The weather on Saturday was perfect. The only righteous way to spend such a day was in the saddle of a fast British motorcycle (or, perhaps, on a speedy little Italian scooter).
That's exactly what I did.
The day's destinations (a couple of music stores, a coffee shop, and a variety of previously unexplored twisty neighborhoods) kept Lady Luck, Baldy-Beard and your humble author mostly confined to surface streets.
Phoenix isn't known for it's well-maintained roads, particularly in the downtown areas. Construction on a light-rail system is also underway. The roads around that construction are decimated, to put it mildly.
Those areas are precisely where we spent most of the day riding.
A dual-sport or some other variety of adventure-bike could probably plow straight through the construction. The Triumph and Vespa, on the other hand, can not.
Imagine riding at thirty miles per hour down a single lane with construction markers threatening to lop off an arm if you get too close, deep canyons only inches past them waiting to suck in an unwary rider, and gigantic pot holes taking up most of the "safe" road in between.
I know what you're thinking: fun!
It was fun, too. Riding in conditions like that is like riding in a video game. There are obstacles every where, bad guys chasing me (how would you describe the SUV driving dipshits?), and plenty of fast action. It usually isn't appropriate to wildly flick my bike from side to side of my lane in traffic, but when the road is held together by duct tape and the unshakable will of AZDOT, riding "aggressively" is required.
So why go off-roading? With adventure like that available so close to home, riding off-road seems kind of quaint.
Monday, February 26, 2007
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Getting the Fear
I've given a few people rides on the back of my bike before. I have not, however, ridden on the back of anyone else's bike.
This weekend I did. Lady Luck and I dropped our cage off to get new tires put on, and naturally used the scooter as the support vehicle. Lady Luck wanted to practice riding with a passenger (we're expecting guests, and she wants to be able to take them out on the back of the Vespa), and I make a pretty good practice passenger.
I don't have any hangups about riding behind a girl. After all, for all anyone else could tell, the cute scooter chick was just giving the burly biker dude a lift back to his dripping-with-manliness bike.
Lady Luck is a good rider, and if I didn't trust her there's no way that I would have gotten on the back of the Vespa. All the same, shortly after hopping on the back, I got the fear.
Little wobbles that I wouldn't notice otherwise were magnified and I was certain the bike would go over any second. I nearly pulled the passenger grips off the bike, and it took every ounce of will for me to keep my feet on the pegs at stoplights.
Lady Luck didn't have any trouble handling the bike with me as a passenger, I'm just a huge chickenshit. I guess I have some control issues to go along with my thrill issues...
Incidentally, the passenger accommodations on the Vespa are perfect for a guy my size. In a word: spacious. And I have to give them props for installing such rugged passenger grips.
Anyway, I don't think I'll be getting on the back of any more bikes, but I'm not worried about Lady Luck's ability to ride with a passenger.
This weekend I did. Lady Luck and I dropped our cage off to get new tires put on, and naturally used the scooter as the support vehicle. Lady Luck wanted to practice riding with a passenger (we're expecting guests, and she wants to be able to take them out on the back of the Vespa), and I make a pretty good practice passenger.
I don't have any hangups about riding behind a girl. After all, for all anyone else could tell, the cute scooter chick was just giving the burly biker dude a lift back to his dripping-with-manliness bike.
Lady Luck is a good rider, and if I didn't trust her there's no way that I would have gotten on the back of the Vespa. All the same, shortly after hopping on the back, I got the fear.
Little wobbles that I wouldn't notice otherwise were magnified and I was certain the bike would go over any second. I nearly pulled the passenger grips off the bike, and it took every ounce of will for me to keep my feet on the pegs at stoplights.
Lady Luck didn't have any trouble handling the bike with me as a passenger, I'm just a huge chickenshit. I guess I have some control issues to go along with my thrill issues...
Incidentally, the passenger accommodations on the Vespa are perfect for a guy my size. In a word: spacious. And I have to give them props for installing such rugged passenger grips.
Anyway, I don't think I'll be getting on the back of any more bikes, but I'm not worried about Lady Luck's ability to ride with a passenger.
Monday, February 19, 2007
Let's Go Fly a Kite
Lady Luck and I had today off from work. President's Day is one of the greatest holidays of the year. Thanks, former Presidents! Even you uninteresting ones that history has mostly forgot.
Our intent for the day was to bungee a couple of kites to the Vespa, and head off in search of the perfect kite-flying park.
Of course, we had to make a stop for lunch (nowhere special), and while we were inside eating, it started to rain. It kept raining, and we got to enjoy that special, swampy feeling one can only enjoy when seated on a wet motorcycle seat.
Rain isn't so bad for riding, but it kind of sucks for flying kites, so we just went home. It turned out to be the right decision, because shortly after we got home it began to rain extra hard.
We'll get out for some moto-kite flying next weekend.
Our intent for the day was to bungee a couple of kites to the Vespa, and head off in search of the perfect kite-flying park.
Of course, we had to make a stop for lunch (nowhere special), and while we were inside eating, it started to rain. It kept raining, and we got to enjoy that special, swampy feeling one can only enjoy when seated on a wet motorcycle seat.
Rain isn't so bad for riding, but it kind of sucks for flying kites, so we just went home. It turned out to be the right decision, because shortly after we got home it began to rain extra hard.
We'll get out for some moto-kite flying next weekend.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Joe's Farm Grill - Official Review!
For those who are new, 1 Crying Lucky = Bad, 5 Crying Luckies = Good.
Joe's Farm Grill
3000 East Ray Road, Building 1
Gilbert, AZ 85296
(480) 563-4745
Lady Luck and I have been to Joe's Farm Grill twice now. There is another "Joe's" restaurant that makes darn fine barbecue, and when we learned that they had a new restaurant with grilled pizza on the menu, well, we had to get over there as soon as possible.
As this is a motorcycle blog, I have to give Joe's Farm Grill props for having ample marked parking spaces for motorcycles and scooters.
The ride to the restaurant is nothing special. In fact, it's pretty crummy, as all the former farmland is being torn up to build more McMansions, strip malls, and other offensive structures. The restaurant, however, is located in Agritopia. Agritopia is the 12 acre farm smack in the middle of all the ugly development. They have big trees, among other attractions. For those of you who don't live here in Phoenix, a tree more than five years old is ancient.
The compound has the restaurant, a good coffee shop (we tried it out, of course), a farmer's market, recycling-conscious waste receptacles and lots of good places to sit outside. We were amused by a sign near one of the trees that says "Warning - Keep off trees. Danger of falling and scorpions."
Frankly, I was mildly concerned about the possibility of falling scorpions. Of course, there were no such unpleasant interruptions.
The pizzas are a little unusual, in that they are football shaped and grilled. Also, the sauce was on top of the cheese and toppings. I was mildly confused, and concerned that perhaps their cook misinterpreted the instructions, but it all worked out fine.
The sauce is tomatoey. If you were wondering what a tomato tastes like (a real concern here in Phoenix), the sauce will make it clear to you.
The cheese was super mild, and the pepperoni is salty and spicy with a nice peppery kick.
The crust tastes slightly smoky, and is crisp and otherwise awesome.
Of course, Joe's Farm Grill has a full menu, not just pizza. We ordered the sweet potato fries as well. They come with a spicy pineapple sauce on the side, and I strongly recommend you order them as well.
We tried their shakes, which are thick, creamy and just about perfect. The day-glo blue, orange, and other-colored cherries are spooky for those of us over 14 years old, but taste fine.
The restaurant itself has an entertaining retro-futuristic design. We were somewhat unnerved by the Barbie and G.I. Joe dolls behind glass in the restrooms (as well as a TV playing Thunderbirds), but they do fit the overall decor in a spooky kind of way.
This is a great place to bring little kids, since they can run around outside and not bother people. Similarly, it's a great place for big kids with motorcycles to get some hella good eats. If you're in the neighborhood (by which I mean within a tank or two of gas) you should stop by.
Joe's Farm Grill - 4.5 Crying Luckies
Joe's Farm Grill3000 East Ray Road, Building 1
Gilbert, AZ 85296
(480) 563-4745
Lady Luck and I have been to Joe's Farm Grill twice now. There is another "Joe's" restaurant that makes darn fine barbecue, and when we learned that they had a new restaurant with grilled pizza on the menu, well, we had to get over there as soon as possible.
As this is a motorcycle blog, I have to give Joe's Farm Grill props for having ample marked parking spaces for motorcycles and scooters.
The ride to the restaurant is nothing special. In fact, it's pretty crummy, as all the former farmland is being torn up to build more McMansions, strip malls, and other offensive structures. The restaurant, however, is located in Agritopia. Agritopia is the 12 acre farm smack in the middle of all the ugly development. They have big trees, among other attractions. For those of you who don't live here in Phoenix, a tree more than five years old is ancient.The compound has the restaurant, a good coffee shop (we tried it out, of course), a farmer's market, recycling-conscious waste receptacles and lots of good places to sit outside. We were amused by a sign near one of the trees that says "Warning - Keep off trees. Danger of falling and scorpions."
Frankly, I was mildly concerned about the possibility of falling scorpions. Of course, there were no such unpleasant interruptions.
The pizzas are a little unusual, in that they are football shaped and grilled. Also, the sauce was on top of the cheese and toppings. I was mildly confused, and concerned that perhaps their cook misinterpreted the instructions, but it all worked out fine.The sauce is tomatoey. If you were wondering what a tomato tastes like (a real concern here in Phoenix), the sauce will make it clear to you.
The cheese was super mild, and the pepperoni is salty and spicy with a nice peppery kick.
The crust tastes slightly smoky, and is crisp and otherwise awesome.
Of course, Joe's Farm Grill has a full menu, not just pizza. We ordered the sweet potato fries as well. They come with a spicy pineapple sauce on the side, and I strongly recommend you order them as well.We tried their shakes, which are thick, creamy and just about perfect. The day-glo blue, orange, and other-colored cherries are spooky for those of us over 14 years old, but taste fine.
The restaurant itself has an entertaining retro-futuristic design. We were somewhat unnerved by the Barbie and G.I. Joe dolls behind glass in the restrooms (as well as a TV playing Thunderbirds), but they do fit the overall decor in a spooky kind of way.
This is a great place to bring little kids, since they can run around outside and not bother people. Similarly, it's a great place for big kids with motorcycles to get some hella good eats. If you're in the neighborhood (by which I mean within a tank or two of gas) you should stop by.
Joe's Farm Grill - 4.5 Crying Luckies
Friday, February 09, 2007
One more weak post, but the next one will be great.
Just a quick update for y'all: I've got a great pizza review coming up, and I'll post it this weekend.
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Ducati motorcycles now 50% cheaper to maintain!
Check out the exciting news here!
Alas, they now break down twice as often...
Gary had to go and point out that Ducati makes a sexy, relatively practical bike. He gets cruel when he hasn't ridden for a while. We all still love him, though.
As of this moment, I am accepting donations towards the purchase of a "Great Motorcycle Pizza Tour" Ducati, which will ONLY be used for Great Motorcycle Pizza Touring...
...and stuff.
Donations of $1000 or more will get your picture on the side of this site. Donations of new Ducati motorcycles will get your picture added into the header.
Alas, they now break down twice as often...
Gary had to go and point out that Ducati makes a sexy, relatively practical bike. He gets cruel when he hasn't ridden for a while. We all still love him, though.
As of this moment, I am accepting donations towards the purchase of a "Great Motorcycle Pizza Tour" Ducati, which will ONLY be used for Great Motorcycle Pizza Touring...
...and stuff.
Donations of $1000 or more will get your picture on the side of this site. Donations of new Ducati motorcycles will get your picture added into the header.
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Thursday, February 01, 2007
On Being a Scary Biker
The other night I got home to a dark house. I was expecting that, so it wasn't a big deal. I went about my "just got home" business, lost in thought about what to have for dinner or some other equally important topic.
I happened to glance up and was suprised by an angry-looking, leather-clad thug staring straight back at me!
The thug was, of course, just my reflection in the mirror. And that moment I realized why the other scary guy in the alley I walked through that morning got as far to his side of the alley as possible.
At the time, I just figured he was crazy.
People who know me will tell you that I'm one of the nicest folks you'll ever meet. I am an amiable, quick to laugh, mellow guy. Everyone has heard of the tough-looking biker who's really just a big teddy bear. That's pretty much me.
All the same, I have an extremely convincing "mean face." Wrap me in my riding gear, and I'm 6'2" of big, wild-haired and scary. In other words, I wouldn't want to meet me in a dark alley. Even without the mean face.
Especially if I haven't had my coffee yet. heh heh.
The mean face isn't particularly dramatic, just a general tightening of the jaw, widening of the eyes and a healthy crease of the brow. A combination of micro-expressions, if you will.
Like most scary-looking people, I just want to be left the hell alone most of the time. Indeed, I am probably more afraid of you than you are of me (I don't want your cooties.).
I'm aware of the bad reputation that sickle bums have among the norms. As such, I make a point to be courteous when riding, or just walking around in my gear. I hold doors for people, let other drivers in, say thank you when appropriate and generally behave in a gentlemanly way.
But a lot of times, being a scary biker comes in awfully handy. I work in a fairly rough part of town. There are a lot of unsavory characters walking around, most of whom I'd just as soon not talk to. In my regular work clothes, I'm a beggar and weirdo magnet. In my riding gear, particularly when using the mean-face, I get left alone.
In traffic, sometimes being a nice guy does not work. Every now and then, particularly in construction zones when traffic is stop and crawl, a cager will choose to be an ass. I'll have my blinker on, and try to get over, but the cager deliberately blocks me.
Since bullies and jerks really only respond to power, I'll turn on the mean face and STARE for a few seconds too long, and they usually have an instant attitude adjustment. Suddenly there's plenty of room for me to get over, and I resume my courteous riding practices.
Hell, I'll probably even let someone get in front of me, just to mess with the jerk behind me a bit more. Riding is supposed to be fun, after all.
Anyways, in most situations, I prefer to be a nice guy. Usually, nice works pretty well. Every now and then, though, it doesn't. In those situations, being a scary biker is awfully handy.
I happened to glance up and was suprised by an angry-looking, leather-clad thug staring straight back at me!
The thug was, of course, just my reflection in the mirror. And that moment I realized why the other scary guy in the alley I walked through that morning got as far to his side of the alley as possible.
At the time, I just figured he was crazy.
People who know me will tell you that I'm one of the nicest folks you'll ever meet. I am an amiable, quick to laugh, mellow guy. Everyone has heard of the tough-looking biker who's really just a big teddy bear. That's pretty much me.
All the same, I have an extremely convincing "mean face." Wrap me in my riding gear, and I'm 6'2" of big, wild-haired and scary. In other words, I wouldn't want to meet me in a dark alley. Even without the mean face.
Especially if I haven't had my coffee yet. heh heh.
The mean face isn't particularly dramatic, just a general tightening of the jaw, widening of the eyes and a healthy crease of the brow. A combination of micro-expressions, if you will.
Like most scary-looking people, I just want to be left the hell alone most of the time. Indeed, I am probably more afraid of you than you are of me (I don't want your cooties.).
I'm aware of the bad reputation that sickle bums have among the norms. As such, I make a point to be courteous when riding, or just walking around in my gear. I hold doors for people, let other drivers in, say thank you when appropriate and generally behave in a gentlemanly way.
But a lot of times, being a scary biker comes in awfully handy. I work in a fairly rough part of town. There are a lot of unsavory characters walking around, most of whom I'd just as soon not talk to. In my regular work clothes, I'm a beggar and weirdo magnet. In my riding gear, particularly when using the mean-face, I get left alone.
In traffic, sometimes being a nice guy does not work. Every now and then, particularly in construction zones when traffic is stop and crawl, a cager will choose to be an ass. I'll have my blinker on, and try to get over, but the cager deliberately blocks me.
Since bullies and jerks really only respond to power, I'll turn on the mean face and STARE for a few seconds too long, and they usually have an instant attitude adjustment. Suddenly there's plenty of room for me to get over, and I resume my courteous riding practices.
Hell, I'll probably even let someone get in front of me, just to mess with the jerk behind me a bit more. Riding is supposed to be fun, after all.
Anyways, in most situations, I prefer to be a nice guy. Usually, nice works pretty well. Every now and then, though, it doesn't. In those situations, being a scary biker is awfully handy.
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