hogbiker.com v3.0 » Road Reports

While It’s Warm Enough, Is It Worth The Risk?

Two Tone — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 16:23:34 +0000

In the last few days, I’ve seen more & more people riding on two wheels. Because of this I want to remind everyone who is riding & thinking of riding what I tell myself.

It’s still risky out there!

While the weather has been cooperating, the roads have been dry on main thoroughfares & highways…we are still at the mercy of the inherent dangers of winter driving:

Gravel and other debris as well as the fact that drivers aren’t looking out for motorcycles!

Oh…did I mention that it is still WINTER & so the precipitation can still be of a more “solid” nature (think of last weekend people)?

In taking my bike out to ride in the late afternoon & evenings I am noticing how the drivers or passengers are shocked to see a motorcyclist on the street. I even had one passenger roll down her window and yell “Go for it you crazy son of a bitch!”

This weekend is the Alaska Motorcycle Dealers Association 17th Annual Custom Cycle Show, & so many people will be taking their respective motorcycles out to show off to the community that they will risk riding for the simple sake of the “coolness” status it brings.

So again I’d like to point out that if you’re going to ride, be extra careful and alert.

I know that the last thing any motorcycle rider wants it to lay their bike down before the riding season even begins!

Knowing yourself well enough that you are leaving the bike home because the risks are too great is, in my mind, way cooler that riding for the sake of vanity.

Enjoy yourselves & we’ll see you on the road….

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The Weather Is Still Holdin Up!

Two Tone — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 01:58:56 +0000

For those who travel Alaska know that by September we are usually starting to see thing like FROST or even the S word (I’m not saying it now for fear oif it showing up).

This year we have had one of the best riding seasons I’ve experienced in some time.

Last year was miserable both from a weather and injured perspective.

While we have been having some isolated showers in the area, they have mostly been in the late evenings & short to say the least.

I am so digging the length of time that the fall colors are staying around (it’s usually about two to three weeks).

Hopefully this will keep up for a while.

Alaskan Bikers for Global Warming!!!!!

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Celebrating Memorial Day

Two Tone — Mon, 25 May 2009 15:41:22 +0000

Was again part of the annual VNV M/C’s memorial day run at the Alaska Veterans Memorial at Beyer’s Lake.

The Day was great, the ceremony stellar and the reuniting with friends the best.

More pictures forthcoming…in the menatime enjoy my Memorial Day writeup on my regular blog: http://www.leray.us/nukem/2009/05/25/on-this-memorial-dayon-this-memorial-day/721

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We’re Riding!

Two Tone — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 16:10:35 +0000

As is with each spring, we motorcyclists are back on the road in droves. While I write to inform the automobile drivers, I want to also remind my exuberant motorcyclists to be watchful for the many road conditions out there.

Gravel - remember that the roads are NOT swept yet and corners, parking lots, shoulders and center strips are still ripe with the stuff.
Ice/Snow – shocking, but there is still places that the ice & snow have not melted or if it has it refreezes when the temperature is right.
Black Ice – as above, black ice is still out there. Watch for low spots, covered roadways and so on.
Unaware drivers – let’s face it…drivers are not yet expecting to see motorcyclists so don’t be surprised that they are not watching for you.
Ash – ash? Yes ASH. It creates a different type of dust cloud for you to ride in so be aware of it’s inherent challenges for you and your machine.

Is there more (animals, kids, terrorism)? Absolutely…but for right now, these are the most prevalent for the returning Alaska rider.

Be safe, have fun & we’ll see you on the road!

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2009 AMCDA Bike Show

Two Tone — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 15:49:59 +0000

This year’s show was great, all things considered.

The long winter, economic downturn, and an active volcano did not stop motorcycle enthuisiasts from coming to see all the new bikes or sign up for an ABATE MSF safety course.

We even had some very brave souls ride on two wheels to the event!

This year saw more work for me as I worked for ABATE, the AMCDA and squeezed in a radio broadcast from the show! To show you how tiring that was, one of our Dawgs had a birthday party Saturday night and I was out on the couch before 8pm!

Turnout numbers were the same as last year and I believe that was due to the weather (there was still lots of ice and snow, and it snowed three inches Saturday night). After all how can you really get into motorcycles when there’s ice and snow outside?

Regardless, for those that attended it was fun and seeing old friends I hadn’t seen since the accident as well as them seeing me up and walking made the fellowship touching. Enjoy my pictures and we’ll see you on the road REAL SOON!

[Show as slideshow]

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Thought It’s “Winter” In D.C. I’d Be Riding!

Two Tone — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 04:04:40 +0000

So I’m back in D.C. again this week and even though it’s “winter” in D.C. (a couple of minutes of really light flurries) I did see a couple of troopers who didn’t care (or maybe it’s determination against using the metro) and were riding their bikes in town.

There were a BUNCH of scooter riders, all bundled up and braving D.C. traffic (which I think is more dangerous than the weather) which I admired as they bobbed and weaved in traffic.

So here is the Alaskan Guy in just a shirt and tolerating the hot buildings where the heat is turned up (it is winter here in D.C.) thinking that it would be so cool to have my Road King to ride around in.

Of course, since I had a rental car this time I know it’s a fantasy as driving in this town is about as scary as it gets…especially in Georgetown!

However I will admit that if I had a bike…I’d risk it !

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Spring, Part II: It’s Finally Melting…

Two Tone — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 23:55:37 +0000

Well…after our little BLIZZARD last weekend, I decided it’s warm enough and the roads are dry enough to begin riding again.

It definably a cold ride in the wee hours, but it’s not iced over and the snow is only sticking to the ground in most places:

At this point I just don’t care as I want to ride (and ride I will DAMMIT)!

I guess I have to look at the bright side…because of the snow it’s no longer dusty around here .

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What Sin Did I Commit?!?

Two Tone — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 06:01:57 +0000

Was it for not riding to see Wanda Sykes last night? Not taking off more time from work to ride during the day?

Forgot to finish my green beans?

This last week was great. The weather was spectacular all week (above 40 degrees every day). Sun shine for most of it (there were a couple of wet moments, but they passed). Nights were cloud free and also warm.

So what did we do wrong to get 3″ of snow today for goodness sake?!?

We were planning a day of riding to breakfast, the store, lunch and dinner. Instead we had to drive and I was scraping ice and snow off my vehicle all day.

Sickening.

Well according to the weather reports, this is supposed to go on for a few more days.

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Yo! It’s Still TRIKE SEASON!!!!!

Two Tone — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 18:07:17 +0000

Earlier this week one of our friends went down on her birthday. Luckily for all of us the biggest damage was to her pride and her bike.

Now I know the roads look good…they really do, but there is still ice out there!

And that’s not the worst of it!

Lets not forget our old friend…gravel. Every year they toss gravel and salt on our roads. Salt melts away with the snow, but gravel stays to become a dangerous hazard to the motorcyclist.

I realize it’s cool to say you’ve ridden…sure, I’ll grant that. But is it worth limb? Your bike? Worse yet…your life?!?

I guess I’ve gotten up enough in years to realize I’d rather wait now than risk not being able to ride during the short season we do have.

If you feel you have to prove something, prove you can ride during the riding season – ride in all the bad weather and put miles on.

Please….don’t get the throttle stuck on stupid.

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It’s Not Good To Be “Neutral”

Two Tone — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 22:13:26 +0000

When you’re stopped at an intersection.

Today I saw a bike (Roadstar, I believe), get bumped because the car started to move ahead of the motorcyclist in front of him. The motorcyclist was having difficulty putting it into gear after the light changed and the car bumped the bike.

He’s OK as he was able to manhandle the bike before it fell, but it could have been worse.

I know LOTS of people who put their bike in neutral when they are at a lighted intersection, but the simple truth is…it’s dangerous to do so. Here’s three reasons why you should be ready to bail at a moment’s notice:

The car that isn’t stopping….
Emergency vehicles….
Accident (i.e. car or other debris coming at you)….

There are obviously more but those are the quick ones that come to mind, but the simple rue should be to keep the bike in gear and your hand on the clutch lever when stopped.

If it’s a matter of cramping or hanging on to the clutch, then my recommendation is to get one that is easier to manage (i.e. an “easy” or “hydraulic” clutch) or throw a leg over and practice holding your clutch for long periods of time while it’s parked.

Trust me…it’s worth it’s weight in gold when you can pop the clutch and avoid something (here in Alaska, that can also mean large animals such as moose or even bears!).

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