Random Thoughts - Part Deux [NO POLITICS]

[Wally86]

Super duper random... I bought NewEgg at $10/share thinking it'd be fun to own a little bit of something I already use (old school value investor minded)... that was a month ago. I threw in $75 just thinking it'll be good to hold onto in the long run.

Last night? $70 a share? What??

[Spuds]

I think my house has a target on it. 3rd tropical storm in 2 years that is likely to pass directly overhead...

(Isias, Zeta in 2020)
(Elsa today/tomorrow)

[spcmafia]

Originally Posted by Spuds

I think my house has a target on it. 3rd tropical storm in 2 years that is likely to pass directly overhead...

(Isias, Zeta in 2020)
(Elsa today/tomorrow)

I guess you should just.................................... Let it go.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by spcmafia

I guess you should just.................................... Let it go.

[Spuds]

Originally Posted by spcmafia

I guess you should just.................................... Let it go.

[Capt Spaulding]

Originally Posted by NoHaveMSG

Track standing is fun. I do it all the time but it is a lot harder on a motorcycle then a bicycle. I do the same thing at stoplights. I have a lot easier time on my mountain bike then my motorcycle.

I have only gotten to mess around a couple times in a parking lot on a trials bike. They are unique machines. The one I took apart was an 05' or so. The clutch had an automotive style pressure plate. The 6 speed transmission only had like 4 gears in it. I was scratching my head trying to figure out how that worked.

The bike I almost died on was a KLR 650. I used to track stand it at lights sometimes. I couldn't do that on the VFR. he guys (mostly poser/Harley types) that dropped their feet 10 feet from a stop and kept them on or near the ground through first gear, we derisively referred to a "paddlers."

Had a ball on the KiLleR. Every time I came home from a ride I'd play with it in the street. Track standing it - doing figure 8s with the steering on the locks.

It's a bummer. After the crash and TBI I don't have the urge to ride anymore. It's not a feeling of visceral fear or anything, but the "gotta ride" button doesn't seem to need pushing any longer.

[Stephen W.]

Originally Posted by NoHaveMSG

< snip >
I have only gotten to mess around a couple times in a parking lot on a trials bike. < snip >.

My first motorcycle was Kawasaki G4 TRD 100 with a dual range transmission. I learned to ride it like a trials bike. I loved riding trails and through the woods. To help my road racing I bought a surplus 1985 Can Am Trial. I joined the Amateur Trials Association. Competition is a lot harder than riding for enjoyment. I did so so but I had a blast doing it.
(This one bike I wish I had never sold!)

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by Capt Spaulding

The guys (mostly poser/Harley types) that dropped their feet 10 feet from a stop and kept them on or near the ground through first gear, we derisively referred to a "paddlers." .

When I was riding regularly, slow riding was one of my favorite things. I loved the figure 8 in the box exercise they do at riding courses.

But my brother-in-law puts me to shame. He was a motorcycle cop for 20 years (after being a bike cop for 10) and was the master instructor for his department. Still teaches there even though retired.

He could do the exercise in 16ft circles (18 is competition, 20 is standard) I've tried a couple of times to convince him to do a channel but he's not interested.

For those that don't know, I'm talking about this:

Where he really excels is the slow ride competition. As far as I know he has never lost an event he entered. This is where you ride between a line of two sets of cones a few feet apart. Slowest time out the other side, without putting down a foot, wins. It often incorporates at least one 180 degree turn. Example

[Capt Spaulding]

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

When I was riding regularly, slow riding was one of my favorite things. I loved the figure 8 in the box exercise they do at riding courses.

But my brother-in-law puts me to shame. He was a motorcycle cop for 20 years (after being a bike cop for 10) and was the master instructor for his department. Still teaches there even though retired.

He could do the exercise in 16ft circles (18 is competition, 20 is standard) I've tried a couple of times to convince him to do a channel but he's not interested.

For those that don't know, I'm talking about this:

Where he really excels is the slow ride competition. As far as I know he has never lost an event he entered. This is where you ride between a line of two sets of cones a few feet apart. Slowest time out the other side, without putting down a foot, wins. It often incorporates at least one 180 degree turn. Example

When was in my teens we did this ALL THE TIME.

I wasn't the fastest on our little dirt short track, but I could win, place, or show in the slow race. Kinda an early version of James May.

A friend's dad had a '64 HD Duo Glide. With it's ultra-low CG it was surprisingly nimble at low speed. We would argue over who got to ride it.

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by Capt Spaulding

When was in my teens we did this ALL THE TIME.

I wasn't the fastest on our little dirt short track, but I could win, place, or show in the slow race. Kinda an early version of James May.

Anybody can ride a motorcycle fast. This is where the skill is. I guess that applies to a lot of motorsports.

[Capt Spaulding]

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

Anybody can ride a motorcycle fast. This is where the skill is. I guess that applies to a lot of motorsports.

Not just motorsports - but any and everything one does.

The instructional video makes a point I tried for 30 years to get my students (no matter what subject) to see.

You Go Where You Look

Never fixate on whatever it is you want to avoid. Focus on where you want to wind up. If it's riding a motorcycle or driving a car - If you get into difficulty, don't focus on what you're afraid of hitting. Focus on where you want the bike or car to go. You may not be able to pull it off, but if you focus on what you're afraid of - You Will Hit It.

If it's a stats, or calculus, or algorithms class that's kicking your ass, focus on the steps you need to make to get to the end. It's really quite a Buddhist/Zen process oriented approach to problem solving.

I've found that to be incredibly valuable in every phase of my life. Getting through grad school, the tenure grind, the months spent recovering from the bike crash. Focus on where you want to be and take one step at a time to get there.

[NoHaveMSG]

Originally Posted by Capt Spaulding

You Go Where You Look

Never fixate on whatever it is you want to avoid. Focus on where you want to wind up. If it's riding a motorcycle or driving a car - If you get into difficulty, don't focus on what you're afraid of hitting. Focus on where you want the bike or car to go. You may not be able to pull it off, but if you focus on what you're afraid of - You Will Hit It.

That is one of the first things I was taught by an older friend when I started racing motocross. I also realized focusing on the hole or rut I was trying to avoid would cause me to tense up. I was getting arm pump really bad and was wearing myself out, I didn't realize I was holding my breath because of it.

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by Wally86

Super duper random... I bought NewEgg at $10/share thinking it'd be fun to own a little bit of something I already use (old school value investor minded)... that was a month ago. I threw in $75 just thinking it'll be good to hold onto in the long run.

Last night? $70 a share? What??

SELL - SELL - SELL

(old school - )

[Captain Snooze]

.