“Keep The Rubber Side Down”

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!

Tags: , Ipod, Music

Departure time:  9:00 a.m.

Destination:  Rio Grande, Ohio  Bob Evans Fall Festival

Mileage:  240 miles round trip

A magnificent Fall day accompanied us on today’s trip.  Here’s a few photos of the day! 

Much of the nation will enjoy perfect riding weather today.  My wife and I, are on our way to Bob Evans Fall Festival in Rio Grande, Ohio.  Although noon time temperatures will be near 80 degrees, there will be plenty of fog in out lying areas during the early morning hours.  So increase your chances to be safe by…

• wearing some brightly colored or reflective gear.
• slowing down.  (arriving a little late is better than not arriving at all!)

Keep The Rubber Side Down! 

An early morning ride.

Tags: , Bob Evans, fall festivals

I am off!  It’s Family Weekend at the University of Findlay so I am riding North to see Ethan.  I am curious to see what my $$$$ are paying for.  So far it sounds like a lot of alcohol and hot girls.

Tags: , University of Findlay

With near perfect weather the RT was in constant motion this weekend!  While riding through the Southwestern section of Clark County I ran upon a sight that would have kept Van Gogh busy for years.

This summer I have used a great deal of petrol discovering many of the back-roads within 100 miles of my home, and have been blown away by many of the beautiful sites I have uncovered.  How about you,  what have you discovered only miles from your doorstep?

Tags: BMW RT, Clark County, Jeff Dean, Van gogh

The holiday weekend brought many miles of pavement, and a variety of  touring experiences my way.  On Friday night, I witnessed a magnificent sunset spreading it’s reddish glow, over a field of ripening corn, as  Jonathan and I, spent several hours exploring the country roads of neighboring counties.  “Contemplative” is how I would describe this ride.

Saturday was a ride of a different sort, as I rode alone, and put the RT through her paces!  Don’t let her fool you!  She is a fast little girl.  “Aggressive” is how I would describe this ride.

Sunday morning we headed North on Rt. 68, a well paved, but unbearably slow trek.  This route traverses through Amish country and more than  a few small villages. About an hour into this ride I was growing extremely impatient, as I was not in the mood to sight-see, but rather haul ass!  “Frustrating” is how I would describe this ride.

So as you can see, I had the opportunity to enjoy, and endure, some wonderful Ohio roads.  I trust you had a great Labor Day weekend, and were able to enjoy yourself  on roads in your area.

Go Bucks!  I have always been a Buckeye.  My hometown is Columbus, although I currently reside in Springfield, about an hour due West.  If you get the chance to travel through our state, here’s a list of  places you should consider visiting…  Oh yea, make sure you drop me a line as you’re passing through!

 1.  Rock N Roll Hall of Fame.  (Cleveland)

 2.  Cedar Point.  (Sandusky)

 3.  Wright Patterson Air Force Base Musuem.  (Dayton)

 4.  Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum.  (Pickerington)

 5.  Put in Bay.  (Port Clinton)

 6.  The Ohio State Fair.  (Columbus)

 7.  Hocking Hills State Park.  (Logan)

 8.  Downtown Cincinnati.

 9. German Village. (Columbus)

10. Ohio State Buckeye Football game! (Columbus)

Tags: , Cincinnati, Columbus, OHio, Put in Bay

One of the things I most enjoyed about elementary school, were the field trips!  With sack lunches in hand, we would climb on the school bus, slowly heading off to visit exciting place such as COSI, The Ohio Historical Village, Slate Run Farm, and several others favorites.  On Saturday, I experienced that same childhood feeling all over again as my wife and I, mounted the R1100, for a tour of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum.

Although the museum is only one and a half hours away from my home, I had never been there, so I was anticipating touring one of the current exhibits entitled, “MotoStars: Celebrities+Motorcycles”.   This exhibit displays motorcycles of the rich and famous such as…  Neil Peart, legendary drummer for the rock band Rush, Steve McQueen, Keith Urban, Peter Fonda, and the jackass, Tom Cruise.

A lovely ride under sunny skies, soon brought us to the well manicured, and park like setting of the museum.  I was very impressed with the facilities and the staff.  Here’s a few photos of the exhibit.

Peter Fonda (Captain America) 

Keith Urban (2007 Vengeance 777)

Steve MCQueen (1929 Scott Super Squirrel)

We had an enjoyable visit  and if you ever get a chance to stop by the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, I think you will truly be delighted!

Tags: , AMA, Captain America, Keith Urban, Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum

On July 19th, Keep The Rubber Side Down will be going to the movies! That’s right!  My buddies at Columbus Biker and A.D. Farrow Harley Davidson, will be having a drive-in movie for bikers.   All of you local dudes and dudettes who want to go, can contact me at rickslark@yahoo.com and we will ride up together.    More movie info at Columbus Biker. 

A.D. Farrow and Columbus Biker present Moto-Movies, Ride in Theater
Fresh air, a classic movie, and buttered popcorn all bring back the nostalgia of a drive-in. On July 19th at A.D. Farrow Northstar, imagine reliving those memories on your motorcycle and in support of The Flying Horse Farms. We have an exciting opportunity for you to be a part of such an event: Moto Movies, Ride-in Theater!• 2 Movies
• Large 25’ x 14’ Outdoor Screen

• 6000 Watt Sound System

• Food • Entertainment • Refreshments

• First movie starts at dusk

Tags: , A.D. Farrow, columbus biker, Easy Rider

On Wednesday I rode three hours to the North to attend Ohio Bike Week 2008.  Only a few weeks earlier I had spent a couple of days at Myrtle Beach Bike Week and was eagerly anticipating the energy, the music, and the crowd.

After a pleasant ride I arrived at the Erie County Fairgrounds around 11:30 a.m. to an empty parking lot!  Well, OK, it wasn’t completely empty, there were 4 other bikes and 1 scooter.  I was stunned!  My first reaction was to think I was at the wrong venue, but upon further investigation I was at the right spot, this was the place in town for it to be happenin’, in fact, another biker had just come from the local Harley dealer, and reported there was nothing going on there.  I didn’t know what to do, so I wondered up and down the desolate Midway, walking by mostly closed, vendors booths trying to get my bearings.  This is Bike Week? 

 Now in fairness to the event promoters this was a Wednesday afternoon, and perhaps the party doesn’t heat up until later in the evening, or maybe the weekends rock!  I just don’t know.  But I was deflated.

As I walked around I spoke with a couple of folks who told me this was was a bigger crowd than the day before.  ”You have got to be kidding me”!  Now I have no axe to grind, and I certainly don’t desire to bash any biker event, it’s simply I couldn’t believe no one was there!

If any of you attended the event I would be anxious to see if your experience was anything like mine, or was I just there on a bad day?

Tags: Ohio Bike Week

Good morning! After this last cup of coffee I am heading out.  I will pick up St. Rt. 4 and head North for three hours, or until I run into Lake Erie.  The trail will end in the city of Sandusky,  which snuggles intimately along Lake Erie’s southwestern shoreline, and is home to the ever growing Ohio Bike Week! 

 I have spent a great deal of time in this area, but this will be my initial visit to Bike Week, and I am greatly anticipating the day.  It will be late when I arrive home, but you can check in Thursday for the update.

Tags: Motorcycles, Ohio Bike Week, Sandusky Ohio