Racks are back ordered - again!

My bright beam of hope of getting a luggage rack for my new Versys has faded. Twisted Throttle has advised me that I won't be getting my racks this week and I'll have to wait until July 7th at a minimum. That means my trip to Windsor on July 4th weekend will be without my much needed luggage. The promise on Friday has turned into doubt on Monday.

There are worse things to cry about - I'm lucky to be able to ride, to a roof over my head, food on the table and a job that provides for all of this. Crying about not getting my racks is silly and I'll just have to make do.

I found a SeaLine dry bag - 50 litre for $32.00 in bright yellow and I purchased a bungee web to hold the dry bag to the seat. I have some really good backpack straps that will also aid in keeping the dry bag attached to my pillion seat. This will have to get me by until the luggage eventually shows up.

My good friend Sharon pointed out the problem has been exacerbated by the hike in fuel prices. More people are turning to riding to ease the use of fuel and luggage is in more demand than ever. It's a good point - to think globally instead of locally.

Sharon also pointed out - keep a good locking system on your bike. Bike thefts are up as well.

I'm working on Let It Be as my next piece. This is of course by the Beatles and it's a lovely haunting rhythm. I have the fingerpicking score for solo guitar. It's really nice to listen to as I have programmed the song into my Guitar Pro 5 software. This helps me to hear how the piece should be played and to keep time with the music. The book I have includes a simplified melody and a more difficult harmonized version. I'm working with the harmonized version. It's tough going but I know I'll get this and get it sound as good as it should be.

The guitar lessons went much better on Wednesday. The talk I had with my instructor did some good. I feel he understands that I need direction and that I'm a serious student that wants to progress and learn. I'm willing to do all it takes to become a confident player and that includes scales, rhythms and exercises until I puke. The lesson went well - we went over a breakdown that I'm fairly confident playing and we worked on rhythm. Then we finished by me accompanying Ross while I played a simple rhythm. I did pretty good keeping up with him - he's quite accomplished and can site read the music perfectly.

It's been a week now since I've had my full M license. I don't feel any different, well except I am incorporating some of what I learned in my regular riding - like checking my blind spots more often. I turned in my paperwork at the MTO office to get my full license - it was nice to hear the lady behind the desk tell me that I'm all done and I won't have to return for any further levels. Of course, learning never stops on a motorcycle - everyday we learn as we ride. If you don't - you are doomed to repeat your mistakes and it could be scary and even costly.

My luggage seems horribly back ordered as many other riders are suffering along with me. But, I did call Twisted Throttle and they said they had supply of Givi racks and top cases. I can wait on the side cases and racks but I really need the rear rack and top case otherwise my trips in July will be really rough. I don't find it safe to just strap things to the seat of a motorcycle. I'm not that good with knots and it would be quite scary to have your luggage flip under the seat and get caught up in the rear tire. It's happened - I've read some stories about it. Not good. I called my dealer and explained and they were cool about it and I agreed to take a credit for cancelling the rear rack and I'll get the money back through services and parts. They are good people and I want to keep this relationship going. It's so much better than what I had with BMW. I miss my old bike but I have to move on and I'm in a better place. I hope Corrina is sitting in a nice warm garage somewhere with a loving and caring rider.

M2 Passed

Ok - it's not my day to post or blog. I've had trouble all day posting by losing entire articles that I've spent 1/2 hour writing about.

I try and add bits and pieces over the next few days. But, I just want to say I passed my M2 Exit course - it's like the MSF Advanced Riders course.

Well, worth it - even though it was a stress inducing situation!

I'll start with the Guitar Front today. I had my lesson on Wednesday and everything seemed to go OK but I've been getting this nagging feeling that there isn't a lesson plan at all. It's more based on 'Bring something in and let's see how you do?' I thought the Guitar Teacher should evaluate what I'm doing and not just give pointers on how to improve but also have a plan that I should follow. At minimum he could suggest a book that I buy and we could follow that. An awkward moment towards the end of the class and I asked what I should be working on. He seem stumped and said, 'Seems like you are working on a lot of things on your own'. Well, yes - I am. What else am I supposed to do - I'm not getting any suggestion from you. Then I said, 'Where is this going - what am I supposed to be doing'. 'Just keep doing what you are doing'. I remember asking if the lessons were even worth me continuing. He seemed stunned by that one - I didn't mean to be confrontational. I tried to smooth it out - but it all just seemed awkward. Ross appears nervous around me - like I make him feel uncomfortable. I don't know what is going on. I'll give the lessons another month and if I don't feel I'm moving forward to any degree then I'll quit and search for another instructor.

On the Motorcycle Front - this is my M2 Exit course weekend. Tonight at 6:30 I have to show up in Welland - about 5 miles south of me and attend a three hour orientation. Then I'll be placed in a group to appear on either Saturday or Sunday for drills and testing. Somewhat looking forward to this - I always want to improve my riding skills and technique. Education is one of my tools to keep safe on the road.

If you are wondering what an M2 Exit Course is - if you are familiar with the MSF Advanced Riders Course - it's similar to that. In Ontario, Canada - we have graduated licensing and this is the third and final phase of my licensing program. After I successfully pass this test - I will then have my full motorcycle license.