US Thanksgiving.

Dinner

Normally I don't blog about people, preferring to write about places I've visited on one of my bikes, cats, or the occasional soap box rant.  Well this isn't any of those.

I'm in the USA on what I would call this time, a working trip.  It's been shorter than my usual spell but circumstances prior to departure (like the building of a shed) and early winter onset the last two trips and other obligations have denied me doing much riding here this fall.  You won't be reading today about any hazardous to one's health over desert/mountain treks.

Last year at this time I was coming back from Painted Rock, an ancient petroglyph site west of Gila Bend (you can read that story in the recently past September issue of Motorcycle MoJo.)  I met a family on that trip who would come to the site from California and Ohio each TG to visit and catch up.

This TG... in fact all week I have been laying very low from several points of view. There has been an unexpected family medical crisis unfolding back on the Island since the last weekend that is still not resolved.  More information and testing required but the good news, and it is good news, is that for the very short term, things appear to be relatively stable.  A reprieve if you will. 

My wife Brenda has been an absolute soldier dealing with things on the front lines so to speak and I am grateful to have her. I will make it up to her upon return.  It is a difficult time from several aspects for her as well as I.

So here I find myself closeted in my humble little home, taking irregular showers, on Skype with Brenda through-out the day conferring on developments.


Since buying this little townhouse here 7 years ago, I have had the pleasure of good neighbors in particularly a woman next door that has certainly gone beyond the 'being neighborly' stage.  Judy and her two young adult sons, whom I first met as teenagers, have become very good friends.  Jude looks in on my place in my absence, deals with minor local issues and when I am here, she often ends a sentence with "let me know if you need anything?" and guess what... she means it too!  In addition she lets me borrow her WiFi and just if not more cherished, while here I get the loan of Boo... her tiny little female kitty that shows up like clockwork when I arrive and moves right in!

Her privacy is important to me but I want to say that had I written a script for this place and made up a fantasy person(s) that lived next door, I could have been referring to Judy and sons.


As I had mentioned, I have been emotionally exhausted getting little sleep, eating poorly and admit running my batteries down this trip in general terms.  Not a pleasure trip but a hard working trip.  I had contemplated during the year selling, given the distances I have to cover to get here from my east coast home, but one of the reasons I've decided to hang tough for awhile yet is the prospect of losing the best neighbor I've personally ever had.

Judy had graciously invited me over for their family Thanksgiving dinner.  I declined.  I'm not particularly good company at the moment and besides that, I probably stink and not in a good way.  Would you want Pepe le Pew sitting next to your elbow at the dinner table?  I think not.  I'll be hitting the shower tonight if I don't doze off writing this.

My doorbell rings around 4 30 and standing at the door is Jude with two plates of turkey dinner with all the fixin's and various after dinner desserts.  You can't imagine how grateful I am for this gesture, Judy privy to our home problems and being of one thought, very understanding.

Like I said to start with, I don't generally blog about a person... after all you want to hear about my riding not eating, but in this case, this TG and this week... I believe you should know that there are truly great people out there and ofttimes the humblest are the best.

BooBoo guarding her mouse.

Judy, to you and the boys (and the rest of the clan including those that bark and meow) Thank you and thanks for giving.

"Born to be Mild"

You'd expect buzzards in a tree like this wouldn't you?

By Steppenwolf

Get your motor runnin'
Head out on the highway
Lookin' for adventure
And whatever comes our way
Yeah Darlin' go make it happen
Take the world in a love embrace
Fire all of your guns at once
And explode into space

I like smoke and lightning
Heavy metal thunder
Racin' with the wind
And the feelin' that I'm under
Yeah Darlin' go make it happen
Take the world in a love embrace
Fire all of your guns at once
And explode into space

Like a true nature's child
We were born, born to be wild
We can climb so high
I never want to die

Born to be wild
Born to be wild

The White Tank Mountains west edge of the city, outside Surprise

Unforgettable lyrics if you are a motorcycle nut like I am... I cannot tell you how many times while I was riding my 350 Rebel, BMW 600, 850 Special, RZ 500, Triumph T Bird and dozens of other bikes I've owned over 47 years of riding, I've sang this song (badly) at the top of my lungs, hoarse with a dry throat, while riding to somewhere... or to nowhere. 

Almost new...

Sure I wasn't on a chopped Sportster or Panhead this day, but what does that matter.  It's not what you ride but that you ride.  

ALL motorcyclists feel this feeling of Freedom, just you and your machine, in tune with the road... wind on your face, sun shaded by cool RayBan's hand on the throttle.

I've been to the Moon and back on freeways, autobahns, autostradas, autopistas, twisting two lanes in the desert, in the Rockies, in the Alps, on the plains of Spain. I've ridden from the wilds of Baja California, to the wilds of L.A. yes splitting lanes on the Hollywood freeway,  and again in crowded Athens or rural France.  

I've frozen literally, dealt with flats, run out of gas, picked up girls/women, enjoyed sunsets and sunrises while on the road.

Interstate 10 heading from L.A. to Phoenix and beyond.

TODAY... I was riding my Adventure to adventure west of my Phoenix home on a coolish morning, on a day that would see nothing but sunny skies and temperatures climb into the high 20's (80'sF)  I bought my Adventure scooter new from a local dealer several years ago.  She's been my mistress, my pack mule, my run about, my smile chaser... loyal and reliable.  Her hair color is like an H1 Kawasaki triple, lazer blend blue, she's 150 cc, 9.35 hp and has gorgeous lines, like a runway model.

I'd planned a route of 270km (that's 170 miles) across the N.W. corner of the city.  Peoria, Surprise and Sun City to the Sun Valley Parkway that circles the White Tank mountains on the west side of the city.  The PW is a fine road, divided four way with little to no traffic, except for the odd pedal cyclist.

Once the road turns south, you eventually cross over I-10 into Buckeye.  I found my way to OLD US 80, a highway I'd first ridden in 1998 on my XT600 with Deb on her's on our way to the trip of a lifetime, the length of Baja and not always on paved surfaces.  In fact we'd ridden up the mountain in the shadow of El Diablo, a substantial peak over 10,000' in elevation in and out of Mike's Sky Ranch, to the Cortez and eventually Cabo, before turning the loop back north.  

Valuable water channeled to the City.

TODAY I rode flat agricultural land, past old farms and homesteads to the Salome highway into new territory.

Once I'd crossed onto the overpass of the busy I-10 I stopped for a drink of ice water, a sandwich and to strip clothing now that the temperature had risen substantially.

As cool as it was in the morning, it was hot like only the desert can be in the afternoon.  I was next to a fence that enclosed one of the massive solar collector farms you see often down here.  Thousands of solar collectors motor driven to align with the changing sun, sends power through a grid to the metropolis beyond the White Tank mountains.

Tracks going off into the mountains.

Vulture Mine road would take me all the way to Route 60, known locally as Grand Avenue, to the impeccably cozy community of Wickenburg.  How many times had I driven through this little but growing town coming from or going to Calgary.  

Apart from the truck traffic that cuts off from Kingman or Flagstaff towards Yuma and the occasional big rig RV, there is literally NO traffic.  There is no town from here to Wickenburg and I spent the next couple of hours soaking up the ambiance of the flowering desert, riding at speeds rarely exceeding 70 kph.  I stopped often to take a snapshot, the heat immediately warming me through my black jeans and jacket instantly.  There was Jack Rabbit wash, the Aguila road I'd ridden a few years ago on my XT 350, Vulture Mines ghost town. 

The OLD Vulture Mine Ghost town.  Tours on Saturday's.

I was riding the Vulture mountains, absolutely beautiful with the sun blasting their faces as it has done for tens of thousands of years.  This volcanic land was uninhabited by man until fairly recently, and then as it is now, unforgiving and utterly dangerous.  Summer temperatures can easily exceed 130F, water is no where to be found (except in modern concrete irrigation channels) and little traffic if one was to have any breakdown.  Except for modern cell towers, this land is much like is was 2000 years ago.

Solar farm outside Tonopah.

Does the sky get any bluer that this?

More of the old buildings at Vulture Mine.

I was having yet another "time of my life."  The little scooter comfortable, just fast enough not to get run over on those freeway stretches I was doing today, economical to run.

Curve after curve after luscious curve.  More curves than a decade of Italian movie stars put together, gently climbing and then falling on pavement so perfect, you'd swear it was made just for you.  

Vulture peak in the mountains by the same name, west of Phx.

Downtown Wickenburg

As I approached the outskirts of Wickenburg, my scooter ran dry.  I had used up 6 liters of fuel to travel 170 kilometers or 106.25 miles.  Except for that 5 mile detour earlier

Home

today, I would have made it on fumes, but made it into Wickenburg's downtown and gas.  I pulled off the highway just short of a crest on the hill I was on, to the barking of three vicious looking dogs across the road luckily behind a sturdy 6' high chain link fence.

Ignoring the yappers, I unloaded my Jerry can and filled the tank.  The scooter started with a short stab of the electric leg and I was off, smiling like a Cheshire cat.

Wickenburg is a contradiction of old and new.  There's the old west feel of downtown and the modern feel of a new age roundabout on the major route 60, passing through as you cross over the dry and dusty Hassayampa River.

From here on in I had a choice of taking the Carefree highway (rte 74) or sticking to the divided route 60.  I chose 60 and followed it in increasingly heavy traffic, which traveled well above my 50 mph pace in the right hand lane.  I saw signs announcing "Shoulder work next five miles" and I was going to pull off to deal with the cramp between my shoulder blades.  Too bad it was the wrong kind of shoulder work!

Another look at Vulture peak.

On the outskirts of the city I took ring road freeway 303 the 6 miles or so to the Olive avenue turn off, fueled up for the second time at the same QuikTrip as I had done leaving the city.

In 20 minutes... I was home once again.

That's 1.2 gallons for a fill up.

The little Chinese Adventure 150 had covered 270 km or 169 miles, used 8.5 liters of regular (that's 2.2 US gallons) for an average of 74 mpUSg or 90 miles per Imperial gallon.  My road speed averaged between a fairly steady sightseeing 60kph/35mph to around 90kph/56 mph while I was on the freeway.

My total fuel cost for the day was... are you ready... $4.50 usd!

I had a great day, not a cloud in the sky, saw Wile E. coyote cross the road probably after a Road Runner, took some fabulous photos and once again, proved without a doubt, that there is no way in 10 lifetimes you'll see or feel or experience it all.

So... what are you waiting for...

                                                   Get your motor runnin'
                                                 Head out on the highway
                                                   Lookin' for adventure

                                            And whatever comes our way!

                                 I love doing this and will do it until I can't anymore.

Airlines pile on new fees and even more charges lie ahead, experts say

Awhile back I was mentioning how airline profits have soared in the past year.  In fact for some airlines, like Canada's no 1 and 2... record profits.

Jets have become more efficient over the years, more economical to operate, more reliable contributing to lowered running costs. Seat spacing has become almost ludicrous, even for a little guy like me.  Pity anyone taller than 5' 6".  If the passenger in front reclines his/her seat, your tray will be in your lap, not to mention trying to get out for a pee break if you're seated in the window or middle!  Even toilets have been reduced or in some cases a single facility for all coach passengers!

One of the BIGGEST boons to airlines is the additional charges we are now subject to.  Food is an extra cost option, ear buds ditto.  If you want 'premium' viewing, or wi-fi use, extra.  If you would like a different seat prior to departure, extra.  If you would like priority boarding, multi levels extra.  Got a suitcase to check, you guessed it, extra.  Two bags, extra.



I joked at the time that pretty soon airlines will explore standing room err... seating or is that standing?  Lo and behold a few months later I see just such a proposal for short haul flights within China, where as patrons are packed in like proverbial sardines in a tin can!  I can see this being a possibility for flights within Europe for example.

Probably the biggest bonus to profits has been reduced fuel costs.  Do  you remember about a decade ago we were being charged a 'fuel surcharge' to fly.  That was when fuel costs were substantially higher.  Then there was the additional security costs to pay supposedly for the higher security measures.

Ticket prices began climbing as all these extra costs were being tacked on.  I certainly notice the difference flying this past few years.  Since fuel prices dropped over the past couple of years, I haven't seen a reduction in ticket prices, in fact they've been steadily increasing.

I wonder when we'll be charged for using an oxygen mask if the need were to arise.  Imagine this coming over your in flight speakers if the plane experiences a sudden decompression;

"Sorry to interrupt your program... we are experience a problem, please insert your approved credit card into the seat back reader to activate your flow of oxygen.  Unfortunately we can only take M/C, VISA or AMMEX at this time, cash will not be accepted, thank you from your flight crew..."

All these changes add up to higher pricing, less comfort and unless you bring your own snack, or have a credit card, a rumbling belly.

Of course if you don't fly, all these things are non-existent for you.  However I do, and I'm protesting in my little way by shouting out loud, "I won't stand for it anymore."

Get it... "won't stand..."

Have a nice day :)

Stairs

I'm not immune to a little "ego boosting" once in awhile.  Let me explain.


I took a long motorcycle ride in Western Canada early in the summer on an old Japanese spec Suzuki LS 650, commonly called a "Savage."  A misnomer if I'd ever heard one.

The purpose of the ride apart from it being 'cracking good fun' was to reconnect with my daughters and of course old friends, some I haven't seen for 5 years or more.  Savage and I covered some 3500 kilometers and side rides on friends bikes including my Baja veteran XT 225 Serow (a type of Tibetan mountain goat) that now resides in Penticton at Cindy's home, and Ron's newly acquired V Strom 650 and his Burgman 650 added another 1000 km or so.

Since then I've returned to my southern home in Glendale AZ, and have spent time visiting with my local friends.

One of the things I have heard this year is how 'fit' I am looking! 

I've been asked if I'm spending more time at the gym, what exercise program I'm following and what I'm doing. 

My answer... stairs. 

That brings curious blank looks or some off handed comment or two.

Rocky mountains south west of Calgary

Sure, being somewhat careful with what and in what quantities I eat, I rarely drink soft drinks (although I still have a routine craving for Coke) anymore and I eat in small proportions but more often.  Can't forget that riding helps, especially if you do any type of off road riding that requires standing or using multiple muscle groups, but in reality it's the stairs.



I have two floors in my Phx home and back on the Island we have to use stairs to get from top to bottom.  I've never done an official count but I am probably up and down the stairs a hundred times a day. 

Exercising the TTR

Given the various rages and the never ending promotions for fitness crazes, I admit, it's pretty low tech, after all stairs have been around for gazillions of years in one form or another.  It doesn't involve spending money on gym memberships which btw, most people purchase and then never use, it needn't be compact enough to 'fit under a bed', it doesn't take up room like that outdoor trampoline and you don't have to re mortgage the house to buy it in installments.  Most people have stairs in their homes or near by in some form or other.

Not only is it a good, safe and non intrusive work out, but it's built in.  Sometimes I'm pretty leisurely using the stairs but others, like when I forgot my wallet or phone and the cars running, I take them two at a time.  Sometimes just for the heck of it I take them two at a time.  My heart pumps quicker and my lungs deeper and I get a simple and reliable work out.  Like I say, no high tech equipment required just lots of reps, and for us... we have to get from garage to kitchen so there's plenty of opportunity.

So... what can I say... I ride, I ride off road, I drink less sugar, eat smarter and make use of stairs.

The Savage!

AZ

Like a miniature of our home!

Normally I arrive earlier. 

 
The shed build pushed my schedule back a couple of weeks and we were fortunate it was far enough along to close things up for the winter.  You never can tell what things will be like when I return. I scrambled to install the overhead door just prior to leaving.  Trevor will be doing the finishing touches over the next week, things like the missing roof panel, siding and trim.  We could have just built a mini barn like so many others but I wanted this to be a 1/10 scale replica of our house, same roofing (blue steel) same siding so it will enhance the unique style of the house and be an asset rather than an eye sore.

Closed for the winter coming.

I rode my Adventure Sun-L scooter over to Nadia's park the other day.  I really do like riding this scooter and truthfully as I don't own a vehicle here, she is my mule.  You'd be amazed at what I have carried on her floorboard or strapped to the seat or otherwise stowed!  (see pics)



It has a top speed of 60 mph (100km) accelerates hard enough from a light that I don't get passed until I level out around 50 mph, gets pretty good mileage, about 75-80 miles per U S gallon, that's 3.8 liters.  Of course I don't spare the limited horsepower, I'd guess that's similar to my Calgary/PEI TOMOS Velo 150, which was rated in the owner's manual at 6.74 horses.  It's not fast enough for the freeways here, where traffic normally travels at Warp factor 3, but on surface streets, there isn't anywhere I can't go in the 100 miles of the greater Phoenix land area.  It just takes me longer.

I'm hoping that on this trip I can maybe load up some overnight gear and find some back paved ride to explore.  I leave the dual purpose trail riding to the Yamaha!

That's an outdoor water fountain in that box!

Shortly after leaving here for Sunflower resort, I bottomed out the scooter on a wicked dip across the road in an industrial area.  Immediately she lost power, quite a lot of power, say 50%.

2 bags of groceries in the 'trunk'

Spare gas for the Honda

 I pulled over thinking that maybe I'd pranged the exhaust header, but couldn't see anything, not even a scrape on the belly plastic.  Not sure of the problem I turned back and nursed her home.  Good thing the 350 was ready, I quickly switched and was only a half hour late.

6' piece of 1x6

Two more under the seat!

After a nice visit and farewells, with Nadia, Marshall and his Hungarian wife Sandra, I hurried back home and began the task of finding the problem with the Adventure. 

What's a visit to Glendale without Rolling Rock!

If you know anything about scooters, one of the major appeals to them world wide is their quietness and tidiness.  Mechanical parts are well hidden from view.  After ten minutes on my back with a flashlight in my living room, I located the problem and fortunately... it was not serious, certainly not had the header pipe been flattened, that would have required a new exhaust. Cause of the power loss was the 3 inch wide air intake hose that goes from the bottom of the air-box to the carb inlet had come completely adrift!



After an hour, most of which is spent removing body plastic and the seat, I had it back on the flange and the clamp tightened.  Presto... full power once again, I was so happy it wasn't more serious than a simple clamp.

It's great to be able to trouble shoot these types of issues with vehicles. I'd earned my Motorcycle mechanics ticket back in the 80's when I had Freedom Cycle and mechanical knowledge has saved my bacon not to mention thousands of dollars over the years.




With things bolted back up and no broken fasteners, the Adventure continues... :)

Sunny, and warm.

Taxying on the run way at YYG

I HAVE ARRIVED.

No, I'm not on the moon, but I am in Arizona, once again.

After an incredibly hectic year, that began with record snowfalls back home, a long tour out west on Liz's Suzuki Savage, cutting grass and building sheds, I am back in the sunny south.

Toronto just before dawn.

I'm baaaack!

I relax when I arrive, the warmth getting off the plane and out of the terminal building, having a nice drive back to the complex with Nathan and Athena, putting the key into the door once again and having little Boo meet me with purrs and mega affection.

Reliable partner.

In the past 24 hours, I have the scooter and the 350 running and the place is vacuumed, the yard has 5 bags worth of leaves disposed of, and groceries in the fridge.

The Yamaha XT was my first priority while I waited for the scooter battery to charge.  After installing the tiny 12 volt device into the frame, I pushed the kicker through a couple of times to get some oil distributed into the cylinder and top end, with enrichner on, one kick. True it did stall after 15 seconds or so but restarted immediately and idled away with the choke pulled out for several minutes to get some fuel circulating.  That bike is now so reliable I'd have no problem riding it to Baja and back!

The Adventure scooter took a bit more finagling as it's carb drain screw is buried under a mass of frame tubes, the drive enclosure and various electrical parts, but once drained and battery hooked back up, several tries of the starter had it running as well.

Scooting around.

I rode the scooter to my local Lowe's to pick up some gaskets to cure a very leaky tub faucet, done.

Boo at my door!  She hasn't left my sight since arrival!

Making herself right at home...

Showered and in shorts, I am again... home.