|
| January 2007 | Louisiana HSTA Newsletter | Page 1 |
In addition to Tim Smith's monthly "Why I Ride" piece I plan to include this new "Turn One" section on a monthly basis in an effort to give our newsletter some structure and continuity as well as to break out of the rut this rag was getting into. That only sounds like a contradiction, those of you familar with my haphazard but repetitive style know better! Anyway, just a brief recap of the months activities and anything else I can think of.
Although personally not my best year with 3 crashes, 2006 ended up on a high note with a very successful Cajun Christmas (see last issue), and 2007 has started out reasonably well despite the usual lousy January weather. We had a small turn out for our third annual New Years Day Breakfast and Ride but we did have a good breakfast and we did ride! The second weekend in January included another successful Tiger Track Day by HSTA members (successful meaning lots of fun and no crashes). Other than that we have seen a lot of rain so far in January and when it has not been wet it has been cold! See the great piece re: cold weather riding by Tim Smith below.
And, if you find it too wet or cold to ride at the moment do the next best thing, start making your ride plans. Daytona Bike Week and Ride the Rio are coming up in the first part of March and in April riding season begins to take of in earnest so get out your calendar and put in your leave requests! You will find more info at the end of this rag about upcoming events. And be sure to check out the nationl website if you have not done so recently. A lot of work has gone into giving it a fresh look a few months back. Why not make the EVENTS page your homepage!
Later...
Chappy
Myself, Tony Crowel, Bill Ellis and Juan & Beryl Quinton attended the 3rd Annual New Years Day Breakfast and Ride. Tony and Bill arrived via automobile, I and the Quintons arrived via motorcycle, me on the VFR and the Quintons on the big Harley Ultra. We enjoyed a nice breakfast and discussion of riding plans for 2007. Tony showed us his written riding plans for the entire year! The rest of us have plans that are ambitious but not quite as far along in development.
After breakfast, the Quintons and I had a pleasant ride on River Road downriver to Sorrento. At that point they steered the big Harley toward New Orleans to visit some friends while I pointed the VFR Northwest to St. Francisville via a backroad route. I stopped for gas at the country store in Grangeville and bought some Cracklins and pickled quail eggs.
| New Years Day 2007 |
|
Tony and I did the first Tiger Track Day of 2007 at No Problem Raceway Park on Januaury 7, despite a 60 or 70 percent of rain forecast. I was hestitant to commit but as the message traffic on the TTD forum at RocketMadness.com heated up on Thursday my track addictiion flared up and I made the plunge, commiting my Sunday and my 100 bucks.
As usual Tony arrived early and had staked out prime territory in the covered pit area. As we began unloading and prepping our bikes and setting up our pit the dark clouds began building to the west. A light rain began to fall as the A group (FASTER GUYS) took to the track for the first morning session. This was quickly halted as a first lap crash due to light rain mixed with mud mandated a track cleaning. After a considerable wait the track was "clean" but the rain was now coming down in earnest. Tony and I and our friend Kieth sat around and grumbled, alternately staring at the steady rain and each other. At one point the flagman's voice came over the PA: "None of you sissies want to ride in the rain?" Somebody mumbled something about waiting for the track to dry a little... But the rian did not stop and finally we could take no more waiting, someone said: "lets go!" and we each grabbed gloves and helmets and hopped on our bikes.
The flagman gave us the green and we headed onto the soaked track with a light rain hitting our faceshields, I nervously eyed the big splashes as the rear tires ahead of me hit puddles on the front straight. We have all ridden in rain many times and it is generally no big deal but THIS was different! First of all most of us were not on tires designed for rain riding but rather for optimal dry traction. Second, street riding is typically mostly straights with occasional curves. Rain riding on the street you generally keep your direction changes subtle and to a minimum. NPR is basically 14 curves connected by one long and 2 short straights, you are making moderate to abrupt directions changes or accelerating/braking nearly constantly! And last but not least, the rain was not heavy enough to wash off the track and the still slightly muddy asphalt was like ICE! We were going ridiculously slow, tip towing through each turn yet STILL slipping and sliding both ends several times each lap....it was a BLAST!
The slippery surface was an equalizer, both for the high horsepower inline 4's as well as excess talent of the more skilled riders. Tony and I were able to hang with and observe the lines of some of the fast guys that normally blow by us in a flash. We all managed to stay upright and by the second session of the day the track had begun to dry out and we ended up having a very enjoyable track day with the unsusually light track traffic.
| Tiger Track Day January 7, 2007, NPR |
|
by Tim Smith
My alarm went off at the regular time, 5:45 am. It was only a few minutes before the local radio DJ informed me it was 8 minutes before 6:00 am, and the temperature was 46 degrees. I went through my normal routine and got ready to go to work. Knowing it was a nice cool morning and it was going to warm up nicely, I grabbed my leather jacket and went out the door. I uncovered my bike and let it warm while I donned gloves and helmet. As I got only a mile down the road I sensed that it sure felt cold to be 46. My luxury bike, equipped with many electronic devices and comforts, has a thermometer which I decided to check. My trusty Honda thermometer told me the alarming news that it was NOT in fact 46 degrees, but a somewhat more chilling 34. Of course I do possess the apparel to wear when it is 34....I just didn't have it on. Rather than returning home I continued on my 50 minute commute to Monroe which was miserable, as I began to shake after about 20 miles. I made it safely, but it was no fun at all.
The next morning, the very same DJ announced that it was 51 degrees, but being skeptical, I checked the TV and my motorcycle before leaving, and found the actual morning temp to be 38. I dressed appropriately, and enjoyed the morning ride. I am not just writing this to vent about the bad, if not dangerous, misinformation I got from the local station, but to transition into my real point.
I hate cold weather.
I loathe winter and I am ready for it to be over. I worked for a Canadian company briefly, and for the life of me I cannot understand why all those people don't either move, or just kill themselves. I lived in North Carolina for 15 years, and I was too far north then. I like warm weather.
Not long after the incident I mentioned, I began to ride less and less. I leave home in the dark, and come home in the dark Monday through Friday, and it seems it has rained every weekend since November.
I live in an old house that hasn't got a garage, so my bike is covered in the driveway. Shrouded in it's grey cover, it stands, looking like a great granite monolith in the north Louisiana countryside.
I feel I should pay some sort of homage to it, but what I don't feel like is riding it.
OK, most of you know I am probably lying about that...of course I want to ride it. But dammit, I want to ride it in the daytime, when it is warm, and not raining.
You're thinking now he's just whining...I've read about enough.
Wait! Don't give up yet. I actually hate whining almost as much as I hate winter. I am not a whiner, in fact, I am actually a dreamer, and if winter is good for anything, it is a great time to dream. I have found myself, in the last few days, looking at photo albums, pictures from many years of riding. Seeing photos of old riding buddies that I haven't seen in years, wondering where they are now, and reliving the trips in my head. Looking at the young (slim) guy I used to be, and imagining myself back on ALL those old bikes I had. I have had some great rides with some very good friends, and every now and then I can capture in my soul that feeling that I had so many times back then. That feeling that addicted people like us to sport riding, the adrenaline rush, endorphin high, or zen peace that I found riding on a simply-complex mechanical device.
Right now I am looking out the window at my monument on a center stand and I'm dreaming. The rain is pouring down and I am chilled to the bone, but I am thinking about other times, those I have had,... and those to come. And as soon as it gets warm, I am going to uncover that styrofoam take-out box on wheels, and ride for a long-long time. Then I can share with you another reason...
....why I ride.
Product Evaluation: Kermit’s Camping Chair
I had been thinking for some time about purchasing a good folding chair. Last years races at Barber Motor sports Park convinced me that I needed to get one before this years trip to B’ Ham.
Bob and I got lucky for a few hours last year when an elderly couple let us use their chairs while they toured the facilities. We relished the comfort. I knew then I had to make the move. I had read many good things about the Kermit’s chair as it has been a long time favorite of the BMW camping community. After receiving a gift certificate to Aerostich for my birthday, a quick call and it was on the way south.
Kermit’s says you can set up the chair in less than a minute. True, if you have some practice. It took me about 4 minutes the first time, but should be a breeze next time …which will be at Barber. The chair comes in a 22” long cordura bag with only five pieces inside. The chair, 2 leg braces and two curved back and seat braces. The leg braces can be installed a few seconds. The curved braces take a little longer.
After the four braces are installed you are ready to sit, and very comfortably I might add. Even for a XXL guy like me. About $120 buys you a comfy place to sit. I give this chair Two Buns up!
Tony Crowell
Mark your calendars and look for details soon in your in-box and on our website.
| March 16 - 18 Ride the Rio "El Décimo Quinto" The Hotel Limpia Ft. Davis, TX (800) 662-5517 David Gorham (281) 996-5043 | April 13 - 15 T-19 Queen Wilhelmina Lodge Mena, Arkansas (800) 264-2477 Becky Wing (501) 824-3413 | |
| April 27 - 29 Helen - North Georgia Classic Motel 6, 8171 SR 75 (706) 878-8888 Helen, Georgia Eric Larsen (770) 422-9433 | May 18 - 20 TwiStar Voyageur Inn (800) 444-4493 Reedsburg, WI Ray Kang (952) 476-6677 |
That's all for now. A huge THANKS to this months contributors Tim, Smith and Tony Crowell. Track Day pictures courtesy, i.e., stolen from: IamMilk and MadKaw370 of Rocket Madness
Keep riding & smiling.
Bob Chappuis, State Co-Director and Editor
chappuis@demco.net
