Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Motel, Motor-Tel, wait...what?

This seems so wrong on so many levels, not the least of which are physics and common sense, but hey, may great ideas were spurned in their day.  I wouldn't sleep in it, but perhaps it would come in handy as a sail in the event of an empty fuel tank.  For more info, check out http://www.mobed.eu/.

No joke; they're actually trying to sell this product.

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posted by Doug Just Doug at 8:54 AM 1 comments

Thursday, December 18, 2014

Throw-Back Thursday: Trail Riding Gear

Off-road gear has come a ways since the day this post-ride pic of my brother and father was taken in our backyard; probably about 1974.


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posted by Doug Just Doug at 2:10 PM 1 comments

Wednesday, November 05, 2014

Are You A Motorcyclist?

No matter how trained, skilled, safe, psychologically sound or ATGATT'd we believe ourselves to be, motorcycles are fundamentally rolling bombs.  Humomgously-entertaining rolling bombs.

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posted by Doug Just Doug at 10:54 AM 0 comments

Thursday, July 31, 2014

Throw Back Thursday: The flightless bird who traveled around the world

One day in August, 2008 I took place in an around-the-world relay to benefit Riders For Health, involving an ostrich Beanie Baby, and a Pelican case to which each rider would add local trinkets. I was part of the 3-rider Delaware team which took the bird and case on a very hot, humid and occasionally rainy tour of some of our state's historical and otherwise notable sites.  The case eventually visited all 50 states before heading overseas and completing the ATW trip.  For a time, the bird was held for ransom in Indonesia.  His whereabouts are currently unknown, but there are rumors of a possible second ATW tour.

Taking the hand-off from the Pennsylvania lead rider.





The bird distracted this officer long enough for him to forget to ticket us for the totally illegal parking job we did in order to secure the photo below.



Meeting the Delaware state bird, a Blue Heron.

Meeting some strange old birds.

Found a lady friend along the way.

So this is where your state politicians "work"?

Handing-off to the Maryland lead rider near Chestertown, MD.

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posted by Doug Just Doug at 2:31 PM 0 comments

Thursday, July 24, 2014

How to Ruin a Perfectly Good Motorcycle Photo

Include me in it!
Photo by "Rodon" from the ST.N forums.

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posted by Doug Just Doug at 2:33 PM 3 comments

Tuesday, April 01, 2014

Blow Hard Motorcycle Horn

This review of an awesome new product was just posted today from the good folks at webBikeWorld; may have to buy one for commuting duty!

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posted by Doug Just Doug at 11:48 AM 0 comments

Tuesday, November 05, 2013

United Nations of Motorcycling?

Just in from the Random Thoughts While Riding To Work Department: This morning I was wearing a helmet from Japan, neck warmer from England, jacket from Finland, hi-viz vest from Holland, pants from Minnesota, gloves from Germany, and boots from Italy.

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posted by Doug Just Doug at 9:49 AM 0 comments

Monday, April 01, 2013

New Product Release: Aerostich Magnetic Baby Onesie

Hot of the presses from Aerostich:


Aerostich   Magnetic Baby Onsie

Having a baby changes everything -- including your motorcycle riding. This new Aerostich Magnetic Baby Onsie (View action video.) helps you manage it without giving up your bike. Simply place any child within the Onsie and position it on your gas tank as if it were a magnetic tank bag. Then clip the safety leash to handlebar and ride! Prototypes have been endorsed by experts and baby-tested at over 140mph! For security and peace-of-mind it’s made of strong abrasion-resistant GORE-TEX Cordura with a full-length water-proof zipper, an internal comfort pad and three strong rare-earth magnets per side. A large strip of 3M SOLUS reflective provides nighttime conspicuity and inside is a removable, washable, fire-retardant 100% cotton fleece lining. There’s also a detachable 36” shoulder-strap to maximize off-bike portability. Available in Small (1-6 months) or Medium (6–18 months) and either Hello Kitty, Sponge Bob, California Raisin, or Spiderman-licensed styles. A Millard-Marcus-Rebeka product. View action video.
Along with the Magnetic Baby Onsie, the all-new 2013 Aerostich Catalog features thousands of useful products for riders, and hundreds of new and updated items, including the all-new Roadcrafter City andRoadcrafter Tactical rider’s suits. The 262 page catalog is the company’s largest ever and features the usual assortment of customer supplied photos, interesting sidebars, moto-related quotes and a few hidden 'Easter Eggs' to keep things interesting. All items are also available to view and order atwww.aerostich.com, where you can also find an interactive suit 'color picker', downloadable digital catalog sections, more detailed product images and reviews and more. To get your FREE copy of the2013 Aerostich Catalog, call 800 222 1994, or email catalog@aerostich.com.
Aerostich 2013 Catalog - Front CoverAerostich Magnetic Baby Onsie 
JPG (1.18MB)
PDF (193KB)		JPG (285KB)
PDF (561KB)		 

Aerostich  Features:

  • Bring your baby along on every ride.
  • Abrasion resistant and waterproof.
  • Attaches securely to tank with strong rare-earth magnets.
  • More riding time combined with parental bonding.
  • Tested to 140 MPH.
  • Colors and styles for both boys and girls.

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posted by Doug Just Doug at 11:12 AM 1 comments

Saturday, February 16, 2013

10 Best Things About Riding in the Winter


1. No bugs.
2. Fewer tourists (and no squids) on back roads.
3. Frosty auto windshields provide increased opportunity to practice avoidance maneuvers.
4. Amish buggy "exhaust" is no longer slippery (it is, however, bumpy).
5. No muscle spasms from reaching around to open jacket vents on the fly.
6. Lessened danger of getting caught in your zipper (guys only).
7. Corn is harvested, providing increased sight lines for cornering or Bambi-spotting.
8. Opportunity to assess blood-flow to extremities.
9. Battery Tender?  Don't need no stinkin' Battery Tender!
10. OK, I only came up with 9. Help me out!


12/12/10 addendum: The guys at The Pace Podcast read my list on their podcast today, Episode 56. If you're not already a listener, I highly recommend The Pace -- give 'em a listen!

(This old post has been shamelessly recycled, because I care about our environment. Or I'm lazy.)

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posted by Doug Just Doug at 4:46 PM 0 comments

Tuesday, December 04, 2012

ATGATT revised

You're gearing up for your ride -- armored jacket and pants, proper boots, gloves and helmet -- check. Hmmm...what's missing...oh yeah, a PFD (personal flotation device)!




(I deducted half a point for not sticking the landing)

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posted by Doug Just Doug at 3:17 PM 0 comments

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Hits 'n' Misses List, Redux

Last Sunday a turkey buzzard lingered a bit too long on his carrion buffet before lift off. I was surprised to feel the solid whump to my left knee, as buzzards seem reluctant to give up a primo seat at the Roadkill Cafe until the last possible moment (I've even ducked a few times, albeit needlessly) but somehow manage to get out of the way. Perhaps this one failed flight school, or had bad vision. Stopped a while later for fuel, I picked a few feathers out of my cooling fins, but found no blood on either my pants or motorcycle. If nothing else, the 50 MPH impact probably left Beaky mighty sore the next morning.

I've blogged my list of things I've hit or nearly missed/things that have hit or nearly missed me a couple of times, so I figure it's time for an update. New stuff is in red. Please leave a Comment with anything particularly interesting you've hit or missed.

Bullseye!
  • 1 each (amazingly only one) squirrel; he must've been real old 'n' slow
  • bat (mammalian, not baseball) to my left hand on I-95
  • 2 nails, 1 of which was in my motorcycle dealer's parking lot (2 resulting punctured tires)
  • a brake caliper slider pin that some kid down the street lost during a curb-side brake job; guess whose rear tire found it? (flat tires are a theme on this list, no?)
  • drywall screw left by contractors at work (gather 'round and watch Doug plug a tire in the parking lot, in the rain!)
  •  turkey buzzard
"Missed by That Much"
  • many deer (including a few dead ones)
  • large turtles, 2
  • 2 or 3 snakes
  • thousands of squirrels
  • a few dozen chipmunks
  • a few 'possums
  • a few dogs
  • very, very few cats (they don't chase motorcycles like dogs)
  • dozens of college students with cell phones walking into the street
  • 1 young bovine on the loose
  • 5-6 ill-placed orange warning cones
  • a construction barrel blowing around in the wind
  • a large empty plastic kiddie-pool blown by the wind
  • various trash cans and bags of garbage blowing around in the wind
  • 1 water-cooler that flew out of the back of a tradesman's truck
  • the odd piece of lumber
  • dozens of beer bottles
  • lotsa squashed-flat waxed cups (ice has more traction BTW) and soda cans
  • a few Amish buggies
  • a roof from a collapsed small barn (!)
  • fox, 2
  • SUV and Civic that decided to argue with each other right in front of me (see below)

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posted by Doug Just Doug at 2:03 PM 4 comments

Monday, April 30, 2012

Aerostich Catalog 2012

Remember how you felt as a kid when the Sears Christmas "Wish Book" arrived?  Well, that's always been me with the Aerostich catalog. So imagine how I felt when it arrived a few days ago and, with no forewarning, finding a pic of me on the cover. OK, I would've been cool  if the pic were an "action shot" on my motorcycle, or posing somewhere interesting or in super-nasty weather, but "Pogo 'Stiching" will suffice for my 15 minutes of (not quite) fame.




Photo by a daughter who doesn't want her name associated with such silliness.

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posted by Doug Just Doug at 3:14 PM 1 comments

Sunday, April 01, 2012

New Aerostich Inflatable Shade Tree!

Hot off the presses from Riderwearhouse/Aerostich:



New Aerostich Inflatable Shade Tree

The biggest of 156 all-new items in the new 2012 Aerostich/RiderWearHouse catalogs...and a must-have on any road trip. Deploys quickly and converts any barren roadside area into an oasis of shaded respite. Available in four arboreal varieties: Douglas Fir, White Pine, Walnut or Maple. Each inflates to a full-grown 20'x10', yet packs small enough to carry along on every ride. Set-up is fast and easy with optional compressor/inflator. Enjoy nearly instantaneous shade in any environment. A survival aid in arid desert scenarios which makes impromptu repairs tolerable under even the most relentless broiling sun. Rugged Chinese-engineered construction ensures many seasons of trouble free use. Prices start at $309.17, including patch kit, Kevlar guy lines and Ti stakes. Forest pack deal: Fifth tree is free with purchase of four.

Aerostich Inflatable Shade Tree Features:

  • Compact, lightweight portable shade.
  • Four arboreal varieties.
  • No watering needed.
  • Create a shaded oasis almost anywhere.
  • Packs to a conveniently portable 8"x4.5"x1.25".
  • Chinese-engineered, includes repair kit.

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posted by Doug Just Doug at 12:01 AM 0 comments

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Caption This!

Caption this photo or attribute words or thoughts to those pictured (check out the Gold Wing rider!). The two that make me laugh the hardest will get helmet maintenance/storage donuts (US addresses only please). BTW, I shot the pic during last June's Americade motorcycle rally.
(Click on photo to enlarge)


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posted by Doug Just Doug at 12:01 AM 2 comments

Tuesday, December 06, 2011

With Friends Like These...(Funny trail riding video)

posted by Doug Just Doug at 8:32 PM 2 comments

Friday, April 01, 2011

New Gut Wrench Set from Aerostich

The 2011 Aerostich and RiderWearHouse catalog introduces the Gut Wrench, a new type of tool that is equal parts useful and nutritious. The set of six wrenches perform standard bolt-turning duties as well as providing 100% of your daily recommended intake for iron. Each 6 ounce wrench is infused with calories, and is guaranteed to stay with you for miles down the road, unlike a wimpy grocery store energy bar. Ideal for when the trip schedule doesn’t permit time to stop for a bite to eat, or keep a set of Gut Wrenches in your tool kit and you always have an iron-fortified snack at the ready. Each Gut Wrench will provide an immediate weight gain and is a great source of roughage, providing the best intestinal cleanse available. The six wrench set will satiate even the largest appetites and includes an extra assortment of iron fortified bolts, great for a quick rest-stop snack to ward off hunger pangs. Price includes one-time emergency extraction coupon, should you lack the intestinal fortitude for complete digestion (our lawyers made us say that). $34,519.01 per set, specify Metric, Whitworth or American. http://www.aerostich.com/gut-wrench.html


 Gut Wrench Set Features:

  • Dual purpose - useful and nutritious.
  • Makes all other energy bars seem weak.
  • Iron+++.
  • Set of six, for small to large appetites.
  • Immediate weight gain.
  • Intestinal cleansing bar none.

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posted by Doug Just Doug at 12:01 AM 0 comments

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Pogo-'Stiching?

Remember: ATGATT!

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posted by Doug Just Doug at 3:44 PM 1 comments