What spare time?

Honey Badger Don't Care

2011-10-17T18:21:00.000-07:00

Now this is funny

Catch Me If You Can Charlie

2011-09-28T16:37:00.000-07:00

Here's a photo that came from the Trials Event at Fearless Charlie Nash's place a couple weeks ago. On Friday me and Charlie took turns (he took a few more than I did) running along behind his Grandson Jesse as he booked it around the farm on his new Electric motorcycle. He needed a little help keeping it upright, but he was doing his best to master the thing. It wouldn't take long; by the next day he was flying solo, even picking himself up on the few occasions he landed on his ear. My hat's off to the little guy, as well as to his old grandpap for putting little Jesse on a path that'll become one of the greatest parts of his life. Love you Charlie

PLAY BALL!!!

2011-06-12T21:03:00.001-07:00

Thirty-five years ago at about 4:30 in the afternoon, I went down to the little league ball park to coach a group of 10 year olds in a mid-season baseball game. It wasn’t my first and it sure wasn’t my last, but it was a little unusual due to the fact that I’d gotten married earlier in the day. Yes Tammy and I had just enough time to leave the church, go home and change clothes, before heading out to the game. It wasn’t a great honeymoon and certainly a lot less than she deserved, but she was a good sport about it. Like a lot of young couples we didn’t have a lot of money, so a trip to Hawaii wasn’t in the cards anyway. Through the years, we’ve done a lot of things like that and while it doesn’t sound real romantic, it did make for a great story.

I’ve got a pile of great stories; that’s one of the many benefits of having so many years with one special person. Happy anniversary honey and thanks for staying in the game with me so long. You’re the All-Star on our team.

Coming Home

2011-06-12T19:52:00.000-07:00

My little girl has been out of the country for a year now, but in two weeks she's coming home. She’s and her husband are actually moving to Nashville and while that’s not all the way to Humphreys County, it’s closer than I ever thought she’d get. The photo is their new place in West Nashville and it may not be the Belle Meade Mansion, but it’s a pretty sure bet that all her neighbors will be talking English. Auf Wiedersehen Deutschland, your loss is our gain..

Swine Time

2011-01-30T13:48:00.000-08:00

We’ve got a new addition to the neighborhood. This is Cinderella and no, she isn’t the world’s ugliest Blue Healer puppy. She is in fact a wayward potbellied pig, who roams at will over an area the size of a small town. She was raised on a farm about a mile away (as the crow flies) and stayed close to it for the first couple of years of her life. Apparently she woke up one day and found herself wondering what lay over the horizon (the horizon being pretty low for something with her stature) and she just took off. I saw her the first time around the house a few weeks ago and watched as she meandered through, ignoring the barking dogs and disappearing into the Wildlife Refuge that lies in front of our place.

I would have bet anything that would be the last anyone ever saw of her, what with all the coyotes and miles of real estate to get lost in. But no, she was spotted a couple days later back near her own home. I guess she hadn’t completely “flown the coup” after all. These days, her circle keeps getting wider and wider. She’s popped up in so many places that everyone in this part of the county has seen her.

I don’t know, but she looks lonely to me; I wish she could find some nice young male pig that would treat her right and not “Boar” her to death. It could happen, right?

Almost Home For Christmas

2010-12-24T20:02:00.000-08:00

Well it’s Christmas time in Tennessee and in Germany as well. The two locations are half a world apart and seem even farther for me and my family right about now. My little girl is over there with her new husband and (through no fault of his own) he couldn’t get away from his work for long enough for them to make the trip, so for the first time in her life we’re separated during the holidays. It would be horrible except for the marvels of modern communications. Today we used Skype to video-conference us all together as we each opened a gift simultaneously. It was amazingly festive and gratifying. Certainly not as good as being together, but I’m thankful to Al Gore, Bill Gates and anybody else who had a hand in allowing me to gaze upon the prettiest face on two continents, as she smiled and spoke to us like we were in the same room. I take comfort too in the fact that I know she’ll be home for the holidays next year and until then, I’ll have to hug ole Clay twice as often (he loves it when I do that).

From Tammy and me, here’s wishing you all a Merry Christmas.

Sweet Ride

2010-10-03T12:17:00.000-07:00

Sam winning the door prize

A Tight Sqeeze Waiting To Happen

Circumstances have conspired to prohibit me from taking any sort of rode-ride for over a year. Over a YEAR? Is that right? Wow….. It was first a little knife work on my back, then came winter, next came my little door-to-door neighborhood hiking tour that kept me tied up for 6 months and then some. Finally with no excuses remaining and the weather near perfect this past weekend, it was time to break away for some much-needed R&R (riding and rejuvenation), so I dropped a hint to the (always ready to ride) Adcock boys and the plan was set to meet at the Antique tractor show in Waverly on Saturday. We hooked up there with new buddies Meleia, Dale and Freddy for a tour of points of interest in Humphreys County. A highlight of the day was a side trip to Andy Dodson’s farm where that worthy was busy processing his guinea corn crop, old school style. Sweet sorghum molasses, squeezed into submission. Andy gave us an interesting demonstration and a tour of the place as well. It was a good time and we walked away with some samples of the sweet stuff to boot. Thanks to him, his crew and to Meleia, who shared some insight into the family history of the place. A pretty good day and just what I needed to recharge the system a little. Thanks guys.

She's My First Lady, Anyway

2010-08-09T14:17:00.000-07:00

My Tammy works for an insurance agency and when she returned to work after taking off Friday (to recover from the Thursday election), this is how she found her office decorated. They were very supportive and it tickled her that my win made them happy enough to want to celebrate in some way.

Two Weeks To Go

2010-07-23T11:21:00.000-07:00

Well it’s been a while since I posted anything here, so I do so now while I’m thinking about it. If someone had told me a year ago what the next 12 months were going to be like, I might have crawled into the big ice box with Walt Disney and Ted Williams’ head. This run for county-wide office is a demand that cannot be described in mere words. Suffice it to say, it has been all-consuming. So much so that I’ve neglected my Job, my family and my friends, for about 5 months now. Too, too much. It’s like being tossed into the middle of the ocean and told to swim for it. At this moment, there’s only 13 days, 5 hours and 21 minutes until the polls close and my life can begin returning to normal. I feel I’ve forgotten how to have fun, so I’m going to need some help getting back to normal. I’m open to ideas for making that happen……….

Something Old (me), Somethin New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue

2010-06-15T22:54:00.000-07:00

A couple weeks ago, my little girl had her big day. The whole family made the trip down to Sanibel Island in Florida, for a wedding just like she had always dreamed of. It couldn’t have gone any better, even if it where a little on the warm side and everyone (but me) lost their shoes.

I wasn't crying, that was just sand in my eyes........

Monroe Gold

2010-03-16T16:57:00.000-07:00

Here Fearless Charlie shows Peewee how he photographed his own bling, while Barry stolls along in what passes for sunshine in North Carolina. Good people make for good times.

You know you've had enough of winter when........

2010-02-11T09:26:00.000-08:00

COME ON, Will Somebody Just Kiss Me Already? I'm Freezing Out Here

2010-02-02T20:04:00.000-08:00

Dang, I hate February. This month has been a historically hard one for me. Why? Well to begin with it’s still cold. I’m old and so I hate the cold. Then the days are too short. I leave for work in the dark and I come home in the dark (or is it the other way around?). What else? Oh yeah; February is obnoxiously undependable. I mean, it’ll go 2 or 3 years making me suffer for 28 days and then “BAM” it’s a whole day longer. I hate that about this month! There’s no trials events to ride in, the fish won’t bite and duck hunting season is over.

Oh well, soon it’ll be spring, followed shortly by summer. Gone will be the memory of sunlight depredation and frostbite. The days will be long and the world will smell like fresh-cut grass. Cutting grass….man, that’s a hot job. Come July, the grass will grow so fast that you got to cut it twice a week. Course the days are longer, so I’ll have a couple of hours every evening to go at it, after getting home from work. Whew, that makes for a long day…….Dang, I hate July

My Pal, John Prine

2010-01-13T12:15:00.000-08:00

There’s a restaurant in Gulfport Florida (outside Tampa) called Yummies. A short while back Leslie and Scott were paying up after a meal when they noticed a signed photo of John Prine hanging there by the cash register. Scott comments to the manager of the place that his father-in-law is a huge fan, about the campfire singing, and how I love that “In Spite of Ourselves” song. The guy replies that Prine has a place nearby and stops in to eat from time to time. He goes on to say what a nice guy Prine is and if Leslie will give him their address, he’ll get Prine to sign something for old Pap. A month or so later, this picture shows up in her mail box and she sends it to me for my birthday. How cool is that? If you don’t know the song, you owe it to yourself to check it out on youtube.

Merry Christmas

2009-12-24T08:27:00.001-08:00

And a Happy New Year to all of you

Playing Through

2009-12-03T16:33:00.000-08:00

SO the police asked Tiger's wife how many times she'd hit him with the golf club and she replied "I don't know for sure, but put me down for a Five"

Thanksgiving

2009-11-26T21:19:00.000-08:00

We’re closing in on the end of another year and I’m taking a few minutes to itemize all that I have to be grateful for. The list is too long to document, but I’ll cover a few highlights here.

To begin with, I’m healthier than I was at the beginning of the year and I’m getting better every day. The down time I had was barely a bump in the road.

I went on a couple of big adventures with my buddy Mennonite Mike this year. The first was back in February when we participated in one of Danny Walker’s flat-track supercamps. It was one of those things that you talk about doing, but is out there just far enough to be sort of an abstract. Old Malcolm brought that trip to life for us and I don’t think I could have had more fun being thrown from a short motorcycle to a hard track. The other trip was a four day, thousand mile road bike tour of east Tennessee and northern Georgia. There are some great roads in that part of the world and the weather was near perfect. We made just enough progress everyday to stay ahead of the rain.

I had a fine time with all my trials buddies this year and I’m thankful to all of them for the relentless joy they brought to those occasions when we got together. We were like school kids playing out in the woods. Thanks too, to the promoters of the events that gave us the opportunity to get together like we did.

I had some really great dual sport/sport bike rides this year. The best were with my pals Peewee and Sam. They team up for these mini-adventures on a very regular basis and I feel very fortunate to have been included in a few of them. It’s a shame it has to get cold around here.

Back in April, Tammy and I made a trip out to Arizona for a company thing. They always try to offer some kind of outing to go with all the meetings and one of the choices this year was a one-day Bondurant racing school. Now that was a trip. After some class room stuff, they put us in our own Pontiac Solstice and turned us loose on this little TT track for an hour of timed runs through a series of hairpins. Next they lined us up on a full blown road course and turned us loose to bang on those things as hard as we could go at ‘em for a couple hours. Now that was fun. I also had a chance to ride a helicopter over the Grand Canyon on this trip; not so much fun as the driving course.

There’s other stuff to give thanks for, like a good job in hard times and a home that I’m glad to get back to everyday. But most of all I’m thankful for my family. I’m lucky enough to still have my mom and dad, plus the three brothers that I grew up with. I’ve got my daughter Leslie living a happy life in the warm Florida sunshine with my future son-in-law Scott. I have my son Clay here at home where I get to see him for at least a few minutes everyday. Then there’s the one thing I’m most thankful for in this whole world. That is my little mini-fridge in the laundry room, which is full of nothing but cold beer. How great is that thing? Just joking of course; I am most thankful for my Tammy and the fact that she’s put up with me for another year. That alone puts me in the upper percentile of the luckiest guys anywhere.

Harris C Wallace and Harris E Wallace

Here’s hoping that everyone reading this has as much to be thankful for and that next year brings more of the same. Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

SUPERHERO REVEALED!

2009-11-16T10:45:00.000-08:00

The prospects looked dim as the group gathered to discuss the obstacles lying before them. There were hills to climb and ditches to cross, logs to jump and ribbons strung up everywhere. It was one huge wooded maze that they must find their way through. But how? Sure there were arrows pointing into the dark nether-regions beyond the clearing where they camped, but were they to just trust this meager guidance? Everything was so chaotic and frightening, the mystery too deep for the mere mortals they were. What they need is someone to lead them. Someone who is brave and wise and skilled enough to clear a path and show the way, but where would they find such a person? Just when they thought all was lost, they looked up to see a Superhero emerging from gloom astride a roaring green machine that was terrible to behold. He was dressed from head to foot in a form-fitting blue suit, with strange markings on front and back. The crowd was struck dumb as the stranger bellowed, “Fear not for I am the Captain and I’m here to save you”. And save them he did, weaving back and forth between the red and blue ribbons with the others trailing in his wake. Once, twice, three times he lead them in and out of the darkness before disappearing into the distance as the people shouted,

“THANK YOU CAPTAIN SAUSAGE!

I Said DON"T BLINK!!!!

2009-10-30T06:50:00.000-07:00

This past weekend, we all made the trip to Marion IL to help our good buddy Fearless Charlie Nash celebrate his birthday. We rode motorbikes during the day and paid homage to the hour's hero in the evening. It was Speck-tacular from beginning to end. Even the good folks from the Mid-West Trials scene pitched in by throwing a big BBQ dinner in Chuck's honor Saturday night. Later we gathered around the camp-inferno to tell him jokes and sing him songs, all of which he seemed to enjoy a great deal. I know I did.

One more time HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHARLIE

Won't Be Long Now

2009-10-13T17:23:00.000-07:00

I spent a long day first driving to the bone doc's office, then waiting for him to make the same trip. Two hours sitting in the little exam room, in a chair that would have killed me before the back surgery.

It was worth the wait as the word was all good. He turned me loose to work, run, lift weights.....in short, all the things I've spent a lifetime avoiding. HAH! No really, that's pretty good news to me because it means I'm ready to start getting back to near normal.

As we were talking, I purposely avoided asking him about riding my trials bike. This was because I was afraid he'd tell me that it was off limits forever. I figured if I didn't ask, I could decide that for myself. I know some doctors are anti-motorcycle to begin with and I just didn't want to give him a chance to tell me that I should no longer do something that I dearly love.

Ah, but all wondering (combined with the memory of my whining about it) proved to be just too much for Tammy as she piped in with the question before I knew it was coming, "When can he ride his dirt bike?". Well, I gulped real hard just before I heard him say "he can ride now if he can avoid wrecking the thing". He went on to say that if I did plan to crash (which let's face it, is more than likely), I should probably wait for a month before I do it.

Whew, how 'bout that? I mean it's not like I would have given it up if he'd replied as I had anticapated he would. Still, it's good to know that the next time I pile up with the old Yamaha landing on top of me, I'm only following doctor's orders.

Dr David McCord - Nashville TN is my hero

Salvation

2009-10-02T07:24:00.000-07:00

I went to Dickson last weekend to experience a little of the final rounds of the ITSA North American Championship. Nothing like a little time spent out of doors to lift you after you’ve been cooped up for a month or so. The good times began with a trip Friday night to the ranch for a much needed influx of the kind of camaraderie that I can only get from my campfire buddies. The music and the jokes, the teasing back and forth, the old stories, the fire, the smoke and the welcome I got, all worked wonders at improving my deposition. I felt better there than I’d felt in a while.

The next day was a mess for everybody and it took its toll on me. Something about slipping and sliding around in the muck ran me out of gas pretty early. I loaded up and went home shortly after the trials started and didn’t do anything else the entire day. I hate I missed the Saturday night campfire, but I knew the sun was going to shine on us Sunday morning and I wanted to be up for it.

Sunday delivered as promised and the riders had blasted off by the time I got to the site. It had dried considerably so I decided I’d try to make my way backwards on the loop to a point where I could see a little riding. I found the hiking a little easier than I thought it would be, to the point that I found myself a good ways back in the woods by the time I heard the first motorcycles coming my way. I actually had time to walk a couple of sections before none other than Captain Dick came over the hill, leading a group of riders who were obviously enjoying the better conditions of the day. It was a good spot to watch the action and before I moved on I’d seen every contestant in action. I walked and walked during the remainder of the day, finding several good spots to watch competition. It was well worth the effort, although it pained me a little not to be among those riding. At least I was out in the woods, rather than staring at the world out the window.

The weekend ended on a high note too, as the guys all made their way back into the pits and began relaxing from all the activity. This continued until the Guru called everyone together to hand out awards for the day and the series. A final gathering around the campfire followed the awards and (as always) no one seemed to want the day to end. This included me and even though I was really beat, I was still one of the last ones to make their way to the truck.

I figured I would pay dearly for the day’s activity when I got up the next day, but this proved not to be the case. I reckon all the climbing and bending as I’d made way around the uneven terrain, was just what I needed to loosen up what ailed me. I awoke with a lot less pain and was not nearly as stiff as I had been just a couple of days before. The physical activity combined with the mental therapy to….....well, to save me. Thanks to all of you who contributed so much to my salvation. I owe you a lot. Can’t wait till the next one.

Not the Only One Who's Dealing With A Pain

2009-09-23T17:29:00.000-07:00

“Honey, my back hurts, I wish I had a nice steak cooked out on the grill, but I know it’s raining and dark out…..OHHHHHHHH, but it hurts”

What a gal, huh?

Morning Walk

2009-09-15T16:12:00.000-07:00

I got up this morning at 6:30 and dressed in a hurry. By that I mean I was ready to go outside for my morning walk by 7. I find I do everything SLOW these days, which is counter-intuitive for me, but I’m making progress and at least dressing myself now. I took off down the road for a half mile before I felt myself run out of gas. Whew, time to stop this marathon and set down for breakfast and maybe a little nap. Of course I had a little problem, in that I didn’t anticipate my commitment level when I needed to. What I should have done would be to walk OUT a quarter mile, then back IN another quarter. Now, I find myself down the road and up the creek, with no legs, paddle, or ambulance service to fall into. Just when I thought I was destined to my own version of Man Vs Wild (with me curled up under a tree for shelter), up pulls Tammy in the truck. “Hey” she says, “You want a ride or something?” Man, was that a good nap I had a few minutes later.

Recovery

2009-09-04T09:15:00.000-07:00

Most all of you know I underwent back surgery on August 24th and again on the 26th, to correct some disc problems, which have been causing quite a bit of pain and numbness for me, as well as a quickly increasing loss of leg strength over the course of the last couple years.

I went to several doctors and got a bunch of different diagnosis and as many prognosis, before deciding to let this surgeon have a go at me. He talked a good talk and if he's straight up and I work hard enough, I should emerge in a few months like a kid again (as far as my back goes, anyway).

I've had some rough road since the knife, like a really bad reaction to the first post-surgery pain medication. I threw up for about 12 hours that first night and let me tell you, that ain’t no fun with three brand new incisions in my gut and over my hips. Then, I have this cut down my back, which leaves me cut on all four corners. This makes it pretty tough to lay down with any level of comfort. That part is getting better everyday.

I’m working through this to get back on my feet and fully reap the benefits of the work done on me. It’s been a week and a half and I’m already up to walking a (total) of a half mile a day on the treadmill. I think soon I can abandon the walker I use any other time I’m up and move the work outside. Doc says if I can get to 1.5 miles a day unassisted by the end of 6 weeks, in another 6 I can bust loose to do anything I want to.

I’ll keep posting some updates here in case anyone is interested. I’ve received a lot of inquiries from a number of you. My very good buddies Mennonite Mike and Fearless Charlie Nash have been especially persistent with their displays of concern, as well as Peewee and the Captain who have called to wish me the best. I can feel a lot of you out there who care and who are concerned and I tell you, it means a lot to me. I’ll add a word of thanks here to my friends David T and Jon, who have stepped up to help in a big way, but who I doubt would ever have occasion to read this blog.

My final word here today is about my family. Leslie who is 800 miles away, but lifts me up everyday because I know she cares so very much. Only by threats have we been able to keep her where she is and needs to be. And also Clay, who has stood by like a guard at the gate (complete with walky-talky), ready to do anything I ask him at anytime he’s not been in school or in the sickbed himself (bad sick). And mostly my Tammy, who has barely left my side since the first doctor’s visit. Nursing me, bathing me, feeding me and jumping at my every need, all the while sleeping in chairs just to stay in the same room with me while I moan and groan. Words fail me here…..

Anyway, don’t count me out and I’ll be seeing you all down the road a piece.

Thanks,
Jesco

Looking Good

2009-08-02T18:32:00.000-07:00

On a recent ride, my partner Fearless Charlie Nash took a turn on my old Sherco. Looks good, huh?

Fish Story

2009-06-30T21:27:00.000-07:00

Fishing has been pretty good around here, at least for those that have time to go. I find I'm wasting way too much time at work. On the other hand, the boy is not as encumbered. He's spending a lot of time on the river and has reported some impressive catches. The photo above is from a couple of weeks ago and I asked him why he didn't bring it home for the old man to eat. He looked at me kind of funny and said it’d be like eating your Labrador Retriever. Hell, I was just kidding anyway and I'm not that hungry. Reminds me of the story of the guy up in Alaska who got caught by the game warden, hunting loons. The rabbit sheriff asks him why he was shooting birds that had endangered status and were supposed to be protected. The guy explained that he and his family were just plain hungry and the loons were the only game he could find at this time in his part of the frozen north. The warden thought about it for a minute or two, and then decided that he couldn't bring himself to prosecute the guy. He told him this, but said he should refrain from any further loon extermination. The guy was happy to be out of trouble and not looking at jail time or a fine and thanked the lawman. As he was about to return to his warm truck and drive away, the game warden turned to the guy and said he was curious, just what does loon taste like, anyway? The guy thought about it and finally replied, "Ah,'bout like Bald Eagle"

Hungry is hungry, I guess. It was a nice fish at 7.2lbs, but would probally taste like Catfish.

National Pride

2009-06-28T20:15:00.000-07:00

Dustin up amoung the big rocks

The Guru taking a tight turn over some slick roots

I made a quick run down to the Trials Training Center for the second round of the NATC at the site this weekend. My camera is a piece of crap, but I managed to get a couple of shots of the Guru and Hockey Boy representing ITSA as they battled the really tough terrain and the other riders. They did us proud.

PWA Unplugged

2009-06-24T14:22:00.000-07:00

Caught my good buddy Peewee picking on the back porch on a recent visit to the post office. It was a nice way to start the day, for both of us.

Sea Legs

2009-06-19T22:25:00.000-07:00

Me and Mennonite Mike just returned from a 3-day tour of the most twisted pieces of the asphalt jungle we could find in a 3-state radius of home. Here’s a shot that was taken on the Dragons Tail of the two of us (just before Malcolm dipped a knee to the pavement). We had a great time (of course) and saw some fine roads along the way. As I sit here in my recliner writing this, I feel the chair leaning left and then right under me.

"Buy Me Some Peanuts and Cracker Jack......"

2009-06-12T07:09:00.000-07:00

On June 12, 1976, my brother Joe stood beside me as I took the hand of the love of my life. The ceremony was over at around 2:00 and that was good, because I was coaching a little league team (of kids not that much younger than my new wife) that had a game beginning at 4. Well, we had that game and many more over the course of the next 33 years. Some of them were close and some were near misses, but overall I’ve managed to stay on top of the most important of them. Not surprising when you consider that I led off with the biggest homerun of my life. I love you Tammy

The Fresh Mennonite of No Hair

2009-06-08T20:25:00.000-07:00

Big weekend, this past. Great time was had by all at LEOR and the first two rounds of the ITSA North American championship series. Here you see Mennonite Mike warming up before the rider’s meeting for the Sunday round. Looks like the practice was doing some good, huh?

More Than Just A Trace of Fun

2009-06-03T14:56:00.001-07:00

Here’s my hero Sam, giving life lessons to Peewee and Mennonite Mike in front of Malcolm’s beautiful blue SV.

This past Saturday I made my way to the Loveless Café, for breakfast and a motorbike ride with three of my favorite folks. There’s access to the Natchez Trace Parkway right outside the front door of that place, so we hit that thing like there was free watermelon waiting at the end. It was an interesting day and at one point even stumbled upon a small community car/tractor show. The folks there were apparently only expecting local patronage, because they literally ran down to meet us as we were climbing off our scooters. What a friendly place that was. There were some pretty good looking cars there, along with some pretty strange little tractors. Good food too, and at least one pissing frog that Mennonite Mike irritated into reacting with poor social behavior. I think it was something of a Hate Crime, but I can’t be sure because the frog croaked soon after. Maybe more later, but suffice it to say that it was a pretty good adventure. We had a good time.

How Does Your Garden Grow?

2009-05-25T17:02:00.000-07:00

Believe it or not, the current drought has not had a negative effect on my little garden. It’s amazing, but dust hasn’t been a big problem either. HA

Actually (as anyone living in this part of the world knows) there’s hardly been a day in the last six weeks that it hasn’t rained. I guess I was lucky to get the garden planted at all and in fact, did so after dark in one long marathon session, wearing a head lamp. Until Saturday evening, I haven’t been able to get back into it because my hip waders have a hole in them just above the knee. I did manage to get the tomatoes staked and the ground dressed a little between the squash and peppers before it rained for another 12 hours. I guess I’ll be wishing for return of the rain before long, but right now? I’m sick of it.

It's In His Blood

2009-05-20T13:46:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, after the trials event at Trent Parks place, my good buddy Mennonite Mike hosted a little hoe-down. He has a passel of friends who are really great musicians and several of them came over to entertain the rest of us. The little video clip was sent to me by the grandfather of the best of them to play there Saturday night. Check this guy out: Ladies and gentleman, This is JP Mason

Taking It Easy

2009-05-09T05:58:00.000-07:00

"There's a girl, my Lord

In a flat bed Ford,

Slowing down to take a look at me"

A View From the Top

2009-04-26T20:23:00.000-07:00

SO we're in Arizona and want to see the Grand Canyon. Tammy gets the notion that it would be awesome to see it for the first time from a helicopter and sets it up with the outfit that has the most ad space on the website dedicated to touring the big ditch. By the time we get there, I’ve worked up a good deal of excitement about the whole thing myself. I mean the “terminal” is first class, the ground crew and pilots are wearing airline-like uniforms, the choppers are colored up real pretty and they had a bunch of ‘em. Cool.

There were about 25 people there waiting to ride and every one of them was from some other county. Asians and Scotsmen and Indians (far eastern), all jappering like magpies as they waited their turn in climbing aboard to fly off toward an unparalleled view of one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

After what seemed to be hours, they called us up to hand out our seat assignments. These were decided in deference to weigh distribution and Tammy’s little card said “SEAT-1”, while mine said “SEAT-5”. Uh? Seat Five? Wait a minute here, the damn things weren’t big enough for more than 4 seats and one of them had to be the pilot. Right? How could I have seat FIVE?

Turns out there weren’t five seats, there were Seven! Tammy crawls up in the front seat next to the pilot and I climb in the back (which has the floor space of a bath tub) with four fat Germans. They were fat because they had just enjoyed a big meal. And how do I know they had just eaten a big meal? Because 4 minutes into the 45 minute trip, I had the misfortune to see that meal as it made its way back out the way it had gone in.

There’s no ventilation in the back and the sun steaming in the window is baking the chunks of Fahrvergnügen to their collective chins. Did I mention that I was sitting backwards, directly across from two of these air-sick Tourist? I try not to look at ‘em, but the only other place I can look is toward the outside, which you’d think was manifest in a big window. WRONG. My seat was adjacent to a support post and the only way I could see out was to crane my neck into an unnatural “S” shape that (I can tell you) is hard to maintain for 45 minutes, WHILE HOLDING YOUR BREATH!

By twisting my head around 180 degrees (think Linda Blair in The Exorcist), I can see Tammy lounging in her quarter of the cabin. Is she suffering the truly unholy odor of regurgitated sauerkraut? NO! Turns out she has her very own fresh air vent, which the snotty little pilot regulated to her every whim. Yeah, there she was with her hair blown back as she gazed in awe at the panoramic view of what we’d BOTH traveled a couple of thousand miles to see.

Ah hell, I was happy for her.

Change in the weather

2009-04-06T19:28:00.000-07:00

What the hell are these guys looking at?

Turned off cold again today. What a bitch. Payment (I reckon) for the great weather this past weekend, which I spent in Paris at my very good buddy Fearless Charlie Nash's family farm. It was second and third ITSA event of the year and it came just in the nic of time. I appreciate the promoters at each event I attend, large or small they all do a great job. Having said that, I'll have to say that no one trys any harder than Charlie does to make it a positive experience. Food, fishing, great give aways, and an atention to detail that has to be seen to believe. Thanks Charlie, for the effort. What ever you hoped this past weekend would be, it was (and more). You could have tried half as hard and it would have still been great.

Oh yeah, the sections were good too.

First ride

2009-03-28T20:48:00.000-07:00

I love motorcycles. I’ve been riding them for over 40 (plus) years and never met one I didn’t like (a little bit). I’ve had a Harley of some kind for the last 30 years and never thought I want anything else to ride the roads with. Then about year ago while working with my good buddy Bob Ginder on a trials bike project, I needed to make a quick trip back to my house to pick up some parts I’d forgotten to bring with me when I drove up that morning. Bob was kind enough to make the trip more interesting by offering to let me pilot his BMW F650GS instead of my old ratty pickup.

I’m not a brand-name snob and the thing looked like it’d be a fun (at least a different) ride. Long story short, it ruined me. I liked it and the feeling grew as time past by. I’ve been watching for one ever since and last week a hot prospect popped up on the old EBay. An offer accepted and a 950 mile trip later and I’m in the saddle.

That was last Thursday, and today my sweetie and I took advantage of a break in the storms to air it out a little. We made about 110 miles, most of it on the curviest roads in Humphreys County. We got caught in the rain once, but still had a blast.

I guess I need to pour a little gas stabilizer in the Harley……….

Supercamp

2009-02-09T21:07:00.000-08:00

Me and Mennonite Mike have been talking about the American Supercamp for some time. Supercamp is a dirt track racing-type school that moves about the country and hit Du Quion IL this past weekend. Long story short, we decided we’d likely not have a better chance, so we went for it. What ensued was two days of unmercifully hammering on some Yamaha TTR 125s, as well a good deal of the same on a couple of middle-aged bodies. Was it worth the pain and expense? Well, hell yes it was! We had a blast and I recommend it to anyone who ever wanted a little taste of that sort of motorcycling. The clip here was taken with my little digital camera. Poor quality and at that, some that doesn’t include us (we were always up at the same time). Still, it’s slice of the experience.

Like Old Times

2009-02-04T22:13:00.000-08:00

I got started riding trials many moons ago and I’ve had some excellent riding partners over the years. Never (ever) such a great collection as I have now, although I have to say I probably miss my two favorites the most. My Brother Joe has faded in and out of it, over the entire length of my experience (I’m very confident he will again). I know I’ll bring him out if Speck or Trent gets too big for their britches. SO keep that in mind if you get to pushing me too hard, with all your new high tech ways, shifting your weight right and left, making new lines on tricked out scooters that look like they belong to Judge Dread........

Well I felt the need to ride some on the first sunny Sunday we'd seen in weeks, so I approached a shady bunch I know up the road. Man, I needed that. I'll put it like this; I'd lost my youth back there in the hills (or down in the creek) and I needed time to explore, maybe even find it back there somewhere.

Skeptical they were, but agree to allow me and my number 1 partner and join in the adventure. Numero uno is none other than the Kid himself. He (who hadn’t saddled up in two years), up and accepted my invitation and we rode for hours. I had a great time and I think he did too. He’s rusty and held back some, but he’s got that old Wallace-on-wheels thing going for him. Think he gets it from Joe.

It was really great having him there and I think I found what I was looking for. Happy Trails ahead

Christmas Visit

2009-01-20T18:24:00.000-08:00

If you've checked this blog more than once and found nothing new, I apologize. I'll try to do better.

Well, the holidays have come and gone. Basically, thiat time of year is pure maddness and I'm glad things are back to normal. I think the holidays get a bad rap becuase they happen to occur during winter. Upside, my little girl came home for a few days. She's a doll, huh? We miss her everyday around here and it was good to be the old family unit again. That said and now that she's hopped the big silver bird back to Florida, I'm ready for summer time again.

Merry Christmas Everybody

2008-12-23T21:18:00.000-08:00

This time of year is one mad rush, huh? Oh well, what you gonna do.

Guitars and Golf

2008-11-27T01:24:00.000-08:00

When I was a kid, my life had its own sound track. There were tunes that played in my head (and in my 8-track) that reflected and affected my state of mind and it didn’t matter whether I was alone or in a crowd, I’d sing along. I sounded great singing along. So good in fact that I developed a notion that it would be cool to learn how to accompany myself on a guitar. One truism in the world; Chicks did the guitar player. Go solo, so to speak. The idea of making my own music appealed to me and how hard could it be?

I know, you’re way ahead of me. Yes it was always very hard for me, so hard that I gave it up after about five years of trying. Maybe it came much easier to George Harrison, Eric Clapton or Peewee Adcock. I felt like it was just getting worse for me, to the point that where I once sang out loud anywhere I happened to be, now I’d lock myself away when playing. I learned just enough to know it’s very hard and that I’m more or less tone-deaf and (surprise) I don’t sing all that well afterall. Then after a little accident with my hand, I quit playing cold turkey.

Leaping forward 20 years and my exposure to the campfire crowd of ITSA. The music there was infectious and I soon found myself singing out loud again. It got back in my head, so I bought a couple guitars to go with the old flattop I’d had from before and gave it another shot. Let me tell you something, I don't play or sing well anytime and not hardly at all if anyone is around. When forced to by circumstance and peer pressure, I play very tentively and sing as weak as possible. Most everyone is supportive and I don’t want to let anyone down, so I keep at it (mostly).

I practice and practice and it mostly sounds bad. If alone, I can actually open up a little and that helps. Sometimes I stubble onto an arrangement for a song I like, only to have it die like the dog it is when I play it. It’s a lot like my golf game. I play that poorly as well. I’ve tried to buy a golf game with countless new clubs. and it’s still no good. Shank em right, hook em left, top the ball and watch it dribble off the front of the Tee Box.

But you know how you’re up on the tee and no one seems to be watching and you suddenly turn into Tiger and smack it clean and long, right down the middle? The club feels like you just barely touched the tee and struck the ball dead on its sweet, soft spot, which resulted in one of those long, tall, slow motion drives that change your whole day and keep you coming back to play because it convinces you that there’s a golfer in there somewhere, after all.

Tonight with the house asleep, I sneaked into the next room with my guitar and I began playing my regular smelly junk. GOOD GRIEF. Then I turn to an old gem and I play it real slow (because it has an F in it and that’s slow or no go for me) and playing it seemed to work a little. It was in my range to sing along and for just that one song, it lifted straight and true and drove right down the middle. It’s them that keep me coming back to the music. Just don't ask me to play it for you.....

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you

Jesco

I hate the Winter

2008-11-23T14:04:00.000-08:00

Man, I get bored this time of year. Threre's nothing to do on weekends but sit around watching TV and wait for Monday.

Tammy and I watched some random TV show over the weekend, in which the sound track included that old hit from the 80s, “Can’t stop this feeling”. We sang right along with it. Pretty lame, uh? Well maybe so, but right or wrong it's a part of our past and maybe yours too.

Trivia time. In the early 1900’s Oldsmobile began manufacturing a heavy-duty flatbed truck that they dubbed the Speedwagon. It was the brainchild of the company’s fonder, Ransom Eli Olds. It was this vehicle that inspired the name of the band who made the song famous 80 years later. Cool

A Jug Full of Lightning

2008-11-06T12:11:00.000-08:00

No, not the kind that might show up and then be passed around a campfire.

The old TY was getting a little tired and I thought that as long as I was at it, I’d prevail upon our good friends at B&J Racing to do a little of their magic on the top end pieces. Porting and polishing the cylinder and the head, along with the reed valve treatment that the Guru is famous for. I’d shoot a photo of the inside, but I’m afraid that’s top secret. Performance report to follow, maybe after the November 15 and 16 rides that’ll end the old season and begin the new one. It’s goin’ be SWEEEEET

Team Black

2008-10-06T22:00:00.001-07:00

Well, I made the trip to Dickson a couple of weekends ago, for rounds 3 & 4 of the ITSA North American Championship series. I’ve rode better I guess, but it was still good enough to garner some first rate trials sponsorship. My good buddy Malcolm (aka Mennonite Mike) stepped up with some really sweet uniforms. Ain’t these shirts the coolest? I think somebody got a shot of several of us standing together wearing them and I hope they post it somewhere.

On Saturday I had a little run in with a tree that crimped my throttle cable, which resulted in a unscheduled and sustained full-throttle type situation , which propelled me through the ribbon in my section, plus two more in the next one. This could have been the end of my day had it not been for the all-out effort of my riding partner Peewee and the generosity of the Guru, who supplied the replacement cable. Now if that’s not some fine sponsorship, I don’t know what is!

It was a great weekend and as always, a great trial. There was a lot of good riding going on, even if I wasn’t doing any of it. I was especially proud of my old pal Barry, who stepped up and road like we all knew he could. Also doing an amazing job was FIRST-time rider Speck, who rode like he’d been doing it for years. I was also proud of young Doug, who rides way over the heads of his competitors and is a true joy to be around.

Props also to Dick (corncobs)and (of course) Charlie for an extremely nice campfire both nights. If you missed it, well you’re in luck because we’ll do it again next month. See you all there.

Men from UNCLE

2008-09-16T18:13:00.000-07:00

So, my phone rings and the voice says "Is this Jessie Wallace and is this the same person who in 1965, took turns with his best friend pretending he was Napoleon Solo?". Unbelievable. From age 6 to 12, the guy on the other end of the line was as close to me as....well, as close as only a first best friend can be. I'd only spoken to this guy once since my family had dragged me away (kicking and screaming) from that world in the fall of 1968 and that had been 25 years ago. Tracked me down, called me up and pulled me back through the looking class! Wow

Maybe some of you have had the same sort of experience. The kind that zips through 40 years in about 40 seconds. It was as cool as a chrome communicator pen.

From Out of the Past

2008-09-12T15:41:00.000-07:00

Does anyone know anything about the United Network Command for Law Enforcement? Years ago, I had an experience that sort of involved them. Classic story, I was young and all about having fun, looking for adventure and…uh.

So I’m at work the other day and my phone rings. I answer and the voice on the other ends asks “Is this Jessie Wallace, and is this the same person who……..” Well, if you know anything about that outfit, you can imagine the rest. Wow

Happy Birthday, Jake

2008-09-03T18:55:00.000-07:00

Fire In the Hole

2008-08-23T21:18:00.000-07:00

Here's a little clip recorded at the ITSA trials held at Charlie Nash's Farm (sorry, no sound). I've seen this cannon in action a couple of times before, but it's still fun to watch. Thanks to the Menonite Armory for troting out their big GUNs. Note: if you play with the slide controls on this veiwer a little, you can make Malcolm moonwalk. That's not something that would likely be possible without special effects.

People Have More Fun Than Anybody

2008-08-18T18:32:00.000-07:00

That's what my good buddy Fearless Charlie Nash says and he proved it this past weekend at the ITSA series trials event he hosted at his family's farm near Paris TN. He had stepped up with short notice to fill in for a canceled event, so he could be forgiven for keeping the whole thing simple and sweet. Yeah, it was 'bout as simple as the space shuttle. He could have stepped off the stage of the Ed Sullivan Show, for all the plates he was spinning and balls he was juggling. He was like a Army (or National Guard) General out there. There’ll be plenty more on the weekend here later and also found by visiting the sites always linked from this site. For now, all I can say is “ At Ease, Soldier”.

Good Advice Here

2008-07-28T08:49:00.000-07:00

Words of caution from the good folks at the British Columbia Ministry of Wildlife

Still Dancing

2008-07-23T21:19:00.000-07:00

Check this guy out

Golf Fix

2008-07-23T11:20:00.000-07:00

If you love golf, you might enjoy this little stress reliever. (Hope the Captain checks this out)

Too Close For Comfort

2008-07-15T08:13:00.000-07:00

The following was sent to me by my future son-in-law and it hit remarkably close to home, so I thought I share it with my peers (you know who you are). Check THIS out.

A Chip Off the Ol' Block

2008-06-17T07:41:00.000-07:00

Some of you may have heard me speak, or even read here about my daughter Leslie, who is currently in grad school in St Pete, FL. What follows is a little long for a post, but I thought it pretty good, so I have to share it. This is a thread of an email string between us about some new skills she has:
From the beginning:

To Jessie
From Leslie
Subject: Sea Ark!!!
>
>
> Hey Dad, just wanted to tell you that Jim and I went out today for a
> boat launching/driving lesson and we took out our Sea Ark!! It's
> exactly like yours! We were using a smaller boat last time but we
> took the Sea Ark out today and I trailered it down to the dock and
> then launched it. We launched near the airport by the Pier downtown
> and then we took the boat to the Pier and I practiced docking. After
> that we shot out into the Bay a little ways and then brought it in to
> the dock again. All went well until a squall blew in and I came all
> the way back to the dock with 3 foot swells. That was a little
> unnerving but she handled well. :) So does this mean I can drive when
> we're in for July 4th?? :) haha...

>
> Loves you,
> Sissy

From Jessie
TO Leslie

Dear Leslie,
>> I regret to inform you that our family is no longer possession of any
>> marine contrivances. It is an unfortunate coincidence that your
>> new-found skill should come just as we're no longer in position to
>> take advantage of it.
>>
>> I am happy to report that there IS water in the swimming pool and you
>> may expect to have opportunity to launch in it, one of the
>> sophisticated (Styrofoam) miniature flotation devices that we DO still own.
>>
>> I look forward to watch with pride this adventure.
>>
>> On another note, we've had a terrible outbreak of bird-flu, which is
>> currently confined to the rear garage. We suspect the now empty
>> facility appealed to the most unhealthy of those animals affected and
>> have had to quarantine it (as well as the area around it) for a
>> period of at least 6 months, or until after Christmas.
>>
>> Still look forward to your visit!
>>
>> Loves you
>> Dad

From Leslie
To Jessie

Dear Jessie,
>
> I'm so sorry to hear of this series of unfortunate events. The
> outbreak of bird flu you speak of seems quite unusual and my
> scientific background leads me to question the prognosis and
> subsequent quarantining in the lower garage. You might seek a formal
> second opinion because I am tempted to suggest some sort of digestive
> problem instead of what you call bird flu. It might simply be that
> said animals have been afflicted with a severe case of the bullshits,
> which can resemble bird flu but is also accompanied by shifty eyes,
> incessant clearing of throat, and overt sarcasm. Check into it and
> let me know what you find.
>
> I am pleased, on the other hand, to inform you that in addition to my
> boating skills, I've also become an avid motorcycler so could I borrow
> your harley??
>
> Sincerely,
> Sissy

UnDead

2008-05-18T19:06:00.000-07:00

I've made an observation that I hesitate to mention...well, let me back up a little.

As I mentioned in a previous post, I have been a little remise in the taking advantage of photo opportunities. This past Sunday, we held Round 3 of the SE ITSA series in Goodlettsville TN. Trent Parks was host of this, his first event and it couldn't have gone much better. More on that part later; right now I'd like to point out that I not only brought my camera, but I took it on the trail and took dozens of shots of some good rides and great efforts. I got Peewee and Malcolm styling through mud holes and hillsides. I got Chip and Ray slipping and sliding (like everyone else) in several of the slick creek sections. I got one really good shot of Randy Blackwell doing a pretty good SUPERMAN stunt, with his bike on the back wheel while he hung on for dear life. Sweet, just because I was (for once) ready on the spot for the shot.

I get home, plug the ol' Nikon into the computer and prepare to access the photos inside. What did I find? The single shot above! The rest are just...gone. If not for the one remaining, I'd claim mechanical difficulties, or even operator error. But since this picture did take, I can only conclude one thing. Except for Ray and Graham, I've obviously been riding all day with a bunch of Vampires. Dang

A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words

2008-05-07T21:41:00.000-07:00

We've all heard that before, uh. It's true that a photo greatly enhances a story, or sometimes it can say a lot on it's own. I take a camera with me almost everywhere I go, yet I get so wrapped up in whatever I'm doing, I can never remember to use it. I've seen some great shit too. I've seen all my riding buddies crash at one time, or many. I've seen wildlife acting tame and I've seen domestic pets acting wild. I saw Nubbie do a nose-drive into a dead cedar tree, stumble back to the camp fire and proceed to quote verse after verse of Poe's Raven. Bet my camera was in my pocket at the time. I've seen Charlie destroy more wood than all the dozers can in a week of mowing down the rain forests of South America, yet I got no pictures of him doing any of it. I've seen a good man shoot a short canon, with a shot that could be heard around the world (or at least anywhere on Big Bartons Creek). Or how about my good buddy R.Q. (young-at-heart) flying around the side of a hill, racing...well, racing something. I could have taken priceless shots of that!

I started this blog entry with the idea of giving a little report on the section-clearing trip to Trent's last weekend, then I got to thinking how much better (or at least mildly bearable) for anyone reading this, if I'd had some photos to put with it. I'm getting on Ebay right now, and find me some kind of Helmet cam, or lapel spy camera, or maybe even a pretty little college girl who likes to draw. Something...then watch out, because when you least expect it, you're elected......

"LONG AS I REMEMBER, THE RAIN'S BEEN FALLING DOWN"

2008-04-04T20:45:00.000-07:00

When I think of really fun outdoor activities, warm air and sunshine are usually key ingredients. This past weekend marked the second ITSA event of the 08 seasons, up in Palmyra at RQ Old’s Vintage Hills Ranch. Me and Fearless Charlie got there Friday evening and managed to set up the old foldout in the only short rainless interval of the day. Still, we had a good time watching the “Old Brother…”movie on the laptop. Course it rained so hard you couldn’t hear the words over the noise, but fortunately I knew all the dialog and provided same until Charlie passed out.

Next day the gang all got there and the fun continued right along with the rain. Fact is, it rained most of the weekend and most of the time was spent huddle under various blue canopies, telling jokes, eating, and drinking beer. It did stop raining long enough to get in a few hours by the campfire, which is always the highlight of these weekend trips. The guitars and clowning around, takes me as close as I ever get to feeling like a kid anymore.

The next day we enjoyed another dry spell, just long enough to get in the 3 rounds of trials riding. As always, riding in the groups is a treat for me. I think this was the first time I’ve had a chance to ride with my good buddy Malcolm, who is riding the B-line pretty damn good. No doubt he’s still better at playing a guitar than he is at riding out of slick creek bottoms, but that won’t be the case for much longer. Seems like everybody is stepping up their riding game these days. It was good having Joe Brother to ride with too. Unfortunately, he was having some mechanical trouble with his ride, which forced him to quit early.

Rain started falling just as we finished up. I have to admit I was starting to get a little tired of the wet stuff by this time. I watched as the Captain struggled to get up the slick hill in his 4x4 Ford and when he stalled, I commented sagely that his four-wheel drive couldn’t be working. When it was my turn, I suffered the same fate. Good thing the Cornel had a fleet of tractors to pulls us up over the hill.
My thanks to my hero, RQ Old. He’s got a great place and he’s a fine host. Thanks too, to the Guru and Peewee who always promote a good event and this was no exception. I’m sure we all take their efforts too much for granted. I don’t want to think about all I’d be missing if we didn’t have this thing going for us and while the riding may have become a smaller part of it (for me, anyway), it’s still at the core of it. I’d have thanked my lucky stars for this weekend, if I could have ever seen them through the clouds! AH, LET IT RAIN.

Great Day

2008-03-01T17:49:00.000-08:00

Me and Joe-brother were invited by our old buddy Peewee to come over and ride the ranch this afternoon. It's amazing, but even after the heavy rains of the day before, the ground was close to perfect and the weather was too. Trent came down, as did Bruce and the Scepter boys. As these photos demonstrate, a good time was had by all.

Here the Captain is engaged in some emergency repairs stemming from a noble attempt at a nasty tight turn and double-log combo that has claimed several victims in the past. His next effort was much more successful.

This is a good shot of Joe emerging from a ditch as he looked for something to make the location more interesting.

Barry (here) and Troy have been upping their game lately. The Scepter boys are going to a force to be reckoned with this year, as is Trent.

George T Bass 1947 - 2008

2008-02-20T20:38:00.003-08:00

I've got a good fiend by the name of Bass. NO, not the Ernest T of Mayberry fame. TO date my buddy Malcolm hasn't written a song about big George. There's plenty about him that would inspire creative effort. Big, tall, and strong as a mule. I always thought he looked like the old TV star, Clint Walker. Worked full time until he retired a year or so ago, never sick. His hobbbies where always hunting, fishing, and helping everyone in our part of the world, at one time or another. He routinely volunteered himself (along with a few of his friends) to build porches, garages, roofs, and several complete houses. That's how I know most of what I know about driving a nail. Yes, a real man and a good friend. It was like everyone claimed him and so each lost him similtainously. I've never seen such a line as was spilling out in to the 25 degree air at the rear of the funeral home tonight. AH, say it ain't so!

Sweet As Sugar

2008-02-20T20:12:00.001-08:00

My little girl has been a little under the weather lately, but she's on the road to recovery now and putting up wi.... ur, I mean enjoying my wife's company for a few days at her digs in old St Pete. I miss both of them when either is away from home, but let them both be gone at the same time the boy is in school and I find myself completely lost. Lost, mostly because all I do is eat and sleep and watch crappy TV all night. If somebody don't rescue me pretty quick, I'm going to look like fell-fed toad frog.

12 Days of Christmas

2007-12-28T07:36:00.000-08:00

Here's a link to a pretty good performance of an old Christmas classic. Don't take much to entertain me........

Highbrow Joint, Indeed

2007-12-17T16:22:00.000-08:00

I have a birthday coming up in a few days. I’ve had several and I have never made a big deal out any of them. My Tammy (on the other hand) never misses a chance to do something special for me. A couple of days ago, she presents me with a pair of tickets to see John Prine in a show happening last night. She knows I’m a huge fan of this man’s music. It was a great show, opening with Mac Wiseman and then with Prine performing for better then two straight hours. The new Symphony Center only seats about 2000 folks and the sound could not be beat. Well, not “campfire” great, but pretty damn good. I had two tickets, so I took my best friend along with me. She had a great time too, plus she was willing to drive home. How can you beat that for a birthday?

A Real Charmer

2007-11-20T18:40:00.000-08:00

I saw the cutest redhead the Saturday night at the Yearend ITSA banquet. No, I don’t mean the waitress. I’m referring to my good friend the Captain’s granddaughter, Brooklyn. She (like the rest of us) had big time. Unfortunately, I wasn’t around her for long, but long enough to learn three things about her. She loves taking photos and ketchup, and she don’t care for my singing. That’s okay, I like ketchup better than my singing too. A doll.

OH S*^#@

2007-11-18T16:15:00.000-08:00

Maybe this wasn't such a great plan afterall. Looks like a good time to abandon Ship!

It's over with now

2007-11-14T18:12:00.000-08:00

Easy does it!

Auntie Em! Auntie Em!

2007-11-06T15:55:00.000-08:00

For the last three months when I wasn’t off riding my old Yamaha, I’ve been helping my old buddy Cornbread with the construction of a fine new magnum duck blind. We’ve been wanting one that floats and have been on the lookout for a pontoon boat shell for years. Well we finally located some pontoons and set about to build a blind big enough to be comfortable in, while being sea-worthy enough to hold up to the rough winter waters of the Tennessee River. The floats are 22 feet long and the frame is made of 2x6s with aluminum sheeting for walls. I finished putting the roof on the attached boat “garage” Sunday evening, just as the sun went down. We had it sitting on a flatbed trailer, ready to launch next weekend when Monday’s storm blew through town.

As you can see, the weight of the thing shifted a little. Fact is, it apparently went completely airborne, inverted in flight, before landing square on its roof. Unbelievable. This monster weighs more that a 1953 model four-door Buick and with (I thought) absolutely no aerodynamic qualities. What’s really amazing is the fact that I can’t find a dent in it anywhere! It’s just, er…. a little faulty in its orientation.

Fortunately, there was nothing else damaged on the place. Actually, I saw nothing wrecked (to amount to anything) in the whole area. The boy asked me how the wind could have done that without tearing through everything else around there. I told him it must have been like those missiles shot down through the mouth of chimneys by FA-18s in Iraq, a real surgical strike. Man, I got to start living right.

What Mambership Card Is In Your Wallet?

2007-09-06T00:08:00.000-07:00

I’m once again I'm reminded of what the ITSA organization has done to enhance my motorcycle trials riding experience. Like a lot of riders in my area, I’m also a member of the STRA. I’ve got a little history with that organization, having been a part of it back in the late 70s and early 80s and then joining back with new interest about 5 years ago. I was also active in the AHRMA competitions until it became apparent that they didn’t really want me (a lowly trials rider) as anything more than a dues payer. Ever since my less-than-spectacular return to the STRA, I’ve been subjected to a decidedly cold-shoulder from a large part of the rank and file STRA membership. Now, I haven’t lost any sleep over it. I understand that it’s a simple case of a central core of elitist pricks being followed by a herd that's not capable of individual thought. They make a big deal about “welcoming” and “encouraging” new membership, but that’s just a farce. The only reason most of them pretend to want new members is to either fuel the enterprise, or to provide an additional fan-base for their imagined celebrity.

There is also a distinct bias in the STRA, or Modern over Vintage competition. Now (on the STRA bulletin board), there’s a long-time member who has had the “audacity” to call them on it. The initial response was a chorus of righteous indignation from the masses. They jumped on him like a pack of dingos on a crippled kangaroo. Then when their frontal assault failed to deter the criticism, they took the tone injured martyrs. Hypocritical bullshit.

I’ve got a modern bike and I like to ride it. I haven’t competed on it all year, but it’s not because I’m never welcomed when I do. I’ve just been busy. I’m still an STRA member and I will make more modern STRA events. I just wish I was good enough to beat’em. Thanks Lee, for speaking up and a big thanks to Bob and my fellow ITSA members keeping trials fun.

A Show Stopper

2007-08-01T07:10:00.000-07:00

As I write this, Loretta Lynn is hosting the annual National Amateur Motocross held there. Its close by (about 10 miles), but the crowd is so huge these days, it’s a just a little more than worth the effort for me to take time for it. The boy had a rare day off yesterday and eased over to check out all the Dust Busting going on. He came home and reported that it was madness out there, but the show stopper wasn’t found on the jumps. It was trails champion Geoff Aaron who had everybody’s jaw dropping. He had his demo laid out and evidently proceeded to make the most of it. Sorry I missed it and it was only a one day stop. Pretty cool though and I even had a call from a guy who had never really seen any trials, but had watched the show and knew I was involved in the sport. I probably should have explained the (huge) difference between what he saw at the ranch and what I’m able to do, but I didn’t have the heart. Heck, everybody needs a hero.

Cool Site of the Day

2007-06-28T07:33:00.001-07:00

My significant other sent me this LINK to a video of this artist working. He's fast and clearly ambu….uh, ambieee…..ammmm, ah heck, he can use both hands at once (I can never say ambidextrous). Anyway, check it out.

Honeys Out of My League

2007-06-12T10:04:00.000-07:00

I slipped out of my comfort zone last fall and found myself parting the foliage in the interior of the island of St Lucia in the Caribbean. Man, you talk about finding paradise. I’m not talking about the landscape either. Check out this young sweetie that I found and ran my game on, is she fine or what? I guess she didn’t have anything better to do, but I like to think it was my rugged good looks and abundant charm that won her over. The old man’s still got it (when the competition’s low).

Ah, I’ll fess up. I actually knew the young lady before we posed for this photo. The fact is, today we’ve been married for 31 years. Every single day of which has been paradise.

Pont of interest: the waterfall in the background of this picture is the one they filmed Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner sliding down in the “Romancing the Stone” movie. Don’t my Tammy look like a movie star too?

Now where did that come from?

2007-05-29T08:10:00.000-07:00

Manure: In the 16th and 17th centuries, everything had to be transported by ship and it was also before commercial fertilizer's invention, so large shipments of manure were common. It was shipped dry, because in dry form it weighed a lot less than when wet, but onc e water (at sea) hit it, it not only became heavier, but the process of fermentation began again, of which a by product is methane gas. As the stuff was stored below decks in bundles you can see what could (and did) happen. Methane began to build up below decks and the first time someone came below at night with a lantern, BOOOOM! Several ships were destroyed in this manner before it was determined just what was happening. After that, the bundles of manure were always stamped with the term "Ship High In Transit" on them, which meant for the sailors to stow it high enough off the lower decks so that any water that came into the hold would not touch this volatile cargo and start the production of methane. Thus evolved the term "S.H.I.T " , (Ship High In Transport) which has come down through the centuries and is in use to this very day. You probably did not know the true history of this word. Neither did I. I had always thought it was a golf term.

Go DevilRains...or DevilRods.. or Raps...DevilForks? Whatever!

2007-05-19T06:58:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm off in LALA land. St Petersburg FL to be exact. Down here for a few days to visit my little girl and to watch her walk the grad line at the college she's spent the last 4 years at. I wanted to pull all the stops and show her a good time, so I pulled some strings and got tickets for all of us to see the DevilRays take on the Mariners. Honestly, the Rays are sturggling and some guy offered me 5 bucks to fill some seats, but the family doesn't have to kow that, right? As it turned out, I had the best seat in the house and the picture above is proof of that. More on the trip later, stay tuned.

Will Ferrell and the Landlord

2007-05-07T07:49:00.000-07:00

Will Ferrell fan or not, this is way too funny. Check this short video:

The Landlord.

Picking and moaning

2007-05-01T22:31:00.000-07:00

I've had an old Montaya guitar, a knockoff of the very excellant Martin D28. It always seemed to have a good sound and I'd been trying to play it since buying it in 1983. First year, I took lessons once a week and learned to read music a little and could pick out some short random tunes. It was not what I signed up for and bored to tears, dropped the lessons and shortly after, hid the guitar in the closet. It was guys sitting around playing and singing that had me going then and it took a while to find some, but it's guys picking around a fire that's got me hooked again. Good players, who know how bad I suck, but encourage me anyway. I've bought a few peices to play with, but the honest truth is that none fit nearly as well as the old Montaya does. I have no high priced intruments. The triple stand is holding on the right, the old Montaya, on the left is a Ovation BlackViper - hollow body electric, and in back is my beat up Taylor Big Baby. The one encased on the floor is a Martin D15 Custom I just picked up. It's nearly new, too new in fact. I'm going to have to get Peewee up here to stretch the strings a little, while maybe Malcolm strokes my Taylor. Charlie and Cpt Dick can beat on the ovation, while we all drink spring water. That'd be alright. How about it, who's in?

Labrador Couch (in classic black)

2007-04-28T18:44:00.000-07:00

This is Annabelle telling Abby a secret. Probably something derogatory about the cat, who has been known to join the ladies in sitting out in the sun on old Jake’s back. Jake is truly the most good-natured creature walking this earth and will lay unmoving for as long as the others want to warm their asses. He’s getting old and I’m getting heavier everyday, so I mostly just sit in chair when I join them on the porch. Now, there’s a good boy.

He Got That Deer-In-The-Headlight Look

2007-03-17T21:54:00.000-07:00

A couple of years ago (when he reached the magic age of self-reliant mobility), I passed down my trusty old GMC pickup to the boy. He was 16 and the truck was just 10, so we all agreed it was a pretty good fit. He was really proud of it too; spending his own money to buy shiny new wheels, custom lights, fancy stereo equipment and what-not. This morning as he was coming home from a parts-store run for me, he had an unfortunate run-in with Kamikaze Deer that was obviously all cranked up on green road-side grass. The encounter was tough on all concerned

Amazing Ukulele Performance

2007-02-15T10:34:00.000-08:00

For any of you who are music lovers, I'll offer this link to an impressive performance on a ukulele (of all things). This guy didn't learn to play watching Don Ho. Check it out:

http://video.yahoo.com/video/play?vid=b165b79e80767f89ad515fcb3a992c3d.1701490&fr=yvmtf

Hunting, Not Finding

2007-01-11T10:45:00.000-08:00

I do a little duck hunting every year, but my enthusiasm for the sport is waning. Nowadays I mostly leave it to the youngsters who really don’t need me to lead them a field anymore. A while back, a friend of mine asked me to pony-up for a guided hunt at nearby Fullers Hill. Usually a very successful operation, but things are a little slow everywhere this year. The night before we’re to hunt, he sees the boy and tells him there’s a cancellation, so why not join us. GREAT, I pay twice! Well, we go and make a day of it, standing with only our heads sticking out of the ground in a pit up on a hill over-looking the wildlife refuge from dark to dark. Turns out the wind is wrong, and the water is right elsewhere and we end up barely firing a shot. Still, we see a lot of wildlife, including a Bald Eagle that flew around us most of the day. I guess in some places he’d need to worry about getting shot, but most of us knew that Eagle tastes too much like Owl to be good to eat. So we talked a lot, ate some fine gumbo and had a good day after all. It had been a long time since I’ve had the boy to myself for that many hours in a row. That made it worth the money, for me.

Home For the Holidays

2007-01-04T19:14:00.000-08:00

My little girl came home from school during the Christmas and New Years Holidays. It was great having her here for a while. A few days after Christmas, her fella paid us a visit. He stayed for a week and I got to say, it was a little weird. I gave him every chance to do something to piss me off, but you know what? He never did. I'll have to admit, he's a pretty good lad. Course not good enough for my little girl, but.........well, not too bad. City boy, for sure! They wanted to get out for some air, so I fires up the old river-runner and away we went. I says, "you wanta drive this thing" The shot above is him (and her) just before he asks about the brake location. I tell him it all Flintstone style in this rig. Nobody gets my jokes..........

IT LIVES!!!

2006-12-30T16:30:00.000-08:00

Finally got the wife's Passport all pimped out and running right. Time for the big moment, so I gathered all the kids, ran off the dogs, and with fire hose in hand it was "Ladies, Start Your Engines". Five minutes later, she screams "Helmets is for sissys" and commences to speedshifting her way around the yard. It'll be hard keeping her down on the farm now...........

"Be My Motorcycle Momma and We'll See the World On My Honda"

2006-12-05T17:32:00.000-08:00

Tammy (my wife of 30 years) has spent a considerable amount of time riding on the back of my old Harleys and even more time watching me as I rode away alone. She's never had any desire to pilot her on ride. Her one try took place some 25 years ago when I talked her into climbing onboard my trusty old TL125 for a quick spin around the field in front of our house. She started out riding directly toward the one corner where something other than wide-open space prevailed and ran smack into a stack of concrete blocks. The resulting pile-up was enough to convince her that riding on her own was not in the cards. She has maintained this stance through the course of years and my infrequent attempts to change her mind have proven unsuccessful. In the last couple of years, she's made the trip with the boy and me as we traveled to trials events here and there and seems to enjoy it. She's taken to teasing him that now that he's gone off to school, she was going to fill the gap by learning to ride his Sherco. Well, I'm thinking that if this were ever to happen, the result would likely be hard on her, the motorcycle, and any innocent, by-standing concrete blocks that happen to be in the vicinity. Nope, she needs to start smaller and with that in mind, I took a chance on this 1981 Honda Passport. No clutch, electric start, and a top speed of 45mph. Today is her birthday and after the cake was cut, I led her to the garage where her new steed awaited. She loves it and swears she'll ride it, just as soon as it warms up some. I sure hope that doesn't translate into "when hell freezes over". Ain't they a peach!

Year End, Year Out

2006-12-03T23:18:00.000-08:00

Had a great weekend, riding in the last ITSA event of the year and the first one for next year. I had some trouble with my ride and ended up riding most of the time on the Yamaha. I didn't do very well, but had fun anyway. More on the weekend latter, but I did want to offer big congrats to Peewee for his come from behind win in the year-end championship and his move up into the next class. He made the move Sunday and from what I saw, did pretty good for himself. Here he is making a tough section look easy. Good job.

The Ballad of Ernest T

2006-11-08T04:59:00.000-08:00

Man, I had a great time this last Saturday. It was the next round of the ITSA trials series, held at LEOR in Marion IL. It was also the last round of the Midwest AHRMA series, which just means that there were that many more fine riders and friendly faces around. I was proud of the crew for their collective performance. The Guru, Peewee, Cpt Dick, Bruce, Mike, Nub, and Malcolm all placing in the money (so to speak). Tony and the gang from Midwest treated everyone to a banquet after the event, with some cool awards, door prizes, and great food. Between riding and eating, I wandered over to where the Captain, Malcolm and some others were holding court around a fire built in a big truck wheel. It wasn't long before Malcolm brought out his Big Baby Taylor guitar and proceeded to entertain us for an hour or so. It was great. I'd managed to miss all other previous occasions when Peewee, Malcolm and others joined voices to serenade the stars and each other, so I found it a real treat. The bearded wonder has some Mad Skills as a picker and singer, and also as a songwriter. If you ever get a chance to hear is original "Ballad of Ernest T", you'll be so excided you'll likely throw a brick through a winder! Too Cool.

Hurrying through life

2006-10-23T16:04:00.000-07:00

The boy and I made a little run to the Trials Training Center this weekend, to partake in round 7 & 8 of the STRAs Championship series. I really considered traveling to Birmingham for the AHRMA National event taking place there on Saturday. My old buds from BJRacing were there setting up, so I knew I could count on some inside infor…. Ur, I mean some well thought-out trials obstacles. The MITA guys were also having a modern event to the north, but I gave the choice to the boy and he elected to go hard and fast (the night before, that is). He also wanted to ride his Sherco, claiming an absence of too long from its saddle. Never mind that it ain’t got no saddle, or even a seat. I really think he believed he’d put on enough pounds to take the old man if we were both mounted evenly. I had my doubts about that, so I gave in to his direction of choice. We only rode one day (the boy’s social life calling) and I got to admit, he had me on the ropes but good through two rounds. But just like a young George Forman found out when he let Ali off the ropes after 8 rounds of pounding him; never count the win while your opponent is still standing. I won’t get into details, but suffice it to say that I pulled out all the stops and took him by 2 points in the end. He rode consistent all day (4 loops, with a 15, a 16, a 14 and another 15) and I’m proud of him. He’ll get me soon, for sure. But then again, maybe not real soon after all. “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee…”

We Ride Again!

2006-10-09T18:46:00.000-07:00

Well, another ITSA trials event finally rolled around and not a moment too soon, I'd about forgot what the smell of two-stoke oil, helmet sweat, and dust smelled like. The scene was the Ranch in Dickson, with a whole bunch of riders competing for either ITSA, AHRMA, or STRA series points. Vintage bikes ruling the day, everything from mid-80s Fantics to rigid framed monsters made in the 1940s. I had a good time Saturday, but Sunday was a hoot! I love the single-line Scottish format, even if it doesn't particularly like me. Ah, I had a chance to clean the third loop Sunday but alas, it wasn't meant to be. I dropped three points as fast as was possible while making one single turn that shouldn't have been a big problem. Didn't mean much in the big picture, I'd already had my feet on the ground enough to have walked the loop twice. I rode in a group of really great guys, who pushed each other to do well, while not making it a matter of life or death. Clay and I were separated, but I had brother Joe with me all day and that was cool. That rascal hadn't set astride his old Yamaha in what must have been a year and still he beat the crap out of me. He would have beaten everyone else on Sunday, except he stopped in the easiest section of the trial with his axle about 2 inches from the end marker (or less). No explaining it, just a brain-fart and it's not like it meant the whole day sucked. Naw, it's a great day when old guys like me can spend the day playing like kids and laughing like idiots (Sweet).

Hanging Out With the Locals - San Juan

2006-09-25T11:21:00.000-07:00

I missed the last ITSA trials event. I had previous plans to take the little lady on a long over-due vacation. We had a good time, but I often found myself Hot and Tired. Maybe more on this trip later, but man I saw some prime trials riding spots. The "I" in ITSA is for "International", right?

We'll leave in a Minute!!

2006-08-25T13:27:00.000-07:00

Milestone at our place last Wednesday, the boy packed all (or, rather some) of his stuff and migrated west. Yes sir, ready to give it "that old college try". His sister is in from college for a few days and so we made it a whole family thing. She flies back to Florida Sunday, then I guess the nest will be officially empty. Kinda tough on an old man, I'll tell ya. The boy's just a couple hours away, but I suspect his laundry will have to get pretty rank before we get him back to the farm. Maybe he'll get hungry once in a while, or want to visit the dog or something. Heck, he may want to come back occasionally just to see if he's grown enough to make another mark on the wall by the refrigerator. Me, I think I'm shrinking, or it could just be that the world's getting bigger. Time (like kids) march on.

Day at the ranch

2006-08-22T10:14:00.000-07:00

Along about the last weekend in May, I joined some of my ITSA brethren for a day of riding over at the Guru's ranch. I got a couple of shots of the continuing effort at the mastering of the dreaded creek/log section that seems to plague a lot of us. Here's old Nubbie breathing easy on the flat transition area between the logs (urged on by the ignominious Skatetruck), and the other has Old Mennonite Mike showing off his new exhaust system in the same area. I never seem to ride well around these guys, but still have the best time. What's up with that? Maybe it speaks to my ability (or inability) as a rider, that I can't do very well if I'm distracted by enjoyment. Or maybe it's that when I'm with these guys, there doesn't seem to be that constant blanket of competitiveness that I feel in other environments. Or maybe it's just the beer. Whatever, I'd do it everyday if I could.

Honeys, Out of His League

2006-07-12T08:01:00.000-07:00

Been a while since I posted anything, so I took a few minutes this morning to scan through some digital photos for inspiration. I have this whole folder of shots from Clay's prom adventure and since it appeared to be an especially good evening for him, I thought a nod to that happy time might be in order. So here he is, loading up his sweetie for the trip uptown. Of all the pictures I have from that event, this seemed to me to be the best. It's a good shot of the pretty girl and the slick car, while also capturing his best side. Too bad though, you can't see his pink shirt from this angle. Anyway,way to go kid.

He Did Okay

2006-05-26T16:43:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, while most of you were at TTC for the world round and the vintage bike show, I was with my family, witnessing a rite of passage. Yep, my little man has finally taken that big step. One that his mother and I had long been anticipating (and dreading). I'll be honest, there were occasions when I doubted he had it in him. Oh, he looked like he was setting himself up to go all the way, but still there was a part of me that had reservations. In fact, I found out this weekend that he had been holding some reservations of his own. Looking back, I know I should have expected it. Well, that's all water under the bridge now, because he did make it. Made it all the way (with a little help from his friends, and his old man). Made it all the way......to FLORIDA!!!!! Yep, he said someday he was taking off with his friends and hitting the road and by golly he did it. Heck he's there now! In a hotel that's full of high school kids, with eight of his buddies and right next door to Hooters! Man, he sure has made his old Pap proud. Way to go son!! Oh yeah, he also graduated from High school.

Fun with ballons

2006-05-24T19:14:00.000-07:00

Can you imagine some guy going 90 mph on I-40 with these balloons trailing a few yards behind him? Instructions for a fun time on the interstate.....................
Step 1. Tie balloons to car.
Step 2. Drive like a bat out of hades....
Step 3. Watch people freak out !!!!
Is this great or not?

ITSA Great Time, Every Time

2006-05-16T04:09:00.000-07:00

We made another pilgrimage to Dickson Saturday, for the 3rd event in the 2006 ITSA trials series and I’m happy to report that me and the boy both managed to make it through the WHOLE thing to the end. No breakdowns, no injuries (except the inevitable lacerations in pride), or bad weather to mar the experience and I got to say, riding an entire event will leave you just about as worn out as spending the day pushing a motorcycle. You guys that always make it to the end of the ride should have said something to prepare us half-loopers for the ordeal. But hey, it was nice to go home without box full of parts for a change and I always get a thrill when I can drive past the emergency room in one piece.

A word to those of you that ride trials and were within driving distance of Dickson this weekend. You’re missing out on a real opportunity to enjoy our sport if you bypass these ITSA events. The crew at the ranch make real effort to make it worth your while to come, whether you ride vintage, modern or something in between. You really should try to make the next one; I can guarantee you won’t regret it.

Everything in Black and White (& carbon fiber)

2006-05-07T17:06:00.000-07:00

Well, I wrote the previous post last night, then forgot to publish it. This one is current and being written after working on the Reflex tank all day. ALL DAY? Didn’t I just write that I only lacked spraying a little clear on the thing? Well, I had a choice and I was torn. They were planning to spend the day laying out sections at the ranch for the upcoming ITSA event and I wanted to help. On the other hand, I hated to show up without the painted parts in tow. So I concluded that my best bet was to jump out there this morning and complete the painting, before driving over this afternoon. I flew into the garage and started ripping off paper. EGAD! (as my friend Graham would say). I found the paint had bleed under the tape in several spots, wrecking my carefully laid lines. I then proceeded to spend the next 6 or 7 hours gently sanding the edges of the color breaks with a fingernail file. That was a job. I did manage to get one coat of clear on it, but it needs a couple more and I ran out of time. I hate I missed the workday, but I was a prisoner of my own making.

I Ain't No Artist

2006-05-07T16:40:00.000-07:00

For the past several weeks, I’ve been working sporadically on a painting job that I’ve undertaken for my good buddy, the Guru. At first there didn’t seem to be much of a rush and with a pretty busy schedule and rain for almost every weekend this year, I haven’t finished what really shouldn’t have amounted to much of a job. After seeing the progress being made on the rest of the bike (as documented on the Guru’s Blog), I really been motivated to get the job done. The tank is this really sweet handmade fiberglass unit, made specifically for the tricked-out reflex they’re building over there at B&J Racing. It’s going to be a nice machine, so I didn’t want to screw up the paint job (too much). I also have the stock fenders, which I’m painting as well. The front fender had suffered a kink or two in its time, so I laid in a little fiberglass re-enforcement underneath help it hold its shape. With the glass matting out, I went ahead and filled in the holes where the taillight had been on the rear fender. Applying the color to the tank wasn’t a big deal, doing it two-tone just takes (me) a little more time that it otherwise would. In the shots above, you can see the first layer on the tank as well as the finished product on the fenders. The second shot is the tank after applying the second color. All that remains is pulling off the paper and shooting the whole thing with a little clear coat. I think it turned out pretty good. I guess there are probably those who’d question the logic of putting so much effort into the appearance of what’ll be an off-road competition motorcycle. And I’m not talking about just the tank and fenders; they’ve got the rest of that thing looking really good. Still, won’t it just get banged up the first time it’s taken to the woods? Well, maybe. Either the Guru or Hockeyboy will likely be piloting the thing and they don’t crash one very often (contrary to convention and my example). But it can’t avoid getting slimmed, no matter who’s driving it. So why bother to make it pretty? Well, why not?

Online, In the Nick of Time

2006-04-29T07:25:00.000-07:00

How important has the world-wide-web become to us as a society? Well, here’s a good example. We were in Sequatchi TN last weekend to compete in the last STRA Modern trials event. Clay over-heard someone mention wireless internet and BAMB, he was gone. When I get ready to get back at it, I find him sitting under a tree, instant messaging one of his many fans! Actually, I’m not sure who the fan was in that electronic conversation, but with the poor cell service found there, he was sure in a better mood after finding he could still stay in touch with “the world”. It is remarkable though, to be able to hook up like that in the middle of nowhere?

Another Humbling Experience

2006-04-18T18:21:00.000-07:00

Well, been a few days since I uploaded any random thoughts, so I’ll share a few now. I had a great time riding Sunday afternoon with the gang at Ginder’s ranch. We’re thinking of making the trip to TTC this weekend, so we loaded up the modern bikes to attempt re-acclimation of the intrinsic differences between riding new, versus old. The new modern style trials machines are truly amazing. They’re light, nimble, powerful, and extremely well designed. Why is it then that these engineering marvels look so clumsy with me on board? There were a half a dozen guys riding there Sunday, all of them on 30+ year-old motorcycles and every one of them looked like gazelles compare to me. Even the Guru, riding a strange, smoke-belching monster with what must have been wooden tires, made me look like a fish climbing a tree. Oh, the guys tried to cheer me up (I think). Cap said at one point that me and that Sherco looked like a water bug, darting and stopping all over the place. I think now he meant like a bug looks on the buffet table at the Sizzler as it dodges serving tongs, completely out of place. I can’t imagine that I’ll ever haul that thing up there again. I’ll bring the little Honda from now on, at least it’s got real issues that I can blame probable failure on. Oh well, I sure had a blast anyway.

Trials Training; Standing Press

2006-03-23T15:27:00.000-08:00

17....18.....19....20 WHEW, glad I started with something light!

My First Trials

2006-03-23T00:12:00.000-08:00

File Photo - But Big Red's Twin

It was late spring (I’m pretty sure) in 1975 and I’d gone to work with some guys who were just getting into off-road motorcycle riding. I was pretty young and had been riding on and off road all my life, these guys were old men (they were close to 30) and were just getting into it. One had a little SL100 Honda and another, a shiny new TL125. There was also a brother-in-law who had a new TL, as well as a really nice SL175 Honda that he was willing to part with. I had a street bike, but nothing to ride the trials with them, so I bought the 175 and we set about riding the hills every weekend. It was a blast; that big Honda weighed about a ton, but would climb a mountain if you had a good run at it. This brother-in-law had been reading about and relating all these tales of something called “Observed Trials” to us and of course we were interested. Heck, I was up for anything and even though the TLs were supposedly designed for the sport, I figured that a real “hot-shot” rider like me could wipe the field of a bunch of those sickly little scooters. I mean really, they only had one cylinder and didn’t weigh nothing! Consequently, when an actual trials event was scheduled (relatively) close by and the others decided to give it a whirl, I was first in line too load up and hit the road. We got there, entered, set through the rider’s meeting and finally got started, I was really anxious so I left the others and forged ahead on my own. It was the last time I saw those other guys that day and the last time I saw any of them riding in a trials, ever. It had rained for a couple days, the terrain consisted mostly of scattered logs strewn all over a sea of gray, clay mud. 10 sections, 4 loops and I completed a whopping 14 of them before everything conspired to beat me totally senseless. I think I pushed that Big Red (that’s what we called it) monster twice as far as I rode it that day. I was exhausted, I was demoralized, I was humiliated, and I was HOOKED! As I drove back home that day, I began plans: I’d strip the 175 of everything it didn’t need, and then maybe move the pegs back about a foot, I’d take the seat off completely and get a fresh knobby. Yeah, I could make this work. I had to because even though I’d failed miserably, I’d had a blast.

You might wonder what became of the others in my group; I found out the next day that one of the guys had gotten stuck at one of the first sections. He’d slipped to the ground and wasn’t having much luck getting the TL he was riding out of the hole he’d fallen in. The guy scoring the section jumped in to help, grabbing the bars and walking it out. My buddy thought he should be doing something, so he scrambled up and began pushing from the rear. He taken only a few steps when his feet slipped in the mud, causing him too fall forward. He caught himself on his hands, but unfortunately one of them landed between the chain and the sprocket. He lost parts of two fingers that day, along with any desire to ride trials. The whole crew (with the exception of me) witnessed the accident and came away similarly inclined. Who knows, if I’d not left them in the beginning, I might have pulled the plug myself. Jeez, that would have saved a load of time and money over the next 5 or 6 years. But then, I wouldn’t have been inclined to start back riding a few years ago. I’d have missed the fun I’m having now and the time spent seems well worth it at the moment.