363 Search Results for "rain"
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Day 1 & 2: Road Trip - Werribe
- From: Dimitra
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Description:
Sunday 1 November 2009
Day 1: Road Trip - Werribee to Albury
Our bags pre-packed from the night before, we strapped them onto the bikes in the morning and headed off to fuel up on day one of our riding adventure.
We're ready!!
We headed off towards Hurstbridge on a typical Melbourne spring morning - lovely drizzling misty rain which started just as we got on the bikes! Stuck on the freeway until we got out of Hursbridge, where the road started to improve. But as we headed up to Kinglake, we rode into a massive fog bank so thick that it engulfed us and you couldn't see the bike in front of you. We crawled up the hill averaging 15-20km the whole way. It was very spooky with blackened trees looming through the fog like burned match sticks standing on either side of the road.
Scariest ride I've ever had (at this stage of the trip), with hairpin bends and steep cliffs dropping away on one
side of the road, the road was barely two lanes wide and because of the fires there earlier this year, there were no armco or marker posts showing the edge of the road.Stopped at Kinglake for breakfast (or really to change underpants), and met some other riders out front and had a chat.
As we headed out of Kinglake, through Kinglake West and towards Flowerdale, the fog got thicker and thicker. As we passed through Flowerdale, the weather changed. All of a sudden we were looking into massive sunshine and incredibly hot weather! The ride through to Yea was beautiful fast flowing roads and let us make up some time from our slow trip up the hill earlier.
Stopped in Yea for lunch and caught up with Adam's (aka "Rent-A-Hubby's") parents (pic right), then headed up the Maroondah Highway through Merton & Eildon. Crossed over Lake Eildon, but it's almost nonexistent (no water to be seen), then on to Mansfield. Found a brilliant road from Mansfield through Tolmie to Whitfield. That put a smile on the dial. Up and down the mountain, very twisty & enjoyable riding. Dozens of "high risk area for motorcycles" signs to put the fear into you. But we did good.
Continued on through King Valley to Wangaratta (pic of King Valley on left). Stopped for drink and to check out a local street festival, and within 5 minutes of being there, the heavens opened, a massive heavy thunderstorm downpour hit us and drenched everything. Talk about 4 seasons in one day! After this weather, not much could surprise us now.Found another brilliant riding road, hilly and twisty, through Beechworth and then on to Albury where we stayed for the night (actually two nights).
Day 2: Road Trip - Albury
After breakfast we cruised out to the Ettamogah Pub (Table Top, NSW). It was a nice, warm 32c day. Didn't realise we were there so early, and nothing was open yet, so we got to look around outside the place with no distractions. The Ettamogah Pub is based on an Aussie cartoon strip, by Aussie artist Ken Maynard. It's basically the comic come to life, with lots of Aussie outback humour.
After enjoying a drink at the pub (when it finally opened), we headed back to Albury and found a nice park on the banks of the Murray River and relaxed on the grass in the shade of a Coolabah tree. (singing...)Then down came a Jumbuck to drink at the Billabong... (oh wait, that's another story)
Well Adam relaxed, because I was being stalked by a pack of vicious killer ducks. One of which was faking a limp to try and get close to me with sympathy. It didn't work! (My fear of ducks is a LOONNNGGG story!!!)
Had a late lunch in Albury at The Burger Bar (on Dean Street) and the burgers were great, highly recommended (and the best crunchy beer battered chips we've had anywhere). Took a walk around Albury after lunch and explored the Albury Art Gallery (quite interesting & it was free).
Stay tuned for the next episode in our travels... Will Dimitra make it down the mountain to the Janolan Caves? Only one way to find out... LOL
Dim & Adam
- Blog post
- 4 days ago
- Views: 71
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Memories
- From: CromagnaMan
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Description:
My older brother Jim's best friend when he was a Junior in High School was a guy named Thomas M. Thomas owned the Honda Super 90, and my brother and him would pop all over Las Vegas, (where we lived at the time), to do different errands and just run around town and be teenagers. Many times my brother would head off by himself on the small Honda, and I was TRULY envious! I was a year behind him … a sophomore in high school … and the year was 1968. At that time in Nevada, a minor could own and operate a motorcycle at 14 years of age providing the cycle was less than 100 CC. Once the kid reached 16 years of age, he could purchase any bike regardless of the size of the engine. Because the regular Honda 90 had a square tank rather than the more streamlined tank of the “Super 90”, I thought it made the bike look bigger ... and I wanted one with all of my heart. My dad was dead-set against any of us owning a motorcycle for he had almost been killed on an Indian just prior to WWII. (He was in a gang at the time before he was drafted and, (more or less), he was kind of wild and crazy at the time.) He was absolutely ADAMENT that no child of his would follow in his wild ways ... and to him the way to protect us was to refuse to ever let us own motorcycles. The only argument I ever had in my life where I caused my father to cry was over that desired Honda 90 when I was in my early teens. The day I purchased my first motorcycle, I was a grown man with children of my own, and owned my own photography lab and one hour photo. My Pop was retired at that time, and “worked” at my little place of business helping customers and flirting with my female employees. I pulled up on my “new” motorcycle and proudly showed it off to my employees and my dad … but he just looked at it, quietly took his car keys from his pocket, got in his vehicle and drove away. I understood his fear and disapproval … but it still hurt. My Dad passed away about thirty years ago … my Son Christopher was killed in an auto accident in 1995 six weeks before his 19th birthday … my Mom died almost ten years ago … and my brother Jim passed away almost three years ago. I miss all of them with all my heart, and loosing most of my personal family has been the hardest thing I’ve ever had to deal with. Over the years being a “biker” has evolved from just being a “cool” thing for me to be to being a very important part of my life. I would have never believed that this “sport” could, (and did), become all consuming at times. Like Cruiser Customizing founder Uwe, for several years I didn’t even own a car at all. If it was raining, I wore a rain suit. It was freezing, I layered my clothing. (I never felt the “need” to purchase the electrically heated garments.) If it was storming with wind and lightning, I just “hunkered down” and kept on going. I even drove through a hurricane once … a wild and crazy ride to be sure! As I’ve grown older, I’ve hopefully matured a little, and now at least own a sweet 2005 Trail Blazer that I bought brand new out-of-the-box with all the buzzers and bells. I enjoy my car, and find myself driving it more and more as my health continues to deteriorate … but my first and greatest love and choice for transportation will always be motorcycles. As I was riding through yesterday’s beautiful weather, I found myself feeling sorry for the “cage trapped” people riding along around me … for they don’t even have a clue of the constant rush of “freedom” and joy I feel every time I ride. There is so much sadness in this old world. Loved ones die and are gone forever. In a very real way, “escaping” on one of my motorbikes or the other is the one “bestest” way to keep me sane sometimes. I have a sticker on one of my brain-buckets … (stickers’ are one or two line truths that we sometimes plaster on our helmets) … and one of my favorite stickers states simply, “You will never see a motorcycle parked outside a psychiatrists’ office”. That is so true! We are coming up on the Thanksgiving holiday. Perhaps it would be a good thing to add this thing we are grateful for ... this simple little thing … to the list that we are thankful for. “Dear God, thank you so much for this sport that enables me to keep a modicum of my sanity … and to in small little way to help me deal with my life.”
- Blog post
- 5 days ago
- Views: 37
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VMAX Uncovered by V-Sting
- From: johnrote
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Description:
I recently bought a brand new 2009 VMAX 1700. The person that ordered it last year didn't collect, however I did and am now the proud owner of the VMAX. I used to hate the old VMAX because it could beat my old bike, the 1985 Honda V65 Magna. These two bikes are very different, however. Honestly, the old Honda ran out of guts down the 1/4 mile. The VMAX does not. The guy I bought it from said it would spin the back tire in 3rd gear. The first three gears take some getting used to though. You don't know whether to go all out or keep the throttle back. What I mean is that I was concerned about spinning the wheel at 60 mph and popping a wheelie. But, looking back, I guess I never got on it enough to raise the front. That is until now. I have had the front end off the ground now. Incidentaly, I have made it past the 1000 mile mark and it is almost ready for a good drag with someone. I still haven't went balls out from a dead stop to the end of a quarter. I have a good place to do the quarter, but we'll see.
I put a small windshield on it, but haven't ridden it since. I will tomorrow. Stay tuned to see if the windshield is sturdy enough to take the wind. I think I'll put a smoke tint on the windshiled once I find out if I like it or not. It will match the black body better. Keeps the heavy rain off and also gives me a break from the wind on my 40 mile commute to work. I can take it off really easy if I want to. The only drawback after the initial setup on the windshield is that I had to rotate the clutch lever and reservoir downward. That means to pull the clutch I have to chase it over the top, rather than reaching up for it. It shouldn't be a problem when I'm riding upright, but when I'm trying to lean forward and keep the front end down in the quarter it will be a chore to reach the clutch without having carpal tunnel syndrome set in by the end of the day.
I hope to someday get a video of the bike going down the road in all 5 gears. But, nothing can demonstrate the amount of torque and power this thing has. You just have to be on it. It just keeps pulliing. The pro rider that works for Yamaha said it best, "any more power and this thing would not be street legal".
I find myself looking in my rearview alot. What I mean is I think it's fun to get out on the interestate and get in front of a car and the car thinks he's going to go right up my tail end. Of course, I don't let that happen. A quick flick of the wrist and a gear change and I've left the scene. Or, as I'm getting on the onramp I let the vehicle pass me doing 70. I'm barely going 20 getting ready to get onto the interstate. By the time we hit the end of the onramp I'm already ahead of him. I know they must think I'm crazy, thinking "what some of these bikers do nowadays. It's really dangerous", but in reality they don't know how much power the bike has and therefore think I'm riding crazy. I'm actually just using acceleration just like they do when they jump on the interstate. It's just that they've never seen something move so fast. Anyway, it's entertaining for me and that's what counts.
Got to go. More from "V-Sting" later.
- Blog post
- 5 days ago
- Views: 40
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Weather stinks
- From: mfitz62
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Description:
The forecast here is for rain all week. Just getting the bike where I want it to ride and now the weather stinks. Don't want to start planning for next year cause I am not ready to give up on this year. Maybe a good day here and there. Don't give up!!!
- Blog post
- 6 days ago
- Views: 26
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05 SUZI C50
- From: copperguy
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Description:
All washed up and ready to put away, damn winter, I will ride the RoadStar in the rain,slush, and yes COLD. till spring my suzi, goodnight
- 6 days ago
- Views: 32
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05 SUZI c50
- From: copperguy
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Description:
All washed up and ready to put away, damn winter, I will ride the RoadStar in the rain,slush, and yes COLD. till spring my suzi, goodnight
- 6 days ago
- Views: 20
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05 Suzi c50
- From: copperguy
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Description:
All washed up and ready to put away, damn winter, I will ride the RoadStar in the rain,slush, and yes COLD. till spring my suzi, goodnight
- 6 days ago
- Views: 26
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CCR - Who'll Stop the Rain
- From: CousinVINNY
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Description:
- 1 week ago
- Views: 14
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The PLAN a speech given by ROB
- From: australian6
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Description:
This email was sent to me by Samantha, I thought it worthy of a post here!
Robin Williams YA, HAVE TO LOVE HIM....!
HE MADE THIS SPEECH IN NEW YORK ..
You gotta love Robin Williams......Even if he's nuts! Leave it to Robin Williams to come up with the perfect plan. What we need now is for our UN Ambassador to stand up and repeat this message.
Robin Williams' plan...(Hard to argue with this logic!)
'I see a lot of people yelling for peace but I have not heard of a plan for peace. So, here's one plan.'
1) 'The US will apologize to the world for our 'interference' in their affairs, past & present. You know, Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin, Tojo, Noriega, Milosevic, Hussein, and the rest of those 'good 'ole' boys', we will never 'interfere' again.
2) We will withdraw our troops from all over the world, starting with Germany , South Korea , the Middle East , and the Philippines . They don't want us there. We would station troops at our borders. No one allowed sneaking through holes in the fence.
3) All illegal aliens have 90 days to get their affairs together and leave We'll give them a free trip home. After 90 days the remainder will be gathered up and deported immediately, regardless of whom or where they are. They're illegal!!! France will welcome them.
4) All future visitors will be thoroughly checked and limited to 90 days unless given a special permit!!!! No one from a terrorist nation will be allowed in. If you don't like it there, change it yourself and don't hide here. Asylum would never be available to anyone. We don't need any more cab drivers or 7-11 cashiers.
5) No foreign 'students' over age 21. The older ones are the bombers. If they don't attend classes, they get a 'D' and it's back home baby.
6) The US will make a strong effort to become self-sufficient energy wise. This will include developing nonpolluting sources of energy but will require a temporary drilling of oil in the Alaskan wilderness. The caribou will have to cope for a while
7) Offer Saudi Arabia and other oil producing countries $10 a barrel for their oil. If they don't like it, we go someplace else. They can go somewhere else to sell their production. (About a week of the wells filling up the storage sites would be enough.)
8) If there is a famine or other natural catastrophe in the world, we will not 'interfere.' They can pray to Allah or whomever, for seeds, rain, cement or whatever they need. Besides most of what we give them is stolen or given to the army. The people who need it most get very little, if anything.
9) Ship the UN Headquarters to an isolated island someplace. We don't need the spies and fair weather friends here. Besides, the building would make a good homeless shelter or lockup for illegal aliens.
10) All Americans must go to charm and beauty school. That way, no one can call us 'Ugly Americans' any longer. The Language we speak is ENGLISH..learn it...or LEAVE...Now, isn't that a winner of a plan?
'The Statue of Liberty is no longer saying 'Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses.' She's got a baseball bat and she's yelling, 'you want a piece of me?' '
If you agree with the above forward it to friends...If not, and I would be amazed, DELETE it!! - Blog post
- 1 week ago
- Views: 70
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Raindrops on My Fairing
- From: dougtaro
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Description:
A ride in the rain to the Oregon coast. Exhilarating!
- 1 week ago
- Views: 27
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Rain Sucks
- From: LadyAce60
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Description:
Waiting for the rain to let up a little!
- 2 weeks ago
- Views: 28
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Every cloudy day has a silver
- From: kimmer127
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Description:
Well today broke cold with an icy blue sky. I was chomping at the bit to hit the road and head to Lake Erie but I had some work to do to get my Sportie ready for sale. As I worked the skies filled in with cloud and it looked threatening. Once I had the chores done in the garage I donned my road gear and wheeled the Gide out of the garage and headed out past the vineyards.
It rained. Cold November rain and the sky said more would be coming. I was dressed for it so we forged on but shortened the trip to Niagara Falls and back. It was a great day to stay in and work on my bikes and on my photos and, as evening is approaching here, the skies are clearing and the roads are dry. Perhaps the silver lining in this sky is an invitation for a ride under an almost full moon.
- Blog post
- 2 weeks ago
- Views: 39
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Turned 16,000 Today
- From: dougtaro
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Description:
I rode to the Oregon coast today and it was incredible! Only minor "spits" of rain off and on, patches of sunshine, and no wind to speak of. Went all the way to Florence and back.
As I was heading out of Florence I looked at my odometer and noticed that the gauge showed exactly 16,000 miles. When I got this bike last summer (a little over 16 months ago) it had zero miles on it. So I've average 1,000 miles per month since that time.
I'm going to throw her a little celebration party tonight! - Blog post
- 2 weeks ago
- Views: 25
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i missed CCC
- From: roadwolf55
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Description:
i have been away for several days. work, some ot. friday nite highschool foootball games and saturday collage football games and ot.(xmas is coming). i believe that it is going to take several day just to get caught up with all the things i have missed here.
went for a little ride on my bike today. the 1st one in several weeks. it has been mostly not so good weather here(PA.) rain and cold. with the days getting shorter, its dark when i leave work for home. i dont like riding when its dark. its 45mi. home. even worse its rutting season for whitetail here and they are all over the place. not a good mix. bike vs. deer. the ride was good. i miss summer already. cant wait until next year. i still will try to get out every chance i can. even if its to go around the block when the temp is 20F.
it is amazing on how much still goes on here at CCC even when you are not here. CCC is still a good place to be. its nice to see alot of new members joining in. and real nice to see the regulars still hanging on. i know it has been only a week, but it seems longer. to all ride safe and enjoy all that you have. THANKS TRACY
- Blog post
- 2 weeks ago
- Views: 65
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LadyAce60
- Member
- Points:450
- Views: 95
- Since: 2 weeks ago
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Riding season is over...
- From: Droups
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Description:
Well guys they say the riding season is over. I have to say I love riding in the cold. The only time I hate to ride is in rain, ice and serious wind.
So you will contiues to see me on the roads. As long as you have the right gear it's not that bad. If I wear my duster it catches the heat from the engine and keeps me warm. Hell now I use thinsulate, jacket gloves and everything. I'll see you hard core riders on the roads.
- Blog post
- 3 weeks ago
- Views: 75
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Touring and packing
- From: Dimitra
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Description:
In a few days we're off on a touring trip for 2 weeks. We will be travelling at a leisurely pace taking in all the scenery and stopping to visit and stay at various towns along the trip.
There are many of you out there who are experienced touring riders. I'm after some pointers on the subject from those with experience. We have a pair of saddlebags each (hubby and I, on our respective bikes) and hubby will be carrying a top bag on the back pack rack. We have some Andy Strapz to basically bungy anything we need to the back of the bike.
Tonight we did a 'practice pack' to see what will fit into the bags as this is all new to us. Deciding how many pairs of pants do we really need to take, etc. Also trying to put things we will need most in the top bag. Got a first aid kit, sunscreen, eye drops, camera of course, etc. We're prepared with a few bike spares too such as globes, spare levers etc which will go in my bike's drop box.
Not sure if I should take more than one bike jacket. My DriRider jacket will be windproof and waterproof for the elements, and it does have zips I can open for air flow. Planning not to take the liner as it's bulky and we are headed into summer here (supposedly). I figure I can layer long sleeve tops if I'm colder. Do I bother with summer jacket or not? Currently the weather forecast has rain and hot days, so I don't know what the weather will be like for the full two weeks away. What do you do?
What else should we know before we go? E.g. Are there specific items that we should not even bother taking? Are there items which are a definite MUST HAVE? Are there items we should keep very accessible (i.e. in the top bag rather than the saddlebags), etc?
I'm not sure if this subject has already been discussed, but as someone who's never toured before, I'm very interested in hearing your feedback!!
Thanks, Dim :)
- Blog post
- 3 weeks ago
- Views: 122