Start/Finish:
40 miles
Obviously, I had to try it all on! :)
Commute
Sushi Dinner
Rode in formation w/ Alan a bit.
I led; I need to be more consistent w/ my speed.
Jeremy's for a game of Hearts (I won)
Good day driving; mostly just need to work on the smoothness.
61 miles
Left work to go
get gas and take a small "jog".
Waypoint #5 actually threw me off a little.
Gas: 164 miles
I was horribly uncoinordinated at lots of intersection turns.
After my "jog" I stopped by my old building to hang out w/ friends.
Then took the long way home.
The ride was OK overall; not one of my best "performances".
It was all fun, but an observer would have been scared shitless.
I'm awkward through lots of turns.
Waypoint #11 looked horrible.
Road construction at Waypoint #13 threw me off.
I got a bit uncomfortable and disoriented w/ where I was going.
Almost went dirt biking at Waypoint #14.
Decided I was too spacey and I should just head home on 522.
Even just getting on 522 was clunky (Waypoints #15 and #16).
The "chute" at #17 was fun (nice to rocket through).
I'm just tired (dunno why); I should not ride when I am tired.
Rain in evening
45 miles
Tried to register/tax bike but they say I need the back of the title signed.
I'll forge it and try again in a few days (I got a 15 day extension).
By noon it had turned out to be an absolutely GORGEOUS day!
I detoured to Sam's to pick up my bike.
Waxed chain today but forgot
to let it sit for 10-15 minutes to tack up.
I'll clean and wax it again in a few hundred miles.
Rode in to work.
There is a weird buzzing noise coming from the front chain when I roll
on the throttle.
It could just be from the liquidy wax on the chain.
I'll have to watch/listen for this again.
Riding back after a heavy rain was a bit hairy.
The road just LOOKED slick, so I took it easy.
I need to learn how well the bike sticks to wet roads.
Tomorrow is going to rain a tad in the afternoon; I'll live.
My new gear should be arriving tomorrow so I'll be much more
comfortable.
I still need to get proper boots (I want to see how the pants are cut
first).
I'll also be getting my license endorsement tomorrow.
96 miles
Started to drizzle on the way back, but nothing that got me wet.
Rode home to pick up my car keys.
Rode to Sam's to go to movie and pick up my car.
Did not work on centerstand or chain. :(
I *DID* pass the class!
I'll get my motorcycle endorsement Tuesday (the first day the DMV is
open).
37 miles
I doubt I will
keep updating this site with just work commutes.
This site is mostly for any special treks.
Gas: 3.784G @ $2.499 = $9.46 (175 miles)
Looked at chain; it needs to be tightened.
I need to get a centerstand (or make one)
Gotta get up early tomorrow to go to Biker Safety Class.
I will look in to a centerstand solution tomorrow and work on the chain.
32 miles
I also have Biker Safety Class Saturday morning, so I'll ride my bike there too.
Stopped by Rob Brown's on the way home.
30 miles
Also took off foam padding under tank that obstructs Air Filter.
Air Filter was OK, but I wanted to change it any way.
Spark Plugs are fairly bad for 4k miles; I will take them in to a shop and see what they think.
Engine backfired when I 1st restarted it.
2nd restart was good; engine didn't rev well cold (no surprise).
Warm she ran fine.
Next I want to look at her valve timings and find out more about the spark plug situation.
Sam, Alan, JP
I stalled twice towards the beginning (once going up hill; no huge
deal).
Nice ride overall.
A bit cold; can't wait to get my real gear.
Sam says he almost rear ended me in the turnabout (Waypoint #2).
Turns were much better, but we took things fairly slow.
Still more concerned w/ keeping a safe distance than tightening up the
pack.
Anticipated some big construction bumps very nicely.
Slight confusion in intersection of 520 to 202.
Fun weaving on.
BEAUTIFUL DAY!
74 miles
Fun ride to Ravensdale; Took *most* of it at my pace, some of it was a little excessive
Down shifted in turns too much!
Need to close in on the pack better (giving myself too much room)
Looped back to SE Kent Kangley Road and back out to Issaquah
Traffic slowed us down more
Alan took 3rd in the pack and kept it tighter
First day on interstate; semi-busy for I90E
Almost lost it on I90E driving beyond my limits
Target Fixated on right shoulder and couldn't steer away from it
Slowed down enough to recover; scared me! :(
Need to adjust/transition better to/from City Driving to Interstate Driving
Noticed oil level is a bit high (I may want to drain some)
Traffic was much thicker going back in to Issaquah
Final/Parting
notes:
Don't downshift in turns
Don't target-fixate
Work on counter-steering
Improve traffic driving
Insecure about ability to do emergency swerves and stops
I feel lucky I didn't wipe out today on I90E! :(
then
Cleared Up
58 miles
I also want to change air filter & spark plugs
Need to oil/wax chain
Jacob, Sam, Alan, JP; going to eat
Red Robin was busy, so moving on to Mongolian Grill
Not engine-braking as much
Need to handle slow driving better (milking the clutch)
Realized that rear seat cover does not allow me to store helmet! :(
Sam parted
Alan and I witnessed car wreck
I90W through Mercer Island, I5S, West Seattle Bridge, Harbor Ave, Alki
Ave
Fun! But I need to work on counter-steering!
Stopped for Mocha; Beautiful views and stars @ Alki
Going to meet Sam
Awesome excitement driving in to Seattle via Highway 99!
Awesome driving the hills of downtown Seattle.
Everyone loves bikers! :)
I5S to I90E to Issaquah Chevron to gas up
Gas light went solid near I405/I90 intersection and started blinking
soon after
Gas: 3.544G @ $2.419 = $8.57 (150 miles)
Need to handle visor better! :)
Nice braking job near Klahanie red-light
Final/Parting notes:
GREAT night! Few "real" mistakes
42 miles
Sam says I am being TOO cautious and end up confusing other drivers
Engine-braking too much (not using brake lights at night)
Stay away from cars' blind spots
Need to improve interstate merges and lane changes
Parted w/ Jacob at Waypoint #9
Beautiful/Surreal moonrise over Tiger Mountain
Keeping bike at Sam's for a few weeks
Turns out that Yellow is a very hard color to match! :(
Tracking #: 1ZX208X40365913819
Light Drizzle
53 miles
Gas: 3.351G @ $2.239 = $7.50
Jeff drove bike to my house.
Jeff says to "granny" clutch for awhile until I get used to the power