“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail!”

ralph waldo emerson

Looks like a nasty weekend is in store for the residents of Springfield, Ohio. Complete with rain, sleet, and high winds. I guess I got the “man castle” finished just in time… 

•  Two out of the three bikes in the stable have been placed in hibernation.  The Nighthawk, and the VStar classic, will enjoy their rest, as they have served my sons well this year. 
•  The RT is fully dressed in her winter gear and is ready for a myriad of cold weather adventures.
• The man castle has been de-junked, swept, and now awaits my brides chariot. All she has do do is make certain she doesn’t knock the RT over.  “Should I be worried”?

Both boys are home from their respective colleges; looks like a nice weekend to have a fire in the fireplace, cook lots of chili, and enjoy their company.

Ohio is a “conceal carry” state.  I am scheduled to take the required course shortly and will be packing, my son has already completed it and carries a 40 caliber.  Any of you ever pack heat while on a trip?

The past several weeks I have been paying a great deal of attention to the way other men organize their “man castles,” and have discovered most men don’t!  The majority of garages I have seen, are piled full of bicycles, garden hoses, and electrical cords, intertwined throughout last years holiday decorations, and the missing sockets you always need, but fail to find. 

I unfortunately, am not blessed with a large garage (no jokes!) so it needs to be as efficient as possible. It’s not that I am anal about organization, for me, it is a simple matter of function. 

The impetus for ordering my garage aright, is not altogether my idea, in fact, it isn’t my doing at all.  But rather a powerful suggestion from a sexy woman, with dark curly hair, who wants to park “her vehicle” in the garage this winter!

So  I have been talking with friends, scouring the Internet, looking at magazines, all in the hopes of having that perfect garage.  I sure could use some advice!  Help!

The light snow falling today, signaled it’s time to get myself, and the RT, ready for cold weather riding.  Here’s what I did…

• Added my QuadBoss hand mitts to the handle bars.
• Had the oil changed.
• Picked up an extra Seirus balaclava (windproof).
• Installed the winter liner in my TourMaster Jacket and Pants.
• Put on my sheepskin seat cover.

I am now ready to hit the roads in comfort and warmth this winter.  Bring it on!

“If it has breasts or an engine you are going to have trouble with it!”

I spent most of the day on the road touring western Ohio, and returned to the house around 6:00 p.m.   As I sat on the back patio enjoying an Amber Bock, and a cigar, I decided to take another small jaunt to Columbus (2 hours round trip).  I geared up and on the way out of the house I picked up my son’s Ipod.

Traffic was light on I -70, and the RT was purring at 80 mph (RT’s don’t purr!).  Before long I arrived at my destination, stopped for a coffee, then headed for home.

I was truly enjoying the return trip, until I decided to listen to some music, that is!  I rarely travel with tunes, but for some reason, tonight, I felt like a little company,  perhaps…

• Dylan
• Segar
• BB King
• Ray Charles
• Willie

Instead I got…

• Disturbed
• DJ Unk
• Jibbs Ft.
• Lil Wayne
• Tupac
• Young Jeeze

and to top it all off; Buckcherry, singing “Crazy Bitch”.   I am no prude, but I couldn’t believe the language in this so called, music. But, I guess I should look on the bright side; at least I learned a few new words!

I have a very bad feeling about this!

From time to time I like to take humorous pot shots at all you Harley Dudes and Dudettes, and for the most part, you get the joke!  Today, I turn my attention some of those pretentious pricks who ride BMW’s and don’t wave back when greeted by other riders.  Although I ride a BMW R1100RT, and enjoy it immensely, I find it hard to stomach the amount of arrogance I sometimes see from my BMW family.  If you happen to pass a BMW rider on the road and they refuse to wave back, here’s a list of possible reasons…

Top 10 Reasons BWM Riders Don’t Wave Back
10 - New Aerostitch suit too stiff
9 - Removing hands from bars is considered “Bad Form”
8 - Shoulder is too stiff from camping on the ground the night before
7 - Too sore from an 800 mile day on a stock “Comfort” seat
6 - Too busy programming the GPS, monitoring radar, listening to IPOD, XM or talking on cell phone
5 - He’s an Iron Butt rider and you’re not
4 - Wires from the Gerbings are too short
3 - You’re not riding the right kind of BMW
2 - You haven’t been properly introduced
1 - Afraid it might be mistaken as a friendly gesture

Departure Time:  8:30 a.m.

Destination:  Richmond, Indiana

Purpose:  Breakfast at any Greasy Spoon 

With temperatures forecasted for the 70’s today, I headed to Indiana in search of the biggest, greasiest, most unhealthy breakfast I could find.  I began the ride heading west on Interstate 70, eventually heading north in order to pick up the Old National Road, then follow it into Richmond. 

The scenery was dotted with freshly harvested corn fields, dilapidated barns, hundreds of cows, and many small towns sporting names such as; Clayton, Lewisburg, Shiloh, Eldorado, and Braffetsville.

Entering one of these small towns, I noticed a diner with a crowded parking lot, that can only mean one thing!  Great food!  (If the locals like it, you know it’s good!)  I pulled in and began taking off my gear, when I was warmly greeting by a few good ole boys on their way out.  The place was full of friends and neighbors, discussing everything from log splitters, Aunt Edna’s arthritis, to that “Damn Obama”.

I quickly perused the hand written menu and decided on the “Ultimate Breakfast”…

• 3 eggs
• Bacon and Sausage
• Fried taters
• Biscuits and sausage gravy
• Strong black coffee

I enjoyed the conversation and the delicious food, but soon it was time to continue on.  I moved to the cashier and handed her my debit card, “Oh we don’t have one of them machines here” she replied.  Stunned, I looked in my wallet and realized I only had three, one dollar bills!  “I better get the owner Sir” she retorted.  Soon the owner came over, and to make a long story short; I will be putting a check in the mail on Monday for $7.83.  Folks, this is why I ride!

here’s a few more pics of the day…