We need to say it more often than every November 11th… and I do… but today let me say once again that I am thankful for all who have served past, present and future to preserve my freedom. It is not taken for granted in this house!
And… if you are looking for a way to show your appreciation… click on the picture of Marisa Miller below to find out about Harley-Davidson’s “Military Appreciation Month”.
I ditched church this morning. My Grandma is probably turning over in her grave to hear me say that but it’s true… and I don’t apologize for it. Now, don’t get me wrong. Church is an important part of my life but my spiritual health does not rely solely on gathering with a group of other believers. In fact, to be quite honest, the church building is usually not the place where I am closest to God. Those times typically happen when I am alone and many times while I am riding. Such was the case today. I had some of the best church I’ve had in a long time this morning… just me, God and the backroads of Middle Tennessee.
That being said… I thought I would take a few pics along the way. Pictured in today’s RANT is every church building I passed. Places where people were worshipping God while I was worshiping Him at a totally different kind of altar. (See picture above.)
I’m not gonna lie to you… for the past several weeks, the weather in Middle Tennessee has sucked! We have had ridiculous amounts of rain and along with it very few days that have been suitable for riding. I feel like I have been on some kind of riding hiatus since about August and I’m not real happy about it! But, there have been a few days here and there when I have been able to get my face in the wind… like today. It was so nice this afternoon that I actually took both bikes for a spin and when I was done I grabbed a pic just to document that the sun does actually shine in Nashville on occasion.
The riding season is slipping away rather quickly this year and the proof this weekend was in the freeze warnings and temps in the lower 50’s. Man I hate this! Still… I did get out and ride a little today. It felt good, even if I did have to bundle up like a mummy.
Despite the cold, it was a beautiful day to ride with lots of sunshine and… I got to ride with my friend PTOMOM. She is the wife of a guy I play music with and is a great story. She had never ridden a street bike in her life and on her 40th birthday earlier this year Her hubby gave her the motorcycle she had always wanted.
She took the MSF course and has been riding with the group I lead all summer (and a bunch on her own) and is doing awesome. I’m really proud of how far she has come as a rider this year and… her willingness to go for something she had always wanted to do!
BTW… the last pic is the great view from our destination. I love Tennessee!
On Thursday morning, Buell Founder and former Harley Davidson engineer told customers on the company Web site that “we have built amazing and exciting world-class bikes. So it is a very emotional time for me right now as I have to announce that the decision has been made that we will no longer be building Buell motorcycles,” said Erik Buell.
I don’t know why I torture myself… I mean… I have 2 great bikes sitting in the garage and yet I still ran down to the local dealer yesterday and allowed myself to be coerced into a test ride of the 2010 H-D Street Bob. OK, I admit it… it didn’t take much arm twisting. After all, I had ridden the Street Bob before and loved it, so I was more than willing to take the latest version for a spin. Long story short… it did not disappoint. For some reason this bike just resonates with my mind, body and soul. I love the look, It fits me perfectly and gives me that “Nothing Else Matters” feeling we all strive for when riding. I want one!
My friends over at Boswell’s Harley-Davidson in Nashville held their annual Music City Bikefest this weekend. I had a great time and one of the highlights was getting to see The California Hell Riders perform their Wall of Death show. I’ve seen them before but it is always a treat to watch them on the worlds shortest racetrack (motordrome verticle walls!) doing various tricks. Here’s a few pics and a short video but check these guys out for yourself when they are in your area. They are a blast to watch!
It finally happened… we had sunshine all day long! I rode.
We have had rain in Nashville for something like 14 days in a row. I’m not gonna lie. It totally sucks! Not only have I not gotten on 2 wheels during that time, I’ve not done much of anything else either. Work… surf around on the computer a little… play some guitar… watch a lame TV show… sleep… repeat. It’s as if the dark months have arrived early and ripped me off of my Fall riding. ENOUGH ALREADY!
There has been one two-wheel perk during the monsoon however. Last week my mother informed me she had bought me a garage sale item for twenty-five cents. What could it be for a measly quarter you ask? Check this out… A Hugo Wilson Classic Motorcycles book featuring Triumph. This immaculate specimen was published in 1998 and covers some classic models including the 1902 Minerva, 1937 Tiger 80, 1939 Speed Twin, 1959 T120 Bonneville (see below), 1971 Trident Race and others.
Good find mom! Now if I could just get out of this coffee shop and do some real riding instead of just reading and writing about it.
Every September my buddy Scooter over at Both Barrels Promotions puts on one of the baddest car and bike shows you will ever see. It’s called The Redneck Rumble and caters to the old school/RAT crowd… and man it is a blast! The 2009 version happened on Saturday and as usual, it was a stellar event. I took a lot of pictures… here are a few and be sure to click on the link at the bottom of this RANT to see a TON more. Get a napkin first though ’cause you’re gonna be drooling!
