Just When I Thought It Was Safe

Man, I hate it when I find a puddle under my bike in the morning.

Especially when it's an unexpected and, frankly, unwelcome puddle of oil about six inches wide.

I guess I was due for a run of poor mechanical luck. First a coolant leak on the Triumph (fixed), then a dead battery in the Vespa ET4 (fixed), and now an oil leak on the Triumph.

Argh.

Perhaps the Triumph is just too excited for Moto-mas.

Hose Clamp Update

I still don't like hose clamps.

However, I'm happy to report that tightening the clamp mentioned back here took care of the coolant leak. I love easy fixes.

Now I just have to get a new battery for the Vespa ET4. I was disappointed to find that my local purveyor of fine motorcycle batteries did not have a suitable battery in stock, so I'm going to have to go somewhat out of my way tonight to get one. Also, just to make sure everyone knows, the kickstarter on the ET4? Worse than useless. I was told it didn't work if the battery was dead, but I didn't realize it wouldn't work if the battery was just too low to crank the starter.

Disappointing. It's a good thing the little Vespa has so much going for it otherwise.

Far Better Than Ball Bearings

I love this concept, although the execution clearly needs some work. Presently, it seems the rockets are just as dangerous to the rider as to the intended target. Hmm, I've got a model rocket in the garage that just needs some motors...



(via Autoblog)

Sometimes, Science Is Good

Like when science is applied to the fine art of slicing pizza.

Man, I could go for a perfect slice right now.

A Quick Recharge

Sometimes, a fella needs to get the hell out of Dodge. And sometimes, the fella doesn't know it. Fortunately, the universe occasionally provides when we've been oblivious to our own needs.

Lady Luck and I had a fantastic opportunity to enjoy free lodging in Sedona this weekend.

Sedona is a strange place. The natural beauty is staggering. I have yet to see a photograph that does justice to the land. Every where you turn is another awe-inspiring view. Compared to Sedona, the Grand Canyon is let down.

But with all that natural beauty is a whole lot of "natural" capitalism. I have nothing against commerce, but Sedona the town is one hell of a tourist trap. If you want to buy expensive candles, magical healing supplies, or a spiritual experience, well, they can all be had at a special price just for you!

Sedona isn't about that stuff. It's not about the "spiritual" stuff either. I hate to break it to you, but Vortex Tours were invented by hippies to make a buck off tourists with sparkly eyes and bulging wallets. Those hippies were on to something, all the same. Hike a mile or two into the wilderness and you will start to feel energized and euphoric.

That's because exercise is good for you, and Sedona is a spectacular place to get that exercise. It's so great, you might not even notice the exercise part.

It's really easy to get wrapped up in the day to day grind work and other work. You might forget that you want to go outside and play. You need to get outside and play.

So? Go play.

Enjoying the Small Things

I don't like kids, as a group. I mean, there are specific children that I like, but I'm not one of those people that goes all crazy the second anyone under 16 appears. I like kids I don't know best when, like ferrets, they are over there, where I can study their habits without having to interact. Because those things have nasty, pointy little teeth.

But a major exception to my general not-kid-liking policy is when I'm on the bike. Kids, if you haven't noticed, like motorcycles. I can't count the number of huge smiles and waves I've gotten from kids when I'm on the bike.

I always wave back. It makes my day.

...I mean, we gotta warp 'em while they're still young. Otherwise they might grow up to drive an S.U.V.

The Real Thing

Riding in the cold is nothing new for me anymore, as I'm sure it's nothing new for most of you reading this. When I arrive at work, with bright red hands and cheeks, someone invariably comments on the weather, or asks how I can do it.

Well, how could I not do it? Look at the sunrise I got to enjoy this morning. You can't enjoy a sunrise like that from a car, or from behind a window. You've got to be out there, with your legs going numb, your nose running, and your hands stinging to really get it. Because when you're right there, in that moment, it's real. It's not a painting. It's not a photograph. It's not a vivid description you once read. It's not a video.

It's a fucking sunrise, it's real, and it's right over there. It feels as though, if you could only jump a little higher, you could touch it.

Why would I give that up? There's a huge difference between what's real and what's Memorex, and given the choice, I'll take the real experience.

Granted, not every single ride is an amazing spiritual experience. Sometimes I'm just getting a frozen pizza. Sometimes traffic is snarled and slow. Sometimes my ear has a fierce itch that won't go away, and I can't get to it because it's under my helmet.

But, most of the time, riding is pretty good. And it's always better than being in a steel box behind safety glass.