*** continued from previous post ***
We settled back, each in our own silence, the bike humming beneath us. The drone of the engine was rhythmic - melodic. A soft purring lullaby that, were I not running on adrenaline, would have made me sleepy.
We continued on for about 10 minutes, both of us relaxing by the yard, and finally able to appreciate the beauty that surrounded us as we broke from trees to meadow and back to forest again. There was a small creek running through the valley, and a series of postcard like lakes nestled in the low spots. I had hope. So did your Mom, I could feel it in the way she held onto my sides.
We came around a particularly tight corner, the bike slipping sideways a bit as we rounded the apex, and something caught my eye. The stands of trees on my left were sparse with lots of brush and grass in between. The stand on my right was much thicker and denser, almost shutting out what little light was left. I noticed something on my left, and about 20 feet, (Yes FEET! Screw metrics!), off the road.
"Hmmmmm. . . .", I said to myself, "Why would someone park a rusted '57 Buick up here? That seems odd."
I got a little closer and chuckled to myself. Oh my silly, tired, eyes were playing tricks on me. That wasn't a '57 Buick, it was a van abandoned in the woods.
A little closer and I realized that it wasn't an auto at all, but a large, reddish-brown boulder. Which made much more sense except for one thing - the boulder was moving. Rather quickly. And towards us.
And another odd thing . . . this boulder had legs.
Now, I know that things are a tad different up in Canada, but not so different that rocks walk about all by themselves. The only time I saw that was once in the '70s. And I may have been - well, let's just leave that story for another day.
So what fresh madness was this?
*** the journey continues ***
Senin, 14 Maret 2011
Sabtu, 12 Maret 2011
Checking in
I am still on my self enforced break from riding to try and get my hands mended. I think I am winning.
In the mean time I have put the bike in to get some work down on it. I am getting some polishing done, the rim edges and engine covers like the Japanese model has done and also I am getting a custom exhaust installed. These things are coming along and I hope I will be back riding in April.
I
In the mean time I have put the bike in to get some work down on it. I am getting some polishing done, the rim edges and engine covers like the Japanese model has done and also I am getting a custom exhaust installed. These things are coming along and I hope I will be back riding in April.
I
Polar Bear Grand Tour - Bahr's Landing, Highlands, NJ on 3/6/2011
Check out pictures and videos of the 17th motorcycle run of the Polar Bear Grand Tour season to Bahr's Landing in Highlands, NJ on March 6, 2011.
Jumat, 11 Maret 2011
Yamaha XS-V1 Sakura, 2007
Yamaha XS-V1 Sakura, 2007
Engine type=Air-cooled 4-stroke OHC
Cylinder arrangement=V-twin 2-cylinder
Fuel supply system=Electronic fuel injection
The "XS-V1 Sakura" is a symbol of our long-nurtured corporate philosophy. The a V-twin sport model with a look of "Japanese style" in the image of Yamaha's first 4-stroke model, the XS-1 (650cc), released in 1970. Its design is full of XS-1 DNA, in its simplicity and functional beauty and finds new refinement in a retro-modern aesthetic. It is a model that proposes a very Yamaha and very The Japanese vision of premium motorcycling life, bringing together the unique characteristics of a 1,000cc air-cooled, V-twin model with its strong pulse feeling and easy-going running performance in a finely crafted body that is lightweight and slim and defined by a low seat height.
Cylinder arrangement=V-twin 2-cylinder
Fuel supply system=Electronic fuel injection
The "XS-V1 Sakura" is a symbol of our long-nurtured corporate philosophy. The a V-twin sport model with a look of "Japanese style" in the image of Yamaha's first 4-stroke model, the XS-1 (650cc), released in 1970. Its design is full of XS-1 DNA, in its simplicity and functional beauty and finds new refinement in a retro-modern aesthetic. It is a model that proposes a very Yamaha and very The Japanese vision of premium motorcycling life, bringing together the unique characteristics of a 1,000cc air-cooled, V-twin model with its strong pulse feeling and easy-going running performance in a finely crafted body that is lightweight and slim and defined by a low seat height.
Yamaha Wolverine 450, 2009
Yamaha Wolverine 450, 2009
The Wolverine 450 is by far the sportiest 4x4 we've ever produced. With the bulletproof liquid cooled 450cc engine right out of the Kodiak, on command 4 wheel drive, sport radial tires and agressive looks, this Wolverine is designed for the true sport exploring enthusiast.
One that has on-command 4wd for those moments when you need serious traction, but handles more like a sport bike in 2wd. Well look no further. The Wolverine 450 sets the standard for sport exploring. This versatile, go anywhere ATV has 450 class power with revised sport suspension settings and a rear swing arm that allows flatter handling in virtually all conditions. With aggressive looks derived from our awesome Raptor lineup, you'll stand out from the crowd no matter where your ride ends up.
The features and the benefits:
-Liquid-cooled 450 class power.
Ultramatic single range transmission with engine brake and automotive style transmission lock parking mechanism. (F / N / R / P)
-Fully independent double-wishbone front suspension combined with a rear swing-arm to give a more progressive feel for sport trail riding.
-Aggressive sport styling derived from our famous Raptor lineup.
-A digital information centre LCD display for speed, odometer and 4wd / 2wd position, as well as LED warning lamps.
-Maxxis All-Terrain Radial tires mounted on newly designed 12" aluminum wheels.
-Dual 30W Krypton Multireflector Headlights, right off the YFZ 450
-A sporty seat designed for comfort and maneuverability.
-Internal engine counter-balancer minimizes engine vibration to rider.
-Dual hydraulic disk brakes based on Kodiak 450
-Large wide footboards for better versatility
-Sealed marine-style electrical connectors prevent water from entering electrical components and wiring.
-Convenient push-button electric starter works in any gear.
High-capacity cooling system with high-mounted fan-cooled radiator for consistent engine performance, excellent durability and protection from sticks and rocks.
One that has on-command 4wd for those moments when you need serious traction, but handles more like a sport bike in 2wd. Well look no further. The Wolverine 450 sets the standard for sport exploring. This versatile, go anywhere ATV has 450 class power with revised sport suspension settings and a rear swing arm that allows flatter handling in virtually all conditions. With aggressive looks derived from our awesome Raptor lineup, you'll stand out from the crowd no matter where your ride ends up.
The features and the benefits:
-Liquid-cooled 450 class power.
Ultramatic single range transmission with engine brake and automotive style transmission lock parking mechanism. (F / N / R / P)
-Fully independent double-wishbone front suspension combined with a rear swing-arm to give a more progressive feel for sport trail riding.
-Aggressive sport styling derived from our famous Raptor lineup.
-A digital information centre LCD display for speed, odometer and 4wd / 2wd position, as well as LED warning lamps.
-Maxxis All-Terrain Radial tires mounted on newly designed 12" aluminum wheels.
-Dual 30W Krypton Multireflector Headlights, right off the YFZ 450
-A sporty seat designed for comfort and maneuverability.
-Internal engine counter-balancer minimizes engine vibration to rider.
-Dual hydraulic disk brakes based on Kodiak 450
-Large wide footboards for better versatility
-Sealed marine-style electrical connectors prevent water from entering electrical components and wiring.
-Convenient push-button electric starter works in any gear.
High-capacity cooling system with high-mounted fan-cooled radiator for consistent engine performance, excellent durability and protection from sticks and rocks.
Kamis, 10 Maret 2011
It Can't Be Far Now
*** continued from previous post ***
As we progressed the road curved to the right, and I thought for a moment that we were going to skirt the back side of the cliff and escape the water all together but . . . no. It swung back on itself and headed straight for where the water met the cliff. Fine. Drowning seemed like a fairly quick death of which I was sure your Mother would agree, so I pushed on.
Fortunately, the road didn't end! HA! Our luck was improving! I hadn't been able to see, but the road actually skirted between the cliff and the lake! Now here is what made it so weird - the level of the lake was possibly an inch below the road level. Lake on one side, cliff on the other, it looked like we were driving on water. It may have been exhaustion or hypothermia, but it was one of the most bizarre optical illusions I've ever encountered. It actually made my stomach flutter.
Mom leaned forward and said, "Well, this is just unreal. It feels like we're driving on the lake."
Yes. Yes it does.
We drove on and on around the lake for what seemed like an eternity, but was probably more like 4 minutes. Or 17.6 Kiloseconds. Whatever. The point being it was long enough. Up ahead I saw that the lake ended, as well as the cliff, and the road, (Yay!), continued on through an extraordinarily beautiful meadow. I breathed a sigh of relief. Which immediately fogged my glasses and I didn't tell your Mom but for the last quarter mile or so I was driving purely on instinct. I don't think she would have appreciated, nor been amused by my mad riding skills.
As we traveled further from the lake the road improved a bit. Now there were brief sections where there were no washboards and the gravel was packed down firmly. I bumped the speed up a few notches. The Lodge couldn't be far now.
We began to climb a little, and the road deteriorated once again. The path became narrower, and instead of lush meadow we were heading into a stand of forest. Big trees on each side with the road cutting a swath between them.
I leaned back, "You doing okay Babe?"
"Yeah. Fine. Funny, 2 hours ago riding on this part of the road would have scared me to death. After coming through what we just did, it seems like a well maintained freeway."
I nodded in agreement. "I'm exhausted, but the place can't be too far now."
Yes. The place can't be far now. That became my mantra.
*** the journey continues ***
As we progressed the road curved to the right, and I thought for a moment that we were going to skirt the back side of the cliff and escape the water all together but . . . no. It swung back on itself and headed straight for where the water met the cliff. Fine. Drowning seemed like a fairly quick death of which I was sure your Mother would agree, so I pushed on.
Fortunately, the road didn't end! HA! Our luck was improving! I hadn't been able to see, but the road actually skirted between the cliff and the lake! Now here is what made it so weird - the level of the lake was possibly an inch below the road level. Lake on one side, cliff on the other, it looked like we were driving on water. It may have been exhaustion or hypothermia, but it was one of the most bizarre optical illusions I've ever encountered. It actually made my stomach flutter.
Mom leaned forward and said, "Well, this is just unreal. It feels like we're driving on the lake."
Yes. Yes it does.
We drove on and on around the lake for what seemed like an eternity, but was probably more like 4 minutes. Or 17.6 Kiloseconds. Whatever. The point being it was long enough. Up ahead I saw that the lake ended, as well as the cliff, and the road, (Yay!), continued on through an extraordinarily beautiful meadow. I breathed a sigh of relief. Which immediately fogged my glasses and I didn't tell your Mom but for the last quarter mile or so I was driving purely on instinct. I don't think she would have appreciated, nor been amused by my mad riding skills.
As we traveled further from the lake the road improved a bit. Now there were brief sections where there were no washboards and the gravel was packed down firmly. I bumped the speed up a few notches. The Lodge couldn't be far now.
We began to climb a little, and the road deteriorated once again. The path became narrower, and instead of lush meadow we were heading into a stand of forest. Big trees on each side with the road cutting a swath between them.
I leaned back, "You doing okay Babe?"
"Yeah. Fine. Funny, 2 hours ago riding on this part of the road would have scared me to death. After coming through what we just did, it seems like a well maintained freeway."
I nodded in agreement. "I'm exhausted, but the place can't be too far now."
Yes. The place can't be far now. That became my mantra.
*** the journey continues ***
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