tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81720351639767683572023-11-16T06:27:27.512-06:00Suzu's GladiusThe journal of a returning rider - from start to present. Suzu Gladiushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12708520028570499319noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8172035163976768357.post-2905301971546103762016-01-04T21:51:00.001-06:002016-01-04T21:52:07.129-06:00Last Year's Big Trip for Me<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Happy New Year to everyone! Hope you all had a peaceful and quiet time with your families and friends. Time to get into some posting to remember last year's rides before they fade away.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The snow has fallen, the temperature has dropped and we're staying inside again for a few months. The weather got up to a balmy -2 C (28F) today with a -6 C windchill which was actually kind of nice for my lunch time walk. I pulled out my cold weather parka today as I froze last week with the -30 (-22F) windchill days. There's no just grabbing any old coat at the door when you're venturing out in Saskatchewan in these winter months. It requires planning...just like an inter-provincial road </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">trip on your bike. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We finally went on one last year a</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">t the end of May. I had s</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">pent the long winter before that planning a trip for us. Purchased an Airhawk seat and a bungee net. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Little Break to Stretch and Unclench from the wind! </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We rode to Calgary by way of the Trans Canada Highway. A distance of 756 kms (470 miles). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On the way west at a gas station stop, an older gentleman told us he envied us. He was about 75 (perhaps older?) and had done many, many trips on his motorcycle but could not do it anymore. I enjoyed listening to him though. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A <a href="https://www.google.ca/search?q=pronghorn+antelope+in+canada&espv=2&biw=1024&bih=653&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAWoVChMI_vbv0ca7xwIVVi2ICh1vOgZn" target="_blank">pronghorn antelope</a> went galloping across the highway at one point just behind me and in front of my husband. As I watched the deer, it doubled back as it saw the twinned highway on the other side and decided to go back to where it had come from. It got fairly close to my husband and he thought it was going to run into the bike - but the antelope veered at the last moment. Whew! That was close!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We stopped at Tompkins for a break and it's the windiest rest area I have ever encountered. I needed the break to unclench and stretch. We tried to stop every 100 kms (62 miles) to do just that, and also to fill up with gas every 200 or so kilometres (124 miles) as my Gladius doesn't have a super big tank. It forces you to stop and smell the roses. Trips are about the journey and not the destination right? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had worn my full wind/rain inner suit to stay warm on the first day as it was coolish when we left in the morning and I know that with hours of wind blasting at you, you can get chilly very quickly if not prepared. Well, the temperature warmed up by the time we got to Medicine Hat about 6.5 hours later and by that time, I was too hot and had to remove the wind/rain liner and stuff it under my bungee net. (Very handy by the way to hold all kinds of stuff.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At Medicine Hat, we stopped for a meal and then rode the last three hours to Calgary to stay with friends. It was a long day but felt a sense of accomplishment pulling into the city. At the end of a long day on the highway, we then had to face the super fast traffic of a big city with multiple lanes. My only focus was watching the traffic around me while watching for our exit. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">While in the Calgary area, we rode around and through Banff and along the secondary roads to Canmore and back to Calgary one day. Lovely ride, had to stop for Big Horn sheep that were massing in the middle of the road at one point. The back road to Canmore includes a path not unlike a roller-coaster with banked turns and surprise corners. Yeah, that was fun!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Also, we rode down through Priddis to Black Diamond one afternoon. Beautiful ranch country there with hills and forests. Stopping briefly in Bragg Creek to fill up with gas and noticed a gang of sport riders all wearing leathers in the most amazing colours matching their bikes. All young men, but they all looked over at us and said "Hello!" They looked like they had had a great day, and were taking a break before they took to the highway again. I was amazed at all the bikes in and around Calgary that travel in packs on a lovely sunny weekend day. We just don't see too much of that in my little city. I saw all kinds of brands and sizes and vintages and all manner of outerwear. Nice to see that. The riding season is so short for me and apparently, the riders feel the same in Alberta! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Coming back through going east again, there was so much wind, it was seriously trying to topple us over. I felt like I was riding at an angle for quite a while, fighting to keep it upright while pouring on the throttle for balance. My husband's bike is heavier than mine and it actually ran out of gas fighting the wind! Picture this: I'm riding along and at some point, I realized he was not behind me anymore. I pulled over and waited a few minutes. Just about the point where I was going to find a u-turn area between the twinned highways to turn around, he came roaring by and did not stop, but motioned me to keep going. Of course, at that moment, it started to rain and it was another 20 kms into Swift Current when I saw him pull into a gas station. When I caught up to him I asked "What the heck dude?" He said that his bike had just coughed to a stop and wouldn't start again. He remembered it has a small reserve of gas but had to flip a switch and then it coughed back into life again. My dirt bike had had one too - I'd forgotten that in the ensuing 25 years since I rode one. My Gladius does not have one, but does have a "Low Fuel" light. I haven't seen it yet. Even though his bike has a slightly bigger tank and we rode the same distance, his bike was just working much harder. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I also discovered on that trip that even with the driving rain, I was dry inside my suit. Thank you Joe Rocket - my investment just paid for itself.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And, just to give this story a Saskatchewan flavour - somewhere during the ride back, a big cattle semi drove by us, spraying dirt and who knows what else on me and the bike. Ewww! Had to wipe off the visor with my glove and was seriously impatient to get to the next town to find a car wash. After riding 40 kms in that state, the rain came down in a torrent and took care of the problem! Thank goodness! By the next town I was totally clean, again. Still have to smile thinking about that all these months later.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A test of endurance to be sure, but I did it. Put 2200 kms on the bike by the time we rolled back up the driveway. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Some friends asked us the next day if we wanted to go on a ride out to the lake and we said, "No thank you. Not really, not today. We're good. We'll join you another day though". We were sore from fighting the wind. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know that a good portion of you go on much longer rides, but for us it was a good experience and we were tired enough, and most happy with what we had done and seen on our two wheels out there on the open road.</span><br />
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Suzu Gladiushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12708520028570499319noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8172035163976768357.post-69357474496423823592014-07-18T08:20:00.000-05:002014-07-19T09:05:30.750-05:00Summer Update<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Good morning fellow riders, it has been a long, long while since I last posted. I have wanted to keep this blog as a journal of the things that have happened to me and my Gladius and time just gets away from me with all the other things we all do that </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">do not</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> involve your motorcycle. </span><br />
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At a parking lot in 2013 practicing my figure-eights! Still not great, but I have caught myself just doing it without the accompanying fear while I was trying to turn around quickly to catch up with someone!<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So, I blog when I can and when there is something interesting to tell you about. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Speaking of that, I received a message from a fellow blogger <a href="http://trobairitztablet.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Trobairitz</a> reminding me of just that fact at Christmas time to see how things were. What a nice person! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">All riding season (2013) when I had a day off to ride for part of the day - I did - and had a blast. Then, the bike got put away and there were groceries to get or that pesky housecleaning thing! Then our dog needed his daily walk - which is good for everyone. Just regular stuff but always with the thought in the back of your mind of the next time you can climb onto your bike and just throttle up and go!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This riding season (2014) we have been hitting the highway a lot more now that my riding partner has a '98 Honda Shadow. He quite likes it - a big, big difference from the Kawasaki 250 (which is still his favourite). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This new bike enabled us to put 320 km (199 miles) on the bikes this past weekend and really see more of the beautiful Saskatchewan countryside while everything is in bloom.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Must leave to get on with the day, have a great, safe weekend of riding, see you out there! </span><br />
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Suzu Gladiushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12708520028570499319noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8172035163976768357.post-72959211097530931632013-05-24T09:14:00.002-05:002015-08-21T17:22:43.386-05:00Snow is Gone!!<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The snow is gone - hurray! The temp has been hovering around 12 to 15 C (53 - 59 F) and it's been quite nice. Now we are just waiting for the city to sweep all the dirt/sand they spread everywhere for traction for drivers because of all the snow. It seems to be taking a long time this year...In the meantime, this is what I've been up to since I've not had time to post lately...</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">To have a break from the snow, we took a road trip west (not on the bikes as there was still snow here) and said we were not going to stop until we found land without snow! Well, we got to Banff, Alberta, with a stop at Calgary on the way back. Glorious sun and 28 C (82 F). Picture from the window on the way west...you'll notice the slight flooding from snow...</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Then we made a side trip to Lake Louise where we actually saw and "heard" some mini-avalanches up there at the top. Beautiful day!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I finally got my mesh jacket on that trip too. I picked up a REV'IT Airwave jacket.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When I asked the first sales guy (about late 20s) to help me find the right size and fit with their stock, he asked me who it was for. I told him it was for me. He looked at me and said "For You???!!!" I still chuckle over that. Obviously, he hadn't heard that women older than 25 ride now! An older guy stepped in and found what I was looking for after laughing at the younger guy too. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So...it was nice to get away for a week and walk outside in my sandals and do some hiking around Banff. My favourite hike resulted in this view one afternoon of the Banff Springs Hotel:</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">These other two were taken at Lake Louise to show how much snow they still have there in the Canadian Rockies the first week of May:</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This really is the best time to go there, it's off-season and the hotel rates are way cheaper than ski season or summer season, otherwise we'd never be able to afford it! </span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My husband has been out on his Kawasaki for about a week now. Gas has spiked to $1.35 per litre here the other day and he just could not wait to get out any longer. He's riding to work along with five of his work buddies who will all be commuting on their motorcycles for the season. Their boss has been good to designate a "motorcycle parking" area for them all. They got busy and leveled the gravel and put down some cement blocks for the kickstands so the bikes won't go over in the soft gravel. Pretty nice eh?</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">One of his work buddies just bought a new Honda CRF 250L and is going to be commuting with that. I asked my husband to tell him from me, Congratulations, now go and take the motorcycle safety course to keep safe! People don't think they need to, but I nag them anyway! A friend of my son's (a young lady) didn't think that she needed to take it either, but I put my two cents in anyway. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My husband feels vindicated with his own 250 against the others who ride 1800s & 1500s & 650s and tease him about riding a "real" bike. He's looking but this year will have to go for his "road" test to get his "M" classification rider's license after having a learner's for the 2 years now. More practice after a long winter off the bike, then an appointment will be made. Once that has been achieved...then, he will seriously look. No point in taking your "road" test on a bigger bike that you're not as familiar with...</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">After his first inaugural ride last weekend, he came back and said it was very slippery out there with the extra dirt and I've asked him to please be extra careful when he's riding. It would be too easy to slip just as you're making a regular stop if you got in it at the wrong angle.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">As you can guess, I have not yet been on my Suzuki this season for a few reasons. The dirt is one big factor, the constant sneezing from seasonal allergies is another, and I'm also just finishing up an intensive course for work that is sucking up all my extra time for a few more weeks until the exams are over. Once I have completed all the course work and am ready for the final exam, then I will swing a leg over my beautiful Gladius as I'll be able to focus then. (I know what happens when I'm not focused and distracted...and it's not pretty). It is my carrot on a stick to get through it as fast as I can. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So, that will be it for a while...Hope you all have been enjoying your "rides" and staying safe and I'll catch up at a later date! Bring on summer!!</span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Suzu</span>
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Suzu Gladiushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12708520028570499319noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8172035163976768357.post-12076698107936370622013-04-19T08:40:00.000-05:002015-08-21T17:16:35.488-05:00Slowly Thawing Out<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I thought Spring had finally arrived two days ago - puddles were everywhere along with potholes, birds were singing, snowbanks were getting smaller, and I even went to work one day without my winter coat and boots! </span><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I also happened to spy two intrepid motorcyclists this week - one was a dual sport with the rider all bundled up, and the other, one of those huge cruisers with two guys in leather jackets and 3/4 face helmets - I could see they had very red faces from the cold. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Then it snowed again last night, covering all the previously exposed bits of road and lawn. I guess we all got a little too excited that we might actually be on our bikes on May 1, sigh...will it ever go away?</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My Suzuki is still slumbering comfortably next to the snow blower which has seen a lot of action this winter. Apparently our city has broken a record for snowfall from the mid-1950s! </span><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Everyone here says it has been the longest winter of their lives.</span><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I think it will now be closer to June 1 for the first riding day. The thawing has exposed main streets that are full of tons of sand that was sprinkled over the winter for traction. It will take a good rainfall (perhaps more than one) before I will feel comfortable getting out on that slippery surface. Most of the side streets are still covered in snow ruts that will take out your suspension or strand you if you choose the wrong path. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I have told my coworkers that I am done, done with shoveling until December 1. Then I remembered we have to still move snow away from the house so that when it does start to melt faster, we will not have a flooded basement. My husband has decided he will have to buy some new shovels and a roof rake in the fall, they are all completely done too after so much use. I will even have to buy a new ice scraper for my car, the edge is gone, it just doesn't work anymore.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's that time of year, when in the morning you are walking very gingerly down the sidewalk covered in ice (know of a few people who have broken wrists, legs and arms from a spill), but then by the afternoon, those same puddles are wet and I'm skipping through them like a six year old. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So, that has been my moto report for the month. I will be visiting my fellow moto-bloggers sites to keep up with their news, just have been extremely busy lately with work stuff and collapse into bed at the end of the day.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Wishing you all a good day in your part of the world!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Suzu </span>Suzu Gladiushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12708520028570499319noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8172035163976768357.post-11392509215620753012013-03-17T10:13:00.001-05:002015-08-21T17:13:02.983-05:00Chicken Strips & Tires<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">About two months after I started to ride my bike, I noticed a disturbing wobble one day going over railroad tracks. The whole back end felt like it was out of control. So after double-checking that the tire was not going to imminently fall off, I made a bee-line for home in a very slow fashion.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">My husband check<span style="font-size: large;">ed it all over and discovered the rear tire had lost a lot of air<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #073763;">since we had left that morning<span style="font-size: large;">!</span><span style="color: #002000;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">It's supposed to sit at 36 psi, and it was down to like 18 psi. </span>He started rolling the tire to see <span style="font-size: large;">what had punctured it and sure enough,<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">there was a <span style="font-size: large;">nail stuck in on the inside of the tire.<span style="font-size: large;"> Now this baffle<span style="font-size: large;">d me as I do not ride that far over to have hooked one, but maybe I was more daring tha<span style="font-size: large;">n I thought<span style="font-size: large;"> and did it without thinking!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="color: #002000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">So, that was the end of riding that day and made an appointment to get <span style="font-size: large;">a new tire<span style="color: #002000;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #073763;">installed. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="color: #002000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #002000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="color: #002000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #002000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;">You all know the size of motorcycle tires, but...check out these tires:</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_HvewmwOxcI3rdixQaWjTsJfRevBB-cUvfQYAydVEfHHa4XEgi3_ckVzvbK_7gZ8cZS-dzfrJQ9jOxnFWwOwgR-ikPT-LIPrkjK__qrkGb4k08hHxNCYSXBKOqoX2R6JNo6YP7yPTGt7h/s1600/Icefield+Parkway+2009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_HvewmwOxcI3rdixQaWjTsJfRevBB-cUvfQYAydVEfHHa4XEgi3_ckVzvbK_7gZ8cZS-dzfrJQ9jOxnFWwOwgR-ikPT-LIPrkjK__qrkGb4k08hHxNCYSXBKOqoX2R6JNo6YP7yPTGt7h/s640/Icefield+Parkway+2009.JPG" width="640" /></a> </div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">'s my husband <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #073763;">(in 2009)</span> </span></span>checking out <span style="font-size: large;">everything under the <span style="font-size: large;">veh<span style="font-size: large;">icle. These are the <span style="font-size: large;">"buses" that take tourists over the Columbian Icefield<span style="font-size: large;"> between Jasper and Ban<span style="font-size: large;">ff in Alberta.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">A</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b00000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;">nyway...</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="color: #002000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #002000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">a</span></span> week and a half later, I was good to go again...I know<span style="font-size: large;">, they were very busy that July.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="color: #002000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #002000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I was told to ride very, very caref<span style="font-size: large;">ully that day until the compound applied to the tire at the factory had worn off (about <span style="font-size: large;">a tank of gas<span style="font-size: large;"> - 160 km in my case) as it made riding pretty slippery until then...Oh great, just when my confidence was getting better, now I had to tip-toe around on my bike<span style="font-size: large;"> like I was <span style="font-size: large;">riding on ice!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="color: #002000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #002000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Looking back, I think it took me a few days of riding to use a tank </span>as my Suzuki has seemed to get better gas mileage the longer I own it<span style="font-size: large;">. <span style="font-size: large;">As of the begi<span style="font-size: large;">n<span style="font-size: large;">ning of the season last year, I could ride for 200 km before it needed a tank f<span style="font-size: large;">ill. <span style="font-size: large;">Someone told me that the engine is<span style="font-size: large;"> still "being broken in" and t<span style="font-size: large;">hat affects your mileage. Good to know.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="color: #002000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #002000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Once the new tire had been "scrubbed" as I<span style="font-size: large;">'ve come to know the <span style="font-size: large;">term to mean, I continued on my self-<span style="font-size: large;">imposed training of learning the nuances of riding. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">My "chicken strips" are very slowly<span style="font-size: large;"> getting s<span style="font-size: large;">maller, but have a long way to go.</span> </span>Every time we start out on a ride, I use the same route in my neighbourhood before I hit<span style="font-size: large;"> the city streets. </span>I devised <span style="font-size: large;">the route to incorporate a number of tricky "to me" <span style="font-size: large;">manoeuvers that I felt are important to master to be a safer rider and build muscle memory. If I am feeling<span style="font-size: large;"> like I need more practice, th<span style="font-size: large;">en I do it again and again.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="color: #002000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #002000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">First up is a tight lean to leave the driveway so as not the hit the parked car<span style="font-size: large;">s that take up most of our residential stre<span style="font-size: large;">e</span>t (can't see very well around them if you know what I mean without sticking the front tire out very far into the main road).</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="color: #002000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #002000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Th<span style="font-size: large;">en, it's watch busier traff<span style="font-size: large;">ic going left and right <span style="font-size: large;">to find a suitable entry point to <span style="font-size: large;">get into another road without taking a too wide turn <span style="font-size: large;">into the other side of the road. Yikes! </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="color: #002000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #002000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Then it's accelerating <span style="font-size: large;">on a sharp curve with a lean (and some clutch shifting to gear up<span style="font-size: large;">) while watching for vehicles backing out of their driveways.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="color: #002000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #002000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">T<span style="font-size: large;">hen a stop at a <span style="font-size: large;">"T"</span> intersection withou<span style="font-size: large;">t sliding forward on the seat, and <span style="font-size: large;">taking a double ri<span style="font-size: large;">ght-hand check for traffic squeezing up be<span style="font-size: large;">side you<span style="font-size: large;"> and then cutting you off (yes, some stupid woman did this one Sunday morning, and <span style="font-size: large;">if I hadn't done that second <span style="font-size: large;">check, I would ha<span style="font-size: large;">ve ridden right into the side of her as she pulled in front of me from a lane she should never have<span style="font-size: large;"> been in)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="color: #002000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #002000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Then it's t<span style="font-size: large;">hrough another curve watching for "tar snakes" that are the bane of motorcyclists. Carry on down <span style="font-size: large;">a straight stretch to another "T" in<span style="font-size: large;">tersection, with more tight turns<span style="font-size: large;"> and stops</span>.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="color: #002000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #002000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I found two coo<span style="font-size: large;">l little places to practice my <span style="font-size: large;">u-turns, <span style="font-size: large;">and had to make a fast decision one day when a little <span style="font-size: large;">boy on his tricycle came r<span style="font-size: large;">oaring out of his driveway to watch me<span style="font-size: large;"> and <span style="font-size: large;">then try to follow me. Well, at that point, I st<span style="font-size: large;">opped, </span>gave him a wave and left as <span style="font-size: large;">I didn't want anything to happen. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="color: #002000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #002000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Another day when we were out, we rode by a house with the garage open and full of sp<span style="font-size: large;">ort b<span style="font-size: large;">ikes</span></span> and there was <span style="font-size: large;">this little boy waving at us. His parents were<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-size: large;">laughing a<span style="font-size: large;">s we waved back at him and I smile just thinking about it now. He was so excited to see more moto<span style="font-size: large;">rcycles. (Aren't we all though?)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="color: #002000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #002000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Back to the route<span style="font-size: large;"> - lots of stopping <span style="font-size: large;">at <span style="font-size: large;">intersections </span></span> </span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="color: #002000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #002000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">(with dirt, gravel, uneven road surfaces, water, leaves) that tested my observation skills and really trained me how best to st<span style="font-size: large;">art out on my Gladius. More <span style="font-size: large;">throttle, but slower release of the clutch to get it moving without launching myself<span style="font-size: large;">. If I don't give it enough throttle, I tend to kill the engine when the clutch is released slowly. Then there is a 3 kilometre stretch of just riding <span style="font-size: large;">in a circle to get the speed up and do some leaning (both ways) while changing gears.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="color: #002000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #002000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">By<span style="font-size: large;"> the time I've done that whole route a few times, I feel like I<span style="font-size: large;">'m</span> warmed up <span style="font-size: large;">for the city streets<span style="font-size: large;"> and ready to "set sail".</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(Taken <span style="font-size: large;">from Goo<span style="font-size: large;">se<span style="font-size: large;">spit <span style="font-size: large;">Beach near Comox on Vancouver Island, British Columbia)</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Also, just heard that our insurance is going to be capped at a $150 annual increase, instead of the ridiculous amount that had been proposed. Yay! Now I can still justify shopping for that mesh jacket in the spring I've been thinking about.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Out the window, the snow is blizzarding down again and the temp is -14 C (7 F) with a -25 C (-13 F) windchill. Looks like it will be a few days yet before I can go riding...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Have a good one...will bundle up later today to go dog walking and recharge with some Vitamin D.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Suzu </span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="color: #002000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #002000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="color: #002000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #002000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #002000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #002000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #002000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #002000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #002000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #002000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #002000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #002000;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <br />
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<br />Suzu Gladiushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12708520028570499319noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8172035163976768357.post-1094111768525073252013-03-07T07:44:00.004-06:002013-06-08T06:46:05.263-05:00Insurance Follies: Part Two<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">There'<span style="font-size: large;">s been a glimmer of hope for an adjustment on the sky-high insurance<span style="font-size: large;"> rates - that has definitely lifted my spirits.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUNeX_nKQ46t_0cE_Tm4STtfSwUxfsh1j7EGoreZpBRtnZ3_cOn14MXy38wws1uyqM1QzY-j_G3wcYYmdoDrlBI4IZVXUdzogzc5CCn5pHrGeKSS4bdiFXXzDT8-jnUbDFlobq8ItXeokF/s1600/Cath's+Camera+Pics+July+2012+714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUNeX_nKQ46t_0cE_Tm4STtfSwUxfsh1j7EGoreZpBRtnZ3_cOn14MXy38wws1uyqM1QzY-j_G3wcYYmdoDrlBI4IZVXUdzogzc5CCn5pHrGeKSS4bdiFXXzDT8-jnUbDFlobq8ItXeokF/s640/Cath's+Camera+Pics+July+2012+714.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Our local </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">newspaper a</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">nnounced </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">last Saturday that the provinc</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">ial government is going to revisit motorcycle insurance rates. Apparently the MLA</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">s (Members of the Legis</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">lative Assembly) a</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">re reporting a lot of feedback on the issue, and not just from those who are riders</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">, but from others in general who note that these increases seem to be very high</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> The move has prompted a huge backlash from bike enthusiasts and business owners. It was suggested the rates be gradually phased in to cover the shortfall. (Yeah, no kidding!)</span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">On the roster for more debate when the politicians get<span style="font-size: large;"> to their meetings <span style="font-size: large;">next week</span></span>: </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">1) rewarding motorcyclists who have taken training courses</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">2) selling different types of licenses - pay a premium to insure lost income from a crash injury</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">3) increase training before granting a license to get out on the road</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Good news indeed and now I'm off to test out the winter tires again...have a great<span style="font-size: large;"> day!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>Suzu Gladiushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12708520028570499319noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8172035163976768357.post-46648230353083111712013-03-05T06:08:00.001-06:002013-06-08T06:45:16.030-05:00Is Winter Over Yet?<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I still have just a<span style="font-size: large;"> few more </span>stories to tell of riding in my first two years, but at this moment, they don't seem as interesting to write about. </span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDEUi5_l0FqmFAkt_Lajy60BUeA3yriizm9SN4m64xHhw44Mv9akVu6eemr4OEmD4Ps80RwDYxN1D6Aplq4Gsum1XC6T5FLHpzLbRaKcpPbpqml6VXzHmNFoMhxDrEikwtB3yRBHTJnQXk/s1600/004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDEUi5_l0FqmFAkt_Lajy60BUeA3yriizm9SN4m64xHhw44Mv9akVu6eemr4OEmD4Ps80RwDYxN1D6Aplq4Gsum1XC6T5FLHpzLbRaKcpPbpqml6VXzHmNFoMhxDrEikwtB3yRBHTJnQXk/s640/004.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I find myself looking at books of traveling<span style="font-size: large;"> these days<span style="font-size: large;"> - looking at pictures of places where you can put your sandals on and just wander. </span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSqD2YaZcAJh-YcVYIzdNVIegmcs3SubiHYFAbBxOOlh36yWKVO6mHflHHfQSAradDBm2kKprN5CqjqTigrjSVktTZblxukkvo1FCQgvoAWK38CPTVZucSORLBmdwKm6ieMnpld1_hcGC5/s1600/Banff+Gondola+August+2009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSqD2YaZcAJh-YcVYIzdNVIegmcs3SubiHYFAbBxOOlh36yWKVO6mHflHHfQSAradDBm2kKprN5CqjqTigrjSVktTZblxukkvo1FCQgvoAWK38CPTVZucSORLBmdwKm6ieMnpld1_hcGC5/s640/Banff+Gondola+August+2009.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">This was taken at Banff a few years ago<span style="font-size: large;"> - awesom<span style="font-size: large;">e trip. Next time I go, I'm hiking up that trail that you can just spot through the trees at the bottom of the picture. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I spied these birds one morning looking as if they were talking to one another and had landed at<span style="font-size: large;"> the wrong airport: <span style="font-size: large;">"<span style="font-size: large;">H</span>oly cow</span>, when I get my hands on that travel agent, someone's going to be sorry!" I had never seen them here before in <span style="font-size: large;">my province.</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-UPKXHq6W-BRgfYsfxQDagnlhiKkj1hN2pLvyoc44nnj6oAsjlhLxhP3JHfTYjAng6fUTF3fpyYtqURU-hkQ8RWvjF9PDRlEkbS313gd9j0MVR1DhIGrsTLWgVksLyfkQSf2X9cNI8brD/s1600/Don's+Camera+Pics+July+2012+297.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-UPKXHq6W-BRgfYsfxQDagnlhiKkj1hN2pLvyoc44nnj6oAsjlhLxhP3JHfTYjAng6fUTF3fpyYtqURU-hkQ8RWvjF9PDRlEkbS313gd9j0MVR1DhIGrsTLWgVksLyfkQSf2X9cNI8brD/s640/Don's+Camera+Pics+July+2012+297.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV_86BTechITIEGmds7-BSPw6TjuQm3sijguVBgqJFmp122HURxPjdCuaqpmPomyqEw1R5NQaYQXoopmtQvTeLCcnAeDqVEDlldctlanShsKn_sJGRgNcOWj1aiW0lyeQdBWrco1A5wDCI/s1600/009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV_86BTechITIEGmds7-BSPw6TjuQm3sijguVBgqJFmp122HURxPjdCuaqpmPomyqEw1R5NQaYQXoopmtQvTeLCcnAeDqVEDlldctlanShsKn_sJGRgNcOWj1aiW0lyeQdBWrco1A5wDCI/s640/009.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I will get a shot of this same vista about mid-July, covered in flowers <span style="font-size: large;">and greenery an<span style="font-size: large;">d compare for you. Provincial Parli<span style="font-size: large;">ament Buildings<span style="font-size: large;">.</span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yep, I've offic<span style="font-size: large;">ially hit the winter blues, inspiration has left the building! </span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Have a good one... </span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> Suzu Gladiushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12708520028570499319noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8172035163976768357.post-22918713649250786592013-02-23T10:05:00.000-06:002013-06-08T06:43:59.135-05:00Insurance Follies<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It was a sad week in Saskatchewan for motorcyclists. I'm having a hard time even thinking of something witty and up-lifting to write about this weekend after hearing the news. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Our government insurance agency decided that the motorcyclists should pay more - </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">insanely </span>more than any other vehicle owners in the province - for their coverage taking effect on August 31, 2013. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I present the following links for your perusal if you want to read more of the official news:</span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13;"><a href="http://www.sgi.sk.ca/individuals/registration/rates/rateproposal/motorcycles.html" target="_blank">Rate Increase Proposal Facts</a></span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13;"><a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/story/2013/02/18/sk-motorcycle-rates-1301.html" target="_blank">National News Release</a></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.sgi.sk.ca/pdf/rateproposal/Aug31-2013/motorcycles_LV.pdf" target="_blank">Proposed Rates Numbers</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.leaderpost.com/cars/Backlash+over+proposed+rate+increases/7999357/story.html" target="_blank">Newspaper Post</a> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">People I have spoken to say:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">--it's going through no matter what protesting goes on</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">--it will go through but they will adjust their numbers down a little, as they have seen this happen before with other "risky" vehicles </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">--the fault usually (99%) lies with the driver of the car that hit the motorcycle </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">--how is anyone supposed to sell their bike now, no one is buying</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">--why are riders with safe driving records being penalized</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">--why doesn't the insurance company give you a discount for taking the safety course</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">--why is this course not mandatory before you receive your learner's license </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">There are two public meetings planned for April in Regina and Saskatoon and they will be standing room only I'm sure, and I think it is safe to say, there will be a police presence as some people are very, very angry about this. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I am just unhappy about it and figuring out my options:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">--I'll be going from the $530 I paid last year in May 2012 to the $1,225
I will have to pay next May 2014, and that's with my safe driver
discount. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">--I will have to shorten my riding season or perhaps even sell the bike, it's just too expensive for the money I don't make. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">--I'll have to get a second job for the extra expense which means less time for family.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">My
husband has decided he will not get a bigger bike now, the increase is
too steep for our budget. There go any plans for long-distance rides...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">To me it is not a "luxury" item, it is a planned expense to have some fun in my free time instead of spending money on eating out, or going to the theatre, or having vacations in the winters or having new cars or having lots of new clothes or buying a bigger house or buying a bigger television. We chose to spend our money on bikes and have changed our budget accordingly, but this increase is ridiculous.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I'm trying to find a silver-lining in this news, perhaps with a few weeks of thinking about it, I will find something...</span><br />
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<br />Suzu Gladiushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12708520028570499319noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8172035163976768357.post-41064708367285096502013-02-16T10:57:00.000-06:002015-08-21T17:02:24.445-05:00First Time on My Own Bike<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #073763;">It was May 8, two years ago, and the day had finally arrived to swing a leg over my new-to-me bike and take it out for a spin. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #073763;">I suited up nervously and went outside to pull the cover off my Suzuki, marveling at my decision which had brought me to this point. It was too exciting and I had to take a deep breath before I rolled it down the driveway. I inserted the key into the ignition and it began with a rumble that flooded my ears and heart with joy. (Does that sound corny? Yes, but no other way to describe it.)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #073763;">I had asked my husband to follow me in his truck around the neighbourhood that day in case I had any trouble. The bike weighs 450 pounds and I wasn't sure if I could pick it up by myself. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #073763;">Started out by doing a very wide u-turn on our cul-de-sac at the end of the street, and then stopped to do a right turn out to the neighbourhood. Well...let me just say that within 30 seconds, the first thought in my head was "I feel just like I did on my Kawasaki when I was 18".</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #073763;">So the afternoon went by with me figuring out how the controls work and getting used to the feel of the bike. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;">The first couple of times of starting out after a stop, I was in danger of the Suzuki leaving me sitting on the road still in the riding position. It had so much more power in a tiny twist of the wrist than the Kawasaki KZ 200.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #073763;">It was interesting learning to stop the bike and sliding forward each time. I had to figure out how to turn off the turn signals without hitting the horn button and without taking my eyes off the road. I had to watch for running, barking dogs. I had to figure out how to stop slowly in gravel so as not to fish-tail too much with my non-knobby tires (hiking boots to the rescue that time). </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;">At one point during the trip, I had stopped at a stop sign and looked over to see three young guys working on a shiny black Harley. Dressed in the standard black tank shirts and muscles bristling, they all stopped working to stand up and see what kind of bike was rumbling at the intersection. I nodded to them and received one back and proceeded on my way. Went by them a few more times, eliciting a stop work action each time.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">By the end of the afternoon, I was tired and satisfied that I had done enough learning for the day. My hands were sore...but I had had a great time and knew I was not going to give this up any time soon.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;">My husband pulled up behind me in the driveway, got out and closed the door. He walked over to me and I said, "Well, did I look like I knew what I was doing?" He looked at the Suzuki and said "Yeah, you looked like you were having fun...maybe I should try that."</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;">He had not ridden since he was a teen either. He had bought a trail bike with a buddy back in the day and rode a bit without telling his parents. When he told them that he wanted to ride on the street, they had forbidden it and there was no more discussion about it. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;">So along comes me to shake up his life and his parents' views on a few things in the ensuing years, and here we are that day - standing in our own driveway with me having my inaugural ride under my belt, and him with that look on his face as he stares at the bike. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;">I cannot even begin to describe the look on his face the day I came home and told him I had bought a motorcycle. I had asked him that day if he was interested in taking the safety course with me and buying a bike and doing something completely different with our lives. </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">That day, he had decided no, he could not for various reasons. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #073763;">So I went ahead anyway with my own plans to ride as I could not wait any longer. I was not getting any younger and the kids could look after themselves, and my job was causing me way more stress than a person should have to put up with. If I didn't do this for myself...well, I think you have all hit a wall in your own life in this regard...</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #073763;">Needless to say, within a month of my inaugural ride on my Suzuki, my husband had taken the motorcycle safety course too. He told me that he had been scraping his pegs on the fancy little tight "S" curve and had no problem with the u-turn - I called him a show-off! And just before he was to do his road test on the course, a 16 year old had flipped her bike up in the air and landed on her head. The ambulance was called and she spent the night at the hospital, but we heard later that the next day she was in buying a new helmet. They work! It shook him up a little, but he passed his test with a little more reserve as to what he was getting into.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #073763;">The day after his course was finished, he came home from work, and <i>told</i> <i>me</i> that he had bought a motorcycle and you should have seen the look on my face! Within two weeks of that purchase, I saw where my son had picked up his natural riding ability and I knew it wasn't from me.</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;">He bought a Kawasaki 250</span> <span style="color: #073763;">Ninja.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #073763;">Yep, my husband is totally hooked and addicted and can ride circles around me - which really only took a few weeks. He rides it to work, rides it to buy me flowers and rides it to buy things at the store. Our daughter has noticed a distinct lightening of mood since her dad got himself this machine. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #073763;">His work friends - who ride also - keep asking him "When are you going to get yourself a real bike?" He's thinking of getting a bigger one but is having way too much fun on this more</span></span><span class="vk_ans vk_dgy" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #073763;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">maneuverable</span> </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #073763;">size. The right deal will come along when it's meant to.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #073763;">So, that is my tale of the beginnings. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #073763;">Heading out to this today, the forecast is for more snow tomorrow and it's -11 C (12 F). </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #073763;">Have a great day!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #073763;">Suzu </span></span> <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>Suzu Gladiushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12708520028570499319noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8172035163976768357.post-40607574882758331492013-02-10T12:16:00.000-06:002015-08-21T16:51:08.147-05:00Motorcycle Training Course - Day Three<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Every day while we were <span style="font-size: large;">doing the cone hopping thing on the range, we would see Boeing 737s</span></span></span></span><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> just lifting off the runway which ended right next to the training range</span><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">. It ma</span><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">de it a <span style="font-size: large;">little harder to concentrate as I like to watch planes too. <span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I remember when <span style="font-size: large;">my dad had taken u<span style="font-size: large;">s to the Abbotsford Airshow (about 1977 or 1978) to see the SR-71 Blackbird. The<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-size: large;">organizers of the show put the pi<span style="font-size: large;">lots' voices on the loudspeaker so we all could hear them talking to the tower. The jet started out from Nevada and the pilots said, "<span style="font-size: large;">Put the coffee pot on and we'll be there in 20 minutes!" And it was<span style="font-size: large;">, and what an awesome sight, <span style="font-size: large;">like something out of <span style="font-size: large;"><i>Star Wars</i>. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Google Photo)</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxVSnl3hqOPWpJhIy6YYJSgSnKRcptBT10O-RU8ngksUJs1dHy0HpqwGSXiCJkdP1Bu7TYmY9CAJ3Qv4RU3QWmSVC0vTdP50QXMMo_tvWP6Ee8c3rOijI2bpMuJmP7rhPpi8pzTTminJcT/s1600/sr71_20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxVSnl3hqOPWpJhIy6YYJSgSnKRcptBT10O-RU8ngksUJs1dHy0HpqwGSXiCJkdP1Bu7TYmY9CAJ3Qv4RU3QWmSVC0vTdP50QXMMo_tvWP6Ee8c3rOijI2bpMuJmP7rhPpi8pzTTminJcT/s400/sr71_20.jpg" width="400" /> </a> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;">Now we've never had anything like that fly out of </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;">the air</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;">port here but I have seen these flying</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"> over</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"> many times. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(Google Photo)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiju2ytggj4ymsjeJPgEH2Q1wind9Hoc_afr7l7idPvRixqSUtmSqf0l73yLVjqcROTS9fnbOCd_iYOuDHUvu90LI0DkbZQKlkEmKTAutcFBu5rR7OBh6KwJAxFYBu8VMVSreUmIsBkNaYZ/s1600/canadian-snowbirds-formation.jpg.500x400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiju2ytggj4ymsjeJPgEH2Q1wind9Hoc_afr7l7idPvRixqSUtmSqf0l73yLVjqcROTS9fnbOCd_iYOuDHUvu90LI0DkbZQKlkEmKTAutcFBu5rR7OBh6KwJAxFYBu8VMVSreUmIsBkNaYZ/s400/canadian-snowbirds-formation.jpg.500x400.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">The<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>pilots who go on<span style="font-size: large;"> to fly the C-130 Hercu<span style="font-size: large;">les and CF-18s and Auroras for Canada's Air Force all start at Moose Jaw down the road from us. Plenty of times they use my city as a visual reference to <span style="font-size: large;">practice their <span style="font-size: large;">precision formats for air shows a<span style="font-size: large;">cross North America. <span style="font-size: large;">They<span style="font-size: large;"> are known as the Canadian Snowbirds.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Okay, back to th<span style="font-size: large;">e range...day t<span style="font-size: large;">hree started as <span style="font-size: large;">day two with the sore muscle thing, <span style="font-size: large;">and the same -3 C temp. I also had a few new bruises to show for my efforts. I<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">t warmed up to 5 C as the day went on, so that by the end of the day, I had actually unzipped my jacket a little and stopped shivering!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">This day the instructors set up a <span style="font-size: large;">pseudo</span> traffic scenario using painted lines as lanes and intersections. Here w<span style="font-size: large;">as a chan<span style="font-size: large;">ce to stop, use y<span style="font-size: large;">our turn signals and rear brake to let someone <span style="font-size: large;">know you were going to slow down before they piled into<span style="font-size: large;"> the ba<span style="font-size: large;">ck of you. Be<span style="font-size: large;">cause I'm sure you all know by now that motorcycles have three br<span style="font-size: large;">akes: Your front b<span style="font-size: large;">ra<span style="font-size: large;">ke, your rear brake and <span style="font-size: large;">the engine brake. Here's where I <span style="font-size: large;">was reminded to tap my rear brake a few times every time I intended to st<span style="font-size: large;">op<span style="font-size: large;">. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">By th<span style="font-size: large;">e way, I have been practicing this for the last seven winters with my little car too, it's just so icy in places that if people aren't <span style="font-size: large;">given enough notice to start slowing, they can't stop in t<span style="font-size: large;">ime. A practice I picked up when I downsized from my Ford Crown Victoria. <span style="font-size: large;">People can't miss that car, they were huge!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">There were some tense moments <span style="font-size: large;">watching people get the hang of making their way around the lanes. It was terrific practice before we headed out to do the real thing.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Then we ha<span style="font-size: large;">d to do <span style="font-size: large;">the U-TURN! <span style="font-size: large;">Tighter than the "S" curve, I <span style="font-size: large;">tried and tried and tried, but chickened out each time ha<span style="font-size: large;">lfway through, <span style="font-size: large;">a</span>lways riding straight off the range into the grassed bumpy rutted area<span style="font-size: large;">. It was a good chance to see that my balance riding off-road has not gone away, but that was not the poin<span style="font-size: large;">t of the ex<span style="font-size: large;">erci<span style="font-size: large;">se. I had a <span style="font-size: large;">few different instructors try to help me - they were so nice - <span style="font-size: large;">but each one en<span style="font-size: large;">ded the same way<span style="font-size: large;">. Off to the toolies I'd go. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Maybe it was bec<span style="font-size: large;">ause I'd gotten brave and chosen the Suzuki 400 that morning </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">which was bigger and more powerful than the trusty little Yamaha 200, but whatever it was, it just wasn't going to happen. In fact, on one of the re-entries back onto the paved range from the toolies -there was a bit of in incline - I didn't give the Suzuki quite enough power to get out of the dirt and stalled the engine, and then guess what? First guesses don't count! Yes, I dropped another bike! </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">No d<span style="font-size: large;">amage whatsoever <span style="font-size: large;">except to my pride. The policeman who was taking the course too rode over on one of those Honda CB<span style="font-size: large;">R 125 and offered to trade<span style="font-size: large;"> as he had seen what happened. <span style="font-size: large;">I thanked him but told him I wasn't co<span style="font-size: large;">mfortable on those and he rode off. <span style="font-size: large;">Well, he <span style="font-size: large;">was literally back within two minutes <span style="font-size: large;">with another trusty little Yamaha 200 and offered me that. I took up his offer and we traded. Before he zoomed off, he <span style="font-size: large;">made sure I was alright. What a nice man, and I'm sure that's the quality his superiors saw in him to grant him his badge: resourceful and caring. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">About 3:00 pm that day, the instructors had half of us sit it out in the <span style="font-size: large;">middle of the range to make more room. Most of us had gotten pretty good (some downright cocky)and there were some near misses with a small area to ride in. So the<span style="font-size: large;">re wa<span style="font-size: large;">s a <span style="font-size: large;">rotation of sorts to go through<span style="font-size: large;"> the obsta<span style="font-size: large;">cle <span style="font-size: large;">c<span style="font-size: large;">ourse again - but with less <span style="font-size: large;">riders you could go faster as your confi<span style="font-size: large;">dence soar<span style="font-size: large;">ed. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">The lady with the new <span style="font-size: large;">baby<span style="font-size: large;"> had been </span>watching my son ride<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> and </span>turned to me <span style="font-size: large;">to say, </span>"Your son has no experience with riding? It must be so gratifying to see him achieve this!<span style="font-size: large;">" <span style="font-size: large;">I believe she felt that one day she would like to be standing there watching her son do the same. It was nice to hear as <span style="font-size: large;">i</span>t was a leap of faith letting him try this. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">The last part of the day was doing the "road test". <span style="font-size: large;">As they walked us all around to s<span style="font-size: large;">how us what they were testing for, I was pleasantly surprised to <i>not</i> see a u<span style="font-size: large;">-turn test. If that had been part of it, I would not have passed. I had decided earlier that day that that was something I would work at on my own bike in a parking lot after the course. <span style="font-size: large;">Since then, I have done some figure eight work trying to get tigh<span style="font-size: large;">ter and tighter but it<span style="font-size: large;"> is still a struggle. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">The first test consi<span style="font-size: large;">sted of starting out from a little box, sharp turn right<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>on a curve, gathering <span style="font-size: large;">a certain speed</span> and then stopping with y<span style="font-size: large;">our front tire in a little painted box. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">The sec<span style="font-size: large;">on<span style="font-size: large;">d test was what I call the "</span></span>be ready" test to <span style="font-size: large;">swerve left, right or stop again, only you had to go faster<span style="font-size: large;">. At this point, <span style="font-size: large;">the instructor asked us not to run over him because he had had an accident <span style="font-size: large;">the previous summer, and could not get out the way fast enough <span style="font-size: large;">with a bungled leg</span>! Those guys had nerves of steel to stand there in front of rookie riders!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">The th<span style="font-size: large;">ird test was to ride as fast as you can and then an emergency stop<span style="font-size: large;"> on a curve so that your tire was over a certain line and they could se<span style="font-size: large;">e the front forks go down.</span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">At the end of the day, the head instructor handed me my <span style="font-size: large;">little certificate and pin and tol<span style="font-size: large;">d me to spend some<span style="font-size: large;"> more time in parking lots <span style="font-size: large;">before headin<span style="font-size: large;">g out onto the big roads. I assured him I had already planned that and thanked him for his lessons. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Going through this experience restored my sense of fun and adventure<span style="font-size: large;">. I will go forth with caution and practice. Alre<span style="font-size: large;">ady in two riding seasons since, I've noticed a change. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Until I get back on my Suzuki in May, there's always some fun to be had drifting around corners <span style="font-size: large;">in all the snow we have with my car. <span style="font-size: large;">Now, there<span style="font-size: large;">'s a u-turn I can do!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Have a good one... </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <br />
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Suzu Gladiushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12708520028570499319noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8172035163976768357.post-11397473185634955822013-02-08T18:41:00.000-06:002015-08-21T16:41:48.326-05:00Motorcycle Training Course - Day Two<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am having a hard time getting moving on this next piece of my training story - I feel today the exact same way I felt after day one training - sore all over. I was <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">painting</span> yesterday<span style="font-size: large;">. </span>Took <span style="font-size: large;">five hours of kneeling, sitting and stretching to cover up all of that yucky dark, dark brown trim that was all the rage in the 70s when <span style="font-size: large;">our house was built. <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you've painted a room lately, you'll know what I mean. I don't mind painting though, it's <span style="font-size: large;">therapeutic</span> in a way<span style="font-size: large;"> - your mind can drift away to think about things while your bo<span style="font-size: large;">dy carries on with a mundane task.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Back to training <span style="font-size: large;">d</span></span>ay <span style="font-size: large;">two - it started with <span style="font-size: large;">a too early alarm jolting me awake and then my muscles let me know that they were not happy with the previous day's activities. Holy cow! Every single one of my<span style="font-size: large;"> muscles </span>hurt. A cup of coffee and breakfast and we were off to the training range again. There wasn't much conversation in the car on the way there, so I know my son felt the same way.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">The temp was -3 C (27 F) and <span style="font-size: large;">w</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;">hen we arrived at the range, the motorcycles were all warming up in anticipation of the day. I laughed out loud when I saw everyone else climb out of their assorted vehicles because they were all moving slowly and awkwardly too.</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">We <span style="font-size: large;">had a half hour inst<span style="font-size: large;">r<span style="font-size: large;">uction in the trailer and then got sent out to practice<span style="font-size: large;"> for an hour. This went on all day - in for a bit<span style="font-size: large;">, out for twice a long. Wouldn't have been so bad if the trailer had been heated so you could warm up, but that's <i>not</i> how it went. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Day two consisted of learning to change gears <span style="font-size: large;">up and down, <span style="font-size: large;">making big sweeping arcs around cones and practicing your stopping. Changing gears came back instantly. <span style="font-size: large;">Riding around little cones was much more challenging... </span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I got told <span style="font-size: large;">more than <span style="font-size: large;">a few times to <span style="font-size: large;">get my feet quickly back on the pegs when I started off <span style="font-size: large;">each time</span>. <span style="font-size: large;">There was a tendency to keep them <span style="font-size: large;">hovering on each side of the bike until <span style="font-size: large;">I knew for certain I was moving fast enough I wouldn't need them quickly. <span style="font-size: large;">I'm th<span style="font-size: large;">inking that's leftover from off-roading when we were in gravel or sand, but it exasperated one instructor <span style="font-size: large;">every time</span> he caught me at it. </span>By the<span style="font-size: large;"> end of the course, <span style="font-size: large;">it was no longer a problem. We were told that by leaving you<span style="font-size: large;">r feet close to the ground, </span>you may get your foot caught and t<span style="font-size: large;">wisted if something happened. Get them on the pegs quick and tuck them in.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">T</span>hen we were asked to take the bikes around a fancy little tight "S" curve. Well, after three hours of trying all morning I was about ready to thro<span style="font-size: large;">w in the towel. I could not keep my front wheel on that little bit of white painted line<span style="font-size: large;">.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">The instructors had set up various stations so that we weren't all doing the same thing at the same time.<span style="font-size: large;"> There was an obstacle course<span style="font-size: large;"> - first get it into third gear as fast as possible and be ready to swerve either left or right or stop suddenly<span style="font-size: large;">. Then car<span style="font-size: large;">ry on with the wide sweeping curves<span style="font-size: large;">, then stop and wait for your turn at the dreaded "S" curve. <span style="font-size: large;">Foll<span style="font-size: large;">owed by cone hopping<span style="font-size: large;">
and then another quick emergency stop to make the front forks depress.
If the front of the bike didn't go down, you weren't going fast enough <span style="font-size: large;">or trying hard enough we got told.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <br />
<br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">We had lunch <span style="font-size: large;">and watched a few videos of deer lea<span style="font-size: large;">ping ac<span style="font-size: large;">ross highways just missing <span style="font-size: large;">motorcycles</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">. Then some more lectures from the head instructor who mentioned we all looked beat. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">He showed us what happens <span style="font-size: large;">to your helmet when it is dropped just from desk height - a loud crack - said to replace it if this happens or it's five years old. </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">He said <i>not</i> to ride when you are tired, on medication, have been drinking or <span style="font-size: large;">are distracted by a problem. </span></span>I noticed that one of the young women </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">had left by that point, she'd had enough.<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> If she had come along with someone else, they could have given her some support that she didn't have to master it all that day!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Right, it was time to get back on the bike and conquer that "S" curve. I tried again for a bit and pulled off to the side for five minutes away from the group. <span style="font-size: large;">This was the point in that whole weekend that stands out so clearly for me. I could not get that stupid thing, I was just about exhaus<span style="font-size: large;">ted trying.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I sat there with the engine running contemplating my options...I looked across the range at everyone else. <span style="font-size: large;"> </span>Some riders had <span style="font-size: large;">gotten so good at the curve that th<span style="font-size: large;">eir pegs were sc<span style="font-size: large;">raping the pav<span style="font-size: large;">ement<span style="font-size: large;"> with those legendary head turns<span style="font-size: large;">. They were so graceful, it was almost like magic watching them. Others like me were just missing it. I really did think about riding the bike back to the compound and get in my car and wait for my son to finish for the day. As I've learned since<span style="font-size: large;">, 90% of mo<span style="font-size: large;">t<span style="font-size: large;">orcycling is mental<span style="font-size: large;">, the rest<span style="font-size: large;"> ph<span style="font-size: large;">ysical</span></span>. If you don't focus, you won't succeed. I could see that my son had picked up the "S" very easily, he was a natural and was having fun. I dec<span style="font-size: large;">ided then to try once more - what kind of example was I se<span style="font-size: large;">tting for him if I just quit because it got too hard? </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">So I took a deep breath<span style="font-size: large;">, gunned the engine and lined up again for my turn at the curve. As I approached it, I turned my head to anticipate<span style="font-size: large;"> each<span style="font-size: large;"> next</span> curve </span>and <span style="font-size: large;">arrived on the other side having done it! The instructors were <span style="font-size: large;">jumping for me...I had finally done it and then proceeded to do it 20 more times, first in first gear and then in second gear! I even tried it once or twice in 3rd gear but I was catching up t<span style="font-size: large;">o the person in fron<span style="font-size: large;">t of me too quick and had to slow down<span style="font-size: large;">. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The sun came out just at that minute, I kid you not.<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">My son lined up behind me for the next one and gave me a double honk as only the <span style="font-size: large;">meep-m<span style="font-size: large;">eep horns of bikes can give. Why do they have such wimpy horns??</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">F</span>or the rest of the day, it was nothing but fun and when I did actually climb back into my car at the<span style="font-size: large;"> end<span style="font-size: large;"> of the day, I felt exhilarated<span style="font-size: large;">!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <br />
<br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The day was not to<span style="font-size: large;">tally without its mishap<span style="font-size: large;">s however. While I <span style="font-size: large;">was waiting to go on one of the "S" curve<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-size: large;">maneuvers</span>, <span style="font-size: large;">I had one foot down, the other on the shifter, <span style="font-size: large;">t</span>he wind came whistling along<span style="font-size: large;"> and pushed me to the left. <span style="font-size: large;">Down I went<span style="font-size: large;">! I </span>picked my<span style="font-size: large;">self up, picked the bike up and noticed the <span style="font-size: large;">clutch lever was broken. The instructor was not happy with me and we had to walk the whole range back to the compound to get another bike. He told me that a new lever would cost $400. He was quite upset, but I think he had spent the afternoon picking bikes up be<span style="font-size: large;">cause the wind knocked everyone over that day, and <span style="font-size: large;">they were probably worrying about <span style="font-size: large;">all the repairing that was going to go on that evening. I felt bad <span style="font-size: large;">and offered to pay for a new one <span style="font-size: large;">but was told not to worry about it.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">So I picked another bike of the same breed and started out again. <span style="font-size: large;">T<span style="font-size: large;">his one's clutch lever was different tha<span style="font-size: large;">n the last one and I en<span style="font-size: large;">ded up doing a wheelie. <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">That freaked one of the instructors who was getting set to catch me, but I found the balance and put it down safely. I thought he might come over later and say something but he didn't<span style="font-size: large;">. </span>I was surprised and then elated - I had done <span style="font-size: large;">my first ever wheelie without meaning to. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Back home for the night to get more rest for the last day - Day Three. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> Suzu Gladiushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12708520028570499319noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8172035163976768357.post-29276412049345209942013-01-27T11:15:00.000-06:002015-08-21T16:31:09.494-05:00Motorcycle Training Course - Day One<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">T</span>he best way to get back on the road safely was to take a refresher course. <span style="font-size: large;">You needed a learner's license<span style="font-size: large;"> to take the <span style="font-size: large;">course but since </span></span></span>I had kept the "M" endorsement on my driver's license all the years <span style="font-size: large;">I wasn't riding, </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I did not have to re<span style="font-size: large;">write the learn<span style="font-size: large;">er's exam. I just had to show up with my helmet, jeans, gloves, boots and <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">j</span></span>acket<span style="font-size: large;"> to the training range<span style="font-size: large;">.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">On the <span style="font-size: large;">f<span style="font-size: large;">i<span style="font-size: large;">rst day of registration <span style="font-size: large;">- March 1 - I signed myself and my son up for <span style="font-size: large;">the three day c<span style="font-size: large;">ourse. He had expressed <span style="font-size: large;">an inter<span style="font-size: large;">est in riding so I made a deal with him: you go with me for the course and then you could buy a bike<span style="font-size: large;"> and we will practice toge<span style="font-size: large;">ther. Of course, I was <span style="font-size: large;">very nervous as a mother to have my child out on a bike in the world of traffic that d<span style="font-size: large;">oesn't always give a hoot whether you need part of the road too, but I felt that I was giving him his<span style="font-size: large;"> best chance <span style="font-size: large;">to stay safe by <span style="font-size: large;">taking this course<span style="font-size: large;"> and becoming aware of the dangers. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Th<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">is<span style="font-size: large;"> happened two years ago on </span></span>April 30</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">. <span style="color: #073763;">The first day started at 6:00 pm with a meet in a cold trailer with 18 other riders. The trailer heater was broken the whole weekend, temp hovered about -3 to 3 C (26F to 37F) it was not warm, and it was very windy. I overheard one of the wives say to her husband, "You had to be in the very first class of the year didn't you!" She wasn't mad, just bugging him as she was just as frozen as me.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was cold tha<span style="font-size: large;">t weekend, </span>but I was just as impatient to get going on the whole biking exper<span style="font-size: large;">ience again...so impatient that I almost foo<span style="font-size: large;">lishly </span>didn't wait to take the course before picking up my bike from the dealership<span style="font-size: large;">. T</span>he thing that stopped me was th<span style="font-size: large;">e dead battery. <span style="font-size: large;">I had arrived mid April all ready to ride it home and <span style="font-size: large;">the bike would not start. </span>I had called ahead to say I was coming down but for some rea<span style="font-size: large;">son they hadn't checked it. So <span style="font-size: large;">t</span></span></span>hey would ca<span style="font-size: large;">ll me later after it was recharged. <span style="font-size: large;">W</span></span>hen <span style="font-size: large;">I arrived back home disappointed, <span style="font-size: large;">I</span> got to thinking...it was sign that I really should <i>wait</i><span style="font-size: large;">, take the course and <i>then</i> go back and get the bike to bring home.<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-size: large;">T</span></span>hat day I listened to my intuition, but I really, really wanted to <span style="font-size: large;">get th<span style="font-size: large;">e bike. I<span style="font-size: large;">f I had not listened</span></span></span>, I may have crashed the bike<span style="font-size: large;"> in my<span style="font-size: large;"> haste by </span>thinking it would be so easy to just hop on and go. I was not thinking clearly that day and the universe let me know. A life lesson learned that <span style="font-size: large;">day...</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Back to the training range...<span style="font-size: large;">t</span>here were 6 instructors - one of them being a woman <span style="font-size: large;">who had been riding for years and pulled up in a huge Ducati<span style="font-size: large;">, she was a neat gal and inspiring</span></span>.There were 20 students comprised o<span style="font-size: large;">f a mixture of gen<span style="font-size: large;">ders and ages</span></span>:<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">--A married couple where the guy was gettin<span style="font-size: large;">g back into riding and his wife wanted to try it too. He rode the little Honda 250 <span style="font-size: large;">Rebel cruiser and was fun to watch because he was like 6 foot 4 and you can imagine him <span style="font-size: large;">wrapping those long legs around that bike<span style="font-size: large;">. <span style="font-size: large;">B</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">y Sunday morning his wife confided to me that she was not going to ride her own, she'd be more than happy to be the pillion rider. I respected her decision as I knew she had tried really hard but just was not having any fun. She wasn't bad though, but you just know, don't you? </span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> --Another married couple had two brand new Harley Sportsters and a new baby. She was very petite and I could not imagine a Harley being small enough for her! She did just fine, enjoyed it and was looking forward to lots of parking lot practice at the end of the course with her new bike.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">--Next was a </span><span style="font-size: large;">mom and her daughter (<span style="font-size: large;">early twenties)</span> who were going to give it a <span style="font-size: large;">go...and another young women <span style="font-size: large;">who I <span style="font-size: large;">never spoke with<span style="font-size: large;">...there was always so much going on!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">--<span style="font-size: large;">A</span> lady in her mid-fifties<span style="font-size: large;"> - </span>who<span style="font-size: large;"> was told she couldn't do that by<span style="font-size: large;"> an uncle, </span>so she was going to do <span style="font-size: large;">it anyway just to show him. At one point I thought I mi<span style="font-size: large;">ght have to use my rusty first-aid train<span style="font-size: large;">ing as I saw her <span style="font-size: large;">going to<span style="font-size: large;">ward a steep ditch<span style="font-size: large;"> and narrowly miss it... I don't know if she passed the course, but I do know she had fun and had passed her goal to try it! </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">--a co<span style="font-size: large;">uple of young guys in their late twenties who had not had a good day on the only 20 minutes they had spent <span style="font-size: large;">on a bike. They had <span style="font-size: large;">s</span>plit the cost of the bike and k<span style="font-size: large;">new at that point they had to get so<span style="font-size: large;">me traini<span style="font-size: large;">ng<span style="font-size: large;">.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> They got really good once they got going!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">--a mom with two teenage sons<span style="font-size: large;"> - </span>they had ridden off-road as she had and she wanted them safe on the streets now too. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">--a police officer who had one of those gorgeous Yamaha <span style="font-size: large;">V</span>star 900s and felt he was now past his "going too fast days" in his late 30s. He told me he liked my jacket and asked how it worked for me in the women's version of his Joe Roc<span style="font-size: large;">ket</span>. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">--the rest of the students were <span style="font-size: large;">guys of various ages -<span style="font-size: large;"> a c<span style="font-size: large;">ouple </span>asked me what I<span style="font-size: large;"> ride and some others were just there because they had heard that you had to take the training course to get your <span style="font-size: large;">full endorsement;<span style="font-size: large;"> otherwise they w<span style="font-size: large;">ould not have bothered at all</span></span>. (Yikes!) </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It is not a requirement at this time, although the instructors would like to make it that way to keep riders safer. As it stands right now, you can write your learner's exam and go riding out in traffic without any training whatsoever...scary concept eh?</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">The bike I rode all weekend was <span style="font-size: large;">the Yamaha TRW 200. My son preferred the Honda CBR 125.</span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">That first night there was about an hour and a<span style="font-size: large;"> ha<span style="font-size: large;">lf </span></span> of in-class instruction and then as much riding time we could get in before it got dark. We learned to "rock and roll" which was helpful to remember how far to let that clutch out before you killed the engine, and then stopping instructions before we were allowed out in the giant parking lot<span style="font-size: large;"> to practice in first gear. T</span>hen like magic, I just popped it into second gear when the engine needed it without e<span style="font-size: large;">ven thinking about it - that's a long buried mus<span style="font-size: large;">cle mem<span style="font-size: large;">ory<span style="font-size: large;"> that just came back<span style="font-size: large;"> on its own. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;">More practice going around and around and I was feeling somewhat okay with the experience but still quite nervous. The head instructor warned us again and again that what we were doing was a dangerous sport and that kept ringing in my ears as I rode around. I was dealing with an unfamiliar claustrophobic-feeling helmet that kept fogging up until I opened the visor one notch. </span></span> <br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The bikes <span style="font-size: large;">all had duct-tape all over the<span style="font-size: large;">m and you could tell they had been dropped <i>many</i> times. By<span style="font-size: large;"> the end of that first evening, I dropped one myself when I went to <span style="font-size: large;">swing my leg<span style="font-size: large;"> off and forgot to put down the kickstand...oww<span style="font-size: large;">. One of the older guys ran over to pull the bike off me before I <span style="font-size: large;">even got out from under it. </span>I thanked him but <span style="font-size: large;">was mad and embarrass<span style="font-size: large;">ed </span></span>at <span style="font-size: large;">doing something so stupid. </span>Bruises on kne<span style="font-size: large;">e and calf but did not break anything on the bike thankfully. It was at 9<span style="font-size: large;">:00 pm, dark, cold, I was very tired and it was raining.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">My first doubts about what the heck I had signed up for began to creep into my consciousness.</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">..</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Perhaps this was not something I should be doing? </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">As I drove<span style="font-size: large;"> home with my son (who was having a blas<span style="font-size: large;">t and doing well for someone without any experienc<span style="font-size: large;">e w<span style="font-size: large;">ith riding), I told him I had to give it my best shot that weekend. If at the end of it<span style="font-size: large;">, the inst<span style="font-size: large;">ructors told me that I really should not be on the streets, and I was not <span style="font-size: large;">feeling competent, </span>I would not <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">carry on with this journey. But with the knowle<span style="font-size: large;">d<span style="font-size: large;">ge<span style="font-size: large;"> that I had tried, I would not regret it.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Day Two<span style="font-size: large;"> next</span>...</span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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Suzu Gladiushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12708520028570499319noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8172035163976768357.post-4307991178543825162013-01-20T10:17:00.001-06:002015-08-21T16:22:50.355-05:00Getting Back in the Saddle<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wow, the sun is coming up, the snow is <span style="font-size: large;">sparkling and temperature is hov<span style="font-size: large;">ering at -27 C (-16 F) with the windchill at -42 C<span style="font-size: large;"> (-43 F). Funny that the temperatures are the same in Celsius and Fahrenhe<span style="font-size: large;">it once it gets so low. It's like someone said, "Oh <span style="font-size: large;">whatever, it's just freaking cold!" </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I</span></span></span>f you live long enough in Saskatchewan, you begin to realize that every conversation in the winter starts with "<span style="font-size: large;">How are you? <span style="font-size: large;">How <span style="font-size: large;">was your drive/walk to work?" <span style="font-size: large;">It sets the tone for the day and for my postings. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">It is too cold<span style="font-size: large;"> today to do anything outside, and I will <span style="font-size: large;">have to </span>plug in my car for two hours if I want<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-size: large;">to go anywhere. <span style="font-size: large;">What I <span style="font-size: large;">would <span style="font-size: large;">really </span>lik<span style="font-size: large;">e to do today is hop on my Suzuki with a bottle of water and some granola <span style="font-size: large;">bars and ride for <span style="font-size: large;">a few hours - but that is not going to happen<span style="font-size: large;"> for obvious reasons...</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I was going to do some sewing yesterday but <span style="font-size: large;">noticed that my machine does not want to do reverse sewing anymore. <span style="font-size: large;">Will be going to <span style="font-size: large;">a machine repair shop<span style="font-size: large;"> soon...<span style="font-size: large;">so I guess that leaves painting indoors. <span style="font-size: large;">Our son has recently moved out and his room needs new paint, new carpet a<span style="font-size: large;">nd a new function. I am going to make it our moto<span style="font-size: large;">rcycle gear/guest bedroom/seasonal clothes/Christmas <span style="font-size: large;">stuff/book<span style="font-size: large;">s</span> <span style="font-size: large;">storage room. I bet you all have a room like that in yo<span style="font-size: large;">ur home. We have not had the <span style="font-size: large;">space</span> until now to have a dedicated room for all of that. It's always just been stashed all over the <span style="font-size: large;">house wherever it fit. <span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">So<span style="font-size: large;">, th<span style="font-size: large;">is will keep me busy until May<span style="font-size: large;"> w<span style="font-size: large;">hen riding season will start<span style="font-size: large;">. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">My riding skills will be rusty again<span style="font-size: large;"> by then - there will be lots of trips around the neighbourhood until I feel like my muscle memories have kicked in<span style="font-size: large;">. </span><span style="font-size: large;"></span>Only then will I head out <span style="font-size: large;">into the city and then the highway.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">R</span>iding season <span style="font-size: large;">goes to<span style="font-size: large;"> about </span></span>October 15<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> here. </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I've been <span style="font-size: large;">out on the bike </span>most weekends for the last two seasons<span style="font-size: large;">.<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-size: large;">In those two seasons, I<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-size: large;">realized</span> I<span style="font-size: large;"> am </span></span>a lot more cautious than I was <span style="font-size: large;">at</span> <span style="font-size: large;">20 <span style="font-size: large;">when I </span>thought I was invincible. <span style="font-size: large;">I never worried then about riding in the rain, riding at night, or riding with a passenger<span style="font-size: large;">, and yes, I used to do <span style="font-size: large;">all three of those at the same time - a lot! </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">For one t<span style="font-size: large;">hing, I did not have a car and I liked to <span style="font-size: large;">go see movies with my friends so <span style="font-size: large;">off on the Kawasaki I'd <span style="font-size: large;">go. When the movie was finished, it would be raining, it would be dark and a friend w<span style="font-size: large;">ould want a ride, so <span style="font-size: large;">I would ride them home. I did this for two years </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">before I saved enough money to buy a car and then g<span style="font-size: large;">o</span>t my driver's license.<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">So anyway, <span style="font-size: large;">it is off to do wall preparation for painting for me until all the snow goes away and the roads are <span style="font-size: large;">clear</span> once more<span style="font-size: large;"> -</span> to ride to our heart's content.</span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVFOXwwIzOrfg4rj0k44vAlihzgWAhWnXCIvmMGaU2f4PuUtqGo76-5ItqDmkY4y01pbB47XQY8BYIjy-KyPxf4qFA_bBnmezzlAZaSR0EU5lVAAdbtOk45c4ePKcozAfIpFL74er7JAGy/s1600/P210512_1258.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVFOXwwIzOrfg4rj0k44vAlihzgWAhWnXCIvmMGaU2f4PuUtqGo76-5ItqDmkY4y01pbB47XQY8BYIjy-KyPxf4qFA_bBnmezzlAZaSR0EU5lVAAdbtOk45c4ePKcozAfIpFL74er7JAGy/s640/P210512_1258.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Suzu </span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>Suzu Gladiushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12708520028570499319noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8172035163976768357.post-81790667408968592542013-01-17T21:55:00.001-06:002015-08-21T16:19:36.449-05:00Armoured Gear<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;">It's been a little while...been busy shoveling snow after another storm. It warmed up to 2 degrees Celsius the other day and our roof was actually melting for a few hours. Today it is back down to -18 C and will have to warm the car a bit before leaving - will be ice to scrape off the car windows too. All that shoveling and scraping keeps those Suzuki muscles in condition...</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;">So anyway, back to buying armoured gear...</span></span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;">After I put down the money on my bike, I proceeded to the gear department. I needed a jacket, helmet, gloves and boots...all I had left from my previous riding days was the bright yellow fisherman's rain gear that was standard covering for any adventure back in the day because it was usually always raining there on the North Island. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;">When I had ridden many years ago, all we had that was specifically for the motorcycle was the helmet, everything else was borrowed from other activities. I seem to remember a bright orange open face helmet.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;">I always wore a clear visor with that which helped to keep the rain off the face...</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;">Okay, so now that you have that image in your head, add that to my mint (yes, mint) green Suzuki that I used to ride off-road...what a style Diva I was then! </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;">On the upside though, we were way ahead of our time with the hi-viz gear! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;">We would wear that gear over top of a parka, jeans and throw on some hiking boots. I do not believe there was motorcycle gear for kids then, but we didn't care, we were warm and fairly dry except for the trickle down the neck and up the sleeves. The day Dad bought us gauntlet gloves was a happy day!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;">So, back to 2011...the range of possible jackets and helmets was daunting to say the least. First the jacket - the choice went from an all black, short, body hugging style to accentuate your feminine shape, to a jacket with many pockets that would zipper onto pants if you wanted. Then throw in the leather versus textile variable. What to choose? </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;">I read that leather was the best protection but hot and more expensive. Textile has come a long way in protection, not so hot and sometimes not as expensive. I tried on a few brands of the available styles in the store and decided to order a Joe Rocket Ballistic 11.00 Ladies textile jacket. The choice was with panels in black and Pink, Grey, or hi-viz. I chose the grey one as it almost looked white in the picture and thought it would match the bike more. When the jacket arrived a week and a half later, it turned out to be more silver - the sales guy saw the look on my face, knew I was a bit disappointed and said "Well, you don't want to look like a Power Ranger". We had a laugh at that and he was right, what really mattered was that it fit me well enough that I could move freely and safely. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvecoYFc96dRmKp0NrDBNxTN3hgdEljIQnqRIGUpRluo2rwkYVPiJtcxxsnzkh5tQtftE4cYItuRfg_gDfIVKr_yfoWGPWjOe2B2J5uQN8-IBXxRytaCAQ1BHLtYkQMpCD3HuH_cTqsUVh/s1600/From+iPhone+June+7,+2013+041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvecoYFc96dRmKp0NrDBNxTN3hgdEljIQnqRIGUpRluo2rwkYVPiJtcxxsnzkh5tQtftE4cYItuRfg_gDfIVKr_yfoWGPWjOe2B2J5uQN8-IBXxRytaCAQ1BHLtYkQMpCD3HuH_cTqsUVh/s640/From+iPhone+June+7,+2013+041.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;">It came with a quilted vest and wind/rain layer that proved to be too warm for regular summer wear for me. I just ride with all the layers out and the vents open. The only time I rode with all the layers in was on the three days of the motorcycle safety course, </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;">and I was still cold. (April 30 to May 2) Just too early to be outside...I'm going to be looking for a mesh jacket this spring, something much cooler for our hot summers. It's either freeze or fry here on the prairies!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;">Next the helmet: I was on the fence about an open faced, or a full face or a modular. I especially felt that a full face would be too limiting for my field of vision and also claustrophobic. Another woman rider told me that long ago, an older male had told her to always wear a full face because in case of an accident, guys could grow a beard to cover the scars, but women cannot do that...that was all I needed to hear. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;">After talking with the salespeople, they offered me a Zox modular helmet to try on. It had a fairly wide eye port (still felt claustrophobic though), and it was a little difficult to lift up the moveable jaw part. I am glad it was difficult because after seeing pictures of full face helmets that had been involved in accidents, it was always the front part where your chin lives which always (ALWAYS) takes the brunt of a crash. If the helmet was too easy to open, it would be useless to save your chin and head in a crash. What was easy though was to put my glasses on with the lower part up, and that was the one. </span></span><span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Google Photo)</span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0HhVV0x3UU_2v7ZhkXbqWCZY7subTQfegkkve057nddcN4YEy4OlytTRoADP9g2t9grit_0oJjyXddOyea_zPz1P4h1kUYkcIadZR1fWjCMqGmj6bs9lbfDNWgNvDKWMe8o4GWVFTFngo/s1600/Zox+RN2+Modular+Helmet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0HhVV0x3UU_2v7ZhkXbqWCZY7subTQfegkkve057nddcN4YEy4OlytTRoADP9g2t9grit_0oJjyXddOyea_zPz1P4h1kUYkcIadZR1fWjCMqGmj6bs9lbfDNWgNvDKWMe8o4GWVFTFngo/s320/Zox+RN2+Modular+Helmet.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;">Of course I had to order this as well, they just had black in stock...I wanted something that might catch a cager's eyes to give me a little more edge to stay safe, so white was the one.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;">Now lastly, gloves...I tried on some light leather ones which fit comfortably and bought those. Not until I was actually out riding did I know I had made a wrong choice as they tended to bunch up under my palm whenever I wanted to use either the throttle or clutch lever. But the next year, I was talking with another woman rider and she recommended I try these. They are a pair of BMW AirFlow2 gloves - wow, great fit and much cooler hands - as much as any glove can do when it is 30 C out.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;">So</span>, <span style="color: #073763;">I had that part sorted. I bought armoured pants later that summer when I finally found a pair that fit. Another Joe Rocket offering, men's Alter-Ego that had zip-off panels when the temperature rose. Also came with a wind/rain inner layer too. Not bad, but I never wear the inner layer either. A bit warm on a really hot day even with the panels zipped out, but the armour saved my leg from a scraping one day when I dropped the bike. I was left with a very pretty bruise but I was good to go because of the armour. The bike was left with a slightly bent shifter but me sticking my leg out protected the tank and side panel. Quick thinking saved my bike from more damage.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;">Boots! Can't forget those...<span style="font-size: large;">d</span>idn't like anything I saw, the heels seemed too high for proper riding or not enough grip when you needed it, so out came the hiking boots again. Although a newer pair, I'd been using them all winter to walk my dog <span style="font-size: large;">(and still do)</span>.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL3QEjr_NkFVWQCyif_sSBLUW5X7EnwtNTaLecZ6WZcWS1qBzg0guoA3WDOoZWzrtR6SBaJwyg95yteRJSOm8G2ocwnSPYsdHvPI-LLagBq38UusbGqKPZXryh6Ep9VLyOWdejv7loFYkw/s1600/P291212_1358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL3QEjr_NkFVWQCyif_sSBLUW5X7EnwtNTaLecZ6WZcWS1qBzg0guoA3WDOoZWzrtR6SBaJwyg95yteRJSOm8G2ocwnSPYsdHvPI-LLagBq38UusbGqKPZXryh6Ep9VLyOWdejv7loFYkw/s640/P291212_1358.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;">They keep me upright on many icy walks with my rescued Sheltie and my feet are never too hot or cold in them. So, that's what I've been wearing when I swing a leg over my Suzuki. The year round boot... </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;">Well, that's long enough for today...check out the snowblower which is closest to the outside door...guess which machine is being used more right now?? </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghydcnN7Kbjdi5HjlSkSGX705eXg4eVULdi0UPFxakmksyKXgGlvYLiScher3Fqddi6JU3I6Or3eeCd65YcfH8s70RDc9YO6PPeiOl9mnRME4jprwKPDpNikVWfVKIYmSMIjDsnoTXVL6q/s1600/Winter+Slumber+2012_13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghydcnN7Kbjdi5HjlSkSGX705eXg4eVULdi0UPFxakmksyKXgGlvYLiScher3Fqddi6JU3I6Or3eeCd65YcfH8s70RDc9YO6PPeiOl9mnRME4jprwKPDpNikVWfVKIYmSMIjDsnoTXVL6q/s640/Winter+Slumber+2012_13.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;">S</span>tay warm and take care!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;">Suzu</span> </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"></span></span><br />
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Suzu Gladiushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12708520028570499319noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8172035163976768357.post-78556975095711888512013-01-08T08:31:00.000-06:002015-08-21T16:03:59.084-05:00My Bike Buying Experience<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just to see what I was up against in the male-dominated world of motorcycles, I visited three shops by myself, checking out the initial reaction of the sales and parts staff. I was going to go with the shop that seemed the most open to helping me out. I had not ridden in many years and needed their opinion in which bike would work for me. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I need not have worried as </span></span><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">they all
had people who were more than willing to help me out. (One of the shops even had young woman on their sales staff whose </span></span>eyes lit up when she saw me.) All of the shops had
comparable gear inventories, and sold an array of used bikes along with their new brands. This was not going to be an easy decision... </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The first place sold Honda and Suzuki - the young guy was more than happy to show
me around, let me try on some jackets, helmets, and sit on a few bikes. This was most useful to see how they "fit". The </span></span><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Honda CBR 125 (small but easily maneuverable); </span></span>Suzuki V-Strom (I could not touch the ground on that one); Suzuki 500 GSX-R (too much leaning over the tank); and a </span></span><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">brand new '09 Suzuki Gladius in a maroon/white combo (perfect fit but a little too pricey for my budget). I discovered that by August of the same year, they had not sold the "pink" bike yet, and had knocked the price down considerably to a something that I would have paid for, but it was too late by then.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Google Photo)</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWKDPK4zN3phwp1doPtZN_prIb4rijnjzH09dWEuj1cHqGr4uyE8kJ0ZGrLdmSxoY23zok5F3DjELqqR1-dN3c6v664HGpjXRiNmTh55XIo8xjnWsGTRv0TcBLNV9CykYzNNPx8E2SO4Nz/s1600/2009-Suzuki-GladiusSFV650c_maroon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWKDPK4zN3phwp1doPtZN_prIb4rijnjzH09dWEuj1cHqGr4uyE8kJ0ZGrLdmSxoY23zok5F3DjELqqR1-dN3c6v664HGpjXRiNmTh55XIo8xjnWsGTRv0TcBLNV9CykYzNNPx8E2SO4Nz/s640/2009-Suzuki-GladiusSFV650c_maroon.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The next shop
sold Yamaha and Kawasaki - where even though the power in the shop had gone out, the
guy hauled out a used Ninja 250 for me to sit on. Again, too much leaning
over/narrow handlebars. The rest of the bikes were either huge Yamaha cruisers (beautiful though), or gnarly off-road bikes (would be fun but there are no logging roads in Southern Saskatchewan and we don't live on a farm where you can ride around on your property).</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The
last sold Ducati and Kawasaki. The Ducatis were quite expensive so they were off the list. They had a Ninja 250 and
and a KLR 650 (way too tall even for me). </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After some more thinking and looking, I happened to see another Suzuki Gladius on one of these same dealers' websites. Since I had already sat on one and the price was more reasonable (had 2200 kilometres on it) I went back
and asked to see it. Again, it was the perfect fit. I could lean it over a ways in a stationary position and roll it forwards and backwards comfortably without too much straining even though it weighs 450 pounds. Since there was no way to test ride it - it was February 8 and you've already heard enough about the snow on the roads here - that had to suffice. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I just knew that was it, this was the one. I wrote out my cheque for the full amount and proceeded to decide on a jacket and helmet before I left the shop with a box of the stock tail section, muffler and turn signals. My bike had had a tail eliminator kit put on, different mirrors added which also housed the new turn signals, and an IXIL muffler. Someone had also peeled off the Gladius sticker on the side, and cut away some of frame covering to change the look of the bike. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif8xNg2lLPqbPbwedkLEI08P06kB9ZRdgq-KAM9_FXpzxN6f0YlZL5rzgvGZa6SrUrdTzRBsMjr_gfPMHYbD7kbPgRwwKUHZUtcwa1gWFBUbIDl2xrv3T_Aje9lud9SRSWkLnfFuLLwK4T/s1600/Cath's+Camera+Pics+July+2012+593.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif8xNg2lLPqbPbwedkLEI08P06kB9ZRdgq-KAM9_FXpzxN6f0YlZL5rzgvGZa6SrUrdTzRBsMjr_gfPMHYbD7kbPgRwwKUHZUtcwa1gWFBUbIDl2xrv3T_Aje9lud9SRSWkLnfFuLLwK4T/s400/Cath's+Camera+Pics+July+2012+593.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> (Have to say that I thought the tail eliminator kit was quite cool, but not until I got a rooster streak up the back of my jacket and helmet one wet, rainy day did I consider that maybe the original tail would have worked better.) </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For the next three months, all I could do was watch videos of other people riding my brand of bike and listen to the engine noise while I waited for the day I started my motorcycle safety course.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was smitten and just hoped that the ride in May would be everything I had hoped it was going to be - and it was!</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Have a good one...</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Suzu</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>Suzu Gladiushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12708520028570499319noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8172035163976768357.post-54553496649975874202012-12-31T05:59:00.000-06:002015-08-21T15:58:06.865-05:00Which Bike to Buy?<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I decided to buy my bike, I had thought about getting back to riding for a year. I had to justify the cost of taking that money out of my "rainy day" fund and spend it on something that was totally not practical, and would not help me financially if something should happen to my job. I'm sure you've been through those decisions yourself...</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After much agonizing, I finally overcame that roadblock with the knowledge that if I didn't honour my gut feelings, I would forever regret it. So, on January 1, 2011, the serious hunt was on for a motorcycle!</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was looking for a standard bike similar to the 1977 Kawasaki KZ200 that I rode from 1981 to 1985. I had had a lot of fun on that and had ridden on all the paved roads of the North Island at that time. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I had been given the opportunity to take our neighbour's brand new 1983 Yamaha Virago 750 out for a 40 km spin back in 1983, I had loved the power and rider position of that too. </span></span><span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(Thinking back on that, I don't know that I would have let a teenager take out my brand-new bike, but I must have impressed him enough that he wasn't worried.) </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Having not paid any attention to the evolution of motorcycles since 1985, I had no idea that small standard motorcycles no longer existed in North America. Everything was either the Honda CBR 125 or next stop, a 650, with nothing in between. Whoa, what had happened? Upon further research, discovered that smaller motorcycles existed in Europe but just were not available here. That is changing now with Kawasaki's new Ninja 300 and Honda's CBR 250 that came out last year (although not soon enough that it was available when I was looking).<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After talking to a few people and reading numerous blogs about beginner/re-entry bikes, I was told that since I had ridden before, I would quickly be bored with a small bike. Having not ridden though for many years, I wasn't so sure about that, but went with that advice while I was looking. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I also wasn't limited to a lower seat height with my 33 inch inseam, my options were not so limited as other gals. What was proving difficult though was finding a bike where I didn't lean over the tank. Coming from a mostly off-road riding background, the leaning over position with narrow handlebars was just not comfortable. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Albeit my search would have been easier living in a bigger city with more dealerships, I needed to find a place I felt comfortable walking into that sold and serviced the brand I was going to buy. </span></span><span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">More consideration ensued...</span></span> </span></span><br />
<br />Suzu Gladiushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12708520028570499319noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8172035163976768357.post-50140193822166169872012-12-23T10:00:00.000-06:002013-06-07T17:47:26.767-05:00Christmas Chuckles<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sad picture...</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span> </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Not mine but you get why we can't ride!</span> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Speaking
of the long wait to get back on the bike again, I was at a Christmas
party last weekend and was happy to commiserate with two more suspended
motorcyclists.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I asked them how their riding season had been this past
year. One had ridden all the way to Nova Scotia and back on a Goldwing,
wow! He loved every minute of it. That's like just over a 3000 kilometre
ride - one way. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And
the Harley Softail guy had enjoyed commuting to work from mid-April through to
very early November. He knew it was time to put the bike away when he
arrived at work one day, and his body was so cold that he could barely
move to park the bike and get inside. That's tenacity...Mother Nature's
gentle reminder to him that she was shortly going to be letting us have
it for enjoying a hot summer and extended fall. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I
asked both of them how they were doing with being off the bike for a
few months now. The Honda guy who also rides a Ducati Monster<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span>said, "Don't go
there!" and the <span style="font-size: large;">Harley <span style="font-size: large;">g</span></span>uy said quietly, "Shut
up<span style="font-size: large;">.</span>" He had such <span style="font-size: large;">a </span>pained look on his face<span style="font-size: large;">, I </span>wanted to give him a hug as I knew how he felt.<span style="font-size: large;">..</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Anyway...I
still have some wrapping to do...I would
love to put a new motorcycle under <span style="font-size: large;">(beside?) </span>the tree for my guy <span style="font-size: large;">who's th<span style="font-size: large;">inking of getting a bigger bike, </span></span>but I don't have a
clue how to get it up the stairs without him knowing about it...</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">does Lego have motorcycle the<span style="font-size: large;">me kits? </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">W</span><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">ishing a Merry Christmas to you and yours.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Suzu </span></span></span>Suzu Gladiushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12708520028570499319noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8172035163976768357.post-60803822607349989672012-12-22T09:07:00.001-06:002015-08-21T15:52:16.353-05:00Winter Driving<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Well, it has snowed every day these past two weeks, and we are already running out of places to put the snow. The sad part is that it is only the official second day of winter. We still have four more months of blizzards and clean-up coming at us! </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Arrrggghhh!</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">M</span>y winter tires on my car have saved me
countless times already. Not that I drive fast, but <span style="font-size: large;">if you happen to drive over <span style="font-size: large;">t</span></span>hose snow
ruts <span style="font-size: large;">at the right ang<span style="font-size: large;">le, they </span>can </span>send your car flying sideways into the next lane narrowly miss<span style="font-size: large;">ing</span> another vehicle. <span style="font-size: large;">The snow tires give you the right amount of traction to pull out of those situations in a hurry. </span><span style="font-size: large;"></span>Here in
Saskatchewan, we are used to watching for other drivers sliding sideways
involun<span style="font-size: large;">tarily</span>, so are always scanning and leaving
room for what I fondly call "ice road dancing". The same intense
scanning you do on your bike when there are patches of "marbles" to
avoid so as not to send you sideways doing the "boot scraping boogie".</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And
just like on your bike, you have to watch your rear-view mirror <span style="font-size: large;">when </span>you are stopping<span style="font-size: large;"> to make </span>sure the vehicle behind you also stops
before they hit you. The auto body shops make lots of money this time of
year<span style="font-size: large;">...</span> </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And <span style="font-size: large;">what's </span>with drivers who cut you off<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>and
then expect you to miss them as you apply your ABS brakes frantically? <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">H</span></span></span>ave you heard all
the grinding noises from the bottom of your floor boards when you do
this? </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">By
the time I pull into the work parking lot after my half-hour commute, I
feel like I've just driven in a Grand Prix with everyone racing to get
somewhere and jockeying for pole position!</span></span></span></span> <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yes, winter driving is a test of endurance<span style="font-size: large;"> and <span style="font-size: large;">skill<span style="font-size: large;">,</span> but mostly luck. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;">Is it any wonder that most of my co-workers have already booked a trip south to California or Mexico or Florida? Since I cannot take advantage of a trip this winter, I will console myself with hot coffee and reading other people's blogs of traveling on ice-free roads!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Suzu</span> </span></span></span></span><br />
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Suzu Gladiushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12708520028570499319noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8172035163976768357.post-28018781950536618242012-12-08T09:31:00.000-06:002015-08-21T15:49:04.878-05:00Rediscovering Riding Again...<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I had not ridden a bike since I was 20 years old - more's the pity I know. There were just a lot of years where it was not financially viable to put out the extra money for a bike while having a family to look after. However, I am at a point in my life where I can do that again (and after reading many other blogs, I see that I have not been the only one). Now, let me take you back...</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">When I was 12, my father bought us a brand new Honda CT70. It was to us way better than our 10 speed bicycles for obvious reasons. (It had an automatic transmission if I remember correctly). We all learned to ride on this - including my mom - and then sometime that same year, Dad decided that doing the family thing of us all riding would be a good idea. (He had been riding for a year or so before on a much, much bigger off-road Honda.) So then he proceeded to acquire bigger bikes for us all to go off-road riding on the many logging roads around northern Vancouver Island, British Columbia. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Now let me state right here, that that little Trail 70 was the last brand new bike I have ridden! All the bikes in those ensuing 8 years were parts of bikes that my dad meticulously put back together to form a small fleet that we were proud to ride, let me tell you. Have a look for yourself: </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEn1gRGApjeRWQskEj-5jvJGMy6EW5BQ1PpQq5HHF8amu_-rFn5kzCuF809EoS3Z-W5oro6ia5RNVfJbOTjVg-E_mKJajBaRohkZE4lOZti0AM_oRaSrdfKXoL5i7LrtAas3HUX4KtfGkO/s1600/00340008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEn1gRGApjeRWQskEj-5jvJGMy6EW5BQ1PpQq5HHF8amu_-rFn5kzCuF809EoS3Z-W5oro6ia5RNVfJbOTjVg-E_mKJajBaRohkZE4lOZti0AM_oRaSrdfKXoL5i7LrtAas3HUX4KtfGkO/s400/00340008.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Check out the Honda CT70 at far left, then the Yamaha XR75, the Can-Am 250, Suzuki 125(?), Honda (Year?), then the BMW r 60/6. </span></span><span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Thank you Mom for being the family photographer or I would not have this gem of my past! </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I was looking at images of older Honda motorcycles to try to figure out what year and CC that big red one was. All I remember is the smile on my Dad's face when he rode it after fixing it up. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The mint green Suzuki was mine. I had spray painted the tank, side panels and fenders as they were all scratched up from previous owners. My father believed that girls should know how to do some stuff too! (Changing tires on vehicles, oil changes, lubes, making stuff out of plywood with a jigsaw, and painting anything that didn't move...).</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">All the bikes were not in good shape when Dad got them, but through his care, mechanical prowess and perseverance, they were functional and road-worthy when he got finished with them.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Geez Dad, miss ya so much! You would have liked my newish Suzuki...and I didn't even have to do any spray painting...</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Have a good ride for those of you not dealing with snow right now, and for the rest of us, there's always a bit of vicarious fun to be had while watching YouTube videos of other people riding...</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Suzu </span></span><br />
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<br />Suzu Gladiushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12708520028570499319noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8172035163976768357.post-37335352742362127182012-12-02T11:10:00.001-06:002015-08-21T15:45:06.823-05:00Good Morning Everyone!<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I started this blog as something to do until I can actually get back on my '09 Suzuki Gladius</span>. <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As many of you know - who live in the parts of North America that get snow from October to April - you cannot just hop on your bike and go for a spin any time you like this time of year. All we can do is dream and go out to the garage/shed where our bike is being stored, and give it a loving pat and tell it we have not forgotten about them. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr6cb9-dPQn-AVul7MZ7jFgLTls-tJHW1FZkfP60FmY-ggTRk8EsWwDW3it4JPBkfWpA3BKtIzNndX07wKepFmEkk94BZhW0zpYmYzoEJ3qIvuZucLfTZshpdT_nUnyKwjkVehLXbiLxBg/s1600/Cath's+Camera+Pics+July+2012+593.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr6cb9-dPQn-AVul7MZ7jFgLTls-tJHW1FZkfP60FmY-ggTRk8EsWwDW3it4JPBkfWpA3BKtIzNndX07wKepFmEkk94BZhW0zpYmYzoEJ3qIvuZucLfTZshpdT_nUnyKwjkVehLXbiLxBg/s320/Cath's+Camera+Pics+July+2012+593.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is Sunday morning and this is the time I would normally already be out on the bike.</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> So, since I cannot ride through the snow, I will type and tell you about my bike if you care to sit and read while you too are waiting for the snow to go away. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;">The day I spied this beauty on the dealer's website, I had such a feeling of relief. Do you know that feeling when you absolutely know that this is the right decision? I had been looking for a bike in my price range and that would work for the kind of riding I like to do. I discovered this website <a href="http://cycle-ergo.com/" target="_blank">Motorcycle Ergonomics</a> from reading one of my favourite blogs that helped me out in deciding what would work. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;">I've enjoyed the bike these last two years (well seasons, since we can't ride all year here) and would not trade it in for anything else. More stories later...have a good one...</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;">Suzu </span></span></div>
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Suzu Gladiushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12708520028570499319noreply@blogger.com2