| Author | Message | ||
     Crusty |
So Far… I’ve got about three hours to kill before I go to the track, so I might as well do a quick update. I stalled around, yesterday morning, hoping that the streets would dry out and the sun would come out. It didn’t happen. So I climbed on the bike and set out on I-74. About five miles out, I realized that I’d forgotten to put the windshield on the bike. I prefer to leave it off when I’m just staying close to home but I (until yesterday) always have it on the bike when I’m traveling. I didn’t want to turn around, so I decided. “Screw it! I’ll do this trip without it.” It was a raw ride until I got to Indianapolis. As I approached Indy from the southeast, I saw a patch of blue in the cloud cover. By the time I got around the city and was heading west on 74, all the clouds were behind me and the weather was glorious. The temperature came up to just about Ideal and I had a smooth and uneventful ride into Springfield. I love Springfield on Mile weekends. There are bikes everywhere. I rolled into town and felt like saying, “Honey; I’m home!” Rode to the motel and checked in. Brought my stuff up to the room and immediately started getting a Migraine, which pissed me off. The visuals were particularly strong and I was wondering if the additional strain on my neck caused by riding without a windshield may have had anything to do with it. In any event, I decided that Headache or No, I was in Springfield and I was going to see the Races. The visuals went away and my Migraine and I headed over to the Short Track. One of the things I enjoy doing at events like this is walking through the parking lot and looking at the bikes. I like seeing the new models and I like seeing unusual bikes. I also look at modifications on bikes. There was plenty to look at. I saw a brazillion Harley Big Twins, a Moto Guzzi Norge with a bicycle rack (carrying a bicycle), another Guzzi - a V-11 with Hot dog & Mustard paint, a Buell M2, an R-69 BMW, a couple of Honda 305 Chicken Hawks (remember when they were everywhere?), trikes, sidecar rigs, Tourers, Sport-Tourers, Standards, Cruisers, Sport Bikes; and I missed a whole lot more, I’m sure. Went into the stands, bought a rib eye sandwich and a bottle of Pepsi and found a seat in my preferred location - Front Row right on the finish line. I wasn’t sure if my headache would allow me to stay there, but sometimes I can be real mule headed, as my dad used to say. The racing was good, though confusing at times. They were running a bunch of different classes. I could tell the Experts and the 450 Singles class and the Bultaco Astro race (all the bikes in that one were identical), but there were a plethora of different colored numbers and plates in some of the other races. White plates w/ black #s, black plates w/ white #s, yellow plates w/ black #s, White plates w/ red #s and one that had a blue plate with a white # and an orange X through the #. And they were all in the same race. In one of the vintage races, there was a guy on an Iron Head Sportster. He was running up front with the leaders until his bike died. I was hoping he’d pull off the win. Oh well. I had a rib eye sandwich and a warm bottle of Pepsi for dinner, then I got a Pork Chop sandwich and a colder bottle of Pepsi a couple of hours later. I expect race track food to be expensive, and it was, but I really look forward to the rib eye sandwiches at Springfield. The concessionaire has found cheaper, tougher and less flavorful rib eyes for his sandwiches. They still have managed to raise the price again, though. Oh, well. Today, at the Mile, I’ll get my Rib Eye sandwiches from Coleman’s. They still get the good, tasty steaks. I don’t mind paying, but I really prefer Quality. My head is still hurting, but that won’t keep me away from the Mile. I’ve seen all kinds of racing in many different places (even Australia). I’ve watched Moto GP, WSBK, AMA road races, dirt tracks of all types, Motocross, Speedway, even a motorcycle Demolition Derby; none of them come close to sitting in the stands at the Springfield Mile. Honey; I’m Home! | ||
| Tootal |
Absolutely perfect day yesterday. Enjoy the Mile and have a safe trip back! | ||
| 04buell |
 | ||
| Ourdee |
He's in the lead! Winning! | ||
| Oldfartnbuell |
GO JOHN GO!!!! Its always nice to be the front man. | ||
| Buellish |
I always pull for the guy in the lead! | ||
| 04buell |
That's funny!!  | ||
| Cyclonedon |
From what I heard it sounded like the wrecking crew took over the show again! | ||
| Crusty |
Labor Day Weekend, 2017 I’m running out of titles again. I thought up about six different titles for this Snippet, and I’ve used them all. Oh, well; I think that’s a quality problem. Or maybe it’s a sign that I should lay off of these little essays for a while. I’ll have to think about it. I got to the fairgrounds early. I did my usual walk over to the maintenance entrance and checked out the track, and it was looking really good. I then strolled down the Midway in front of the stands checking out all the vendors and other displays. There was a magnificent 1936 RLDR Harley racer from the ‘30s that was restored to a lever it had never seen even when it was new. Even though it was overdone, it was still magnificent. I was literally on my knees looking into places on the bike and just drooling on myself. Right beside it was an XR-750 that also was magnificent, but for a very different reason. It wasn’t restored, but it was a good example of the most successful racing motorcycle in history. The XR 750 has been winning races from 1972 to the present. Sammy Halbert won the Half Mile at the X Games on one earlier this year. Forty five years of victories is really impressive. Harley had a display set up on the Midway, and they had a Street Rod and a new Fat Boy on display. I’m still drawn to the Street Rod. I was discussing my liking the Street Rod with a gentleman who was near the bike, and he told me that he’d heard a rumor that there was a 900 variant in the works. He wasn’t a Harley employee (nudge, nudge, wink, wink), and he didn’t know anything, but the Sportster is getting long in the tooth and is due for an upgrade or a replacement. Or something. I sat on the bike and it felt fairly comfortable. I bet it wouldn’t be too hard to fabricate a set of Hepco & Becker saddlebag mounts. Food for thought. I also went by Coleman’s and asked what time they would have Rib Eye sandwiches ready to sell. I told them that their rib eyes were the best and tastiest, and that I’d been looking forward to them for a year. They said they’d be selling them at 11:00, and I told them I’d be back for certain. One bonus; not only are their sandwiches better, they’re two bucks cheaper than Turasky’s (the big concessionaire). And Coleman’s sells Lemon Shake Ups A lemony drink that’s pretty tasty. It’s especially good when washing down a Rib Eye Sandwich. I had a big debate with myself about whether I was going to Ride the Mile or not. I’d gotten to the Fairgrounds early enough that I had a great parking spot. I didn’t want to lose it like had happened in past years. I had all the excuses for why I shouldn’t and they were all valid, but I finally pushed myself and rode into the infield and got in line. I paid my ten bucks and got a yellow wristband and a pin that says I Rode the Springfield Mile 2017. And I got to take two parade laps. Jerry and Carol (Mr & Mrs 04buell) were in the stands and Carol took my picture. That will be a Treasured Memory. I’ve already downloaded in into my Photographs. Riding the Mile is an experience. The track is a whole world different from what it looks like in the stands. I’ve ridden the track at Springfield many times, but it always gives me a rush. After the ride, I went back and my parking spot was still open (!), so I put the roadster back, stopped by Coleman’s and got another Rib Eye and a large Lemon Shake Up and made my way back to my seat. A little while later, Jerry and Carol came by and sat by me and we watched the races and shot the bull. The races were good, but the Indians swept the podium. Again. Sammy Halbert gave them some trouble for a while on a Yamaha, but they Indians had horsepower on their side. I wish Yamaha or Kawasaki or Harley would get off their dead asses and build a bike that can compete. Harley’s trying and their XG 750R is getting faster, but it isn’t there yet. Hopefully, Vance & Hines will find the horsepower before next season starts. But both the Yamaha and Kawasaki have the potential. They’re missing out on a golden opportunity. Jerry, Carol and I said our good byes and I made my way back toward the Roadster. Since I was passing by Coleman’s I asked if they had any Rib Eyes left. They did, so I got one. They were giving out free Shake Ups to anyone who bought a sandwich, so I got a last meal for six bucks. An excellent deal. I won’t be getting another one of their sandwiches until next Memorial Day, so I’ll have the memory to carry me through the long winter. I made really good time coming home. I was doing my usual 9 over the limit for a while, but then I passed a couple of Buells. A Volcano Grey with orange frame & wheels M2 and a Sinister Blue with white frame & wheels S3-T. I waved as I passed them and continued at my pace. A few minutes later, the Buells passed me back. They were doing about 5 MPH faster than I was. I figured, “What the hell” and got in behind them. gradually, the speed picked up until I looked down and saw we were doing 95. I was thinking that I was in Real Expensive Territory if we got pulled over, but it didn’t slow me down. Eventually, the two Buells pulled into a Rest Area; we waved farewell at each other and I went back to running 9 over. I stopped for gas and food (and to clean the bugs off my face shield) about 2/3 of the way home. I tool a lengthy break, ate a little bit and then got back out there, arriving home about midnight. This morning, my neck and shoulders are sore as are the front of my thighs. I never would have thought that riding without a windshield would make my thigh muscles sore, but it did. The neck and shoulders, I can understand, and the spot on my throat where the helmet strap and buckle sit makes sense, but my thighs? I did notice that my legs were more comfortable when I put my feet on either the passenger pegs or the highway pegs, but I haven’t had any problem with the front of my legs before. Hmmm. Well that’s my Springfield report. If you’ve never been there, you really should go. It’s not just a race; it’s a true Motorcycling Event. | ||
| Ourdee |
Crusty, Please remember to remind me that I am going next year. I have to! | ||
| Crusty |
Going For A Ride A couple of years ago, I camped at a riverfront park in Maysville, Kentucky. It was reasonably priced, and I spent a quiet night on the banks of the Ohio River. I’ve been thinking about that a bit this morning. Northern Kentucky was beautiful, and I’m wondering if it’s as pretty all around the Kentucky-Ohio-West Virginia region. Actually, I know it is, but I’m talking myself into going camping for a couple of days. I haven’t slept in my tent for over a year and I’m missing that, this morning. I don’t know why; I’ll wake up stiff and sore because I’m not used to camping, and Instant coffee with plastic cream substitute doesn’t taste nearly as good as fresh ground Kenya beans with real cream; but then again, a Sportster with a windshield isn’t nearly as comfortable as a full dress garbage wagon either. I guess I get some kind of buzz out of minimalist Tramping. I can’t see me ever owning a Gold Wing or BMW 1600 GT. I have owned a FLHS and I liked it, but I prefer a lighter and sportier bike. I think I want to head out for a couple of days because I’m feeling a bit anxious about Thursday’s upcoming Procedure (why don’t they call them Operations any more?). I have to be back before Tuesday, because the remnants of the hurricane will be coming through and I really don’t enjoy riding in a downpour with strong winds. I rode home from work during a hurricane back around 1991, and it was a very scary experience. I have no desire to experience that again. Still, I have a real itch to travel a bit, so I’ll just keep it down to a couple of days. So Tomorrow morning, I going to climb on the bike and go that way. I’m pretty sure I’ll be sticking to back roads. I’ve looked at my favorite campground location website and there are numerous inexpensive campgrounds to stop at both in Kentucky and West Virginia. A couple of days away from everything and everyone; just me and the Roadster. That really appeals to me. | ||
| Crusty |
No Tents Allowed Saturday, I packed the bike. It’s been long enough since I did any camping that I had to think about what I was doing; the instinctive routine had gone away. I put my tools in the left saddlebag; along with my rain gear. Even though I was using the 30 liter bags and not the 40s, there was still plenty of room left over. I put the Rok Straps on and put the tent, sleeping bag and pad on the back and cinched everything down. I brought the right bag upstairs so I could pack it in the morning with the last minute items, like toothbrush and paste, daily drugs and the laptop. Throughout the day on Saturday, when there was a pause in the racing (I was watching the Half Mile in Mechanicsburg, PA on Fans Choice TV), I’d add items that I’d forgotten like flashlights, address book, etc. The one item that I didn’t think of was my cane. I also didn’t pack a hat and sunglasses. I had decided to avoid highways, so I crossed over the Ohio River on the Roebling bridge and picked up Kentucky State Route 8 and turned East. Or North. Or South It pretty much follows the river. It was a magnificent ride. Once I got away from the Greater Cincinnati area, there was no traffic. I would go for 20 minutes or more without seeing another vehicle. I followed Rt. 8 to Maysville, then I crossed back over the river into Ohio and picked up US Route 52. Rt. 8 was a Kentucky Scenic Highway; Rt. 52 was an Ohio Scenic Highway. Rt.52 had a lot more traffic than Rt.8, but it was still a nice ride and it followed the river on the other bank. Once I got to Huntington, West Virginia, I picked up Ohio Rt.7 and took that sort of North, still following the river. I’m constantly surprised by the amount of large manufacturing plants along the river. It makes sense; it’s pretty easy to ship large and/ or heavy items by barge. Still, I’d be riding along, out in the middle of nowhere and come upon a small town with a huge manufacturing plant making everything from steel to building materials or whatever (some of the plants were pretty much unmarked, so I had no clue what they make) I had looked on my Campgrounds Locator and had found a campground just outside Gallipolis, Ohio and had decided that I would put up there for the night. I found the Gallia County Junior Fairgrounds and made my way to the camping area. When I got to the office, there was a sign on the door that said, “NO TENTS ALLOWED IN CAMPGROUND” There was nobody in the office and the door was locked, as well. My ankle had been bothering me increasingly all afternoon, which didn’t help my attitude and seeing that sign flat pissed me off. Why do they call it a campground if it’s only an RV Park? So I left. I pulled over to the side of the road and pulled out my map of Ohio. There were no campgrounds shown anywhere nearby. My ankle was really aching and I decided to just hit the highway and head for home. My enthusiasm for putting up the tent was completely gone. So I got on US Rt.35 which turned out to be a divided 4 lane with a 70 MPH speed limit. I took that as far as Chillicothe, where I got on US Rt.50 and took that back to Cincinnati. I arrived home just at sunset. So I didn’t get to sleep in the tent, like I’d hoped. My ankle is still giving me fits this morning; I think I’ll be using my cane today. It’s probably a good thing that I didn’t camp, though I’m still a bit pissed off at the Gallia County Junior Fairgrounds. Well; maybe next time… | ||
| Adrenaline_junkie |
Crusty, If you ever find yourself on this route again there us a place a little up river on the WV side where you can camp for free. It's 4 acres, it used to be a driving range for golf people. Some idiot bought it and put in his own personal flat track. I've known the idiot a very long time and he wouldn't mind you camping there at all. | ||
| Tootal |
Sorry your ride didn't turn out like you hoped! I've run into the "no tents allowed" before which I just don't understand. I guess if you can't afford an RV they don't want your low rent a$$ around! I used to stay at Bulow campground North of Daytona during bike week. Made a lot of great memories there! They had a group of permanent "campers" there that finally threatened the owners that they would leave if they let the bikers in there again! Why they were getting drunk and naked!!! Anyway, they succumbed to the locals and we had to go somewhere else. Quite a shame, I know they had to make a lot of money that week! To get there we had to ride "Old Dixie Highway", which is a tunnel of trees heading North out of Daytona. A beautiful ride through the swamp forest! | ||
| Ourdee |
I remember when the drive in movies wouldn't let me in because I was on a bike. | ||
| Lynrd |
I remember when my girlfriends father would let her go out with me because I was on a bike. So I returned with a Van... | ||
| Ourdee |
I built a garage for a girlfriend's father and he tossed me his car keys to use. I need to go camping. | ||
| Crusty |
Yesterday, I had my procedure done. This morning, I sent out a Progress Report on how it went. Although this has nothing to do with motorcycles, I figure I'll put it up here any how: Progress Report Yesterday, I had a Cystoscopy, Bilateral Pyelogram and had a Bladder Biopsy taken. After I got home, I was very ill. Nausea, vomiting, fever, delirium, shivering with cold, then burning up and sweating and very painful unination. The fever broke last night, but today I feel very weak and I won’t be leaving the house. The funny part is that I felt fine after the procedure. David and I stopped at White Castle and got lunch on the way home. I didn’t start feeling ill until about an hour after that. Anyhow, I see the Urologist Monday morning to discuss the results of the Biopsy. Plus, he's concerned about the reaction I had. I was supposed to see him on Friday, but the Nurse on the phone moved it up to Monday. Today, I’m over the worst of it. The fever is gone and it doesn’t hurt nearly as much to pee as it did last night. I still have a headache, but I think that’s from caffein withdrawal. I think I’ll be back up to snuff in a couple of days. | ||
| Hughlysses |
Sounds like a rough start to the weekend; glad to hear things are improving. Hang in there, John. | ||
| Froggy |
The same thing always happens to me! I hope they give you good news. | ||
| Ourdee |
Call if you need anything. | ||
| Zac4mac |
Prayers, John. Be well Z | ||
| Crusty |
I have to reply to this. I've gotten both PMs and responses on other forums and e-mails. Quite a few people think it was the White Castles. I don't think it was. First, I only ate three cheeseburgers.(Yes, I know it only takes one bad one) Plus, my brother had three hamburgers and fries. I had a cup of Drunken' Donuts coffee that we bought as soon as we left the hospital. My brother had no ill effects from his lunch. I didn't start feeling anything for an hour, and then the first symptom was the shivering. Also; I've had food poisoning before, and while some of the symptoms are similar, the symptoms were minimized. I did get nauseous, and I did vomit, but the intensity was much less that the other times I've had food poisoning. The strongest symptoms were the fever and uncontrollable shivering, followed by the heavy sweating and feeling like I was burning up. I was also pretty delirious. On top of that, I had one bitch of a headache that is still with me two days later. It has dimmed considerably in intensity, but it's still there. While I can't absolutely rule out food poisoning, I tend to think it was either a reaction to the anesthesia, or some other bug that just happened to hit right after my procedure. To be honest, I'm leaning more towards the anesthesia. I called the Urologist's office and told them about what happened, and they were very concerned and moved my appointment up to this Monday morning from next Friday. I am recovering, and I don't know if I'll ever know what caused me to be so sick. The good news is that I'm recovering. One other tidbit of information that I see as a pretty big Positive is that I've been able to give myself the Lovinox Bridge injections. I have a phobia about needles, but I've managed to give myself three shots on time and only one more to go. It'll be interesting to hear what the doctor says. | ||
| Buellmeister57 |
I lived in Gallipolis many years ago, about a mile from the fairgrounds. If I were still there I could've found you a spot to camp. Across the river is Pt. Pleasant, home of the Mothman. A few miles west is Bob Evans Farms,(Bob Evans Sausage) my first job. Good times. | ||
| Ourdee |
I'm waiting to hear what the doctor says. | ||
| Crusty |
Who’s That Knocking At My Door? The procedure did not go as I expected. Actually; the procedure went fine, but I had a reaction that was horrendous. Fever, delirium, nausea w/vomiting & diarrhea and intense pain when I went pee. However, I’ve mostly gotten over it. Yesterday, I left the house for the first time since I got home on Thursday. I went to the Laundromat, thinking that it would be pretty quiet on a Sunday morning. Boy, was I wrong. The place was jammed with people. Little kids running around, screaming and chasing each other, groups of people standing around the folding tables blocking access and also blocking the aisles, others standing wherever they wanted talking loudly on their phones, and five flat panel TVs mounted up near the ceiling all tuned to a different channel. And everybody showing the consideration I’ve come to expect at the laundromat. (It’s on a par with the amount of consideration I’d expect in a prison) I made a short visit to David’s shop since this was a weekend he was working. David has a procedure lined up for this morning that he’s been a bit nervous about. My experience did nothing to allay his fears, even though his procedure is a different one from what I had and he’s having it done at a different facility by different doctors. I went by the supermarket to get a few items that I needed, but the parking lot was pretty full, and after dealing with the laundromat, I really didn’t want to have to deal with a crowded supermarket; especially since I was getting pretty tired. So I came home, thinking I’d put away the laundry, then hit the supermarket afterwards. It took me a while to get all the laundry put away and the bed made. I had to take a break and sit in front of the fan for a while which had me taking a power nap in my office chair in front of my computer. When I woke up, I finished making the bed and made dinner; then I went to a different supermarket and got what I needed. I couldn’t believe how tired doing that little bit of work made me. The good news is, I got a full night’s sleep and slept soundly. This morning, I feel pretty good. I have an appointment with the Urologist in about an hour to discuss the results of my biopsy and the illness I had following the procedure. However; that itch to sleep in the tent has returned. I’m going to wait a few days, I think, then head out and find a campground that does allow tents. The Tramp is once again knocking at my door. I’m thinking that I might try the state park at Big Bone Lick, just because I think the name is so loaded with innuendo (To get there, you have to go down Beaver Rd). Or maybe I’ll range a little farther away. I’ll see how I feel and what appeals to me as the week goes by. | ||
| Hughlysses |
Prayers for a favorable report this morning, John. | ||
| Buellish |
I'm thinking about you John,feel better! | ||
| Tootal |
Hoping for good news! | ||
| Crusty |
Good News! No malignant cells in the Biopsy. I'll write a Snippet about it later. |
