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

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

...In Love & Wheels

I want to take a few minutes to reflect on what having a good woman and a good motorcycle means to me.

Happiness and comfort are two words that can't even describe how great it feels to have the best of both worlds.  I'm not incredibly religious, but even I can recognize that I've been blessed.  I've been married to my wife for 5 years, married to Caprica for 1.  Before Caprica, I had my DRZ.  I've had 2 great motorcycles, and it's only fair to assume the Triumph is going to be a great bike as well. 

I have a wife that loves to ride with me, and honestly, you can't beat that. To know that you can hit the open road on a reliable motorcycle any time you want, and know that your woman wants to ride with you, it is a wonderful feeling.  I treasure the moments we spend together on a bike.  It's something I've always wanted, and I'm glad I can have it.  Every rider needs a partner, someone to share experiences with, and who can just enjoy the road.  When I feel her give me a squeeze as we're riding, it makes me so happy.  I love my wife more than words can say.  I hope she rides with me for as long as possible.

-J

Rest In Peace, Dad. You Are Why I Ride!

My dad is the reason why I ride motorcycles.  He got me on a bike when I was 10 years old, and introduced me to a wonderful lifestyle that I cherish.  Riding was his passion and I can't thank him enough for sharing that with me. 

My dad was a motorcycle racer.  Competing for years in the Daytona 200 Circuit in the 80's-90's.  To us, he was known as Dad.  On the track, he was known as 56X.  My dad raced Ducati's, BSA's, and Triumphs.  He was a rockstar.  He raced for fun, but would always ride within his skill level.  I always ride with gear, and I never drive beyond my limits.  Experience and time allows our limits to grow, and that's what I rely on.  Simply being on a motorcycle has enough risks, why drive like a fool?

I regret not spending more time with him on the weekends back when I lived at home. But I am thankful for the time and knowledge I gained after I got out of the Navy.  He taught me things about motorcycles and how to take care of basic maintenance.  There's so much more I wanted him to teach me, but I never had the chance.  But I don't sit and dwell on what I missed, I cherish what I had. 

Now, he's on the greatest ride he could ever have.  He was a great man who loved his country, and his countrymen.  Our community lost a great man, but he's still with us.  With every ride I take, I know he's with me.  I feel him.

D.J.M. 1947-2014.  I love you dad!

-J

St. Augustine Beach

Good afternoon, readers!

I decided to take a ride to the beach with my dad for a mini family get together.  The weather cooperated beautifully for the 200 mile round trip adventure.  We stuck to the back roads (as any motorcyclist knows, that's the only way to do it!) and really enjoyed the drive.  This was the farthest trip I've ever taken on the DRZ and surprisingly, my ass didn't hurt until I got off the bike!  Putting 200 miles on a single cylinder motorcycle does indeed sound like quite a feat and truth be told, it really was!  But with brand new chain and sprockets, I really had a comfortable, smooth ride.  I was really enjoying myself and it felt great to share this experience with my dad.  My DRZ 400 did struggle with keeping up with his Triumph 675, but dual sports aren't built for speed.  The traffic was marginal until we hit Palatka, after that I really had to keep on my toes.  The most pleasurable part of the drive was A1A.  A great stretch of highway that runs along the coastline all down the Florida Atlantic Coast.  Speed limit wasn't more than 45 mph, but the setting of a coastal highway with all of its sunshine, coastal breeze, beach goers, and restaurants was really enjoyable.  We met up with family and friends and enjoyed a beautiful day in the surf.

After 4-5 hours at the beach, we decided to grab some lunch before heading back home.  This is Florida, and there's no guarantee that it won't rain on you.  Leaving the beach was quite an experience.  I was on a dual sport and even I struggled in some of the areas of soft sand.  My dad had an even more difficult time on his Triumph.  We never lost control, but the transit back to pavement seemed to take forever.  We had lunch at the World Famous Oasis Restaurant.  If you haven't been there, make it a point to!  Amazing food and a great menu selection.

The weather had turned sour, but luckily for us we managed to stay behind the storms as the passed through, so only the roads were wet.  We never got rained on directly.  Typical of Florida, once we returned home the sun began to shine again.  I stripped out of my sweaty, sand-filled clothes and proceeded to wash down the motorcycle (and myself).  So much sand everywhere but it was certainly worth it.  I forgot how much fun the beach can be, especially if you enjoy it on a motorcycle.  For me, the journey was just as enjoyable as the destination.  I will certainly be making that trip again.