1st stop

@ joes in owosso for a liquid refreshment. Met two characters, look 4 more later.

On the Road Again

Well folks just a quick entry here to say "stay tuned". In about 1 hour I will be hitting the road with Joerg to head to the YearRoundRiders event in Niagara Falls for the weekend. I will send a few pics and text along the way so you can feel like you are on the ride with us, and then when I am back you should see the whole write-up. Weather at time of departure is about 70 degrees and raining, hopefully we can get in front of the rain for the afternoon and then the rain will pass us while we sleep... thank god for wishful thinking.

BMW Open House - Birthday Bash!!!

The dealership has been planning an open house which includes a special birthday bash for a long time customer, employee and friend of many. I was quite excited since this would be my first time on the "other side" of an open house. The morning started very busy before opening with all lending a hand to get the whole shop in order for the crowds. After we got all set up there was a very short lull where we all ate breakfast and chatted before the customers arrived in herds. The weather didn't corporate but that didn't stop all from coming in, taking test rides and purchasing all the gear that they wanted for the new riding season. The highlight of the day, Bob Burns 80th birthday party. If you ever meet Bob you would never guess that he was over a day over 60. He rides every day, takes long trips all summer long, hangs out at the local pub and has quite the knack for picking up the young girls. I always think that it is such a privilege and inspiration to know someone like this. So many folks grow old so fast by becoming less active, sitting on the couch and not getting out in the public. I hope that at 80 years young I can be as active and happy as good old Bobby.

Bad Habits? Take the Course

Back in the dead winter of January I was lurking around the web looking for different things to do this year that would challenge me and not be the same old stuff. One thing I came up with was something that both B and I have been thinking and talking about for the past year or so, some sort of motorcycle class, preferable a tough one. I searched and found a couple, I was really interested in the course that mimics the police training courses but it was being offered in April/May, iffy weather in these parts and kind-of pricey, not mentioning that we would have to stay overnight in a hotel. I put that on the back burner and found a local MSF ERC (experienced riders course) that only cost 25 bucks… yeah that’s right, 25 bucks. The state picks up most of the cost, glad to se my tax dollars going somewhere that benefits me for once. Again, this course was scheduled to be the first weekend in April and runs no matter what the weather is… but at only 25 bucks, what the hell. I sign both B and I up and patiently wait for the day to arrive.
The week leading up to the course I had this feeling I was going alone since it was saying 40 degrees and raining, but the weather gods changed there mind and gave us a perfect spring day, full sun and 62 degrees!
Class day – Up at 0600, we had a little snack while packing our lunches for the day. The sun was just prying its way into the sky and the thermometer read 34 degrees at departure time. I was worried about B since I know that she doesn’t like riding in the cold but she had a smile on her face and made it the 35 miles there with out stopping or being cold. Arriving right on time we filled out the appropriate paperwork and mingled with the other riders. There where quite the array of bikes and people. There were eleven participants, 7 men and 4 women, there where 2 Gold wings, 2 large cruisers, 3 Standards, 2 sport bikes, and 2 sportsters. The day went something like this, brief discussion about next lesson and some pointers, an instructor demonstrates, then we all take to the range for 20 minutes or so. Then we dismount and repeat. It was a great refresher course, I was hoping that I would have some bad habit that they would address but as the day wore on I gave up hope and realized that I ride pretty well… then it came, my bad habit… I hang my helmet on the mirror instead of putting it on the ground. I kind of chuckled and thought, geez if this is my one bad habit I picked up over the last twelve years I am doing good. And of course like usual, B put everyone to shame and the instructor couldn’t believe how good she rides, that’s my girl!!! It was the best spent 25 bucks in a long time and a very enjoyable refresher course. Here are some shots of B, I snuck of the range and quick snapped some pictures of her before I had to do my drills.

The Artist

Over the long Michigan winter Betina mentioned to me that she would like to try oil painting. I thought this was a great idea so I immediately dragged her down to Michaels and purchased her an easel, canvas, paint and a few brushes. It didn’t take long for her to get started, she already had many drawings of what she wanted to paint.
Betina immediately sketched out her drawing and adjusted it for the canvas size, when done with all the prep work she rolled up her sleeves and began painting. Next thing I know we are at the store getting her 1st piece of art professionally framed. It looks awesome!!! Check it out below.

Since she had her first painting under her belt she stepped up to a big canvas, 30” x 40”. I quick snapped a photo to share with you even though it is not completed yet.

You can be sure that you will see more of her artwork here in the future; she is currently enrolled in an oil painting class for the next six weeks. I can’t imagine what her work will look like after the lessons. If anyone is interested in one of her paintings the bidding starts at $1,000,000.00

Expanding Horizons

Last month a chance to fulfill one of my dreams fell into my lap. I was hanging out at the local BMW Motorcycle shop like usual, shooting the shit with the boys’ when the owner approached me and offered me a part-time job selling the motorcycles and gear. At first I think I stood there dumb founded but soon came to my senses and took him up on his offer. The following Saturday I reported to work and have been loving every minute of it since. I really don’t consider it work, I get to meet all sorts of motorcycle enthusiasts and spend hours talking to them about motorcycles and trips then add into the mix getting to clean, push, and ride bikes around… geesh, I think I went to heaven!
So if any of you are in the area of 60th and Division on either a Monday or Friday night, or Saturday morning stop on in and harass me. I am looking forward to sending you out on a test ride

Waving Good-Bye to Winter while GETTIN' Right!!!

Ole’ Gasoline Ass had a motorxcellent weekend. It started on Saturday morning when I reported to my "fun job" of trying to sell BMW Motorcycles. The sun was shining strong so we were busy as hell, I almost sold my first motorcycle so it was a very enjoyable day. After wrapping it up at the shop I headed home to pick Betina up so we could head over to the “Man Cave” for an evening of friendly banter in the garage. When I arrived the boys already had a nice stream of liquid flowing so I immediately jumped in and made my presence known since I was catching grief for not being around earlier in the week. After we got done molesting Sanchez while installing the heated grips, we headed up to the ranch where Maria had the best chicken tacos all ready for us to devour… This girl never fails…D-licious!!! We then sat around the table sharing different stories and carrying on for a couple hours before heading home.
Sunday brought a day full day of riding. I was off into the wind at 9:10 am to meet up with Joerg and Becky before heading out to the Artesian Well for lunch with the Year-Round-Riders. After a few detours we finally arrived right on time to sit down and eat. There were 14 riders, 1 each from Ohio and Indiana four from Grand Rapids and the rest from the Detroit area. After a great meal and friendly conversations we stepped out into the rain to beat feet for home. I arrived home at 6:30 pm with a permanent grin on my face from the most excellent ride today. I managed to cover 287 miles in clouds, sun, wind and rain and it felt great Getting Right!!!

Sorry for no pics, but it just wasn't meant to be a picture day. errr...edit here. I stole some pics for you folks.

First Ride of 2008

Spring has finally sprung enough to get out there and enjoy riding again. Warm dry weather moved in this week and dried the roads out so there was no question about getting in some serious riding this weekend. I learned Thursday night that Jorg and Becky were going to be at the BMW Dealer picking up her freshly painted bike so she could join us riding. Like a little kid at Christmas I spent Friday scouring the web, not for gifts but for destinations. I put together a nice little ride with some planned stops in case we had to warm up. We left the BMW dealership and headed south along one of the nicer roads escaping the traffic of the city. I was smiling ear to ear enjoying every minute of the 2008 maiden voyage when the light bulb in my head went off… Bingo! I have the camera and I am not putting off stopping and getting a picture of this cemetery that has put a smile on my face every time I ride by for the past five years.

After we scored a couple of pictures and rode off, I starting thinking… “you dummy, you didn’t even read any of the stones to see if it was for real or not… hmm… why ruin the picture I have in my head, some things are better not known”. I am now concentrating on remembering what roads I want to take to get to our next destination when out of the corner of my eye I catch this sign. I am not sure if it was because I just left the “Hooker Cemetery” or the fresh spring air but I was curious what this band looks like. I had to turn around and get a picture for you all.
We now are on some of the nicer roads around that twist and bend through the woods with big left and right sweepers and it felt good blowing all the cob-webs out. After about 25 miles of these great roads we again approach the confines of another city but our destination is only a couple of miles away. The destination of today is the Ducati & Triumph dealer to check out the new Ducs and other goodies they might have.

The place was packed with people and bikes. Once we got our gear off and was making our way towards the row of freshly imported Italian equipment the owner comes out and starts yacking away with Becky, seems they now each other. He shows us around and gets us coffee. After getting our fill of eye candy I confirm with one of the employees that the bar I had chosen to get lunch at was truly good, and she confirmed that it was awesome. We headed just down the road to the Corner Bar and had a superb burger and beer. The prices where great too, logged that one into the ole’ brain full of great roadside stops for a future RTE (ride to eat).

This is when we had to start heading for home, of course only by way of more winding, twisting scenic roads. All in all it was a great ride and I managed to add another 153 clicks to the 650. Can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings.

Winter Reads... biker style...

Have you seen that biker? Where did he disappear to… Hey, over here…. No over here, on the couch.

So you ask, what the hell does a biker do in the wintertime… well they read biker books. Read, why yes… you only can look at pictures of barely dressed chics on chrome for so long, and then you got to resort to reading adventures of other bikers. Thank god this winter I found some good books to read and have been blazing through them. I want to know why these books were not on the sixth grade reading list, maybe I would of gotten better grades then, ha, or better yet my mom would of got a break from writing my book reports that I didn’t read…opps, did I say that. Ok, for you bored riders out there I will give a brief review of each book I have read so far and what I thought of it… maybe there is something you might want to read to pass the rest of winter. I will start with my favorites and end with the ones that would be better used for training a puppy.


Under and Alone, by William Queen
Great book about an undercover agent that infiltrated the Outlaw Motorcycle Gang. I loved this book, felt like you where right there with him, especially if you have ever experienced ridding into some shady bars or biker parties. Recommend this, actually my copy is quite tattered and worn seeing I let it to six of my riding buds and they all loved it.

Leanings & Leaning II, both by Peter Egan
Absolutely great books containing short stories all about Peter’s life eating, sleeping, and breathing motorcycles. I think all true gasoline asses out there can relate to all of his stories and adventures. You probably recognize his name and some stories from Cycle World Magazine.

Hell’s Angel, by Ralph “Sonny” Barger
Great book about Sonny’s life and the Hell’s Angels. Another one everyone should read and will enjoy.

Ridin’ High Living Free, Ralph “Sonny” Barger
Suburb collections of short stories that make you feel like you’re along for the ride.

Freedom, by Ralph “Sonny” Barger
A book about Sonny’s way of life and views of freedom in America. Good book to read and make you think about things.

Long Way Round, by Ewan McGregor & Charley Boorman
Well… umm… can’t really report on the book. I got the book started reading it and was enjoying it, but was struggling a little bit. Then found out about the movie and got that… Awesome! I have watched it six times even though it is very bad for my health. It makes me just want to quit my job and ride around the world for a couple years… I mean, really… is life really about working 9-5 each day…Hell NO! I am working towards that adventure… someday soon.

Friends in a Hundred Places, by William F. Mason
A simple book about the authors 43 years of traveling the rack roads of the US and Canada. I liked this book a lot and use it to find neat places to check out when traveling the country by motorcycle.

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, by Robert M. Pirsig
Holy suck, oh, pardon me. I only made 1/3 thru this book and could not take it anymore, I tried, I really tried but just could not. I guess I would compare it to trying to have a conversation with a psitzafrentic with multiple personalities, or with someone with alziemers… just as I would get into it and feel like it was working… bam it goes off in a mad rambling about something irrelevant I am sure some out there like this book, but personally it sucked.

Alrighty then, I better get back to reading, hopefully this helps someone find a book to pass the winter by.

Marias new baby! It was priceless to see the neighbors stop to read the signs the gang put up!