Archive for the ‘Other’ Category
2012 in review
The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2012 annual report for this blog.
Here’s an excerpt:
4,329 films were submitted to the 2012 Cannes Film Festival. This blog had 46,000 views in 2012. If each view were a film, this blog would power 11 Film Festivals
Jason Pridmore’s STAR School
I was privileged to attend the 2 day Jason Pridmore’s STAR school at Chuckwalla Valley Raceway in Desert Center, Ca a week or so ago. I rented a Suzuki GSXR 600 and camped out in the pits on Sunday and Monday night. I had a few friends with me there; Wally, Scott, “Cowboy” and Kevin, who came with me with his CBR 1 million.
I also met a few people that I will never forget, as they made this event unforgettable. First, I want to say Jason Pridmore is the NICEST person you will ever meet in the world! He has so much knowledge and experiences to share with absolutely no ego. Always smiling and just beams positive energy at all times. The fastest I will ever go around Chuckwalla was as a passenger with Jason on his GSXR 1000. A ride I will never forget. He takes anyone, who wishes, 2 laps around the track. I could only manage 1 lap and I was ready to stop. The adrenaline rush and sheer excitement of trying to hold on and this old man was wore out and did not think I could of held on another lap, which I heard he does faster than the 1st. BTW, the last time I was a passenger on the back of a motorcycle was in 1977, and it did not end well.
Wally, my arch rival, was there on his GSXR 1 million, and although we are near equals in Supermoto, he is light years ahead of me on the road race course. My respect continues to grow for my friend and his riding abilities.
Kevin; thanks for 2 days of fun! It was great to watch you progress and I am sure many will learn from your experience on how not to panic when running off the track at over 80mph. You just kept on going, scaring the track photographer in the process, and got back on the track at another point. If you were racing, I think this is called taking a short cut, and you would have been penalized. Great fun!
“Cowboy”; Although I have known (or thought I knew) you for almost 3 years, I did not know you were “Cowboy”. What a revelation. Smooth rider too, But we all knew that.
It was a pleasure to meet Mike, Wally’s friend, who came down from up north to ride for the 1st time in many years. It was nice to see someone “get back in the saddle” again and enjoy themselves so much.
Scott; You are riding so well and I am happy you are enjoying your FZ1 so much! Thanks for following me a short while and filming my antics!
I also met Tony, who came in with Scott. A very studious gentleman interested in riding his BMW 1000 to the fullest. He was fun to be around and I hope to run into him again out on the road (when he is not “working”).
Greg White; what can I say? This man is a blast to be around. I cannot ride my motorcycle very long without his voice saying “little chicks”! Those who were at the school will know what this is about and I will be forever grateful for his demonstration and explanations of this concept. Thank you Greg!
I also met Joni Avery, who was with her sons at the school. She was recently awarded a “Lifetime Achievement Award” in Hollywood for her work over the years as a stunt woman. She has been in over 300 movies and looks too young to have accomplished all these things. It was a genuine pleasure to hang out with her a short while and see her positive glowing personality.
I also met Suzette, a very nice lady who, not knowing me from Adam, allowed me to clean my spectacles with the tail of her flannel shirt in the pits the 1st day. She was there riding with her daughter, and I think both of them passed me up on a few occasions! I also want to add that Suzette and I were both born in the same year! It’s nice to know that there are a few ladies from my generation still into performance riding.
As for the school, I learned that there is always something you can still learn no matter how long or how much you have ridden. I picked up a few things that I would of never thought of. I am not going to explain, you need to take the school to experience it for yourself. It is well worth the money! Plus you get to meet all kinds of neat riders!
The last person I want to mention that I observed and did not really get to speak with, is Benny Solis. He a current AMA racer and only 16 or 17 years old. Very soft spoken and nice, and a couple days after the school, set a new track record, on a 600 at that. May you have a great career in racing young man!
So here is a parting shot. Ride safe!
The World of Motorcycles, An Illustrated Encyclopedia, 1977
Recently, Northwest RoadRAT posted about a motorcycle encyclopedia he had purchased. That posting encouraged me to dig through my storage locker and pull out my motorcycle encyclopedia set that I collected in the late 70′s. It was one of those deals that Columbia House did where you bought a book a month until you had a complete collection. I collected all 22 books and the set is complete. There is tons of information up to 1979. The books were published by Orbis Publishing, LTD in London in 1977 thru 1979. Total page count is 2640.
The books are in fairly good shape for their age. I know I have spent countless hours reading them in the past, but must admit, they have been in storage for the past 4 or 5 years.
Posterized Picture
I recently went to the Kobey’s Swap Meet at the Sports Arena in San Diego. Have not been there in years. Not much has changed. Only motorcycle related stuff were old (and I mean old) helmets and boots. I did run across a vendor stand that had a bunch of original posters and there were 2 or 3 of motorcycles, which caught my eye. Found out the owner was a former student of mine 3 or 4 years ago. He takes any picture and will “posterize” it. Here is his website: http://www.posterheaven.com. I sent him my most recent action photo I posted earlier on here, and this is what he did with it. 
Triumph Speed Triple R
Triumph’s new Speed Triple R. What a beautiful piece of machinery!
RIP Marco Simoncelli
Another sad day for motorcycle enthusiasts.
see http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2011/malaysia+sepang+motogp+simoncelli+succumbs+to+injuries
RIP
