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Aug 1 09 8:30 AM
Date Joined: 06/28/07
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Aug 2 09 7:13 PM
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Aug 3 09 1:00 PM
HSATF Contributor
Aug 3 09 1:42 PM
alepel wrote: I'm certain that those of us who went to Elkins this year are still reflecting on the trip and the event. I lay down to go to sleep, and keep replaying bits of conversations, or parts of the ride, or things we saw...good memories, all! On this trip I dwealt with more twisties than I had ever experienced before. ......I began to realize as I was riding following Gary (guns90) that the twisties were becoming more and more automatic to me. I transitioned from one turn into the next without thinking. As I was following Gary it got into my head that I could turn sharper and sharper. ......So with each successive turn we went into and out of the more I "felt" my turns. Regrettably I never scrapped a running board, which was almost a disappointment in a way. It's coming though....I can feel it. It took me a bit to get back into the swing of the twisties, cuz I hadn't ridden much this year...then all of a sudden, I was "one" with my bike again. That moment of epiphany was like a glorious sun breaking through the clouds on a rainy day! I also worked on weight-shifting techniques in the turns. I used to want to scrape my boards, just once, for the experience...now I don't care if I ever do, I am just enjoying the ride! I took two days to ride down to Elkins. About 300 miles the first day and about 150 the second day. But coming home I rode the whole 450 miles in one day. Eleven hours to be exact and in some terrible downpours. But I learned that my stock T seat was reasonable comfortable, as long as I was making my gas stops every 100 miles. It was an eye-opening experience for me to travel that far and for that long. Yes it was slabway all the way home, but that had its advantages. Next year for Beckley I'm going to slabway all the way down and back and then enjoy the twisties when I get there. You really amazed me with that 11-hour ride home in less-than-ideal conditions, my friend! I know that this trip instilled some long-distance confidence in you, and I betcha you're going to be taking more long trips. I found that in really hot weather I've got to have an alternative to a leather jacket. I'm going to have to spend some of my children's inheritance and buy me a Tourmaster Air Intake II textile jacket. I may even do like I saw a few people doing at Elkins and carry two helmets. A full face modular and a 3/4. Love that wind in my face. I think it's important to be both comfortable and safe. If you're not comfortable, you are a distracted rider, which is unsafe. Get that jacket and a helmet and ride like the wind! I remember on the ride down to Elkins listening to the sounds of riding. I was able to separate the growling sounds to those of the wind coming through the Windshield around the headlight and the sound of the tires. In the past these sounds were just a growling in my ears but without knowing what was doing all of this. I also remember listening to the engine. I remember that after about 8 hours of riding on the first day that the engine ran exactly the same in the final hours as it did in the beginning. It sounded strong and dependable. I am truly impressed with the V-twin of the Tourer. I love the sounds you hear on the road...also all the smells. Riding is such a sensual experience - sights, sounds, smells, sometimes you can even taste the wind (like when you get behind a manure truck). Now this one is a tough one for me to admit. I found it difficult or maybe even impossible to stop and take pictures. I had my camera with me. A camera I specifically purchased so that it would be easy and convenient for me to carry while riding so that I could take pictures. But I didn't do that on this trip. It seemed to me that I was so possessed to "getting there" that I would not take the time to stop. It's not that I forgot to stop....I saw plenty of opportunties to take some really great photographs, but just didn't take them. I think part of the problem with this is that I lack the trust in my motorcycle to allow distractions from my "getting there". My mind says to me keep going, keep going, don't stop until you get there and then you can relax. Do any of you ever feel this way also? I am severely disappointed in you, Alain!! I expected at least 100 pics from your journey! But I know what you mean. Even when John has me ride in front so that I can stop and take pics, I rarely stop. The best thing I ever did was to add that camera mount so I can just click as I ride without feeling like I'm holding up the show by stopping. Even though John says it's fine to stop, I always feel like I need to rush and get back on the bike (that's my issue, not his). I was just so eager to get to the rally and meet everyone, I didn't take time to stop and smell the roses along the way. Admitting this, for both of us, is a good start, don't you think? I realized that my 10 year old tire that still has a lot of tread left on it, is showing it's age. It's got to be replaced soon. TEN years??? Even with tread left, that thing can not be safe to ride on. I realized that try as I might I'm never going to find that 6th gear. BWAHAHAHA - I think that goes for all of us!!!! I also realized that you can feel the decals on Dawn's gas tank. That young hillbillie is lucky I didn't cold-cock him! LOLOL! Decals...ridges...*sigh* And he's supposedly a painter. BAH! I realized that Frankie needs a push/push sticker on the door of his wood shed. That's some funny shizzit right there - we've told that story to sooooo many folks already! I realized the Ken (firefighterkp) is the only man I've ever seen who eats every piece of a prime rib and probably licks the plate when no one is looking. John cleaned his plate of the prime rib, too - I couldn't believe it!! I realized that when we're looking for the Honda Dealership, Johnnyhonda only wants you to think he is lost when he really knows where he's going, or thinks he does, kinda, sorta. We did get to see all of Elkins that day so that was good.....right? *snicker* How were we to know that "33" meant "OLD 33", or that there even WAS an "old 33"? Gee, were you bored at work, or smoking some wackybacky on your lunch break? This was like reading War and Peace!!!
Posts: 9976
Member Since: 12/09/01
Aug 3 09 4:24 PM
alepel wrote: Here are a few thoughts I have. This was a really long trip for me on motorcycle. 450 miles one way. Now that may not seem like a lot to most of you, but it was my first time going such a distance. There always has to be a first time for everything and for me this was it. And what it did was to dis-spell a lot of fears I had about riding alone and for very far with issues about my back and whether I could travel so far. Isn't it great when you learn you can do things you did not know you could do? ...I just automatically realized that I could turn as sharply and I wouldn't fall on the ground. Now this one is a tough one for me to admit. I found it difficult or maybe even impossible to stop and take pictures. I had my camera with me. A camera I specifically purchased so that it would be easy and convenient for me to carry while riding so that I could take pictures. But I didn't do that on this trip. It seemed to me that I was so possessed to "getting there" that I would not take the time to stop. It's not that I forgot to stop....I saw plenty of opportunties to take some really great photographs, but just didn't take them. I think part of the problem with this is that I lack the trust in my motorcycle to allow distractions from my "getting there". My mind says to me keep going, keep going, don't stop until you get there and then you can relax. Do any of you ever feel this way also? Alain, Alain, Alain, what are we going to do with you? It does not matter if you make if you make it to your destination, as long as you get the shot. Isn' that what your editor tells you? I realized that the T rally has got to be one of the best events you could possibly image. The locations are beautiful. The people are the best and the friendliest you could imagine. I dare to say that if you experienced one of these events you'd be hooked. So true... Many, many profound things were said that weekend, but one in particular I remember (and can repeat). I believe it was said by Fred (Fredrider). "This is the one place where you don't have to convince everyone how great the Tourer really is"! I did not say this, but I do believe it. I also realized that I've got to get me one of those ultra bright stop lights like tonythecarguy and guns90 have. Damn those things sure get your attention. I am thinking the same thing. I realized that Fred (Fredrider) has slowed down his speed through the twisties, but that was only from 60 mph to 59 mph. He wants the others to be able to catch up. I promised the missus I would not crash.
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Aug 3 09 10:27 PM
Aug 4 09 6:59 AM
Aug 4 09 7:19 AM
bamaTrider wrote: Alepel wrote; My windshield that I had been bragging about being over sized and protective faired poorly in the rain. I've got to go back to the stock windshield or cut my ClearView down so that my visor gets some draft to clear the rain. ************************************************************************************* You don't have to cut down your windshield, you just need to buy yourself a wiper that fits onto your index finger. You use you finger wiper to clear your face shield when needed. http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/product_catalog/Product.jsp?skuId=&store=&catId=&productId=p3407619&leafCatId=&mmyId= http://www.getgeared.co.uk/Glove_Rain_Wiper
Posts: 786
Member Since: 10/08/04
Aug 4 09 9:01 AM
Date Joined: 10/08/04
Aug 4 09 11:19 AM
fedspaz wrote: Alain, I'll never tell what's under my "Stitch" And for the right price, I might show what's under that red suit.....
Uuuhhhh....like anybody really wants to know. Well maybe Gary. I noticed he was willing to trade you one of his sandwiches for a peek.
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Member Since: 05/29/06
Aug 4 09 1:05 PM
Aug 4 09 7:27 PM
Gary, So glad to hear you are having the time of your life in spite of the personal rain cloud that follows you wherever you ride. You are not the Rain God per chance, are you? Can you name the 141 types of rain? Loved the pictures. Thanks.
Aug 4 09 8:10 PM
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Aug 4 09 8:49 PM
Aug 5 09 6:46 AM
Aug 5 09 11:49 AM
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Member Since: 03/20/07
Aug 5 09 8:27 PM
Date Joined: 03/20/07HSATF Contributor
alepel wrote: I realized that Brian must have failed erector sets as a kid, because he can't put anything back together correctly.
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Member Since: 04/07/09
Aug 5 09 8:37 PM
Date Joined: 03/19/09
Aug 6 09 2:17 AM
Aug 6 09 7:21 AM
brian bock wrote: alepel wrote: I realized that Brian must have failed erector sets as a kid, because he can't put anything back together correctly. Alain, I hope you're wrong about me.
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