THANKS PAT!!!
Stopped by Pat's crib on the way home from work today and picked up the US tee's. Since Pat will be out of town starting tomorrow, I took them all home with me.
Jake - Alan has yours.
Cassidy - I'll bring yours with me on Saturday
Everybody else... I suppose we'll have to work the exchange.
I'd like to get them in everyone's hands before the NYMMC breakfast meet, you know, so we'll look all ganglike and shit, it'll be too funny.
I haven't kicked any $$$ towards Pat yet but the shirts were only $9 each, long sleeves a touch more... Pat - you mentioned something about a paypal account or a check... I can do either but I need to know you're paypal address, or I can give you cash the nest time I see you, whatever you wants...
Next up - patches and stickers!! Anybody have a clue where we can get these done?
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
This NYMMC Diner ride on the 10th...
Two years ago I hadn't even taken my MSF class. Today this crew has achieved some sort of celebrity status over on the DMF.
Personally I think it's hysterical.
Regardless - I noticed GC is planning a post-diner run... are we meeting at Gorilla ie. a regular US ride, and throwing in the Diner as a scheduled stop?
I will have to bail at some point mid-afternoon, depending where we are. I am renting a GSX-R 600 from a joint in Stamford, CT, and need to have the bike back and gassed up by 7pm. In Stamford. Just sayin'
Personally I think it's hysterical.
Regardless - I noticed GC is planning a post-diner run... are we meeting at Gorilla ie. a regular US ride, and throwing in the Diner as a scheduled stop?
I will have to bail at some point mid-afternoon, depending where we are. I am renting a GSX-R 600 from a joint in Stamford, CT, and need to have the bike back and gassed up by 7pm. In Stamford. Just sayin'
What I discovered about myself as a rider this past weekend...
It may seem obvious to you all but not to me since I'm always at the front and have no visuals to compare myself to others... but... I like to go fast. Too fast most of the time.
I've been on a safety kick lately - hence the meeting I want to have. I've also been wanting to chance my riding style. Up until this past Sunday this is how I've taken corners - whether I know them or not -
A)Set up as far outside as I can, usually no more than 1ft from the shoulder.
B)Roll off the throttle just enough to judge the corner and find the apex. Downshift as needed.
C)Trail brake (with the front brake) all the way to the apex cause I usually enter the corner too hot, but at the same time, maintain a steady throttle.
D)Stand the bike back up and get on the throttle.
While that's worked for me all this time, I'm starting to realize that trail braking isn't the safest thing to do on the street so on Sunday I was trying to do this instead.
A)Set up as far outside as I can, usually no more than 1ft from the shoulder.
B)Roll off the throttle and at the same time apply ever increasing pressure on the front brake. Downshift as needed.
C)Maintain a steady throttle.
D)Stand the bike up and apply throttle earlier a la Alan.
Let me tell you... trying to change your riding style isn't easy. In fact, it's damn hard.
All of that went out the window as soon as we got onto 154 for the first time. I was too busy riding to look down at my speedo or tach but Alan and Pat tell me we were riding between 95 and 100+ the whole time.
Alan and I came so close to crashing on a downhill righthander due to gravel that I still can't believe I saved it. It really must be all those years of riding/racing bicycles...
Anyhow, What did I learn about myself? While I may have good ride leader skills (or so I'm told), I'm not the safest rider and my judgement about certain roads and corner speed should not be followed and that everyone needs to ride at their own pace and not over their head and or skill level. AGAIN - I'm not the best person to follow as I'm still sorting my riding out. As I said above, since I'm always at the front I have nothing to judge the way I'm riding (technique, body position), and I certainly don't know my limits as a rider and I don't know the limits of the bike/tires. Suffice it to say, when we're riding fast, the most I've probably ever pushed myself was about 70%. On a typical ride I'm right around 50%. There have been 2 occasions where I've pushed myself higher than 70% - once on the magic loop where Alan almost crashed, and this Sunday on 154. Both of those times I was probably hovering around 90% but still comfortably within my comfort zone but probably at the tire's limits.
Maybe it would help if you guys critiqued me more, maybe not. Regardless, don't be like me. Ride smarter :)
I've been on a safety kick lately - hence the meeting I want to have. I've also been wanting to chance my riding style. Up until this past Sunday this is how I've taken corners - whether I know them or not -
A)Set up as far outside as I can, usually no more than 1ft from the shoulder.
B)Roll off the throttle just enough to judge the corner and find the apex. Downshift as needed.
C)Trail brake (with the front brake) all the way to the apex cause I usually enter the corner too hot, but at the same time, maintain a steady throttle.
D)Stand the bike back up and get on the throttle.
While that's worked for me all this time, I'm starting to realize that trail braking isn't the safest thing to do on the street so on Sunday I was trying to do this instead.
A)Set up as far outside as I can, usually no more than 1ft from the shoulder.
B)Roll off the throttle and at the same time apply ever increasing pressure on the front brake. Downshift as needed.
C)Maintain a steady throttle.
D)Stand the bike up and apply throttle earlier a la Alan.
Let me tell you... trying to change your riding style isn't easy. In fact, it's damn hard.
All of that went out the window as soon as we got onto 154 for the first time. I was too busy riding to look down at my speedo or tach but Alan and Pat tell me we were riding between 95 and 100+ the whole time.
Alan and I came so close to crashing on a downhill righthander due to gravel that I still can't believe I saved it. It really must be all those years of riding/racing bicycles...
Anyhow, What did I learn about myself? While I may have good ride leader skills (or so I'm told), I'm not the safest rider and my judgement about certain roads and corner speed should not be followed and that everyone needs to ride at their own pace and not over their head and or skill level. AGAIN - I'm not the best person to follow as I'm still sorting my riding out. As I said above, since I'm always at the front I have nothing to judge the way I'm riding (technique, body position), and I certainly don't know my limits as a rider and I don't know the limits of the bike/tires. Suffice it to say, when we're riding fast, the most I've probably ever pushed myself was about 70%. On a typical ride I'm right around 50%. There have been 2 occasions where I've pushed myself higher than 70% - once on the magic loop where Alan almost crashed, and this Sunday on 154. Both of those times I was probably hovering around 90% but still comfortably within my comfort zone but probably at the tire's limits.
Maybe it would help if you guys critiqued me more, maybe not. Regardless, don't be like me. Ride smarter :)
Monday, July 28, 2008
Funny and Sad
I had this picture taken about 30 minutes before the truck showed up to take the bike to its new owner. I think the sadness of the event is evident on my face.
However...
You know that phrase - Monkey Fucking a Football?
Yeah, I have to laugh, too.
"Gonna need a bigger bike!"
A Bit of Comedy for You
http://forum.svrider.com/showthread.php?t=80308
this was just too ridiculous not to post
this was just too ridiculous not to post
Friday, July 25, 2008
Suspect Shirts
Hey guys.. I'm really sorry for the delay. I don't know why Jim is taking so long to do this. He finally got the shirts in yesterday and was going to print today BUT...
He sent me a sample [digital] of what it would look like... and it's not cool.
- It obviously was not the same file I sent. He recreated it using a different font. I have no idea [yet] why he didn't use my file. So the long and short is that it looks amateur... and unacceptable to me. I'm waiting to hear back from him and he'll probably have to make a new screen which equals more time. This sucks.
Since I am out of town, when and if he finishes the job... I'll need to have him ship them to one of you guys. Any volunteers?
Let me know... thanks
He sent me a sample [digital] of what it would look like... and it's not cool.
- It obviously was not the same file I sent. He recreated it using a different font. I have no idea [yet] why he didn't use my file. So the long and short is that it looks amateur... and unacceptable to me. I'm waiting to hear back from him and he'll probably have to make a new screen which equals more time. This sucks.
Since I am out of town, when and if he finishes the job... I'll need to have him ship them to one of you guys. Any volunteers?
Let me know... thanks
Thursday, July 24, 2008
The next chapter
I know you guys are gonna want to know about what's up with me and my bike-less state. Here's some particulars about the sale.
Young Matthew in Philadelphia is going to be getting a delivery of a 2007 Ducati Monster 695, nicely modified with love, and ridden to within maybe 8/10ths of its potential by its first owner - moi! Matt's paying me $6,000 (exactly what I wanted), he's getting a bunch of other stuff I don't want, and get this - this is Matt's first bike! In fact, mofo is schedule for the MSF class the last weekend in August.
I guess he's just gonna stare at it for a month?
I volunteered to ride down to Philly in September to show him the bike, walk him through a few things, and ride with him for a little bit to push him up the learning curve.
I did a last-minute oil change at Victor's Garage this afternoon - and am still playing a bit of hooky right now!! 7am tomorrow morning, I say good-bye.
Jake, Thanks again, and I hope you got tickets!! I was going to say "I hope you enjoyed Batman - Imax" but since you didn't even have tickets yet... LOL!!!
Lastly, I've been chronicling some of the crap in my life on a secret blog I created this week, so no more Tommy BS here!!
Young Matthew in Philadelphia is going to be getting a delivery of a 2007 Ducati Monster 695, nicely modified with love, and ridden to within maybe 8/10ths of its potential by its first owner - moi! Matt's paying me $6,000 (exactly what I wanted), he's getting a bunch of other stuff I don't want, and get this - this is Matt's first bike! In fact, mofo is schedule for the MSF class the last weekend in August.
I guess he's just gonna stare at it for a month?
I volunteered to ride down to Philly in September to show him the bike, walk him through a few things, and ride with him for a little bit to push him up the learning curve.
I did a last-minute oil change at Victor's Garage this afternoon - and am still playing a bit of hooky right now!! 7am tomorrow morning, I say good-bye.
Jake, Thanks again, and I hope you got tickets!! I was going to say "I hope you enjoyed Batman - Imax" but since you didn't even have tickets yet... LOL!!!
Lastly, I've been chronicling some of the crap in my life on a secret blog I created this week, so no more Tommy BS here!!
the new gear...
This heat must be driving me crazy. I just sold an old keyboard I never used and bought a teddy bear suit, tire plug kit [from aerostitch] and a mini air pump. woo-hoo!
http://www.ptownbears.org/ - who's going?
http://www.ptownbears.org/ - who's going?
Alpinestars Sigma Drystar Textile Jacket
Alpinestars Edge Drystar Textile Pant
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Introducing: The Semi-Usual Suspect!
I have a buyer for the Monster. The check should be here in a day or so, the bike will be gone by next week.
Yes, I am quite sad. Yes, I regret it already. No, I don't know when I'll own another bike.
I will be renting a Gixxer 600 for the weekend of the 9th and 10th though!
Sorry guys, my personal shit just came to a head and is really pulling me down. I hate feeling like this. Consider me a semi-usual suspect for a while.
Yes, I am quite sad. Yes, I regret it already. No, I don't know when I'll own another bike.
I will be renting a Gixxer 600 for the weekend of the 9th and 10th though!
Sorry guys, my personal shit just came to a head and is really pulling me down. I hate feeling like this. Consider me a semi-usual suspect for a while.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Hey all--
I just (finally) got back on the internet after an extended hiatus. But I'm back from my travels and down for whatever. I'm probably going to be out of town for this weekend and next, but I'm around aside from that.
125, my dudes!
p.s. It's been too hot to go outside, so I just got a Playstation 2 (I know there's a 3, but video games aren't worth spending that much money on for me...) and MotoGP '07 and GTA: San Andreas. What's that? Have I slept recently? No, no, not much...
--dizzle
I just (finally) got back on the internet after an extended hiatus. But I'm back from my travels and down for whatever. I'm probably going to be out of town for this weekend and next, but I'm around aside from that.
125, my dudes!
p.s. It's been too hot to go outside, so I just got a Playstation 2 (I know there's a 3, but video games aren't worth spending that much money on for me...) and MotoGP '07 and GTA: San Andreas. What's that? Have I slept recently? No, no, not much...
--dizzle
S'up
So my weekend in Poughkeepsie was fairly decadent... if I wasn't cooling off in the pool or gorging on whatever tastey treat/foodstuff that was within reach, I was riding within Joe (Bro in-law).
Apart from this brutal fucking heat that won't be going away anytime soon... who all wants to hit up 125 asap? 4 rides in a row in the 'skills - as dope as the roads are - is getting old.
Who's in?
Also... Casey Stoner... I knew he was a little bitch. I knew it. But after Laguna? Shit, at least everyone else finally realizes it. "A few of the passes were too much for me"... again, what a bitch. He's the one that threw the first aggressive move, almost touching Rossi whilst passing on the outside. We finally get an exciting race and since it wasn't the boring hohum runaways that he's used to he feels the need to whine about it. What a cunt.
The meeting...
I wanted to have a meeting with alla youze so that we can all continue riding together safely and happily for the rest of our days. As you all know, finding someone to ride with that you like as a person and whom you trust is a very hard thing... we've got a great thing going with our little group and I wouldn't change a thing about "us", I just think we have some room for improvement as far as group safety and group dynamics go.
We need to have this happen sooner rather than later. I mainly want to talk about -
- Group safety and how we can improve on it - Each individual contributes something to the ride whether you realize it or not and each person's actions affect the group as a whole, we need to talk about this.
- Group dynamics and how that effects all of our safety - Feeling tired/hungry after a long day? Itchy to get home? Why not up the pace on the slab a bit... I want to talk about why this isn't the best of ideas especially since we are not all on the same page... yet. I want to work on us all being on the same page.
- Go over hand signals - a few new, most not
- Situational awareness. Again, this effects all of us. At a quick glance, can you identify all the cars around you and their positions relating to you and the group? Do you know where the hotspots are for popo to hide? How far ahead of yourself do you ride? Did you know your lane position effects how I make decisions out on the road? All of that is the awareness I want all of us to have. Since I lead 99.9% of the time, it's a habit/skill that I've developed over time. I don't think all of you have that since it's easy to just relax and watch my tail light. That's not cool. For your safety, and for the group. I'm not saying you all are zombies, not at all, but I am saying there;s room for improvement.
- Alan, Jake and I also want to talk about our personal pace and the pace of everyone in the US. Do the guys up front need to tone it down? Does anyone ever find themselves riding over your head in order to catch up?
- Group responsibility. We all watch out for each other, that's a given. But who carries tools besides me, Jake, and Pete? Who knows how to use those tools? In the case of the Adirondacks trip... where does "looking out for the group" end and "looking out for #1" begin, if at all? We're all responsible for each other out there. That being the case, we ALL need to exchange emergency contact info with each other in case things should go south, or worse.
- These are just some things I wanted to talk about, I'm sure there'll be more. I'm also sure that you all will have a lot to contribute. Clearing the air and being on the same page would a great thing and not at all that hard to do... Let's make it happen.
Lastly, your daily funbags -
Apart from this brutal fucking heat that won't be going away anytime soon... who all wants to hit up 125 asap? 4 rides in a row in the 'skills - as dope as the roads are - is getting old.
Who's in?
Also... Casey Stoner... I knew he was a little bitch. I knew it. But after Laguna? Shit, at least everyone else finally realizes it. "A few of the passes were too much for me"... again, what a bitch. He's the one that threw the first aggressive move, almost touching Rossi whilst passing on the outside. We finally get an exciting race and since it wasn't the boring hohum runaways that he's used to he feels the need to whine about it. What a cunt.
The meeting...
I wanted to have a meeting with alla youze so that we can all continue riding together safely and happily for the rest of our days. As you all know, finding someone to ride with that you like as a person and whom you trust is a very hard thing... we've got a great thing going with our little group and I wouldn't change a thing about "us", I just think we have some room for improvement as far as group safety and group dynamics go.
We need to have this happen sooner rather than later. I mainly want to talk about -
- Group safety and how we can improve on it - Each individual contributes something to the ride whether you realize it or not and each person's actions affect the group as a whole, we need to talk about this.
- Group dynamics and how that effects all of our safety - Feeling tired/hungry after a long day? Itchy to get home? Why not up the pace on the slab a bit... I want to talk about why this isn't the best of ideas especially since we are not all on the same page... yet. I want to work on us all being on the same page.
- Go over hand signals - a few new, most not
- Situational awareness. Again, this effects all of us. At a quick glance, can you identify all the cars around you and their positions relating to you and the group? Do you know where the hotspots are for popo to hide? How far ahead of yourself do you ride? Did you know your lane position effects how I make decisions out on the road? All of that is the awareness I want all of us to have. Since I lead 99.9% of the time, it's a habit/skill that I've developed over time. I don't think all of you have that since it's easy to just relax and watch my tail light. That's not cool. For your safety, and for the group. I'm not saying you all are zombies, not at all, but I am saying there;s room for improvement.
- Alan, Jake and I also want to talk about our personal pace and the pace of everyone in the US. Do the guys up front need to tone it down? Does anyone ever find themselves riding over your head in order to catch up?
- Group responsibility. We all watch out for each other, that's a given. But who carries tools besides me, Jake, and Pete? Who knows how to use those tools? In the case of the Adirondacks trip... where does "looking out for the group" end and "looking out for #1" begin, if at all? We're all responsible for each other out there. That being the case, we ALL need to exchange emergency contact info with each other in case things should go south, or worse.
- These are just some things I wanted to talk about, I'm sure there'll be more. I'm also sure that you all will have a lot to contribute. Clearing the air and being on the same page would a great thing and not at all that hard to do... Let's make it happen.
Lastly, your daily funbags -
Monday, July 21, 2008
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Sunday 7/20 ride
Gonna work on my bike and Cru's bike in the morn, then probably a little run around. Not sure where yet but I have some ideas. I don't want to get home too late, so that will also dictate where we go.
Meeting Cru at the garage at 8 and prob won't leave there till 9. We will most likely be stopping at the PIP station on the way. You are all of course welcome, let me know if you want in.
Summary:
Holy crap it was hot as hell today. We saw a bunch of crappy roads, got stuck in mountains of traffic, sweat buckets, and got home at a sensible time. Guess it wasn't all bad :)
Meeting Cru at the garage at 8 and prob won't leave there till 9. We will most likely be stopping at the PIP station on the way. You are all of course welcome, let me know if you want in.
Summary:
Holy crap it was hot as hell today. We saw a bunch of crappy roads, got stuck in mountains of traffic, sweat buckets, and got home at a sensible time. Guess it wasn't all bad :)
Boobies, the heat, riding.
Ok, so you all know I hate the heat. So much so that I cancelled the ride and chose not to ride today (Saturday) up to the 'Skills. Since I do have to attend a family thing, I'll be riding up there later tonight after the sun goes down.
Dizzle's back and he'll be ready to roll once again with soon enough.
Pat - what up with those t-shirts?
Oh, the boobies... just to make you all feel like the dirty old men that you are I present to you college freshman (fresh meat?) Allison Stokke, national champ in the pole vault -
God Damn...
Look at those thighs man!
Dizzle's back and he'll be ready to roll once again with soon enough.
Pat - what up with those t-shirts?
Oh, the boobies... just to make you all feel like the dirty old men that you are I present to you college freshman (fresh meat?) Allison Stokke, national champ in the pole vault -
God Damn...
Look at those thighs man!
Friday, July 18, 2008
THIS is why...
Guys. The picture I have attached here is an example of the kind of shots I want to capture on our rides. I was always wondering how I was gonna share this - this answers it.
I took this over Memorial Day weekend on the Jersey Shore. I've got some cooler shots of cars, but this blog has the word "moto" in it, and some of you guys are also avid cyclists... so I share this shot!
Not going so well
I have had 1 person from the DMF express interest, and 6 from CraigsList. None of them has contacted me to set up a chance to see my bike.
I believe it's my fault.
You see, the night after tire changing, I gave my bike a quick scrub down. Oh, it gone clean alright, but I started taking pictures.
Gloss black paint... night photography... not good. I believe the picture I attached speaks for itself.
Guess what I do tomorrow afternoon? Take new pictures!!!!
There has to be a reason for the hell I went through this week... I can't even get into my credit reports, or the hassle of trying to sell my Jeep, or the crap I went through with my dog. I may be an atheist, but I believe there's a reason for all this. I just hope it all becomes clear soon.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
So, boobage?
I'm just saying... if we want boobies, do we bring the boobage?
Or is humor more for the US Blog?
To ride or not to ride....
Ok guys... you might think I'm crazy [or not] but I'm thinking of riding the bike across the country. I'm supposed to leave for Portland next Friday but with these crazy gas prices, I was thinking of riding. Why not make a whole experience out of it.. You know? I'm just afraid of getting half way there and getting bummed that this country is so damn big. I've driven across about six times with the band and it's not so bad. So I'm opening this up to conversation... give me your feedback - and any famous roads I might wanna hit. Thinking a lot of slab and hitting some great destination twisties to break it up. Also.. feel free to let me know if this is a bad idea.
Since I'm supposed to be back in NYC by the 19th... maybe just maybe I can meet you guys at Indy.
-P
Since I'm supposed to be back in NYC by the 19th... maybe just maybe I can meet you guys at Indy.
-P
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
All Dressed Up, Ready to go
Thanks to Pak and Cru, my little Monster now has new tires, a new chain, new sprockets (including a bling-bling STEALTH rear sprocket) and some other odds and ends. I (at least) just got home and I'm sitting here posting up exhausted. Pak's sister (finally) has a new front tire, and hopefully she's home, too... and safe!
Big UPS on the new tire changing contraption!!
Now, the hard part... arranging the visitations for potential buyers. I have 3 from Craigslist and 1 from the DMF - interested parties, that is.
I'm starting to wish I had made a few different decisions when I left the house for my divorce...
Oh well, I'll post up when I have a buyer, and then the next game starts... "Tom's Search for a New Bike!"
Don't hold your breath.
Big UPS on the new tire changing contraption!!
Now, the hard part... arranging the visitations for potential buyers. I have 3 from Craigslist and 1 from the DMF - interested parties, that is.
I'm starting to wish I had made a few different decisions when I left the house for my divorce...
Oh well, I'll post up when I have a buyer, and then the next game starts... "Tom's Search for a New Bike!"
Don't hold your breath.
Que como?
Hey fellas.
Whats with the "plain jane" look of this place? Maybe some more color and/ or a photo in the title?
Whats with the "plain jane" look of this place? Maybe some more color and/ or a photo in the title?
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