Ohio Bike Week: Riding in the Rain because it Ain't Ford Truck WEEK!

The Best Ride of the WEEK!

Jodi and Rod Grine lead a ride west to Signature H.D. and Toledo H.D.
I called ahead to see if the ride was still gonna happen, as it was a bleak rainy forecast for the day. The answer was YES! I IMMEDIATELY packed up, suited up and headed for Roeder's Cycles the starting point!
Upon arrival there were a scant few bikes present, but the numbers climbed to 8 bikes with 3 of them 2 up for a total of 11 eager souls!

I assumed due to weather conditions we would take rural routes and cruise about 55 mph. Boy was I wrong! Rt. 2 west to 163 with a Screamin' Eagle Road King leading the way! It was the ride of the week! Awesome!

I remember thinking at one point that I'd go anywhere with these two guys leading! And it would NOT be slow or Boring! More later, Time for bed now!

Heather had some very artful Tat's! This one looks like a picture of, well, HER!

Truths Learned on THIS Ride!

Rain feels the same at 65 mph as it does at 85 mph!

Don't MESS with the Wonder Bread Truck Drivers!

Tom Eppse likes to ride in the back for a reason!

Your hat will stay on at 85 as long as you stay BEHIND the windshield!

The SILICONE windshield treatment sold at all H.D. dealerships:WORKS!

When you take a leak and have rain gear on, Make sure you actually pull the pants DOWN before you start! I KNOWWWW!

Do I have to say it?

Screw It, Lets Ride!

Cleveland Firefighter Memorial Ride 2009

My second year, my brother Mike's first time. 3000 Bikes ride in Honor of the Fallen Firefighter's of this Nation. Average 200 fall each year. 45 so far this year, 2 from Ohio.

This is a very emotional event for many here who have lost loved one's this way. We ride to support them and Honor the Fallen! Time to ride!

Did 200 miles this day.

Click HERE to go to the Webshots Album for this event!

Memorial Weekend: Time for Walkabout (ie. Ride!)

St. Louis Missouri for Dinner!

Left Norwalk 0835 Friday morning, was in O'Fallon Ill by 5:30 PM. Rode all that way to buy a cool T-shirt I had seen at last years Ohio Bike Week! Then another 10 miles to the Casino Queen for shots of the arch from the East Bank, then across the river for some St. Louis culture and a tour of the Archway Park! Awesome trip!

Rode about 100 miles back toward home to Effingham Ill and got a room at about 1:30 am, then the rest of the way home Saturday for a total of 1035 miles! More later!

Click HERE to go to the WEBSHOTS album of this trip!

Trip Data:

0825 Friday Hit the Road!
1125 Friday at Tim Hortons Huber Hts. for Egg Salad and Coffee.
11:45 Shell Gas 144.2 miles 3.9 Gallons 41 mpg
1:40 PM Rest Stop just W of Indianapolis 322 Miles on Trip
5:00 PM Exit 30 in Illinois 476 Miles on Trip. 4.4 gal 34.8 mpg(Yea, rode it HARD!)
5:20 PM at O'Fallon Ill, Frieze H.D. till 6:00 PM
6:00 PM left O'Fallon HD and took Rt. 64 up to the Casino Queen Exit, East St. Louis.Took a little break there. Was Stopped by Huge Security guy named Corporal Jones. Said I had to have Lens cap on Camera to take it into the Casino. I explained I just wanted a bite to eat on the deck overlooking the West Bank and Arch for pictures, and that I had left Ohio at 8 am to ride down to do just that. He informed me there was NO RIVER ACCESS or View from the Casino, then paused, and asked if I had a little time. I said yes, he said get in my truck. He then drove me off the property, around to the river access which is a RR Tracks owned by Cargill, drove over the tracks onto the East River Bank and parked. Corporal Jones told me to take my time and take as many pictures as I wanted. I didn't keep him too long.

Upon returning to the Casino, I put the camera in the bike and walked into the Casino to cool off and eat. BUT, my goal was still BBQ in St. Louis, Mo. and decided to have a cold refreshment and hit the road again. May have been at the Casino Queen 45 Min tops!
7:30 PM Hit the road,over the Eads Bridge into St. Louis, Parked down on the Ancient Cobblestone (OFFROAD FOR AN ELECTRA GLIDE HD) streets down by the river just east of the Casino. Walked that area asking about BBQ. GUESS WHAT? No BBQ!!! Talked to a Street Musician named LLiam Christy who gave me exceptional directions to a place called the Shaved Duck. After walking the neighborhood taking pictures for a while and strolling through the Casino, again HOPING to find BBQ, I got on the bike and rode over to the Archway Park.

As I parked in the Parking Garage on the roof, and as I was getting the camera out a security guard rode up on a Mt. Bike. Again with the Security! He had a Harley and we talked bikes, he assured me my ride would be safer here than in the city, so I walked the park with no worries about that. Had a few casual conversations with other visitors. Got some awesome night shots of the Arch. Alas, the visitor center closed at 5:20 PM (What's Up with that?) so I was headed back to the bike when I hear someone hail me, it was a young couple, Kristen and Charles. She is going to College soon to take Digital Imaging & Photography, and my Camera strap says NIKON D300 and that is her dream camera. So we talked shop and I took a couple of pictures of the two of them. Those are the kind of moments I enjoy on the road.

Ok, now for the really cool part of the trip! I was in search of BBQ, I KNOWWW! There was an Authentic Irish Pub Tigin within sight and walking distance of the parking garage, so I walked over and upon walking in was immediately sold on it! The food I observed on the patio on the way in was awesome, and remember I'd only had an Egg Salad Sammich at about noon and was famished by this point! Sat at the bar, waitress walked up and asked my name, kinda caught me off guard so I answered "Moore" as in leaving it for a reservation. She said "No honey, your first name." To which I squeaked "David." She said Hi, I'm Kimberly and it was all smooth after that. Told her of my ride and quest for Authentic St. Louis Food (Did not bore her with the BBQ part!) and Kimberly talked me through the menu. I Told her I liked Guinness and Budweiser and wanted something in between. She poured me a Smithwick, (pronounced Smithick), and yes, it was exactly half way between Guinness and Bud!

I then ordered Corned Beef Rolls and a Cup of Irish Brat Stew. They are pictured above and were awesome and well worth the long ride! Not to mention the banter with Kimberly. She knew how to work a guy for a tip! I was Road Dirty and TIRED and she was still very helpful and nice! I bought my Glass and a T-Shirt and hit the road!

It was sprinkling when I walked out to the street, so I hiked to the bike, strapped on the helmet and HIT THE ROAD! Rode to Effingham Ill, about an hour and a half ride, 100 mile I believe and stopped for a room. NONE TO BE HAD! Last place I check was an OLD HOWARD JOHNSON'S! Had one room not sold yet because NO AC! Hey, I have it at home and never use it! Gave me a $39 rate and the room turned out to be a conference room/King sized bed room Combo! PERFECT! Spread my gear out on the huge conf. table and, booted up the Laptop and stared the camera loading pic's to it and Hit the shower! Left a hellofa ring around the shower and hit the BED about 2 am.

I awoke up in Effingham Illinois to TV news nuthin' but Lebron James' 1 second shot against the Magic. Loaded up FAST and hit the road. Stopped in Indy for gas, then the highway became a LONG HOT PARKING LOT FOR ABOUT AN HOUR! On a Harley with no water or AC that was rough! Turned out someone lost A WHOLE FREAKING HOUSE OFF A TRUCK! Had front end loader there picking up the pieces when I FINALLY got that far.

Next stopwas in Terre Haute Ind. for a T-Shirt and found they had a 1952 165 cc Hummer with the original Winter Windscreen. I had the exact same bike in a 1954 complete with the windscreen! (See my original first post all the way to the bottom!)So shot some pictures, hit the road.

Was home by 5:39 PM for a trip total of 1035 Miles!! Emptied bike, brushed my Teeth and hit the road for an evening with special friends!

All in all, 1035 awesome MILES! No Rain! Bike ran better than EVER! Got over 40 MPG when I rode decent, and at 85-95 IN TRAFFIC cruising speeds still got 35 MPG. I love my American Harley-Davidson!

Ride truths learned on this trip:

Bug Spray off the top of the windshield acts like Hair Jell!

You can't stargaze at 85 mph on a Harley!

You let ONE trucker out when he's had his turn signal on for the last 4 cars and you just made 100 trucker friends!

You can pass a State Cop in Indianapolis at 70 mph in a 55 zone if you smile and wave on the way by!

ALWAYS have water in easy access on the bike!

After riding 625 miles and being up for 20 hours straight, you don't have to take a bath to leave a ring around a bath tub!

Always have Beef Jerky on the bike!

NEVER waste your time on GPS! Ride Dammit! Ride!

Do I have to say it?

Screw It, Lets Ride!

John O'Donohue Irish Philosopher on Anam Cara.

This is a short excerpt from the Book: Anam Cara: A Book Of Celtic Wisdom; Chapter 1: The Mystery of Friendship.

Irish Philosopher John O'Donohue quotes Aristotle on friendship: "Our feeling toward our friends reflects our feelings toward ourselves." He (Aristotle) goes on to acknowledge the patience required to develop real friendship: "The wish for Friendship develops rapidly, but friendship does not." Friendship is the grace that warms and sweetens our lives: "Nobody would choose to live without friends even if he had all other good things."

My observations: Friendships come and go with the changing of jobs and the movings about we do in this world. That is a part of life. You remember past friends, and at chance reunions catching up and saying hi make the time since the last reunion seem inconsequential.

But friends that we make as we ride and meet at a Scenic Overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway for a 5 minute exchange about our Harley's, the weather and home towns, are what make this Brotherhood of the Ride so fulfilling. You say "See you around" as you pull out knowing you probably won't, but you know the next chance encounter and conversation is merely a continuation of the last, in a long network of such encounters in this thing we enjoy called "The Ride."

Anam Cara: "Soul Friend." O'Donohue (1956-2008) must've been at heart at least, a Harley Rider too!

Do I have to say it? Hell Yea:

Screw It! Let's Ride!

Women Rider's of Harley-Davidson

Check out Harley-Davidson's Women Rider's of H.D.!
Be sure to click on the "Stories" link

March 14, 2009
Huron River HOG and Sponsor Dealership Roeder's H.D.
Polar Bear Ride! 22 Degrees at 8 am!
And These Ladies ALL rode their own!
White Jacket 2nd from Right is Julie Roeder
with her daughter Jessica to her right.

Loud Pipes Save Lives!!!!!!

Monday, 5/11/2009 a Semi Rig pulled out in front of me. I was cruising at 53 mph and did NOT have any time to poke and hope for the tiny button of a horn he would not have heard in his sealed cab anyway! I began an Agressive Down Shift/braking going full throttle on the pipes at each shift, each about a second to two seconds apart MAX, dropping 3 gears in as many seconds! Because that's all the time I had.

The driver was doing a right turn from my right into my lane, crossing both lanes in a wide turn to make it off a narrow country road. I was trying to decide when to fully lock the brakes into a side skid, and if I would wind up under the rig or under the trailer when he heard my Pipes crying out for STOP! He snapped his neck around to see me, slammed the brakes on, and in one last aggressive snap to the left I passed his front bumper with only inches to spare in the last few feet of highway not occupied by his rig. Probably only doing about 35 mph. But go under or into a rig at that speed and it's gonna leave a mark!

Yes, I pulled over in Fitchville and gassed the bike up, and did not leave until the heart rate and hand shake's slowed to normal.

LOUD PIPES SAVED MY LIFE THAT DAY! So if you don't like my pipes, TOUGH!

PS. Don't tell MOM!

In Memory of George Roeder: Aug. 16, 1936-May 8, 2003

In Memory Of George Roeder: Aug. 16, 1936 to May 8, 2003

I scanned this photo out of "The Genuine HOG LOG" that is available from Harley-Davidson for Journaling your rides! I bought it the minute I saw George Roeder's Picture in it!

Link to the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Page
on George Roeder.

Update: My ride getting a Little Tweak and Dyno!

Final Dyno: 94 Lb/Ft of Torque, 95 HP!
Yes, it was worth it!
Nice to have it FINALLY right!

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The pipes sound good!

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The new Pipes are on! Two into one D&D Fat Cats! The bike runs GREAT!
Faster, Louder and Stronger! And GETS TWICE the gas mileage as before the upgrade! About Time!

My Harley is getting a little Tweak, more to follow. The Dyno on my ride was horrible! Burning way too much gas and lots of back-firing! Getting a mild upgrade. New Push Rods, one was bleeding off to quickly! Performance Air Cleaner and 2 into 1 Exhaust. Then a PROPER Dyno! Keep ya posted!

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American Rider Magazine

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I wrote a letter via Email a while back and then forgot about it. Imagine my surprise when I opened this magazine after it laid on the couch for about 4 days to leaf through it and see my picture (Scroll way down to the bottom and you'll see this bike and it's history!) and an edited version of my letter to them! I KNOW! Awesome!

Looking ahead...HOG Kick-Off Breakfast! 4/19/2009

I can't wait! Here's a couple of shots of last years Breakfast until the 19th!

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This is Will Roeder reacting to an Emergency Ride Kit
given him by Road Captain Mike Greene after running out of gas!

Here's one by special Request. You know who you are!

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This is the 2008 Huron River HOG Club Photo!
Handsom beautiful bunch aren't we!

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Director Tom Billman and Long time member Al! If I had that many HOG pins, I'd be 110!

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Julie just got done sticking her tongue out at me!
I was not fast enough to catch it!

Took Baby our for a Ride on a Sunny but Cold Day!

Night Ride....

12:30 AM and Baby was still restless, unready to go home after a great day and many miles of unfettered riding. She motored past home toward God knows where. She roared past 18 wheels and 40 tons of kinetic energy as if it were a double dog dare. The nearing lightning and thunder rumble, evident even above Baby's Rythmic thump thump thump told me it was time to coax Baby home. I conned her onto a quiet country road with a promise of unfettered RPM's. She obliged more willing than I, and red-lined in the first 3 gears as the headlight's beam rose skyward in answer to natures siren call to play.

I could feel the energy in the air from natures uninterrupted light show and smell the ominous change. I forced the throttle back and shifted down, stopping Baby for a moment of silence - in memory of a better than usual day. Without warning I killed her powerplant. With Baby almost silenced, I could hear and feel the rumble of the oncoming storm and see the light show. Disobedient, Baby could not be silenced. Her hot chrome popped and tinkled a background chorus to Earth, Wind and Distant Sky Fire. I love storms and I love lighting. I love the smell of rushing rain. I gauged the speed of the not so distant storm to decide how long I could bask in it's play and enjoy it's impending arrival. Baby shared the moment with me, but longed to move. The lightning extended on the horizon from Due South to North North West. 120 degree's of a panoramic Mega-joule light show.

Then, the wind I had only moments ago felt in my face at 5000 RPM roared upon me as I stood almost alone in the dark of the night. The chill I felt was NOT from the sudden drop of temperature, but because I have in past times felt the wrath of such storms! I felt the sudden rise of fear from deep inside speak to me in unhushed tones of urgency to MOVE! Baby awoke with an eager roar, and safely carried me home before the storm that rumbles the ground even now had the speed to arrive.

This is why I ride. To smell the fresh turned Earth in the sometimes Rain riddled Wind, and feel the harnessed, and occasionally, untamed power of the Fire I ride, that we who share this passion know as The Harley-Davidson V-Twin.

Screw It! Let's Ride!

Polar Bear Ride @ Sandusky Roeder's H.D.! 22 deg. when I woke up!

This is about 10 a.m. About 125 Harley's firing up to warm up for the ride!

This is looking North on St.Rt. 250 at Mason Rd. in Avery. Bikes as far up the hill as the eye can see! That's Julie's Daughter Jessica Benfer leading the group!

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FINALLY! The riding season is officially open! I've been riding for a couple of weeks weather permitting, but Roeder's H.D. and the Huron River HOG club had the Polar Bear Ride and St. Patrick's Day Party which is the official start of this years events! I will add more pictures later, and tell a little about the ride! It was 19 Degrees when I got up, 22 when I headed for Sandusky at 8 am. And only about 40 at 10 am when the ride left Roeder's. BUT! We had over 100 rider's sign up for the ride, unofficial count about 125 to 140 bikes! More later.....

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My Two Favorite Roeder's Girls! Haley and Dana!

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This is Martina. She was there with the Blood Mobile.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO MY WEBSHOTS ALBUM FOR THE DAY!

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THE RIDE....
Started the day off at about 6:30 am. Coffied up, Temp outside 19 Freakin' Degrees! Checked auctions and email, showered and dressed.
Layered up, yea, felt like the little brother in Christmas Story! Almost took my Red Ryder BB gun along to finish off the effect!

Headed for Brother Mike's about 7:50 AM. Pulled in and all windows DARK! I was sure the Old Man was sleeping snug with a PUG!(A total different post!)
Walked in and he was upstairs gettin' dressed! Good Boy! The HOG people had told me to be there by 0830 to start forming up the riders. But ride doesn't start till 1000! So not too worried about being on time!
THEN! I hear the rumble of Harley's in the Street! Yep, 5 roll by in cold gear! All wave and I get that rush! TIME TO RIDE!
I tried not to pace too much while Mike get's the Bike ready, finds the gear and gets layered up. Mike had not prepped the gear or bike ahead of time, and this was his first ride of the year. I truly expected him to put the bike on the lift and change the oil before pulling it out of the garage! But I think he sensed my Feigned Patience and Burning Desire to RIDE! I knew he was thinking "My Brother's a FREAK and I COULD STILL BE IN A WARM BED IF NOT FOR HIM!" But as riding brothers do, he toughed it out and we were on the road by about 0845.

Got to Roeder's Harley-Davidson in Sandusky, and was surprised by how many bikes were already there! The rest of the day was a blur, but highlights were Leading out in front of the pack to help "Road Captain" which means blocking intersections while 100+ Bikes roll by!
IT'S A PARADE OF HARLEY'S MOMMY!
Had enough Road Captains to get all intersections out of Sandusky, and Mike and I wound up behind HOG Club Director Tom Billman and Will Roeder. They decided to Drag Race, er, I mean Accelerate Aggressively! Love the smell of Harley Exhaust in the AM! So when we caught up, Tom pulled off off to hold traffic at Kalahari Resort, which put me up Front with Will Roeder. Being Lead Bike with the Dealership's Owner and looking back and seeing all the headlights in the mirrors inspiring!
Just before Avery, Mike and I rode on each side of Will and went ahead to block Traffic, Mike getting Huron Avery Rd. and I Mason Road. I parked My "Baby" in front of traffic at intersection, Tom Billman got the other side, and I dismounted to get the Nikon out for some great Group shots! Can't ID too many because of the Cold Gear!
In short, I rode over 100 miles that fine day, met lots of Old Friends and made some New Friends!
It's official! Riding Year has Begun! Cold air on the forehead gives a whole new meaning to the term "Feel The Burn!"
See ya on the road!

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Ok, Events and Ride's Like this DO NOT HAPPEN WITHOUT VOLUNTEERS!
A big thanks to all the Roeder's Employee's and HOG Members for all the
Hard Work so that others could RIDE!
It would take double the space already used to recognize all those Dedicated Workers!
Ride Safe and Keep the Rubber Side Properly Aired Up and Down!

Harley's Back Time to Ride!

Picked the bike up from service. Salt on roads, but just had to take a ride! It was 60!

Gun Play on Presidents Day!

Went to the range with a buddy I have that is in Law Enforcement. He taught me the proper trigger pull technique for the M-15 A4 Carbine for close quarter combat tactical shooting. Man is it fun!

Check out the new Anti-Gun bill being introduced HR 45 aimed at stripping us of our 2nd amendment rights!

Come March with Ted Nugent and the rest of US to fight for our 2nd amendment rights!

Easyrider Custom Bike Show Columbus Ohio

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Riding buddy Dar and I took our annual trip to Columbus to check out
the Easyrider Bike Show.

This awesome ride belongs to a Marine!

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Ran into an old friend! Kristi V. of Broken Spoke Saloon!

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This gives a whole new meaning to the phrase Smokin' Hog!

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This is Jay Allen, owner of Broken Spoke Saloon with one of his Girls, Kristi V.

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Look! A Roeder's H.D. T-Shirt in the background!

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Here's the link to my Online Webshots album!

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and I share a Birthday!

It came to my attention that Sarah Palin and I have the same birthday. Albeit I am years older, I am honored to share this date with such a special Politician and Person!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GOV. PALIN!

Another Year Older for Both of us!

Yes, me and my Harley both have birthdays this month! I'm now sure who's dealing best with it. Just know I took my '04 Electra Glide to Tommo's for a Freshin' up of the motor. It's got 50,000+ miles on it and I just kinda like the idea of a set of Gear Driven cams instead of the chain drive! Tommo agrees. So do the tech sites I've visited!

I on the other hand don't have that advantage! It's time to get busy and get in shape for another year of riding. That sounds extremely Oxymoronic, doesn't it? Get in shape to to SIT for long periods of time in the Saddle? If you ride, you know that it is truly necessary to prepare both you and your ride for long trips! Potasium! Banana's are the best source! Minimizes cramping while sitting in the same position for long periods of time! Of course getting off and stretching regularly also helps! It's just hard to do when you have a great ride going! Keep the Rubber side down and mouth closed.

Click this link for a PDF site of a Riders Manual on Riding Safe and Healthy!

Or take the Special K Challenge!

The Ride Home

My Brother and I took The Ride Home to Milwaukee for Harley-Davidson's 105th and HOG's 25th Celebrations! Here's the link to the Webshots albums with all the pictures! We stayed 72 Miles out of Milwaukee which made it nice, because each day we had a nice ride in, and ended each day with a great ride home.

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Ringing the Bell Closing the New York Stock Exchange from Milwaukee!
This was at the HOG 25th Anniv. Party at Miller Park!

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The 165cc B-Model at the Harley-Davidson Museum. My First Bike was a 1954 with a Banana Style Seat.

A 1957 165 Like mine on the Wall at Mid Ohio H.D. Springfield, Ohio.

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Me at Milwaukee Wisconsin for Harley-Davidson's 105th Ride Home.
The lovely Ladies are L to R: Jessica B., Holly and Jess. Thanks ladies for the best Picture I've ever been a part of! PS. Love YOU Holly! Call me!

We also won tickets to go through the Museum! Saw my First Harley there!
When you click the Museum link, at the bottom center of the page is a window that says Plan An Event At The Museum: the red Harley in the center of that photo link is the same model as My FIRST H.D., but a '55 instead of a '54 like mine! Enjoy the pictures!