a motorcycle doesn't make me feel young, rather it transcends age (to be a bit pretentious) in that riding a motorcycle forces you to live in the moment. Not young, not old,.. just there!

---

I think this means I will rework the subtitle to the blog to include motorcycles now.