Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Spies Wins at Assen!!

#11 Ben "Elbowz" Spies takes the lead on Lap 1. Moments later, #58 Simoncelli & #1 Lorenzo (behind Spies) would be pavement surfing. 

America's great hope in MotoGP, Ben Spies, won the Dutch GP at Assen last Saturday. It was his first MotoGP win in only his 28th try, and was the first win by a Yank since Laguna Seca in 2005 I believe.  Ben started 2nd, came out of the first couple of turns in 1st, and lead by 4-5 seconds most of the race, and won going away with a 7 second margin over Casey Stoner. Andrea Dovzioso rounded out the podium. It was a good day for Americans in general with Nicky Hayden in 5th and Colin Edwards and the 14 screws holding his collar bone together coming home in 7th. Helping Spies' cause was pole-sitter Marco "Never Crash Alone" Simoncelli's decision to get over-exuberant on cold tires (again!) on the first lap and take out reigning champion Jorge Lorenzo in the process. Both remounted with Lorenzo rallying to finish 6th. Spies and teammate Lorenzo were running classic red and white Yamaha racing finery in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Yamaha's involvement in premier-level GP racing.

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Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Iron Butt Rally Daily Reports


If you're not reading the often humorous, sometimes cruel daily reports posted here you're missing out! 

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Scenes from Americade 2011

Click here for a photo dump from Americade 2011. I've only had time to edit a couple of them. If some of the pics don't make sense it's because they are of riding buddies taking the MSF advanced rider course that was offered at the rally.

Canada St., the main drag in Lake George

Me riding Tongue Mtn.

Geoff Aaron, 10-time AMA trials champ.


Thirsty?

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Monday, June 20, 2011

Iron Butt Rally 2011 Begins


Today is the start of the 2011 edition of the Iron Butt Association's bi-annual Iron Butt Rally. The world's most determined (and sleep-deprived) motorcyclists will depart from the west coast of the USA on an 11-day test of rider and machine that will take some of them to the four corners of the continental USA and perhaps beyond (a few always detour thru Alaska) in search of valuable bonus points.  Top finishers typically average over 1,000 miles per day.  The IBA's daily rally reports (linked on its home page) are a must-read!  I wouldn't be surprised if internet radio show Sidestand Up covers it as well.

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Thursday, June 16, 2011

WWII Weekend images


"Listen up maggots! I've commandeered this website on behalf of the United Goddamn States of America for the purpose of displaying photographs taken by Private Low Class Doug Just Doug at the WWII Weekend in Reading, Pennsylvania on June 4th, 2011. While some of these photographs are of motorcycles, many are NOT. Live with it! And don't go cryin' to yer mommy 'bout how the pictures are out or order, or how most of 'em haven't been edited yet. Now getcher namby-pamby asses over to the photos NOW! That's an ORDER! Don't make me have to slap ya."

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Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Ride To Work Day 2011


Monday, June 20th is the annual Ride To Work Day, so, you know: ride to work!


Ride your motorcycle or scooter on this day to demonstrate:
  • The number of motorcyclists to the general public and to politicians.
  • That motorcyclists are from all occupations and all walks of life.
  • That motorcyclists can reduce traffic and parking congestion in large cities.
  • That motorcycles are for transportation as well as recreation.
  • That motorcycling is a social good.
Learn more at Ride To Work's website.

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Thursday, June 02, 2011

WWII Weekend, WWII Motorcycles

This weekend I'm once again attending the annual "World War II Weekend" hosted by the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum at the Reading, Pennsylvania airport.    Click over to see pics of some of the weekend's activities and hardware that will be on display (and in many cases, being operated).  Being an ex-USAF fighter aircraft crew chief, I'm partial to the warbirds, but as you'll see there were just about any other type of WWII military hardware you'd want to see, from all the major players in the war. Click here for a nice video overview of the non-flying portions of the event. My son snapped these pics posted here of a few of the motorcycles present at a prior year's event, mostly sidecar rigs, mostly BMWs or clones, all more heavily armed than my Kawasaki (oh, to have a machine gun to deal with brain-dead cagers!). I'm the doofus kneeling by the Zundapp, BTW. While not a motorcycle event per se, it's near excellent riding areas and would be a great destination for anyone looking for an excuse to ride somewhere...as if we need much of an excuse!




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Wednesday, June 01, 2011

Revzilla Helmet Giveaway!



Could you use a new, top-quality helmet? For free? Than get thee to RevZilla's June contest page, spend about 30 seconds creating a Rider Profile, than sit back and wait for the monthly winners to be drawn. The First Prize winner this month will receive an AGV AX-8 DS helmet, valued at about $400. Two Second Prize winners will receive $50 Revzilla gift certificates.

While you're on RevZilla's site, take a look around at what RevZilla has to offer the serious adventure or sport-touring motorcyclist. Why shop RevZilla? I can tell you why I do: fast, free shipping for orders over $39.99; TeamZilla cash back program; "no  hassle" exchanges; price match guarantee; and above all, RevZilla's top-flight reputation among riders I know for its customer service and product knowledge. Let 'em know Tilted Horizons sent ya!


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