| Author | Message | ||
     Crusty |
Campfire Jenga, Ribeye Sandwiches and a Commander 2 OK; in a nutshell; the Tramp part of me is awake. I’m heading for the West Virginia Buell Rally first thing Friday morning. I was planning on heading out tomorrow (Thursday), but I have an appointment at 3:00 PM that I can’t put off. I really don’t want to set my tent up in the dark, so I’ll just head out early Friday. I made a decision. I’m going to Springfield for the Mile. As my sister Grace urged me to, I called the Urologist’s office and got my Procedure moved back two weeks to Sept. 14. If it goes as I expect, I won’t be doing much of anything for close to a week afterwards. Springfield will be my last Hurrah for this summer. If I do need to do the BCG treatments, then hopefully, they’ll be over by the time Buellvemberfest rolls around. I’d really hate to miss that. The Tramp part of me really woke up as I was making my way west to Peoria. It hit me just how good I was feeling putting on miles. Being out on the road just gives me great amounts of joy. I’ve really gotten addicted to the Roadster. It has its faults, but it still feels really good. I can’t think of any bike other than an EBR 1190 SX that I’d consider replacing it with. There are faster bikes, more comfortable bikes, bigger bikes and so on, but nothing else feels so Right for me. I guess I watched Then Came Bronson too many times when I was younger. Or somethin’. I had been thinking that I should put off one of the trips, and use the money saved to buy some paint for the living and dining rooms, but after that ride to Peoria, that idea went right out the flipping’ window. Besides, I can do Springfield pretty cheaply. I’ll head out Saturday morning, get to the Fairgrounds that afternoon, set up my tent and watch the Short Track races that evening. On Sunday morning, I’ll pack up the tent, go over to the grandstand and watch the Mile from my front row seat on the finish line. After the race, I’ll jump on the bike and I’ll be home by Midnight. I bet I can do food, camping and gas for under a hundred bucks (I already bought my tickets for both the Short Track and the Mile). Well, on second thought, I might spend a bit more on food than I usually do. I flat Love the ribeye sandwiches that they sell at Springfield. I first discovered them back in the ’80s, and I’ve been addicted ever since the first one touched my lips. I’ll be eating them for dinner on Saturday and for lunch on Sunday. I have a new rear tire for the Roadster down in the basement (a Michelin Commander 2). I’m keeping an eye on the tread of the tire that’s on the bike. If it looks like there might not be enough tread to get me to Springfield and back, I’ll put the new tire on before I head out. I’ve got two weeks between the WVBR and Springfield. That’s plenty of time. Well; I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself. I think I should focus on this weekend’s Rally. It’s going to be a good one. Great people, great food and Campfire Jenga; it just doesn’t get any better than that. | ||
| Crusty |
A Statement I hate Migraines. | ||
| Ourdee |
Praying | ||
| Crusty |
Chores and Errands Last night, I got a message from a friend asking if I was all right. I guess that it’s because I haven’t written anything for a while. I mean; the last thing I wrote was that I hate Migraines. I can understand why someone might get concerned. The truth of it all is that I really don’t have much to write about. I’m caught up in just doing the day to day things that living requires. I’m not going to write about riding to the Laundromat, or how I’m finally starting to figure out how I’m going to set up the basement. Well, maybe the latter; mechanical freaks enjoy reading about such things. At least I do. The house improvements are proceeding slowly, but they are proceeding. I’ve taken down a half dozen garbage bags worth of brush with quite a few more to go. I got an antenna for my TV, so now I have access to about 30 broadcast channels; most of them hold no interest to me. But I can see the Weather report on channel 12 and when the new season starts next month, I’ll have ABC, NBC, CBS, the CW and whatever else to look at and decide that I should read a book instead. Little by little, this house is really becoming mine. Once more, I’m putting off buying paint until next month, but eventually, it will all get done. Like the 3 Stooges and Niagara Falls, it’s step by step and inch by inch. The Springfield Mile is coming up in a little over a week. I bought tickets to both the Mile and the Short Track on Saturday night. I also wimped out and reserved a room at the Super 8. I just don’t feel like camping. I’d save a pretty good sized chunk of change if I did, but I never sleep well the first night, and I’m planning on riding home right after the race like I did after the Peoria TT. Two weeks after that is when I’m having my procedure. I’m not really looking forward to everything that involves. The Cystoscopy, Bilateral Retrograde Pyelogram and possible biopsy don’t bother me much, since I’ll be unconscious, but having to stick myself in the abdomen and injecting the Bridging drug every 12 hours for five days before the procedure is going to be tough. I’ll do it. but my heart won’t be in it. That’s it for now. I have to go to the laundromat and wash my clothes. It’ll be really nice when I get a washer and dryer. I think I’ll get them before I buy the paint. We’ll see. | ||
| Damnut |
Crusty, check out the Craigslist Free section. There are ALWAYS free washer and dryers that are posted. Oh and welcome back! We missed you this past weekend. | ||
| 86129squids |
Washer/dryer, Habitat gots 'em. HATE going to the Laundromat. Only have to when our giant comforter gets soiled after Rocky has a seizure, which thankfully has been rare lately. I've also depended on a guy who sells used appliances, surely you can find someone close by like that. Folks throw out perfectly good appliances, with maybe a rag caught in the air intake or something stupid. Or, honey says "I want stainless/black/white" whatever. | ||
| Ourdee |
My dryer went out right after I sold a spare matching set from my garage. Craigs-Lister wanted $40 for one. It was at a job-site under a tarp. He gave me directions and I picked it up in the pouring rain. Then I called him to make payment. He laughed and said he was paying it forward and said I was welcome. His wife said it was too loud, so, he had to replace it. Sounds like all the other ones I've had. | ||
| Damnut |
When I bought my house it came with matching washer & dryer. A bit old but they worked fine to me........wife not so much. She didn't mind the washer but the dryer had to go. So after the new dryer is installed, I make a post on the facebooking machine seeing if anyone I know needs a dryer. Figured someone in my network needed a dryer and why not pay it forward. My friend Kim responds and says she could use it and would be over to pick it up that day. Ok....awesome it went to someone I've known for years that could use it, good deed done. Fast forward a couple of years and a group of us were talking about washers and dryers. Kim starts talking about her set and how awesome it was for being 12 years old or something like that. Someone stated that Kim would be replacing them soon since they were so old. Her response..................I'm not worried about the dryer since I have a spare in the barn that Jim gave away a few years ago.   | ||
| Ourdee |
Ha ha. Classic. | ||
| Crusty |
So I Went To The Harley Shop… After my last Snippet, I got a response that accused me of being charismatic and also implied that I have an obligation to continue writing, even when I’m not traveling. I enjoy writing these Snippets and I’m glad that people enjoy reading them; but sometimes, it’s hard to find something motorcycle related to write about. I stopped posting on the Moto Campers forum because I wasn’t writing about camping. And, to be honest, I’ve been seriously considering stopping on both Badweb and the XL Forum. I have one trip left this summer; that’s to the Springfield Mile. I’m hopefully going to Buellvemberfest the first weekend of November, but that depends on whether my cancer has returned. If I’m doing Chemo, I won’t be going much of anywhere. I’ll know more after September 14th. However, today I do have a little bit to write about involving motorcycles. Of course, since I’m one of those nut cases who would rather ride in the winter than give up my bike for a car and I’m also completely obsessed with anything to do with motorcycles, so it’s usually easy enough to find something motorcycle related in my life to write about. The Roadster has a vacuum petcock. Lately, it’s been leaking and dripping gas down onto the Primary. I had seen a replacement diaphragm online a while back, but damned if I could find it when I was looking seriously. So, after a bit of a search, I determined that it made the most sense to just buy an entire new petcock. So I made my way over to H-D of Cincinnati and ordered the petcock (fuel valve), nut, filter screen and gasket. I had looked up the part numbers on Ronnie’s H-D online Parts finder, and brought them with me. The guy behind the counter took the list and checked each item and, of course, not one piece was in stock, so the parts are on order and should be in on this coming Friday. That was pretty much what I expected to happen. The interesting part,for me, was that they didn’t require a deposit. I got a receipt which shows what was ordered and what the price is, but I didn’t have to give then a cent. I pay when the parts come in. I can’t remember how long it’s been since that happened. I’m used to paying 50 to 100% when I’m ordering. I filled the Roadster’s tank while I was up by the Harley shop. gas there is $.05 / gallon cheaper over on that side of town. That means that I saved 13 cents on a 2 1/2 gallon fill up! A whole 13 cents! I realize that when the bike only takes a couple of gallons. Even $.50 more per gallon won’t cost me that much, but I still look for the lowest price. I once ran out of gas on one of my Buells because I tried to make it to another gas station to save some money. The half a buck I saved cost me a lot of energy and time used in pushing a dead bike. I hope to put a spit shine on the Roadster before I head out to Springfield, next week. One week from right now, I should be sitting in my seat in Section NN, Row 1. I’m really looking forward to it. Now; I have to go start making meatballs for tonight’s spaghetti sauce. | ||
| Froggy |
Yea, but that couple gallons I brought you was free, so you came out a few bucks ahead anyway  | ||
| Crusty |
Frank; that was a different time (and a different Buell) The time I was referring to was when I was coming home from Homecoming. I had noticed that gas was $.32 more per gallon in Indiana than in Ohio. I decided to try to make it to the rest area in Ohio. I almost made it. The bike died about a half mile too soon. The time you rescued me, I thought I would find a gas station long before I would run out of gas, but didn't. That was just bad judgement. I did (and still do) appreciate the rescue. It's amazing how heavy a motorcycle gets when you have to push it uphill. | ||
| Crusty |
I’m Tempted… Springfield is this weekend. The Short Track is on Saturday night and the Mile is on Sunday. I have my tickets and I’ve made my plans. I;m going to do this almost as cheaply as possible. I could save a few bucks if I camped instead of getting a motel room, but I haven’t camped in a while. I never sleep well on the first night out camping; plus, I’m going to ride back to Cincy right after the Mile. I’m going to have a good time; not to test my endurance skills. However; one of the racers is Jeffery Carver (#23), and he’s sponsored by Carver’s BBQ in Alton, Illinois. Obviously, it’s a family business, but I haven’t had good BBQ in a while. I was too sick to make it to the West Virginia Buell Rally (and the best Pulled Pork I’ve ever tasted), and I haven’t checked out any of the local BBQ joints yet. My devious Tramp side has been whispering to my subconscious and building quite a tangible case for doing something rash. Now, if I were to cancel my reservation at the Stupor 8 and bring my camping gear, I could camp for two nights (Friday and Saturday) for about half of the price of the room for one night. I’d be spending a bit more on gas, since I’d be traveling farther and I’d also be spending more on food for the extra day (plus, the BBQ). Being as honest as I can be, I’d probably wind up spending more. The plusses are that I could have some (Hopefully) good ribs, I’d be supporting a Flat Track sponsor and indirectly, one of the racers. I’d also get to ride a bit more. The minuses are that I might be too tired to ride home on Sunday night and I’ll be spending more money than I was planning. I guess I’ll just have to sit down and do things like check how much farther it is to go to Alton first, then Springfield, and throw some numbers around. I also have to look at my rear tire and make sure it’s got enough tread to make the trip, though I’m pretty sure it does. I’m pretty sure I know the answer already, but I need to check it out first. There’s no reason to go off half cocked. What the hell; God hates a coward. I think I’ll be indulging in some ribs this Friday. Ain’t Temptation fun, sometimes? | ||
| Ourdee |
I'm located 2 miles from 465 and 67 on the South West corner of Indianapolis. Bed, shower, food, and a spot in the garage for the bike. If you need to stop short on the way home. Just let me know. You are welcome. Sunday night is game night with some of our kids. You can play, watch, or have my den with the computer. | ||
| Tootal |
Crusty, if you want to save some money just stay here. Springfield is an hour and 15 minutes away and I grew up in Alton so I know the town well. I'd love to check out some BBQ. Come on Friday and we eat ribs and on Saturday you spend an hour riding to Springfield. You're welcome to ride back and spend the night again if you want to save the money. I was going to offer this sooner but my plans weren't known yet and I was afraid I was not going to be in town but I just got back from Georgia and will be here after all. You're 5 hours away on Interstates 74 to 70 or 5.5 hours away on Interstates 71 to 64. Or if you want to take back roads hwy. 50 will take you here in 7 hours. | ||
| 04buell |
We may see ya at the race Crusty. We have our tickets bought and will be heading that way!!! We can buy ya a sandwich or something!! You can always stay at our place too. You are always welcome. We are just south of I-57 and I-70 split. | ||
| Tootal |
04buell, have you been to Smoked to the Bone in Luka? | ||
| 04buell |
Not yet but it's on the schedule. Gonna do it soon because we hear that it's the best ever. We have been to Iuka to the new little ice cream place. It's a "have to" if you are in the area. Iuka is only about 30 miles from us so we have made the ice cream stop a go to place when we wanna take a little ride. | ||
| Crusty |
First; Thank you Greg, Jerry & Carol for the offers. I just watched the weather forecast and I've changed my plans again. The remnants of Harvey will be coming through this area on Friday, bringing heavy rain and strong winds. They're talking 2-4" of rain and wind gusts of 40 MPH. I really don't want to ride through that. So, I'm just going back to my original plan of heading out on Saturday morning, seeing the Short Track on Saturday night and the Mile on Sunday, then blazing home after the race Sunday evening. If you do make it to the Mile, I'll be sitting in section NN, Row 1, Seat 1. Feel free to come on by. I plan to be there from the time that practice starts until after the Checkered Flag of the Main. Although, if they are having a Parade Lap, I'll probably spend the money and take a lap around the World's Fastest Dirt. Then, I'll be back in my seat. | ||
| 04buell |
Event: 2017 Springfield Mile - Race 2 9/3/17 Section: RR - Seats: R1-S7, R1-S8, Our seats. | ||
| Tootal |
Well that's easy! Ride over on Thursday and we'll get some BBQ in St. Louis that I know is really good! If it rains we take the car! | ||
| Tootal |
Smoked to the bone is owned by a friend of mine from high school. He was a pole vaulter and had the school record till last year. Not bad, he had it for 40 years! I was the high jumper and my record still holds. I haven't been there yet but it's on the short list! | ||
| 04buell |
You need to let us know when ya are gonna come over, and we can go with!! It's got a great reputation. But I think it may be open limited hours. 309 N Front St Iuka, Il 62849 618-323-4115 | ||
| Crusty |
I wrote this about Springfield a couple of years ago. My feelings about it haven't changed. Springfield I learned to ride motorcycles in 1969 and I immediately fell in love with riding. I started learning as much as I could about pretty much all facets of motorcycles. I started buying all the magazines at the Newsstand and explored a whole new world with enthusiasm. I read about Old (Vintage) bikes and New bikes, I learned about famous riders like Ed Kretz and “Iron Man” Fred Ham, I read articles on Vincents and even Indian Vincents, Munch Mammuts and Seeley Condors. I fell in love with the Royal Enfield Mark 2 Interceptor. I read about Racing of all types. I read about people like Dave Aldana, Gene Romero, Gary Nixon and Dick Mann. I learned about the different types of motorcycle races. I learned the history of AMA Racing and how the National #1 plate was awarded to the winner of the Springfield Mile up until 1954. I read about places like Ascot and the San Jose Mile and the Castle Rock TT and the Houston Astrodome Short Track. There was a whole lot to learn, and I jumped into the deep end of the knowledge pool with enthusiasm. In 1973, I saw my first Dirt Track race (the Colorado Springs Mile), and it was instant addiction. I would attend as many Nationals as I could over the next few years, and I loved watching all of them. I met retired racers and learned about what it was like to race back in the ‘50s and ‘60s. I had my heroes, and would cheer them on at every race I attended. In the early ‘80s, the Springfield Mile returned. The Legendary Springfield Mile. The place where, in the Old Days, the #1 Plate was awarded. I read about it in the magazines, and decided that, one day I would go to see it. One Tuesday in May of 1984, I was reading a magazine and discovered that the Springfield Mile was going to be held on the upcoming Sunday, May 20. I was unemployed at the time, and I had the money to go, so I left on Thursday for Illinois. I found the Fairgrounds on Saturday, and went to the window to get a ticket for Sunday’s race. When I told the guy at the window that I had just ridden out from Boston, he was amazed and he took me into the Grandstands so that I could see the track. It was groomed to perfection, and I could just tell that the race was going to be a really good one. The track had a real aura; Magical or Electric both come to mind, but however you want to describe it, I could feel it. However, around midnight that night, it started to rain. I was in my tent at the KOA, and I could hear it. It wasn’t a heavy rain and it would stop then restart, but it was enough to worry me. I got up around 7:00 and rode into town to get breakfast at the Howard Johnson’s. Jay Springsteen, Scotty Parker and their wives were eating in the booth behind me, and I shamelessly eavesdropped on their conversation. I remember Jay saying that he hoped the officials would cancel early so he could head for home, and that just made me feel worse. I had come out from Massachusetts and I wasn’t going to see the race. It was going to be a Rain out. I left the restaurant, and headed downtown on my way to the Fairgrounds, and the sky just opened up. I wound up stopping in another restaurant just to get out of the rain, it was pouring so bad. I was waiting to get a seat and watching a puddle grow around me as the water drained out of my Levis when I looked over and Ricky Graham was standing next to me. I was getting to have breakfast with three of my heroes, and my mood was so foul, I wouldn’t talk to them. I was bummed. (besides, what do you say to one of your heroes? “Gee, I think you’re cool!”? That only embarrasses both you and him.) Anyway, the rain quit shortly after that, and the sun came out. I rode out to the fairgrounds around noon, and there was a sign on the ticket window saying Rain Date May 27. The doors to the stands were wide open, so I went in and looked at the track. There was a set of footprints about six inches deep in the mud where somebody had walked across the front straight. I could understand why the race had been cancelled, but I didn’t like it. I thought about just hanging around Springfield for a week so that I could see the race, but then my common sense kicked in and I realized that was not really feasible. I went back to the KOA, and discovered that the wind had blown my tent down, and my sleeping bag and clothes were soaked. I was camped away from all the Rudabagos and off by the edge of the Kampground, so I hung my wet clothes on the fence behind my tent, and spread my bag out on the picnic table and let the wind dry them. The next morning, I got up early and headed home. I later discovered that not hanging around was the best thing I could have done. The race got rained out again the following week. If I had stayed, I still wouldn’t have gotten to see it. It took four tries that year to finally get the Mile in. However, just seeing the track had been enough to get me to come back the following year. And the race in 1985 was good enough to have me returning almost every year for the next 25+ years. I haven’t been to Springfield for a few years, now. Circumstances and health issues have kept me away. This year though, I’ve already talked to the very nice lady at the IMDA and there will be a ticket for me waiting at the Will Call window on both Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends. I’ve said it many times over the years, and it still holds true; if I could only see one race for the rest of my life, it would be the Springfield Mile. If you’ve never been to it, you don’t know what you’re missing. | ||
| Crusty |
Stalling Tonight is the Springfield Short Track and tomorrow’s The Mile. I’ve been looking forward to going for a while. I got my tickets well in advance, and I’ve mentally dwelt on the weekend for a while. But I’m stalling on heading out. There are a few reasons; first, I’m hoping that the roads will dry out. The remains of Hurricane / Tropical Storm Harvey came through here yesterday and last night and there are still pockets of rain between here and Indianapolis. And it’s a cold rain. Today, the temps are at their coldest since before I moved here. Currently, it’s 56º F (13.3º C) I hate to admit it, but I’ve become a wuss when it comes to cold. I’m hoping it will warm up a bit before I head out, but it probably won’t. It will be warmer in Springfield, but I have to get there before I can enjoy the temps there. It’s supposed to be in the mid 80s tomorrow for the Mile and it should stay warm enough for my ride home (according to Intellicast); it’s just today until early afternoon that will be cold. That’s funny; 56º is cold. Next spring, it’ll seem balmy. Another reason I’m stalling is that I don’t want to arrive too early. If I get to the Stupor 8 too early, they won’t let me into my room. However, that’s getting to be less of a potential problem as time goes on. It’s a pretty simple route from here; take I 74 to I 72. That’s it. It’s very familiar territory from Indianapolis on; the nice part is that it's only 4 1/2 hours away. That's a piece of cake. I’ve been going to Springfield since 1984. I’ve ridden a bunch of bikes there over the years; my ’78 Superglide, ’86 XLH1100, ’88 FLHS, ’98 S3-T, ’00 M2, ’06 Uly, ’08 Uly XT, ’07 Guzzi Norge and, of course, the Roadster. I’ve also gone in a number of cars, as well on years I didn’t ride to the race, but I won’t list them. Well, I don’t think the street’s going to dry out for a while, so I guess I’ll just put on my rain gear and hit it. I hope the races are as good as they usually are. | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
Safe travels! Looking forward to the ride report and hear how the races went. | ||
| Tootal |
Get on the road! It's sunny and 67 degrees! What a beautiful day! | ||
| Ourdee |
If you really needed it, You could stop by here. Dry out. Get a warm bath w/bubbles (not the clown). I'll put the thick towels on the towel warmer. Hot chocolate in the Kurig with home made oatmeal honey bread with unsalted butter and triple chocolate brownies on the side. Clothes laundered and dried with snuggle softener. Bed with a pillow top mattress for a nap with down comforter (optional electric blanket) and choice of pillows. While I hand wash and dry the bike after I run to the gas station with a gas can for fresh fuel to top off the steed. I only offer cause I know it's not your style. Stay safe and enjoy the races Bro. | ||
| Two_seasons |
Ourdee, you are such a •••••   | ||
| Ourdee |
I sit myself down after about half my chores have been started today and realize as I contemplate a ride to anywhere, I'm jealous of John over in Illinois now. I need to ride more! |
