Well it sure has been an interesting 2008. I was accepted into the 2009 IBR on my first try. I submitted my application and was drawn, that's when all the fun has started.
I started the year with a cane after a hip injury keeping me off the motorcycle for 2 months. Then as I really got started again, I joined a new riding group and helped them set up there first IBA ride a saddle sore 1000. The team started with 7 riders and 5 finished. I rode out and met them at the finish 1111 miles in 23.5 hours.
Then as the year progressed and it looked like I was really getting into a groove; I had my motorcycle accident. I broke my left collar bone, 5 ribs, partially collapsed my left lung and reinjuried my right hip what a fun time. There I was most of July laid up. Well this time, I was only off the motorcycle for 5 weeks of course it was a new motorcycle. That's when I made the change from an ST1300 to a FJR1300. I have to omit it was fun checking out motorcycles 2 weeks after the accident. Every shop I went into the sales people just looked at me weird when I asked them to hold the bike because I could put both hands on the grips.
So here I sat no motorcycle and injuried with the IBA national meet coming up and my biggest LD ride coming up in September(RWYB). With a lot of work and help from my family, I was able to attend the National meet in Tulsa and get my FJR ready for the RWYB. I completed the 5 Days 5000 Mile rally and was pleasently surprised by coming in 9th place.
Things were starting to look up after finishing the RWYB I had 9000 miles on the new FJR and I was starting to feel like my old self. The next rally was the NMLOE in October. Again trouble headed my way with my first DNF, I was half way through the ride when the FJR started acting up. I called in letting them know I was out but that I would be at the finish line, to wave at everyone coming in. It was kind of sad to not complete the ride but like Brian said better to make it home safely then not at all. The frustraiting point was once everyone was in I found out from one of the other FJR riders that my bike probably missed a recall on the ECU and the issues I was having could have been easlily fixed by shuting off the FJR then turning it back on.
I also started setting up the FJR for the 2009 IBR. I received my new fuel cell, wiring in a fuse block and hard wiring my Garmin, XM-Radio and a future for a radar detector. I built the fuel cell mount with a friends help and plumbed the tank. After the New Year, I will make the connection into my exsisting fuel tank and start testing the new setup.
In 2008 I met some new friends Jeff and Milinda, Brian, Matt, Dale, Steve, and Bob and Sylivia, they all have been very helpful and encouraging.
As I go into 2009 I have set a few goals, I'm planning to attend three rallies with a goal of no DNF's. I'm planning to attend the IBA Pizza Party in Jacksonville, FL., complete a couple of long 2-3 day rides building up my seat time and being a finisher in the IBR.
Take care for now hope to see you on the road in 2009.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Monday, December 8, 2008
December (9 Months to go)
Well December is upon us and my riding has been slowing down. I'm still able to ride to work but that is only about 20 miles a week. I'm still getting out on Fridays for rides but nothing too long.
This week I grabbed a few friends and we did a 220 mile ride to a little bar and grill in San Antonio, NM called the Owl Cafe. They are famous for their Green Chilli Cheese Burgers. So about 11 of us meet for breakfast a place called Mule Barn (you would have to see the place it is hard to discribe but they make a mean breakfast). From there we took a leisurely ride down and a sprited ride back. The burgers at the Owl Cafe were not up to par for a resturant toted as having one of the best chilli cheese burgers in the country. But the ride and company made up for the food. It was a great day.
Saturday I spent the morning with a friend finally building the fuel cell mount. Here is a picture of it prior to cleaning up the wields and painting it.
As you can see it's looking pretty rough but I don't want to put a lot of effort until the design has been approved for the IBR 09. So I sent a few pictures off to the chief technicial inspector for his blessing.
Well the design recieved mix reviews and it was suggested that I lower the mount. So I lowered it by two inches and cleaned it up. Since then the mount has been painted (black) and I purchased all the fitting. I'm already to have the tank drilled and welded with the fitting to connect my new tank. I'm planning to take off the tank send it over to be welded. This should happen the week after New Years.
Until that happens, I'm planning to get in a few more rides before the end of the year. Since the run to the Owl cafe, I have been out a couple of times and have one more planned before I take the tank off. I think I'm going to be close to 18,000 miles for the year. Not bad considering I hardly rode in April and May (200 miles) due to an injury and the 0 miles for the month of July due to totalling my ST1300. So the 17,500 was done in a little over 9 months. Well as the year is coming to an end I was able to get out for a ride the day after Christmas. A few friend and I went for a 190 mile ride seeing all kinds of weather. We started in 45 degree weather hit 54 degrees at the mid-point of the ride then finished in 34 degree weather. We saw sun, clouds, rain, snow and wind. Oh did I mention WIND!!! gusts up to 50 mph, what a fun last ride for the year. Here's hoping 2009 brings more miles.
This week I grabbed a few friends and we did a 220 mile ride to a little bar and grill in San Antonio, NM called the Owl Cafe. They are famous for their Green Chilli Cheese Burgers. So about 11 of us meet for breakfast a place called Mule Barn (you would have to see the place it is hard to discribe but they make a mean breakfast). From there we took a leisurely ride down and a sprited ride back. The burgers at the Owl Cafe were not up to par for a resturant toted as having one of the best chilli cheese burgers in the country. But the ride and company made up for the food. It was a great day.
Saturday I spent the morning with a friend finally building the fuel cell mount. Here is a picture of it prior to cleaning up the wields and painting it.
As you can see it's looking pretty rough but I don't want to put a lot of effort until the design has been approved for the IBR 09. So I sent a few pictures off to the chief technicial inspector for his blessing.Well the design recieved mix reviews and it was suggested that I lower the mount. So I lowered it by two inches and cleaned it up. Since then the mount has been painted (black) and I purchased all the fitting. I'm already to have the tank drilled and welded with the fitting to connect my new tank. I'm planning to take off the tank send it over to be welded. This should happen the week after New Years.
Until that happens, I'm planning to get in a few more rides before the end of the year. Since the run to the Owl cafe, I have been out a couple of times and have one more planned before I take the tank off. I think I'm going to be close to 18,000 miles for the year. Not bad considering I hardly rode in April and May (200 miles) due to an injury and the 0 miles for the month of July due to totalling my ST1300. So the 17,500 was done in a little over 9 months. Well as the year is coming to an end I was able to get out for a ride the day after Christmas. A few friend and I went for a 190 mile ride seeing all kinds of weather. We started in 45 degree weather hit 54 degrees at the mid-point of the ride then finished in 34 degree weather. We saw sun, clouds, rain, snow and wind. Oh did I mention WIND!!! gusts up to 50 mph, what a fun last ride for the year. Here's hoping 2009 brings more miles.
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