Four Deaths....and the thoughts of Morons

While home in North Carolina over the past eleven days, noted that four motorcyclists died in traffic accidents. Many were due to bad judgment (speeding, stunting) some were bike/car crashes; all tragic. When riding one has to be very careful, especially in North and South Carolina where speeding, tailgating, drivers glued to cell phones, running red lights....all that and more. Many are from other states and countries; so when you ride keep your eyes moving and watch out for the other guy (this is also good advice in cars or whatever you drive).
What griped my ass though was the comments made by some in the Charlotte Observer. Everything from "hope he was an organ donor" to "he deserved it". It also is fair to note that there were also a number of automobile crashes which also resulted in deaths (including some in the so called super safe SUV's....how is that possible). Course it seems that those newspaper post article posting sites really bring out the jerks. I liked one of the comments after one post; "none of you would be friends of mine in real life, certainly none here") talking about the tones of the comments. To be fair not just the motorcycle posts, most of the posts made seem to be of a "Rush Limbaugh" tone. You know the type, basically sarcastic hate filled posts with a tinge of racism.
To my friends and co riders, be careful. Watch out for the cages and keep your attention on the road. Save the stunting for the parking lots, and speeding for the track. Ride safe, and ride long (and I have been riding now for 37 years without an accident, so I speak from experience.

Back to Virginia

Later today will load up the car, and get rolling back to Virginia. Have been back to Concord since July 2, was a great long vacation. Really enjoyed not only some great rides but just riding in general. During the period I only drove the car twice; once to take the dog to the vet, and once yesterday to get some gasoline for the lawn mower. In addition to the three rides I mentioned in previous posts; made a few shorter and local rides around Concord. One of those was last night, for as the temperature cooled off from the blazing heat (mid 90s) of the afternoon went for a dusk ride around the area. It was nice, was able to just cruise down Union Street as the sun was going down. Have learned to avoid the country rides at night, sure you get a few bugs in town, but its swarms out in the backroads when the sun goes down. Town seems a bit better, and saw a few bikers enjoying the same thing as I was. Anyhow rode by the big houses on Union Street, turned up toward NC29 past the two old (and converted; one to apartments, one to offices) textile mills, and then on NC29 toward the Speedway. Turned short of the track though, and rolled back past Frank Liske Park and to NC 49 toward home. During the ride the headlight got brighter on the road as the area got darker; came in though with a nice restful feeling after a really fine though short ride. After the big morning motorcycle ride, an afternoon of tasks, the ride was really great.
Last night thunderstorms in the area; during the days here had only one day of rain prior to that. All in all, a very great week, with a lot of new memories and discoveries to carry me to the next trip back home.
Should be noted that I also enjoyed visiting with my family and friends, and just the joy of being home again. It has been said there is no place like it, and I certainly agree with that statement!

SC Breakfast Club Ride (July 12, 2009)

Patty Wagstaff made some good comments in her blog not long ago about the Rowan County Airport which is near Salisbury, NC. Today, I rode the Vulcan there to meet the planes and pilots who flew in with the South Carolina Breakfast Club. I had a great time, this was actually an early photo (in the next couple of days will show many of the most interesting planes on Flickr...and I have a link to that on my page) as later dozens of aircraft, many historic flew in for breakfast with EAA 1083 and me! I am a big fan of aviation and aircraft, and enjoyed the visit there today. I left the house at 8am, found the streets really quiet and traffic light. I love riding on Sunday mornings. The fact that it was cool early (something which has changed as afternoon has rolled on) was also nice. So enjoyed the ride without the usual speeding masses texting on their cell phones, and had a good cruise in to the airport.
After around a two hour visit, rolled into Salisbury, NC. Very interesting town and always has something new to offer. Being also something of a Civil War buff (and Richmond has a lot of that to explore also) discovered today a house (was told it was the quarters for the Confederate guards) of the Salisbury Confederate Prison. The prison was burned when Federal troops took the town. I was also told of another house, found that; was the residence of the chief confederate doctor at the prison. One of the cannon used at that prison was also in the yard. Little (other than the trenches which hold an estimated 11-18,000 Union dead nearby) remains of the prison that was in Salisbury.
After that, rode back to Concord via Old Concord/Salisbury Road. I enjoyed that ride also, again traffic early was light, and enjoyed a pleasant ride back to the house. During my days here on vacation, got in some 350 miles of very fine riding, and some great memories to get me by until I get back home again. Have enjoyed some fine rides in the region, and am looking forward to some more on my next visit.

Vulcan Riders Association Ride (July 11,2009)

Couple of cell phone photos I took today, got an invite last night to ride with the Vulcan Riders Association (Charlotte Chapter) to Morrow Mountain. We all met at Troutman's Barbeque on NC-29 in Concord, NC. During the business meeting we had lunch. I went with the bbq on a bun topped with red slaw and vinegar sauce; took a while to get used to that when I got here but really enjoy it now. For the ride we had 10 bikes (11 counting mine) and headed out around 12:30. Riders rode all sorts of Vulcan motorcycles; Mean Streak, 1500's, 1600's, 900's, and even a couple of the old 750 Vulcans. Came from all over the area.
I was just at Morrow Mountain last Saturday in fact, but fun to ride with a group, and they were an interesting bunch. The second photo is all of our bikes at the overlook. I love the ride there, go through some really nice roads, and the ride to the top is a curvy bunch of fun. Due to the Richmond/Concord living thing going on now with me, not sure how often I will be able to ride with them, but sure would not mind at all doing that again. Hot today and somewhat humid, but had a fantastic time and a great ride. It is always fun to ride with a group, especially a group with the same kind of motorcycle that I ride.

Tomorrow, before going back to Richmond Sunday night or Monday, I have one last ride left, and am really looking forward to that one too. Will post on that tomorrow or Monday!

Holiday Riding in Carolina (Part 1)

Friend of mine (who went with me) took this photo at Bike Night at Quaker Steak and Lube on July 8. Quaker Steak on a normal Wednesday night gets close to 900 bikes, weather was iffy but I took a chance (as did my buddy Phil) and we rode out to see what was going on there. I used to be a regular, but with the Richmond transfer (and back to working 3pm-11pm) don't get to go anymore. Besides, Richmond does not seem to have as many bike nights as Carolina does; really popular here. Phil took this photo of me next to the new Kawasaki Voyager 1700. Talked to the owner of this bike and he loved it. This one comes with ABS, a nice feature (especially in the rain) on any motorcycle.
My motorcycle does NOT have ABS, but this week what it does have is a rear gear oil change, new brake fluid in the front and rear brakes, cables lubed, an oil change, and new brake fluid in the clutch. Did all that on Monday; good maintenance is important. I do plan to check and/or clean the air filter this weekend. I put a K+N air filter in it a few years ago, nice to not have to get new filters for the air cleaner, and the K+N does give the Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 a lot more power.
Most of my rides so far have been around town, though last Saturday I did take a good ride to Morrow Mountain which is located in Albemarle, NC (town is also famous as the hometown of Kellie Pickler). Morrow Mountain is a beautiful place with a very fine lookout and draws bikes like flies to honey. Had a nice crowd up there and beautiful views. The fact that the heat was not bad nor the humidity were two more plusses. It was a really great ride!
Having a great week so far being home with my family, and also have enjoyed some really good time on the bike. Getting some badly needed rain today, though it did spoil a ride planned with Steve still many days left before I have to go back to Richmond. I plan to take full advantage of the time left to get some riding in here in one of the best places to ride in the US: North Carolina!

The Bikes of IndyCar

Pretty cool day at Richmond International Raceway on June 27, 2009. Was the day of the SunTrust IndyCar Challenge at Richmond International Raceway. Had a great time (and have a lot of photos on Flickr of the race, and a link to that on my page if you would like to see them). Woman on the moped at left is none other than Danica Patrick who drove the #7 Andretti Green Race car to a fifth place finish at the race. It was a really good event, enjoyed seeing some of the drivers up close and personal, and enjoyed the racetrack. Richmond really has a first rate facility, and it was a ton of fun. I am making plans to go there again next year!


Team Penske drivers and crews bopped around on these small mopeds. Thought they were very cool, and looked like a lot of fun. Always thought that two wheels are one of the best ways to get around, and apparently IndyCar teams are in agreement.
For the record, Scott Dixon won the race which was very fast (pole speed was 167.315) and to be honest really enjoyed how the cars kicked up a nice breeze while running. In fact, it was a perfect Richmond night, and was a really fun time at the racetrack!

Racing Museum Tour Ride (June 22,2009)

As mentioned in my previous post, got in a good ride on Monday June 22, 2009 in Concord, NC. I had also taken a short ride the previous day to visit a friend (we went to Quaker Steak and Lube in Concord). On Monday took care of some state business (got the inspection sticker for the bike, and saw the Fury...also on previous post) and went riding to some of the motorcycle museums. Many of those photos can be seen on my Flickr photo link.
At any case, saw this motorcycle at Hendrick Motorsports. Its a customized Yamaha Star motorcycle, with uprated engine and paint. As I remember the bike had a alligator/shark skin seat. The bike was purchased by Rick Hendrick to support the Jimmie Johnson Foundation. Great displays at the Hendrick Motorsports Museum; it is one of my favorite in the area. I also went to the Roush Racing Museum and also to Earnhardt-Ganassi. All three are near the Concord Regional Airport.
It was a beautiful day for a ride, sunny and hot but the humidity was down, and I had a great time on the bike. Always good to get out. Starting July 3 will be home for some 13 days. I plan to do some bike maintenance, but also should get in some really good rides. I plan to take full advantage of the visit.
On a different note, would like if possible to check out the Joe Gibbs Motocross Racing team. Its a project of his son, and is also located in Mooresville (as is the Toyota team his Dad runs). The team is sponsored by Toyota and Yamaha. I will hopefully do that during my visit home, and will be doing some research on the team (and you can too) via the web.
As always...ride safe!