What did you do to your FJR today?

[Blueridgerider]

The first picture in your last post...... I cannot see how I would not have to vote for that in the Calendar contest if it were to be included. That one particularly speaks to me. The others are good, but that one is great.

If that picture was taken at Jones Gap State Park, that is 20 minutes from home. Nice hiking around there, too. Either easy trails for guys like me, or adventurous trails for people that don't mind the chance to cheat death.

Yes it was taken at Jones Gap State Park. It is also about the same distance from my home. I knew the water would be running hard from all the rain and wanted not only to take the ride (which as you know is nice in itself) but also to to get a repeat of that photo I took last year. Interesting park as I spoke with the Ranger there and she said it was open year round and that people also camp there all year as well. I asked even with the flooding rains we have had? She shook her head and said its amazing that there are remote camp sites a pretty good hike away from the man cabin and people tent camp up there in all types of bad weather. All I could do is shake my head in disbelief as well.

[Blueridgerider]

The first picture in your last post...... I cannot see how I would not have to vote for that in the Calendar contest if it were to be included. That one particularly speaks to me. The others are good, but that one is great.

Thanks for sharing. I am cold and wet up here for the time being. Just biding my time until the weather breaks or I head south over Spring Break.

Thanks Cav! I appreciate that. As I just mentioned to Wheaton, I went back to the park to get the same photo I submitted to the calendar contest last year as we had flooding rains and I knew the water would be running hard which it was. I probably will submit the photo again this year with the better backdrop as it did not get chosen for last years calendar. I believe each participant could post 2 pictures for the contest and only one could be chosen. One of my 2 was chosen which was very nice and was voted higher than this shot. Here is last years photo compared to this years showing the much mightier running water. You can definitely see the difference in the rock visibility. Thanks again!

[Uncle Hud]

I voted for that photo, BRR. Beautifully captures the flavor of southern Appalachian woodlands. You're also on a wooden bridge with NO GUARDRAIL, you fearless rider!

Old photo is obviously taken in summer, with leafed-out vegetation and low stream flow.

[Blueridgerider]

I voted for that photo, BRR. Beautifully captures the flavor of southern Appalachian woodlands. You're also on a wooden bridge with NO GUARDRAIL, you fearless rider!

Old photo is obviously taken in summer, with leafed-out vegetation and low stream flow.

Thanks Uncle Hud!! I appreciate it and your vote The top photo was taken in June 2019 and the other this past Monday. Definitely a big difference in foliage which I believe makes the June photo nicer even though the water was running higher this week.

[wheatonFJR]

I voted for that photo, BRR. Beautifully captures the flavor of southern Appalachian woodlands. You're also on a wooden bridge with NO GUARDRAIL, you fearless rider!

Old photo is obviously taken in summer, with leafed-out vegetation and low stream flow.

Thanks Uncle Hud!! I appreciate it and your vote The top photo was taken in June 2019 and the other this past Monday. Definitely a big difference in foliage which I believe makes the June photo nicer even though the water was running higher this week.

Just a note, but not a requirement...photos look SO MUCH BETTER when it has been taken a thousand miles from home, not 20 minutes.

[Blueridgerider]

Man somebody stop me!! I know I have been a posting a lot here the past couple days. With the lousy weather I am spending some indoor time instead of riding going through photos, making videos of recent rides etc. It all involves motorcycling and is all part of the fun and excitement of it right?

A couple of thread pages ago I put out some information on the PIAA Horns and mentioned a friend who rides a Wing and how he likes to blast his loud a$$ horn in the tunnels of the BRP. I do not know why, I guess its like revving the engine in there to make noise. When I had the Wing I did it if there no cars around as the last thing you want to do is startle some 80 year old leaf peeper in the tunnel:shock: Anyway the first time with him and in a tunnel on the FJR he starts honking. I hit my horn and it was OH Sh&T now tha'ts embarrassing I said to myself that I have to get a better horn. Here we have a high performance motorcycle with a bicycle horn. So I purchased the PIAA's and hit the Parkway this week looking forward to trying them out. Found a nice long tunnel to give them a good workout too. Man they exceeded my expectations, were not expensive, and were easy to install. Here is a quick video to give anyone interested an idea of what they sound like. Looking forward to my next BRP ride with my Wing buddy. Honk away dude!

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-g8P ... B-1280.mp4

[El Toro Joe]

ok...now stop it.

[gixxerjasen]

I voted for that photo, BRR. Beautifully captures the flavor of southern Appalachian woodlands. You're also on a wooden bridge with NO GUARDRAIL, you fearless rider!

Old photo is obviously taken in summer, with leafed-out vegetation and low stream flow.

Thanks Uncle Hud!! I appreciate it and your vote The top photo was taken in June 2019 and the other this past Monday. Definitely a big difference in foliage which I believe makes the June photo nicer even though the water was running higher this week.

Just a note, but not a requirement...photos look SO MUCH BETTER when it has been taken a thousand miles from home, not 20 minutes.

His photo is a thousand miles from MY home, so yes, you are right, it does look amazing.

[Blueridgerider]

ok...now stop it.

Nice, appreciate it. I guess if I lived in Ohio I would have a shitty attitude as well.

[Blueridgerider]

I voted for that photo, BRR. Beautifully captures the flavor of southern Appalachian woodlands. You're also on a wooden bridge with NO GUARDRAIL, you fearless rider!

Old photo is obviously taken in summer, with leafed-out vegetation and low stream flow.

Thanks Uncle Hud!! I appreciate it and your vote The top photo was taken in June 2019 and the other this past Monday. Definitely a big difference in foliage which I believe makes the June photo nicer even though the water was running higher this week.

Just a note, but not a requirement...photos look SO MUCH BETTER when it has been taken a thousand miles from home, not 20 minutes.

Maybe one day I can ride out west, photograph, and enjoy that. Not easy to do but a bucket list sort of thing. Fly and Ride is always a possibility. I just read a great book from Neil Peart the late Rush drummer who passed away recently. He rode his BMW 55K all over the country and Mexico as a way of dealing with the loss of his family. Its called GhostRider. Great book that describes his adventures and how he dealt with tremendous tragedy. Motorcycling was his therapy. He also used to ride his motorcycle with a best friend between Rush concerts. Amazing man who certainly was taken way too early.

[gixxerjasen]

I just read a great book from Neil Peart the late Rush drummer who passed away recently. He rode his BMW 55K all over the country and Mexico as a way of dealing with the loss of his family. Its called GhostRider. Great book that describes his adventures and how he dealt with tremendous tragedy. Motorcycling was his therapy. He also used to ride his motorcycle with a best friend between Rush concerts. Amazing man who certainly was taken way too early.

I liked GhostRider but found "Roadshow: Landscape with Drums" to be a little disappointing and never finished it.

[Blueridgerider]

I just read a great book from Neil Peart the late Rush drummer who passed away recently. He rode his BMW 55K all over the country and Mexico as a way of dealing with the loss of his family. Its called GhostRider. Great book that describes his adventures and how he dealt with tremendous tragedy. Motorcycling was his therapy. He also used to ride his motorcycle with a best friend between Rush concerts. Amazing man who certainly was taken way too early.

I liked GhostRider but found "Roadshow: Landscape with Drums" to be a little disappointing and never finished it.

Thanks for your feedback, I will pass on that as well. Just hard to believe all he went through and over came to finally find happiness then to have it all taken away especially in that way. Given the way he described what led to his wife's death it just leaves me with a feeling that maybe he always suffered deeply and never did fully recover ( how can you really) which might have led him down the same path that took his wife which ultimately brings him back to them in the end. Quite the story and very sad for sure.

[wheatonFJR]

Thanks Uncle Hud!! I appreciate it and your vote The top photo was taken in June 2019 and the other this past Monday. Definitely a big difference in foliage which I believe makes the June photo nicer even though the water was running higher this week.

Just a note, but not a requirement...photos look SO MUCH BETTER when it has been taken a thousand miles from home, not 20 minutes.

Maybe one day I can ride out west, photograph, and enjoy that. Not easy to do but a bucket list sort of thing. Fly and Ride is always a possibility. I just read a great book from Neil Peart the late Rush drummer who passed away recently. He rode his BMW 55K all over the country and Mexico as a way of dealing with the loss of his family. Its called GhostRider. Great book that describes his adventures and how he dealt with tremendous tragedy. Motorcycling was his therapy. He also used to ride his motorcycle with a best friend between Rush concerts. Amazing man who certainly was taken way too early.

Taking the big trip this summer. Red Lodge and beyond. I was 44 when I first bought an FJR. I will be 61 when traveling this summer. My mom died when she was 68. Get those trips in before the FJR gets too heavy for me on off camber roads.

[El Toro Joe]

ok...now stop it.

Nice, appreciate it. I guess if I lived in Ohio I would have a shitty attitude as well.

Wait...did you not ask for someone to stop you? just trying to help a brother out

I'll be riding this weekend.

...and I've got a great attitude, considering where I live

[Blueridgerider]

Just a note, but not a requirement...photos look SO MUCH BETTER when it has been taken a thousand miles from home, not 20 minutes.

Maybe one day I can ride out west, photograph, and enjoy that. Not easy to do but a bucket list sort of thing. Fly and Ride is always a possibility. I just read a great book from Neil Peart the late Rush drummer who passed away recently. He rode his BMW 55K all over the country and Mexico as a way of dealing with the loss of his family. Its called GhostRider. Great book that describes his adventures and how he dealt with tremendous tragedy. Motorcycling was his therapy. He also used to ride his motorcycle with a best friend between Rush concerts. Amazing man who certainly was taken way too early.

Taking the big trip this summer. Red Lodge and beyond. I was 44 when I first bought an FJR. I will be 61 when traveling this summer. My mom died when she was 68. Get those trips in before the FJR gets too heavy for me on off camber roads.

What a great trip that will be! I know we all we be wanting to hear all about it when you get back. I truly hope I can make that trip sometime on the bike. I am almost 65 and I think about how many "Young Years" I have left to do the things I love like motorcycling. So many are hung up on wanting to live a long life and that's fine but I am not going to waste a single moment of these years when I can straddle the bike and make the most of life. I mentioned I make videos of my rides and trips. Well one reason is if I do live long enough where my riding days are behind me I can sit in my rocker, whisky in hand, and relive the fantastic times and trips.

[Blueridgerider]

ok...now stop it.

Nice, appreciate it. I guess if I lived in Ohio I would have a shitty attitude as well.

Wait...did you not ask for someone to stop you? just trying to help a brother out

I'll be riding this weekend.

...and I've got a great attitude, considering where I live

Thanks Joe I truly appreciate the nice response. I guess I jumped to the wrong conclusion. As we all know there are people out there just waiting for an opportunity to be a smart ass after posts like mine to say negative things. I think it is a sport in these forums for some for reasons I cant understand. Hey I was born in Cincy so was not so much picking on Ohio as much as responding to what I thought was a negative response. I have family in NYC and New England and know how an environment like that in the winter can make a person grumpy to say the least so envisioned the same thing from you when I read your response. I have read about some great riding up your way and would like to make it up there sometime. I enjoy photography and videography and of course motorcycling and like to share things with friends I ride with and thought some might enjoy seeing a few photos etc. especially during the lousier winter days. All great, ride safe! Thanks from one Joe to another.

[wheatonFJR]

...Hey I was born in Cincy ...

Well, not sure if you've been there or not, but SE Ohio is awesome for riding...unless they've straightened out the curves and hills since I've been there. Joe is in charge these days of the SE Ohio Ramble in May...it's an awesome place...and the topography between here and there is not too bad either for riding. Give it a try! You have nothing to lose except your tire tread! (or other things as well if yer Mr Bill)

[El Toro Joe]

...Hey I was born in Cincy ...

Well, not sure if you've been there or not, but SE Ohio is awesome for riding...unless they've straightened out the curves and hills since I've been there. Joe is in charge these days of the SE Ohio Ramble in May...it's an awesome place...and the topography between here and there is not too bad either for riding. Give it a try! You have nothing to lose except your tire tread! (or other things as well if yer Mr Bill)

I think he should definitely come up and ride with us in May...if I can ride down to Maggie Valley for EOM, he oughta be able to ride up to SEO for the Ramble.

...did I mention my FJR will be getting some attention this weekend.

[Blueridgerider]

...Hey I was born in Cincy ...

Well, not sure if you've been there or not, but SE Ohio is awesome for riding...unless they've straightened out the curves and hills since I've been there. Joe is in charge these days of the SE Ohio Ramble in May...it's an awesome place...and the topography between here and there is not too bad either for riding. Give it a try! You have nothing to lose except your tire tread! (or other things as well if yer Mr Bill)

I think he should definitely come up and ride with us in May...if I can ride down to Maggie Valley for EOM, he oughta be able to ride up to SEO for the Ramble.

...did I mention my FJR will be getting some attention this weekend.

Sounds like a great time and riding! I really appreciate that you would consider including me. Can you give me more of whats involved? SEO? is it like the EOM? I attended that this past year. Just wondering if it is like a rally or just some good friends getting together. Either way it sounds great. Thanks.

[wheatonFJR]

Its just a gathering of folks who wanna ride. No points involved. You just find Joe or somebody else there, tag along and ride some beautiful country while riding the rollercoaster of elevation changes. Hint: sometimes there is a turn or sharp curve just as you crest the hill.