Great Weekend Riding and Upcoming Projects

Quick report on my busy weekend, about 350 miles of riding, and some projects I have coming up on the  bikes.

Saturday I was at the Long Beach International Motorcycle Show (IMS) almost all day.  After meeting my CMA chapter for breakfast, four of us rode up there on our bikes while a few others "caged" there.  Only one wrong turn as the "trying to get fired Road Captain" and we made it in plenty of time to get the Helmet and Gear check going.  Only problem was we had less space than last year and no where near enough.  We had to shut the check down for about half an hour in the mid-afternoon, re-organize the helmets and consolidate a rack or three of jackets and then re-open.  Bummer, but the other option would have been to have gear tags out of order-a true recipe for disaster!

Sunday I participated in the El Cajon Harley Owners Group (HOG) Toys for Tots run.  Great event, great guys running it with lots of volunteers and a great cause.  Fun part for me was it was a "controlled ride" meaning we stayed as a group and had police escort.  However there were more intersections than Road Captains from HOG, so I started helping out.  Fun to do that every now and then as we "quickly" rode from intersection to intersection alongside the nearly 200 bike group.  Ride ended at Del Mar Racetrack where we rode in (quietly to not spook the non-iron horses) and had our own area.  Best part?  Nearly 2300 toys for Toys for Tots, and over $8000 that will also go for toys and gifts! 

After my annual pre-Thanksgiving Dinner ride before joining family at the in-laws, I have a number of projects on the two Connies.  The restoration bike (94, aka Belle) needs an oil change and general check-up, plus I may test fit the sanded and repaired bodywork. Belle's tank was going to go on the old 86 (Miss Swail) but the petcock leaks and trying to get it off one of the mounting nuts came loose from inside the tank.  UGH.  So I'm going to see what can be done with the old parts bike tank I've had sitting around.  It's nasty but if it holds gas it may have to do to get the bike sold and I'll let the new owner decide to use some gas tank sealant on it or buy a replacement on eBay.

Could you help me out and click this link for some metric T-handle wrenches?  Testing out the Amazon Affiliate program and would like to see how a sale or two works.  Thank you!

It's time for IMS and renewed my Amazon Associates Account (test)

The Long Beach International Motorcycle Show (IMS) kicked off tonight, and members of Southern California Christian Motorcyclists Association (CMA) are already up there running a complimentary helmet and jacket check.  I head up there with my chapter very early tomorrow morning as we share the Saturday AM shift.  It will be crazy as the weather is great and they are expecting huge crowds.  I'll report back tomorrow night.

Also, I just re-registered these blogs as part of the Amazon Associates program.  I guess I get a small "commission" on any purchases made through links, so will begin testing that out and periodically posting links without spamming my own blog!  here's a test one for Amazon gift cards-if you are so inclined to click through and buy one, I'd love to see how it works even if I only make a few pennies.  Thank you in advance!

Amazon Gift Card Link

Long Beach International Motorcycle Show (IMS) is in one week-and discount code!

Good morning yet again, handful of readers and bots!


The Long Beach IMS is less than ten days away-it's next weekend! Starting Friday night 17 November and running until Sunday evening, the show has steadily bounced back from the depths of the Great Recession and features all the manufacturers, vendors, motorcycling celebrities and more!

Cycle Gear is offering four dollar off ticket codes for the show-can't beat that, and no purchase is necessary.

Go to the IMS site and enter CG18 for $4 off admission, and when you get there, say "hello" to the CMA'ers working the helmet and gear check.  I'll be there Saturday morning with my chapter from San Diego.  Hope to meet you then!

Cycle Gear offers a discount on one-day International Motorcycle Show (IMS) tickets

Good morning, handful of readers and bots!


Just got an e-mail from Cycle Gear.  As one of the sponsors of the IMS, they are offering four dollar off ticket codes for the Long Beach International Motorcycle Show 17-19 November.


Go to the IMS site and enter CG18 for $4 off admission, and when you get there, say "hello" to the CMA'ers working the helmet and gear check.  I'll be there Saturday morning with my chapter from San Diego.  Hope to meet you then!

The Long Beach Progressive International Motorcycle Show is one month away!

Wow, is this year flying by!

I just realized "our" shift at the free gear check at the Progressive International Motorcycle Show (or IMS) is one month away.  The IMS is a great event, and you can learn much more about it here. Long Beach is one of the sites where the Christian Motorcyclists Association (CMA) does free gear check.  The pictures on the website are from the Long Beach IMS Gear Check with one of our awesome Lady CMA's featured.

Huge show, lots to do including test rides, and in beautiful SOCAL.

I'll be at the gear check booth Saturday AM, look for But!

Lake Elsinore Grand Prix Weekend

This weekend is the kick-off of the desert riding season in Southern California, and what a great way to kick it off with the Lake Elsinore Grand Prix!  Revived a few years ago by my friends at Podium Productions, the LEGP is a full weekend of racing in and around Lake Elsinore, a beautiful community just east of Los Angeles and northeast of San Diego.  All the different classes of racing are too numerous to list-check their website out.  If none of those races interest you, you aren't interested in off-road racing!  Beginners, mini's (including tiny tots-some who can barely walk get out there and race!), quads, vintage and yes, off-road sidecars.  That's got to be wild, as I've seen track sidecar racing but off-road?  And I thought my work was crazy!

Of course, how could you mention SOCAL off-road racing, the Lake Elsinore Grand Prix, and motorcycles and not mention one Harvey Mushman.  Some folks use his screen name more often, but Harvey Mushman was a legend in racing circles out in SOCAL and in his honor there will be the Harvey Mushman 100 at 2:15 this afternoon.  This is an open race over 100 miles looping in and out of Lake Elsinore.  A true test of endurance and a hotly contested event.  I bet even Steve McQueen would race in it if he was still around!

If you are in SoCAL this weekend and looking for something to do, head out to Lake Elsinore for the Grand Prix.  Some of my Christian Motorcyclists Association (CMA) brothers and sisters will be out there-tell them "Bur" sent you and say "Hi".  Have a great weekend whatever kind of riding you are doing and keep it dirty side down.

BikeBandit Daily Deals and Tires and Tubes on SALE!

Just a quick post, as I saw a great Daily Deals e-mail from BikeBandit this morning.  The latest street riding gear is on sale-some up to 43% off.    The specific Daily Deal is a Scorpion EXO 500 helmet for only $139.95 with free shipping, like all BikeBandit orders over $99.

Also they are running great deals on tires and tubes, so if you need some new tires for late fall and winter riding, or new tubes and tires for your dirt and dessert tires now that those seasons are upon us, click on one of my links to visit BikeBandit, check out the deals, and help out my affiliate marketing program with them.  You can also pick up shop tools for your garage and parts needed for that next round of motorcycle maintenance you know you're going to have to do sometime soon.

Have a great weekend with family, friends and riding!  I know I am.

2nd Annual EXTORTION ONE SEVEN Memorial Poker Run Ride Route

This Saturday we will hold the 2nd Annual EXTORTION ONE SEVEN Memorial Poker Run here in San Diego.  Last year we had 202 participants and raised $7,000 for the Navy SEAL Foundation and the EOD Warrior Foundation.  This year we are hoping for a much larger turn-out and raising even more money for these great charities in honor of the heroes who perished on August 6th, 2011 during the EXTORTION ONE SEVEN mission.

The ride begins at Sweetwater Harley-Davidson in National City CA, with registration at 8:30AM (0830 for the military guys!).  Kick stands up (KSU) is 10:00 (again, 1000 hours, there Devil Dog!).  The ride ends at the "new" San Diego Harley-Davidson on Morena BLVD, with a short memorial service at 3PM/1500 then the raffle prizes and a band.  There will be a high-hand and low-hand prize, raffles including one complete AR-15 and one build kit, knives, gear, range time and a 50/50 drawing.

Looking forward to it but also have a lot to do as a ride committee member!

Here's a link to the route-pretty scenic with a minimum amount of freeway miles! EXTORTION ONE SEVEN Memorial Poker Run Ride Route

EXTORTION ONE SEVEN Memorial Poker Run route check and other musings

Saturday I went out on my first long ride in a few weeks.  I super-slabbed down to Sweetwater Harley-Davidson where they were getting ready to host a wounded warrior type event.  I got to speak with Jim Greenwood, a long-time friend and their event manager.  While he was very busy with the upcoming event later that morning we visited briefly and he put out more flyers for the EXTORTION ONE SEVEN Memorial Poker Run on August 2nd, 2014.  I walked around a bit talking to a fellow CMA member and other riders.  When their ride took off it was also the same time as our "kick stands up" KSU time, so I rolled out to pre-run our route.  We aren't changing things up too much through the card stops, but I also wanted to do some riding!  Since I have "Columbus Disease" I also wanted to ensure the route wasn't too technical, had too much traffic or hard to find turns.  Actually it's the opposite-many of the turns are at "T" intersections, so even without stars, a sextant and charts I was able to run the route.  We also avoid freeways for 2/3s the mileage, so it will be a good nearly 90 mile ride between the two dealerships.  The ride ends at the new San Diego Harley-Davidson dealership.  So if you are anywhere near San Diego the first weekend in August, come out August 2nd to the 2nd Annual EXTORTION ONE SEVEN Memorial Poker Run!

The third card stop is the Poway VFW Post 7907, aka "my post" as I am a lifetime member.  For a number of years I knew we had a motorcycling living legend as a member but had never met him.  Well, Saturday as I enjoyed a short break from the ride and a cup of coffee, one of my friends said, "You know Everett is here, don't you?"  I said no as I hadn't met him so I didn't recognize which WW II vet across the bar he was.  So I was introduced to Everett Brashear, AMA Motorcycle Museum Hall of Fame member and fellow Naval mine-countermeasures warrior!  88 year's old but still sharp and has a grip that nearly broke my hand.  I wish I hadn't been on a timed run or I would have stayed half the afternoon listening to his stories of working for just about every motorcycle maker of note and helping clear south Pacific islands of mines during and right after World War II.  I hope to see him at the post again, and want to invite him to be an honored guest "dealer" at the card stop.

Sunday I didn't ride nearly as far but after supper went out to the bike to ride him and noticed it had cooled off just enough to be great for riding.  So I turned left instead of right and took a short loop I enjoy riding.  On the way out I noticed a Dad with at least one daughter riding a pee wee sized dirt bike.  I smiled inside my helmet and made a note to slow down on the way back.  Well sure enough on the way back I saw it wasn't just one little girl on a small dirb bike, but her sister was also turning laps around their field, but she was on a dirt bike with training wheels!  What an awesome Dad-so I slowed enough to shout, "You win awesome Dad of the weekend!" which made him smile.  So the cycle begins again-Everett Brashear telling me of his racing exploits before any of us were born while a Dad teaches his little girls how to ride and potentially race.

In the wind, or in the air-

2nd Annual EXTORTION ONE SEVEN Memorial Poker Ride is a go!

After a slow start due to some fairly major medical issues for our Committe Chair, we are proud to announce "it's on like Donkey Kong"!  This year there are a few big changes-both Sweetwater Harley-Davidson (for the second year) and San Diego Harley-Davidson are hosting start and stop points.  We also have a full AR-15 and a mostly complete AR-15 and many other raffle prizes.  Route is still being developed but it's going to head east out of Sweetwater HD, hit some crooked roads, ensure everyone gets some smiles per gallon before heading over to SD HD.



2nd Annual EXTORTION ONE SEVEN Memorial Poker Run Flyer

All proceeds go to benefit the Navy SEAL Foundation and the EOD Warrior Foundation, two great charities that help out fallen SEAL and EOD techs' families and injured warriors.  We will be honoring and memorializing the SEALs, EOD techs, support specialists, aircrew and military working dog that were lost on August 6, 2011 on a mission to aid Army Rangers fighting a much larger number of insurgents in Wardak, Afghanistan.  There will be a short observance at the end of the ride to honor these men and K9 who gave their utmost for our freedom and for the people of Afghanistan.

It should be a good ride and event for a great cause.  Hope to see you there!



It's National Ride to Work Day, motorcycle edition

I know it's too late for many of you, and it rushed up on me this year, but today is National Ride to Work Day!  It's always the third Monday of June-I guess June for all of those who can't ride to work year-round like many of us in San Diego do.  It's still amazing to me that we only have 364 riding days a year out here.  I probably have ridden on every calendar day of the year over the 12 years of riding in San Diego.  While I haven't ridden every day of a year straight (yet), over the years I probably have every day covered.

So I rode to work today, my usual commute.  Unfortunately I didn't see an unusually high number of bikes, but many folks do commute by motorcycle already.  Here's a link to the national organizations website.  If you still have a chance, go on some kind of ride today, especially riding to work!

2 ride reports-Clint August's May Ride and a 300 mile trip

Tonight's post isn't going to have anything to do with customizing motorcycles or motorcycle maintenance, as I post frequently enough on those topics.  So today I'll mention the two rides I did this weekend and later I'll try to update or post a photo album from Saturday's ride.

Saturday was a busy day in San Diego County for motorcyclists, as it always seems to be.  First, John "SoLow Cali" So's viewing and memorial were happening.  Lots of the sportbike riding scene was going to be doing that, but due to other commitments and illness I decided to let my brothers in the Godspeed CMA chapter cover the services.  Another event I couldn't make was "BACA by the Bay", an event by Bikers Against Child Abuse (BACA).  This is a family event supported by many clubs, groups and riders, and I know a few of the BACA guys and gals and think highly of them too.  While it would have been fun to check it out, as a multi-day camp-out, just "dropping in" sometimes isn't good form.  The third big event was the 17th Annual May Ride, AKA Clint Black's May Ride 17, and a bunch of other names.

Put on by local on-air personality Clint August and hosted by Biggs Harley-Davidson, this is a huge event honoring military personnel in San Diego and deployed, and this year due to our recent firestorm first responders.  It is a poker run/bike show/car show/vendor fair/live music extravaganza and the Christian Motorcyclists Association (CMA) was going to have a booth again this year.  Since it's tough to keep a booth manned all day, especially as hot as it gets on asphalt when we've had a Santa Anna, I volunteered to be afternoon relief and help tear down.  So I didn't do the poker run, which was ok as I never do well (pair of 8s, again?!!?)  I got there a little before noon and it was already packed.  The first group from the poker run had come back in and there were already 50-100 bikes in the parking lot.  Ha ha ha foolish me-before long it would be packed with 6 rows of bikes, probably about 500-600 in all.  Vendors of all sorts were there-clubs, clothing, motorcycle accessories, fundraisers, games for the kids, food.  Oh yeah, food!  Mike's BBQ, cookies, cupcakes and sno cones were all available, plus raffle prizes.  Biggs had all their bikes on display and the service bay was very busy as well.  Great event and I look forward to participating every year from now on.  I rode my 1999 Sportster to Bigg's from the house, about a 45 or so mile round trip with some earlier riding and the bike ran great.

Today I took a three-hundred mile ride up to San Luis Obispo on the Kawasaki Concours, the "Connie" or Miss Swail.  This is the bike with the oil leak (she's been parked next to a Sportster too long I guess!) but seems to run just fine if I check the oil and top it off every now and then.  Since this was a longer trip than I like to make on the Sporty, I gave it a shot, and wasn't disappointed.  The bike never over-heated and ran like a champ.  I was able to get off the interstate about 1/3 the way up and rode State 154 for the first time.  Once past some slow traffic it was a great ride, and despite a fuel gauge approaching "E" I made it fine.  I got about 250 miles of mainly freeway speed riding out of the tank before going on reserve and was able to get to a gas station 10 miles later, so no worries there.  The new highway pegs worked great, and along with the throttle lock make the bike pretty much set-up for a potential Iron Butt ride.  300 miles didn't seem to be too bad, but I'm a little sore tonight so I'll keep that in mind as I consider the Iron Butt.  I'd recommend using 101 and 154 to get up the western side of California, but be aware 154 does have some 1 lane areas that are slow if in traffic.

That's all for tonight, hope you had good safe rides this weekend as well!

Great day to ride and Poker Run/motorcycle ride raffle prize idea

After a brief hot spell in San Diego County that set records, we're back to our usual beautiful weather.  The "heat wave" wasn't too bad, as we rode about 180 miles Saturday and only one stretch was particularly hot.  As part of CMAs annual Run for the Son the San Diego streetbike chapters did a big loop around the county, and while we rode down from Laguna to Campo and the 94 stretch from east to west it was a little bit warm but not too bad.  Tempuratures were in the high 80s and low 90s since we passed through in the late morning and got to the Barrett Junction Cafe around 12:30.  This is a stretch of road you sure don't want to ride at 3 or 4 in the afternoon in the worst of our summer/early fall!  This morning it's much cooler and the highs are back in the 70s for most of San Diego county.  Yep, as always, blessed to live out here at least weather-wise!

OK, here's the idea on a cheap if not free way to built a decent raffle basket for poker runs or other motorcycle rides.  Harbor Freight (www.harborfreight.com) always runs ads in motorcycle and car magazines, includes coupons in mailers, and generally has on-line ads that include freebies.  You can get one freebie per day, even if you don't make a purchase!  My current coupons include a magnetic tool dish, a "fluke" multi-meter, a clamp and other assorted tools.  Sure, none of these are professional mechanic quality, but you can't beat free.  If one of your group of riders lives or works near a Harbor Freight, why not swing by every week or two, grab one of the freebies and throw it in a box?  Every three months or so, you'd have a collection of items that would get a few tickets during a raffle.  While I didn't ask the manager of the Harbor Freight on Miramar Road here in San Diego, I bet if I nicely mentioned why I was collecting the items, they'd let me cash more than one coupon, or throw other stuff in.  It never hurts to ask, right?  BTW I am starting a box of items for this year's EXTORTION ONE SEVEN Memorial Poker Run.

John "SoLow Cali" and Anna "Barbie" Event Report

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Update since this post has been searched often recently:  Today, 5/1/14, John passed away and at his bequest, his organs were harvested for donation to help others.  A large number of family and friends were together at Sharp Hospital.  There is a website for donations for final expenses, and there will likely be another ride but this time up in Long Beach.  Date is TBD, I'll post info here and on Facebook when I know something.

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Yesterday in San Diego I was able to participate in a fundraiser for John "SoLow Cali" and Anna "Barbie".  The couple was in a bad solo bike wreck a few weeks ago on CA-67, one of our regular riding areas.  Both sustained serious injuries and remain hospitalized.  They were popular riders in the local sportbike and stunting scene-John even taught bike handling and stunting skills at the routine stunt gathering and both were well-liked.

Family and friends put together a ride, family fest and cook-out, while other events have also been going on.  Yesterday morning a huge group of riders, sports car enthusiasts, supporters and family gathered at South Shore Park near Sea World San Diego.  There were probably 300 bikes-mainly sportbikes but a few cruisers and at least one fairly pristine Gold Wing 1500 with over 100,000 miles on it!  Many clubs rode in as well as lots of independent riders.  After a ride brief and a brief pause to let some folks gas up, one of John's family led the ride off in his S2000 sports car and cars and bikes streamed out for nearly 5 minutes.  I was there in my "shop truck" as I was hauling the Christian Motorcyclists Association (CMA) bike blessing and hospitality booth supplies, but a few CMA'ers went out on the ride with all the other bikes.

A convoy of 7-8 cars and 1 bike went to Hospitality Point while the ride did a safe and calm freeway loop.  For the ride, stunting was prohibited to keep the large number of bikes safely moving through San Diego traffic.  The ride lasted about an hour, while we set up our booth and the grills were fired up at the end point.  Soon the roar of performance bikes could be heard and the riders arrived at Hospitality Point.  There had been one small wreck on the ride when an SUV cut through the line of bikes a little too close, and I think one bike tipped over as they slowed to a crawl entering the end point, but everyone was ok.  After a short thank you speech, the food lines formed and folks also bought raffle tickets for the many prizes donated by local businesses.  I sampled both the taco truck and the SD Rider Girls chicken skewers-both great, and the hot dog and hamburger line also did brisk business.

Folks from CMA got to bless a few bikes, make some new friends, and even help one rider whose clutch cable decided to fail at the end point.  Fortunate for him it happened while he was about to head home instead of on the road!  We couldn't make an expedient repair that held enough tension to actually get the bike running, so we loaded his bike in the truck and I was able to get him, his girlfriend and his bike back home.  I hope he can get a clutch cable, as it sounded like he's "two wheels only" or T.W.O. like a hardcore biker would be.  We're all bikers after all, even if the bikes are different styles.  If somehow he finds this page and still needs a clutch cable, click one of the links to BikeBandit-lightening fast shipping to San Diego as most orders are fulfilled here or in a nearby distribution.  Plus, as an affiliate marketer, I get a small commission, so thanks for the support!

As I got back to Hospitality Point, the stunters were heading out to the stunt spot, but I was able to return the tie-down straps we had been loaned.  I think one of the riders who loaned us a ramp and the tie-downs goes by "Gixxer Girl", so if any of the stunters read this, please pass on a "Thanks Again!" from CMA.  I need to reload my tie-downs in the truck!

Keep Praying for SoLow Cali and Barbie-many medical challenges still must be overcome.  Be on the lookout for other fundraisers and events, and I hope to see more of these riders at Bike Nights, club events and track days/races.

Rule #5 of building a blog following

A few blogs about blogging have lists of ways to get to 1,000,000 blog hits quickly-within a year, two years etc.

Well, one list that keeps getting referenced has what has become a bit of an inside joke:  Rule #5.  Rule #5 basically says any chance you get, post pictures of women.  Caption them, label them, do whatever it takes to drive clicks and links based on these pictures.

Well, there are a few issues with applying Rule #5 to this blog.  First, the intent of this blog and the full implementation of Rule #5 are incongruent.

Second, although my wife had her M1 endorsement before we even met, she currently doesn't ride, nor works on the bikes (she'd probably be better at it than me, btw.)  So not even pics of her hands turning wrenches will appear.

So how can I post tasteful pics to "exploit" Rule #5?  I'VE GOT IT!  I have gotten to know some Lady Riders of all types of motorcycles and can feature the growing impact of female riders in all aspects of motorcycling while being respectful/honoring the "Fairer and Gentler Sex".  And sometimes downright faster sex, as today's picture shows.  It's from a women's only trackday at Chuckwalla Valley Speedway that was also a fundraising event.  There is already a group of women racers out at Chuckwalla, so the organizers (especially MamaWalla, I'm sure) set up a FemmeWalla Track Day a few years ago-I think this was the third installation.  Here's the pic:

A Group of Lady Riders At the FemmeWalla Trackday, Chuckwalla Motor Speedway.  And one scary Umbrella Boy!

Probably one of the few times calling a woman "Fast" wouldn't get you slapped!

Let's go racing-WERA schedule posted!

WERA has posted their updates schedule and there are big changes to the WERA-WEST "rotation".  Many more races at Auto Club Speedway and while the season kicks off and ends at Las Vegas as it has most recently, there isn't a true winter race at ACS.  The first Fontana round is in April.  There will be trackdays and racer schools associated with most these race weekends I'm pretty sure.

Looks good to race CVMA then go right into WERA-West competition and then back.  CVMA schedule linked in my post on that series' schedule.

Chuckwalla Valley Raceway 2014 Motorcycle Racing Schedule is out!

Just saw this last night:

2014 races for the 2013-2014 season:

January 25-26
February 22-23
March 15-16
April 19-20

Lots of good racing, and a Trackdaz Friday track day before each one for trackday riders and newbies to attend the racer school.

Of course, CMA will be out there helping out, hanging out, blessing bikes and holding a sunrise chapel service.

I'll post the WERA-West schedule and a link to the full national schedule this weekend.

Desert Season coming up and racing season is getting busy!

Good morning faithful reader(s)!

We've finally gotten a break from the streak of consistently hot days (90 plus and high humidity) so all the desert riders are getting excited about the upcoming season.  While the "official" start is Halloween weekend (I don't know who gets to set that, but it's the accepted first weekend) I know folks are already sneaking out for day rides, short trips, and even some longer trips to other off-road areas to get some riding in.  Two friends are up in Utah this week enjoying some great off-road riding!

Also, all the sportbike tracks are in full force. WERA-West has already made their fall stop at Auto Club Speedway (AKA Fontana), there was racing at Button Willow last weekend, and Chuckwalla starts their 2013-2014 season this weekend out at their track.

Lots going on on top of all the bike nights, rallies, fun runs and fundraisers, so if you aren't riding, you aren't trying-or you have one of those pesky "JOB" things!

This weekend's BikeBandit sale: Casual Clothing Clearance with free shipping

I'll post more on my latest motorcycle maintenance projects and upcoming rides shortly, but wanted to get the word out there that BikeBandit is having a big sale on casual clothing this weekend.  Its a clearance sale, so its only good until the items are gone, but discounts of up to 75% off on hoodies, shorts, shoes and t-shirts/shop wear.

As always, orders over $99 get free shipping too!

If you follow the links on this page, I get a small commission as an affiliate marketer.  It's not much, but for the sake of full disclosure wanted to ensure you know.

Have a great weekend, ride plans/reports to follow.

Ride report: Cycle Gear San Marcos Bike Night and light show on the long way home

I'll get back to motorcycle maintenance posts this weekend but wanted to post a ride report about the bike night I went to, parts on sale and then the good ride home afterwards.

The fourth Thursday of each month the San Marcos Cycle Gear hosts a bike night and our local Christian Motorcyclists Association (CMA) chapter and I either set-up our booth or at least show up and shop, look at the "ride-in bike show" and generally hang-out.  Last night we had 5 CMA'ers and 1 family member show up, as well as a smattering of independent riders and a few sportbike clubs.  There was an interesting assortment of bikes-one classic Kawasaki Concours (hmm, wonder who's bike that was?  hee hee), some Harley's, some custom motorcycles and even two dirt bikes for sale that made the trip in the back of a pick-up!  One of the customs was a chopped Honda UJM that was clean, and another was a stretched Hayabusa with more chrome than all the bikes I've owned put together.  Sweet bike, but man I bet it's a hassle keeping it looking that good!

As usual Cycle Gear had door prizes up to a $50 gift card, but I didn't win any.  Oh well, can't win every month.  They also had the normal large amount of their products on 50% off sale, and one part I really needed-a 12 volt (aka cigarette lighter) outlet with wiring!  The replacement left inner fairing for my Connie had one in it, but no wiring, so for a whopping $9.95 I got a new plug, mounting accessories, and a wiring harness.  Will make that project much quicker when done sanding and painting the Sportster parts.

Near the end of the Bike Night we saw a cool looking cloud forming out to the east.  As the sun set, heat lighting started jumping across the cloud, and as I headed through Escondido to Ramona, the light show got better and better.  I could watch it pretty well, as I never cleared enough traffic to push my speed, and also I haven't ridden CA 78 after dark before.  I'm still slow in the twisties, so between traffic and nightfall I opted to go easily and enjoy the rare Southern California lightening.  Once I got to Ramona, a quick (well for a Connie gas tank, added 5.5 gallons!) stop for gas and then down 67 to Poway and the Poway Grade.

More riding this weekend, and probably sanding the Sportster fenders too.