Taos, NM

I finally got the GS back on Saturday. They didn't find anything wrong with it. They kept it a full week and determined nothing was wrong because they couldn't find anything wrong. They did all sorts of tests and did find some computer issues but nothing that would have caused the stalling issue and nothing that would make it run poorly. So, they said, if it happens again to get as much data about the event as I could and bring it back. Sigh.

So, our planned road trip has been canceled and plan B is being put into action!

Yesterday, I asked my hubby what he wanted to do on our vacation. He said, "I want to ride!" I smiled and asked where he wanted to go. He said, "How about Taos?" I said, "That sounds good." We are a couple of few words. Then the planning began. We stopped at the public library to pick up a few books.

At this moment we are about done packing. I think we'll pack a few sandwiches and some frozen Gatorade for the road. We are planning to head south on highway 285 and skipping the super slab.

Stay tuned!

Sad moto....

So, my moto stalled a couple of times recently. The second time there was some surging or something going on prior to the stall. So, that prompted me to take it to my trusty BMW mechanic. He ran a diagnostic test and found these error codes:

He said this will be warranty work. Unfortunately, he can't do the warranty work. He says I'll have to take it to the dealer because BMW makes it too difficult for him to get paid for warranty work. That made me sad. I like having my bike at his place. Oh well. So, I called Foothills BMW to make an appointment. It's there now. For some reason, they can't pull any codes because they said the computer isn't talking to the machine. They also said something about my bike's computers not talking to the bike. I sent them this image with the codes, on their request. They said they won't be able to tell me much until they can figure out what's up with the computers. And then they'll be able to start to figure out what's making the bike stall.

That was yesterday, when I dropped it off. I haven't heard anything more yet today. I'm getting impatient - I am impatient - and worried for our road trip. I told my hubby this must be payback for all the times I talked trash about his old bike and him always working on it. Sigh. Payback is a bitch.

I'm still working on my write up about the top gun class. My laptop is possessed and won't let me open any programs. I wanted to make some diagrams of the exercises we did. I may just have to post it all as a long text document. Sigh. When it rains, it pours I guess.

And, speaking of... my car is not happy either. The temperature gauge is heading towards high again, for no apparent reason.

My brother says I need a back up Honda Magna in the garage. I think he's right.

Weekend update...

Two days of police style motorcycle training is very very exhausting. I saw a quote on a Facebook friend's page that said "I'm not saying it's going to be easy, I'm saying it's going to be worth it." That was a running specific quote but it helped get me through the second day of this class. More to come soon. I promise.

July 27th marks our 4th wedding anniversary. Last year we traveled to Devils Tower and places nearby. We just sat down to have dinner and to plan this year's trip. It'll be a shorter trip as we have plans for the bookended weekends. So, we'll only be traveling Monday through Friday this time and thus, not as far. We'll be heading east this time and it may or may not involve a large ball of twine....

Later!

Police Style Motorcycle Training

I'm registered for this class. It's tomorrow and Sunday. I'm looking forward to being pushed outside of my comfort zone and learning new things. :-)

Civilian Top Gun Training

Sharpen your slow riding skills and you will greatly improve your overall skills.

This motorcycle riding course, as presented by former police motor officer/trainer Don “Top” Gunn, concentrates on the low-speed maneuvers taught to police officers for the purposes of increasing riding proficiency as well as confidence. Learn to operate a motorcycle at its limits, with emphasis on turning in the smallest area, use of transmission, clutch and brakes for the highest level of control, and practice maximum braking and brake-and-escape maneuvers. Smaller-sized training bikes are used the first day of this two-day course; students are encouraged to use their own (safe, street-legal) bike on the second day. This course is for experienced riders only.

I hope the weather holds. We've been having some pretty wicked thunderstorms this week.I got stuck waiting for one to pass at the end of the work day yesterday. Hubby drove out to meet me for dinner to help pass the time.

I'll report back on the training class in a few days after I process it all. :-)

Successful Braking

I'm investigating taking a motorcycle safety class. I can't decide if I should take another advanced course to get more practice or something different. I'm leaning towards the Civilian Top Gun course. I think it will help me feel more comfortable on the bike. Not that I'm uncomfortable, but I think it will push me out of my comfort zone a little and teach me some things I think I already know.

On the way home today I got to use some of my previous training skills. Leaving Boulder on highway 93, the road heading south out of town is two lanes heading up the hill but merges into one lane just before the intersection with highway 170. There is a stop light here as well. Traffic often becomes backed up because no one in this state knows how to merge. Coming over the hill, with all of the traffic, it's difficult to see ahead. Traffic slowed to a stop very rapidly at this point. It was not quite an emergency stop but it was a quick stop. Not only did I apply enough gradual braking to stop safely, I even maneuvered myself into a position with an escape route. I was able to anticipate the car behind me as I shifted to the right part of the lane near the open shoulder. Everyone managed their own vehicles ok so there wasn't anything really to write about beyond that.

Since I'd been thinking about motorcycle classes and how often I think I should invest in them, this lesson put into practice sort of sealed the deal. Now I just need to find the time and the funds. :-)

Happy Summer!

Ahhh, the first day of summer! It's been beautiful here in and around Boulder. I had only one meeting today and it was around the lunch hour so I didn't make it out for my extended lunch ride up the canyon. Oh well. It was a very busy day at work so the day went by quickly. After work I rode to Chautauqua for a trail run with my good friend. I've said it before and I'll say it again. I really like my side cases. I can fit most of my gear in them when I head out for a run. I lock my helmet and jacket to the bike and away I go! The only difficulty is finding a flat spot to park the bike where it either won't tip over or where I can get it off the side stand when I'm ready to go.

There are quite a few new bikes in the lot at work. And almost all of us have side cases. It makes parking interesting. So far no problems though. The day I was the last moto in the lot was a little tricky but I managed ok. There's even a new yellow GS with caribou cases at work now. I don't know who it belongs to but it looks like it's seen some action. If I had yellow cases, we'd be mirror images of each other.

As I was gearing up to leave today, I had a long conversation with a guy on a bicycle who was registered for the moto safety class this weekend. He asked me all sorts of questions about what it's like to commute. He seemed like a bright kid who would enjoy a motorcycle. I wished him good luck and told him to have fun and bring lots of water because it was going to be a hot weekend.

Not too much more going on these days other than the commute. Life is good. Motorcycling and running does a body and soul good. :-)

Honda Magna....some day, my next moto....

I've been on travel, both for work and for vacation, for about 3 weeks. So, I haven't had much time in the saddle of my GS lately. Even before I left for my work trip to Fairbanks, I hadn't been riding very much. I think it was the weather or too busy or something. I don't really remember. And it isn't important now. Now, the weather has warmed, the days are longer, and the campus is on summer hours, which means less traffic during the morning and evening rush hours.

I traveled to the University of Alaska in Fairbanks. (Apologies to Richard for not getting in touch.) I worked a lot and didn't get to do much vacationing. I did manage to run a 5K while there. No motorcycling though. :-)

My vacation to Atlanta did allow for some motorcycling. :-)  I visited my brother who recently purchased a 1994 Honda Magna. Oh yeah! He rode his CBR and I rode the Magna. I've always wanted a Magna but have only ever sat on one once at the dealership. So, my experience with them has been non-existent. I'm not even sure why I've fallen in love with this old moto. Well... I am now. :-)

Here is my big brother checking the tire pressure before our ride. The yellow Magna is so sweet! His CBR is in the back.

Look at how happy I am!

 I have so much motorcycle gear, I mailed my boots, jacket, and gloves. I also carried on my helmet and left it behind for future visits.

Ahhh.... it's such a comfortable motorcycle. :-)

We managed one ride the day after I arrived. Then we celebrated my mother's birthday the next day. The day after that we drove to Indianapolis to attend the Indy 500. Oh, did I mention that?  Here we are outside the gate ready with our tickets. And here's a view of me from our seats.

On the way to our seats we spotted this beauty.

It was our fourth time going. Awesome! Next time we will have to ride there now that my brother has the Magna. He can ride the Magna and I'll rent something.

I happened to be back in Atlanta in time for Bike Night downtown. My brother and some of his buddies occasionally hang out at this event. It was pretty fun to be a part of that scene. We don't do much of that at home. I'm not sure why. It's mostly sport bikes on display there. I rode the Magna again. :-)

By the time I got home, I'd been away from my GS for a long time. The day after I got home, my hubby and I rode 170 miles visiting his sister and brother-in-law. She just bought a 2011 G650GS. Woot! Unfortunately, they are about to move farther away from us. Boo! Here's her shiny new red GS.

 
I was quite exhausted from all the traveling but have been commuting fearlessly since I've been back (3 days). I'm getting used to the GS again after being on the Magna. My little GS did feel quite under powered and slow at first but... I still love it. Ok, gotta go search Craig's List for my own yellow Magna to add to the fleet. My brother needs a bike to ride when he comes to visit us in Colorado! ;-)