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46
Off Topic / What trumps riding?
« on: January 27, 2013, 07:51:34 AM »
What trumps riding for you? Good music is one of a few things that I enjoy more.
Good music
Good music
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| http://s950.photobucket.com/albums/ad343/tgyeti/?action=view¤t=perfectdaympg.mp4 | |
51
General Banter / New MSF "Guidlines"
« on: July 06, 2012, 12:16:21 PM »
Swiped off Richard's Facebook,
Quote,
"Gathering Visual Information
Does a motorcycle go where its rider looks? No; this is a common misconception. If this were true, a rider could simply avoid a crash by looking elsewhere. And a rider would swerve every time a blind spot was checked or he/she looked at scenery off to the side. Reality requires switching the words around a bit: “A rider should look where he wants the motorcycle to go.” Not because looking will aim the motorcycle, but because you need to gather visual information and evaluate the path to assist in your navigation. Turning your head in the direction of the turn helps you form a good visual picture, but to cause a motorcycle to move from a straight path of travel, there must be some physical input – the handlebars normally must be moved.
A rider should look in the general direction of the turn but move his eyes throughout the intended path: scan side to side and near to far, keeping eyes up and looking through the entire curve. Those who fixate on a given point in the distance might miss certain factors that are important for safety, such as surface conditions or objects in (or heading into) their immediate path of travel. (like gravel!)
As you approach a curve, evaluate radius, lane width, camber, surface condition, other traffic, etc. Is the entire curve visible? Does it get tighter? Is there an escape area like a paved shoulder? Select a good lane position for the smoothest line through the corner, and choose an appropriate entry speed so you won’t need to brake while leaned over. Keep throttle, steering and braking inputs smooth. Be ready for any changes in the curve, such as surface conditions and other traffic. And increase speed only as you straighten up when the curve begins to straighten out.
Curves are where most single-vehicle motorcycle crashes occur. Don’t be a “sightseer” in curves; be an active participant in the task at hand.
©2011 Motorcycle Safety Foundation. Publications can reprint this MSF Safety Tip as-is by including the credit line "Reprinted courtesy of Motorcycle Safety Foundation, msf-usa.org" and sending a hard copy of the publication in which it appears
End Quote
I've been advocating this for years. I'm pleased to have some vindication of my position though I acknowledge this formula won't ring true for every rider.
Thoughts? Arguments?
Quote,
"Gathering Visual Information
Does a motorcycle go where its rider looks? No; this is a common misconception. If this were true, a rider could simply avoid a crash by looking elsewhere. And a rider would swerve every time a blind spot was checked or he/she looked at scenery off to the side. Reality requires switching the words around a bit: “A rider should look where he wants the motorcycle to go.” Not because looking will aim the motorcycle, but because you need to gather visual information and evaluate the path to assist in your navigation. Turning your head in the direction of the turn helps you form a good visual picture, but to cause a motorcycle to move from a straight path of travel, there must be some physical input – the handlebars normally must be moved.
A rider should look in the general direction of the turn but move his eyes throughout the intended path: scan side to side and near to far, keeping eyes up and looking through the entire curve. Those who fixate on a given point in the distance might miss certain factors that are important for safety, such as surface conditions or objects in (or heading into) their immediate path of travel. (like gravel!)
As you approach a curve, evaluate radius, lane width, camber, surface condition, other traffic, etc. Is the entire curve visible? Does it get tighter? Is there an escape area like a paved shoulder? Select a good lane position for the smoothest line through the corner, and choose an appropriate entry speed so you won’t need to brake while leaned over. Keep throttle, steering and braking inputs smooth. Be ready for any changes in the curve, such as surface conditions and other traffic. And increase speed only as you straighten up when the curve begins to straighten out.
Curves are where most single-vehicle motorcycle crashes occur. Don’t be a “sightseer” in curves; be an active participant in the task at hand.
©2011 Motorcycle Safety Foundation. Publications can reprint this MSF Safety Tip as-is by including the credit line "Reprinted courtesy of Motorcycle Safety Foundation, msf-usa.org" and sending a hard copy of the publication in which it appears
End Quote
I've been advocating this for years. I'm pleased to have some vindication of my position though I acknowledge this formula won't ring true for every rider.
Thoughts? Arguments?
52
General Banter / To bug, or not to bug
« on: June 16, 2012, 08:08:00 AM »
You know how the experts talk about having a ritual to make sure you get into a "riding frame of mind" before you ride? One of my rituals is to clean my bike.
But should a person "de-bug" the leathers? Aren't our bug carcases earned badges of courage? If we de-bug, we look snazy. But on the other hand, we tread on posing territory.
Oh the dilemma. 1st world problems ... as they say.
Carcase G
But should a person "de-bug" the leathers? Aren't our bug carcases earned badges of courage? If we de-bug, we look snazy. But on the other hand, we tread on posing territory.
Oh the dilemma. 1st world problems ... as they say.
Carcase G
53
General Banter / I doubt he'll mind ....
« on: April 30, 2012, 09:49:13 PM »
that I swiped this off Facebook and posted it here
This man has walked the walk in so many ways. Until my end days I doubt few other pictures will embody the bond between men and machines as well as this picture does. Kudos to Vince on the new toy.
*note the trophies*
This man has walked the walk in so many ways. Until my end days I doubt few other pictures will embody the bond between men and machines as well as this picture does. Kudos to Vince on the new toy.
*note the trophies*
54
Off Topic / an idiot abroad / the bucket list
« on: April 07, 2012, 08:23:14 PM »
The 2nd season of this just ended. Anyone watch it? Brutally dark British humor. I laughed until I cried almost every episode. 
Science channel
Science channel
55
Off Topic / Comparative Risk
« on: February 16, 2012, 11:27:47 AM »
My wife and I saw this when it was originally shown on 60 Minutes back in October. I remember my palms sweating (honestly) while watching this guy climbing.
No hooks, ropes, cleats, spikes, nada! Brings to mind the fact that perception of risk is often very subjective.
No hooks, ropes, cleats, spikes, nada! Brings to mind the fact that perception of risk is often very subjective.
56
Off Topic / Shades of gray
« on: January 06, 2012, 08:04:09 AM »
I thought I'd start a "Friday post wh*re thread" with some substance ......
I remember my father saying, "As I've gotten older, I realize the less I know". As I've gotten older, I'm coming to believe that as well. Some things in life that I thought were "etched in stone" I'm finding (at least through my eyes) are not so clear.
Which leads me to this topic involving family / ethics / moral dilemma: At what point would you drop a dime (throw under the bus, rat out, call the cops) on a family member? For me, that moral line is if their crime involved killing or severely hurting someone.
Here's the break down for me:
1. Premeditated murder.
A. I'd turn them in.
2. Involuntary manslaughter (the punch someone, that person fell over and hit their head and died.
A. I would encourage them to turn themselves in, but I don't know that I would do so.
3. They raped an adult or child.
A. I'd turn them in.
4. They embezzled $1,000,000 from their employer and flew to Belize.
A. I'd encourage them to return the cash, and I might stop seeing them until they do so, but I don't think I'd turn them in.
5. They robbed a bank at gun point.
A. This is a tough one. Was it a real gun? Then I probably would turn them in. Was it a fake gun? If they promised not to do it again (yea, like I'm going to believe them?) I might not turn them in, but I would probably shun them from my life.
I guess the defining line for me might be ...... was it a crime against property or a crime against persons? But of course, one can make the argument that any crime against society is a crime against "persons" as a whole.
And also, I'd like to stress that just because I wouldn't drop a dime on them, doesn't mean I'm endorsing their actions. I guess the point of this topic stater is to point out that "moral curve" and where the demarcations lines are different for all of us.
What are your lines that family can't cross?
10% outlaw,
Greg
I remember my father saying, "As I've gotten older, I realize the less I know". As I've gotten older, I'm coming to believe that as well. Some things in life that I thought were "etched in stone" I'm finding (at least through my eyes) are not so clear.
Which leads me to this topic involving family / ethics / moral dilemma: At what point would you drop a dime (throw under the bus, rat out, call the cops) on a family member? For me, that moral line is if their crime involved killing or severely hurting someone.
Here's the break down for me:
1. Premeditated murder.
A. I'd turn them in.
2. Involuntary manslaughter (the punch someone, that person fell over and hit their head and died.
A. I would encourage them to turn themselves in, but I don't know that I would do so.
3. They raped an adult or child.
A. I'd turn them in.
4. They embezzled $1,000,000 from their employer and flew to Belize.
A. I'd encourage them to return the cash, and I might stop seeing them until they do so, but I don't think I'd turn them in.
5. They robbed a bank at gun point.
A. This is a tough one. Was it a real gun? Then I probably would turn them in. Was it a fake gun? If they promised not to do it again (yea, like I'm going to believe them?) I might not turn them in, but I would probably shun them from my life.
I guess the defining line for me might be ...... was it a crime against property or a crime against persons? But of course, one can make the argument that any crime against society is a crime against "persons" as a whole.
And also, I'd like to stress that just because I wouldn't drop a dime on them, doesn't mean I'm endorsing their actions. I guess the point of this topic stater is to point out that "moral curve" and where the demarcations lines are different for all of us.
What are your lines that family can't cross?
10% outlaw,
Greg
57
Off Topic / Stumbleupon.com
« on: December 30, 2011, 11:40:29 AM »
Bored silly at work. I drew the short straw and had to work today. (As you'll see, I'm not giving it my all today. Bad Greg)
I stumbled upon (pun intended) this site a few months ago. Stumbleupon.com You program in a wide selection of interests you have in life, and then the program takes you to web pages you probably haven't seen before.
This page came up. Pretty cool to me ....
http://www.thisiscolossal.com/2011/12/carved-book-landscapes-by-guy-laramee/
I stumbled upon (pun intended) this site a few months ago. Stumbleupon.com You program in a wide selection of interests you have in life, and then the program takes you to web pages you probably haven't seen before.
This page came up. Pretty cool to me ....
http://www.thisiscolossal.com/2011/12/carved-book-landscapes-by-guy-laramee/
58
Off Topic / The real thing
« on: December 22, 2011, 11:08:16 AM »
Winter solstice, Judeo-Christian, Frank's Pagan Religion of Love and Broccoli, or none at all.
Hold something more important than yourself.
Apple Trees, honey bees, snow white turtle doves.
Happy Holidays, hooligans. .
Hold something more important than yourself.
Apple Trees, honey bees, snow white turtle doves.
Happy Holidays, hooligans. .
59
Off Topic / Mountain bike clip
« on: December 19, 2011, 07:45:46 PM »
A cycling buddy posted this on Facebook. I'm glad I'm now too old to dare try this .... though it makes for some sweaty palms just watching it! 
(get past the first 30 seconds ... it gets better)
(get past the first 30 seconds ... it gets better)
60
Off Topic / Racquetball players?
« on: December 08, 2011, 02:48:53 PM »
Looking to get back into this sport. Played quite a bit 20+ years ago, and would have been an average Class C player though I never competed.
Any Class C (or patient Class B) players here?
Thanks,
Greg
Any Class C (or patient Class B) players here?
Thanks,
Greg