National Geographic Shwag

National Geographic's Guide to Scenic Byways. Don't spend 20 bucks on Amazon. Get it for free. Don't forget to uncheck the email boxes at the bottom of the request page.

Short Sunday Ride

E and I decided to take advantage of the great weather and head out east for a nice motorcycle ride.

After sleeping late, we took I-20 out of town. We got off the freeway quickly, heading past the Georgia International Horse Park first. On to Jersey, where we were able to find gas, if only regular. We bypassed Social Circle and kept going.

Once we got to Rutledge, we had lunch at Yesterday's Cafe. Oh, my. Crowder peas, collards, and squash casserole. The collards were pretty much the best I have ever had, and we soaked our excellent cornbread in the pot likker.

A very nice day. We rode about 130 miles and only had to u-turn once when the route I designed turned to dirt.

And Yet Another Music Deal

Another good deal on a classic album. This time it isn't Appalachian music like the post just previous. It's Led Zeppelin IV! Kind of fitting, considering the name of my bike (see the title bar of this blog). This one has the eight minute version of Stairway to Heaven.

Little Sparrow

Dolly. Excellent Appalachian music. I know this album enhances a ride. I listen often. The link to Amazon has a bargain price.

Double Bubble Acres

I want to go to the Microcar Museum. It's only about 50 miles from Atlanta.




Alas, Double Bubble Acres is only open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

Check out the last item on the video page. Vespas!

Route Testing

Elements of the NGRATPack attended a planning meeting for the Dream House 500 this morning. After a lovely breakfast that included a five gallon bucket of gravy and deep fried bacon (that was just Bill's plate), we tested the afternoon legs of the 2008 route. Some of us had to punt a few pickup trucks out of our lanes, but we did make it to Rider's Hill in the afternoon.

We saw our third Spyder of the day there.


We had to punt one of those, too. I'm getting less enamoured of the darn things everytime I have to pass one.

Classical Music for Your Motorcycle

Mahler, Strozzi, Saint-Saens? I hear Passionato is the new place to go. DRM-free, with good prices. I have only downloaded my ten (really thirteen) free tracks, after signing up. All of the free tracks are lovely, and at CD-quality. I will continue to test this site.



I bet the east end of Warwoman Road would be even better while listening to Rimsky-Korsakov.

Tiny Tire Pump

Just get it.

The Cycle Pump Adventure replaces those pesky CO2 cartridges with aplomb.

I have had mine for about a year. I tested it once when I first got it. I've had to use it twice on the road. Both bikes got home on time. Enough said.

Woolie also sells it at about the same price as Whitehorse Press. After your Club discount, he might even be cheaper.

Edit: It will take a tire from flat to full inflation in about two minutes. This pump is not just a stop-gap to get you to the next gas station.

New iPod Weatherproof Case (Plus More)

Here's another weatherproof iPod case for bicycles that could be used on a motorcycle. The iBike Console is about the same cost as the H2O Audio case I use, but it offers some odd remote control units that might work nicely.

If I didn't already have the H2O, I would try this. Seventy six bucks.

Farkle Lust

I lust after the Garmin 376C. Fellow riders who have them are able to avoid rain and listen to college football games on Saturdays. I covet. I want to enter my credit card data at GPS City.

Benefit Ride

The Ride for BBQ Benefit was also a success, but my picture-taking skills leave a lot to be desired. I think that is Jane hiding behind Bill's topcase.

I started out getting a new tire at BMW Motorcycles of Atlanta. After a very nice cuppa and a test ride of an electric scoot, I was on my way to the Cumming Fairgrounds. There I met several RATPack members, and Jackie and a guy who probably doesn't like me much - I was in quite the irreverent form while slurping up BBQ and stew.

After lunch, we were treated to a very nice ride led by the Admiral. On 60 north of Suches, we were passed by a Kawasaki Green Kawasaki, ridden by a leather clad color coordinated hotshot. I CANNOT resist what Bill coined as "catch and release," so I went after him. I shadowed him until it was time for me to turn off. He was quite smooth. We never got over 70 that I noticed, but we also never used our brakes, either.

All in all, a great day. The food, roads and company were, as alway, above average.

Join us tomorrow at Alpha Soda for a secret ride. I gotta go print maps and finish making my White Bean Turkey Chili.

BBQ Benefit Ride Saturday, September 6, 2008

Join the RATPack for breakfast, then a BBQ benefit lunch, then a nice ride in the mountains. The lunch is a fundraiser to help pay uncovered medical expenses for the wife of Jeff Anderson, a member of the BMW Motorcycle Owners of Georgia.

Meet at the Palace Bagel at 9:00 AM, Saturday, September 6, 2008.

Countersteering Exposed!

Attached to this post is a very good basic explanation of countersteering.



Most of us know about this. Pay it forward.

Funny GS Video

A short, cute video from YouTube. And an experiment in embedding video.