I did it. I finally did it.
Sometime at the end of this month I'll be disengaging from the corporate teet. I've been at the end of my rope for a very long time, and finally worked up the courage to leave. Of course, Oilburner is the impetus, and provided some great alternative views.
Oilburner has been unwell for a very long time. He is starting to get better, with more energy, being more active, and having a better attitude. While I haven't said anything about it...yet...Oilburner spent a couple months in Colorado last year at a national recreation area. He really enjoyed the lifestyle, living in the travel trailer. He enjoyed the work and the routine. Which was what he really needed at this stage.
This year, he has found a position with the Army Corp of Engineers in Alaska. Yes. You have read that right. ALASKA!!
I finally see a different life for myself. So I am going for it. While Oilburner is working away, I'm playing. I'm looking to play for about 4 months or so. BBWWWAAAHAHAHHAA
We will be driving the van, loaded with the two Honda CB500's, and pulling the travel trailer...for a jaunt through the lower 48 and settling near Fairbanks, AK for a couple months.
Funny anecdote...you know you are getting old when:
BeemerGirls doctor: calculating the longevity of birth control and mused that by the time this needs to be replaced, I won't need it anymore....
BeemerGirl: uuummm....
Oilburner: let's go to Chik-Fil-A for lunch, maybe the regulars will be there even though it is a weekend.
BeemerGirl: you go to Chik-Fil-A enough that you have regulars? Is that like the old guys hanging outside the general store jawin'?
Oilburner: uuummmm
BeemerGirl: well now all you need to do is make friends with some of them!!
Saturday, April 7, 2018
Monday, February 26, 2018
How to stay positive...
...when you have to wake up at 4:30 (after 3 hours of sleep), be out of the house at 5:30, to get to the airport at 6:30 to catch a flight to NJ at 8:00
...when you are looking for a parking space and get trapped in a one-way lane to exit the parking area (because there are no point of no return signs), causing you to have to completely drive around the airport again to get back
...when the client address takes you to the middle of their campus, not their building
...when you need client approval to get through their security gate and your colleague didn't warn you (and he was the one that set up the meeting)
...when you call for the taxi at the end of the day and he encounters all the same problems as above
...when your taxi driver misses the exit for the airport, and side streets are congested with rush hour traffic. Said setback of 20+ minutes
...when your taxi driver also can't follow signs to your terminal and again delays arrival by another 10+ minutes (Uber driver, so shouldn't be due to length of ride)
...when you have TSA pre-check, and the pre-check lanes are closed
...when you have to enter the same long queue as everyone else, but have a laminated card saying that you don't have to take your shoes off to go through security. Still have to remove the laptop and any electronics larger than a cell phone, though.
...when your flight is delayed by 15 minutes
...when your flight is delayed by another 15 minutes (and yes, this was a day flight, there and back)
...when the plane is freezing, everything feels damp, and you could only sleep before takeoff
...when your parking ticket gets folded in half, the machine is not able to read it and tells you to proceed to a cashier or call support
...when support doesn't answer, and doesn't help
...when you have to signal to the guy behind you to back up, because you certainly can't proceed forward to a cashier
...when you finally make it to a cashier and you have to stretch out of your car because she is too lazy to reach halfway for your card
...when she says the first card won't scan (corporate card)
...when the second card won't scan and the error message is "card is invalid or inserted backwards" (stupid cashier)
...when you can't get through traffic to exit the airport and have to circle the airport again (3 times in 1 day!!)
...when you finally get headed towards home and wonder what is for dinner at 11 pm, since you haven't eaten anything but eggs at 6:00 am
...when you say "fuck it, I'm having McDonald's because I want a chocolate shake"
...when you drive to the McDonald's beyond your house because the one on the way home is in a sketchy neighborhood, and the one closest to home hasn't fixed their broken drive-thru in over 3+ years (order at the final window and wait)
...when you finally get to the "good McDonald's" and order and think all is well
...when you get to the window and they tell you the shake machine has shut itself down, would I like something else or a refund
...when you ask for a refund and provide your card and then ask for a diet coke
...when you are told that they are out of diet coke
...when you finally select Dr Pepper...and get your food, and they have refunded your card and you start to drive away and they yell at you that you haven't paid (even though they had your card and you have a refund!!)
...when you can't back up because the car behind you has already moved forward
...when you have to pull forward, wait for the manager to come get your card again and charge dinner
...when you finally get to walk in the door at 11:30 pm
...when you are getting ready for bed at 12:30 and discover that you foot is BLUE and realize that the "damp" feeling on the plane was actually real and the toilet on the plane was leaking and dyed your sock and foot blue
...sigh...another day in paradise...or so they tell me
...when you are looking for a parking space and get trapped in a one-way lane to exit the parking area (because there are no point of no return signs), causing you to have to completely drive around the airport again to get back
...when the client address takes you to the middle of their campus, not their building
...when you need client approval to get through their security gate and your colleague didn't warn you (and he was the one that set up the meeting)
...when you call for the taxi at the end of the day and he encounters all the same problems as above
...when your taxi driver misses the exit for the airport, and side streets are congested with rush hour traffic. Said setback of 20+ minutes
...when your taxi driver also can't follow signs to your terminal and again delays arrival by another 10+ minutes (Uber driver, so shouldn't be due to length of ride)
...when you have TSA pre-check, and the pre-check lanes are closed
...when you have to enter the same long queue as everyone else, but have a laminated card saying that you don't have to take your shoes off to go through security. Still have to remove the laptop and any electronics larger than a cell phone, though.
...when your flight is delayed by 15 minutes
...when your flight is delayed by another 15 minutes (and yes, this was a day flight, there and back)
...when the plane is freezing, everything feels damp, and you could only sleep before takeoff
...when your parking ticket gets folded in half, the machine is not able to read it and tells you to proceed to a cashier or call support
...when support doesn't answer, and doesn't help
...when you have to signal to the guy behind you to back up, because you certainly can't proceed forward to a cashier
...when you finally make it to a cashier and you have to stretch out of your car because she is too lazy to reach halfway for your card
...when she says the first card won't scan (corporate card)
...when the second card won't scan and the error message is "card is invalid or inserted backwards" (stupid cashier)
...when you can't get through traffic to exit the airport and have to circle the airport again (3 times in 1 day!!)
...when you finally get headed towards home and wonder what is for dinner at 11 pm, since you haven't eaten anything but eggs at 6:00 am
...when you say "fuck it, I'm having McDonald's because I want a chocolate shake"
...when you drive to the McDonald's beyond your house because the one on the way home is in a sketchy neighborhood, and the one closest to home hasn't fixed their broken drive-thru in over 3+ years (order at the final window and wait)
...when you finally get to the "good McDonald's" and order and think all is well
...when you get to the window and they tell you the shake machine has shut itself down, would I like something else or a refund
...when you ask for a refund and provide your card and then ask for a diet coke
...when you are told that they are out of diet coke
...when you finally select Dr Pepper...and get your food, and they have refunded your card and you start to drive away and they yell at you that you haven't paid (even though they had your card and you have a refund!!)
...when you can't back up because the car behind you has already moved forward
...when you have to pull forward, wait for the manager to come get your card again and charge dinner
...when you finally get to walk in the door at 11:30 pm
...when you are getting ready for bed at 12:30 and discover that you foot is BLUE and realize that the "damp" feeling on the plane was actually real and the toilet on the plane was leaking and dyed your sock and foot blue
...sigh...another day in paradise...or so they tell me
Friday, February 16, 2018
Sun and Triggers
I had the briefest glimpse of a beautiful sun this morning. It was reflected in all of the rain drops still clinging to the bare branches. It’s been overcast and rainy for the last week, so this glimpse was much needed. It was brief because I was passing through it from the climate controlled car to the environment controlled office. Also brief because the clouds have started to float back in.
I did take a few moments to enjoy this special occurrence. I slowed my step, closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and luxuriated in the warmth of the sun on my cheeks. (And secretly wishing I was in the hammock.) This moment was perfect. Wish it could be bottled.
Took a deep breath and had the lightest hint of some sweet, floral smell. As they say, smell is strongly linked to memory. This smell triggered some fleeting memory that I could not catch. It smelled like Easter. It was full of frills and pastels and brightly dyed eggs and sugary treats. Ahhh...the smell was jelly beans. The whiff of candied sugar when you first open a bag of jelly beans and the mish-mash of flavors wafts up. I’m not talking cloying and overbearing, just the fleetest of whiffs. Spring is already starting to scamper in.
I did take a few moments to enjoy this special occurrence. I slowed my step, closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and luxuriated in the warmth of the sun on my cheeks. (And secretly wishing I was in the hammock.) This moment was perfect. Wish it could be bottled.
Took a deep breath and had the lightest hint of some sweet, floral smell. As they say, smell is strongly linked to memory. This smell triggered some fleeting memory that I could not catch. It smelled like Easter. It was full of frills and pastels and brightly dyed eggs and sugary treats. Ahhh...the smell was jelly beans. The whiff of candied sugar when you first open a bag of jelly beans and the mish-mash of flavors wafts up. I’m not talking cloying and overbearing, just the fleetest of whiffs. Spring is already starting to scamper in.
Sunday, June 18, 2017
First Ride with the CB500X
How does time pass so quickly?!? I've been meaning to update you on the new Honda in the stable.
Yes, I did come home to find the lovely tan Honda CB500XA in the stable. As I hadn't test sat on it, I was afraid the fit wouldn't be right. I'm not one to purchase things sight unseen. I also don't care to purchase bikes unridden, but very few new bikes are serviced and available for test riding. That seems to only be the domain of Harley Davidson and BMW. We had read many reviews that said this bike was very comfortable for tall riders in the 6 foot range. So I was optimistic.
Oilburner had a difficult time finding the bike. Dealers in the area said they were in stock, but not "in stock" to look at. They could get them from the warehouse with a deposit. He called around and located a dealer that said they had one. When he arrived, the salesman he talked to was not available, and the one he was working with said the bike wasn't there. Confusion abounds. After some searching it was uncovered that the parts department had taken the bike and was using it as their display! As you have seen from previous pics they had a mannequin with riding clothes, gloves, helmet, boots completed decked out. So...that is how I got the bike. Many people had been looking for it and inquiring about it, but the salesmen didn't know where it was. (Even the owner of that pretty GS700 from a few posts ago and called about that bike before buying the GS.)
Then comes the haggling. Now I am hearing this all second hand and am amazed at the dickering that Oilburner did. The price tag on the bike was NOT what the advertised price was on Cycle Trader. The salesman tried to get around it by saying it wasn't the same bike, until they checked VINs. No disputing it. Oilburner had them knocking $1700 off the bike in one fell swoop. The Cycle Trader ad also mentioned a $100 gear credit. Again, they hemmed and hawed, but gave in and gave it to him. Wow. Just wow.
The story just gets so exciting! Makes her look that much more attractive.
All this time I'm asking Oilburner if he intends to purchase one, or if he will be content with his XR650L. He assured me that his 650 was great, he wasn't interested and it was paid for. Yeah, those assurances didn't last long. He rode mine 1 mile to unload it and get into in the stable and he was smitten. Or course, I didn't know that at the time. As we are talking about it more on Friday, I'm commenting that it is for the best that he keeps his XR650L as there would be no way that the dealership would possibly honor the same price for a second one.
I was wrong. Apparently, he had already ordered one that had to be brought in from Alabama. And they gave him the same price. The only difference was that his didn't have ABS and mine did. Hmmm...
Meet Oilburners bike...
Yes, I did come home to find the lovely tan Honda CB500XA in the stable. As I hadn't test sat on it, I was afraid the fit wouldn't be right. I'm not one to purchase things sight unseen. I also don't care to purchase bikes unridden, but very few new bikes are serviced and available for test riding. That seems to only be the domain of Harley Davidson and BMW. We had read many reviews that said this bike was very comfortable for tall riders in the 6 foot range. So I was optimistic.
Oilburner had a difficult time finding the bike. Dealers in the area said they were in stock, but not "in stock" to look at. They could get them from the warehouse with a deposit. He called around and located a dealer that said they had one. When he arrived, the salesman he talked to was not available, and the one he was working with said the bike wasn't there. Confusion abounds. After some searching it was uncovered that the parts department had taken the bike and was using it as their display! As you have seen from previous pics they had a mannequin with riding clothes, gloves, helmet, boots completed decked out. So...that is how I got the bike. Many people had been looking for it and inquiring about it, but the salesmen didn't know where it was. (Even the owner of that pretty GS700 from a few posts ago and called about that bike before buying the GS.)
Then comes the haggling. Now I am hearing this all second hand and am amazed at the dickering that Oilburner did. The price tag on the bike was NOT what the advertised price was on Cycle Trader. The salesman tried to get around it by saying it wasn't the same bike, until they checked VINs. No disputing it. Oilburner had them knocking $1700 off the bike in one fell swoop. The Cycle Trader ad also mentioned a $100 gear credit. Again, they hemmed and hawed, but gave in and gave it to him. Wow. Just wow.
The story just gets so exciting! Makes her look that much more attractive.
All this time I'm asking Oilburner if he intends to purchase one, or if he will be content with his XR650L. He assured me that his 650 was great, he wasn't interested and it was paid for. Yeah, those assurances didn't last long. He rode mine 1 mile to unload it and get into in the stable and he was smitten. Or course, I didn't know that at the time. As we are talking about it more on Friday, I'm commenting that it is for the best that he keeps his XR650L as there would be no way that the dealership would possibly honor the same price for a second one.
I was wrong. Apparently, he had already ordered one that had to be brought in from Alabama. And they gave him the same price. The only difference was that his didn't have ABS and mine did. Hmmm...
Meet Oilburners bike...
We needed to break the new bikes in. Mine had 1 mile on the clock. His had 2. :) What better way to break a bike in then ride it like you stole it in the twisties. That's how I broke the last GS in, and it hasn't leaked one drop of oil.
We grabbed Alex and went into the mountains. Had lunch at TWoS and hit the curves hard. Hwy 60, Hwy 180, Richard B Russell. The boys were into the curves, so the only way I was getting pics of the bikes was to stop without them. They eventually found me.
Head on over to Flickr to see more glamour shots. As I said, not many due to the fast paced ride.
Impression: Feels very light, even though only 100 lbs lighter than the 1200GS. Very "flickable". Shorter wheel-base made the twisties fun, after learning when to turn. Never having ridden an inline engine she was very smooth to shift. Learning to care for a chain driven bike with be fun what with lubing and adjusting on a regular basis. Love getting 54+ miles per gallon.
Funny story: As I was not even in the state when Oilburner purchased my bike, obviously the bike is in his name. I thought it only justified that his bike be in my name. HA!
And yes...the XR650L went up on the selling block. More on that next time.
Saturday, May 20, 2017
Remember that Honda XL600R?
A couple weeks ago I shocked the world by disclosing that we were actually reducing the stable by selling the Honda XL600R. Trobairitz had asked if clearing space in the stable meant there might be a backfill… I was pretty emphatic that there wasn’t going to be a replacement. Yeah..hold that thought…
I was in some intense training in NJ Wed and Thurs of this week. I hadn’t looked at my phone all day. When I had a quick break at the end of the day this is what I saw that I had missed…
Of course, I looked at Oilburner’s messages first. The three messages here were foreboding. Then I went to another thread that had about 23 messages waiting to be read in a group chat with good friend Alex. And this is what I saw…
So guess who came home late Thursday night to see her new bike? Guess I’m getting rid of the R1200R sooner than expected.
P.S. She is fun to ride…
I was in some intense training in NJ Wed and Thurs of this week. I hadn’t looked at my phone all day. When I had a quick break at the end of the day this is what I saw that I had missed…
Of course, I looked at Oilburner’s messages first. The three messages here were foreboding. Then I went to another thread that had about 23 messages waiting to be read in a group chat with good friend Alex. And this is what I saw…
So guess who came home late Thursday night to see her new bike? Guess I’m getting rid of the R1200R sooner than expected.
P.S. She is fun to ride…
Thursday, May 4, 2017
Something Followed Me Home
This fun little cutie drove me home the other day. Before we all get our hopes up, no, she isn't here to stay. She belongs to a friend. Oilburner [was] volunteered to install a lowering kit. So we met in between and transferred. Gotta say this F700GS was EXCITING to ride!!! She handled well, great suspension, headlight leaves something to be desired at night, and some fabulous wind sheer at highway speeds.
Friday, April 28, 2017
Back Inside the Jet Engine
Have you ever lived inside a jet engine? We have. In 20-ought-something we had a pipe burst and flood half the house. We lived with 12 high powered fans and two huge, industrial style dehumidifiers in a little house. Baseboards all removed, holes in the drywall, carpet and padding removed. We didn't realize our insurance would have paid for a hotel stay. So we subjected ourselves and our pups to this treatment for days until the house was deemed dry and restoration could begin.
Well...new house, different leak, same jet engine. Late last night we finally located the source of the moldy smell that I had been picking up on. And in a rather disgusting way. Let's just say you don't ever want to see mushrooms growing in your carpet. We've spent today trying to find the company that could help us to remediate and restore. Oilburner spent half the day trying to find the source of the leak, to no avail. Same with the team that was sent out. No clue. No roofline, no spigot, no water pipes. So now we have the carpet partially ripped up, the dehumidifier in the room, and just waiting until they can start pulling the lovely wood paneling down to see the exact extent of the water damage, the extent of the "growth", and determine if we can actually figure out the source of the water. Sigh.
Well...new house, different leak, same jet engine. Late last night we finally located the source of the moldy smell that I had been picking up on. And in a rather disgusting way. Let's just say you don't ever want to see mushrooms growing in your carpet. We've spent today trying to find the company that could help us to remediate and restore. Oilburner spent half the day trying to find the source of the leak, to no avail. Same with the team that was sent out. No clue. No roofline, no spigot, no water pipes. So now we have the carpet partially ripped up, the dehumidifier in the room, and just waiting until they can start pulling the lovely wood paneling down to see the exact extent of the water damage, the extent of the "growth", and determine if we can actually figure out the source of the water. Sigh.
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The darker wood is "wet"
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The darker wood is "wet". It was detectably getting worse throughout the day, and slowly improving with the dehu.
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| The wall had expanded enough to create this huge gap in the moulding. |
Saturday, April 15, 2017
A Mesh Day
AAAAhhhhhhh....the first time you can get out the bikes in your mesh jacket is so liberating! We didn't have to bundle up with thermals, sweaters, gators, solid jackets, and the whatnot. The freedom of not feeling like StayPuft the Marshmallow man. No worries about getting chilled out and making sure you have extra layers. Just basking in the spare room in the gear. And this is our 3 weeks of spring where the temps are perfect, the humidity is non-existent, and the pollen is low. Trifecta!
It averaged about 80 degrees (F) and we headed to Juliette, GA. This was only the 3rd visit this year. We hadn't been there in years, the food wasn't terribly thrilling. But they either changed owners, got a new cook, or both, because the food is spectacular!! So yes, that is becoming one of my favorite destinations for an RTE and there are so many nice routes to boot. Last month our trip home saw us spending a couple miles on dirt roads (as I finally found the Enduro setting on the GS that loosens the throttle response).
We sat on the porch for a few minutes after eating. Just letting everything settle and freeing up the table for another in the line on the 45 minute wait list. Saw the bike my brother drools over.
Can this be believed?? We are actually letting go of some horses and clearing a space in the barn? Unheard of!! We've finally made the decision to release the pent up horses in the Honda XL600R and send it to a new and better home where it will get more attention.
I couldn't kick start the darn thing and hadn't yet gotten used to the height. So peace be with her and hope that she gets more love and road time.
Friday, February 17, 2017
Who wants to join me?
Trobairitz, you in? Sonja, you want to fly and ride?
GRANBY, COLORADO, February 9, 2017 – Second Annual woman-led ADVWoman Rally dates Announced for July 20-23, 2017, at Flying Heels Rodeo Arena in Granby, Colorado
Dates are announced for the second annual adventure rally organized for women and families. To be held July 20-23, 2017, in Granby, Colorado, the event will include a variety of self-guided rides, Geocache scavenger hunt, classroom training sessions as well as on-range adventure and dirt bike rider training. All instructors are women! Men are welcome too-- this is a female and family friendly rally.
“We are building on last year’s success with several key changes,” said Pat Jacques, Rally Director. “BMW Off Road instructor Caroline Stevenson has joined the teaching staff, plus the rally is expanded to four days, Thursday through Sunday. We have obtained indoor convention space, and have hotel accommodations available. We will teach on-range rider training ‘Adventure Essentials’ and ‘Dirt Bike Essentials’, and we’ve added the advanced level ‘BDR Essentials’ class. This will support riders in successfully completing the Colorado Backcountry Discovery Route teaching steep ascents and descents, hair pin turns, water crossings, and rocky terrain skills.”
Last year’s Rally was a great success with several participants traveling over 1800 miles to attend. “I knew the ladies would have a blast, but I was most surprised by how much the gentlemen enjoyed themselves,” said Jacques. “They were thrilled to see their spouses and partners quickly gain confidence and skill, which translates to more opportunities to enjoy riding together and also strengthens the industry.”
Classroom Sessions are open to all attendees and will run Thursday & Friday 3:30PM-4:30PM and 4:45-5:45PM, with several classes running simultaneously in different locations. Topics include trailside maintenance, trailside first aid, intro to GPS navigation, fitness and training for off-road riding, truck & trailer motorcycle loading and unloading, flat tire repair, how to pick up a bike, moto-camping and travel photography.
“Women teaching women is natural and transformative. We’re excited to have Canadian GS Trophy Candidate and BMW Off-Road Certified Instructor Caroline Stevenson joining our all-woman staff this year. Caroline’s quiet, confident manner and considerable skill is sure to resonate with many women,” said Jacques.
Immediately following the Rally there will be a “First Ever” All-ladies Colorado Backcountry Discovery (COBDR) Tour led by Jacques and fellow adventure rider Alisa Clickenger. All classes are taught Thursday and Friday so participants can enjoy a full day of adventure riding on Saturday.
https://advwoman.com/
Second Annual woman-led ADVWoman Rally dates announced for July 20-23, 2017, in Granby, Colorado |
Dates are announced for the second annual adventure rally organized for women and families. To be held July 20-23, 2017, in Granby, Colorado, the event will include a variety of self-guided rides, Geocache scavenger hunt, classroom training sessions as well as on-range adventure and dirt bike rider training. All instructors are women! Men are welcome too-- this is a female and family friendly rally.
“We are building on last year’s success with several key changes,” said Pat Jacques, Rally Director. “BMW Off Road instructor Caroline Stevenson has joined the teaching staff, plus the rally is expanded to four days, Thursday through Sunday. We have obtained indoor convention space, and have hotel accommodations available. We will teach on-range rider training ‘Adventure Essentials’ and ‘Dirt Bike Essentials’, and we’ve added the advanced level ‘BDR Essentials’ class. This will support riders in successfully completing the Colorado Backcountry Discovery Route teaching steep ascents and descents, hair pin turns, water crossings, and rocky terrain skills.”
Last year’s Rally was a great success with several participants traveling over 1800 miles to attend. “I knew the ladies would have a blast, but I was most surprised by how much the gentlemen enjoyed themselves,” said Jacques. “They were thrilled to see their spouses and partners quickly gain confidence and skill, which translates to more opportunities to enjoy riding together and also strengthens the industry.”
Classroom Sessions are open to all attendees and will run Thursday & Friday 3:30PM-4:30PM and 4:45-5:45PM, with several classes running simultaneously in different locations. Topics include trailside maintenance, trailside first aid, intro to GPS navigation, fitness and training for off-road riding, truck & trailer motorcycle loading and unloading, flat tire repair, how to pick up a bike, moto-camping and travel photography.
“Women teaching women is natural and transformative. We’re excited to have Canadian GS Trophy Candidate and BMW Off-Road Certified Instructor Caroline Stevenson joining our all-woman staff this year. Caroline’s quiet, confident manner and considerable skill is sure to resonate with many women,” said Jacques.
Immediately following the Rally there will be a “First Ever” All-ladies Colorado Backcountry Discovery (COBDR) Tour led by Jacques and fellow adventure rider Alisa Clickenger. All classes are taught Thursday and Friday so participants can enjoy a full day of adventure riding on Saturday.
https://advwoman.com/
Wednesday, February 15, 2017
Everything but the kitchen sink
Remember the proverb “For want of a nail”?
For want of a nail the shoe was lost. For want of a shoe the horse was lost. For want of a horse the rider was lost. For want of a rider the battle was lost. For want of a battle the kingdom was lost. All for the want of a horsehoe nail.
That is what I felt like over the weekend. Everything was thrown at me except for the kitchen sink. And the rain.
The work week last week was Atrocious. Absolutely atrocious. To the point of questioning myself if it was worth it anymore. Should I be looking for another job that will give me more time at home, less stress, fewer responsibilities. I needed to get out, and Oilburner surprised me with the night in Savannah. I wanted to ride so I could feel the wind in my face. I wanted to clear the cobwebs. Oilburner has been having his own issues, and was not physically well enough to ride. I didn’t want to drive because I knew I would stew in my own head. So what was the compromise?
He said it was time for me to learn to ride with a passenger. I have been avoiding that little experience for a very long time. In the beginning I was able to use the excuse that I was new to riding. Then it was the excuse that I was afraid to drop the bike and hurt my passenger or my bike. We won’t debate the order of priority. Hehe
This time I was out of excuses. If I wanted to ride, I was going to have to suck it up. And I was ok with that. It was surprisingly easy to get over that mental hurdle. However, he then threw in that I should ride his bike.
Please realize that I have ridden his bike a total of 3 times in 2 1/2 years. For a total of about 35 miles. The first ride was picking it up from the dealership, for 7 miles. Mind you they were an exhilarating 7 miles. It was the first time I had tested the new water cooled engine, and I managed to get that thing from 0-60 in lightning speed. The second time Oilburner forced me to try it in the mountains to see how I liked the handling. Don’t get me wrong. It is a nice bike, but too big and bulky and weighty for me. The third time was out of absolute necessity when we took a weekend trip and I didn’t have warm enough gear. The windshield and fairings kept enough wind off to keep me warm until we arrived at the hotel about 15 miles down the road. (Yes, I had on just about every article of clothing before I gave in to riding his bike.)
Like I said, his bike is nice, just not the bike for me. It is weighty at 604 lbs wet. Compared to the GS coming in at 525 lbs wet, it is much heavier, changing the center of gravity. It is wide. I mean, I know I am wide…but not nearly as much as that bike! The seating position makes me feel like I am sitting on top of the bike, not feeling integrated with it. With that seating I’ve had difficulty getting my feet off of the pegs , around the fairings and onto the ground. It just wasn’t what I would consider a comfortable bike. Plus I always worried about the cost of all the plastic in the event that I dropped it and scratched it.
Well…it took me another couple seconds to acquiesce and get over that previous sticking point. He had a point that the windsail they call a windshield and fairings would make for a more comfortable ride. And help keep the rain off if the 50% predictions came true. Ok. Suit up!
I jumped on his bike and took it up the street to get a feel for it. Forget that the end of the street is a cul-de-sac and I had to execute my first u-turn. We started the day on the street as I was not riding down our steep driveway with him on the back. Thank goodness he is a great passenger. Leaving our neighborhood I opted for the right hand, downhill turn instead of the left hand, uphill start. Those haven’t been successful for me in the past. First turn under my belt. Small curves and stop sign was next. Huzzah! Uh oh. Next stop sign was behind someone that was not in a hurry to get into traffic. Then I had to cross traffic in a left hand turn on a fairly busy road. Ok. This isn’t so bad.
Which way to head out of town? Freeway would be steady and require fewer stops and balancing and shifting. But by the fourth stop…I was feeling pretty darn good. Yep. The backroads with tons of waiting stoplights was the way. Again…good passenger led to good experience and there were no problems. I knew this was the way to go as I was too focused on technique and safety to even think about my bad week. I wasn’t going to have any time to wallow. And Oilburner not riding was also the right decision when he informed me that he was getting dizzy and nauseous whenever we stopped. Yeah…I don’t want him piloting his own bike.
We eventually made it to the interstate and I must admit that I enjoyed that windsail. Very smooth. So smooth that when I got tired of a car pacing us I was easily able to out distance it. I still regret not going 3 more mph and reaching my first ton on the big RT. Bummer.
Riding was a breeze. There was nothing to worry about with a passenger. I even executed additional u-turns for lunch without a second thought! Getting to Savannah was a breeze. Still fun to imagine what the other riders were thinking when we passed them and they realized a girl was piloting with the boy riding pillion. Or did they think Oilburner was just a masculine girl? HHhhmm…..
Sunday was where it got interesting. I slipped. I slipped in the shower and sliced my toe open. Lots and lots of blood and pain. Luck would have it that it was my big toe. On my left foot. And which toe is used for shifting? You got it. All day Sunday had me hissing Ouch into our communicators each time I had to up shift. Or put my foot on the ground. It made for an interesting ride home. I’m just glad the rain staved off for another hour. We got the bike tucked in, wound cleaned and bound, and were just sitting down when the skies opened up.
Thank you Oilburner for being such a good passenger and teaching me the joys of riding together. And for trusting me with your bike.
Saturday, February 11, 2017
Virginity Lost. Glass Ceilings Shattered.
I’ve now ridden Oilburner’s RT for 300 miles and learned to ride with a pillion. Minds appropriately blown? I’ve learned that riding two up isn’t quite as difficult or scary as I had always made it to be in my mind. I’ve learned the joys of getting a back massage while riding. I’ve learned how much fun it is to lean back and put my hand on his knee while cruising down the highway. I’ve partaken of the schadenfreude of passing a couple on a Harley, with his arm candy riding bitch…and me thinking of mine. I’ve let the little devil inside out when I quickly gunned the throttle and released it so that his helmet knocked into mine. I’ve had the GREAT laugh of knowing EXACTLY when he turned the passenger heated seat on (14 miles from home) and he couldn’t figure how I knew.
I miss my Big Red bike. We haven’t ridden since Christmas. Hopefully I will get to ride it soon. But the sacrifice is worth it right now. I’m happy to help Oilburner to get out as well. It may only be one night, but a ride to Savannah was absolutely necessary. We may not do much while here, but just the act of getting here was the best. Remember, it isn’t about the destination, it’s the journey. The backroads home will be calling our names.
Sunday, January 8, 2017
Ice is fun to photograph…
No driving required. Got to trip the light ivy-dango around the house and take a couple interesting photos. Play with the camera I haven’t touched in ages. Hope you enjoy. Only one icicle was harmed in the making of these photos.
Saturday, January 7, 2017
We Have Survived!!
I know you have probably been worried. I mean the blizzard conditions threatening the south (Atlanta) have probably made global media. Wanted to let you know that we have survived. The storm has caused a huge run on the staples: milk, bread, and eggs. Don’t even try going to the market, you’ll be forced to go for the egg white liquid or try the vinegar and baking soda option. (I would not recommend trying to scramble that vinegar and backing soda solution…don’t ask me how I know.) We are holed up with makings for chili, tacos, and lots of snacks.
Now I’m going to warn you that the pictures below may be a little disturbing. They are filled with vicious amounts of ice and snow. This literally stops Atlanta in its tracks. I can finally say I am able to run with the big boys in Portland (both Maine and Oregon), Denver and Fairbanks. Hey Richard, do you think I can qualify for the Polar Bear Club??
Monday, January 2, 2017
Catsup
Happy New Year!!
My wish for everyone is a healthy, happy, and prosperous new year. I fervently hope that 2017 will be full of food, friends, family, adventure, new sights, and new sounds.
So hear is a little catsup from me and Oilburner:
New Years weekend was spent camping. We took the mini-bikes in hopes of getting out. But the allure of the sofa or camp chair and a good book and knitting were overpowering.
Christmas Day dawned beautiful, clear and WARM! We were hitting the low 70’s in mid Georgia and just had to take advantage of it. We met up with a friend that recently acquired a 2015 GSW in Electric Blue. Yum. We met up in Senoia, GA. For those of you Walking Dead fans this city was known as Woodbury. We didn’t have a destination so enjoyed a few miles through Pine Mountain park with some great overlooks.
And I am teaching myself knitting. I’ve knitted the cap and mitts. Working on the scarf now. It’s the garter stitch at this moment. The book I bought has 12 projects that will teach me garter, stockinette, ribbing, and seed. I’m ready to try something other than garter, but having fun seeing things completed.
Wednesday, December 21, 2016
Testing new posting application
This is a test.
This is only a test.
If this were a real emergency you would be asked to get on your motorcycle and come save my ass.
Sunday, October 9, 2016
When Your Ride Needs Juice
Ecuador information will be forthcoming, but in the meantime...a teaser.
The GS was laid up and half apart in an attempt to ready her for the Multiple Sclerosis ride. So what to do when we want to ride? Take out the R!
Since Oilburner hasn't ridden her to work this year, the R12R has been a little neglected. Unfortunately she wasn't on a battery tender and had to be jumped. That didn't put a damper on our day, we merely packed the jumper cables and took off. I had my hopes that the ride would put the juice back into her and things would be fine.
The GS was laid up and half apart in an attempt to ready her for the Multiple Sclerosis ride. So what to do when we want to ride? Take out the R!
Since Oilburner hasn't ridden her to work this year, the R12R has been a little neglected. Unfortunately she wasn't on a battery tender and had to be jumped. That didn't put a damper on our day, we merely packed the jumper cables and took off. I had my hopes that the ride would put the juice back into her and things would be fine.
Hopes but not expectations.
We didn't have a firm destination. Thought we would head south to Monticello and see what restaurants remained. Taking tons of backroads that we had never seen, we meandered around and yimmed and yawed. Hunger was taking over and we spotted a Firehouse Sub that would fill the void.
Filled the voids in our tummies, but not the belly of my beast. She wouldn't start. Barely turned over. Time to get that cable out, but decided to perform that quick surgery on a level area, rather than the slope we were on. I let her coast backwards. Gave a couple bunny hops to start our way across the parking lot, and decided to try and bump start her. A couple more mph and it might have worked. There just wasn't enough oomph. However, whatever the move did, it gave her enough of something that she fired up quickly. Wasn't going to dare shut her down though.
But we needed fuel... :( The gas station next door was one of many that were suffering from the pipeline issues, and was out of fuel. We'd get fuel elsewhere, but turned the bikes back north to hit the dealership and get a new battery. We calculated it out, and figured the battery had to be 6-7 years old. It had done us well.
Nothing exciting to report. Good day, decent ride, new battery, saw the techs I hadn't seen in awhile. Couple dollars poorer, but the R is worth it. It was great riding her again.
Tuesday, August 30, 2016
Sunday, August 28, 2016
Looking forward to something
As (thankfully) you listened and put up with my last ruminations, we were trying to figure out how to take a vacation. We desperately need time away to clear our heads and try to get ourselves back together. We've tried to figure out a block of time that wouldn't inconvenience work. (Why is work more important that my mental health?!?!) We thought we had come up with a good 3 week period. But then there was a shakeup at my work. End of year separations, people not promoted that felt they deserved it, lost motivation, emergency family situations necessitating leaves of absence. I wasn't sure I could pull it off. Oilburner's boss was giving him a guilt trip. Telling him he could have the time off in October...oh but wait...you'll be on an audit then...so that won't work. Sigh.
We considered our options. Would we go back up to Maine and possibly hit Labrador this year? Should we do something unexpected and go to the Pacific Northwest? Rent some bikes and force ourselves on Trobairitz and Troubadour? Go visit Vancouver Island? Or do something completely off script and go to Iceland? New Zealand? Ecuador?
Or were we going to give that up and just put our heads down and work and figure out the mental health thing later.
Trying to make the decision weighed heavily. What to do, what to do.
Oilburner cut the guilt trip and pushed for a 2 week vacation. I bit the bullet and solidified the dates at my job. Now to decide what to do. We decided we want to do something completely unexpected, force us out of our lives and do something that would shake everything up. Since Rogey was out of the country, we could wait on New Zealand. We did a search on a motorcycle tour we have been researching the past couple of months. We sent an email request. We got an answer back. And suddenly we are leaving deposits and booking international flights and trying to figure out how to pack our riding gear and get out of dodge in 8 days.
Wanna know where we are going? I'll give you a clue...
We considered our options. Would we go back up to Maine and possibly hit Labrador this year? Should we do something unexpected and go to the Pacific Northwest? Rent some bikes and force ourselves on Trobairitz and Troubadour? Go visit Vancouver Island? Or do something completely off script and go to Iceland? New Zealand? Ecuador?
Or were we going to give that up and just put our heads down and work and figure out the mental health thing later.
Trying to make the decision weighed heavily. What to do, what to do.
Oilburner cut the guilt trip and pushed for a 2 week vacation. I bit the bullet and solidified the dates at my job. Now to decide what to do. We decided we want to do something completely unexpected, force us out of our lives and do something that would shake everything up. Since Rogey was out of the country, we could wait on New Zealand. We did a search on a motorcycle tour we have been researching the past couple of months. We sent an email request. We got an answer back. And suddenly we are leaving deposits and booking international flights and trying to figure out how to pack our riding gear and get out of dodge in 8 days.
Wanna know where we are going? I'll give you a clue...
Now this...this we are finally excited about.
Monday, August 15, 2016
One Hit Wonder?
Well...I've spilled my soul, written a first post after too long a time, haven't done much riding...what am I supposed to write about now?
I guess there are a few things to get off my chest...
I tend to keep things bottled up. Unless, of course, you go by the handle of Oilburner. Then you get to see the crazy come dancing forth in all its rainbow and unicorn glory.
I am basically a private person, not looking to air out the laundry. I don't want to complain about my problems because everyone has problems. Many that are worse than mine. I also tend not to talk about my successes because I don't want to boast. So that makes me a very good listener, question asker, and shoulder to cry on or vent to, as well as being your biggest cheerleader.
This also means that I tend to get stuck in my own head. Oilburner still gets to carry the brunt of that issue...
However, there are a couple of things that have been weighing heavily for awhile now that I need to get out.
Bobskoot
Bobskoot...bobskoot....bobskoot
Trobaritz and All Things Rogey were of the basic sentiment "Bloody Hell Bob!" Even two years later I'm still not ready. He's gone too soon and too suddenly. I am still very upset with him. And may be one of the reasons I have avoided the blogs, as his name kept popping up with new posts as Skooterbob has made its travels.
Bob and I had been texting back and forth shortly before he left us. He and Yvonne would be in Knoxville as Oilburner and I were heading north on our vacation. I put forth the idea that Oilburner and I would adjust our route and swing by to meet for dinner. It was only going to be 4-6 hours out of our way. No big deal at the start of our vacation. He declined. As we had never met in real life he wanted to reserve our first meeting to his retirement trip the following year. His reasoning was that he couldn't stand meeting for just a few hours over dinner. He wanted to wait until we could spend lots of time together to talk, ride, and eat. Days later and it was no longer an option. We had been texting the night of his death because Oilburner and I had made it to Mike and BRWs. I was sending him teaser pictures that we were taking the lodging accommodations he had occupied the year before. He was appropriately jealous.
The next day Oilburner and I went to Nova Scotia and didn't have good data coverage. So I didn't think too much about additional messages. I started to question things when we returned to the US. I pinged him a few times, figuring their vacation was going great. But I started to get concerned when another week passed without any responses. It was never like Bob to not respond. But we all know how that turned out.
Anyway...I'm still having difficulty in letting go. Therefore, one reason I withdrew from the blogs. As much as I would like to host Scooterbob, I still don't think I am ready.
Around the same time we also went through a major personal upheaval by leaving our house of 13 years, to purchase a new home to share with my mother-in-law. We were collapsing two households into one, with one lady being very unwilling to part with anything from a home she had lived in for 50 years. I can't blame her, but I also can't condone keeping 25 year old towels riddled with holes.
I tried. We tried. We weren't prepared for her actual conditions, abilities, and needs. We weren't prepared for the emotional and mental impact. The toll this would take on communication, day-to-day living, interactions, everything. We weren't prepared. You would like to think you are, but you can never be prepared for this. It was difficult to overcome. And we spiraled down. Everything we were used to in our lives had been downgraded and we were facing just existing and making it through each day. Everything suffered.
Only now are we beginning to emerge. Trying to get our heads back together and pull the strings of our lives back. But now we have an entire new crop of questions. Questions I am sure everyone asks themselves.
I guess there are a few things to get off my chest...
I tend to keep things bottled up. Unless, of course, you go by the handle of Oilburner. Then you get to see the crazy come dancing forth in all its rainbow and unicorn glory.
I am basically a private person, not looking to air out the laundry. I don't want to complain about my problems because everyone has problems. Many that are worse than mine. I also tend not to talk about my successes because I don't want to boast. So that makes me a very good listener, question asker, and shoulder to cry on or vent to, as well as being your biggest cheerleader.
This also means that I tend to get stuck in my own head. Oilburner still gets to carry the brunt of that issue...
However, there are a couple of things that have been weighing heavily for awhile now that I need to get out.
Bobskoot
Bobskoot...bobskoot....bobskoot
Trobaritz and All Things Rogey were of the basic sentiment "Bloody Hell Bob!" Even two years later I'm still not ready. He's gone too soon and too suddenly. I am still very upset with him. And may be one of the reasons I have avoided the blogs, as his name kept popping up with new posts as Skooterbob has made its travels.
Bob and I had been texting back and forth shortly before he left us. He and Yvonne would be in Knoxville as Oilburner and I were heading north on our vacation. I put forth the idea that Oilburner and I would adjust our route and swing by to meet for dinner. It was only going to be 4-6 hours out of our way. No big deal at the start of our vacation. He declined. As we had never met in real life he wanted to reserve our first meeting to his retirement trip the following year. His reasoning was that he couldn't stand meeting for just a few hours over dinner. He wanted to wait until we could spend lots of time together to talk, ride, and eat. Days later and it was no longer an option. We had been texting the night of his death because Oilburner and I had made it to Mike and BRWs. I was sending him teaser pictures that we were taking the lodging accommodations he had occupied the year before. He was appropriately jealous.
The next day Oilburner and I went to Nova Scotia and didn't have good data coverage. So I didn't think too much about additional messages. I started to question things when we returned to the US. I pinged him a few times, figuring their vacation was going great. But I started to get concerned when another week passed without any responses. It was never like Bob to not respond. But we all know how that turned out.
Anyway...I'm still having difficulty in letting go. Therefore, one reason I withdrew from the blogs. As much as I would like to host Scooterbob, I still don't think I am ready.
Around the same time we also went through a major personal upheaval by leaving our house of 13 years, to purchase a new home to share with my mother-in-law. We were collapsing two households into one, with one lady being very unwilling to part with anything from a home she had lived in for 50 years. I can't blame her, but I also can't condone keeping 25 year old towels riddled with holes.
I tried. We tried. We weren't prepared for her actual conditions, abilities, and needs. We weren't prepared for the emotional and mental impact. The toll this would take on communication, day-to-day living, interactions, everything. We weren't prepared. You would like to think you are, but you can never be prepared for this. It was difficult to overcome. And we spiraled down. Everything we were used to in our lives had been downgraded and we were facing just existing and making it through each day. Everything suffered.
Only now are we beginning to emerge. Trying to get our heads back together and pull the strings of our lives back. But now we have an entire new crop of questions. Questions I am sure everyone asks themselves.
- What am I doing with my life?
- I don't like my job, but do I move on? If yes, how and to where??
- Should we move to a place that will make us happier and healthier?
- Where would that be to balance winter and snow and motorcycle season?
We don't have any answers. We are still trying to figure out even how to answer. We are still mired in the mud that has sucked us down, and trying to figure out how to get out. Any suggestions? :)
This is all a very long-winded explanation of why I withdrew for the last two years. I hope you can overlook this transgression.
I've still got my wanderlust. I've picked up many motorcycle adventure tomes. Even managed to read a couple of them when the veil lifted every so often. I give serious thought to chucking all responsibilities and going on an adventure for a year. Oilburner and I talk of this repeatedly and weigh the possibility versus the hit our responsible adults lives will take. We don't have any answers here either. Rather depressing...
I'm really hoping to reconnect with you and life and everything that we found enjoyable. Hoping that will give me the connections to start feeling responsible...
I'm really hoping to reconnect with you and life and everything that we found enjoyable. Hoping that will give me the connections to start feeling responsible...
Wednesday, July 13, 2016
Reawakening?
Hello...
Is there anybody out there?
Just nod if you can here me.
Is there anyone at home?
I can't believe it's been two years since I've last updated anything here. I guess it shouldn't surprise me too much given everything that has been going on, but it is still eye opening how quickly time passes.
Our lives are undergoing another drastic shift and we find ourselves trying to pick up the threads where we left them off a couple years ago. Sadly to say, we really haven't been doing much riding. (Or anything else for that matter.). Soon after getting the big red machine in the last post, we took them on a road trip to Maine again to see our dear friends Mike and BRW. We also took the newly opened ferry service between Portland and Yarmouth and spent a week in Nova Scotia. GORGEOUS!! Coastlines were beautiful, rode the Cabot Trail, overloaded the senses with scenery, and even smuggled some single malt back over the boarder from the distillery that makes the only single malt in Canada. After that we kinda parked the bikes. We took a few day trips, but we had so many other responsibilities that the thrill of riding had turned into the agony of preparation.
So....nothing of note has been going on with regards to the bikes. Hopefully that will be changing. We've already made steps forward and used the extended July 4th holiday to ride the Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP) again!
We had 4 crazy days to ride the 471 mile parkway, plus the distance to get to the top, starting off point. We had done this in the past, in 3 days. This time we were giving ourselves more time. Wheee... :)
Itinerary: Thursday night - Atl to Bristol, TN, the half way point; Friday - Bristol to Waynesboro, VA, the top most city at the start of the BRP; Sat - Mon - completely open to stopping wherever we want.
Of course, nothing goes as planned...
We were waiting for a package to arrive Thursday afternoon that would return our riding pants, as we had sent then in for minor repairs. Of course, they didn't arrive until 7 pm. Traffic, laziness, packing, procrastination, call it what you want we left about 7:30. We had been hoping for 6. Well, we made it about 90 min up the road, stopped for fuel and to check radar. We had been seeing the clouds cover the sky, and they were trading lightning back and forth regularly.
Radar showed a heavy cell coming quickly, so we decided to take the opportunity to have dinner and hope the storm passed quickly.
Oilburner and I agree that it was nice to miss out on the drenching rain that made a lake out of the parking lot at the Huddle House where we had taken refuge. (What do you mean Taco Bell closes at 9 pm on a Thursday?!?!). But we still aren't sure if we would have been hit if we hadn't stopped. We were right at the convergence where the storm was moving NE and we were going NW. We might have dodged it.
The benefits of stopping was the food and laughter. The drawbacks was that the rain was so hard it seemed to have compromised my waterproof buttons because my escort/blinking lights shorted out and could not be turned off. These things run like 6 million candle watt power and were annoying Oilburner something fierce. So annoying, that 4 miles up the road we were pulling over to figure out some solution. He wanted to cut the wires. Ummm..... NO!!! Doesn't he remember how difficult these were to wire up? And besides, they come in handy when you are fogged into some mountain top on the BRP and fear getting hit. I refused to let him cut the wires and we settled on trying to just cover the lights up. We were somewhat successful, with first aid gauze and surgery tape, but I hear they were still pretty visible. Didn't bother me much, not sure why Oilburner was so annoyed. I felt he should have just ridden in front if he didn't want to look at them. ;)
Ultimately, I loved riding until 2 am, after the rain the weather was cool. Cool enough that I enjoyed turning a little heat in Gerbings on. The ride was beautiful on empty roads and the front lights turned the road to daylight.
Bonus was the hotel let us park the bikes directly next to the door and checkout wasn't until noon. SCORE!! Since we only need to ride about 4 hours the next day, there was not rush.
In all, the trip was wonderful. Spent more time on the bikes, both per day and one trip, than we had in 2 years. And boy our butts let us know now it!
We made parkway logistics more difficult then they needed to be on the first day. We didn't rush but didn't lolligag either, and wound up burning through 200 miles on the first day. We got lost trying to find a hotel in Mt. Airy, VA. No, we didn't see Andy Griffiths childhood home. The second day was great, moving in and out of the clouds. My blinky lights came in handy. :) We took it easy, tempted some fish with with warm string cheese. I learned the fine art of finessing a clutch to run in neutral downhill to see my "mileage to empty" actually run backwards. (I tempted the fuel gods, pleading for them to give me enough to make it to the next gas station 30 miles away. I started with 51 miles, rode 35, and still had 41 to go.) There was a stretch there I coasted for 9 miles, gaining 3 miles back on the computer estimate. Clutch fingers were a little tired, but it was fun calling out as the computer gave me time back.
Highlights: Enjoyed feeding the fish. Liked playing with the butterfly on my boot. Rode 1130 miles. Flipped 13K miles on the red machine. Danced with the fuel gods. Found new filters on my camera. Love the north half of the BRP with fields and farms. Love the south half for the curves. Great getting out on the bikes. Pretty flowers. Fell in love with the chocolate lava cake at Chili's. Redneck spelling.
Link to additional pics.
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