August 2016 – Mechanical Sympathy

Lobo Loco: The Birds & The Bees Rally

August 31, 2016January 19, 2017 By Timothy King

You couldn't possibly hit them all, so route selection is key. It's a sleepy, summer, Saturday morning in Elmira. The few locals that are already up are walking dogs and taking it slow, but the clock has just ticked over to 8am and we've begun our first long distance…

Whimsical Tigers

August 22, 2016January 24, 2017 By Timothy King

On our recent cross-Ontario ride we were stopped a number of times by people who were curious about the Tiger. This is an eye catching, obviously modern looking bike with a Triumph logo, it prompted questions. If they see a new 'classic' Triumph, most of the general public think it's actually…

Finding Mountains

August 17, 2016January 17, 2017 By Timothy King

Way back in the late 70's we were new immigrants living in Montreal. We got a handle on our new land by camping, a lot. One of the most memorable trips we took was down into the Adirondacks in the spring, where we camped in the mountains. It was the first…

To One Thousand Islands

August 13, 2016January 17, 2017 By Timothy King

Things fell together just right for a ride out to the 1000 Islands in Eastern Ontario. My lovely wife had a conference in Ottawa, so we spent the weekend before where Lake Ontario empties into the St Lawrence Seaway.This meant, for the first time, I had a support vehicle! …

Appalachia

August 12, 2016January 17, 2017 By Timothy King

What a ride down the Appalachians would look like next summer (for the solar eclipse!)https://goo.gl/maps/6h2J4cJoXhzElora, ON4 h 19 min (286 km)Entering the United States of America (New York)4 h 19 min (286 km)Entering Pennsylvania3 h 11 min (224 km)State College, PA37 min (40.0 km)Entering MarylandEntering West VirginiaEntering VirginiaPassing through West…

Domino Effect

August 5, 2016January 17, 2017 By Timothy King

I find myself fighting a constant battle with non-riders over just how dangerous motorcycling is. They can't understand why I would risk life and limb (or my son's life and limb) to do something so superfluous. Unfortunately, the press is more than willing to inflame this perception. While I was…

Pretty Things

August 3, 2016January 17, 2017 By Timothy King

I was at the local dealer yesterday getting parts (just not all the right parts).There were pretty things in the show room:The new Yamaha FZ-10. Some don't like the look, but anything inspired by anime mech is mega in my books!It's arresting in person.The old school Yamaha yellow & black…

The Ruminating Rider: Entropy

August 2, 2016February 17, 2018 By Timothy King

en·tro·py ˈentrəpē/ 1. lack of order or predictability; gradual decline into disorder. "the old bike finally succumbed to entropy amidst the weeds." synonyms: deterioration, degeneration, crumbling, decline, degradation, decomposition, breaking down, collapse; Out of high school it looked like my life's work was going to be mechanics. I apprenticed as a millwright and quickly…

Airhawk Bravado is Airhawk Excellence

August 1, 2016January 17, 2017 By Timothy King

With the monkey butt I had from the oven-hot Indianapolis ride we did last summer, I picked up an AirHawk before leaving on the around Huron trip. They make some pretty aggressive claims about how good this seat cushion is, and 1600+kms around Huron in mega-heat would be a good test.While shopping for…