Master of "The Box!"

OK, no more cryptic posts and blogs about kicking cones and continued learning, after 80+ hours of classroom and range instruction I have finally completed my certification as a MSF RiderCoach.

I started this process a few months ago and even before I entered the RiderCoach Prep program I had to complete a Basic RiderCourse and then audit a course from beginning to end.

The process from then to know has taught me a lot about myself and re-enforced a lot of my own closely held beliefs.

As with anything when you break things down to a basic level and then rebuild step by step you help to make sure that you have a solid foundation and your fine skills get even better. I just completed a class with real live students (not other RiderCoach Canidates acting as students) and had an object lesson in the form of one participant that literally went from worst to first in 2 days.

I can't wait to continue to learn and pass that learning on as time goes by and doubt that kicking cones is ever going to get boring!

Congrats to the rest of the guys and gals in my class and I'll see you soon, be it on the range or on the road.

Home, Home on the Range

I've been spending a lot of time kicking cones, riding around a range and learning lately and I've got to say it is paying off in ways I didn't really expect.

We have all heard the phrase "Practice makes perfect" and I've even referred to a modified phrase my College Orchestra Conductor would recite, "Perfect practice makes perfect." I've always understood how to break down a music performance to the base level and rebuild it, but I am now learning how to do exactly that with motor skills and in an adult learning atmosphere. The process is remarkably similar to many things I have experienced in my life, but it is completely refreshing to see the results on a different stage, so to speak.

I am a good 2/3 thirds through a process and hopefully in a couple weeks I will begin yet another journey that allows me to interact with even more riders in way that allows them to have a safe and enjoyable riding experience.

Meanwhile I think I'll kick a few more cones and Practice - Practice - Practice!

Leftovers!

And not the Dinner from the night before variety, I'm talking about leftover parts here.

As I customize my bikes I always seem to end up with extra parts. Mostly nuts and bolts, but every so often I have the occasional large part, like an exhaust or a cover.

I've always kept these parts, but drew the line at keeping extra parts for bikes I have sold. In the past I have sold the extra parts, but typically I give them away with the bike I am selling. At least that person will have the bike the extra parts below to, right?

Since I've started customizing my newest bike I've already started to accumulate a bunch of new parts and this time I've decided to label them as I go, just so I know exactly what I've got. As it is I have a bunch of bolts from other "projects" that I just can't throw away.

So, here's to more organized clutter!!

Ready to Roll

OK, there is one thing that will make me not ride on a Sunday afternoon and this Sunday it will happen.....again!

Yes, the Steelers are ready to play in yet another Super Bowl and until kickoff I think I will need to ride or wrench just to take my mind off the game.

You see, I am a Steelers Fan, I have probably been one since birth, but even since I can remember I have been cheering the Steelers to the Super Bowl and in 5 out of 6 visits I have seen them win.

Nothing upset me like seeing a rider make a bad decision and get hurt, but when Big Ben almost ruined the Steelers by not wearing a helmet I was really upset. Seriously, you just don't mess with the machine that is the Steelers.

Now years later I find myself in Arizona the land of the Cardinals (surrounded by Steelers Fans) and I am pumped to see the game play out.

I feel good about this game as it seems the Cardinals will bring a real game to the field and the victor will truly have to play the game to the fullest to win. I have confidence in my Steelers, I just want to game to get going.

GO STILLERS!!!!!!

It's A Bike, So Ride It!

I picked up my Night Rod the other night when it was raining and the woman at the service counter laughed when I did.

She mad the statement that I must not be made out of sugar, I laghed back and said nope, far from it. ;)

As I left from the shop there were several guys sitting under the canopy looking at the rain. One guy said, hey you're not gonna get that pretty bike wet are you? I said, heck yeah, it's a bike, I'm gonna ride it!

Of course after I get a bike dirty, I wash it all back nice and pretty for my next ride. It is just part of the Zen I enjoy about motorcycles.

I've been spending a lot of time on different bike lately and it is really making me enjoy the ones I have and the things as I ride more and more that I learn. I'll never stop learning about riding and that is probably the best thing, well until I get to pass that knowledge along....

Supercross Is Go!

The races are on on Phoenix. I'm glad I made it back from Vegas.

CES Moto-style

I've been walking around the show floor all morning and I just walked
into the XACT booth and found this!

Many saw this truck at SEMA, it is a custom Desmosedici hauler.
Complete with solar cells and a full built in garage. More later.