Webmasters HOG Blog

June 28, 2008

Screw the diamonds! I found out that my GPS unit is a girl’s best friend. Back in the cold winter months this year, I had started planning out my own personal riding goals and trips. I had decided to attend a couple of out of state HOG rallies and decided on the Nevada State and Wyoming State HOG rallies. Since it’s hard to find folks to go, I knew that I’d have to either rely on the old school maps or go high tech and buy a GPS. I did some research and found a great deal on a refurbished Garmin GPS Quest 2. These are the same units that HD sells, but at half the price. So, I purchased the unit and ordered a bike mount and electrical hookup.

I’ve been using it off and on the past few months. It does have a steep learning curve for those of us that don’t read the direction booklet cover to cover. But once you get the hang of using the system, it is the best thing since sliced bread! But, with anything these days it is not always accurate.

When I was in Carson City, I asked my GPS to find the nearest Chevron station. It told me it was 12 miles away towards Virginia City. When I went to opposite direction, there was a Chevron about 4 blocks away! I know it doesn’t know everything since shops open and close and gas stations can change hands quickly. But it still comes in handy on fixed locales and shops that have been around since the last software update.

When I was with my new friends Terri and John at the HOG rally, we decided to do the Lake Tahoe route. We were on our own with the old school map and directions. None of us knew where the south shore HD dealer was, so I programmed my GPS and viola! It sent us to the right place! (Note to those planning rides – always add the actual address of stops, it helps those of us with GPS.)

Sure, I can’t completely rely on the unit but, it does get you where you are going. I still like maps for the bigger picture. But I like the little gizmo with all of it’s knowledge and it will get you to your destination even if you do a little more sightseeing than what was originally planned.

June 03, 2008

Random thoughts. Have you ever thought about what wanders through your head when you are riding? Of course, this question is posed to those of us that don’t listen to anything but the wind rushing through our ears. I did use my Ipod when we rode to POT in Las Vegas. I probably turned a few heads because I was singing along with the tunes as we went down the road. Since technology has given us such great things like Bluetooth, I suppose I can say I was talking on the phone. :)

Anyways here are some of the random thoughts that I had this weekend on the Memorial ride. I have to ask myself if I’m the only rider that thinks such things and in such a darting way, but I expect I’m not.

• Gee, cows are such social creatures; they’re always together in groups – even in large pastures! I wonder what they think when they see us go by.

• I wonder if Robert has those Kuryakyn Cruise Arms or is that a mustache bar?

• I miss my Ipod. Let’s see, what songs should I hum? All I can think of is Bob Seger songs, but the same one – Turn the page sticks in my head like a broken record.

• I hope I don’t see any snakes on the road today.

• Did I make sure to make notes of the case I was working on Friday?

• I wonder why farmers don’t let some trees grow or get popup shade for their cattle. They look hot.

• What am I going to have for dinner tonight?

• OK, I love Bob Seger, but this is getting old. Let’s switch to Frank Sinatra. New York New York rattles in my head the next 20 miles.

• I wonder if any one else’s ears ring for hours after they ride?

And it goes on for the whole ride. I love to ride with you, my friends but I’m still in my own world on my motorcycle. It makes each ride different and yet the same. All of us are together, yet alone until we reach our destination.

March 23, 2008

So I ran over a snake yesterday at the Folsom Spring Breakout run. It was just a little snake, but all I could think of was that snake somehow survived and is now on my bike and going to slither up my pant leg. As hard as I tried, I just couldn’t get that thought out of my head until we reached the next poker stop and I could look the bike over to ensure that snake wasn’t hiding anywhere to get me. I even get the creeps running over anything in the car. I envision them crawling through the air vents to get me.

OK, perhaps I’ve watched a tad too many horror flicks in my lifetime.

February 15, 2008

I was just out in the garage cleaning my bike. It has become a usual Friday night ritual for me during the riding season. It gives me some time to just look at that big ole pretty Harley. The satisfaction I get afterwards seeing a nice sparkling clean bike makes me almost give myself a pat on my back. But, it seems to be deeper than that. I actually enjoy the time with the bike. I can look at the parts as I clean them to make sure everything is tight and not worn. I suppose one could say it’s almost my safety check as well as polishing.

October 25, 2007

I love riding my bike because you never know what you'll see. Tonight I was able to ride with a full moon (at least it looked like it). Whenever I made a turn in the moons direction, I'd take a quick peek at it and smile. I grew up in the mountains of West Virginia with virtually no flat land to speak of, I never got to see so much of the moon. The mountains would shadow over it and allow just a short time to enjoy it.

It's the enjoyment of seeing things when riding a bike. You have your own space to let it all sink in without the hectic daily life mixed in. You can be one with nature on a bike, the freedom of being away from the phone, the computer, and the people in your world. Riding my Harley allows me my "me time" to enjoy what the world has to offer. To drink in the sights, smells, and sounds that otherwise might not be experienced if you were in a car.

Tonight, as I was riding the greatest bike made in the world I realized how special it is to have my Harley to take a short ride and leave the world behind for a little while.

October 8, 2007

Cindy and I just got back from the California State HOG Rally in Fresno. We met some really wonderful people and had some experiences that we'll never forget. Our hotel was chocked full of bikers from all over the state, and even a few from British Columbia.

We arrived in Fresno Thursday morning and took the early bird tour. We went to Fresno's two Harley-Davison dealerships, Veterans museum, Fresno tower, and a really cool chopper shop - Freedom Riders. Our motel kept filling up with bikes and we hung out and talked with quite a few people. We kept eyeing the weather because we had signed up to go to Kings Canyon on Friday, and the Sequoia Park on Saturday.

We got up early on Friday and turned on the weather. It was calling for snow and rain in the mountains, so we opted to stay in Fresno and signup for the Poker Run. Since we had ridden in the snow and rain to go to Street Vibrations a couple of weeks ago, we wanted nothing to do with the snow and rain that was forecasted. We made a wise choice as it did rain and snow on the folks touring the mountains. We checked the weather, and it was going to be clear and sunny for Saturday. At dinner we ran into Diane, Felix, Jerry, Steve, and some of our new members. It was nice to have some of the Stockton gang together and show our chapter support.

We got up Saturday and met up with our group for the Sequoia trip. It was going to be a long day - 200 miles and expected 8-hour trip. We bundled up in warm clothes and took off towards the mountains. We made a few stops along the way and checked in at the Ranger Station for the entrance to both parks - Kings Canyon and Sequoia Park. The ranger told me that there were some icy spots still on the road, and to be careful. There was snow on the ground, but the roads were clear at that point.

When we took off from our pit stop, we were still going up the mountain (we were over 8000 feet at this point). Cindy and I were at the rear of the group and as we rounded an icy turn, we saw two bikes down. I lived in Washington DC area, which is the black ice capital, so I got my bike on the crushed snow pack and got it up past the two bikes down and parked. I made sure everyone was ok and started the "rescue". Our sweeper went up and found out more bikes went down around the bend, so our small group worked together to get the fallen bikes up and turned around to a clear patch on the road. We had to have several people holding our bikes to get us down the black ice. One poor guy on a Road King went down 3 times, but his bike faired well. No one got hurt, and we all worked together to get everyone down safely. Cindy and I were both relieved that neither of us dumped our bikes.

Overall, it was a great trip. Everyone was very nice and we all had a great time. We met the smallest member of the Ventura Chapter - Dinky. A small Dachshund/Chihuahua mix dog dressed in her pink doggles and a very fancy helmet. Her owners take her everywhere and she was the official HOG Dog.

Next year, the state rally will be held in Victorville next September. I will be there for sure.

September 16, 2007

My 45th birthday came and went this weekend. I spent both Saturday and Sunday riding with the CVSC HOG chapter. Saturday's ride was the Elk Grove Thundering Herd Stampede ride. I had the pleasure of riding behind Jim and Jane on their three-wheeler. What an inspiration it was for me to see a couple of older folks out doing what they most enjoy. I told Jane that I hope that when I reach their age, I too will still be riding.

I haven't owned a Harley-Davidson for long, just over a year. Before I bought my motorcycle, I was an athlete - a Triathlon enthusiast. Riding down the road on my bicycle gave me a sense of pride, but a lot of time to think about all sorts of things, good and bad. Riding a bicycle or running a marathon is unlike riding a motorcycle where you must give your full attention to your riding and surrounding traffic. I find myself at peace while riding, not allowing a lot of thoughts to come to my head - just feeling the road underneath the powerful Harley.

Coming back from Jackson was a total blast. Cindy took us through the hills past Lake Pardee and Amador. I loved to watch the leaves dance across the road as the bikes cut a path through them. We saw several wild turkeys and stopped to let them across the road. It was a glorious site to see and neither of us was in a hurry.

Having become a member of CVSC has been one of the best things I've ever done for myself. I'm not the loner that I used to be and I feel part of something for once in my life. To enjoy the camaraderie with my new riding buddies has been the best antidote for me. I enjoy riding my motorcycle, but I enjoy it even more with my good friends.

Happy trails.