tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89022747950540496092024-02-19T18:45:43.845-05:00SheRidesABeemerOne woman's take on what it means to be a motorcyclist. Mother and daughter motorcycle pair. BMW Motorcycles. R1200GS. Dual Sport. Don't call me a biker. Gail HatchSheRidesABeemerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14090181977933654976noreply@blogger.comBlogger203125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8902274795054049609.post-42463637684222298902013-10-03T19:41:00.001-05:002013-10-03T19:41:28.123-05:00Getting Philosophical in the Garage<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I was laying under my bike, battling a skid plate bolt that didn't want to thread. I patiently pulled it out, hand thread it again, and finally succeeded. I laid there for a second thinking about what I was doing. Securing the bolts on the skid plate is the last step in the oil change process. And out of no where a thought occurred to me, my mother would never have changed her own oil. A ridiculous thought, the only reason my mother would be in the basement would be to change out the laundry. <br />
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My mother lived by a strict unyielding rules, rules that governed gender norms. In my mother's world, a woman would never wield a wrench. If a woman was seen pumping her gas, she was to be pitied that she did not have a man to do it for her. In addition to the rules, what other people though of her was also a top priority. I distinctly remember the mantra of "what will the neighbors think". <br />
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One could assume it was childhood rebellion that led me to be so different than her. And perhaps there is some of that. But the unspoken lesson that I learned from her was the price she paid for her dependence. When my father passed away, 10 years before her, she did not know how to pay bills, or get her car serviced. Growing up I saw how she had to ask for money, and account for its spending. It was that more than any rebellion that became the tenant of my values, my independence and ability to take care of myself trumped all.<br />
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As I wiped down my wrenches and put away my tool box, tossed the oily paper towels into the trash, I thought about writing this entry. Why do I write a blog at all? If for no other reason but to encourage that next woman who wants to learn how to change her own oil. Do it! Taking care of your own needs is the essence of self confidence. Enjoy!! SheRidesABeemerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14090181977933654976noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8902274795054049609.post-22216493318552713842013-07-24T18:00:00.000-05:002014-01-20T08:30:43.324-05:00Ardys Kellerman, Texas Grandma, Long Distance Motorcycle Rider. RIP<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: widow-orphan;"><a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3692/9363229078_03328f1999.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3692/9363229078_03328f1999.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a>We came from every state in New England plus New York, New Jersey Nova Scotia, Florida and Wisconsin. The good folks from Lone Star BMW made the trip. We came on 2 wheels, three and four. We rode BMW's, Honda's, Yamaha's and even Harley's. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We represented the MOA, RA, IBA and more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We arrived as one to St Luke’s Church in East Greenwich, Rhode Island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were single minded in our desire to pay our respects and celebrate the life of our friend Ardys “Queenie” Kellerman. </div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: widow-orphan;"><a href="http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4121/4850941175_4d72890205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4121/4850941175_4d72890205.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a>The Rev. Timothy Rich personally welcomed each of us as we arrived at the church; as did Ardys’ extended family: children, grand and great grand children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Reverend assured us that our riding attire would be just fine in his church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So side by side we stood, fanning ourselves in the heat, collared shirts and ties, rally t-shirts and mesh riding pants. It didn’t matter what we wore, it mattered that we were there. </div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: widow-orphan;">John Ryan still in his sun bleached gray Aerostitch uniform got up to share his remembrances as did her grandson Jared Swanson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She knew and loved all of her grandchildren as individuals he said, sending little trinkets to them as she traveled around. </div><br />
As mass ended we collectively smiled to hear Willie Nelson’s “On the Road Again” fill the church ...a song that stays in your helmet for many miles.It was easy to feel that Ardys’ was simply on a new road. <br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: widow-orphan;">A reception followed at the Quonset O Club in North Kingston. Many of her awards and mementos and artifacts of rallies gone by were nicely displayed. Ardys packed in a lot SMiles and friends when she was here. And we all left with a little bit of her, not just in out hearts but in our tank bags. It seems that Ardys wanted her ashes spread wide and far. So back on the road she will go with each us. Godspeed Ardys. </div><h5 style="line-height: 115%; mso-pagination: widow-orphan;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lisa Hatch & Ardys Kellerman RA Rally in VT 2010</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2216/2084181696_cea7a713e6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="500" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2216/2084181696_cea7a713e6.jpg" width="375" /></a>In 2007, my then 12 year old daughter and I set out for 5 weeks to tour the country via motorcycle. I knew of one other parent who had done this, and he was a father who rode with his son. I had no single mother role model, but I didn't let that stop me.<br />
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I thought the trip was about motorcycling. Looking back now, I see that it was about parenting. I learned a lot about my daughter on that trip, and we learned a lot about each other. As a parent, I was giving her the most important gift of all, my time. I shared with her something that was important to me, I was sharing my love of travel, travel on a motorcycle.<br />
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Many people, when learning about that trip, commented that it would be something she'd always remember. The trip of a lifetime. I hope it's not the trip of her lifetime; instead I hope it triggered in her a love of travel, and maybe a love of the road.<br />
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I know for sure it made an impact, as she chose to use the trip as the topic for her college essay. She was eager for me to share it with you. I hope that it influences just one of you to make plans with your child, to plan a trip of a lifetime.<br />
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<b>Seeing Is Believing
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Staring up the sides of the Rocky Mountains in awe, I realized this is what we had come for; this was the reason for our journey. The mountains seemed to consume us as we rode on, becoming closer and closer until we were right alongside them, riding the curves of the Rockies themselves. Moby’s “Feeling So Real” was playing in my ears and I couldn’t have chosen a better song to describe the moment. I opened my helmet and shouted over the wind to my mom “You were right; you have to see it to believe it!”</span><br />
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In 2007 my mom and I traveled across the country on her motorcycle.
Everywhere we went we received a multitude of different reactions to what we were doing, everything from stares, interest, amazement, to pure confusion. The idea of a woman on a motorcycle was crazy to some people, but being a motorcycle-riding single mother, my mom didn’t let stereotypes hinder our journey. I however, was not as used to the stares as she might have been. I was self conscious about my bulky, unflattering riding gear: riding pants that were too big for me and a helmet that made me look like an alien. But after awhile I became proud rather than embarrassed. I realized I was doing something few people ever got the chance to do, seeing the country with my mom. As long as it was important to us, we didn’t need approval from everyone else.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">My mom likes to say “You’ll learn more from traveling than you ever will from a geography text book.
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I knew the Redwood trees were big before, but I never knew how immense they really were until I stood next to one. I knew Montana was known as “Big Sky Country” but I never could’ve understood the vastness until I was beneath it. Going on this trip opened my eyes to how different everything can be from your initial perspective. One day while stopped at a gas station in Oregon, the cashier inside inquired about our adventure. When we told her we were from New Hampshire she mentioned she had always wanted to go to the east coast. I had never realized how lucky I was to have seen so much of the country, that some people had never been so far away, and there I was at 12 years old, 3,000 miles from home.
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The Trip is something I will never forget. Now, five years later, I am still realizing how it affected my life and me as a person. I’ve learned that perspective is not something that can be taught in school, only through experience. I learned that doing something that may seem impossible is in fact achievable. I learned how to be proud of myself, even if I was doing something different. I had the opportunity to see how diverse and unique this country truly is, and I have been inspired to someday discover the same things around the world. I’ve come to realize that you can see something on TV, read about it, see pictures of it, even listen to stories about it, but you will never completely understand something until you go experience it for yourself. <blockquote>Lisa Hatch</blockquote>
</span>SheRidesABeemerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14090181977933654976noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8902274795054049609.post-2973375317747837342012-04-19T07:08:00.001-05:002012-04-19T07:10:18.081-05:00Tour of the Battenkill VideoThe video guy was on the back of an Aprillia. <br />The race was 4.5 hours, here are 15 minutes of highlights.<br /><br /><iframe width="480" height="270" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/NmfB0SGK7Kw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>SheRidesABeemerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14090181977933654976noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8902274795054049609.post-15229531495346464302012-04-18T10:14:00.011-05:002012-04-18T12:53:59.802-05:00Motorcycle Marshal - Carrying the Photographer<a href="http://www.tourofthebattenkill.com/race-information/">Tour of the Battenkill</a> is promoted as America's toughest one day race. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/6944702828/" " target="_blank" title="BW Road Dust by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5034/6944702828_1d7bba3a7d.jpg" width="334" height="500" alt="BW Road Dust"></a><blockquote>Photo: © marcoquezada.com/nyvelocity/</blockquote><br />I rode the 124 miles of pavement and dirt of Battenkill under horsepower, and I can attest that it is a tough route. I taxied two photographers during the elite men's race. How I was assigned two photographers is a mystery to me. They worked out a drop off and pick up schedule around the 62 mile circuit. It sort of worked out. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/6939531354/" “ target=“_blank” title="Photo 2 by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7197/6939531354_71e794cd68.jpg" width=“480” height="361" alt="Photo 2"></a><br /><br />Pre Race Staging<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/6939531078/" “ target=“_blank” title="Pre Race Line Up by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7237/6939531078_1d57d509e6.jpg" width=“480” height="345" alt="Pre Race Line Up"></a><br /><br />This race operated with a rolling roadblock. If you are outside the official vehicles, you need to abide by road rules. Inside the enclosure and you can ride the left side of the road, pass police cruisers and blow your horn at the Sheriff's car. Any questions as to why I like to participate? <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/6939531132/" “ target=“_blank” title="Oncoming Road Closure by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5463/6939531132_9785253eca.jpg" width=“480” height="360" alt="Oncoming Road Closure"></a><br /><br />Moto Marshals and officials have different functions with the race. I was carrying a photographer, so I did not have marshal responsibilities. <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/6939531464/" “ target=“_blank” title="Moto 4 by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5335/6939531464_a00595959c.jpg" width=“480” height="360" alt="Moto 4"></a><br /><br />Shortcuts outside of the route allowed us to get to a shoot area, park and set up in anticipation of the racers coming through. I had enough time to shoot the shooters. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/7085605709/" “ target=“_blank” title="Head of the Pack by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7265/7085605709_e1828f035a.jpg" width="363" height="500" alt="Head of the Pack"></a><br /><br />I love my new Canon SX 230 with GPS. Now I just need to find the software to map the GPS locations for me. The picture quality is nice for a point and shoot. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/6939531696/" “ target=“_blank” title="Determination by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5336/6939531696_096a17f18b.jpg" width=“480” height="360" alt="Determination"></a><br /><br />It was my first time carrying a full sized adult who probably outweighed me. The most difficult aspect was the mounting and dismounting the bike, which was often parked in less than optimal road conditions. <br /><br />The twisting and turning of a photographer did not prove to be a problem. Communication via shouting worked just fine. I had the race channel cranked up to hear instruction from the director. Frequently he would direct me to move along, away from the pack. Roll along side, get your shots, roll away. If you tried to hog the good position, you would hear the radio squawk. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/6944702858/" “ target=“_blank” title="Wearing the Road by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5239/6944702858_8c49dd693e.jpg" width="334" height="500" alt="Wearing the Road"></a><br /><blockquote>Photo: © marcoquezada.com/nyvelocity/</blockquote><br />Feathering the clutch for miles on end to pace a bicycle is challenging work. One guy liked to lean way out, with him on the back, I would lose visibility in my right mirror. For this I needed to compensate with more full head checks. <br /><br />Tour de Dust<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/7090772871/" “ target=“_blank” title="Tour De Dust by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7195/7090772871_eb539b0277.jpg" width=“480” height="320" alt="Tour De Dust"></a><br /><blockquote>Photo: © Barry Koblenz/basetwelvephoto.com</blockquote><br />These yellow line pictures can only come from being right in there with the riders. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/7090772833/" “ target=“_blank” title="Yellow Line by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7246/7090772833_6a84fdecd1.jpg" width=“480” height="320" alt="Yellow Line"></a><br /><blockquote>Photo: © Barry Koblenz/basetwelvephoto.com</blockquote><br />This picture, probably shot from a stationary position, shows good perspective of the aggressiveness of the course. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/7090772909/" “ target=“_blank” title="Mountain of dirt by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7254/7090772909_394c5b2eb1.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="Mountain of dirt"></a><br /><blockquote>Photo: © Barry Koblenz/basetwelvephoto.com</blockquote><br />Moto Marshal<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/6944702966/" “ target=“_blank” title="Moto Marshal by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7198/6944702966_8d8f057e2c.jpg" width=“480” height="320" alt="Moto Marshal"></a><br /><blockquote>Photo: © Barry Koblenz/basetwelvephoto.com</blockquote><br />Barry & Marco did succeed in getting their shots. And I succeeded at my first outing as a photo biker. <br /><br />For information about moto marshals: <a href="http://www.usacycling.org/forms/rules/04_motoref.pdf">Motorcycle Marshal Handbook </a>SheRidesABeemerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14090181977933654976noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8902274795054049609.post-77361704148860221092012-03-12T06:51:00.005-05:002012-03-12T08:04:51.958-05:00Soul of an Old Machine<blockquote>soul/sōl/<br />Noun: <br /> 1. The spiritual or immaterial part of a human being or animal, regarded as immortal.<br /> 2. A person's moral or emotional nature or sense of identity.</blockquote><br />A friend of mine is shopping for a car. He commented that the SUV’s he is considering have no soul. I thought about that comment as I rode the K75 for the first time this year. Do machines have soul? Can a new machine have soul? Isn’t it our relationship with that machine - the time, the adventures & misadventures we share with it, isn’t that what forms the identity, giving the machine soul? I don’t think a new bike, or new car can have soul off the lot. I think it needs to develop soul, and some never will. <br /><br />First Tag of the Year<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/6973647721/" " target="_blank" title="IMG_1718 by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7192/6973647721_7a310a991c.jpg" width="480" height="360" alt="IMG_1718"></a><br /><br />The K75 has soul. It’s 25 years old this year. I have owned it for 13 years. I remember the day I picked it up. The gentleman that sold it shared his photo album, packed with pictures from the many trips he and his wife had gone on with “Gretchin”. (I never cared for the name, and within a year of owning it, the K75 was dubbed Spare) I wish I’d paid more attention to that album. As it was my first bike, I only glanced at those pictures, they where someone else’s memories of trip to faraway places, like Maine and Canada, I could not even fathom that the bike would ever travel so far with me. On that first day, I could not even envision getting out of my drive way. <br /><br />Adventure: a key ingredient of soul<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/1045201321/" " target="_blank" title="Yellowstone National Park by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.staticflickr.com/1293/1045201321_8558018fb3.jpg" width="480" height="360" alt="Yellowstone National Park"></a><br /><br />I had the GT for 5 years and it remained soulless. <br /><br />Good looks...no depth?<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/2721349604/" " target="_blank" title="2003 K1200GT by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3076/2721349604_8ff294af09.jpg" width="480" height="440" alt="2003 K1200GT"></a><br /><br />Why was that? Perhaps we never bonded right, I knew in my heart it was not the bike for me. With the K75, I can’t part with it, it is an old family album, a family friend…it is family. <br /><br />Scenic Vistas pictures, an important bonding ritual<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/5685100043/" " target="_blank" title="R1200GS by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5064/5685100043_6e195ccd99.jpg" width="480" height="360" alt="R1200GS"></a><br /><br />If you are swapping out your ride every 2 years, how can you expect to bond with your machine? Why do people do that? Are they in search of some elusive quality in a bike? Or is it only important that they be seen on the latest machine? Perhaps they are missing the point. A new machine will remain soulless until you two have been though something together, and that takes time.SheRidesABeemerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14090181977933654976noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8902274795054049609.post-6826743127747558112011-11-29T12:37:00.002-05:002011-11-29T12:54:32.528-05:00BMW R1200GS Oil Change Tutorial<blockquote>As usual, when reading my mechanical advice…keep in mind I make my living in computers…not motorcycles. </blockquote><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/6412052861/" " target="_blank" title="R1200GS Oil Change by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7011/6412052861_2bf34b451e.jpg" width="480" height="360" alt="R1200GS Oil Change"></a><br /><br />My first oil change on the GS proved to be unexpectedly easy. (The bike’s oil had been changed this summer, at the dealer) As compared to BMW K bikes,the parts are easy to access. The only challenge was locating the right size tool to remove the aftermarket skid plate, why would the plate be secured with one 10mm bolt and 3 ½ inch bolts? <br /><br />I marked the plate so that I’d remember how to put it back together.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/6412052933/" " target="_blank" title="Mark the plate by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7172/6412052933_deedf78c77.jpg" width="480" height="360" alt="Mark the plate"></a><br /><br />I did need to purchase a new oil filter wrench, no doubt imported from Germany! <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/6412053481/" " target="_blank" title="Oil Filter by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7035/6412053481_db64d6a288.jpg" width="480" height="360" alt="Oil Filter"></a><br /><br />I ran the bike for about 10 minutes to warm things up. I’ve put on many unexpected miles this November, so I was a little bit overdue for a change.<br /><br />Carefully remove the drain plug, try not to let it plop into the waste oil.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/6412053073/" " target="_blank" title="Drain Oil by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7027/6412053073_a94cc942bd.jpg" width="480" height="360" alt="Drain Oil"></a><br /><br />When the majority of the oil is drained, remove the oil filter. Take care to hand loosen it at the end so that you’ll have a good grip on it, and sweep it out of the way when the oil pours out.<br /><br />Examine the old filter. If you look carefully, you’ll see the old filter is missing the ring.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/6412053239/" " target="_blank" title="New & Used Oil Filter by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7033/6412053239_8e3958527d.jpg" width="480" height="360" alt="New & Used Oil Filter"></a><br /><br />This is an important point. You must now retrieve the old ring. Miss this step and you are in big trouble trying to get the new filter to seed. <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/6412053311/" " target="_blank" title="Find the old ring by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7163/6412053311_059e78d053.jpg" width="480" height="360" alt="Find the old ring"></a><br /><br />Give the new filter a little drink before installing it.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/6412053417/"" target="_blank" title="Oil the Oil Filter by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6227/6412053417_4033f4975f.jpg" width="480" height="360" alt="Oil the Oil Filter"></a><br /><br />Here is an undershot of the bike, this is where the new filter goes. Try not to get oily gloved hands on the camera! Oil changes are even quicker if you don’t take pictures of each step!<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/6412053575/" " target="_blank" title="Add Oil Filter Here by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7033/6412053575_575a81e950.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Add Oil Filter Here"></a><br /><br />The oil filter and drain plug have been re-installed<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/6412053679/" " target="_blank" title="Filter & Spy Glass by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7149/6412053679_c096363562.jpg" width="480" height="360" alt="Filter & Spy Glass"></a><br /><br />Time to add the new oil, and pour the waste oil into a jug, waiting for a trip to the dump (transfer station round these parts)<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/6412009329/" " target="_blank" title="Waste Oil by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6225/6412009329_0ef8a66d76.jpg" width="480" height="360" alt="Waste Oil"></a><br /><br />Make note of your miles, and update your records. And you’re good to go for another…well you decide…I shoot for every 5,000. That way I’m not changing it 4 times a season.SheRidesABeemerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14090181977933654976noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8902274795054049609.post-68789521197968686052011-11-17T08:00:00.002-05:002011-11-17T08:14:35.232-05:001953 Motorcycle TourI ran across this link, I just love real people's history, especially interesting with the motorcycle twist. Enjoy.<br /><a href="http://www.go-faster.com/SS100.html">1953 Motorcycle Touring Europe</a>:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_BxqRLAk5XQMq2YAtpME1OfoANxJ0Dk0kVgJreRFMtt1kBjGxjaiIGz3xbnqq22YZin-RVHIsPutUAA1xuPPRnGCcdEE0DQHnkvjNIYfQ_P-HWaCx5zmPr5md1OsiOYzjICFmYbN4A6HQ/s1600/53album+shot.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 480px; height: 361px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_BxqRLAk5XQMq2YAtpME1OfoANxJ0Dk0kVgJreRFMtt1kBjGxjaiIGz3xbnqq22YZin-RVHIsPutUAA1xuPPRnGCcdEE0DQHnkvjNIYfQ_P-HWaCx5zmPr5md1OsiOYzjICFmYbN4A6HQ/s320/53album+shot.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675951803567878194" /></a>SheRidesABeemerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14090181977933654976noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8902274795054049609.post-69992573485382627932011-10-07T17:46:00.005-05:002011-10-07T18:12:19.554-05:00A Fine Day OutIt's been a while since I've done a plain and simple ride report.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/6221055195/" " target="_blank" title="Tripoli Road by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6120/6221055195_a82a116b36.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Tripoli Road"></a><br /><br />And that's what it was today, plain and simple. After getting some things done in the morning, I headed out in the afternoon to play.<br /><br />One last piece of business was to stop Concord DMV to renew my license. I was surprised with clerk asked me if I "wanted" to keep the MC on my license. "Why yes, that is how I got here." I wonder if women tend to drop their endorsement? <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/6221054897/" " target="_blank" title="Concord DMV by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6156/6221054897_28cda017be.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Concord DMV"></a><br /><br />I then headed to Hopkington, NH to pick up the Northern New England tag which has been languishing since Sept 26th. I think there are too many TOR games going...<br /><br />I stopped at the covered bridge first, there was already a photographer there! We tried to ignore each other. I was kind of blocking traffic. <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/6221054957/" " target="_blank" title="Covered Bridge Hopkington by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6239/6221054957_9cee61634f.jpg" width="480" height="360" alt="Covered Bridge Hopkington"></a><br /><br />Then down around the corner for the Tag. <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/6221045453/" " target="_blank" title="Hopkington Dam by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6228/6221045453_e62b583def.jpg" width="480" height="360" alt="Hopkington Dam"></a><br /><br />Look at how incredible the weather is, it was in the low 60's, very nice for October. A real score for a day off! <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/6221567374/" " target="_blank" title="Hopkington Dam by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6117/6221567374_bba8e67c6c.jpg" width="480" height="360" alt="Hopkington Dam"></a><br /><br />Then I traveled 127N to catch 93 for the next tag. I can't recall taking this road before, not an easy thing to say when traveling in state. It was a very nice wooded back road, with gentle turns. <br /><br />Today is the day that Garmin decided it would retire. It booted up, but is not taking screen commands. I had neither directions nor the name of the road I needed but I had a good idea where it was. And for once, I was right!<br /><br />I found Tripoli Road in Thornton (Campton?) and followed it to Waterville Valley.<br /><br />Here is the tag I was going for, but alas, I was Bruced.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/6221560328/" " target="_blank" title="Bruced by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6176/6221560328_b8302ba02e.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Bruced"></a><br /><br />No matter, it was my first time on the road, and I really enjoyed it!<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/6221577170/" " target="_blank" title="Tripoli Road by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6119/6221577170_1f695f1309.jpg" width="480" height="360" alt="Tripoli Road"></a><br /><br />May I say once again, it's great to have the right bike for the job<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/6221055135/" " target="_blank" title="Tripoli Road by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6226/6221055135_68c55622e1.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Tripoli Road"></a><br /><br />There you have it, just the right mix: a day off, good weather, good road and just a little sense of urgency for us here in New Hampshire as we know our days on two wheels are numberedSheRidesABeemerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14090181977933654976noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8902274795054049609.post-74145531243866275472011-08-07T16:47:00.008-05:002011-08-07T17:13:56.659-05:00Zero to 60Could you increase your lifetime miles by 300% in one weekend? Probably not, but that is just what Lisa accomplished this weekend. <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/6019042848/" title="Damn Yankees 002 by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6005/6019042848_5dc427c9e4.jpg" width="480" height="360" alt="Damn Yankees 002"></a><br /><br />It was disappointing for her not to be able to ride to the BMW National Rally last month. We made a decision that we'd ride to our local club, the Yankee Beemers', Damn Yankee Rally - located 103 miles from us. She had been getting in a few miles here and there, but nothing over an hour. We decided to just do it!<br /><br />Famous Western MA landmark<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/6019043410/" title="Youngest Rider by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6008/6019043410_42d926eea2.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Youngest Rider"></a><br /><br />I was so proud of her, She had great form on the corners, and great courage to go on some challenging roads. <br />Oh what a site to see!<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/6018491399/" title="Mirror by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6129/6018491399_eaf765a58e.jpg" width="480" height="360" alt="Mirror"></a><br /><br />Here she is just posing on her Ninja at the Damn Yankee's Rally, where she won "Youngest Rider" recognition.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/6018491899/" title="Damn Yankees 011 by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6007/6018491899_b2dc01c9d0.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Damn Yankees 011"></a><br /><br />She took her first miles on an interstate. <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/6019043320/" title="over my shoulder by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6013/6019043320_f2a5171dc8.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="over my shoulder"></a><br /><br /><br />Used a few tanks of gas (what a small tank!)<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/6018492629/" title="Fill 'er Up by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6007/6018492629_f2920f99a3.jpg" width="480" height="360" alt="Fill 'er Up"></a><br /><br />And rode her first driver miles in the rain...even though we know she's an old hand at riding in the rain.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/6019739000/" title="Looks like a nice day to ride by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6122/6019739000_b22bf421f7.jpg" width="480" height="360" alt="Looks like a nice day to ride"></a><br /><br />What a great time we had! We even talked about rides for next season. <br />Wave if you see us out there!<br /><br />From the <a href="http://www.shelburnefalls.com/">Bridge of Flowers</a>, Shelburne Falls, MA<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/6019043484/" title="Bridge of Flowers by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6122/6019043484_dc55ed542b.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Bridge of Flowers"></a>SheRidesABeemerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14090181977933654976noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8902274795054049609.post-39913504533694234592011-07-25T20:21:00.005-05:002011-07-28T20:25:25.146-05:00BMW MOA Rally 2011 Pictures & VideosSimple Slide show of the pics I've uploaded onto Flickr. <br /><object width="480" height="360"> <param name="flashvars" value="offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fsrab%2Fsets%2F72157627277229336%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fsrab%2Fsets%2F72157627277229336%2F&set_id=72157627277229336&jump_to="></param> <param name="movie" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=104087"></param> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=104087" allowFullScreen="true" flashvars="offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fsrab%2Fsets%2F72157627277229336%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fsrab%2Fsets%2F72157627277229336%2F&set_id=72157627277229336&jump_to=" width="480" height="360"></embed></object><br /><br />Here is a great video from <a href="http://www.revzilla.com">RevZilla.com</a> that gives you a flavor of this years rally.<br /><br /><iframe width="480" height="289" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/-Glru5bcwFQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br /><br />From Andrew Phillips<br /><iframe width="480" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/-WgbM-BuID4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>SheRidesABeemerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14090181977933654976noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8902274795054049609.post-17265146836069938722011-07-10T19:43:00.005-05:002011-08-09T10:14:44.272-05:00Summer Time and the Riding is EasySummer moves so fast. I don’t even have time to put up ride reports, because I am off to my next adventure! So eventually I’ll get back to you with the Cabot Trail ride report from the beginning of June!
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<br />Meat Cove, CB
<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/5806584616/" title="Riding to Meat Cove by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2056/5806584616_cdb0c07dc5.jpg" width="413" height="500" alt="Riding to Meat Cove"></a>
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<br />Things started off strong in April when I picked up the GS in Alabama. I so enjoyed that ride home, I have decided to revisit TN, NC and WV next week.
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<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/5685099883/" title="R1200GS 015 by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5246/5685099883_8d0bb7976c.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Rhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif1200GS 015"></a>
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<br />I took a week off to attend the <a href="http://www.bmwmoa.org/rally11">BMW MOA National Rally</a> in Bloomsburg, PA. Earlier this year I’d hoped Lisa and I could ride two bikes to the rally. But for a variety of reasons we’ve just not had the time to prepare her for that type of ride. So she will be riding down with friends, in air-conditioned comfort, and I will be happy to revisit some sweet roads down South.
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<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/5685100043/" title="R1200GS by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5064/5685100043_6e195ccd99.jpg" width="480" height="360" alt="R1200GS"></a>
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<br />Lisa has enjoyed steady progress learning to ride her Ninja. Over the weekend we enjoyed our first Mother Daughter Ride to Eat journey. I was so pleased, and proud to be sharing that with her.
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<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/5922017402/" title="Ride to Lunch with Lisa by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6007/5922017402_142aed51e5.jpg" width="480" height="360" alt="Ride to Lunch with Lisa"></a>
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<br />Wasn’t it just yesterday we were on our epic road trip? It was 4 years ago.
<br />Recognize this jacket?
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<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/5924532440/" title="Hot Day in MT by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6024/5924532440_ba5644cc9d.jpg" width="480" height="360" alt="Hot Day in MT"></a>
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<br />The long 4th of July weekend was spent at Acadia National Park in Maine.
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<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/5907139624/" title="Bass Harbor Head Light by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5160/5907139624_29c7185881.jpg" width="313" height="500" alt="Bass Harbor Head Light"></a>
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<br />Good Roads, good food, good weather!
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<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/5902465003/" title="Acadia Vista by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6028/5902465003_290bed0757.jpg" width="480" height="360" alt="Acadia Vista"></a>
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<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/5902465163/" title="Before Lobster Dinners by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6033/5902465163_322975cee4.jpg" width="480" height="360" alt="Before Lobster Dinners"></a>
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<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/5907087302/" title="Camping, Bass Harbor, ME by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6058/5907087302_774b56d899.jpg" width="480" height="360" alt="Camping, Bass Harbor, ME"></a>
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<br />Isn’t that what summer is all about?. I hope your summer is packed in a good way too!
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<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/5903025476/" title="Perfect Ride by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6051/5903025476_d16f10e376.jpg" width="480" height="336" alt="Perfect Ride"></a>SheRidesABeemerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14090181977933654976noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8902274795054049609.post-91561610776788445802011-06-24T19:22:00.003-05:002011-06-24T19:42:50.940-05:00Saying Goodbye to a BikeI never sold my first bike. <br />Well, I tried to for about a week. At the time, when I bought the K1100LT, I assumed that it was the replacement for the K75. You buy a new bike, you sell the old one. Works that with cars, must work that with bikes. Someone came to test ride the bike, as he road out of the parking lot, I became sad, and realized I did not want to sell the bike. <br /><br />The start of multiple bike syndrome (MBS) set in. <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/5868137428/" " target="_blank" title="Pair of Beemers by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5318/5868137428_9363628ba2.jpg" width="480" height="360" alt="Pair of Beemers"></a><br /><br />Picking up the K12 in Cleveland 2005<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/5868170738/" " target="_blank" title="GT Day1 by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5078/5868170738_8188f91005.jpg" width="480" height="350" alt="GT Day1"></a><br /><br />When it came time to replace the K11 with the K1200GT, I felt eager to sell the K11. She sold easily on eBay. The new owner flew in from Salt Lake City. <br /><br />I waved good bye and that was that. <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/5868170762/" " target="_blank" title="K11 Sale by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5313/5868170762_7652ac2802.jpg" width="480" height="354" alt="K11 Sale"></a><br /><br />It's 6 years later, and a new kid is in town. The GS promptly replaced the GT as my everyday ride. Again, I felt it was time to sell. Onto eBay she went. But this time I felt different. Selling the GT closes out a chapter in my life, in a way that selling the K11 did not. <br /><br />Final Ride<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/5846528843/" " target="_blank" title="K12 Final Ride by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5234/5846528843_d0b1ca7a4c.jpg" width="480" height="360" alt="K12 Final Ride"></a><br />I had not intended it to happen, but I found myself on a good bye ride with the K12. The reserve price had been met, I knew she was sold, and I knew these were the last of our 35,000 mile journey. 35,000 miles, not really that much in BMW miles. and 6 years, not all that long. But those miles carry a lot of memories. That last ride was like thumbing through a photo album...<br /><br />The weather was cooperative. Mostly sun, afternoon thundershowers, hey, it's how we roll. <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/5847995813/" " target="_blank" title="End of the World? by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3330/5847995813_78d461c2ff.jpg" width="480" height="360" alt="End of the World?"></a><br /><br />We grabbed the ADV Northern New England Tag in Northfield, MA. <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/5846513351/" " target="_blank" title="Northern New England TOR by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5040/5846513351_5a4f442e9d.jpg" width="480" height="360" alt="Northern New England TOR"></a><br /><br />We've grabbed a lot of tags over the years, NH, MA and VT. Freezing cold weather, baking sun, pouring rain. <br /><br />A memorable November Brucing (Brucing: going through all the work and getting none of the credit because someone beat you too it)<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/3044157043/" " target="_blank" title="Portsmouth Evening by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3281/3044157043_df65f7fe37.jpg" width="480" height="354" alt="Portsmouth Evening"></a><br /><br />I think she's going to a home where she'll be more pampered. Perhaps some TLC. If you're in Everett, WA, give her a wave for me. <br /><br />We had a good ride. GAIL will be moving on to the GS. <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/2993046152/" " target="_blank" title="Gone to the beach by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3026/2993046152_7f2c7baf69.jpg" width="480" height="320" alt="Gone to the beach"></a>SheRidesABeemerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14090181977933654976noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8902274795054049609.post-54868476385966567312011-06-12T16:02:00.004-05:002011-06-12T16:19:23.777-05:00K1200GT is For SaleThe day I rolled home from Alabama with the R1200GS, I took the GT for a spin around the block. I knew then and there, the bike was gone. <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/5825562113/" title="Home with the GS by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2051/5825562113_ba7d83c51c.jpg" width="480" height="360" alt="Home with the GS"></a><br /><br />I have 5,500 miles on the GS already, about 275 this year on the GT. <br />I feel nostalgic about selling it, but I know I won't miss the pretty bike. The GS is up to the task of cutting up the curves in Vermont, and getting me to my camp site. We've bonded already, the way the GT and I never did. <br /><br />Coming home from Cleveland, 2005<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/2236874507/" title="Spot the Problem by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2217/2236874507_96f12f20ec.jpg" width="480" height="412" alt="Spot the Problem"></a><br /><br />I hope it finds a good home out there in <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/260800354559">Ebay land.</a>SheRidesABeemerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14090181977933654976noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8902274795054049609.post-83863786708207417402011-05-30T12:00:00.006-05:002011-05-30T12:09:12.474-05:00Product Review: Corbin Seat BMW R1200GSThis is not an objective product review. This is me raving about my new seat. If you are looking for a carefully thought out comparison of after market saddle options for your motorcycling happiness...be gone. But if you are unhappy with your stock seat and are leaning towards a Corbin, let me gush on.<br /><br />I'll start by stating the obvious, BMW stock seats suck. <br />It was probably a mistake not to order a Corbin for the GT, but I've never felt committed to this bike and did not want to invest in it. <br />With its stock seat, the K12 was my 4 hour bike, if the ride was under 4 hours, I could consider taking it. Anything more and I'd be downing the Advil and cursing under my breath.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/2801197217/" " target="_blank" title="K1200GT by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3199/2801197217_4b5b2ff3f5.jpg" width="480" height="360" alt="K1200GT"></a><br /><br />In anticipation of not liking a stock seat, I ordered leather samples two minutes after I'd made the downpayment.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/5658631713/" " target="_blank" title="Corbin Samples by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5270/5658631713_46dd80636b.jpg" width="480" height="360" alt="Corbin Samples"></a><br />Customer service at Corbin was good, and the samples were here before I'd picked up the bike. Blue Alligator leather proved to look too tacky for a GS. <br /><br />The low seat option that came on the R1200GS was a problem right out of the gate for me. My 32 inch inseam and I did not need a lowered bike. I had a knot in my neck the size of Pennsylvania for most of my trip home. Looking at the Killboy shots, I can see the ergo problems, my wrist is higher than my elbow, everything scrunched up. <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/5688117603/" " target="_blank" title="New Ride - Tail of the Dragon by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5108/5688117603_53607cab8a.jpg" width="480" height="320" alt="New Ride - Tail of the Dragon"></a><br /><br />I was lucky to find a rider willing to loan me his regular seat. This helped the sore neck issue, but did nothing for the numb buns. <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/5720038230/" " target="_blank" title="N. New England TOR by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3350/5720038230_727ef98eed.jpg" width="480" height="360" alt="N. New England TOR"></a><br /><br />Be warned: Corbin does not reuse your seat pan. This seat does not adjust. It is fixed. I did not know this ahead of time. <br /><br />The seat came in almost 2 weeks ahead of expectations. <br />Sweet site to find this on the door step! <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/5755381649/" " target="_blank" title="ooooh the Corbin is in by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3546/5755381649_d9fdeca983.jpg" width="480" height="360" alt="ooooh the Corbin is in"></a><br /><br />The difference in look between the Corbin and stock is striking. Seen here resting on my tent as it dries out on the garage floor. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/5756448928/" " target="_blank" title="Corbin vs Stock BMW Seat by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5142/5756448928_783c994c54.jpg" width="480" height="320" alt="Corbin vs Stock BMW Seat"></a><br /><br />I was a little worried, this looked nothing like the other Corbin's I've known and loved. It looks like a bench seat when I was expecting more of a bucket. <br /><br />This winter I had a leather "cap" put on the 24 year old K75's Corbin - the front was separating, and held together with tape for about 5 years. Ok, so sometimes I'm slow to put money into the bikes. A local auto upholsterer did nice work on this. <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/5775501749/" " target="_blank" title="K75 Seat Fix by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2360/5775501749_b9e531c017.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="K75 Seat Fix"></a><br /><br />I'm not sure how it happened, but in the month that I've had the GS, I've put close to 4,000 miles on it. The last 750, a little piece of heaven with the new seat.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/5769522943/" " target="_blank" title="Corbin Seats...makes the day easy by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5304/5769522943_902f6b2c71.jpg" width="480" height="360" alt="Corbin Seats...makes the day easy"></a><br /><br />It is recommended that you break in the seat over 1,000 miles. Does this mean it's going to be even more comfortable? The biggest difference to the stock seat is the width. Clearly your weight is spread out more, as your thighs get into the act taking on some weight. I notice the width when I put both feet down at a stop. If you are heavy of thigh or short on inseam, you may find this a negative point. <br /><br />Saturday I had the opportunity to put it to a real test. I rode up to the North Country in Maine to collect the ADV North American tag. 12 hours in the saddle. Almost no fidgeting. Happy Days! <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/5769472813/" " target="_blank" title="Adventure Bike by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3424/5769472813_679ec91d9a.jpg" width="480" height="360" alt="Adventure Bike"></a><br /><br />I was so pleased the saddle came in early as I leave for a 1,500+ mile trip to Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia this week. My only concern now is how the days of rain will effect the beautiful soft leather. I'm sure it will survive. All the others have. <br /><br />If you are struggling with seat comfort, do yourself a favor and put some money into an after market.SheRidesABeemerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14090181977933654976noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8902274795054049609.post-41637840437663124662011-05-20T10:13:00.004-05:002011-05-20T10:44:36.367-05:00Mother and Daughter Adventure Begins New ChapterIt is not uncommon for dads to get their sons involved in motorcycling. The typical scenario involves starting those boys on small dirt bikes. It is unconventional for mothers to get their daughters involved in motorcycling. <br />Conformity is overrated. <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/1813508813/" " target="_blank" title="Conformity by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2186/1813508813_990c51a3da.jpg" width="480" height="384" alt="Conformity"></a><br />As a parent, I feel my job is to give my daughter the broadest set of opportunities that I can. Give her tools to learn. Let her dream. And send her off into the world able to make good decisions. <br /><br />I knew this would be an exciting year of change. It has been very face paced change. In the past 3 months, Lisa has gotten her driver’s license, has learned how to drive a stick shift car, gotten her motorcycle license, and yesterday, at the tender age of 16, threw a leg over her first motorcycle. <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/5739924322/" " target="_blank" title="New Bike by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2078/5739924322_63347e5ede.jpg" width="480" height="360" alt="New Bike"></a><br /><br />Lisa's first bike is a well cared for '06 Kawasaki Ninja 500. Came to us via a friend of a friend. I decided to pass on the 250 route...this girl has to ride alongside me! I hope the 500 is just the right starter bike. <br /><br />Passing of the keys, thanks for the delivery Jesse! <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/5739372749/" " target="_blank"title="passing keys by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3214/5739372749_434c820922.jpg" width="480" height="360" alt="passing keys"></a><br /><br />The next chapter of our adventure starts in a few days when I begin to teach her what she needs to know about riding that green machine as we roll forward toward our goal of riding to the <a href="http://www.bmwmoa.org/rally11">BMW National Rally</a> in Bloomsburg, PA in July to attend <a href="http://www.bmwmoa.org/rally11/local_area/camp_gears_bloomsburg_2011">Camp Gears</a><br /><br />Spot of green in the garage<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/5739372847/" " target="_blank" title="Spot of Green in the Garage by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2688/5739372847_45d266b398.jpg" width="480" height="360" alt="Spot of Green in the Garage"></a><br /><br />to be continued...for years to come.SheRidesABeemerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14090181977933654976noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8902274795054049609.post-16798574575611637042011-05-10T11:08:00.000-05:002011-05-11T05:05:41.199-05:001,400 Mile Test RideThe conversation usually goes like this<br />Me: "I bought a bike, it’s in Birmingham, AL"<br />Them: "Oh, are you having it shipped?"<br />Me: "No, I’m flying down and riding it home"<br />Them, confused…"You’re riding it all the way back?"<br />Me, confused…"Ummm yes, that’s the plan."<br /><br />Tail of the Dragon, purchased pic from Xtreme Sports Photography<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/5688164303/" title="New Ride - Tail of the Dragon by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5068/5688164303_d78116c36b.jpg" width="480" height="320" alt="New Ride - Tail of the Dragon"></a><br /><br />Riders who understand adventure get why I wanted to Fly & Ride. <br />Others never hear the road calling.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/5685099993/" title="Friday Morning Road Trip by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5243/5685099993_439b35fab5.jpg" width="480" height="360" alt="Friday Morning Road Trip"></a><br /><br />I got to Birmingham 12 hours after the tornadoes.<br />As much as I like to document everything with my camera, I could not stop and take pictures of the pockets of tornado damage I encountered. It would have been too…intrusive. Who was I, a joy riding vacationer, to walk in on their grief. I looked…I rode on. It was a sobering experience. <br />Caravan of Utility Trucks Heading Toward N.Georgia<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/5685164711/" title="Utility Trucks by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5188/5685164711_45ec8d3674.jpg" width="480" height="360" alt="Utility Trucks"></a><br /><br />That area of the country has had a spate of severe weather. But my good riding Karma came with me this trip, I encountered the bluest of skies my entire 3.5 days. It was just a little bit of riding heaven. <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/5685670194/" title="R1200GS 072 by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5144/5685670194_722d31af47.jpg" width="480" height="349" alt="R1200GS 072"></a><br /><br />My ride home strategy was this, hit the highway and put Alabama behind me the first half day. Head toward Tennessee and roads whose names end in “Parkway”. <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/5677869901/" title="Foothills Parkway by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5028/5677869901_8a06652513.jpg" width="480" height="360" alt="Foothills Parkway"></a><br />Ride nothing but nice stuff on Friday, and assess my forward progress and make a plan based on that on Saturday. This plan mostly worked out. As I’ve learned from previous adventures, flexibility is the key to success. <br />Long evening shadow<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/5685733326/" title="Evening Shadow by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5063/5685733326_109abe169b.jpg" width="480" height="360" alt="Evening Shadow"></a><br /><br />Oh the bike. Well yes, the bike was everything I was promised and more. I never expected to bond so quickly with the new machine. But 18 hours after taking title to it, I was putting it through the paces on the Tail of the Dragon. <br />Killboy.com photo<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/5688687932/" title="New Ride - Tail of the Dragon by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5107/5688687932_e5002dcd5a.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="New Ride - Tail of the Dragon"></a><br />Pretty impressive comfort level for a bike I’d just met. I liken it to a good first date. Occasionally you will have one where the conversation flows so naturally it is like you’d known each other forever. That is how I felt on the Parkways of Tennessee on Friday; we spoke each other’s language. <br />Killboy.com photo<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/5688687832/" title="New Ride - Tail of the Dragon by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5228/5688687832_1576403eb0.jpg" width="480" height="320" alt="New Ride - Tail of the Dragon"></a><br /><br />to be continued...SheRidesABeemerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14090181977933654976noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8902274795054049609.post-35413136007522731302011-05-02T11:32:00.003-05:002011-05-02T11:38:08.883-05:00OPR-MCCongratulations Lisa! <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/5661772776/" title="Lisa's Training Bike by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5224/5661772776_20896576e7.jpg" width="480" height="351" alt="Lisa's Training Bike"></a><br /><br />I am so proud that my 16 year old daughter passed her MSF class and has her endorsement. <br />I just sit back and imagine how different things would be if I'd been encouraged to take the front seat when I was her age. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/5661205349/" title="MSF Day by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5070/5661205349_166aaac6fe.jpg" width="480" height="360" alt="MSF Day"></a><br />We're shopping for a simple starter bike for her. And we have plans to attend the BMW MOA National Rally in Bloomsburg, PA in July. Her first goal is to be ready to ride the bike to school before the end of the year. I know she can do it! <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/5661205391/" title="Natural by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5024/5661205391_bed82449d1.jpg" width="480" height="360" alt="Natural"></a>SheRidesABeemerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14090181977933654976noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8902274795054049609.post-84536465076245625582011-04-24T08:00:00.006-05:002011-04-24T15:27:05.079-05:00ADVentures in Motorcycle ShoppingFor a year or more I’ve been giving thought to adding a dual sport to my garage. It seems every summer I find myself on roads, or avoiding roads, that no self respecting K bike should be on. <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/3916046895/" " target="_blank" title="Sandwich Notch Rd by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2572/3916046895_3838fc87e9_z.jpg" width="480" height="640" alt="Sandwich Notch Rd"></a><br /><br />And I’ve been hanging out with those ADV type people and their dual sport bikes. <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/5132804182/" " target="_blank" title="ADV Maine 066 by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4085/5132804182_a93047b3df.jpg" width="480" height="360" alt="ADV Maine 066"></a><br /><br />For a variety of reasons I decided to make it happen this year. I had a budget in mind, I lined up the finances, I started learning about the market, pinpointing the year, model, and mileage for my budget, elicited friends opinions, even put down some money. <br />The deal for this R1100GS did not feel right, and I moved on. <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/5649380717/" " target="_blank" title="Seattle R11 by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5188/5649380717_c439d8f78e.jpg" width="480" height="360" alt="Seattle R11"></a><br /><br />I poured over hundreds of ads on Craig’s List, <a href="http://www.bmwmoa.org/flea/index.php?catid=1" " target="_blank" >BMW MOA Flea Market</a>, <a href="http://www.advrider.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=52"" target="_blank">ADVenture Rider’s Flea Market</a>, my <a href="http://maxbmw.com/machine/machine.aspx"" target="_blank">BMW dealer's</a> inventory, <a href="http://marketplace.ibmwr.org/ads/robs"" target="_blank">IBMWR.org</a> and <a href="http://tinyurl.com/3p3hnfk"" target="_blank">eBay</a>. I made a spreadsheet, I assessed priorities…I found some more money for the budget, and I just about started over. Over the course of 6 weeks, I moved my search from an R1100GS, to R1150GS and landed at R1200GS. Sometimes you just have to decide to spend your money. <br /><br />In between all this, I was buying a car for Lisa! Ok two cars. I shopped for 3 weeks before finding her a 2000 Audi A4; a nice little starter car, under 4K. <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/5649985406/"" target="_blank" title="LISA A4 by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5105/5649985406_c74581d124.jpg" width="480" height="360" alt="LISA A4"></a><br /><br />It lasted 10 days. Lisa was caught driving while inexperienced…and made a mistaken left turn into a Saab. Leaving the Saab hurt, and the Audi, technically totaled. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/5607344140/"" target="_blank" title="Totaled Audi A4 by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5184/5607344140_29d3d86c1a.jpg" width="480" height="360" alt="Totaled Audi A4"></a><br />So after a 2 week respite from car shopping, I was back at it; the bike shopping on hold. My insurance company, <a href="http://www.amica.com/default.html"" target="_blank">Amica</a>, had a check in my hand in 4 days! <br />What a pile of crap I was seeing in the 4K car range. I reluctantly considered moving some of the bike budget to the car budget. My willingness to do this caused me to look at an eBay auction for an Audi A6. A crazy nice car for the kid. I put a watch on the car and had pretty much forgotten about it when I got a “4 hours until this auction is over” notice on it. The car was sitting at $4,200. Examining the completed auctions for this model/mileage, I could not find anything under 6K. I decided to go for it. I put in a bid near 5K. The car was a trade in at a BMW dealer, I felt there was a better chance that it had come from a loving home, and the dealer was not going to be pawning off a lemon. The 118,000 miles was low for a 2000. The 6 speed manual, was attractive to me, because I think the kid needs to learn a stick, but probably helped keep more bidders away. <br />Lisa and I sat in front of the screen and watched the auction tick down until I was the proud owner of a $4,400, 250hp Audi A6. My bike budget intact<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/5627729034/"" target="_blank"title="CRUUZIN by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5024/5627729034_f88c88acf3.jpg" width="480" height="316" alt="CRUUZIN"></a><br /><br />Back to bike shopping. Somewhere in all of this I had thought a lot about taking a road trip to pick up the bike. This all started when my friend in the Seattle area turned me on to an R1100GS. My road trip gene kicked in. But that all fizzled when the A4 was totaled. Still a road trip was in the back of my mind, but due to timing, a West coast epic journey was out. Maybe something less epic? The wider you’re willing to cast your shopping net, the better your chances of landing just the bike you want and a bargain price. I made an offer on a beautiful 1150GS, it was rejected. I started watching an ’05 R12GS, I asked the seller lots of questions. I was ready to pull the trigger on this one. It was navy blue, as my friends pointed out, I needed a blue bike. The day before the auction was to end, I made one more pass through the flea market circuit. <br />And what before my eyes should appear but an Ocean Blue R12..the color I really want. And it’s located in Birmingham, AL, just 4 hours south of the Navy bike in Knoxville. <br />It’s stunning and well geared up, a good 25K miles on it. <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/5649454075/" " target="_blank"title="2005 R1200GS by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5305/5649454075_0a85ffe993.jpg" width="480" height="322" alt="2005 R1200GS"></a><br />The owner has had plenty of inquiries but no one ready to pull the trigger. It’s completely in my price range. I don’t have to think..it’s the bike I want. I make him an offer, if he’s willing to accept it, I will send him a deposit ASAP. <br />I shoot. I score. He accepts the offer. <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/5649454133/"" target="_blank" title="2005 R1200GS by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5187/5649454133_141c7b8d07.jpg" width="480" height="322" alt="2005 R1200GS"></a><br /><br />Next up, road trip to Birmingham. <br /><br />Lessons learned: Know what you want, know what the market is for what you want, and be ready to pull the trigger. <br /><br />My last bike buying road trip - Picking up the K12GT in Cleveland, Aug. 2005.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/2331324004/"" target="_blank" title="I Won it on Ebay by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3056/2331324004_fb71fbe402.jpg" width="480" height="360" alt="I Won it on Ebay"></a>SheRidesABeemerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14090181977933654976noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8902274795054049609.post-41203393738680679032011-04-12T12:00:00.003-05:002011-04-24T15:28:43.093-05:00Four Senses of MotorcyclingEver have trouble focusing while riding? You hop on your bike, a million things on your mind, and before you know it, you are an hour away but don’t recall much about the trip. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/5606915133/"" target="_blank" title="New Hampshire Coast by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5181/5606915133_f5936c26e7.jpg" width="450" height="300" alt="New Hampshire Coast"></a> <br />A motorcycle ride is the perfect time to practice mindfulness. <br />Mindfulness: bringing one’s complete attention to the present experience. A useful component of mindfulness is careful attention to the senses. This is excellent practice early in the season when your thoughts might easily drift from the ride at hand. <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/5607500476/"" target="_blank" title="Road Shots by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5307/5607500476_d387843866.jpg" width="450" height="338" alt="Road Shots"></a><br /><br />Here are my mental notes from this weekend’s ride to the seacoast; the ride out to the coast is rather dull. I decided to practice my skills, taking mental inventory of the four senses used while riding.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Smell</span> <br /><ul>Brakes burning<br />Wood stoves<br />Exhaust fumes<br />Steak grilling<br />Salt air</ul><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/5607500604/"" target="_blank" title="Rte 1B by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5184/5607500604_66a7fa9e98.jpg" width="450" height="307" alt="Rte 1B"></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sight</span><br /><ul>Clear skies<br />Tires breaching my lane<br />Tach stead<br />Tree buds revealing<br />Tolls ahead</ul><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/5606914977/" " target="_blank"title="New Hampshire Tolls by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5267/5606914977_905a64a0ff.jpg" width="450" height="338" alt="New Hampshire Tolls"></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sound</span><br /><ul>Gears shifting<br />Wheels on the road<br />Wind in the helmet<br />Engine drone<br />Far off horn</ul><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/5607500806/" " target="_blank"title="Rte 1-B Portsmouth by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5105/5607500806_5c4540c2f6.jpg" width="450" height="338" alt="Rte 1-B Portsmouth"></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Touch - Feel</span><br /><ul>Jacket scratching my arm as the wind hits<br />Wind buffeting my head, the cheek pads pressing my face<br />The wind on my face as I notched up the face shield.<br />Faint vibration of the hand grips in my palm<br />The subtle drop in temps as I approached the coast.</ul><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/5606915051/" " target="_blank"title="New Hampshire Coast by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5227/5606915051_b3286169ec.jpg" width="450" height="290" alt="New Hampshire Coast"></a>SheRidesABeemerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14090181977933654976noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8902274795054049609.post-68156231113242665932011-03-05T21:35:00.007-05:002011-03-05T21:59:16.240-05:00Real Women Read the ManualIt's another winter day in the garage. I finally ordered the brake pedal for the GT, I cracked that bugger last spring in a freak garage accident. I was pulling the K75 off the center stand, and as unluck would have it, it was aligned right begind the GT. The front wheel of the K75 hit the rear wheel of the GT, pushing it off its center stand, and down she went. <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/5501316018/" " target="_blank" title="Saturday in the garage by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5136/5501316018_997ee04814.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="Saturday in the garage" /></a><br /><br />I invested in manuals for both bikes. Sure they are onine somewhere, but you can't put sticky notes online and get them all greasy! <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/5501316144/" " target="_blank" title="Refer to your Manual by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5259/5501316144_2ee18c8a3c.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="Refer to your Manual" /></a><br /><br />Here is the problem, the old pedal has a crack in it. It's hard to believe that if the bike falls onto the right side, it's the brake pedal that takes the fall! (when the bags are off)<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/5501316226/" " target="_blank" title="Old vs New by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5020/5501316226_fbd5062705.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="Old vs New" /></a><br /><br />I don't just take pictures for the entertainment of my readers, it's a reference for putting things back together!! <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/5501316306/" " target="_blank" title="garage 006 by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5058/5501316306_59208de310.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="garage 006" /></a><br /><br />Having the right tool is important. The only thing I was missing was the locktight and some greese, so I made a trip for those. <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/5500722951/" " target="_blank" title="Hex by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5297/5500722951_50ba8cb960.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="Hex" /></a><br /><br />Last chance for before pictures! <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/5501316562/" " target="_blank" title="Bolt by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5294/5501316562_ecbc663c08.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="Bolt" /></a><br /><br />So this is how the spring goes on, less all the road salt. Who the heck rides in the winter! <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/5501316720/" " target="_blank" title="Spring is at hand by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5059/5501316720_a0ea81508c.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="Spring is at hand" /></a><br /><br />It's important to take lots of breaks. In my case, I left for half the day and then came back to my project. <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/5500723365/" " target="_blank" title="Pondering Instructions by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5211/5500723365_96bd894082.jpg" width="400" height="533" alt="Pondering Instructions" /></a><br /><br />And voila, the spring went back into place, the locktight cleaned up, and a glowing new brake pedal, that hopefully works just fine! <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/5500723519/" " target="_blank" title="New Brake pedal by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5218/5500723519_652eaa6b9e.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="New Brake pedal" /></a>SheRidesABeemerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14090181977933654976noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8902274795054049609.post-35438088183154588472011-02-26T10:31:00.004-05:002011-02-26T11:45:56.997-05:00Caution New DriverI don't remember much about getting my drivers license. Lisa and I made it into a day to remember. I let her skip school. I took the day off from work. Because in our house, hitting the road is a very important milestone. <br /><br />I wanted Lisa to be able to look back at the pictures and relive the excitement she felt. The excitement to be behind the wheel. The freedom of the road. I hope she has a million trouble free miles ahead of her. <br /><br />8 weekends of Drivers Ed, 40 hours driving with a parent.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/5479354136/" target="_blank" title="Driver's Ed Car by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5057/5479354136_ff08b73741.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="Driver's Ed Car" /></a><br /><br />Remember your first car?<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/5478753791/" target="_blank" title="Sweet 16 by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5132/5478753791_90b771bb1c.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="Sweet 16" /></a><br /><br />Hi Dad, I'm at Dunkin's with Mom, waiting for my driving test appointment.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/5479354534/" target="_blank" title="Teen on Phone by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5017/5479354534_851646ec23.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="Teen on Phone" /></a><br /><br />The waiting is the hardest part. <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/5479354746/" target="_blank" title="11:00 Appointment by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5217/5479354746_23329067c3.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="11:00 Appointment" /></a><br /><br />A most important milestone! Congratulations! <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/5445155395/" target="_blank" title="Lisa gets her license by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5091/5445155395_f7144c905f.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="Lisa gets her license" /></a>SheRidesABeemerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14090181977933654976noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8902274795054049609.post-2390343971093663572011-02-07T12:56:00.003-05:002011-02-07T13:14:09.367-05:00Choosing Your First Motorcycle<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/1679016422/" title="Kiddo on K12 by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2399/1679016422_fc7044f108.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="Kiddo on K12" /></a><br />I ran into this article from a fellow <a href="http://74.53.234.2/~riptide/">Yankee Beemer</a> member, Steve Munden. He is an experienced MSF instructor. It was pleasing to have some of my theories confirmed by someone with relevant experience. The Ninja 250 is on my mind for Lisa. <br />What I hadn't considered is riding it home myself. <br />I imagine it will feel like a pocket bike compared to by big K's. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.stevemunden.com/firstbike.html#herbike">Choosing Your First Motorcycle</a>SheRidesABeemerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14090181977933654976noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8902274795054049609.post-27771085910478341082011-01-18T19:54:00.004-05:002011-01-30T20:10:55.782-05:00BMW Motorcycle Love StoryHere is the lead in as found on YouTube:<br /><blockquote> This is a photo story of my father's 1958 BMW R50:<br />Boy meets girl, gets married, buys motorcycle. Rides it for 60,000 miles and has accident when wife is pregnant with 3rd child. (me) Wife orders motorcycle to be taken off road until all her children are grown and on their own. One day when bike is moved to a different storage location, son sits on bike and dreams of being a Jedi Master like his father. Couple grows old together and bike is not ridden for 40 years. Husband is now a grandfather of 7 and married for 50 years, when he dies of a stroke at age 71.<br />Son looks over the old rotting machine and finds note attached to it from his father to him. Son decides to restore the old 1958 BMW R-50 as a tribute to his father. With the help of many friends, especially Peter Nettesheim, world renowned BMW collector, bike is restored to look even better than it did when it was built in Germany.<br /></blockquote><br /><object style="height: 244px; width: 400px"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/NdBptlmu7kA?version=3"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/NdBptlmu7kA?version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="400" height="244"></object><br /><script>function fbs_click() {u=location.href;t=document.title;window.open('http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u='+encodeURIComponent(u)+'&t='+encodeURIComponent(t),'sharer','toolbar=0,status=0,width=626,height=436');return false;}</script><style> html .fb_share_link { padding:2px 0 0 20px; height:16px; background:url(http://b.static.ak.fbcdn.net/images/share/facebook_share_icon.gif?8:26981) no-repeat top left; }</style><a href="http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=http://www.sheridesabeemer.com/2009/06/making-plans-to-travel.html" onclick="return fbs_click()" target="_blank" class="fb_share_link">Share on Facebook</a>SheRidesABeemerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14090181977933654976noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8902274795054049609.post-23234383489107108832011-01-01T16:23:00.004-05:002011-01-30T20:12:33.953-05:00New Year's Day Motorcycle RidesIt is somewhat of a tradition to attempt to ride on New Years Day. <br />In New Hampshire, this is not always easy.<br />As of Monday, I would have said impossible.<br />I was up to my bumper in snow. <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/5306600141/" title="Dude where is the rest of my car? by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5209/5306600141_35f2655e8f.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="Dude where is the rest of my car?" /></a><br /><br />But alas this is New England. We need only to wait a minute..or in this case 4 days.<br />It was 50 degrees and there was a eat to ride to be had.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/5313378666/" title="003 by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5166/5313378666_90f7a625d9.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="003" /></a><br /><br />Seeing as there had been a snow storm earlier this week...there was quite a lot of road salt. <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/5313378842/" title="Pass the salt by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5281/5313378842_06d7231b40.jpg" width="400" height="320" alt="Pass the salt" /></a><br /><br />More evidence of bike abuse<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/5312788235/" title="bike abuse by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5089/5312788235_e904bb8690.jpg" width="400" height="258" alt="bike abuse" /></a><br /><br />Only one thing to do...car wash<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/srab/5312788311/" title="wash me by sheridesabeemer, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5204/5312788311_38d9d42d59.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="wash me" /></a><br /><br />I hope you ushered in the new year in a way that made you smile. <br />And may all our roads be smooth this year.<br /><br /><script>function fbs_click() {u=location.href;t=document.title;window.open('http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u='+encodeURIComponent(u)+'&t='+encodeURIComponent(t),'sharer','toolbar=0,status=0,width=626,height=436');return false;}</script><style> html .fb_share_link { padding:2px 0 0 20px; height:16px; background:url(http://b.static.ak.fbcdn.net/images/share/facebook_share_icon.gif?8:26981) no-repeat top left; }</style><a href="http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=http://www.sheridesabeemer.com/2009/06/making-plans-to-travel.html" onclick="return fbs_click()" target="_blank" class="fb_share_link">Share on Facebook</a>SheRidesABeemerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14090181977933654976noreply@blogger.com7