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Hello and welcome to the website!
Updates to this website will continue to be sporadic, but I will try to indicate here when the last updates have taken place. Check back often to see what I've managed to dig up! If you enjoy the newsletter then send it on to your friends. Feedback and comments are welcome, just e-mail me!
Recent Updates: May 14, 2012 - Updated this page
(click Newsletter link above right)
Ride Often and Ride Safe! RW |
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May 14, 2012
IT'S GETTING CLOSER TO SUMMER AND THE AGE-OLD QUESTION EMERGES ONCE AGAIN: TO WAVE OR NOT TO WAVE! It happens every year around here, as we start to get some warm riding weather and finally get out on the road we're so happy to be riding again that we just wave at everybody. But is that 'proper' biking etiquette? If you ride a motorcycle, you know about “The Wave”. “The Wave” is your rolling connection to the biker brother & sisterhood, but is there a special secret to this wave? Are we supposed to wave at everyone, do we only wave to certain makes of bikes, do we only wave to certain types of helmets, what about windshield vrs no windshield, do scooters count, and what about bicycles (I hear that some places it is normal to wave at bicyclists), and, horror upon horror, what if the rider you wave to doesn't wave back???? All these questions. My head is starting to hurt. In reality though, I've made it easy for myself, I wave at anyone and everyone. It's a small gesture that isn't going to hurt anyone and may just make someone's day. I wave at the guy mowing his lawn on his riding lawnmower, hey who knows maybe he'd rather be riding a bike. I wave at the kids screaming along the sides of the road on their dirt bikes, who know maybe they'll be riding street bikes in a few years. So, to wave or not to wave? Well, if you see me on the road I'll be one of those crazy fools that is waving to you, and if you do or don't wave back that's okay because I know that I've done my part to pass along a bit of good will. Ride Safe Out There! RW |
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April 30, 2012
ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL RIDE! It could have been warmer yesterday, but it wasn't too bad. The temperature was hovering around 15 degrees Celsius, but we had clear skies and lots of sun for our 400 km round-trip ride out to Quetico North yesterday. About fifteen of us made the run out there and coffee and homemade butter tarts awaited most of us there. After a quick top-up of fuel we headed back home. Did I ever mention how nice those heated vests are? RW |
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April 10, 2012
CONGRATULATIONS TEAM HOWARD! Canada’s Glenn Howard drew for one point in a tense extra end to capture the Men’s World Curling Championship final in Basel, Switzerland this past Sunday. This is Howard's fourth world curling championship. These guys are - without a doubt - the best curlers in the world. I've been curling for over 30 years, and I could curl for another 30 years and still not be anywhere near as good as these guys. Congratulations again and thanks for representing Canada in such spectacular fashion. RW |
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March 29, 2012
Here in Thunder Bay if you don't like the weather - just wait half an hour. Once again our weather has changed on us. We're now back to our more seasonal conditions of rain, freezing rain, cold, snow flurries, temperature hovering right around zero... just the norm for us. But, many of us were able to get out and enjoy the warm days that we were blessed with for a while. Now it's just a matter of waiting out the cold until we can get back out riding. My bike is all back together again with a new tube in the front tire and all is well once more. I just need to get it out for a test run. So, while we're waiting for warmer days you'll have time to read my latest newsletter, it should now be posted on the Newsletter page..... Enjoy! RW |
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March 20, 2012
As the old saying goes: There is a First Time For Everything! And, predictably, I had a couple of firsts this past weekend. With the amazing warm weather that we've been having here in Northwestern Ontario just about everybody has their bike out enjoying it while it lasts. But with riding comes adventures and this past Sunday when I was out riding with my buddy Leo I got my first flat tire. Fortunately we were slowing down at the time and I managed to get the bike to the shoulder just as the front tire was rolling on the rim. Needless to say it was a little scary. But everything turned out okay, I had my first flat tire and my bike had its first ride on a trailer (I'm hoping it didn't enjoy it too much!). Apparently we can't prepare ourselves for every eventuality, but we can maintain our bikes as best we can and trust our riding skills in the event that something does go wrong. So, if you're getting your bike out for some Spring riding: RIDE SAFE ! RW |
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March 15, 2012
Well, that was worth the wait! As predicted I did manage to get the bike out for its 2012 maiden voyage yesterday. The temperature only made it up to about 10 degrees C, but that's not bad for riding weather as long as you're bundled up. The use of a Gerbing's electric jacket liner doesn't hurt either. The bike ran great as well. All of the work that I did on it last fall and over the winter came together and the bike is running great. As usual, we have to be careful when we are out on our first few rides of the year. Riding skills get rusty when the bike is parked for three or four months. We have to take it easy, practice our starting and stopping and regain the "feel" and the balance of our bikes. We also have to reacquaint car-drivers with motorcycles. In the spring they have to re-learn to look for us. But, as usual, it was GREAT to be back out on the bike!!! RW |
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March 13, 2012
What a difference a couple of weeks can make. Here in Thunder Bay we've had a milder than normal winter, and the trend is continuing. Sure we had a few cold days and a couple of snow storms, but nothing too major. Now the forecasters are calling for some even warmer weather for our area. They're saying that it might get up to plus 15 or 16 degrees C tomorrow and even warmer on the weekend. We've already seen a few bikes out around Thunder Bay and I'm hoping to get mine out tomorrow. I spent a little time working on it this past weekend and bolted it all back together, and even polished a couple of parts on it. I know, I don't want to get too crazy about that sort of thing, but I have to TRY and make it look presentable. With any luck I'll be able to get the bike out of the yard. ROLL ON WARM WEATHER!!! RW |
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February 27, 2012
Thunder Bay has been hit with another Alberta Clipper - those darned Albertan's, someone should tell them to keep their snow storms out west. Don't they realize that we need to be on our motorcycles in another three and a half weeks..... That's right, this year's riding date is March 23rd. So get your long john's ready and the driveway shovelled so that we can hit the road. We may not get very far, but that doesn't matter. What matters is that we'll be back out on the bikes! RW |
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February 15, 2012
In keeping to the theme that you may find just about anything in here. . . Our friend Mel from Texas sent this link to a YouTube video of a Norton Commando having a bad day. Turn your speakers on and check it out, it is really well done.
http://www.youtube.com/embed/iKqpvriKZuA
Enjoy! RW |
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February 9, 2012 Hey All, We made it back from the bike show unscathed. I'm only a few hundred dollars lighter than when I headed down there. You can't go to these shows and not pick up a few things. A new AGV modular helmet and a couple of t-shirts should keep me going for a while. There were plenty of bikes at the show to check out. Our friend Tom will be sad that he missed seeing this Kawasaki beauty. This is the 2012 Concours 14 ABS, in a Candy Arabian Red colour, and it sits really well. My other favourites at the show had to be the new Triumph Thunderbird Storm and just about the entire Victory line-up for 2012. All of the manufacturers had a great line of sport bikes for the younger crowd that they're trying to attract into the world of biking and they are all impressive to look at and to sit on. As nice as they are and as fun as they would be to ride I'll probably stick to my geezer cruiser. I do like to stretch out and be comfortable while I'm riding. RW |
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January 27, 2012 Hi, I'm Back, again! I had some computer issues going on and I lost my web editing software, but my computer guy Tom has me up and running again. Just in time to tell you about the upcoming bike show:
One of the great things about owning a motorcycle is purchasing riding gear and accessories. The beauty of going to these big bike shows is that just about everything you need and want can be seen there. All of the major manufacturers are there with bikes to sit on and compare, and the Marketplace vendors have all of the little extras you need to stay safe, customize and personalize your ride! In the Marketplace, you’ll find a collection of many of the top parts and accessories from around the world from all your favorite aftermarket manufacturers. You'll be able to test out products that fit every budget and lifestyle, guided by specialists who are there to help explain the ins-and-outs of how these additions to your riding arsenal will enhance your riding experience. So find a bike show that is going to be near you and make plans to get there. It’s a bike lovers dream all under one roof. RW |
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January 9, 2012
Happy New Year! So, did you survive the holidays? We had a quiet holiday this year and managed to visit with a few of our friends. People often reflect at this time of year on the big questions of Life, the Universe, and Everything Else. One of the greatest thinkers of our time, Stephen Hawking, has just celebrated his 70th birthday and ponders these questions himself.
"Where do we come from? How did the
universe begin? Why is the universe the way it is? How will it end? So, there you go. As we ponder how we ended up on this little blue rock spinning through space I'll be getting ready to head down to the International Motorcycle Show in Minneapolis in a couple of weeks. I hear that Triumph is supposed to be there this year and I really want to see their new line-up of bikes, and especially the new Thunderbird. Spring is on it's way so start planning for some rides! RW |
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October 24, 2011
As I've always said, if you keep looking
long enough you can find just about anything on the internet, but sometimes
that can be good or bad.
Fortunately here is
another gem for you. I came across a biker cartoon a while back and thought I'd share it with you. The cast of characters is led by an Old-School biker named Big O, and he knew that he had met that one special lady for him when he heard Betty say those four magic words "I own a bar". The cartoon strip has been on the internet for about three years now and is written by an old biker by the name of Matt Marino. You can check it out at: www.motobasturds.com It's a pretty funny strip and you should check it out. It has evolved over the years and one of the latest things that Matt is working on is turning the strip into an animated series. I can't wait!
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Link to Previous News Entries: OLD OLDER OLDEST
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Disclaimer: All data and information provided on this site is for informational and entertainment purposes only. I make no representation as to the accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis. I do not rent, sell or share any anonymous data or email addresses collected through this website or my newsletter with anyone. |
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