13-SEP-2010
Day 256 - Sidi Adventure Rain
(987/365)
My Sidi Adventure Rain's arrived today at work. They came in around 10am [ish]. I immediately put them on and wore them for the rest of the day.
At about 2PM I was going to take them off when I realized I could put my custom orthotics (special insoles for my crappy feet) in them which made them more snug and more comfortable.
It took about 2 to 3 miles of riding to get used to the new shifting feel. I'm not used to the rear brake feel (in fact, I almost locked up my rear on the way home this evening as I can't "fell it" yet).
I am really amazed at how the slightest change to my riding gear, style, etc affects me. I think it is because I ride every day and I get into a groove (rut?).
As soon as I got home, I fired up the KLX and took it for a spin to see how shifting was affected. For some reason, it was much easier to shift (they probably expect riders to wear MX style boots anyway).
Cool item #2 arrives tomorrow.
12-SEP-2010
Day 255 - Finally
(986/365)
This is probably the longest amout of time I ever spent on a motorcycle project ;-) I figured it would take me about an hour to install the Barkbusters & new Beemer Sportgrips. Wow was I wrong. I spent an hour yesterday, then about 8 hours today. Granted today I had to head out to a number of various stores in search of the correct Tap (8mm - 1.25) then later I needed to pick up shorter 8MM Bolts (which I had in my hand earler that day when I located the correct Tap and said "Nah, I won't need these!").
I really like the grips now, the Kawasucky grips weren't too hot. I also like the fact that I've shed the "Shrek Ears" and have a more "Dirt-looking" set of handguards now.
I am using this particular image for today's PaD to show the front break line (to the left) that was originally routed through the guard. After riding around the yard (which was a lot more fun than I'd originally expected), I realized it was rubbing way too much so I had to remove the left guard (again) and re-route the front brake line (had to pull the front fairing off to get at that clamp that was fixed to the tripletree bolts).
I am expecting to see a +3 HP gain from these (whether that is "Horse Power" or "Hit Points", I am not sure yet)
11-SEP-2010
Day 254 - New Toy
(985/365)
Finally broke down and got a Compressor. I have been eying the DeWalt D55168 for quite some time and decided to go for it today. For the first time in a long time, all the tires on our vehicles have equal pressure now.
The tank goes to 200 PSI, the regulator goes to about 140 PSI.
10-SEP-2010
Day 253 - Spring
(984/365)
Well, technically it is a "Slinky" but Spring sounds better (really, it does). I think I have reached the conclusion that I hate pizza now. It just worked out that I had pizza every day but Wednesday this week. I am ready for more nutritious food like chips and beer now.
09-SEP-2010
Day 252 - Jacket
(983/365)
I am pretty tired tonight, I made it to my first meeting at the
Seacoast Trail Riders and while I am pretty pysched to start riding some trails, I am just plain tired from today, this week, whatever it is that is making me tired.
This is an arm of my current Olympia Voyager jacket (never been washed, no really, never been washed ;-) It is a tough color (neon) to photograph, it is pretty much this bright in real life (the goal is to be seen).
08-SEP-2010
Day 251 - Eye See
(982/365)
So I am back to looking at a 'Stich (One Piece). I know I have to get new gear and I've had a 'Stich before, though it was the wrong size (too large) and it leaked in the crotch (I didn't know to apply seam sealer). I will go 'round and 'round on this for sure.
07-SEP-2010
Day 250 - Snack
(980/365)
Provided the cats don't get to it, this is my evening snack. It is ice cream with some odd processing done (to the photo, not the ice cream). I stumbled onto it while we were camping, I wasn't informed of its existence so I have to believe it is a secret. Don't tell anyone that I am stealing some tonight.
06-SEP-2010
Day 249 - KC, Kala, and Keyboard
(979/365)
KC missed Kala this past weekend. She spent a lot of time today beside her after we got back from camping. I was actually looking for KC just before this shot, I didn't realize she was beside Kala on the computer.
05-SEP-2010
Day 248 - Ben & Jacob
(979/365)
The boys are posing before we pack up.
04-SEP-2010
Day 247 - Campfire Scene
(978/365)
And on the third night, there was fire. The first two nights were too hot for a campfire, it got into the 50's (well after the campfire) this evening so we gathered around the fire ring.
I broke out the tripod for this and a few other types of shots this evening. I was trying to get as much of the deep blue sky in.
03-SEP-2010
Day 246 - Roughing It
(977/365)
My daughter on her MacBook in the wilderness (ok a camping Resort with WIFI).
She is wearing designer glasses (I think this is what they are called). She doesn't have prescription glasses and I am pretty sure these aren't magnified. She got them because they are purple.
02-SEP-2010
Day 245 - Labor Day Camping
(976/365)
We got in late again this year, backing into the site around 9PM [ish]. I broke out the tripod and took a few shots of the camper lit up at night. It was pretty hot out, too hot for a campfire. People were milling around one of my cousin's campers and catching up. I chose this photo out of a batch of about ten of varying exposures. This is a 15 second exposure, I had a few 20 second exposures with me walking around and ghosting myself into the photo. I chose this one, however, because of the image in the screen door (look low). Our dog, Fox Mulder, stood there watching me for 15 seconds. He was so still that a 100% crop is only a little soft (he does move). I couldn't believe he watched me without moving that long.