Friday, November 4, 2011
Cheaper than therapy
No-shave-ember Update
Support the cause!
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Occupy This!
You wanna actually do something for your country?
Be a real American and OCCUPY THIS!
This post is my tribute to SGT Jon "Doc" Kromer, a forward-deployed Arrmy medic, a biker buddy and comrade in arms stationed in Korea. Rock on, brother. We're going for a ride when you come home!
No-shave-ember
Mo Bros! Put down those razors. Let's get our 'staches on!
It's No-vember, aka No-shave-ember, aka Mo-vember, as in Moustache Month.
I just found out about this annual fundraiser / awareness campaign for men's health issues such as prostate and testicular cancer. It's already the 3rd day of the month so if you have not signed up yet, we have a bit of a late start. But really, who cares? By the end of Movember, a couple days' difference won't matter much. That fuzz hovering over our upper lip is for a good cause.
According to the Wiki, Movember got its start in 1999. Conceived by a group of Australian men, it was originally known as "Novembeard." In the beginning, it was all about a month off from scraping your face.
In 2010, over 64,500 US Mo Bros and Mo Sistas got on board, raising $7.5 million USD for men's health.
According to the Wiki, Movember got its start in 1999. Conceived by a group of Australian men, it was originally known as "Novembeard." In the beginning, it was all about a month off from scraping your face.
Since 2004, the Movember Foundation charity has run Movember events to raise awareness and funds for men's health issues, such as prostate cancer and depression, in Australia and New Zealand. In 2007, events were launched in Ireland, Canada, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Greece, Spain, the United Kingdom, Israel, South Africa, and the United States. In 2010, Movember merged with the testicular cancer event Tacheback.
In 2010, over 64,500 US Mo Bros and Mo Sistas got on board, raising $7.5 million USD for men's health.
Fortunately for me, Movember is all about the 'stache. I am still in uniform, and beards are frowned upon (actually, beards are verboten and moustaches are discouraged--but what the heck, it's for a good cause!). Readers and friends know I like to mess around with facial hair anyway, so this will be fun as well as helpful.
The craft. The Pride. Face grown and hand brushed.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Go forward, move ahead - it's not too late
ARTIST: Devo TITLE: Whip It
Crack that whip
Give the past the slip
Step on a crack
Break your momma's back
/ E - D A / / / /
When a problem comes along you must whip it
Before the cream sits out too long you must whip it
When something's going wrong you must whip it
Now whip it - into shape
Shape it up, get straight
Go forward, move ahead
Try to detect it - it's not too late
To whip it, whip it good
/ C - G - / D - C - / : / C - - - /
When a good time turns around you must whip it
You will never live it down unless you whip it
No one gets their way until they whip it
I say whip it
Whip it good
I say whip it
Whip it good
/ E G C - / E G D - / :
{Repeat first two verses}
Now whip it - into shape
Shape it up, get straight
Go forward, move ahead
Try to detect it - it's not too late
To whip it - into shape
Shape it up, get straight
Go forward, move ahead
Try to detect it - it's not too late
To whip it, whip it good
Red energy dome via PolyvoreLyrics and Chords Courtesy of GuntherAnderson.com
Hat tip: rainman
This is November 2, 2011, the second day of NaBloPoMo 2011. So far, so good. Two days down and only 28 days to go.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Hoka Hey Hot Wash
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| The wrap-up seminar poster |
"Whether you want to learn more about the crazy 15,000 mile, 48 state, 2 country Harley adventure that was Hoka Hey from a rider who did it or just pick up some good road trip tips check out our latest Patriot University seminar! If you are an experienced H-D road tripper or someone who is considering an epic trip, this will be a great seminar to attend!"
The call went out recently to all interested Patriot H-D newsletter subscribers announcing a "hot wash" seminar about the Hoka Hey long distance ride. The poster attracted the curious, like me, as well as several other more experienced long distance riders who are eager to compete next year. The seminar featured lessons-learned from Patriot's sponsored rider, Keith DeNinno. Linden Able, G-M at Patriot, set out a great display of gear, tools, and equipment for long rides. In the crowd was Laura, one of the two additional riders from the Fairfax HOG chapter. I found out I was not the only person who watched Keith, Laura, and Amy via Fleet Tracker as they wended their way over the 15,000 mile course. Maria had done me one better, keeping a detailed journal of Keith's progress.
Some comments and lessons learned, as shared by Keith and Laura
There were 173 registered riders. Not all intended to ride the entire course but paid the $1000 entry fee for the privilege of riding a part of the trail. Not all had enough time to finish. Many planned for a 10,000 mile, 16-day ride as advertised and simply ran out of vacation time before they could finish. Some experienced mechanical problems and there were some crashes.
In all, 75 made it across the finish line. Keith was 43rd. Only eleven made it within the allotted time. So far, no prize money has been awarded. The organizers claim that all eleven had exceeded the speed limit at one point, but this is under dispute.
Keith's mantra: "Ride for tomorrow." Can't do it all in one day!
The first person to cross the finish line (the as yet undeclared winner, Will Barclay) burned through 4 sets of tires. He never bought any food but packed all he would need: 30K calories of protein bars. He changed oil 4 times. He slept about 2 hours a day.
Prepare for extremes in weather. It was 38 degrees on Bear Tooth Pass. In August. It was over 120 in Death Valley. Hurricane Irene soaked some riders.
Stay in shape
Eat protein and complex carbs. Avoid simple sugars and caffeine.
Laura got some great pics without stopping too often. She used a digital camera which she kept on a lanyard and operated with her left hand. No messing with focus or zoom and there were some really great pics.
Lots of complaints about the route instructions. Keith showed us the collection of directions and I do not know if I could follow them when I was wide awake, let alone wet, tired, and hungry at midnight on day 19.
There was a helicopter following the riders with a camera. and lots of ground camera crews. Watch for Hoka Hey, the movie!
Rumor has it that Hoka Hey 2012 will be about 7,000 miles in the Mid-West.
Tips and Tricks
- Full-face helmet with bluetooth to phone, radio, and Internet
- Tank bag with map case
- Flashlight on a lanyard to read maps in the dark
- Painter's tape under the tank bag to protect the gas tank
- Camera on a lanyard or a helmet cam.
- Wet weather gear doubles as an extra layer in the cold
- Motorcycle cover makes a good tent
- Carry emergency tire repair kit and two means of inflation
- Check tire pressure at every stop
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| Keith with his well-worn Hoka Hey shirt |
This summer--before, during, and after the big ride--I posted a lot about Hoka Hey 2011. I am not sure how many of my readers are contemplating a long distance ride but, rider or not, something about this particular journey captures one's imagination. What a great adventure! In addition to the two-wheeled travel and camaraderie with other bikers on an epic journey, I like the connection to native American issues, the challenge of pushing riders and bikes to the limit, and the promotion of the Warrior spirit. I have not yet done my first long ride but this speaks to me and I cannot stop dreaming about it.
Hoka Hey!
This is November 1, 2011, the first day of NaBloPoMo 2011. So far, so good. One day down and only 29 days to go.
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