Sunday, December 30, 2012

A new way to die in China

Sitting over a steaming bowl of wor won ton Pin Ho looked at his 125 parked curb side. My bike does not have enough danger built in. No one notices me when I roll into town. What to do.

Last minute cover ideas

I got nothing. Here is something for possible use. Builders of bikes in progress.



Saturday, December 15, 2012

Panigale left out

Who would leave a Ducati out?


Work november weekends with the VFR

Sometimes you ride in and then the weather is so nice it is painful to be in the office.





Cold Rides In December

12-8-12
Rain the past couple days and Chuck agreed to breakfast meeting in San Mateo. Had to work Saturdays with catalog breathing down my neck. So we set for an early 8am meal. Cloudy and cool at 7:10 as I roll the VFR out. Up 85 I wish I had heated vest and grips thinking this may be a bad idea. Mt View there is sun on 101. So I keep going. Up the peninsula I close in on whipple ave and I see a big white wall of fog. It was the thickest fog I ever got into! Everything was whiteout and all traffic slowed down to a crawl at about 25! My face shield was covered and I kept wiping it off and I flip it up and my glasses fog up. Put my right signal on and move over to exit at whipple. Really worried I would get hit from behind. Couldn't see anything but some small red brake lights. Got off the highway and parked at the corner gas station and waited for it to burn off. Called Chuck and he was at Baywatch already 7 miles north. Finally get there freezing cold and gulped my hot tea. Good conversation and the denver omelet. We rode up to 280 thru the hills and I went south for work.

Saturday, October 13, 2012

10-13-12 ride to Santa Cruz and up Hwy 1



Rain the past couple days - Giants advance and the 49ers are 4-1 - fall is in the air. Saturday started out clear and sunny - heading for the 70s. Got the VFR out and headed south on 17 to Santa Cruz. No wind, warm air and a small west swell rolling in. Ate lunch and got gas before going north on 1 - my plan is to take the reverse route that i usually take when coming from Alice's in Woodside. It felt weird like writing with my left hand on the other side of the paper. Different perspectives are good. Change is good. Lots of riders out. 

North of Davenport
There is a beach access just south of Waddell Creek Beach - couple miles north of Davenport. I have never stopped there until today. Nice little beach below and a rock island that sets wrap around. One guy out. Benches on the cliffs above near the parking lot. So nice and quiet only the sound of birds and waves - cars on the highway and bicyclists in loud conversation. No need to yell we can all hear you. Did not venture down the trail to the beach - that will be another day. I had plenty of time to kill and could have gone down there to fall asleep in the sand. But, i would rather be riding. So, into the traffic up the coast to 87 that heads thru La Honda along Gregorio Creek.  
 
Leaves changing color - yellows and reds in the sun spots between the redwoods. Wanted to stop and shoot a pic. But, no turn offs - unless i wanted to turn back. Thought about it - but, kept going east over the ridge. Perfect 70 degree temps - no sweat - no overheated engine between my legs. 

Home - where i key in this new blog entry. Done.

Saturday, September 22, 2012

GPS Error?

I used to think this app was accurate - something does not seem right.

 

Run to Alice's - Saturday Breakfast


'65 Spyder replica - parked next to my VFR



 No need to open door to get in.

 Lotus Elise Club drive by - looks like these millionaires would rather dine on the coast. 

Nice day 80° - up Saratoga Hwy 9 - a little cool on the  Skyline - warm when i got to Woodside. Chuck showed up with his Ducati 1098 fresh out of the shop but, still running above normal temps. He overheated on the way home - had to pull over and cool down and limp home.... below are stats from the GPS app. 


Saturday, September 08, 2012

Steamer Lane 9-8



Lightning Storm & Burwell 1098 off to the shop

Wednesday Sept 5th - rode to work. Pulled the bike out of the garage and noticed rain spots on driveway. Thought to myself - it won't rain today it is suppose to be in the 80s. The sky was cloudier the more south i went. When i get to work it's lightning and thunder. Just as i drop all my gear in the office the rain starts. Gigante drops! No time to suit up - i hop on the bike and pull it around the building to the shop to get it out of the downpour. As i round the far end of the building big flash of lightning and rolling thunder just overhead. I think "please don't strike me down in the parking lot."

As i pull up to the loading dock - there is a truck blocking the entrance to the shop. Roll around it and into the shop where i hear that truck was just hit by lightning! Seconds before i got there! What timing.

 Below are shots of the sunset that day in Saratoga. The sky was churning.




Chuck had the 1098 picked up and brought to the shop. Major tune up and several parts to upddate. It blew a radiator hose on his way home Labor Day - he limped home starting at SFO. Should be good as new - maybe one more ride this season before tucking it away for winter. What am I saying - this is California - where we ride year round.
 

Santa Cruz Burrito Run 9-8-12


Working On My Burrito Belly
Saturday morning. On the road 8:40 over 17 to Santa Cruz. Temp about 60°
Light traffic - fog on the coast - sunny in the mountains.
West Cliff Drive - glassy conditions - small swell 3-4ft - foggy bottom boys.
On Mission Ave the sun is warm and time for breakfast at La Mission Restuarant.
Ham Breakfast Burrito, fresh salsa, hot tea. No more - no less.


 Across the tracks from Santa Cruz Yoga is a big rear wall -
and i can hear the voices from the past:
"Hey, what are we gonna do with all this black and white paint?"
Some surfer dude walks over and says: "No worries dude, I'll take care of it."

 Back at the Lane the fog has burned off.


 Heading back home - up Bay Street to UCSC and then up Empire Grade into the redwoods. Summit at Bonny Doon Rd and down into Felton. Up 9 and over to Saratoga. 
All the bike traffic was headed to the beach and it was clear ahead of me.


 This GPS speedo app on the iPhone tracks your trips and maps it and gives stats. 
You don't need to know my max speed.

Safe at home.
 

Monday, September 03, 2012

Labor Day Ride - 9-3-12

The VFR - she waits with a tank bag capable of carrying several burritos. Breakfast with Chuck - we ride to a classic old mexican restaurant in the Filmore.  Fill up on big portions of food. So much i cannot motivate to have dinner now at 8:58 PM. 

Jump across the Bay Bridge - Lots of CHP on the road - keeps everyone at a sane speed. I also noticed lots of road kill - i predict an earthquake coming.

Up 880 to Richmond and up San Pablo Dam Road. See map below when i started the GPS app to track the trip. Slow twisties - lots of traffic going the other direction! We had no one behind us and no one in front of us. At our peaceful pace through the bending country roads. Down into Hayward then up or under 580 east to Palomares Rd. South towards Fremont.






That is not a stick up there near the white line. Small deer leg. The head, rib cage and another leg are in the ditch to the left.  The circle of life.







Stopping for a break - Red Bull and H2O - 75° in the shade - warmer in the sun - but a great day for a ride. Lots of bike out today. Stopped in Fremont on Mission at Starbucks. Sat outside in the cool late afternoon breeze. I think this is where Alex and Joe spent time between classes. South to 237 and Chuck went on up 101 and i split off at Lawrence Expressway. Big 5 Labor Day sale - got a pair of Nike Batting Gloves for hot weather rides. We'll see how they work - not much protection for bones.

Chuck's 1098 Ducati blew a coolant hose near SFO airport. He nursed it home. Hope the damage is lite. Good thing he did not loose traction or stiction with coolant spray coming out all over the nice clean bike and rear tire.
 


Saturday, September 01, 2012

Woodside Ride 9-1-12

Started the day off with car wash and bike wash
Local temps are slightly below normal - but, like warm fall California. When i finished the sun came out and temps climbed into the low 70s. Cleaned up and decided to take a ride out for lunch. Too late for breakfast. 
 Headed north to Saratoga Ave. 
Left on Cox Ave and up Peirce Road and over to Stevens Creek Reservoir
then up 280 to Woodside. Lots of bicycle traffic.

Lunch at  The Little Store Restuarant
BBQ Pulled Pork sandwich, fries and coke. Not as good as the Trail Dust Pulled Pork and Hog Wash.  But, they have Spaten Beer! None for me when on two wheels. They have out door tables on the porch - this is where i sat at the bar. Will return and enjoy the warm tables outside and watch the traffic as it heads west to climb up to skyline and Alices' - fun.


Ran Zillow on the current location and look at this - 801K for the house behind the restuarant. and a little more up the hill is a small place for only 2.20 Mil..... 





Route Home
Neet app on the iPhone GPS trip and speed tracker. Look at that Avg 42mph - we will not talk about top speed on this public forum.The other night i did a run and checked speedometer against the GPS speedo - +3-5 MPH error on bike.


Sunday, August 12, 2012

New Rear Tire - 8-11-2012



Went to clean bike,  lube chain, check oil and tires. Then notice that the rear is worn down to the steel belt! Yow! That is the farthest i have ever taken a tire. Could have been a blowout - what the heck! Looking at the sides it looks like plenty of tread - but, at center i was past the wear bars..... off to Road Rider to replace with new Pirelli Angel ST. Note the angel pattern. Need to take it easy on new tires - greasy skin to scrub off about 100 miles.
 
Then off to catch the Giants game with Chuck. Hot down here almost 80 - closer i got to the city it cooled off. Pleasant sunny and 70 in the city. Super warm on the third base box seats. Trip home was in the fog until San Mateo.

Monday, July 30, 2012

Pastures of Heaven

Low res 640 x 480 digital video cam on my tank bag, Following Chuck on his 1098 thru the valley Steinbeck called the Pastures of Heaven. About 6pm - soundtrack music by Scott Rolf - untitled composition as of July 2012.



Blogger seems to res down the video and it does not play on iPhone. Facebook has a better posted version.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=3763554679871&set=vb.1006725329&type=2&theater
Going to test video on tumbler, next.

MotoGP Laguna Seca 2012

FRIDAY July 27

Chuck and I ride down to his parents home in Monterey Friday. 70 degree sunny and breezy in the valley. VFR is loaded with saddle and tank bags. I need to take it slow and adjust to the weight. Couple things I notice my headlights seem to be on high beam. The secondary high beam lamps seem dim. Could the connectors be swapped? The left side saddle bag bar carrier was bent from October. Just slightly in towards the plastic tail. When we pulled it out it changed the geometry and now the bag hangs off the lock bar and does not sit fully square on the bottom hanger bar. I took up the space by zip tying on some thin foam. No wiggles ready to go.


After unloading our extra gear at Mr & Mrs Burwell's house just a mile from the track on 68 - we ride down to Wharf 2 in Monterey for dinner. Sandbar & Grill - crab cakes, Salmon caught in the bay friday morning and scallop potatoes. 



Saturday July 28

Out to Ducati Island and damp conditions - foggy, misty and wet. Could not see the cars parked on the hill.

At the hospitality tent we had espresso, water and fruit and biscotti and a bagel from home.
There are all kinds of people from all over the world. At the Walgreens friday night -  a spanish guy is asking about relief for heart - a-burn. We try to prescribe stuff we know nothing about.


 Valentino Rossi mobbed by his followers. Of course through out qualifying who was the cam copter following around? But, he could not do better than 10th on the grid. Still, who has the most championships and entertaining personality than Vale?

 The Red Bull umbrella girls dressed like flight attendants on saturday.

 Mr. Burgess
Randy Mamola' Moto X2 bike - some celebs get to put on leathers and go for a ride. They get to keep the suits if they crap in them.

 Stoner breaking his own track record. But, gets bumped to 2nd on the grid by Lorenzo.
 Copter chasing Rossi around the Corkscrew.
 View from the top of the hill.
 AMA Superbikes in paddock.

Met Michael Eastman and his daughter Madi at the track. Gerry Bruce was there for saturday and we all hiked up to the corkscrew during qualifying.


When Chuck and i left we took the long way home thru what Steinbeck called the Pastures of Heaven. A valley between Monterey and Salinas. As the sun sets it casts light between the hills and the small two lane roads wind between trees, vineyards and ranches. There is alot of sand out there - so, watch the speed.


Sunday Race Day - July 29

Ducati Island with a breakfast burrito and espresso. Walk around checking out the different bikes. Could the Multistrada be my next bike?











 The new Panigale 1199 superbike. Note, no trellis frame or hot pipes under your butt. No passengers.

 Tribute hat to Simoncelli.
Old Yamaha two strokes
I hope our olympic teams are not eating this way. It could effect your performance. Kojak parking spots.


Morning Warm up fog and cold brakes put Hayden into the air fence on turn 5.





 Meet them outside of the paddock and they would not look at you like this. They will happily pose with your embarrassed son, while everyone even your son knows this photo is just for you - you bad dad. And stop making the kid wear a backpack bigger than him loaded with all your swag.
  Superbike crash - not a happy turn out.

Start 2pm from the Grandstands. Lorenzo led most laps and then had a light moment at the top of the corkscrew. Probably scared him enough to back off - then Stoner took him after 11 on the straight. Previous reports are not reliable. Spies bike broke on the corkscrew and he fell into the dirt. Then 2 laps left Rossi eats it at the top of the corkscrew. Photos from Soup



Hayden came by after scoring 6th place and picked him up. Photo from Speed.com


Final race of the day AMA Superbikes. Met up with John Wunderlich, Rob K, Jim D and we went to dinner. 
 

But, on the way JohnW's 919 breaks the chain and he had to leave it for pickup after dinner. Eventful weekend. Back to work tomorrow.