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

[lash]

I’m shooting for April 17 as ride #24…

[Kevin D]

Dear Lord, thank you for letting my CB750 start today, April 8th, on the very first press of the starter button this season so that I could complete my first ride, #1 of 54 miles, before Mr. Lash and all the rest of the double digit riders complete the challenge of 24 rides.
 The bike ran very well, more like mid season than opening day, and when I was on the country road the horses were out to greet me and the speedo was about 50 and the tach about 3800 I smiled and the world was perfect and I enjoyed what I have missed.
  I made it home before the sky went dark, headed for the easy chair……

[jgger]

Welcome aboard Kevin, feels good ,doesn't it?

I started out this year pretty good, I'm going to have to get serious soon, lash is smokin' everybody!  I'm starting to feel like Arlo Guthrie on the group W bench!

[lash]

Nope, it’s not Kentucky! Ontario again…
 
Finally we have CB weather! Ride #18 done 180 mi./300 km. Forecast for thunderstorms tonight and general crappy cold weather for at least Wednesday and Thursday so no riding tomorrow.

[BenelliSEI]

Dear Lord, thank you for letting my CB750 start today, April 8th, on the very first press of the starter button this season so that I could complete my first ride, #1 of 54 miles, before Mr. Lash and all the rest of the double digit riders complete the challenge of 24 rides.
 The bike ran very well, more like mid season than opening day, and when I was on the country road the horses were out to greet me and the speedo was about 50 and the tach about 3800 I smiled and the world was perfect and I enjoyed what I have missed.
  I made it home before the sky went dark, headed for the easy chair……

Well done Kev. Glad to hear all is well in your universe! J.

[lash]

Thunderstorms last night but the weather today was way better than forecast, so #19 is done. 150 km to have a great chicken dinner at a Mennonite restaurant. Worth the trip!

[BenelliSEI]

#2…… Went to Accelerated Technologies to pick up the shocks for the race car and it was so nice Tim and I rode up to Buckhorn. 156 km. In lovely  sunshine and 17-18C

The new sprockets and chain on the Varadero have completely eliminated an annoying “thrumming” sound that was happening at almost any speed last year. The communicators (that I thought I would hate), continue to work perfectly and we were able to catch-up on some planning for the race season schedule too. Bonus Day!

[Kelly E]

#2…… Went to Accelerated Technologies to pick up the shocks for the race car and it was so nice Tim and I rode up to Buckhorn. 156 km. In lovely  sunshine and 17-18C

The new sprockets and chain on the Varadero have completely eliminated an annoying “thrumming” sound that was happening at almost any speed last year. The communicators (that It thought I would hate), continue to work perfectly and we were able to catch-up on some planning for the race season schedule too. Bonus Day!

If I could just get my buddy Paul to try out the communicator he bought but he says "I don't need to talk to anybody while I ride" or "I don't want to listen to music when I ride" so I ask him why he bought it, no answer.  He bought it to go with the new full face helmet I talked him into buying.  But he hasn't worn it, he still wears his Harley style half skull bucket.

[budman]

Woohoo, Kevin!

[budman]

Ride #10, 78 miles.

Was a beautiful day.  Washed the Scout, packed a lunch and headed north for another picnic lunch at the Llano River park.  Seems like almost every time I go there I discover a new sculpture.  I had seen these oddly shaped concrete bollards around this tree before, but I finally realized it's supposed to be a hand with a tree growing out of it.  I had also never noticed this big egret bird thing before either.

Lots of red, yellow, purple and white wildflowers popping up all over.  The bluebonnets look like they're on the way out.  Still plentiful, but I'm guessing they'll be gone in about a week if that.

And so much for the bike wash.  The bug were out in full force.  Had to stop and clean my riding glasses four times.  Still a good day.

Looks like lash is gonna knock me off the throne at this pace.  Yours for the taking!

[newday777]

Bud
That egret is cool.


I haven't gotten back out because of 10" of winter again on Thursday last week..... thankfully we had a couple of nice warm days that melted 🫠 it all away.
But it's now raining today through Saturday washing the salt off the roads and Lord willing they won't put any more salt down this year! Come on Spring win the battle!

[jgger]

b

Great job guys, keep them comming.

Meanwhile back at the ranch, Eeyore is still under the Knife. Hopefully soon to be all better.

[Terry in Australia]

Well done everyone! I’m hoping to get a ride in tomorrow, the new rectifier I bought for the DT250 arrived this week and even though it’ll be removed once the whole new 12volt ignition system arrives from England I installed it. I took the bike for a quick lap around the block today and it seems to be running ok, so considering that I haven’t embarrassed myself for a couple of weeks I’ll attempt my next ride on it tomorrow to see if the rectifier has “rectified” the issue. I doubt it, but I’ll be happy if it runs a bit better.

[Kevin D]

Hello amigos, yes it’s good to be home, but I’m in the hole on all of my spring work. I was very fortunate that the Honda started, the tires are good, 1200 miles until oil change. I spent much of the winter at 26.6N, 80F and sunny most every day, lots of seafood on the menu.
 You all are getting it done with your early season rides, I’ll be lucky to finish 24. I don’t know where my Honda will take me this year. I might see The Lone Builder and tag along a bit, although he is a transcontinental rider…. and I’m not.
 Terry, you must be made of gristle, if I had half of your injuries mate I’d be done for. 50 miles on the Honda put me in the easy chair for a needed snooze.

[Terry in Australia]

Thanks Kev, I'm just looking forwards to the rib knitting and being able to sleep on my right side again, I woke up this morning with a sore back and rib, which pissed me off.

No matter, I was keen to do ride #15. I'd replaced the new rectifier last week and a quick lap around the block felt better than the last time I fired it up. I haven't embarrassed myself in a couple of weeks since holding up traffic as the DT missed and farted, lost power, found it again, and generally made me nervous for the entire ride. Today it was much better. I stopped at the gas station and put 5 litres of 91 in it, and rode off into the gloom. (the temps have dropped by 50% in the last week or two) The bike was definitely running better, the lights were more stable, and while it still ran a little rough, was happy to cruise at 50-60 MPH, so I could stay with the traffic, but I kept well away from the freeway.

I rode up through Eden Park, and stopped to give my back and rib a rest for a moment while I took some pics.

DT250 Saturday 13 April 2024 by Terry Prendergast, on Flickr

I'd worn my winter jacket but all my winter gloves are over at the storage unit, so while my summer gloves weren't ideal, I wasn't too uncomfortable, but my hands were a bit cold. I must get some more winter gloves for my bikes that I have stored at home. I continued to Whittlesea, Wandong, Heathcote Junction, and back home. Only did around 55 miles or so, but it was a good ride, and I'm looking forwards to the new ignition/12V conversion arriving from England, to see how much better it'll run. I had a large-ish Hungry Jacks wrap for breakfast, so didn't stop for food, but once it's running perfectly I'll ride further and stop for food, and post pics. That chicken dish above looks magnificent. I couldn't eat a quarter of all that, but I'd enjoy it, for sure.

Tomorrow Spotty and I will do some more work on the BMW, I bought a little ultrasonic cleaner to clean the injectors, plus an injector tester, so it'll be fun to see how good (or otherwise) we can clean the injectors, and hopefully get it running. It'll be nice to do my next ride on the BMW, if we can get it sorted. 15 down, 9 to go. I think I'll make it.

DT250 Saturday 13 April 2024 1 by Terry Prendergast, on Flickr
 

[PeWe]

I'm still at 0 rides
Rain is the stopper now. Maybe possible later today.

Nice photo, Terrry. That bike is an off-road  type of bike, good to show that
Keep your fingers warm to not getting joints issue there as well.

Many summer gloves have vent holes. My fingers do not like that even when +25-30C

[Kevin D]

Per, it will be all the sweeter when you get your first ride.

[BenelliSEI]

Terry….. the Yamaha looks great in the last shot. Be interested to hear about that 12V conversion too.

[Terry in Australia]

Thanks guys! I’ll post the conversion when the parts arrive John, I’m hoping it won’t be long, it’s a great bike to ride, as comfy as you’d expect from a dirt bike with longer travel suspension but competent on the road too. I just don’t trust it to do longer rides until It’s been converted.

[PeWe]

#1 ride 2024!
Weather finally OK and most sand on my street and other streets removed.
+16C to +11C afternoon ride.

178 km total,  to Avesta for refill of fuel. Mostly smaller country roads.

I had to visit my favourite ride restaurant for a tasty kebab. Took a free salad while waiting.

Winter is just over so no sea of flowers to see close to the roads. I got a few insects hitting my visor though!
#
#
Here when I had done the vegs with juicy sauces, spicy red and white mild.
I have working on the meatier part for a while

[jgger]

WOOHOO, Per! Welcome aboard finally, it looks like it was a great day to ride.

[PeWe]

WOOHOO, Per! Welcome aboard finally, it looks like it was a great day to ride.

Life is back!!

[BenelliSEI]

WOOHOO, Per! Welcome aboard finally, it looks like it was a great day to ride.

Life is back!!

Well done Per!

Today I signed up for a three day ride with the CVMG Ganaraska guys.  First day is 218 kilometres to cottages on a lake in N.E. Ontario. Two nights there with day trips and a roundabout trip home on Sunday. +800 km’s all in and best of all my son is coming along too (I’ll need to get the K3 ready). The “ride captain” is very organized, so maps and reservations for sure!

[willbird]

#6, 103 miles again........

61F, decent amount of wind from the West. They just recently opened up the beginning of the Ohio Turnpike as "no toll" so part of my ride was a free slide from exit 25 to exit 13. I remember as a kid getting on the Turnpike and my dad telling me "this will be free to drive on one day". That was the original story but of course they reneged on their promise when the time came :-).

Bill

[Terry in Australia]

Well done Per, good to see that winter is behind you, and that kebab looks great! Enjoy your ride John, my club plate coordinator hinted that he’d like to see me attend some club rides, and I suppose I should, 33 years in the club and I’ve only gone to two meetings and one ride. Once I retire I’ll probably do more rides with them.

Jim, I forgot to ask what’s up with your FJR? Looks like a big job? Today looks like a lovely day, so I’m heading over to Spotty’s place to finish (hopefully) the fixing of my BMW so I can ride it again. Bought some cool tools for cleaning and testing the injectors, hopefully they will all work as the aftermarket ones I bought haven’t arrived yet. We’ve also got to get the front brakes working, Spotty bled the rear brakes and replaced the fluid, but there’s a blockage between the MC and ABS module. I could bypass the ABS, but would prefer to keep it working if possible, or else I’ll have to disconnect the ABS warning light.

Anyway, well done everyone, I think we’re smashing through the rides so far this year, and it’s great to see so many guys out there getting some miles in, and posting pics. Enjoy your rides!