My friend and neighbor, John, went to the Easy Rider Bike show in Columbus this past weekend and posted several dozen photos to his Facebook profile. Lots of chrome and shiney art and "impossible to ride for more than a few miles" custom bikes. Still, they are something to look at.

Here's an example. John's outstretched arms measure more than 6 feet across.

It started as big, wet flakes. That was about 24 hours and 12 inches ago. Now the skies are filled with a fine wintry powder and the scene outside my front door is nice to look but I'm glad that no driving is required of me today. That is until this evening and my wife and I will visit her father. Here's to hoping the county snow crews are able to clear our path to his rural home.

My neighbor John, fired up his new snowblower yesterday afternoon and cleared my walks and my other neighbor Danny help to clear my driveway, without a snowblower. But the new snow has left me with another 4 or 5 inches to clear again.

When it comes to neighbors, I really am fortunate. Blessed, even. John is probably one of the most sincere and genuine people I know. A soft spoken man with an affinity for people of all types and a passion for family and riding. John is the one who rode with me to Wyoming last summer, an act that was not lost on Teresa since she feared my demise on a solo adventure.

The 10 days I spent riding with John last year gave me only glimpse of what a truly generous and caring person he is, devoting his time and expertise (mechanic, carpenter, taxi driver) to charities, family and friends, like me.

But, enough reminiscing about warmer (and dryer) times. My snow covered sidewalks are calling my name. That may have been what jerked me off my bike and out of 80º F temps and back to reality. Besides, I'm sure my letter carrier will appreciate less slippery footing, at least on my share of walkway. (12 inches or so ain't so bad compared to 30 inches in Washington DC!!)

Spring really can't come soon enough.

Freestyle Riding Show

Some video I took with my Nikon Coolpix of the Ducati Freestyle Team at the Cycleworld Motorcycle Show in Cleveland, Ohio.

They make it look soooo easy!

A couple of weeks ago I got a call from the same fellow that coordinated the group trip and ride from California back to Ohio. In the works this time... A week in Florida during the Daytona Bike Week.



The plans are incomplete right now, but here are some of the highlights:


Ship the bikes down via semi
An all guy trip - 12 to 15 so far
Renting a house near Orlando
Day trips to Daytona
Take a couple of days to travel to Key West
Enjoy +70ºF weather for a few days

The only cold ride (crossing fingers) will be the 20 miles from my house to the truck terminal.

More later!

Ride Safe

Cycleworld Motorcycle Show - Cleveland

I had the opportunity to join some friends attending the Cycleworld Motorcycle Show in Cleveland over the weekend. Being my first bike show, I had no reference with which to compare the event. However, my impression is that it was a modest event.

We drove to Cleveland the night before (we wanted to ride but none of the bikes had snow tires mounted! and the temperature was 8º F) and got to the I-X Center as soon as they opened Saturday.

Here are some of the pics...

The T-Rex

Some fancy tank artwork

V-Strom. Very nice.

Everything chromed had been blued, too.

Wheelchair accessible trike custom conversion.

The conversion is done on a BMW. The company's logo covers the BMW logo.

Before we left for the day, we saw this 1949 restored Indian. And it looks like...

...it's ownership might be in question.
Or, maybe there's peace in the family.

You can see the entire photo album here.

Ride Safe!