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Archives
- 09/01/2003 - 10/01/2003
- 10/01/2003 - 11/01/2003
- 11/01/2003 - 12/01/2003
- 12/01/2003 - 01/01/2004
- 01/01/2004 - 02/01/2004
- 02/01/2004 - 03/01/2004
- 03/01/2004 - 04/01/2004
- 04/01/2004 - 05/01/2004
- 05/01/2004 - 06/01/2004
- 06/01/2004 - 07/01/2004
- 07/01/2004 - 08/01/2004
- 08/01/2004 - 09/01/2004
- 09/01/2004 - 10/01/2004
- 10/01/2004 - 11/01/2004
- 11/01/2004 - 12/01/2004
- 12/01/2004 - 01/01/2005
- 01/01/2005 - 02/01/2005
- 02/01/2005 - 03/01/2005
- 03/01/2005 - 04/01/2005
- 05/01/2005 - 06/01/2005
- 07/01/2005 - 08/01/2005
- 09/01/2005 - 10/01/2005
- 10/01/2005 - 11/01/2005
- 03/01/2006 - 04/01/2006
- 05/01/2006 - 06/01/2006
- 06/01/2006 - 07/01/2006
- 07/01/2006 - 08/01/2006
- 12/01/2006 - 01/01/2007
- 01/01/2007 - 02/01/2007
- 02/01/2007 - 03/01/2007
- 05/01/2007 - 06/01/2007
- 08/01/2007 - 09/01/2007
This is a place where I post thoughts and information about riding again after all these years and the KLR 650 that I have for that purpose.
Saturday, May 29, 2004
Memorial Day Ride 2004
This is a place holder for the trip planned. The idea is to hook up with a few of the klristas from last summer's east sierra ride over near Placerville as well as another rider or two. From there we'll fuel up and head back towards 88 checking out various Forest Service roads. After a day of exploring, everyone heads home hopefully not much worse for wear. We'll see about that. I'm sure I'll have the most basic stock klr in the group and likely to be pulling up the rear along the way. Who cares?
Dale
a bit under the weather but with extra keys finally!
This is a place holder for the trip planned. The idea is to hook up with a few of the klristas from last summer's east sierra ride over near Placerville as well as another rider or two. From there we'll fuel up and head back towards 88 checking out various Forest Service roads. After a day of exploring, everyone heads home hopefully not much worse for wear. We'll see about that. I'm sure I'll have the most basic stock klr in the group and likely to be pulling up the rear along the way. Who cares?
Dale
a bit under the weather but with extra keys finally!
Saturday, May 22, 2004
Chillin on Ebbetts Pass Today
I got a late start on a windy day and took off up highway 4 to see if I could find out if Ebbetts pass was open yet. I only made one stop on the way up to put my jersey on under my summer jacket. I had 4 layers on but the cold crept right through them all before I made it to the top about 3:15 today. I saw a sign telling me the pass was open and was too stubborn to stop at Lake Alpine and call it a day or at least have a cup of coffee at the lodge there.
It was worth it all as the snow is very patchy and it was bright except for when the sun hid behind some clouds. The wind was cold and even when I stopped just over the summit to eat something and stretch my legs I couldn't get warm. I decided I'd need to dash down slope as quick as the temperature would allow or I'd be really cold. I also realized that except for the matches and first aid kit/tools I really wasn't prepared for a breakdown up there. I blocked that thought and made good time going from 8500' to about 1500'. I had a few strong shivers and could feel the cold and/or vibrations creeping into my shoulders and hands causing them to ache.
In Angels Camp the temperature was much more to my liking and the wind was very light. The rest of the ride home had plenty of wind and was suprisingly cold to boot.
My loop up 4 and back down 4 and then Rock Creek Rd etc. was about 235 miles, and quite a cool thing to do....
I got a late start on a windy day and took off up highway 4 to see if I could find out if Ebbetts pass was open yet. I only made one stop on the way up to put my jersey on under my summer jacket. I had 4 layers on but the cold crept right through them all before I made it to the top about 3:15 today. I saw a sign telling me the pass was open and was too stubborn to stop at Lake Alpine and call it a day or at least have a cup of coffee at the lodge there.
It was worth it all as the snow is very patchy and it was bright except for when the sun hid behind some clouds. The wind was cold and even when I stopped just over the summit to eat something and stretch my legs I couldn't get warm. I decided I'd need to dash down slope as quick as the temperature would allow or I'd be really cold. I also realized that except for the matches and first aid kit/tools I really wasn't prepared for a breakdown up there. I blocked that thought and made good time going from 8500' to about 1500'. I had a few strong shivers and could feel the cold and/or vibrations creeping into my shoulders and hands causing them to ache.
In Angels Camp the temperature was much more to my liking and the wind was very light. The rest of the ride home had plenty of wind and was suprisingly cold to boot.
My loop up 4 and back down 4 and then Rock Creek Rd etc. was about 235 miles, and quite a cool thing to do....
Thursday, May 13, 2004
How to avoid and what to do if stranded?
---
I carry front and rear tubes, patch kit, hand pump, CO2, a 12V mini
compressor (Campbell Hausfield - Harbor Freight <$15), tire irons, and
the all important crescent wrench for the front axle. Pull off your
rear tire and tube using only the tools you carry on board while at
home to learn how and instill confidence for the unexpected trail side
fix. I also carry water, food, matches, headlamp, backpack and hiking
boots for walk out situations. I also carry the cell phone, a GPS and
subscribe to a motorcycle towing service as other possible solutions
to avoid being stranded (for too long anyways).
Jim
A-15
---
Obviously, I'm going to have to work a little more on my strategy...
---
I carry front and rear tubes, patch kit, hand pump, CO2, a 12V mini
compressor (Campbell Hausfield - Harbor Freight <$15), tire irons, and
the all important crescent wrench for the front axle. Pull off your
rear tire and tube using only the tools you carry on board while at
home to learn how and instill confidence for the unexpected trail side
fix. I also carry water, food, matches, headlamp, backpack and hiking
boots for walk out situations. I also carry the cell phone, a GPS and
subscribe to a motorcycle towing service as other possible solutions
to avoid being stranded (for too long anyways).
Jim
A-15
---
Obviously, I'm going to have to work a little more on my strategy...
Wednesday, May 12, 2004
Traffic School
Nice to be done and just in case someone else has to do the same:
Dale!
Great job on your traffic school course.
We hope you enjoyed your online traffic school program. Most of our
business comes from referrals from recent students... like you! If you enjoyed
our program, we encourage you to pass our information on to your friends,
family, and co-workers. If you know someone who can benefit from our online
traffic school program, send them this link and they will save 5 dollars off
our regular course price!
Course Discount
If you have any questions for us, remember that you can reach us toll
free at 800-800-3579. Thanks again for choosing our program. Please drive
safely.
Sincerely,
The Traffic School Online Team
Dale (I plan to)
/out
Nice to be done and just in case someone else has to do the same:
Dale!
Great job on your traffic school course.
We hope you enjoyed your online traffic school program. Most of our
business comes from referrals from recent students... like you! If you enjoyed
our program, we encourage you to pass our information on to your friends,
family, and co-workers. If you know someone who can benefit from our online
traffic school program, send them this link and they will save 5 dollars off
our regular course price!
Course Discount
If you have any questions for us, remember that you can reach us toll
free at 800-800-3579. Thanks again for choosing our program. Please drive
safely.
Sincerely,
The Traffic School Online Team
Dale (I plan to)
/out
Monday, May 10, 2004
Lois is my heroine!
I just found and read Lois's story about a year traveling from Alaska to the tip of South America on a rather small dual-purpose motorcycle. As she said very well, she was trulyon the loose! I wish I had met her on the road as she apparently came through my area last year about the time I picked up my KLR from the bay area. Next time...
I just found and read Lois's story about a year traveling from Alaska to the tip of South America on a rather small dual-purpose motorcycle. As she said very well, she was truly
Saturday, May 08, 2004
Foothill Ride
I headed up highway 4 in the early afternoon after noticing a small road to a lookout that I had never noticed before. I never did find it but had a couple of nice side trips in an area I've passed many times. Got some good gravel, rutted road practice in for summer sierra rides to come. I managed to put about 120 miles and avoid most of the heavy traffic by sticking to my backroad "shortcuts". Great fun but I must get the bike into the shop to check over and tune up. That will be the plan for this coming week if I can get a day off.
Meanwhile, for some serious riding adventure, and disaster Ride of the Heart I hope to learn more about this brave woman who rides a KLR around the world and survived a worse accident than mine.
I headed up highway 4 in the early afternoon after noticing a small road to a lookout that I had never noticed before. I never did find it but had a couple of nice side trips in an area I've passed many times. Got some good gravel, rutted road practice in for summer sierra rides to come. I managed to put about 120 miles and avoid most of the heavy traffic by sticking to my backroad "shortcuts". Great fun but I must get the bike into the shop to check over and tune up. That will be the plan for this coming week if I can get a day off.
Meanwhile, for some serious riding adventure, and disaster Ride of the Heart I hope to learn more about this brave woman who rides a KLR around the world and survived a worse accident than mine.
Monday, May 03, 2004
First Big Ride in May
Well, I gave myself a mission today and left early after going over the bike lightly yesterday. I need to get it in for a tune-up beyond my limited abilities but decided that would have to wait since I haven't been able to ride for two weeks now.
I was out the door before 7 and down I-5 to old highway 33. I wanted to make tracks down near Fresno to check out some areas that are related to a hot subject at work now. That went well and 33 is generally a nice ride when you want a feeling for what the valley used to be like. I didn't have a camera on the trip but learned how to carry and use my binocs without removing my helmet. After I finished at Mendota Wildlife area, I headed for the Panoche Hills again and this time I took the turn to New Idria and found a nice ride waiting. The small twisty paved road is rough but fun. The last mile or two is enough to keep some out. I'm glad I made it as it had been too long. The mining town is boarded up but there was a shady bench waiting for me and lunch hit the spot before I took off. I saw lots of wildlife on the road including a long-tailed weasel, coyote, and much more. Dodged a lot of squirrels too.
The temp continued to rise and I had to go on reserve and take a detour to Tracy to gas up. That added a few miles to the day and I came back at about 375 total. The bike did fine but should get some going over now that summer seems to be here.
Dale
/back to work today
Well, I gave myself a mission today and left early after going over the bike lightly yesterday. I need to get it in for a tune-up beyond my limited abilities but decided that would have to wait since I haven't been able to ride for two weeks now.
I was out the door before 7 and down I-5 to old highway 33. I wanted to make tracks down near Fresno to check out some areas that are related to a hot subject at work now. That went well and 33 is generally a nice ride when you want a feeling for what the valley used to be like. I didn't have a camera on the trip but learned how to carry and use my binocs without removing my helmet. After I finished at Mendota Wildlife area, I headed for the Panoche Hills again and this time I took the turn to New Idria and found a nice ride waiting. The small twisty paved road is rough but fun. The last mile or two is enough to keep some out. I'm glad I made it as it had been too long. The mining town is boarded up but there was a shady bench waiting for me and lunch hit the spot before I took off. I saw lots of wildlife on the road including a long-tailed weasel, coyote, and much more. Dodged a lot of squirrels too.
The temp continued to rise and I had to go on reserve and take a detour to Tracy to gas up. That added a few miles to the day and I came back at about 375 total. The bike did fine but should get some going over now that summer seems to be here.
Dale
/back to work today
