Blitz

Pretty good chance I make this. I'm aiming for it, at least.

Shannon and I were traipsing around in TN/NC/GA today. We rode to Clayton down 28, and due to weather we turned around with the intentions of finding alternate riding North. In Franklin I decided to go to Robbinsville for lunch. Check the GPS and saw Wayah Road looked great from the map, was clear of rain, and I remembered the name having been tossed around as a good ride. But if I recall, the condition was in question. I proceeded ahead, hoping to add its curves to my local knowledge, and lo and behold, the middle section has been repaved. 5 miles at each end are still a little rough, though not bad at all. Maybe 80/100. But the middle 20 miles is brand new asphalt. And damn is it a nice stretch of curves. There's a sweeper on that road better than any in the area. Amazing. Anyway, thought someone would appreciate the report. Have at it! Wayah Road is back!

Great weekend! It was good seeing friends, old and new. I write this as I sit at Tuskeegee Motel, planning a 300 mile route for tomorrow. Got the requisite 'Dragon pictures' ride completed this morning, followed by a little pool time. I love having my wife down here, but I'm beginning to think I'm missing out by trailering....especially when I have a rolling couch capable of pulling 1 G of acceleration and 1 lateral G cornering. Maybe I'll find a way to make the trip on the bike next year. Anyway, good seeing everyone. Hope you all make/ made it home safely.

We just got to McConnelsville. We'll wait, if you want to join.

I think it's just Roamr and I. He might wait. I'm waiting for him to text me back.

I know that "bump" on 676. There's a big sign before it that says something like: BUMP! It's not a bump. It's an Evel Knievel bus ramp.

Good ride today fellas. Wish I would've gotten there a little earlier. Feel like I got plenty of riding in, but not enough bullshitting.... Guess it could be worse. Too much bullshit, not enough riding hahaha

Is there a link for the planned route? The link in the op doesn't work.

I'm in. I'll see you guys tomorrow morning. I'll be on the FJR.

Yes. The critiques in class were brutal....intentionally. And I learned some valuable lessons from those critiques. But for whatever reason, it's easier to take criticism from a professor or fellow classmate that can back up an opinion with a sound, 'design theory' based argument. It's the criticism without sound reason that makes you crazy. It took me a couple years to figure out how to handle it. And it's still not always easy, especially when I know my design is good. But, that being said, there's always a nugget of truth in every critique, no matter how unreasoned. That where I try to find peace with a critique. Use it to make the work better. Like Paulie said, art is subjective which makes it approachable and open for discussion. But the field is unique in that professionals have their work readily critiqued by any layperson. Imagine people walking past a Doctor and saying "Uh sir, I think you should take another look at those X-rays. Maybe it's the lighting, but I think you may have missed something." Or walking past a civil engineer and saying "Ummmm, Mr. engineer...I know you're pretty far along on this project, and I'm ok with how the bridge looks in a general sense. But don't you think it would look better if you put it over there? And used a light blue paint for the abutment? I'm in a blue mood today." It is what it is. That the tough part about the job. But, I wouldn't trade being a designer for anything. No matter how hard my wife pushes me to get a Master's.

As a graphic designer by trade, I can tell you that it doesn't matter whether you are designing a t-shirt for a softball team, a print ad for NASA, or a motion graphic for a multi-million dollar company....you will ALWAYS receive criticism, and rarely is it constructive. I've had to get very good at shrugging it off. It's one of the hardest parts of my job. Design is subjective. Everyone has an opinion. Sometimes an emotional opinion, and sometimes someone will say "I don't know why I don't like it. Maybe cause that thing reminds me of a (insert nonsense here). Usually the only criticism I take seriously comes from other designers, because I know they understand the theory of design, and why some things work and some things don't. So, all of that being said.....don't take the criticism so hard. You were going to receive it NO MATTER WHAT you produced. That's just how it works.

I may see if I can make this work. I don't have any vacation left, but my employer is flexible....just not sure how flexible. Anyway, put me under the "expressed interest" column. If I go, I'll take the FJR and actually use the old girl for touring.

Hey all, Looking into switching motorcycle insurance to cover my two bikes. I've had Liberty Mutual, and while they have been sufficient, their claims process was anything other than speedy. Do you guys have any suggestions? Any suggestion should come from having at least one claim experience from the company, as I find that process really shows the true colors of the insurance provider. Thanks in advance. I'm sure your answers will be helpful.

I got this, and it slides right in to my jacket. Love it!

Thanks guys! Some great suggestions. I doubt we make it to the Pacific NW, as much as I'd like to. It's beautiful up there. I think Colorado will be as far north as we get, and Arizona will be as far west. I'll be sure to post pics of the journey. I imagine I'll try to hit some of these spots, as I don't have much else guiding me, at the moment.

What about the million dollar highway, in Colorado? Good ride?

Thanks a lot guys. Pretty much decided she was the one when she kept asking me to take her for rides, and would rather spend the day on the back of the bike than just about anything else. Great suggestions Casper! That's what I'm looking for. Any other ideas? I've got an open slate of ten days just waiting to be filled with destinations and roads.

I love it. So many manufacturers have so many similar looking bikes, that it's rare to see something truly unique these days. This bike is unique alright. Sleek. Very few body panel lines. And the headlight tucked under the nose is sexy. I love it. Never would pay what MV Agusta will ask, but it's sweet looking bike.

So, I found a woman willing to put up with my motorcycling obsession and I married her Sunday. We leave Thursday evening to take a 10 day trip out west, with the FJR in tow. The route westward is yet to be decided, and the motorcycling destinations are yet to be decided. But I'm thinking it might be cool to stop for a day of riding in the Ozarks. And then 3-4 days in Colorado. One goal for the trip is to spend time in the Grand Canyon area. The itinerary will be flexible. I don't want to HAVE to be anywhere, at any specific time. But we do want to see the Grand Canyon. Any suggestions for 'must see' areas? 'Must ride' routes? 'Must stop' lodging or accommodations? I think we want to make it a point to stay in old Route 66 motels and see interesting roadside attractions...like the dinosaur mouth in Pee-Wee's Big Adventure. Hahaha Ultimately I'd love suggestions on places and roads to ride, whether in Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, etc etc. The point is, the route is flexible. We'll go where the good motorcycling takes us. What say you, brethren of the long way home?

This doesn't apply to the freeway... But my most recent wreck where the dog walked out in front of me.....my speed was somewhere between 35 and 45 according to witnesses. I think the relatively low speed gave the dog the impression that I was a safe object to walk up to, so he did. Had I been going 70, I imagine he would have just watched me pass. I'd bet, in that specific instance, I would have been safer going much faster. Then again, I broke a collarbone at the low speed. Hate to think what it would have been like had I been going faster.

Yeah, Tim and I have discussed the ignorance of the CR crowd at length. There are a few good riders and even less good people in that group. I remain a member to communicate with the handful of those guys, but the entertainment value is off the charts. Stupidity runs rampant.

Because sport biking is very serious business.

That would be a good description. I mean, I've said it quite a few times since I picked it up from you. It is by far the best handling and most nimble bike I've ridden. And the suspension is excellent. I didn't know it was possible for a sport bike suspension to actually cushion road bumps and then become rigid when necessary. It's just great. And I love how the C-ABS settles the rear when hard braking into a corner, preventing the nose from diving. It's like I don't need the ABS for the lockup prevention. It's more useful for how it helps control the rear through the front hand brake. But it's almost too perfect. I was loving the throaty growl of those Italian V-twins. I have a friend that has a Gen 2 Aprilia RSV with the Bol D'or paint scheme that is interested in a straight up trade. He is looking for a track bike. I'm going to check it out and see if it's something I want to do. It will be hard to get rid of, what I feel is, a perfect sport bike in favor of something that will inevitably have mechanical problems. But I do love those Aprilias. There's just something about them. Character. Here's that photoshopped pic from yesterday guys. Enjoy! http://imgur.com/BQ8dAAM

Route was 83 to 78 to 377 to 550 to 555 to 676 to 339 to 60 to 83 back north.

Good. I like it a lot. My only complaint is that it's too good. It's too smooth. Too precise. Not enough character. Still an amazing bike, and the C-ABS is awesome.