46 Degrees at 4600 miles

Adding miles to the V-Strom is easy: go to work. Come home safely. 4,600 miles already passed and it seems like the bike is still breaking in.

By my standards, it won't be broken in until 10,000 miles. At that point, I'll feel comfortable adding semi- or fully synthetic oil to the bike and consider running the oil a little longer. I know I'll need new tires sometime next spring. But after tonight, I think I might need something else.

I didn't check the weather coming to work. It was cool enough to ride to work with my liner in my mesh jacket, but I didn't think to pack my cold weather riding suit. So, returning to my bike at 1:15 in the morning to 46° F temperatures was a bit of a shock. I had only packed a sweater - which I was already wearing. Fortunately, I keep my arrangement of gloves (warm, rain, and cold) in my saddlebags, so I was able to at least have that.

Then I sat on the bike. Condensation seeped through my pants. "How many times have I sworn I'm going to pack a towel to dry my seat?" I swore. This was going to be a great ride home.

I started down the highway below the speed limit, thinking that would keep me from the cool wicking away too much of my body heat. I ducked below the turbulence of my windscreen to keep the wind off my neck. However, I couldn't help thinking about the protection of the half fairing on my old FJR as my lap turned into a frozen slab of numb meat and my forearms grew sore. I also marveled that the V-Strom never stressed its cooling system the way the FJR did. Even now, drifting in and out of pockets of even colder air, the bike offered no ambient warmth as I squeezed it with my knees and thighs.

But even though I wasn't warm, my core wasn't cold. I could safely operate the bike's controls, and gave thanks for the stoplight at the end of the deceleration lane so I could rub some feeling back into my thighs.

I wondered why I didn't go for a bike with a small fairing after having sprung for one of the most expensive dual sport 650's on the market. On top of that, it was a much better street bike than dual-sport, unless my observations prove incorrect. Why didn't I get a cheaper KLR? After all, I hankered for one of those for years, thinking I would purchase one once I got back in the saddle again. (I entered the dealership looking for a KLR and rode out with a V-Strom...)

But I figured I pay around $70 each month in gas and I would double that in a car. With that and the savings in insurance, the bike almost pays for itself. And it's a bike! Considering 99.8% of my riding thus far has been on paved roads, it justified itself.

But Midnight lacks one thing I can fix: a decent windscreen. And who knows? Maybe I can find a decent fairing for it, too? In the meantime, I have got to pack myself a towel!

3000

I just ended a near week-long vacation from work. Did the Chronic Rider hit the twisty roads of the Hill Country? Did he go visit the Texas coast? Did he make his way to Big Bend and the scenic Chihuahua Desert?

Nope. I maybe traveled 10 miles on the bike, instead spending my time working on my computers, performing a little maintenance on the bike itself and generally resting from a sore foot with a nasty bone bruise.

The bruise came from dropping the bike in my driveway. I left my disc lock on the front wheel's rotor and tried to ride off. I can assure you that it will not let you get far, even under power! With that, I tested the goodwill of my insurance company and used my medpay coverage to get my foot examined after the bike put a significant amount of weight on it when it fell.

This led to the opportunity that comes only from a "broken in" bike. I got to literally demonstrate how to pick up a motorcycle from its side to a young rider from work. (I'm also ordering a "reminder" strap that stretches from the lock to the handlebar to remember to remove the lock! The old one had disintegrated so I threw it away...)

I just found out upon returning from my vacation that this rider had dropped her bike in the parking lot just a few yards from my original demonstration. I remember the story she told of her trying to lift the bike with two people and nearly breaking their backs doing it. She told me that this time she remembered what I taught her and righted the bike quickly, by herself and without any fuss. Boy, was I proud!

So even though I didn't do a whole lot of riding last week, it feels good to have been there in spirit.

2,000

I've reached 2000 miles this past week. The time has just flown by, and so have the miles! As my familiarity increases, the more comfortable I feel with Midnight. She pulls strong down low and brakes well. I love how she handles, though I wish the seat was a little higher!

I dropped the bike in my driveway recently. I made the mistake of trying to ride off with a disc brake lock still attached. However, I was able to instruct a (relatively) new rider on how easy it is to lift a bike from its side by means of demonstration since what little damage the bike had would not be increased.

(Incidentally, you put your butt against the saddle, pull the lowest handlebar in towards yourself and use your legs to push up and against the bike, walking it into an upright position. If the bike is on its left side, try putting the bike in gear. If the bike is on its right side, put the kickstand down and grab the brake lever when lifting the bike. Either way, it will help prevent the bike from rolling away when lifting it!)

See also: How to Lift a Bike

Next time, I'll use a "disc reminder," a stretchy plastic cord that hooks over the handlebar on one end and through the lock on the other. (My excuse: my old one disintegrated. That's the honest truth!)

---

The state of Texas and the city San Antonio wants you to know this by posting this on their electronic signs:

I positively agree. Driving safely and texting later is not worth it. I'd like to text those people slowing down on the on ramp (formally known as "acceleration lanes") to get a little less safe and a little more on the throttle! Driving like you're afraid of the road kills me!

50+ MPG, One Less Car

This morning, I got all the flashy Suzuki lights blinking at me. Whenever I get down to "one bar" on the fuel gauge, a tiny little fuel pump starts blinking in the corner of my instrument panel. Once the fuel has dropped below a certain point in the gas tank, that one bar starts blinking, too.

With nary over 1,300 miles on this bike, I'm wondering if the headlight is going to blink next and how hard it would be to push the V-Strom to the next gas station.

Regardless, I made it home. The mpg readout before I filled up stated I averaged 53.8 mpg this past tank of gas. Not bad! I did chuckle as I added 4.77 gallons of gas to my 5.3 gallon fuel tank. I might have made it back to work with what was left!

Not that I would try... But it's good experience for when I'm touring and a long way from home to know that I've got 25 miles to safe and 50 miles to just plain out of luck.

Which reminds me of Aerostich's infamous motorcycle license plate holders:

Aerostich: One less car

Moving Forward

Caitlin is taking a nap on

Papa after a good meal.

Moving Forward can seem so slow at times.

But sometimes it's just better to take it easy than to crash.

It's little moments like the ones above that help me appreciate all the junk I deal with. She's a blessing - not a curse. She's a light, not darkness. She brings me hope, not despair. New life makes life easier to understand.

I love my family. I'd give up motorcycles for them. Thankfully, that doesn't seem to be the case. So, let's keep the rubber side down!

Solitude and other thoughts

It's been a while since I've posted. I usually try to keep this blog about riding even if I'll occasionally throw something in about education, too. On the other hand, my life is going to change dramatically soon: I have a baby daughter on the way! So that combined with the summer heat, I'm less prone to riding - and I've had less to talk about.

When my beautiful wife posted about the Spurs ending their run for the national championship, she placed a picture of a Spurs onesie instead of a picture of the team members. So in that spirit, (with apologies to motorsport.com) I present to you my regret for the heat of summer making it too hot to ride during the day:

Quick thoughts on riding

It's been a while since I've posted. Considering that I'm selling my bike and my riding career has an uncertain future, you may understand why I've been a bit quiet lately.

That said, I've had a few quick thoughts I wanted to share:

I just had lunch for less than one gallon of gas. The dollar menu at Wendy's is awesome, but I don't ever remember having to pay less than $1 for a whole meal back in the day!

I'm precariously close that that $20 fillup. I used to get mad when I had to pay more than $10 at the pump to fill up - on premium. A $20 weekend went a long, long way just a few years ago. Now, motor sports has become much more expensive and I'm less likely to "blow away" so much money to go for a ride.

Road rage lives on. I rarely get so upset at another driver for driving recklessly that I feel something needs to be done. When I saw a Jeep Wrangler consistently endanger another rider, I knew I had to take action. I got a good look at the driver and memorized the license plate. I reported the @#$% to the local police department and filed a complaint. One of the people (read: the driver) in the vehicle was using a cell phone and didn't seem to notice that he was driving 20+ mph over the speed limit and tailgating everyone.

Having to sell the FJR got me riding this week. I've enjoyed every moment of it (even though I got very upset at the aforementioned incident). Riding for the sake of commuting really is fun, even if the temperature isn't regulated. It's nice to just be "out there." And getting more miles for the money is a good feeling, too.

Not that'd I'd be opposed to a smaller bike with even better mileage!

Riding Pants

Riders start out with two or three basic articles of protective gear: the helmet, jacket and gloves. The additional "coverage" comes from shoes or boots and blue jeans, which are considered par for the course.

However, riding pants and boots tend to arrive much farther down the line. They require a much more specific fit, cost a lot more than their non-riding counterparts and may not be used much by a casual rider. These items just aren't justified to many people.

Most non-riders will notice the "spaceman" - a biker with a helmet and a textile jacket. But only another rider will really pay attention to riding pants and boots.

I called up my neighbor today. "Have you looked outside? Isn't it gorgeous!" He agreed to a short ride after work. We just tooled around town, visiting a couple stores he works with. Afterwards, we parted and I headed to a non-remarkable fast food joint, hoping to grab a taste of their "Big Deal."

I pulled in to discover a BMW 1200 GS parked out front. Among my circles, BMW riders are an odd lot, and supposedly the GS riders are the quirkiest.

I came in and ordered my sandwich. The other rider was sitting in a corner, talking on a cell phone. I let him ignore me; It was the polite thing to do. After he hung up, he called across the room, "Hey! What are you riding?" This spurred a friendly conversation that lasted much longer than either of us anticipated. He told me of how his desire to leave cruisers behind led him to the big dual sport, of some of his off-road adventures, and how he lusted after the new KTM's - but was disappointed in the short supply of quality dealers. I shared the story of the older gentleman who traveled all over on his old BMW R-bike, logging hundreds of thousands of miles, yet never had the desire to draw attention to himself by writing a book, posting on the internet or even bragging about it.

Eventually, he pointed out that I was wearing riding pants. I told him, "Might as well be comfortable." I noticed his riding pants and boots as I passed him in the restaurant; we were both decked-out in full riding gear. It gave a certain measure of validity to each of our stories and added to our respect for one-another. We both admitted to our hooligan sides, but we weren't squids. After a while, we both headed our own way, edified by the company of a civilized rider.

We notice the little things that separate or unite us. This time, the riding pants were more important than the ride.

The Cost of Riding: Tires...

Many people get into bikes thinking that it's cheap to own and operate, that they're great for commuting and a blast to ride. Well, not all that's true.

Dollars

One of the most expensive maintenance (and safety!) items on a bike is tires. A full set of tires with installation can run anywhere between $300 and $600. Higher performance tires are stickier and have shorter lives. Touring tires are not necessarily less expensive, but last longer on heavier touring and cruiser bikes than their performance-oriented cousins.

Duration

How long should a motorcycle tire last? This is a multifaceted question: it depends on the compound of the tire, the kind of riding done, the weather in which the tire experiences "break in," the weight of the bike, the air pressure run and so forth.

Front tires tend to last longer than rear tires. Consider this: the output of the engine forces the rear tire to turn against the road, whereas the front tire merely rolls along. The friction generated by the rear tire is much greater, causing a shorter lifespan. This is partly why automobiles require tire rotation on a regular basis: it maximizes tread life by spreading out the wear across all the tires; Motorcycles have no such option.

Generally speaking, a Goldwing (800 lbs) will get 3,000 to 4,000 miles out of a common rear tire. My FJR (600 lbs) gets between 6,000 and 12,000 miles out of a tire. My old Nighthawk (400 lbs) could probably eke out 20,000 miles from a rear tire.

Destruction

This is an example of a tire ridden waaaaay past its useful life... Pictured is a Yamaha Roadstar with 6,000 miles on the factory (original!) tire.


The technician noted that

• The metal cords were showing,
• The center of the tire (for where the bike is ridden most - upright) had no tread left and
• The tire was under-inflated by more than fifteen pounds!

In short, this is a dangerous tire condition!

• The cords help provide the structure and integrity of the tire. So if the mechanism that maintains the structure of the tire begins to wear, the tire could lose structure (dramatically deflate = blowout) and result in personal injury and damage to the motorcycle.
• The lack of center tread reduces useful traction on most street surfaces as it cannot handle surface irregularities like rocks and small animals. Nor can it push water out of the way. Loss of traction due to water (hydroplaning) will result in personal injury and damage to the motorcycle.
• Finally, low tire pressure in a motorcycle tire causes heat buildup, tire deformation and possible catastrophic failure (hey, that blowout thing again!).

When prompted, the owner confessed to the bike handling poorly. However, he was "outraged" that the tire didn't last longer! He was more concerned about the tires warranty than his personal safety. Most riders for that style of motorcycle/tire combination get 4,000 to 5,000 miles. That he survived the 6,000 on this one is a testament to good fortune (and embarrassment to this inexperienced rider). Hopefully, he left a little bit wiser (and with a fresh set of tires!)

Detection

With experience, a rider can detect a pressure loss of a few pounds. Normally, I can tell down to about two pounds loss on the FJR... But the best (and safest) policy is to check tire pressure regularly, particularly if your rides are farther in-between.

Legally, tire tread depth must have at least 2/32", though you may want to replace them earlier if you intend to do a longer trip. Having both tires changed at the same time will give the bike a "fresh" feel and improve handling. Using two rears to a front results in poorer handling during the duration of the second tire and a less enjoyable ride. Replacing one tire at a time is less convenient and less satisfactory.

Final Thoughts

So you will replace motorcycle tires much more frequently than on a car or truck. If you ride 3,000 miles a year on a heavyweight bike, this could mean an easy $500 in tires every other year.

Think bikes are cheap? Think again!

---

References:

Dunlop Tire Tips

Wikipedia: Radial Tires

Two Weeks: Happy New Year

I find it hard to believe that two weeks have gone by. So much has happened, yet so much has stayed the same.


Riding in the cool.

My neighbor Doug and I took off about a week ago to do this ride north of San Antonio, stopping at Kendalia to chat and chill. Doug discovered that a good pair of winter gloves goes a long way. I carried a spare pair of Olympias which he used after his hands began to numb (after about 15 minutes). They are now on permanent loan. :)


The kindness of strangers.

I witnessed a single-vehicle accident on Evans Road where a truck nearly flipped after losing control. The lady driving it was okay but shaken up. Selma's first response team is probably three or four times faster than San Antonio's. Never underestimate the kindness of strangers or family. I remember the time my car spun out (thanks to an aggressive driver approaching me on an on-ramp). I ran up on the barrier, destroying both wheels on the right side. The driver did not stop to check on me. Nor did anyone else for that matter. It would have been nice since the temperature was dropping rapidly and I couldn't get the car started!

Misery can be the lack of company.

Christmas and New Year's was spent alone with my wife. It was good to be around her, but we really missed our family. Probably our least favorite holiday season together.

Holiday traffic.

The lows have consistently been in the low 30's, making for some "interesting" rides to work in the morning. It's nice that school is out for another week in our neighborhood; the lack of traffic makes the commute a lot less stressful.

Now I'm back to getting ready for yet another day. It's 30° and I'm ready to ride!

Coldout?

This screen shot - taken this morning - illustrates about how cold it ever gets in SA. I've ridden more than a few times in weather like this. Sometimes it's fun. Often it's not.

I was talking to a friend that rode a motorcycle as his only means of transportation for about ten years. It wasn't until he started dating (his now-wife) that he discovered the wonders of automotive transportation. She made him ride in her car when the weather turned really ugly. He discovered that he was burned out from riding after all that time.

I can see why. After cracking my tibia from a motorcycle accident almost two years ago (and finally able to run again!), I was forced to drive to work. I discovered that it really wasn't so bad. Yeah, I had blind spots again. I couldn't stretch out like I wanted. But I could listen to the radio when I wanted to. I could turn the air or heat on. I felt less threatened on the highway. People saw me at intersections. I didn't have to buy expensive gear just to commute. I didn't have to replace my tires once or twice a year. I could bring long and large items with me. I could just "jump in" and go.

Yeah it's easier on gas. It's (often) cheaper on insurance; Insurance companies view motorcycles as "recreational vehicles." It makes sense. They're not ideal in many weather conditions. And the FJR is only nominally better on gas than my wife's 30+ mpg car. Like the way her car is marginally better than my 18-22 mpg truck. Is commuting by motorcycle really cheaper? Perhaps not.

So my friend had a piece of advice: "Put the bike away and ride when you feel like it. That way you don't get burned out." Maybe it comes from getting older or not wanting to ride when it's cold out. Perhaps I'm discovering that I'm married to my wife, not the motorcycle. Either way, I'm going to ride less and enjoy it more. Let's see if that works!

It's 34° Outside, Do You Know Where Your Gloves Are?

Chances are, most riders wouldn't dare head out in weather this cold. However, some of my favorite riding memories come from days that started out like this. But the weakest link has always been my gloves.

When I started riding in the cold, I layered up (a good idea) under and over my traditional leathers (not such a good idea). I got cold and stayed cold. It seemed that layering just didn't work. (As a side note, traditional leathers "leak" air and don't block much - if any wind. However, applying waterproofing - test it first! - helps as do cold-specific leather/fabric jackets and riding pants that have already been prepared for blocking the wind and use a goretex or another synthetic liner.)

Then I heard about heated gear and thought to myself, "There's no way my older bike could power a device like that."

When I moved to San Antonio, ironically I found some of the best cold-weather gear I've used to date: A one-piece suit from First Gear (which I've heard has been discontinued) and some dedicated cold-weather gloves that were roomy enough to fit a glove liner (liners are available inexpensively at large sporting goods stores and are great for cold hikes, too). That worked pretty well until they started falling apart after a couple of season's use.

I bought a newer bike (the FJR) and later a dual purpose bike (the XT) and continued exploring my options. The XT had a neat feature: handguards. This blocked a lot of wind and didn't make my gloves (and thus my hands) work so hard. So the XT became my primary winter transportation for a riding season.

After I sold the XT, I heard about adding handguards from a Suzuki V-strom and installing heated grips to my FJR here. So, I bought the necessary materials and installed the handguards
and heated grips relatively inexpensively. (Working in the industry has its perks, after all.)

The heated grips are very nice when the air turns slightly cool after riding in warm weather all day. However, they're not as practical in very cold weather and they cannot be felt well wearing thick gloves. They also draw enough power to make running my accessory lights at night (when it's colder) to put me at risk of draining the battery and over-taxing my charging system.

The handguards work very well. They don't stop the cold, but the break the wind, protecting all by my wrists and finger tips. In cool weather with lighter gloves, this is partially remedied by the heated grips. The wrists are usually taken care of by gauntlet-style gloves or a wind-breaking riding jacket. The only problem - which doesn't really apply to me - lies in the inappropriate appearance on a sport bike. But if you're going to ride in the cold, who cares when it works?

I still don't use electric gear as I am particularly not fond of tangling myself in wiring mounting and dismounting the bike or even the possible unfortunate consequences during a crash. But, like all things riding, one must evaluate the risk and manage it as you see fit.

Happy cold weather riding!

Loud Pipes Annoy Sleeping Neighbors

The other day I asked my wife, "does my bike seem loud?" She replied, "Your bike is loud. I think all bikes are loud."

This really dampened my spirits. The FJR has a sewing machine sounding exhaust, which I happen to enjoy because it's not nearly as noisy as most of the obnoxious aftermarket exhausts out there. I even put the stock muffler back on the XT not only because the Supertrap that preceded it was not only too lean, but obnoxiously noisy. To have the FJR thought of as loud seemed a like a stab in my "quiet bike as a courtesy to my neighbors" heart.

I thought about this as I went walking this morning. A Harley Davidson with loud, farting pipes ran up the street with his stereo blasting (no doubt due in no small part to that rumbling noise machine between his legs). He was a full block away and I could hear in detail the talk radio he played, despite the bike's noise. I kept walking and heard a baby crying from a house. I bet this bike startled the baby and woke it up. I wondered how many other people he woke that morning. To top it off, he apparently forgot something and had to return to his house, grab the forgotten item(s) and head out again.

But cruisers aren't the only guilty party. I hear sportbikes a mile away on Loop 1604 banging through the gears to merge with traffic. I hear them cruising on that highway, too. Then they whiz by my house in second gear leaving the traffic light with the kind of noise only a sportbike makes.

But with all that said, bikes aren't the worst offenders regarding noise pollution. Instead, far more commonly cars and trucks use loud, offroad exhausts, blare their stereos with far-travelling bass and "peel out" getting onto the main road.

I cannot believe that "loud pipes save lives." But I know they destroy the positive image of the friendly neighborhood biker.

So you want me to do what?

I've been preparing to do some touring, photography and just "getting away" in a month or so... A number of people have been telling me not to go or worse, to take the truck.

I really don't have any place I want to go that requires 4 wheel drive. Nor do I want to double the cost of fuel for this trip. Plus, the truck, though a great vehicle, isn't the same kind of fun any bike is. I want to be in the wind. Get up with the sun. Make my own food. Do some roadside camping. Listen to myself and see what I've been trying to say.

So, this will probably be the last I speak of it to most anyone for a while. I'll post about it upon my return, along with the details of my preparations and travel philosophies.

Who knows? I could be leaving tomorrow?

The Biggest Loser

The Biggest Loser television show has captivated my household with my major draw to the trainer, Jillian Michaels. When she rode in to secretly maker her team on what appeared to be a slightly customized, debadged black Yamaha R6, I knew I was probably going to be hooked for another season.

It comes on after I get home from work Tuesdays.

Feasting on Asphalt

The past couple of episodes have made me really hungry for pie. For no particular reason, rhubarb pie came to mind most quickly. So, I made my own "Feasting on Asphalt" adventure, though I broke almost every rule.

I hopped on my bike, took I-35 down to Marie Calendar's and bought the last (only?) rhubarb pie. I talked to only one person: the cashier. She asked me if I really eat "this stuff." I replied, "Sometimes you just gotta have a rhubarb pie." At least we exchanged smiles!

With nominal help from the significant other, the pie disappeared in less than 24 hours. The crust was nice, though a bit overwhelming. I prefer to have more filling than crust. It was still good.

Next feasting on Asphalt adventure: the return of the pie tin for my $0.60 deposit!

Koolickle anyone?

I watch in amazement as Alton Brown tries his first Koolickle on Feasting on Asphalt last Saturday. Then I hear people talking about it on the radio the very next day. I think Alton appeals across the board to riders and non-riders alike, bringing a positive note to motorcycling! Thanks Alton!

Photo courtesy of the NY Times.

Feasting on Asphalt

I took my computer down for a LAN party this weekend; it's finally up and running again today. So, yes I actually do have interests outside of riding! But I've been meaning to post, despite busyness getting in the way.

So I managed to catch Feasting on Asphalt this past weekend. The wife was good enough to record it for me. Alton Brown passed through Natchez, Mississippi and followed the Natchez Trace Parkway into Tennessee. Along the way, every cook he met refused to divulge their secret ingredients, though he did manage to have the best spaghetti. donuts and fried chicken he's ever tasted along the way.

The parkway has special meaning to me, as it was the route I chose to take home after attending my grandfather's funeral. The road was long, strait, slow and cold. I thought about camping, but I was not really prepared for near freezing temperatures, so I spent the night in a hotel in Natchez. The next day I rode for at least six hours in rain. It cleared up just outside San Antonio, where it suddenly became very warm!

But as for feasting, a birthday miracle happened. My wife joined me for a (very) brief ride to the donut shop where we had breakfast. She enjoyed herself, though I think she thinks she was more terrified than anything. The likelihood of this recurrence is supposed to be good, but we'll just have to wait and see. I've been waiting nearly eight years for her to join me on even a semi-regular basis. She did very well for an inexperienced rider, though she was afraid she'd fall of the back. It makes sense, even if I know very well that I'd have to pull a massive wheelie and catch her by surprise for that to happen!

I'd like to point out that one can never force another person to ride with you. It's stupid and dangerous, too. However, being open to new experiences helps a lot.

So, I'd like to publicly thank my wife for joining me in "feasting on asphalt." My, that was a good bear claw. And the company was excellent, too!

This is not how I ride!
You're not going to fall off the back!

My apologies for the previous picture
going bad. It was linked from an external site.

Feasting On Asphalt 2

Alton Brown is at it again. This time he's riding his BMW motorcycle up "River Road," loosely following a path from the Mississippi Delta in Louisiana to where the mighty Mississippi can be waded across. All the while, the Food Channel (thank you cable TV!) documents his many culinary escapades and exploits.

His first series, simply "Feasting On Asphalt," involved a coast to coast ride eating everything from pig brains to coffee. He is a tad intellectual (if you've ever seen his show "Good Eats" or heard his commentary on "Iron Chef America," you'd understand why), but he's witty and sometimes a little sarcastic.

Case in point (first episode, season 2): Alton was discussing the making of head cheese with a Louisiana shop owner and observed that cooking pig heads was no longer legal. Alton remarked sarcastically, "What is this country coming to?" whereupon the shop owner promptly hung his head in shame.

Guess you had to be there.

Read more at:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/show_ab

August 8 will have the DVR set to record.

The Wedding

Madison Wisconsin

Okay, so I'm not into protests. I'm not anti-war or a disaffected college student (well, maybe). I'm not a hippy, nor am I extremely environmentally "conscious." However, I am a fan of all things two-wheeled. Madison, Wisconsin enchanted me with its many, many bicycle paths, laid back atmosphere and places for people to relax and enjoy a weekend.

So Madison has high taxes and a heavy "liberal" presence. That's outside my norm, but it was pleasant nonetheless. If I could afford to live there, it'd be worth considering.

I got the okay at the last minute to leave for my uncle's wedding last Thursday, caught a flight early Friday morning and Friday afternoon I enjoyed seeing my uncle marry his beautiful bride.

So Saturday I hiked downtown Madison, camera in hand. I spent the night at a local campsite with other relatives, and hiked the nearby ski trails the next morning (so I have to assume that people still camp up there in heavy snow?) Again, trails, bike paths and places to see were spread out all over the place. Most enjoyable!

Sunday, I got to have lunch with my uncle and new aunt back in downtown Madison, and left for Northern Illinois to visit friends there. We watched the Spurs defeat the Cavaliers in game two. (Okay, I only stayed awake during the first half, but I heard it was a great game!)

Monday involved yard cleanup, which always seems to happen each time I visit. (Here comes the Chronic Rider - put him to work!). I drove back into Chicago for a late flight that evening and was back at work on time Tuesday.

I noticed all kinds of bikers on the roads between Chicago and Madison. Of the 50 or so maybe 5 wore helmets. Most wore little if any protective gear. I even saw one guy on a Goldwing (pic) wearing what appeared to be boxer shorts, sunglasses and flip flops. The traffic was simply terrible; driving less than 30 mph - when you were actually moving - seemed to be the norm on the freeways. And then there's the not-so-free ways: toll roads. Chicago has convinced me that toll roads are pure and simply a bad idea - ever.

The proximity to Milwaukee suggests an explanation for all the Harley motorcycles I saw. I cannot explain the other rider's behavior. I guess I'm used to people in Texas toughing it out wearing their helmets and riding gear in 100°F+ heat (and a helmet law of sorts is in effect). Those riders up North can't handle something? Hm...

What a weekend!