Topic: 24 Rides in 2024, Frank's New Years resolution that we can all enjoy.

[jgger]

True dat, David.

[willbird]

You made it willbird. Here’s your 96 badge. Nice Job.
I liked the sunshine today, but the breeze was stinging my ears just walking across the parking lot.
I’m thinking you’re on your new Honda, but I can only guess.
What’s the service interval? Motor oil?
Does it like the cold?

First thank you for the road sign :-). On the CB500X for number 96 yes, it has heated grips ;-). Honda says 8K on oil but the service schedule calls for something every 4k so I just did oil then too. The CB500X so far just does it's deal down to 26F maybe was the lowest this year...it does not act any different hot or cold so far.

[ofreen]

Well men, today was supposed to be #24 on the 750.  But we had the grand kids here over Christmas and I must have caught some of that stuff they pass around at daycare.  My head is stuffed up, nose running like a faucet, shivers and shakes come and go, along with dizziness.  It is noon and sunny but only 32F, supposed to peak at 35.  I had pneumonia once long ago, don't want to do that gain, so I am wimping out.  Reading Terry's rules, it appears I can count another ride as long as I documented it elsewhere at the time.  Here is one I did in October with some scenery on the faithful GS. If that doesn't work, no worries.

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,125332.msg2299096.html#msg2299096

When I started back on January 1st, I set the goal of only counting rides on the 750F.  Also, I wanted them to be interesting, to me if no one else, but I have received a lot of nice feedback on the photos.  I'd like to do it again in 2025 but over the last 3 years I have hit almost everything interesting in a 200-300 mile radius and I hate to repeat myself.  So I have a preliminary plan to mix things up.  It will all be on the 750 and might contribute to its demise.  But I wouldn't try it if I didn't think it could do it.  More later if it pans out.  Thanks to all that have contributed to the thread.  It has been fun.  I thought I'd close out the year by getting the selling price over $172,000, but not today.  So close.  I'd try tomorrow if I feel better, but we are supposed to see snow on the valley floor move in tonight.

[Terry in Australia]

Well it's officially 2025 here in Oz, but I did get ride #40 in yesterday. I decided to drag my dusty old Sportster out and see if it would start, but I shouldn't have worried, it fired up straight away as always. I took off and stopped at Kilmore for fuel, and thought it'd be a good idea to check the tyre pressures as I haven't ridden it in months. Lucky I did, because as I was fitting the air hose to the rear tyre, I noticed that I had a broken spoke. Fcuk! I checked the other spokes and found another broken one.

Sportster Tuesday 31 Dec 2024 1 by Terry Prendergast, on Flickr

Needless to say I didn't want to continue the ride, so I turned for home and rode along, imagining what carnage could happen if any more spokes broke. I got off the freeway and was almost at the storage place when an errant Kangaroo jumped out in front of me. Luckily enough I was riding carefully due to the broken spokes, and was able to avoid it. To cap off my day I got back in my truck and realised that I had a $119 (about $80 USD) parking fine from the previous day. Bugger.

Anyway, I still managed to do around 58 miles for ride #40, so I'm happy. I'll post the "25 rides in 2025" thread tomorrow, and I look forward to seeing lots of guys here taking up the challenge, and carrying on Franks legacy. Happy New Year to all!

Sportster Tuesday 31 Dec 2024 by Terry Prendergast, on Flickr

[newday777]

Well I didn't get to ride yesterday because of the mud it the driveway, or today as they put down salt overnight because the ground is still frozen under the pavement which brought about black ice so it's not going to happen again this year with 36 minutes left to 2025.
Happy New Year to you all!

[RAFster122s]

Called Dr to get some meds to help with cough that hurts a lot, muscles in abdomen and back are over contracting and it is very unpleasant. Well they couldn't see me, no shock there given I never can get an appointment in less than 3-4 weeks away. They call just after 3 wanting me to go to urgent care to get X-rays and they can get me meds to help me and my symptoms. Well, aI go to website of one I have gone to in past and they are closing at 4pm, so I decide to try to go to one of 2 closer since I cannot get to the one before 4pm. I go and they are closed, ride over to other and never liked them, and they have no x-ray tech and their closest location that dies is 15-20 minutes ride farther away. Wasted trip and so I stop to get some food and return home. Pita and wasted trip and not even a fun ride, at least I was feeling better, last Thursday I barely had enough energy to walk to my gate and back, had to sit on steps outside to rest before coming in.
Ride was only 35 miles...
Temps were nice enough, 73f and return trip sun had set and it was 64.
Forecast for 1st is 73f whereas today forecast was 76f.
Amazing temps for this time of year. Been bone dry too. At this rate Northern AZ will see some lighter snowfalls but southern AZ won't see hardly any this year. Likely to be seeing 100 before end of April with another hot dry summer.

[Kevin D]

Greg, it looks like you’re in!
Hope you’re up for some celebrating!






I have your address from last year, unless it has changed.
Your award badge will go out soon.

[Kevin D]

I have searched out all of your photos Greg and chosen some favorites. (CBF and Autocar)
Now is the time to speak up if you all have a favorite.
I can fit 6,7,8 into the photo collection.

[ofreen]

Thanks Kevin, I appreciate it.  Address is the same. Any photos you choose will be fine.  Looking forward to 2025.  Happy New Year to everyone.

[jgger]

Ok tell me if I'm stupid or something, but before you do please read the whole post.

Frank started this challenge,  I believe in 2017 to get people off their butt's an ride. I think that as the years progress it gets harder for some to complete. So here is my thought to make it a bit easier for more participants. If you think about it if someone living where year round weather is possible, it takes 2 rides per month and that number goes up every year. For those living where riding is seasonal, as the years progress they would practically have to live on their motorcycle. I would hate to see people not posting pictures and stories from around the world start to decline. If we were to meet Frank say half way we could settle on a constant number of rides for the year. This year I'm personally fine with 25 rides, but re-joining the working class last year i can see how it might be difficult for some to even dream of doing that. If we used a fixed number of rides per year, say like 20 in 25 that would keep the year designation and perhaps encourage more to attempt. Next year could be 20 in 26 then 20 in 27 and so on. Then who ever is promoting this challenge won't have any trouble in 2099 and be stuck wondering why nobody is joining in!

Anyhoo, what do you guys think?
Happy New Year
Jgger/Jim

[PeWe]

I have no problem to do 25 rides during May to September. 5 months.
Bonus rides making another month half April and half October.

I have done more rides each year than I have  reported. I do not count rides without photos and an interesting description/story for others to read.

It's up to the weather, not too many rainy days. I prefer min +15C.
A sunny dry day with +13C in the shadow is OK too

I have adjusted (shortened) the too long duration of my K6 acc pump so I'm eager to test asap. I forgot to check that the last 2 years. Saw too much dark smoke when revving it when parked  recently.

Heavy throttling at various speeds to find eventual hesitations in need of earlier/longer squirt.
I hope to find hesitations, back out a screw a little. New road tests.... A perfect reason for a nice beautiful and tasty ride to report.

[ofreen]

Anyhoo, what do you guys think?
Happy New Year
Jgger/Jim

You raise some points worthy of discussion.  Does the number of rides have to keep incrementing every year?  Is it a good way to increase participation?

I have done more rides each year than I have  reported. I do not count rides without photos and an interesting description/story for others to read.

Pretty much where I am at.  I am riding all the time anyway.  I actually have to make a conscious effort to drive my cars once in a while during the riding season so they don't deteriorate from inactivity.  So for me the rides in this thread are just an excuse to post photos, which hopefully encourages others to post their's.  I also like Andy's long running 'let's see your SOHC4 on the road' thread so will put different photos over there.  Danny has a similar non-SOHC4 thread that I like to post in too.  However it goes, I'll continue to participate and hope others will join in.

[Gurp]

This yeah I'm hoping to get the sporty going then the Honda chopper and get some rides. Looking forward to trying for 25 rides!

Sent from my LE2127 using Tapatalk

[Terry in Australia]

From memory Frank’s New Year’s resolution was to do 20 rides of at least 100 miles in 2020. Like Jim, I still have a full time job so am limited to weekends and public holidays, annual leave etc. the vast majority of my rides has been on weekends and usually only one per weekend as Spotty and I are usually fixing one of my bikes each Saturday, which has been great as I have more bikes on the road now than ever before.

Yes it’s been an effort to get out almost every weekend to get another ride in, but for a lot of guys here who’ve retired it’s been easy, especially since we dropped the minimum mileage to 50 from 100. Frank’s reason for starting the thread was to get off the couch and make the effort to do more riding and that’s the inspiration for keeping this thread going.

I know it’s difficult for some guys due to work and family commitments, but that’s what separates us from the guys who don’t make the effort. I’m retiring at the end of this year (woohoo!) so 26 rides in 2026 won’t be a problem.

[Kevin D]

Sorry to change the subject, I should put this up for Greg. I started on this earlier, weeks back when it was clear he would finish. He has posted well over 100 photos, all of them good. This photoshop allows nine in a collage. I made repeated sorts to narrow the field down to nine, and even asked my bride for assistance.
I may have missed something, it’s all arbitrary, I’m no art critic.
There are many terrific photos in this thread and they really enhance the ride report.
My head was spinning trying to sort your photos Greg.

[PeWe]

I'm not retired yet. A little more than 2 years left.

A ride after work is the thing for me.
It takes 5 minutes to reach not crowded country roads where I can cruise around relaxing after work.
But, Saturdays are nice too, a tasty bigger meal as a later lunch.

Since I start to work earlier (6 am), I can go earlier. I leave home on my bike 3:30-4pm.

[ofreen]

He has posted well over 100 photos,

I've wondered a few times if was overkill.  Thanks for your kind words about the photos and for the collage, which looks great.  I made it the wallpaper.

[RAFster122s]

That's a nice collection of Greg's photos you curated, perfect for a calendar shot...

[willbird]

Personally I do not see that 25 and incrementing  is "that many" rides. Having the goal gets folks out and on the bike. I am not retired but do work an off shift but a lot of my rides were weekends after working 3am to 11am, and doing a fair amount of work on my CB750K2 because this year was it's second year back on the road after sitting for 20 years. Quite a few rides were over 100 miles too but when it gets below 45F-50F that becomes more difficult.

[BenelliSEI]

All good points. “25 in 2025” sounds good, but then hold the ride count at 25 in the future? It’s really snowing HARD here today, so this is a nice conversation!

[Kevin D]

He has posted well over 100 photos,

I've wondered a few times if was overkill.  Thanks for your kind words about the photos and for the collage, which looks great.  I made it the wallpaper.

Greg, I stopped counting at 100 and I was a bit more than halfway through the list. My head was spinning in a happy way like you have had too much to drink and you want more. It’s nice to know there are places in this country with no traffic, views to the horizon, no clutter.

As far as 24 or more, I’m ok continuing on. Lash, willbird, Budman have shown new limits of what can be done here with the right setup. Opening it up has brought more participation, a good thing.
 It’s just as easy to dial the target ride count back as it is to increase it.
 Yes Terry it was 2020, the year of Covid shutdowns when Frank first put this challenge up. I had the roads all to myself.
At 42N my season is a bit more than PeWe’s and I crave the 15 hr days in June and suffer with 15hrs of darkness just now. The temps are reliably rideable here from April 15 - October 15 with bonus rides outside the 6month window. So once a week for 26 weeks works for me. This year I was towed by lashwillbud to 35 rides and 3500 miles, my tops. My age and health are my limiting issues. I can’t keep up with my Beemer buddy. My longest ride this year was 160 miles, with him. He does double that no sweat. You working guys: don’t wish your lives away. Yes there’s more time to ride in retirement, but less resources to do it with: I’m gonna age out of riding. It’s a good thing I have this easy chair, I sit down after a ride, start writing, and promptly fall asleep, haha.
 
 There were a dozen finishers this year. 12 x 24 = 288 rides x 50 miles = 14400. Of course there were a lot more rides and a lot more miles.
 I have mailed out 10 of Bud’s handsome badge awards so far, Greg’s is on the table just over there in the envelope stamped and ready to go in today’s mail. My own is hanging from the mirror stalk on my CB. It’s a little tattered from banging with the 23 badge, and I think Frank would be good with that, knowing that the wear is from riding my CB.

[budman]

Can’t catch a break.  Drove my truck into town this morning to buy some groceries and got hit by a deer.  I didn’t see it.  It rammed the driver’s side bed panel.  I had just made a right hand turn at an intersection.  Looks like it tried to jump over my truck.  The damage is up high.  Dent in the door post and cab post too.  Caught a glimpse of it hobbling away.  Young doe.

Congratulations, Greg!

As far as the increasing annual number of rides goes, at some point, or maybe from the start, it was labeled a “Challenge”. That’s what it is.  It’s a personal challenge.    It’s also a memorial.  If you can’t make it, you can’t make it.  It’s not a contest.

At this point, especially after another deer incident this morning, it’s looking like I might end up with a big fat goose egg for a ride count.

[willbird]

Can’t catch a break.  Drove my truck into town to buy some groceries and got hit by a deer.  I didn’t see it.  It rammed the driver’s side bed panel.  I had just made a right hand turn at an intersection. 
Looks like tried to jump over my truck.  The damage is up high.  Dent in the door post and cab post too.  Caught a glimpse of it hobbling away.  Young doe.

Congratulations, Greg!

As far as the increasing annual number of rides goes, at some point, or maybe from the start, it was labeled a “Challenge”. That’s what it is.  It’s a personal challenge.    It’s also a memorial.  If you can’t make it, you can’t make it.  It’s not a contest.

At this point, especially after another deer incident this morning, it’s looking like I might end up with a big fat goose egg.

I just dropped off my Tundra for repair, a Buck Whitetail Deer ran right into my drivers side rear door on my way to work at 230AM a few weeks back. I never actually saw it just heard a loud BANG. Semi truck driver was passing me when it happened and he saw the Deer.

[budman]

I just dropped off my Tundra for repair, a Buck Whitetail Deer ran right into my drivers side rear door on my way to work at 230AM a few weeks back. I never actually saw it just heard a loud BANG. Semi truck driver was passing me when it happened and he saw the Deer.

Yeah, I heard and felt a big thud.  Always something.  My son was here for NY and he helped me install new sparkplugs in my truck on Monday.  Other than a couple of miles test drive on Monday when we finished today was the first drive into town.  Truck was running like brand new.  I was 1/2 block to the grocery store, which is where I was going.   I wasn't hurt this time, but it kind of feels like I've been struck by lightning twice.

[PeWe]

I just dropped off my Tundra for repair, a Buck Whitetail Deer ran right into my drivers side rear door on my way to work at 230AM a few weeks back. I never actually saw it just heard a loud BANG. Semi truck driver was passing me when it happened and he saw the Deer.

Yeah, I heard and felt a big thud.  Always something.  My son was here for NY and he helped me install new sparkplugs in my truck on Monday.  Other than a couple of miles test drive on Monday when we finished today was the first drive into town.  Truck was running like brand new.  I was 1/2 block to the grocery store, which is where I was going.   I wasn't hurt this time, but it kind of feels like I've been struck by lightning twice.

The deers are hunting you Budman?

No meat to your BBQ, only damages to fix?
Good that you are OK.

This is a reminder to all of us.
I have not been close yet except for a big moose I could stop in time for when driving my car on one of my favourite bike riding roads just after sunset late September.

A key ring plate with an X for every animal....