Crisp fall air.
Gliding through the light post-rush hour traffic, rounding the corner.
Heading down, into the valley, an upward gaze.
A mystical fog hovers over the road, a vision from film and fantasy.
Wispy tendrils of vapor mask the canyon walls.
Trees hidden, emerge slowly as I near.
A shudder as the ambient temp drops.
Off to work… I ride.
Odo: 4862
School started yesterday. Instead of my usual Math and Computer Science load, I took a left turn and signed up for Finance and Psychology. I like the work I do. I just hate the way I have to do it. I have talked about this before, so I won’t rehash it. The changes to my schedule require my appearance on campus. PCC has free motorcycle parking, right up front. I did my thing and hit I-5 heading north. Traffic was light as I launched into the flow… Read more…
Odo: 24378
Adrenal gland flowing.
Full throttle and tuck.
Up shift… again.
Alone.
Mountain face on the left.
Wetland on the right.
Calm radiance illuminates the valley floor.
Mirrored.
90, easy, next?
100, wanting, more.
110, upshift, pin it.
Leathered.
Quick glance, 120.
Calm, indifferent, faster!
130 and climbing.
Nirvana?
Roll off.
Known speed trap, nearby.
Round the bend, looking obedient.
If they only knew…
Tony and I went for a ride today, a mountain bike ride. Yesterday, I traded him one of my Kestrel Rubicons for a set of DR-Z wheels that he built up a while ago. A DR-Z400 SM is in my future… Today, we hit the trails at Powell Butte Park. Read more…
Sorry… No miles today and it was a beautiful day too. I wanted to but I had a few things to do and time ran out before I could saddle up. Read more…
…my YZF purrs under me.
Odo: 24255
It is a really pretty day, sky blue, calm, and peaceful. I have errands to run: a client with Outlook problems, insurance premiums to pay, parts to pick up, parts to deliver, blah, blah, blah. Leathered in my Vansons, black jeans, Sidis, double mirrors, album mix in my ears, I ride. Read more…
I installed heated grips and a power socket on my bike a couple days before my last trip. The very first time I flipped on the grips, while riding down the road, the system shorted out and blew the fuse. Lucky for me, Napa is only 3 blocks up the road from my normal freeway insert point. 30 minutes later, I unloaded everything, replaced the blown fuse, disconnected my newly installed toys, reloaded my bike and was ready to restart my journey. Read more…
Dappled light streaks across my view.
Triple the posted limit.
Wherever I May Roam thunders in my ears.
DL pulsing between my thighs.
Twisting through the backwoods.
En route to nowhere.
Smoke curls and twists.
Climbing skyward into the void of night.
Blue turning to yellow then red.
Licking the steel grate.
Memorized.
The flame warms my body as it stirs my soul.
It is that time again.
Today, I have been gathering supplies, prep’ing my food options, and loading my bike. Fate and circumstance are keeping my traveling partner in the metro which is a disappointment but not totally unexpected. Adapting to the new paradigm, I stripped everything down for solo traveling. Everything is ready. Sleep, then I’m off again.
I rode to work today. On the way home, I realized that fall is actually here. It’s time to install my heated grips and power outlet. I had heard there is an extra 12 volt socket behind the radiator. Taking it upon faith, I started striping away the bodywork and tank. I didn’t find the outlet until I removed the rad bolts and gently pushed it down and forward.
‘Yeah, right there. That’s right. Push that button. Firmly this time.’ I am still learning how to use my digital camera. I stopped today to take a pic. I thought I had it. When I got home, no image. 
I probably didn’t press the button hard enough. I have terrible feel with my racing gloves on. The subject is static. So I will try to catch it again next week, if I am in the right place at the right time.
In the meantime…
Things may not be going your way at the moment, but it could be worse. This could be your machine. The flames were rather pretty as carbon, plastic, and racing fuel intermingled.
Odo: 24195
I took the YZF out today for a lunch meeting and my client visits. I rode about 90 miles.
Every time I get on this bike, I have problems. OK. Not real problems, just the little stuff that happens when you switch bikes. Read more…
