Miles Per Dollar

Apparently it costs me less than one dollar each way to commute to work in my car (MP$ Calculator). Oddly enough, it costs slightly more (but still less than a dollar each way) to ride my bike to work because I put better gas in my bike than my car.

I’m very close to restoring my motorcycle to nearly dead-stock this winter just to improve the mileage. I probably won’t but I’m considering it. I probably won’t because it’s really my weight that’s the problem. I know lots of skinny guys with similar mods to their bikes who get 10mpg more than I do.

Resignation

Unfortunately the title doesn’t refer to my day job after winning the lottery. ::sigh:

Last night I resigned as moderator of “The Lounge” forum on BonnevilleAmerica.com. With all the stuff going on in my personal life (and in my brain), I decided I need to eliminate as many things possible in my life that are causing, rather than alleviating, stress. With all the BS going on in that forum and the site in general, it was a somewhat easy choice. (Ironically, today, the remaining moderators have decided to ban discussions of politics and religion, which have been tearing the site apart. Too late. I’m back in the ranks of the plebes.)

Simplify. Simplify. Simplify.

Hit the road, Jack

I’m bummed. Wistful, even. I want to hit the road again. During my trips to British Columbia and Idaho last month I really got in the groove. My bike and my gear are sufficiently sorted out and comfortable for the first time in over 4 years. I seriously think I could have ridden cross-country, literally, time, family and money notwithstanding.

I see all these posers and jackholes riding through town as I’m commuting to and from the office, most on their way to or from Sturgis and I’m jealous. No, I don’t want to go to Sturgis, I just want to go …somewhere. Anywhere. Most specifically not Sturgis, not right now – too many people.

Now, how can I make a living doing that?

Sturgis

I went to Sturgis in ’02, the first year I had my first (and so far only) motorcycle. The only way I could see going back to Sturgis is one of the following:

• I have a friend who is new to motorcycling and wants me to go with, much like my friends did for me.
• I have a girlfriend who wants to see the spectacle (unlikely, but possible).
• There is a band performing at the Chip that I badly want to see and there’s little chance of them performing somewhere else in the region (like the Gorge, Billings or Missoula).
• I decide to buy a non-Triumph motorcycle and want to take a bunch of test rides in a short period of time. I say non-Triumph because there’s probably only 2-3 Triumphs I’d buy and I’ve already ridden all of them. But I can’t really see buying something other than a Triumph unless we’re talking the 4th or 5th bike in my stable.

That’s pretty much it. Even for most of those reasons, especially the last one, it’s way too much of a pain in the arse. I’d like to go off-season some day just to do some riding in the Black Hills. It’s beautiful country.

No Montana Ride for the PGR

So apparently the Baucus Family, who recently lost a member in Iraq, doesn’t want the Patriot Guard Riders to show up. That’s a shame. I hope those Westborough Wackos show the same respect for the family’s wishes (but I doubt they will).