Alleghany State Park

Today, I was given permission by the significant other to 'ride all day'! Hey, that's great - so I did. I've been getting bored with the local rides and figured I'd give the US side a try. I know it's more hassle - I have to cross the border and then I have to deal with all the tolls and I don't yet have a speedpass for the bike. But, I went for it anyway and I really wanted to work on getting that first 800 kilometers out of the way.

I looked on the map and saw Alleghany State Park - hmm, sounds interesting and like it could be a good ride. Weather forecast called for clearing skies - it started off that way, although the wind was a bit blustery. The ride started with the 4000 RPM limit - which really stinks. Highway speeds are maxed out at about 100 kilometers an hour - sometimes I go over a bit but then when I can relax it I would.

The wait at the border must have been about a 1/2 hour - it's usually brutal on Saturdays with all the Canadians heading over to the US side to buy stuff for cheaper then we can get at home. I learned something while waiting in line - the new bikes clutch is easier to squeeze and easier on the hand and the neutral finder on the Kawasaki works great. Frequently, I just could not get the F650 into neutral now matter what I tried. Usually, shutting the bike off and roll it back and forth would do the trick. This picture is of me while I was waiting in line - I thought it made an interesting picture of the new bike.

After the border hassle and the toll plaza hassle, I finally made it into Buffalo at about noon. I was hoping to be able to quickly find a grocery store and get some lunch, some earplugs and some cash. I should have just used the GPS immediately but I figured I'd waste time and wander around aimlessly looking for a store. After about 1/2 hour of doing that I finally had the sense type in 'Wegmans' into the GPS and found out I had passed it near where I got off the freeway. I was rewarded with some earplugs (keep losing mine), a nice foccacia bread sandwich with roasted vegetables (yummy) and cash for those toll plazas. The sky was no longer clearing and more like over cast with threatening rain. I've ridden in rain plenty, so I was not concerned.

Moving back onto the highway the ride quickly transformed into a beautiful jaunt into the Alleghany hill country. The scenery was beautiful and the views jaw dropping. I've never been this way before and I'll have to visit more often, maybe do some overnight camping. I got turned around in Salamanca, even with the GPS due to a closed bridge - would have been nice if NYDOT had notified motorist of this fact earlier and gave clear signs as where to detour. Eventually, I made it into Alleghany State Park - I just pulled up to the entrance and turned around. The time was already getting late and I wanted to be home by 5:00. I returned whence I came back through the beautiful hill country and north bound to Buffalo. By the time I reached Buffalo - the skies were no longer threatening, they were now delivering rain and rain it did.

Finally reaching home at about 5:00 and with the cherished 800 kilomoters on the odo - I was ready for couch time with the dogs. It was a good ride - long and entertaining. Now, I can really start to ride this bike - although I have to keep it in check at 6000 RPMs until 1600 kilometers but that is a whole lot better than 4000 kilometers.


On the guitar front - I practiced for about an hour and half this morning. I'm getting much better at the metronome. With Ross's advice and using the EarTrainer Pro software - it's starting to come together. Just keep working at and I know I'll get this and get better at playing. I really love playing guitar.

Quick Ride

Sometimes when I don't have a whole lot of time but still have the urge to ride - I'll hop on the bike for the 1/2 hour I got and ride anyway. Last night was one of those nights - I hadn't ridden my new bike in a day because I had to make my weekly commute to Rochester, New York. I only had that 1/2 hour to enjoy and get back for dinner and family time. This meant suiting up, checking the bike and hitting the road all within that 1/2 hour. But, I make the most of it and really enjoy the time I get. I know I'm fortunate to own and maintain a motorcycle and have the ability to ride one. For those things I am grateful.

On these quick jaunts I usually go to the Niagara Parkway. During the week - the traffic is light and the air along the river is cool. I can really enjoy the curves and the scenery on these rides. I had recently adjusted the shift lever and was feeling the benefits of this adjustment. The stock adjustment was too low and my boot kept getting caught below the shifter. It's now perfect and I need to concentrate now on the rear brake lever. It's too low also and I have to pirouette my foot to get some action out of it. Just raise it a bit and it should be perfect. I really like this part about my bike - is being able to adjust the levers to my liking and getting this bike to fit me like a tailored suit.

The bike felt great last night - I'm really glad I made the move. No buyers remorse - this bike just feels so much better than the F650Cs. The Versys is taller and gives me more room. She has a forward seating position which keeps me close to the controls and I don't feel like I'm reaching forward. The seat is very comfortable as I have mentioned before. It's just a great all around bike.


On the guitar front - I had my lesson on Wednesday. Still working on rhythym and I'm getting more comfortable playing in front of my instructor. I have been so nervous before and I'm now feeling more at ease and making less mistakes. This week I need to play the songs we worked on using a metronome. He gave me some tips on finding the beat within the notation. I always struggled with this before and the way Ross explains things, it just makes sense. I'm doing much better with his instruction - I was playing a song that has dotted eights and 16th notes and I was able to keep up with the metronome pretty good. I'm feeling better about this. Ross also wanted to see how I was on playing chords. Looks like we'll be working on that this week.

Mug Shots

The weather did a 360 on us here in the Niagara area - 80F on Monday and 50F on Tuesday. My vent zippers on my TourMaster Jacket is getting a work out - open, close, open, close. After I finished work at 4:00 - I looked out the window, blue skies. Low temps but blue skies definitely means a ride! I had some errands to run - riding was justified. I didn't like the windshield that was ordered for the new bike - it's the Givi version and I've seen pictures of it on other Versys owner's bike. I didn't like the way it looked. The Kawasaki Vario windshield is much nicer looking and had an adjustable top portion. Here's a review to all three windshields by Webbikeworld: http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycles/kawasaki-versys/windscreen/

They state the Givi is the best protection but I just don't like the way it looks as much as the Kawasaki version. I'll have to try it out and see how it does. The stock windshield is good and even better than my F650 setup. Hopefully, this will be a good solution and I won't regret changing from the Givi to the Kawasaki.

After visiting my Kawasaki dealer (they are awesome - so much better to deal with than B*W), I had to cruise over to my insurance agency and get the requisite mug shots of the new bike. This was accomplished in short order and was left with, 'Where to go next?' I only had a 1/2 hour before having to return home. I decided a stretch on the expressway would be Ok and not get me too involved in other riding options.

Today is Guitar Lesson day. I always look forward to this. I need to work on rhythym, Ross my guitar instructor keeps pointing this out. We'll have to work on smoothing those triplets and 16th's out.

Memorial Day Ride

Here's post #2. I must remember to bring my camera. I always tell myself this and just plain forget. This will make the post more interesting and more expressive. To get started - I bought my new bike on Saturday with 9 kilometers on the odo. The service department got first ride to check her out and make sure she was road worthy. If you are wondering, yes I call my vehicles by the female terms. No explanation - just do. My old bike was an F650Cs by BMW. I loved that bike but I just couldn't deal with the service options available to me in my area. Over priced and not very friendly. I don't want to wallow to much in this subject - letting her go was very tough and I have been through the decision back and forth and I'm done. I've made my decision and I've moved on. My new bike is a 2008 Kawasaki Versys in Candy Plasma Blue - I call her Ocean.

I'm stuck in the break-in mode. There is a lot of debate on the proper break-in procedure and I feel it best to just follow the Owners Manual and keep her under 4000 RPMs for the first 800 kilometers. This also provides a limiting factor to me while I get used to the new bike. I've read that it's common to have an accident on a new bike within the first 2-3 months. This period helps me keep it cool until I gain the muscle memory for the switches and controls.

I am enjoying the new bike - I find several things superior to my old bike. The instrumentation is much clearer and easier to read in full sun light. The oil check procedure is a breeze compared to the Cs (an utter nightmare). The Versys is also more comfortable to ride - the seat stays cushy all day, I'm not overreaching to the handlebars (I used pull-back riser blocks and that only helped a bit) and I have more leg room than before. The Versys engine is quieter than the Rotax engine on the Cs and smoother to boot. I rode 200 kilometers yesterday and I felt comfortable all day.

Yesterday's ride encompassed a melange of urban, rural and highway routes. I find her competent in all areas. The day before, on Sunday - we went through several dirt roads and she's very competent there as well. I'm still getting used to the controls and have been making adjustments either physically or mechanically and sometimes both. Ocean now sports 300 kilometers on her odo. I can't wait to get past this point and get into the 6000 RPM range - I'll need to keep it at that point until she reaches 1600 kilometers.

On the music front - I've been practicing rhythm on my guitar. When I read music I usually just guess it but I'd like to do better and be more accurate. I've been working with EarMaster Pro 5 and using the exercises in there to improve my timing and accuracy. The music I play sounds much better as I improve in this area. My guitar teach spotted the inaccuracies right off the bat and I've been working with him to improve.

Thought for the day: I've been playing Grand Theft Auto 4. It's about the nastiest raunchiest video game I've ever played. But, I'm addicted to the free-roam nature of the game. I can go just about anywhere and do just about anything. This game includes picking up hookers, running people over, stealing cars and committing crimes. I feel like a real sleaze-ball playing this game. But, for all of it's flaws - when you get on a motorcycle - the characters always put on a helmet. Nice touch!

Post 1

This is the ubiquitous 'where do I start' post. I'll start with the name of my blog - 'Guitars, Motorcycles and Country Music'. The title comes from Dwight Yoakam's signature song of Guitars, Cadillacs and Hillbilly Music. I know the term 'Hillbilly' has become sadly a derogatory term and in no way do I mean to offend anyone. I'm a huge fan of traditional style country music going way back to The Carter Family, Jimmy Rodgers, Bill Monroe, Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash and all of today's singers and groups keeping that sound alive like the Mavericks, Heather Miles, Marty Stuart and Dwight Yoakam. Any term can be made derogatory in the way it's portrait or stated and derogatory terms can be used in a non-threatening manner as well.

Why did I start this blog? I've had others and I'm not one to shout on a soap-box - but I was recently encouraged to start a new one by my motorcycle buddy and very dear friend, Sharon! http://www.sojournerrides.blogspot.com/

I'll try and keep this updated with my goings on about guitars (of little that I know about them), motorcycle (again, limited knowledge) and Hillbilly Music (today known more friendly as Country Music).