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Category: Motorcycling

HU 22

HU 22

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After two years of pandemic cancellations, the Spring Horizon’s Unlimited Traveller’s Meeting for 2022 in Virginia took place from Thursday, April 21 through Sunday April 24 at the Holiday Lake 4-H Club Camp in Appomattox, VA. I attended HU in 2018 the month I retired and again in 2019. This event included presentations on traveling around the world, safety, planning, equipment, and the “Farkle Walk”, a one hour walk around as various owners described the accessories, additional, and modifications they…

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Smokin’ Hot BMW

Smokin’ Hot BMW

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In early July 2021, in anticipation of an afternoon ride, I backed my apparently possessed 2001 BMW R1100RT motorcycle from the garage, propped it up on the center stand, turned it on to warm it up, and walked back to the garage for the helmet and protective clothing. When I turned around, I noted that the headlight was not on and a plume of smoke was coming from the dashboard! I knew I had a smokin’ hot BMW but not…

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Old Plastic

Old Plastic

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Old things break, especially old plastic things. I came back from a 50-mile ride on my 2001 BMW R1100RT and set about cleaning the windshield, headlights, rearview mirrors, and taillights but the latter wobbled around when I wiped it. The rear brake light assembly was loose. Roseanne Roseannadanna was right, “It’s always something”. Hoping for simple and quick, I looked under the light but no attachment bolts. Phooey. Here is where your life philosophy comes in. My immediate response to…

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Milestone

Milestone

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As a teenager back in the 60s, I remember many of my parents’ friends retiring at age 65 and dying within 18 months, typically of cancer, heart disease, or stroke. The same occurred when a spouse died, the other spouse would die within 18 months, presumably of a broken heart. For years, I assumed (tongue in cheek) I should delay retirement so I could live longer so I retired officially April 1, 2018, at the age of 68, beating the…

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Woodstock!

Woodstock!

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No not that Woodstock! This was Woodstock, Virginia, a sleepy little I81 exit north of Harrisonburg, in northwest Virginia, population 5,000. The BMW Rider’s Association (BMWRA) held their “Set My Soul Free” National Rally at the Shenandoah Fairgrounds from Thursday, September 5 through Sunday morning, September 8. Having an old BMW motorcycle I was curious to go to a motorcycle rally, even if it is marque limited. Daytona Bike Week? Sturgis? Myrtle Beach Bike Week? Nope, quite a bit tamer…

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New Bike

New Bike

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From the age of 20 to about 50, bicycling was a large part of my life. I bicycle camped with Fred Schroeder for a month in England, France, and Germany in 1976, rode across the US with Barbara in 1980 from Yorktown VA to San Diego CA on an unsuited 10-speed racing bike while carrying 50 pounds of gear and promptly bought a 21-speed Trek touring bike on return. Rode that touring bike with Barb for two 1-week camping tours…

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Really?! For a battery?

Really?! For a battery?

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It was a beautiful morning this week: clouds for shade, warm, not too humid. Perfect day to go motorcycle riding with the local retirees. I am fortunate to have met (and allowed to ride with) a group of older, retired Richmonders on their regular Tuesday rides through rural Virginia and sometimes West Virginia and North Carolina, 200 to 300 miles with a nice lunch break. Protective clothing: leather chaps, boots, helmet, gloves, armored jacket … check. Accessories: wallet, sunscreen, water…

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Well that was fun!

Well that was fun!

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Another bucket list item In a previous post, I talked about buying a 2001 BMW R1100RT in Texas with the intention of riding it back to Virginia. Hurricane Florence and then Tropical Storm Gordon delayed that trip for two weeks so I rode 1,000 miles on hot Texas Roads getting used to the bike. One training trip was a good example of an unusual America Road Side attraction. A What? US Roadside attractions are giant, turn-your-head, what was that, weird…

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I Bought What?!

I Bought What?!

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I’m really good at Analysis Paralysis, study and research a problem indefinitely to avoid decisions and commitment. A good example is motorcycling. My introduction to motorcycling was in 1970-71, my third year at UVA. My roommate Dan Hanson and I bought a one-cylinder, two-stroke, Harley-Davidson Sportster 250 from Al Hollister, the saxophonist I played with in a jazz band. Kind of learned to ride it but not really. No classes, just hop on and see what happens. Thought it would be…

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Horizon’s Unlimited

Horizon’s Unlimited

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  Horizon’s Unlimited is an International Organization of adventure travelers, people who take off and travel around the world, mostly on motorcycles. While they have events all over the world, the Spring HU East Coast Meeting was in Appomattox Virginia from Thursday, April 26th to Sunday, April 29th.  Not being a world traveler, nor an adventurous, rugged motorcycle type, I thought “I want to spend time with these characters!” These guys were only 75 miles away, so I loaded up my 1991…

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