Monterey and MotoGP....Adventures with Sweet Pea

So, this is the second year that my wife and I have escaped for 4 days without the kids......

We attended the MotoGP event at Laguna Seca last year as an anniversary gift....for her it was getting away... for me it was high octane race fuel and draggin' knees... She had such a good time that we decided to do it again this year....and next year is already being planned.  It really is impressive to see riders pushing that hard and dragging knees and  and doing stoppies from 150mph entering a corner and then doing a wheelie launching out.  Ohhh and the noise...such a noise that I've never heard before...the exhaust notes from some sound like music while others literally feel like they are shredding your eardrum  (Its so awesome..television doesn't do it justice.)
Thursday found us driving from my parents house in CA..(that's California for My readers to the north) and we see this guy on Hwy 101

I  suppose that's one way tho carry a spare...

Everything here is shades of brown.

Driving though Salinas we saw a plastic bin factory on fire...that was pretty hot to see but snarled traffic worse than with just the race traffic.

We checked into the hotel and made our way to Cannery Row. (Yes, The Cannery Row made famous by John Steinbeck). Had some dinner from a second story Mexican restaurant and took in the sites before the weekends craziness took place.

Evening on the Peninsula

People watching while waiting for food.

I thought Troubadour was headed for Hells Canyon

 
Friday morning, we learned from last year that there was no reason to hurry to the track, so we slept in, ate some breakfast, and let the fog burn off..  Arriving at the track, they had opened up pit road to people with paddock passes,  which we had...  We got fairly close to the MotoGP garages.. Amazing, is all I can say. the way they lay it all out, break it all down and send it to the next venue, which could be halfway around the world.

Cal Crutchlow  Tech3 Yamaha

Ben Spies rides

Andrea Doviziso Tech3

Jorge Lorenzo's team working their magic

Nicky Hayden's Ducati

Looks like Rossi needs a Doctor

Front stretch and finish line

SweetPea and Polarbear

Then we made our way through the AMA Paddock and checked out all the racers there.

So, they're not Crocs...Can you name this stylish racer

Its Ben Bostrom!!  He is great on Cafe Racer.. Pretty good on a GSXR 1000 too..

Ya know Ben.. If this racing thing doesn't work out

You should try male modelling.... Keep rocking it Ben!!

Josh Hayes..Bad Fast!!

 Something for my Canadian Friends....

 And all things animal

That Zebra doesn't stand a chance........

Troubadour.....        ..I found your scooter....

That's all from Friday.............   Saturday was qualifying, practice and the Supersport class race..
Went back to Cannery Row...They shut it down and only allowed two wheeled  parking...It was like bikenight, but 1/4 mile long.... but I will get to that another day....

Once in a lifetime.....

Kind of a sad day really...

  I suppose its kind of stupid...I sold my 1979 Ford Bronco this evening..

date of the original ad..

This was like the Craigslist of its day....

Yes, Its been more of a decrepit lawn ornament and eyesore more than anything...but it was the last thing I bought before i got married.....What does it mean?  Does it mean that those times are now fully behind me.  Is time finally gaining on me?

Crap...now I have the Talking Heads song "Once In A Lifetime" stuck in my head...How did I get here?  This is not my beautiful house.


What is it with me and vehicles named after animals..I've owned a 69 Cougar, 79 Bronco, and 2 Triumph Tigers....

Ps.  Anybody want to pick up Bud E. for the motoblog gathering..he is quite the party animal.. He finds new ways to get me into trouble...
I will be riding around the California Central Coast during that time.

Thanks Ohio, ......Or .........Dare to be Stupid?

Okay, so I am driving around Cincinnati today, in this CHEAP, POS, Chevy Aveo.

  So, unlike our current weather at home,  the sun is shining and it is upper 70's maybe low 80's. I am blasting through trafficand I notice something is not right.  To my far right two lanes over is what looks like somebody standing in the lane.  Granted, my view is somewhat obscured by the very fact that in the Chevy Aveo my as is sitting approximately 15" off of the pavement, (I may be givivg it to much credit).  Upon closer inspection the the individual is not only standing in the lane of traffic stopped for the red light but is simultaneously straddling a motor scooter, with no helmet on.....Gasp. Gasp.... Who would ride without their helmet... Back to reality..something must have happened to it or it was stolen while at work. 
  So I am cruisin around looking for a place to eat and I somebody else with no Frackin' lid. Then another, and another,...too many to be coincidence..Ohio must not have a helmet law... Got back to the hotel room and popped on the laptop....Sure enough found  this:

Safety Helmet:	Required by law for novice riders, required under age 18
Eye Protection:	Required by law unless equipped with windscreen
Passenger Age:	No Restriction
Helmet Speakers:	No Restrictions
Mirrors:	One required by law
Headlight:	Modulating headlight permitted
Turn Signals:	Required if manufactured in 1968 and after
Handlebars:	Maximum of 15" above seat
Muffler:	Muffler required.
Noise Restrictions:	Counties and Townships may adopt regulations that establish Max A-weighted sound level based on measurement at a distance not less than 50 feet from center line of travel (Title 45, 4513.221): 1)82dBA at 35 mph or less; 2)86dBA at more than 35 mph.
Riding Two Abreast in Lane:	Persons riding bicycles or motorcycles upon a roadway shall ride not more than two abreast in a single lane, except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles or motorcycles.
Lane Splitting:	Not referenced in Administrative Code or Statutes
Insurance:	Compulsory Liability (Minimum Limits)(12.5/25/7.5)

So, I am kind of an ATGATT believer.  I also don't think that personal safety should be mandated by the state..(Personally, I think the world would be a safer place if people would be allowed to die from their own stupidity).  I guess I was more shocked to see people, without even the stupid novelty imitation DOT stickered skull caps, just riding around with the wind in their hair.  Seeing it in real life gave me a very uneasy feeling and honestly just frightened me.  Sometimes I think, yeah, that would be nice, to not have to wear a helmet.  Now its, NO FRACKING WAY ARE YOU GETTING ME OUT THERE WITHOUT MY DOT, SNELL, ECE, RATED FULL FACE HELMET.

Not Bud E

So, I'm in Chicago and Whom should I meet?

In immortal words of Jeremy Clarkson. Its not the Stig.  Its the Stig's soul singing cousin.   (Top Gear reference)


Meet Ellbud Blues.....

okay, a little imagination may be required. I couldn't find  a fedora and Ray Bans and it was in the middle of O'hare Intl. Airport..

OHH... sweet home Chicago..

Is that a Wocket in Your Pocket?

Okay, I have been busy playing catch up with work. So its been awhile.  But Trobaritz threw down the gauntlet and I can try to figure out what I carry with me on most rides.  I have a couple of different jackets in which i ride so most everything goes into the tank bag.

 I guess its kind of a where's waldo mishmash of stuff.  So lets see what we have today.....
1. hat  2. Alieve 3. Gps and 12v adapter  4. cell phone (which if I am doing it right has no reception)  5.multiple lengths of rope  6.first aid kit  7. tire pressure gauge  8.pocket screwdriver  9.wire  10.2 granola bars  11. busted golf pencil 12. rescue inhaler  13.misc earplugs  14.Ipod 15.visor cleaner and anti fog 16.multipurpose towel  17.earbuds and case  18.sunglasses and case 19.loose change holder made from the last vestiges of a long lost habit  20. bottle of water....never know how hot it will be or how many bugs need to be removed. 21.wallet (but only if we are only stopping every 150-200 miles. 22. (not pictured) an occasional change of shoes.

Otherwise it is just these in the jacket... cause Lord knows those jackets are heavy enough.

 But then when I have the ability to have the 13liter tank bag, 39 liter top box, 35 and 45 liter panniers....the question becomes what don't I want to bring....?????
Hell..that's more storage than a mazda miata or them little smart cars.. and its way more fun...

Until next time....               Polarbear and Bud E.



aaaaaaaaa

A Toast.. To New Adventures....

This is what my normal is.

So, opportunity recently arose that found me applying for and interviewing for a new position at work.  Moving from a technician to a much more administrative position.  This is kind of a BIG change from what I know and do daily.  Logistically, its not going to fly right now.  I mostly did it just for the experience, as I have been fortunate not to have needed to apply for a job in 13 years.  Some of those key job landing skills end up like stale fuel in a carb. that's sat all winter.  It went well and good, but I am still unsure if administration is in my bag of tricks..

However, that is not near what I am most proud about.

 Recently, my wife decided to enroll in the Team Oregon Basic Rider Training Program.  I was very nervous for her, as this is Way..... outside of her normal comfort zone.  I know she can do it, but her head gets in the way...  I tried to teach her how to drive a manual trans. long ago.  It ended in tears and the realization that a lot of mechanical things come easy to me.  She has no motorcycle or ATV riding experience, except pillion with me;  which makes her a hell of a lot braver than me to start with.. I wouldn't do it.  Off to the training class for instruction on Thursday.. Came home with some questions and trepidation.  I answered as best I could and tried to just get her to relax and enjoy the experience. Saturday on the range left her feeling even less confident and stressed to the max.... I helped to quiz her on the written aspect, and tried to pass on Basic riding tips to help.  I told her to trust in the training. 

You know....  Use the force Luke... Trust your feelings.... 


So, Sunday, she came home and showed me this....
 

 Bam... Just like beggars canyon back home...

She was so proud of herself.  I am really proud of her too.
(yes, I said those words to her...)




Now she can shop for expensive Italian boots and ride something that looks better than me...

The only problem I foresee in the immediate future is,  while riding two-up, her bonking me on the head while riding to tell me I am doing it wrong.  Thank goodness we don't have intercoms.......

  So a toast to you and to new adventures on down the road. May the sun and wind be at your back and your corners forever clean.

 

Spring Is Coming.......2 Sunny Days at a time

U.S.O.(unidentified shiny object)

Duck in Beaver Country

flooded fields from record rainfall in

OR

Spring is coming.... Yeah... We are starting to see the trees and flowers bloom.  There is a large USO (unidentified shiny object) outside my window. and the smell of BBQ in the air.

Tangent Dr...Tigers don't swim..

I purchased a STOK Quattro from Home Depot  Last year. I really enjoy cooking on it.  We cook more than 50% of the time on it.  A variety of meats, vegetables, and fruits,(yes fruits..grilled papaya is like candy)..  So, it get used year round.. I burned out all four burners.. Contacted STOK..10 year burner warranty...Sweet...send me 4 new  burners...

Ohhhhhhhhhhhh... new burners transformed it back into the awesome grilling machine I remember.. I usually have a difficult time grilling chicken legs, ( the fire is to cold and they end up taking to long and end up dry, too hot and the catch fire and end up as cinders).  Of course cooking in the dark, wind, rain, snow, whatever mother nature has on tap that day doesn't help.

  But today I got it right....