D.C. Bike Show

Ken & I went to the Progressive International Motorcycle Show in D.C. today. It took us over 4 hours to see everything. A lot of great bikes and some good deals to boot. We took a little side stop to Hooter's for lunch because the $7 hot dog seemed a little pricey.

I saw the new Honda Fury. The next bike I buy will be one of them. It was a great combination of custom chopper look & solid Honda performance.

I just can't help it...

It's a sunny day today about 38. What's better than ridin' to work. It was a nice ride in but the fun comes up in about an hour when I ride home and it's about 23 degrees out there. Even though I'm bundled up good, Luckily I hit the driveway about the time the pain starts kickin' in.

2011 First Ride...

Weather sucked all weekend. Rain Saturday & Sunday which wouldn't be that bad. But having to spend 8 hours cleaning off all the road salt left over from the last snow would suck.

So I waited until today when the sun came ut and rode to work. I haven't left for home yet. It's gonna be a cold ride home the temps have dropped to about 27.

I really don't care about that. I had to get on the road and try out how the new seat was going to feel.

Fuckin' Rain...

Yesterday & today it has been unseasonably warm. But rain is coming down harder today than yesterday. (Forecast for today was supposed to be AM rain afternoon sun)

So I might as well get the Sporty all cleaned up.

That's why you keep your bike ready to go all year long. Every now & then a warm day comes along and nothing sucks worse than a warm sunny day & you are not out riding.

Gas Cap Project

Today was supposed to be partly cloudy & about 55. The partly cloudy was rainy & wet all day. S I was stuck in the house with nothing to do.

Then I remembered something I have been thinking about for over a year. Mounting the gas cap from my 1963 Mercury Comet on a stock gas cap that will fit my Sporty.

I didn't know if I could pull this one off but I think I did. I'll know for sure after a few long rides to see if it vibrates apart or not.

Hopefully the weather will cooperate tomorrow & I can go for a ride around town.

Winter Project: Mission Accomplished!

A month and $90 later the custom seat for my AirHawk pad is done. It totally changes the look of the Sporty. The old Sundowner seat beat the hell out of the paint on the rear fender. Repaint this Spring is the next project.

Winter Project: Update

Just about got the seat pan done. Smoothed out the metal & filled out the shape with a little body mud. The mounting base plate is ready all that's needed is the mounting brackets that are on the way.

Now it's time to start practicing on sewing the custom cover.

Winter Project: Update

The shape of the seat is just about done. Today was spent smoothing out the metal and working on the small dings that are left. All I need now are the seat mount brackets that are on order.

Winter Project: Update

The SP Project is coming along. The seat is starting to take shape. I found an interesting way to smooth out the metal, a Craftsman Hammerhead cordless hammer.

Winter Project: Solo Wide Seat

For the longest time I've wanted a Solo Wide Seat but the ones I could find weren't what I wanted & usually cost around $400 - 500. So I figured I have 3 months til next years riding so why not try to make my own.

Researching seat pan shapes I figured I could make a pan to fit my AirHawk seat cushion. I started out making a template for the overall shape and went from there. So far I have cut out the seat from a sheet of 16 gauge steel sheet. I started shaping and hammering out the beginning form.

Season Finale

A week before Thanksgiving and this weekend was sunny & 65. I rode about 100 miles yesterday & today.

Cold wet weather is predicted for the next week. I'll keep the Sporty ready to ride because there will always be a random warm day to head out for a ride.

Short Season is Here...

For the most part I've been riding to work when it's clear. The ride in is nice but the ride home is pretty chilly. Luckily I don't live far from work so by the time the cold starts to sink in I'm home.

Trick or Treat...

It was a perfect Halloween day. Sunny & warm. So I rode around the 'Burg and some local back road twisties.

Last Night's View...

Since I headed out kinda' late I decided I might as well hang out and watch the sunset from a mountain view. Apparently I wasn't the only one. There must have been about 50 folks from all over that stopped at the over look I was at.

It was worth the chilly ride home...

Fall Colors Part 2...

I wasn't planning on riding anywhere today. Yesterday I just rode around the 'Burg for about an hour just to get out of the house.

I did my morning walk, a few chores around the house and by 1 I was bored. So I packed up the Sporty and headed out. It's no big surprise where I ended up. It may be boring to some but I just can't go there enough.

Especially this time of year with the cooler temps and the bright fall colors.

Fall Colors Ride Video

It took a few days to get this one done. Edited the clips with Final Cut Pro & it took some time to get the hang of it. I used 2 GoPro cameras for this ride. A new HD camera for the main video & my old wide angle for the cut away shots.

Ken & I rode from Front Royal to Sperryville on a perfect day. Lots of bikes, international visitors and the fall turn is about 50%.

I definitely got my money's worth from my Shenandoah National Park season pass this year. There's still good riding weather, my pass doesn't expire until October 31 & I have hit Skyline at least 15 time this year.

Enjoy...

Fall Colors Day 2... A Lot Better

Today it was my turn to ride up to meet Ken. Again it was a chilly morning but my noon it was almost 80. Clear blue skies all day long.

This time we hit 55 West to Front Royal for the ride to Sperryville. Another first, the entrance to Skyline had all lanes open with two Park Rangers in each booth to keep traffic from taking too long. More bikes than yesterday and a lot of people from over seas.

Today the colors seemed brighter, I believe it was because the sun was in front of us and Front Royal is a little farther north. What ever the reason it just looked more colorful than yesterday.

Fall Colors Day 1... Almost There

Ken & I hit Skyline after I went to Waugh's to pick up a shirt for the XLF swap with a guy in Kingston, Ontario.

The day started off pretty chilly but warmed up nicely. We rode from the 33 entrance up to Sperryville. Lots of cars & bikes (the busiest I've ever seen) Big Meadows was packed to the rafters.

We had such a great ride we decided to do it again tomorrow.

Never ending ride...

The last few weeks have been amazing. Clear blue skies and now cooler temps make for perfect riding. Today was no exception. I ended up going about 250 miles.

Fall is just around the corner...

I think I'm going to try and see how many times I can hit Skyline this year.

It was another perfect day in the mountains. The trees are just starting to turn and it was damn cool up there.

I'm sure getting my moneys worth out of my season pass. I'm pretty sure I have 15 trips this year and there's still plenty of good riding weather. All there is left is to make the run when the fall colors are in full swing.

Somedays are Better than others...

Yesterday I rode about 150 miles around Spotsy back roads.

Today was cool & clear. So it was off to the mountains.

There were a lot of riders and cars on Skyline today. The temps were cool and the sun was bright, not a cloud in the bluest skies of the year.

Blue Skies...

I rode about 150 miles yesterday around the Colonial Beach area. Some nice roads but the scenery kinda sucked.

Today had clear deep blue skies so where else but Skyline. It may be a broken record but I really do love riding that road.

I started from the Ruckersville entrance and headed north to Front Royal. I stopped to fill up and instead of heading back through Orlean I rode Skyline back down to the Sperryville interchange and rode 522 back to Culpeper and then back home to the 'Burg.

All told it was about 250 miles.

All 105 Miles Today...

Weather was cooler so I went out for an all day'er.

Rode up to Front Royal and took Skyline (again) all the way down to the end then back home. Lots of bikes out there today and the traffic was light. The Loft Mountain section I was all but alone. I met a couple of guys from Frederick, Maryland that were headed home the slow way. All the way up the Blue Ridge Parkway & Skyline.

Today's ride was about 325 miles today.

Where to go...

Woke up this morning and hit the road. I figured what the Hell and hit Skyline Drive. As I headed west I left the sunny skies over the 'Burg and rolled in to heavy cloud cover.

By the time I got to the drive the clouds were covering the road and the temp dropped down to about 70. Heavy fog and mist made it even cooler. Saw a black bear take a dump on the side of the road and about 10 deer walk past me on a break.

But it was a great ride. That's the great thing about Skyline. Every time is different.

I guess it is true...

Bears do shit in the woods.

Ken & Jose make today's ride

Ken & Jose made today's ride on Skyline. It's the first time for Jose since coming back from being stationed in Saudi Arabia. Even though he traded in the Sporty for an EG Classic we decided to let him tag along.

Some riders get bored with Skyline but I never get tired of such an easy going ride through some of the most scenic roads in Virginia.