Changes At Home

The past 3 weeks have been very eventful around the Wolf's Lair.  It started with my garage door going belly up and trapping my motorcycle inside.  That however, is the worst of it.  The rest has been nothing but good news!



The contractors have just about finished putting a new roof on the house.  It's a beautiful dark oak shingle with a flat black trim to compliment the white trim that goes around the house.  It looks absolutely fantastic and has been long overdue.  Along with the roof, they also replaced two sky lights that had been damaged this year in a hail storm. We've all heard horror stories about contractors, but so far this group has been really great.  Incredibly respectful and open about what they're doing. 

Along with the roof and sky lights, we are also have a couple of walls replaced in the house due to water damage.  The entire wall where the fireplace sits has been gutted and beams have been replaced.  And one of the walls in our bedroom has also been gutted and repaired.  We are hoping to have the new drywall installed next week.  We're taking this opportunity to remove the wallpaper in our bedroom because we hope to start painting our room after the contractors finish.

With all of this construction going on, our bedroom and living room are a mess.  All of the furniture has been moved around, covered with plastic tarp, and everything has a constant coating of dust and debris.  As annoying and inconvenient as this is, we aren't going to rush the process.  So far these guys are doing a good job and are going above and beyond to repair any damage as they find it.  But we hope everything returns to normal soon.  My wife and I have shared ideas on how to rearrange all of our furniture and start everything fresh for the coming new year.  I'm really excited about it and can't wait to get started.

We decided to revamp our bathroom this weekend.  Removing the wallpaper in our bedroom is easy, but our bathroom is a different story.  The guy who installed this stuff did one hell of a job.  The wallpaper steamer is doing a great job thankfully, but it's a slow process.  We had hoped that the bathroom wallpaper would come off in sheets just like out bedroom, but this stuff is like pulling scrap paper out of a spiral notebook.  Tiny strips, and it leaves the residue and glue on the walls, so we have to go over the same spot 3-4 times.  But we're getting there. Slowly but surely.

For now, it's a waiting game.  Once the contractors have finished, the next task will be the living room floor.  We all hope this will be the last major repair that's required for a while.  The future is looking bright, and I hope it continues to get better.

-James

Dad's 67th

Yesterday would have been my dad's 67th birthday.  He passed away this past March while riding home from Daytona Beach, he was less than 2 miles from home when a drunk driver turned left in front of him and my dad hit the back of the truck.  This being the first birthday since his passing, my family and I got together at my brother's house in Jacksonville for "Denny-Fest 2014" to celebrate and remember my dad, but also to get together again since we haven't all been together since the funeral.  The most beautiful experience from yesterday was meeting my baby nephew Luke for the very first time. 

It was a beautiful gathering of family and friends with great food and drinks.  We played some cornhole and ended the day with all of us gathering around the fire pit to say a few words for dad, and then we commemorated some of his ashes to the fire. He impacted all of us, and the stories told yesterday around that fire pit was a perfect example of how we've all become who we are today because of his encouragement and his guidance.  Dad wasn't right about everything, but it was a sure bet that the things he would say ended up coming true down the road.  I miss him.  We all miss him. 

The gathering yesterday has helped rekindle my desire for the Triumph Tiger.  The first hurdle will be to get the bike from my mom's place over to the shop.  The tires aren't roadworthy and the brake system needs to be rebuilt. That, combined with having limited space at my house to store the bike, has kept the Triumph on the back burner.  But after seeing how my sister fixed up my dad's Mustang, I'm not inclined to keep treading water anymore.  I'm going to be realistic and incredibly budget conscious.  As much as I want to take the bike to my shop with a blank check and say "fix it", I know that just won't work because I don't have the resources to do that (most people don't). I am so blessed to have the full support of my wife on this project and I couldn't be happier about that.  I hope she enjoys the Triumph just as much as I will.

Dad, you were a great man and I know you are with us all of the time.  Your stories are retold over and over by friends and family, and everyone loves you.  I can't wait to get this Triumph up and running so the next family gathering we have, I'll be able to ride out to it, and I know you'll be riding with me.


Ride safe, everyone. Please.

-James

EPCOT Food & Wine Festival - Disney World 2014

Last Saturday I ventured down to Orlando for the Food & Wine Festival!


For those who are unaware, Disney Theme Parks in Orlando, Florida throws an annual celebration at EPCOT park to celebrate the food and wine that represents the culture of dozens of countries around the world. 

EPCOT (Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow) is a park dedicated to Walt Disney's understanding of international contributions to the world as a whole.  The name EPCOT inspires the feeling of a futuristic world, and technically, it should.  But what's interesting about EPCOT is the park focuses less on the future, and more on the historical and cultural contributions of the main countries featured around the World Showcase:  Mexico, China, Norway, Germany, China, United States, Canada, France, Morocco, Italy, England, & Africa (the continent is represented in this case).

The festival runs from September 19th through November 10th.  Not only are all of these countries represented, but more countries are added for visitors to enjoy local cuisines.  This year, Greece, Puerto Rico, South Korea, Philippines, Poland are among the dozens of nations represented in custom food stands & booths around the park.

Thousands of people enjoy all of the food and wine they're willing to purchase.  Many people consider it a challenge and even go as far as making group t-shirts for "Eating & Drinking Around The World" and they check off the countries as they go.   It's really quite an experience and it is the perfect example of how Walt Disney World isn't just for kids.  In fact, EPCOT is the most adult-oriented theme park Disney has to offer.  Multiple 4 and 5 star restaurants represent the finer things in life for those adults looking for a nice escape from the daily hustle. 

My wife and I are annual Disney passholders and are certainly Disney "veterans".  The Food & Wine Festival is the highlight of our Disney trips and we are lucky to be able to experience it as often as we do.

-James

A Change In The Biker Community

Good afternoon!

I would like to address something I've noticed lately concerning the motorcycle community.  This of course is just my opinion.  I'd like to know how other riders feel about this, so be sure to let me know what you think.

A few weeks ago when my wife and I ventured to Daytona Beach, Florida for Biketoberfest, I couldn't help but notice that most bikers seem less friendly these days.  The respect and acknowledgement that bikers have for each other seems to be dwindling. 

In my opinion, it's protocol for a biker to nod their head or throw a wave to a fellow biker as they cross paths as a sign of acknowledgement and respect.  Driving a motorcycle sets you apart from other drivers on the road.  In a sense, it is a brotherhood.  Of course there are more distinguished groups of bikers in Motorcycle Clubs who have their own rules and regulations, but even for those MC members, is nodding to your fellow rider not a classic gesture?

On our Daytona trip, only a handful of the hundreds of bikers we encountered responded to our gestures.  I certainly understand everything is situational.  If it's not a safe time to take your hands off the controls, then of course don't do it, but I take issue with those bikers who act as if it's beneath them to return acknowledgement. 

My father used to avoid waving to other bikers on the highway, and one day I asked him why.  His answer was simple: 'Why should I risk my life by taking my hand off the controls at speed just to wave to someone? My life is more important.'  He certainly brought up a valid point, but I don't believe that is the mind set of every biker on the road, especially if you consider a large number of riders don't even wear basic protective gear.

I've also noticed an increase in wreckless and careless driving practices on the road.  If I'm at a stop light, I have no problem if another motorcyclist pulls up next to me and waits for the green light, but I have a huge problem with bikers who drive really close to me or directly beside me in the same lane. In my opinion, that is a blatant disreguard to my personal safety and to theirs as well.  What happens if I end up having to swerve or God forbid I lay down the bike?  I'm going to take out the other motorcycle as well.  Or if they have to make a quick adjustment, I could be killed or seriously injured.  There needs to be a basic understanding of the environment and riding conditions, and I don't feel many bikers have that.  Basic motorcycle etiquette is at an all time low.

My final argument derives from the type of motorcycles/motorcyclists I see on America's roadways.  Harley-Davidson.  I get it, they're America's classic motorcycle manufacturer and nothing screams red, white, and blue more than an American motorcycle.  I actually take issue with this. It isn't the fact that they ride a Harley, it's the manner in which they do it, and how they carry themselves.  I am annoyed by massive motorcycles covered in hundreds of dollars of chrome accessories on the road, being ridden by people who are more or less trying to create this "image" of what a motorcycle rider should look like.  No helmets, faux leather vests on 900 pound monster Harley's with massive body panels, sometimes blasting their music down the road. It's almost as if they're going for this "look", they all look the exact same, and don't have any regard for their personal safety, or for the safety of others (based on how they ride).  That, combined with how they present themselves on the road - arrogant, cocky, as my dad would say "king shit on turd island".  When in reality, they really look foolish, ignorant, and many of them are really assholes.

One of my best friends from my military days rides a Harley, and my father-in-law owns a Road King.  I've driven them, and I'm presenting my argument based off facts and experience.  I do see their appeal, especially for long rides or cross-country adventures.  But the attitude and personality of the bikers is changing for the worse.  The belief that a person must be a "bad ass" to ride because of chrome accessories on an enormous bike is incredibly elementary.  I own a 2008 Kawasaki Versys and a 1976 Triumph Tiger 750, but because I don't own a Sherman tank on 2 wheels, myself and others find ourselves looked down upon and shunned by these new upstart bikers who don't know the first thing about quality motorcycle sportsmanship.

I'm interested in hearing the opinions from other riders out there.  Is my view on this subject to be considered "old school"? Or does anyone else feel the same way? 


-James

 

St. Augustine Sunday

To cap off an incredible weekend, my wife and I spent Sunday in St. Augustine.  Following a 3-day weekend that consisted of movies on Friday, & Biketoberfest in Daytona Beach on Saturday, we mounted up and headed north to St. Augustine.

For those who don't know, St. Augustine is the oldest city in the United States.  Founded by the Spanish in 1565, it consists of incredible architectured buildings, a beautiful college, and the very famous Castillo de San Marcos - a 17th Century Spanish fort with an incredible history.  Find out more on Castillo de San Marcos by checking out the National Park Service link here.

The history of St. Augustine is one that is unmatched in the United States.  The area held firm for hundreds of years as a Spanish outpost, then as a staging point for British forces during the American Revolutionary War.  If you enjoy history, you need to visit St. Augustine!

Even though it is a college town, St. Augustine's primary source of income is tourism.  Cobblestone streets, horse drawn carriages, and a wide variety of food gives visitors that old town feel, while providing excellent modern amenities. Again, my wife and I met up with her sister and her husband for a new adventure.  We decided it'd be best to take a car this time rather than the motorcycle.  After a long day of riding the previous day, our butts couldn't handle it (literally).

St. Augustine is an enjoyable city with much to offer.  One of the most haunted buildings in America, the St. Augustine Lighthouse, is only a few miles from the main tourist hub.  The Alligator Farm is also nearby, giving visitors up close and personal experiences with alligators (yes, this is the same Alligator Farm featured on the TV show "Gator Boys").

At the suggestion of my brother-in-law, we traveled to Gaufre's & Goods Polish & Greek Restaurant, a literal "hole in the wall" cafe with an incredible atmosphere, food selection, service, and pricing.  We enjoyed a great bottle of Romanian wine, alone with shameless amounts of food.  I myself had boiled meat and cheese piorgies and a cup of cold Borstch.  So delicious!

 

Following lunch, we immediately headed towards the San Sabastian Winery.  Only a few blocks away, certainly walking distance, we enjoyed good conversation until we found ourselves doing some wine tasting.  I'm the first to admit that I'm a light weight.  I get drunk rather easily, and I don't pretend otherwise.  My wife and I enjoy the occasional beer or wine (I enjoy Vodka, rum, & whiskey), but we never find ourselves in a situation where we're just throwing back booze like it's water.  But on this day, we found ourselves sucking down more alcohol than we have in a very long time. 

The wine tasting was an incredible experience, and as we were leaving, I found the world around me slowing down as the alochol hit me.  Wine is one of those funny things that doesn't seem to be doing much until it hits you all at once.  After 3 glasses at lunch and sampling 9 wines at the winery, my world entered slow motion (and it was barely noon!). Regardless, we helped ourselves to two bottles of wine to bring home and enjoy in the future. You know, support your local economy!

As the animated bubbles of booze popped above my head from a strong buzz, we marched onward to the St. Augustine distillery!  As if wine wasn't doing me in, I was going to mix liquor on top of it.  Oh what smart decisions, right?  Well, thankfully as we awaited the start of the next tour, the heavy clouds of drunkeness began to clear, and my world returned to normal.  After a short walking tour of the distillery, we sampled some mixed drinks of Vodka and Gin.  Once again, we purchased a bottle of booze, St. Augustine sugar cane Vodka, to take home.  I'm telling ya, you must support your local economy!   As we paid, the cashier swiped my driver's license in her computer.  Florida State Law only allows 2 purchases from distilleries per year, per driver's license.  Good ol' government putting an economic growth limit on local businesses.  I think that's a ridiculous mandate.

Following our visit to the distillery, food was on our mind once again.  We made our way back to the center of town taking side streets to avoid heavy traffic.  We found ourselves at a Greek restaurant with beautiful hand painted & air brushed murals, and enjoyed a nice plate of Saganaki - A mixture of alcohol and cheese, set ablaze to carmelize on top.  A quick, yet delicious snack for the late afternoon.   



We enjoyed the evening air as the temperature began to drop. A nice leisurely walk through the main tourist street brought us to another wine tasting event where we sipped casually on some raspberry, blueberry, & coconut wine among others.

 

While deciding what to eat for dinner, we stopped by a shop that offered olive oil and vinaigrette tastings along with a bar that offered various alcoholic & coffee beverages.  We sat down inside and watched the world outside turn dark. 

For dinner, we ended up venturing next door to the Centro Piano Bar.  The atmosphere was pleasant, but the biggest challenge was enjoying dinner with family while having to listen to a terrible singer.  The guy could play the piano very well, but was an awful singer.  His voice reminded me of Burt Bacharach, which isn't a bad thing, but his attempts at singing Billy Joel, Elton John and Journey were thwarted by the fact that he didn't know all of the lyrics to the songs, and he kept trying to hit notes that were clearly out of his vocal range.  It really was quite a chore having to endure it.  He sang for about 2 hours straight.  Only 4 other people came into the Piano Bar during our visit, and that lack of attendance might be contributed to the fact that a tone-deaf piano player was the nightly entertainment.  Considering the overpriced menu and less than desireable entertainment, I don't foresee that restaurant staying open much longer. 

But our service was excellent, the food was good (albeit still overpriced), and the Sangria we shared was absolutely phenominal.



After dinner we parted ways and headed home.  It was a great weekend spent with family that we don't get to see very often.  Between Biketoberfest in Daytona on Saturday & St. Augustine on Sunday, I was incredibly exhausted once we headed home Sunday night.  But it was certainly worth it.

-James

Biketoberfest 2014

This past Saturday, my wife and I were laying in bed in the late morning.  Having stayed up until almost 2 AM the previous night playing video games & watching TV, we certainly enjoyed the extra sleep.  We've been wanting to take a ride up to St. Augustine the past few weeks, but could never get the timing right, or when we did, I didn't feel up to the drive.  As we laid there still half asleep, browsing Facebook, Twitter, & other oddities, my wife's sister called and asked if we'd like to meet them in Daytona Beach for Biketoberfest.  I didn't even know the festivities had begun, so I was surprised.

Since the passing of my father this past March, my sister-in-law & her husband (both avid motorcyclists) have hounded me to meet up with them to take a ride together, but this being Florida, it's been way too hot or too wet to take them up on their offer.  The weather on Saturday, however, was flawless.  So I said "let's do it".  They live in Jacksonville but had already arrived in Daytona when they called us.  We quickly got ready and were out the door by 11:30.  Our trip took about 2 1/2 hours, with the majority of the journey taking us through the Ocala National Forest on Highway 40.

This past weekend was also Homecoming for the University of Florida in my hometown of Gainesville.  Traffic was a complete nightmare, and our route South took us directly by campus.  Naturally we were stopped by every traffic light, drunk college student, and city bus you could imagine.  Multiple instances of hard breaking met us head on before we even got out of the city.  Certainly not an enjoyable experience.  Once we got out of the city however, the roads cleared drastically.

Thankfully, the posted speed limits on the road to Daytona are reasonable.  65mph with drops to 45mph through the smaller towns along the way.  Taking after my father, I tend to travel about 10 over the speed limit if conditions allow for it; and on this day, it certainly allowed for it.  Traffic wasn't bad at all as we headed towards the coast.  While in the Ocala National Forest, I caught up with group of other motorcycles and I figured there was safety in numbers, so I decided to stay with them until they peeled off.  I have never made the drive myself.  In fact, the last time I went to Daytona, was for Bike Week in 2003! Back then, I was the ripe old age of 13. 

The trip down was a pleasant one, ran into many different bikes both coming and going.  We even passed a 2009 Kawasaki Versys! I was so excited because I have never seen another Versys on the road.  It was certainly a great surprise to pass one.  As we drew closer to Daytona, the traffic volume dramatically increased - primarily the number of bikes on the road.

The economy in Daytona is strongly tied to the motorcycle & auto racing communities.  The majority of bars, shops, hotels & restaurants are only open a few weeks out of the year to cater to the tens of thousands of bikers and spectators that come in from all around the world during these events.  They are able to generate enough revenue during these that they are free to do other things during the year.  Not too long ago, local politicians and city leaders tried to put an end to the Bike Week & Biketoberfest festivities because they didn't think it gave the city a clean reputation. Needless to say, that proposed legislation was met with powerful opposition from business owners and locals because without Bike Week & Biketoberfest, the only other big money maker is NASCAR.  Thankfully, the locals persevered and the motorcycle festivities continue!  Daytona doesn't completely throw respect out of the window, they ask for our support in return.  Signs everywhere say "Welcome back, bikers!", "Ride Safe", "Ride Quietly", etc..  It's only fair that the locals asks for respect from the motorcycle community, Daytona is opening up their doors to thousands of strangers every year offering some of the greatest biker experiences East of the Mississippi River.  As civilized people, and as adults, we should be courteous and respectful.

The locals are always welcoming to the motorcycle community.  Of course they don't want a bunch of foolishness in their city.  As long as the majority of Bike Week & Biketoberfest visitors continue to be respectful and supportive of the local community, I don't foresee drastic changes coming about.  I also have to acknowledge the Daytona Police Department and their policies towards these events.  As long as people aren't being completely ridiculous, they've been really easy going.  There will always be those cases of fights, wreckless driving and such, but they're fairly tolerant to the daily events that occur. I also couldn't help but notice some of the motorcycle cops were riding on Suzuki V-Strom 1000s.  It was quite a scene to see matte gray & black police bikes on the road.  They easily blend in with the crowd.

We met up with the family at the BMW-Ducati-Triumph dealership, exchanged pleasantries & decided where we should eat. 

We followed their lead and had lunch at the Oyster Pub a few blocks away off A1A.  Not too many positive things to say about the Pub, as the service was somewhat inconsistent and the food was average.  However, we were just so hungry that we didn't really gripe too much.  It did however have a great atmosphere and the staff was pleasant, even if they were a tad spacey.

After a late lunch, we walked a few store fronts over and enjoyed some Turkish coffee at a Hookah Bar owned by a friend of my sister-in-law's husband.  Great guy, great shop, & if we could've stayed longer, I definitely would have enjoyed some Hookah.  Unfortunately, I made the mistake of not packing my clear helmet visor & I wasn't about to risk driving the entire trip home in the dark with a blacked out visor.   We had to cut our Biketoberfest adventure short after only a few hours. 

Traffic was heavy on the return trip home, and there were plenty of foolish (& probably drunk) bikers that made parts of the trip unnerving.  I heard of one fatality, hopefully there weren't more.

Overall, my first experience with Biketoberfest was a great one.  I enjoy the ride down to Daytona, and I appreciate the concept of bikers coming together for various events.  It will be a mad house, but perhaps next time I'll venture towards International Drive & the International Speedway.  That would certainly bring back great memories.

Ride safe.

-James

Georgia On My Mind

I apologize for the delay, this post was supposed to be added last week, but life intervened.  You all know how that goes.

On October 11, my wife and I threw on our gear and headed up to Georgia.

Initially, our plan was to ride to St. Augustine and enjoy the Atlantic Coast.  However, due to a late start, we decided to remain inland and travel up to Georgia.  Couldn't ask for better weather on our journey, high of 83 with a nice breeze, few clouds. 

To start out our trip, we had lunch in nearby High Springs at The Diner.  Throughout my childhood, this restaurant changed ownership a couple of times.  When I was in high school it was known as Floyd's Diner - a 1950's classic cafe.  It still maintains that 50's vibe today, with reasonable prices and a decent menu.

After lunch, we proceeded North on US HWY 441.  The plan was to take 441 all the way up to Georgia, passing through Lake City, White Springs, & Jasper.  The traffic was fairly light, especially for a Saturday.  Only ran into trouble as we entered Lake City, there's always that one driver who doesn't understand the concept of cruise control on their vehicle, and they continuously sped up & slowed down. This particular vehicle kept crawling up my back side and then dropping off.  I wasn't in a rush, nor was I going too slow or too fast.  Just kept going 65, but pulled off once I got into town to allow him to pass me.  I wasn't interested in having to deal with that.

The country side really opened up just north of Lake City, limited traffic allowed my wife and I to take in the sights.  I'm lucky enough to live just south of the Suwannee River Valley, and the geography of that region is very enjoyable.  Crossing the Suwannee & Ichetuknee Rivers almost makes you forget you're in Florida, as the topography gives way to hills and curved roads.  There aren't too many places in Florida like this, & discovering them is a real treat.

North of Lake City is the town of White Springs.  Founded at the turn of the 20th Century, White Springs gives visitors a great experience of "small town USA".  Massive Oak Trees line the roads, with the focal point of the town being the White Springs Bed & Breakfast, which was founded in 1905.  White Springs even comes complete with a volunteer fire department!  While we didn't stop, the sight seeing tour was enjoyable.

It seemed that every "wrong turn" I took lead us to better sights and better roads.  Couldn't go wrong with that trip.  It's a short 2-3 hour trip, but it's a nice way to burn a Saturday afternoon.  The road into Georgia was long and empty on this day, and as I stood there on the State Line, I found myself being drawn into Georgia.  While I didn't really venture across, I stood there looking down that lonely highway wanting to know what's down there.  Where would this road take me?  With nothing but swamps & fields as far as the eye could see, I wonder what was at the end of that lonely highway.  Perhaps one day I'll venture further North to see what lies ahead.

 

 

 



On the way back home, we stopped in Live Oak to stretch our legs & to give our butts a rest. A nice cold slushie from the local Burger King did the trick as we rested in the parking lot under some trees.  If you've lived in Florida as long as I have, you pretty much know where the most enjoyable places are.  Florida has an abundance of small towns, but the majority aren't worth the trip.  The Atlantic Coast is preferrable to the Gulf Coast (in my opinion), even though the Gulf does have a few hidden gems.  Just a quick shot north of Lake City opens up an area of Florida that I find most enjoyable. 

 

 

 

Thanks for reading.  Ride safe.

 

-James

Ready To Ride

I picked up the bike from the shop last Saturday -perfect timing.

The weather has been truly spectactular the past 3 days.  Low's in the upper 40's, reaching 80 degrees at mid day.  Fall seems to be kicking in earlier than usual here in the Sunshine State, and I'm perfectly happy with that!

I had a complete inspection and tune up done on the Versys.  It was due for it's first annual inspection, and it was in the shop for 2 weeks.  The valves weren't too bad, they needed a little adjusting, but barring any unforeseen issues, the bike should be good for another 12-20,000 miles. 

I did an oil change yesterday.  Even though the bike didn't need it, I had to do it.  The last time that oil was changed, my dad and I did it together, and it was the first time I've ever done an oil change.  Yesterday, I changed it to "get over the hump".  I wanted to prove to myself that I can move on after his death and take care of the basic maintenance a motorcycle requires.  I know he was watching me do it, and I hope I made him proud.  The truth is, I broke down in tears after I finished.  There's so much more I wanted to learn from him, I swear he knew everything.  But he gave me the tools (literally) and a good sense of direction to teach myself what I need to know.  I miss him terribly, but he's with me every time I put the helmet on.

The bike is ready to ride.  I look forward to taking it on a long ride some time soon.  The weather looks like it will cooperate this week, so if I'm able to ride to work, I'll be satisfied with that for now.


-James

Xbox, Football, & Other Oddities: When A Motorcyclist Can't Motorcycle

You read that title correctly. 

Since I haven't been able to ride the motorcycle (primarily because it's been too hot, today it's raining, & now the bike is in the shop for the valve inspection), I've been trying to find other things to occupy my time.

Thankfully, I work full time and I've been putting in overtime at the office to catch up on work, and to burn a few hours each week.  I use the term "catch up" lightly, because in HR, you're never really caught up.  I applied for a recently opened position in my department and if I can get it, the door for more growth will be opened.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

If the weather decides to cooperate, I should hopefully be able to use the bike as a daily driver in the next few weeks.  I look forward to being back on two wheels again, and if this Fall is anything like last year, it will truly be fantastic. 

So along with work, I've been playing on my new Xbox One.  My VA Disabled Veteran compensation kicked in, and I picked up the Xbox One as a fun way to kill some time on the weekend.  I've been messing around with the console, personalizing it and such.  It's really quite impressive. I'm an avid gamer and I've spent countless hours with a controller in my hand.  I didn't get the Kinect addition, so I can't give it voice commands, but I'm okay with that.  I'm looking forward to Forza Horizon 2, it truly has the ability to be one of the greatest games I've ever played.  Right now, Red Dead Redemption still holds that title.

Every weekend, I also look forward to football.  I cannot express my satisfaction that football season is finally back.  For college, the Florida Gators are hanging by a thread in terms of being a dangerous team.  Unforunately, that thread is about to break.  The Gators are truly struggling, and since that 2008 BCS Championship team graduated, Florida has truly been disappointing.  We have a history with douche bag, yet legendary coaches.  Steve Spurrier & Urban Meyer have won championships, then lost the support of Gator Nation when they both skipped town under awful circumstances. 

Since I was younger, as my home town Gators struggled, I've always turned to my favorite NFL team, the Pittsburgh Steelers, for solace.  That has backfired in my face for the past 4 seasons, and it looks like that disappointing trend will continue.  Losing Super Bowl 45 to the Packers, losing to my home town hero Tim Tebow & the Denver Broncos in the 2011 Playoffs, then going 8-8 the past two seasons.  It's still too early to tell what will happen this year, but taking into consideration the awful and completely unnecessary loss to Tampa Bay yesterday, it doesn't look good.  Only 1/4 of the way through the season, Pittsburgh can definitely turn things around, but it HAS to happen now.  The defense has way too many holes, Dick LeBeau's 3-4 Zone Blitz scheme doesn't intimidate opponents anymore because it's a one-trick pony that teams have learned to overcome.  For once, the Steelers offense is starting to take a stand, if you don't look into Todd Haley's head scratching play calling, that is.  The Steelers need help.  If they don't make the playoffs this year, the team needs to make some front office changes.  Ben Roethlisberger isn't getting younger, and his window for success is starting to close. 

We're getting a new roof, new tile flooring in the living room, & the fireplace wall is going to be gutted and rebuilt in the next few weeks and it's going to be really nice.  In the mean time, we've begun our decorations for Fall.  Pumpkins and scarecrows are finding themselves scattered around the house and yard.  We're staging the Halloween gear and deciding where to put things.  Just need to decide what I'm wearing for Halloween.  My dogs have already picked their costumes.

 

  -James

Plenty of Down Time Lately

It has been a pretty uneventful few weeks since my last post.

The weather has consistently been hot and rainy, but the mornings are starting out cooler (upper 60s) with slightly lower humidity.  It's still a bit too warm for taking the bike out, but it shouldn't be too long before the motorcycle becomes my daily driver once again!

Speaking of motorcycles, I just dropped mine off at the shop on Saturday to get it's first good tune up and inspection.  It's starting to become "motorcycle season" in Florida again, and I want to make sure the bike is good to go for those long weekend trips I plan on taking.  I also requested a quote for getting my rims powder coated.  I think the bike would look good with black rims instead of the factory silver.

Other than taking the bike to the shop, I haven't been doing much else other than putting in hours at the office.  Mid-late Summer tends to become like Groundhog Day for me as I look foward to Fall.

I should be hearing from my mechanic by the end of the week.  I told him to take as long as he needs, I'm not in a rush.  When I pick up the Versys, I'll have to ask him if he's willing to look at my '76 Triumph.  I look forward to taking that bike out on the road in the future.

I hope for a great riding season this Fall.  I can't wait to be on two wheels again!

-James

The Time Has Come --Inspection Time!

16,271. That's the number of miles on my 2008 Kawasaki Versys 650.  The time has finally come for the valve clearance inspection.  Not only that, I think the bike is due for a good once over.  It's safe to assume the previous owner never gave the bike it's first annual inspection.  Based on the condition of the front tire (bald), and the dead spark plugs when I purchased the bike, it's safe to say the previous owner didn't know what he was doing.  However, since I've owned the bike, it's become quite a wonderful ride.  I can't say that I've been looking forward to this occasion, but with the motor starting to tick and it's mileage building up, the bike needs the investment. 

Just seems that expenses outweigh income.  This is no exception.  The tremendous Florida heat has been a mixed blessing. While I can't take the bike out as often as I'd like, it also allowed the bike to stay in the garage, so I wouldn't have to spend the money earlier (which I didn't have).  In the next couple of weeks, I'll make sure the bike gets the attention it requires.  Hoping the weather begins to cool down soon, so that everything will fall into place, and the bike will be ready to ride as Fall hits the area. 

-James

Update On The Triumph Tiger

Hello, riders.

As many of you know, I have a Triumph Tiger 750 that requires love.  I had stated in a previous post, which you can read here, that I don't want this bike to be a lab rat.  I wanted to take it to a technician who knows vintage Triumphs, and who I would feel comfortable with turning wrenches on it. 

Well, my first stop was my local dealership.  I figured if anyone would have knowledge, or even access to a parts guide, it would be them.  I've had multiple conversations with their head mechanic (who also owns a couple vintage Triumphs of his own) over the past few months about my Kawasaki Versys.  When I met up with him regarding the Tiger, he told me that Triumph Motorcycle Company does not work on, or keep tabs on parts, for motorcycles over 10 years old. 

Why? Today's Triumph Motorcycle isn't our dad's Triumph.  Some guy bought the rights to the name, but that's the only thing left in common with the old Triumphs.  It's sad.  He was genuine enough to tell me that even if they could work on it, he would strongly suggest against it because my Tiger 750 is older than all of the technicians who work for him.  He gave me a couple resources that he uses (British Only being his best recommendation), and offered to give me any help I need.  There are plenty of shops around Florida that claim to know vintage motorcycles, but I was warned about them as well (I won't name them here). 

So I thought that was the end of the road as far as technicians go.  If he wouldn't let his own shop turn wrenches on his bikes, then neither will I.

Going through my dads library of guides, manuals, and such, I found 4 amazing books on Triumphs published in the 60's-80's.  Speed tuning, repair, service, and, rebuilding manuals.  I even found the original owners manual for the Tiger.  I was so excited! That's a gold mine.  If I can get the part numbers off of what I need to replace, I know I can handle the rest.  It is going to be a long process, but that will give me plenty of time to educate myself.  I can't start working on it just yet.  I don't have the space.  But I'll be sure to document my work once I start!

-J

The Florida Summer

Reason number 367 why Florida is not a motorcycle-friendly...the rain.

 

Florida is unique in that when the weather forecast predicts "30% chance of rain", it doesn't mean "It might rain", it means "It's always raining, there's just a 30% chance that it'll be in your area."  Which of course means "you're going to get wet."  By default, it's always a 30% minimum chance of rain in Florida during the summer.  You'll almost never see it below that from mid June-September.

 

 

Florida doesn't have your average weather patterns.  Of course every state is going to have their own various versions of this proclamation, but seriously, unless you've lived or tried to vacation here, you won't understand just how accurate that statement is. 

 



 



Now sure, you may say "eh, it's just a little rain. Stop whining." But one thing you must understand, is that it isn't "just a little rain."  Florida is the lightning capital of the world.  More people are struck by lightning per-capita in the Sunshine State than anywhere else. When these storms hit, they spring up quickly, and even though they may not stay in the area for more than a few hours, they dump enormous amounts of water, standing water develops quickly on the roads, and many times the accompanying wind can topple trees and power poles.  Visibility drops pretty quickly as well. To make the issue worse, the cool water hitting hot surfaces such as roads causes enormous amounts of steam, which further lowers visibility.

 

 

What causes such powerful storms? The answer is simple: Florida's high heat and humidity, combined with being a peninsula, is a perfect recipe for powerful thunderstorms.  Native Floridians have learned to practically set our watches for the daily storms.  It's guaranteed to be raining by 3pm every day.  There are occasions when the storms roll through and cause a temporary lull in the high temperatures, but most of the time the sun will immediately burst through the cloud cover - turning the region into a sauna. 

  

The humidity level is unreal.  It causes the heat index to be 20-30 degrees higher than the actual temperature.  This is really the primary reason why it's practically impossible to ride your motorcycle in full gear during the summer.  You'll be dying before you leave your driveway.  If your only mode of transportation is a motorcycle, I strongly do not recommend living here.  Another issue to consider - Hurricanes.  But that's for a later post.

There are two sides to this, though.  Even though Summer is the worst time to ride a motorcycle in Florida, the development of these storms offer tremendous beauty.  One could literally watch the Thunder Heads build and turn dark as moisture builds.  Especially in my region of North Central Florida, locations such as Paines Prarie offer beautiful observation points for watching these giants form in the sky. 

 

(This video is NOT mine, credit goes to YT user 5.56NATO.)

Another great experience of these giants are heat lightning storms.  No thunder, no lightning strikes, just incredible shows of cloud lightning.  They happen very frequently during the summer nights. Massive amounts of built up static electricity is released in terrific light shows that stay in the clouds, but it's multiple times per second, and they'll last for many hours. It's really my favorite aspect of Florida, and I have fond memories of going with my dad to open fields at night and watching the lightning from the back of the truck. A magnificent demonstration of nature's power and beauty.

-James

An Eventful Few Days

This past weekend was a weekend of "musts". With my wife returning to school later this month, and hopefully being hired full time,  I will need an alternative method of transportation when the weather doesn't allow for a motorcycle (which in Florida is 90% of the year).

 

She has a 2004 Mazda RX8 that she used to drive in high school, and we also drove it when we were stationed in Norfolk, Virginia.  It's been sitting in the garage since 2011. It's in excellent condition with incredibly low miles (less than 60K).  I'm hoping to use it as a daily driver.

 

 

I went to Advanced Auto Parts and picked up a new battery and fluids, and with fingers crossed, the car came to life. Pretty rough start, but it'll get better with time.

 

 

 

I'm going to need new tires, complete fluid flush, and brakes, but otherwise it will be ready to go. It's a fabulous little car and I loved driving it around. I hope everything works out.

 

We also ripped up the living room carpet in preparation for new flooring. Not much to report on that other than the tile that's going down will look great. Looks like wood flooring, even has texture that mimics wood grain. 

 

 

Updates to come on this and the car.
 

-James