A Space Monkey at Deep Space 9

Highway 9 is a very in/famous stretch of backroad around where I live. Up in the Saratoga hills, where the rest of the motorcyclists around here can go up on their toys and play, Highway 9 is highly regarded and hugely popular during the peak times of the week when everyone can come out and play (the weekends).

Personally, I think it's a fun road, but I'm not overly enthused about it given that it's a magnet for trouble when new riders and experienced onces frequent the lot simultaneously, bringing heightened law enforcement along.

EVERYBODY seems to have a highway 9 video, so I thought I'd toss one myself in the mix, done my way. So off I went earlier today when it was the least popular time of day to ride it, and I spent a couple hours to catch enough footage for the type of videos I make.

Stay tuned for the deleted scene. :)

p>

What's Better Than Having Fridays Off?

Getting paid on the Friday that you're off. :)

My Fridays usually consist of 100+ miles of riding as soon as I get up from bed. Seeing as I'm still slightly banged up from yesterday, you would think I'd sit this Friday out.

You'd think.

I couldn't stay off long enough from a bike, especially not on my time off, and especially not when the sun is shining out. So I suited up, hopped on the Mille, and off I went.

Today's route
I don't care how bad or how minimal a crash you just had was, your confidence will always be marred as soon as you go back out for the next proper ride. I knew I was going to be riding a tad more reluctant than I normally would, but there's also no better way to get your confidence back than to just get back on the saddle. Sure enough, the first few turns that were all too familiar for me seemed daunting, but it didn't take long for me to be back in the groove of things.


At the uncharacteristically empty lot at Four Corners.

Funny, I know it'll sound unsurprising, but I was actually more comfortable ON the bike than OFF it. Everytime I'd hop off the bike, I could just feel the bruises and the kinks on my body. On the bike, nada.

Topping it off by dropping by Belle's and walking Rusty.

I think I'm still more pissed at myself for what happened than I am depressed about the Mille having been rashed up. I'm getting over it though, and despite the minimal riding I can sneak in for this Memorial weekend, this should all be like a bad dream come next week.

Paz.

Scarred

How's this for irony?

Up until three weeks ago I had three bikes at my disposal. One for my daily commute (EX500), one for the track (ZX7R), and one was my dream bike (RSV Mille). Three weeks ago I decided to be rational, and downsize my garage to just one or two bikes; just have one for the commute and the track, and then my dream bike. Somewhere along the way I picked up a really bitchin' full-on track bike (ZX6R). It wasn't street legal, so that meant that I had to stop making my RSV Mille such a garage queen, and use it for full-time street duty and ride it to work. I had to stop being so star-struck with the bike and obsess about keeping it so pristine.

Two days ago, I switch my insurance policy to include full-coverage on the RSV Mille for my own peace of mind, especially now that I was going to be riding it every day of the week.

Twelve hours ago, I had a lowside crash on my RSV Mille. A very stupid lowside yards from my driveway because of complacency and cold tires.

Two years and seven bikes since I started riding, and I make the most stupid mistake I could make on a motorcycle. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad it wasn't a major accident, but you must imagine the level of frustration I have on myself right now for having done this on my Mille. It took me seven motorcycles until I finally have the one bike I've always lusted over, and I crash on it. It couldn't have happened on any one of the other motorcycles I've previously owned, none of which held as prestigious of spot in my garage as the Mille.

Dumb fucking luck.

Luckily, the damage only cost me $20 to fix, unless I wanted to replace the rashed fairings (which I don't).

But the sheer and utter stupidity of it all is just personally shameful.

Sigh.

Think happy thoughts:

Ah. :)

RSV-4

I purchased my very first bike brand new, and from a dealership. A 2006 Kawasaki EX500 that served me for two years without fail. Despite this, and seven bikes later, I vowed never to buy a bike brand new. The used market is so much more lucrative and opportunities are abound to snatch a piece of gem at an insanely low price.

But that bike up there, the Aprilia RSV-4 that's set to replace the current RSV, is the only bike that promises to make me break my word to not buy brand new again. I HAVE to have this bike and that V-4 engine. Have a listen:

Closest thing to sound like a MotoGP bike.

I'm already in line.

Rusty's Love Affair with Sunlight

I Think I Want to Race

I think.

Belle wouldn't be surprised by this, and I know Rusty doesn't care as long as he keeps getting his peanut-buttered Kong.

Maybe for just one season. Just for shits and giggles. While I'm still young with no young'ns (Rusty was born old).

Maybe. I think.

I'm Back...But Not Alone

If memory serves me correctly, I last cancelled my previous blog over a year ago (maybe?).

I've realized I have a lot more going for myself now than I ever did when I previously had an online journal, and I'm going to take a different approach to blogging now. I'm opting to gloat about all things I enjoy instead of ostentatiously complaining about all things widely irrelevant. Also, I've got a crew this time around!

Of course, I may still complain at times, cause I sometimes enjoy complaining. (ha!)

D.