Ray's Motorcycle Experience

Finding my new Ride

April 23, 2021

From the last post you gather that I had some down time and that’s putting it mildly. Not able to go outside much, using a walker and wheel chair about drove me to the brink of insanity. If nothing else I love being outside and doing things. After the last surgery around the end of September, 2020 started thinking about the possibilities for another motorcycle. Really not knowing how long the healing would take or if it would be possible to ride again weighed heavily on my mind.

Approximately two weeks after the last surgery it was starting to look like I’d be able to walk without assistance, with pain but at least unassisted by some apparatus. Next question, would I be able to throw my leg over the seat of a bike and would the left leg be strong enough to hold me up should I attempt such a feat. 🙂

October, November, and December was slow steady progress using a cane only and doing my best to strengthen both legs as they had been dormant for so long. Hard to believe how fast you lose muscle, flexibility, and balance when laying around for a period of time. During these months I started in earnest searching for my motorcycle.

New motorcycle again would have to fit my budget and this time had to be less weight than the big Yamaha, no way was this left leg going to be able to hold up a heavy weight bike, not until the strength came completely back. In late January was really getting down to a couple of choices, just needed to make the decision and pull the rip cord.

Turns out it was a 2009 Suzuki Boulevard C50 with only 6900 miles on it, looked brand new, had been garage kept and was totally spotless. Bike had less engine and horsepower than I really wanted but everything else about it yelled take me home. The engine was half the size of the Yamaha but it also weighed about 200 lbs. less which was absolutely necessary at this point. Made the deal, brought it home and the first ride was to Lakewood, the highest point in Florida where last year I had been doing most of my walking exercise. Met my brother and sister-in-law there and started walking, having no idea how long I would or could last. Walked two miles but the last mile was pure utter pain.

Next day, rode the Suzuki back to Lakewood Park and walked another two miles, this time a little faster than the day before but still tons of pain. Now any person would think, hey on my way, things are looking up gonna be great in a couple of weeks…. but NO developed a severe pain in my right foot (not the injured leg) and could barely stand much less walk. Researched and concluded it was planters fasciitis, at least that was my diagnosis and was sticking to it. Did not want to go back to a doctor ever again. Looked up all the ways to cure this thing at home, spent money and time on different gadgets, insoles, exercises, and finally decided to try acupuncture. The acupuncture helped a lot but was starting to get expensive and without insurance covering, had to discontinue treatments.

So back to home cure, stretches, rest, ice and elevation. This continued through February, March, and now we are in April and it’s really starting to feel much better. Hopefully with care I can now get this thing back to normal and start my walking again which is soooo…. necessary to maintain health. 🙂

Because I couldn’t walk very well did not mean that the motorcycle had to sit and wait for me. Could still throw my right leg over the seat and so I DID. 🙂 We have had some nasty weather these last couple of months but every day the sun was shining, did my best to get out and ride a little, at least short distances.

Have to tell you, the road back physically is not the only obstacle, mental is also an issue. My confidence is not what it was before the accident. This (new to me) motorcycle is lighter, easier to handle yet it’s taking some time to get back in the swing of feeling comfortable again. Was always cautious and respectful of a bike but seems more so now. Each day I ride is more practice and the feeling is coming back. Some days I just practice here in the yard, starting, stopping, turns, etc. Just trying to build back my confidence. Find it helpful to watch experts give their tips and exercises to become a better motorcycle rider. Here’s a couple that really know their stuff…. Jerry Palladino – Ride Like A Pro YouTube Channel and Robert Simmons – Paying It Forward You Tube Channel. You cannot go wrong watching either of these channels if you truly want to become a much better rider. Highly recommend even if you’ve been riding for years.

Have been on some longer rides, even a Poker Run a few weeks ago and in the next few posts, gonna tell you about some of those rides. 🙂

OH, I guess we have to call the new bike “Suzi” since “Yam” is no longer with us. Will drop some photos below, let me know what ya think.

Above photos is what it looked like the day I picked it up except the back seat was removed also. Notice no windshield, no saddle bags, etc… now have to make it mine.

The three phots above are with windshield added and was my first day riding over to Lakewood Park to do some walking exercises.

First two photos is with saddle bags and rear trunk. Trunk and windshield came with the bike, saddle bags I purchased from Viking Bags- World Largest Motorcycle Luggage Manufacturing Company, Offering over 700 Key lockable Saddlebags and pouches with hardware. and if you’re in the market for saddlebags, pouches, etc… highly recommend them. The third photo is with the rear trunk removed and a sissy bar and rack which is the way I will ride it most of the time. Trunk can be added at any time should there be a need to use it.

Once again, thanks for reading/following, hope you will continue. Remember not an “Old Biker” by definition, just an old man (by birth certificate) that loves to ride motorcycles. Feel free to leave comments and suggestions. Stay tuned, hit that follow button to be notified when next post publishes. And if you feel the urge, you can share this on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Thanks for reading. 🙂

See more Video clips of my rides on My YouTube channel.

Tags: #motorcycle, #newride, #raysriding, #suzuki
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And then IT happened..

April 21, 2021

What I’m about to tell you is something most bikers don’t want to hear about, but this is reality!

Twas a nice Sunday afternoon, temperature in the mid to upper eighties, clear skies and just an all around beautiful day for a relaxing ride. Headed north on state highway 85 from my house, through Florala, turned right onto fifth street and after the four way stop, kept going straight to Samson, AL, then through Geneva, AL then turned south on highway 185 until reaching hwy 83, turned left headed toward Defuniak Spring, FL.

Was such a beautiful day only had on a t-shirt and half helmet with fingerless gloves. No side winds, a more perfect day for a ride would be hard to find. No cameras running only “My Ride” app on my phone to track my ride. As previously stated that silly camera had come un-glued and flown off the fairing where I had it mounted a month and a half earlier.

Followed highway 83 until I reached highway 90, turned east and was my intention to go through Ponce De Leon, FL and then head back north to go home. I remember going east on highway 90, had actually gotten out of town and that’s basically the last thing I remember until waking up temporarily in the ambulance. Seconds before the accident something told me to go right and from what I’m told that happened but not enough as I hit the right rear of an automobile. For the next twenty four to forty eight hours, I’m only going by what I was told since still to this day have no memory of the accident, how it happened or why. Have tried so hard to remember but it’s totally blank. Sure wish the camera was still attached and running. 🙂

Did have my phone app running to track my ride that day but sadly no camera, in fact it was still on apparently all the way to the hospital as you can see below it tracked me there. Since the riding time and the total time have a difference of over two hours the phone must have been still on even after the ride to the hospital.

Another discrepancy is the top speed recorded 115MPH, that did not happen, never rode that fast. Only explanation I have is maybe when the rear wheel came off the ground at some point it recorded the speed of that wheel spinning totally out of control. Maybe I was still twisting the throttle, have no idea? The back track on Hwy 90 to destination Ft. Walton was the ambulance ride to the hospital. Heck maybe the ambulance drove at 115 mph?

I remember asking the paramedic with me in the back of the ambulance what happened and after telling me, asked him to call my grandson to let him know where he was taking me etc. They must have had me medicated very well as at this time felt no pain but kept going in and out of awareness. Long story shortened, had my left leg broken in three places, collar bone broken and road rash on my left elbow. Glasses were broken but had no marks or scratches on my face or neck. Helmet had some deep scratches so that little helmet might have just saved me worse injuries. The Yamaha looked in better shape than me when I saw some photo’s of it, but never saw it at the crash site. I did ask about the bike but never got an answer or at least don’t remember one.

Video below shows some of it’s damage. By the way, it would still start, run and sounded like a champ!

Video was recorded by a friend of my Grandsons on the 21st of June, 2020. Was very nice of her to do this for me and she even visited me a couple of times in the hospital. She had to tell a slight fib to get in due to the Covid restrictions by telling them she was my granddaughter. 🙂 Even though the damage didn’t look to severe, insurance company determined it would be too costly to repair so they decided to total it out and sent me a check for the bike. It was a fair estimation of value but it really depressing to lose that beast.

After four days in the hospital which incorporated what seemed like hundreds of x-rays, tests, pain killers, etc., I was sent to a rehabilitation center to learn how to manage with one leg during the healing process. Had to use a walker, wheel chair and good old common sense to pass their test before they would let you leave. Spent two weeks there and then was able to come home. I certainly have found much respect for people that have to use a cane, walker or other similar device to simply move from one spot to another. Simple things you could never imagine become difficult but with effort and practice you develop skills.

Questions about whether or not I would ride a motorcycle again kept coming up and even statements like “guess that’s all for motorcycles” were rather depressing to say the least. Didn’t really think much about it until I got back home and had to see the Yamaha loaded on a wrecker and hauled off. That’s when the desire started building again but sadly wasn’t sure it would ever be possible. Have to tell you, the everyday pain was nothing but depressing. People kept saying you are so lucky, well it didn’t feel lucky at the time. Honestly though, I was lucky, God was watching over me for the second time in less than two years. It could have been a whole lot worse.

Many thanks goes out to the Paxton Baptist Church as their members were saying prayers for me every Sunday. My two lovely Aunts were always checking on me and saying prayers as well.

After a second surgery in September and some other minor complications things started to come together slowly. I’m pretty impatient so this whole process has taken what seems like a life time.

It’s been a long journey but with the help of my brother who practically moved in with me for a while, the help of my grandsons, and some friends checking on me and bringing food occasionally it went fairly well. Did have home health care for a few months which included nurses and physical therapists working with me to try and get back to normal. Before the accident was walking three to five miles each day without much effort. Right now walking around the property which is maybe a quarter of a mile is an accomplishment. 🙂

Still not 100% as of this writing and have come to the realization that I might never be. You can bet I’ll never stop working hard to get there. I am able to walk without assistance and can throw my leg over a bike so yeah I’m back to riding. Not riding as much but gradually working my way back there also. You’ll just have to follow my posts to see the progress and whether I make it back all the way or not. 🙂

FYI, have some camping trips planned this year and we shall see how that goes. LOL

See more Video clips of my rides on My YouTube channel.

Tags: #motorcycle, #motorcycleaccident, #yamahalastride
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Motorcycle Camping Phase Two

April 16, 2021

In the Motorcycle Camping trial run back in early March, I certainly learned a lot of things that would help in the comfort area of camping. Since I decided that carrying all the stuff I needed on a bike was looking impossible and made the decision to go with a trailer and haul the bike plus sleep in it at night, still there were things I could do differently.

There were several things I could do without and other things I felt would improve my experience with camping. First thing was that the trailer had only one vent in the roof so felt that I needed some windows in it since most of my camping would be done in warmer weather. Looked for someone to install windows and after much frustration and high quotes decided to do it myself. Actually found some windows that would work on Amazon and there were video’s on best way to install them on YouTube. Turns out it wasn’t that hard to do, was so happy with my accomplishment. 🙂

Trailer was really dirty at time of these photos, promise it’s not like that most of the time. 🙂 I’ll put the link to those windows and some of the other stuff I purchased for camping at the end of this post for those interested.

Also purchased a tonneau cover for my pickup truck to keep things from getting wet from the dew at night or should it rain. Link below. Purchased a cot with a built in mattress that could be aired up with the included battery operated pump. Cot was smaller in size than the queen size mattress which was really too wide for the trailer. It fit but did not leave much room to walk around it. The cot was slimmer, same length and was up off the floor so easier to get in and out of plus could store things underneath it if necessary.

Found that I could instead of using those l lb. bottles of propane, why not get an adapter hose that would fit my camping stove and hook-up to a 20 lb. container like you use on your grill. So much easier, hate dealing with those l lb. bottles that don’t seem to last very long.

I also started looking for camping equipment that was compact, lightweight, and could easily be packed and carried on a bike since at some point I really wanted to do real motorcycle camping with just the bike and whatever I could load on it. There is a lady motorcycle rider that I follow on You Tube with over 100,000 subscribers that goes camping on her bike and seems to have a great plan. Link follows: Her Two Wheels YouTube Channel and here is a link to one of her video’s where she explains things in detail. Her Two Wheels Camping Alone Video After you watch you gotta come back here though to finish this story, and tell her I sent ya. 🙂

You would be surprised at the things available for motorcycle camping and backpacking and how compact they are. Camping pots and pans, tents, tent pads, sleeping pads & bags, camping stools, etc… Too many things to mention but will put links to some of the things I purchased below including some things I got for my bike.

After accumulating all the necessary things and leaving behind stuff I found out I didn’t need it was time to go camping again, which we did. My brother and sister-in-law had us scheduled again for Karick Lake but this time on the north side for June 1st thru June 5th. Much warmer but there was some rain possible which really didn’t matter. So we get there on the 1st of June, unpack, set up camp, start a fire and begin to relax. Was beautiful weather most of the entire camping time. We hiked almost every day around the hiking trail which goes all the way around the lake, approximately four miles.

Almost every day I took the bike out for a ride in the local area, sometimes for a couple of hours or more just to get the necessary wind therapy. On one of the rides did get rained on a couple of times. Was actually funny because when your riding if the rain stops you tend to dry out quickly in the wind, but this day as soon as I got really dry it rained again. No worries, by the time I got back to the campground was dry again. No videos but some photos below.

As you can see, it’s a quiet and peaceful place. When we were there not many campers, guess it was because of everyone wanting to keep on doing that social distance thing. Personally what better way to social distance than camping? 🙂

Had a really great time with everything I needed and more. Felt much more comfortable this time out and could not wait until the next camping trip, BUT then things happened that changed a lot of my plans. Information coming about that experience in a later post.

Going to put some links below of items I have either purchased for camping or things I just wanted or needed for the Yamaha. Keep in mind should you click on those links and purchase some of those items I may in fact receive a small fee for sending you there. All those links lead to Amazon so keep that in mind.

That’s probably not all the stuff that I’ve purchased since the motorcycle and camping came into my life, not even close, and I’m sure there will be more in the future. Funny but when you own a motorcycle there always seems to be something else you need or would like to have not including the normal maintenance items. 🙂

Be sure to stay alert and look for the next post, will reveal a lot about my current situation and possible future. 🙂

See more Video clips of my rides on My YouTube channel.

Tags: #amazonproducts, #camping, #campingequipment, #motorcyclecamping
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Final Video – more rides

April 13, 2021

Well actually that was the final video for that particular camera. Certainly will not be my last video as several have already been taken and added to My youtube channel. Take a chance, go visit, like it, comment on each video, hit that little bell thing so you’ll get notified the next time I upload another video.

As you can see from the images below these were a few of the rides that I recorded on the “My Rides” app on my phone. The app provides a lot of information, date, distance, time, speed, acceleration, lean angle, and altitude, plus outlines the route on the map should you wish to repeat that ride at a later date.

This isn’t all the riding I did up until June 14, 2020 (will explain the data on that date later). In fact normally I took a ride almost every day unless it was raining. I just didn’t record all of them. In fact none of these were video taped either since the camera had flown off somewhere around the end of April. Whatever day it flew off there was a lot of video on it but when you can’t find the camera, it’s oh well, bye bye. Below is an ending of the last video recorded while riding the Yamaha.

Loading the Yam into the trailer April 20, 2020 after about a three hour ride.

April 20, 2020 loading the Yamaha into trailer/motorcycle garage.

Not only riding but did another motorcycle camping trip in early June. Will write a post about that camping experience in the next post and then we’ll get around to talking about the one day I’d rather not remember or talk about but find it necessary to explain this total motorcycle experience in full.

See other Video clips of my rides on My YouTube channel.

P.S. See previous post, YES I did ride in that Poker Run, my very first so will certainly have to tell you all about that venture in a post to come soon. 🙂

Tags: #motorcycle, #motorcyclerides, #motorcyclevideo
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Event this weekend…Poker RUN

April 8, 2021

Had to interrupt my normal posting schedule on bringing you up to date using my past experiences of riding a motorcycle building to the here and now. The event this weekend is important and happening this coming Sunday April 11, 2021, hence I need to post about it now. A Poker Run hosted by VFW Post 4437 in Defuniak Springs, Fl. It’s not JUST a Poker Run, benefits go to one of the best causes in our area of south Alabama and the Florida Panhandle.

Personally I’ve never participated in a Poker run, but believe me when I say this would certainly be one that I would support and enjoy doing. For those unfamiliar, a Poker run basics is register, pay whatever registration fees are required. There is a set time to do so, bikes are normally blessed before the start and then at a specific time KSU (meaning kick stands up) and ride begins. The route is preplanned with stops where at each stop you are given a playing card.

After all stops have been completed the route returns you to the place you started which in this case is VFW Post 4437 in DeFuniak Springs. Usually food is served on arrival and other events can be scheduled to end the day like an auction or something else to raise more money for the charity, a person, or organization.

I truly do want to ride in this event but since never doing this before am a little apprehensive and unsure of the mechanics or if I’m physically ready for this. Wish I knew someone who’s riding that I could get some experienced information from. 🙂

Here is a quote from VFW Post 4437 FaceBook page with details of this event:

(start quote)

14th Annual Rumblin’ for Hope Poker Run

Registration: VFW Post 4437, 25 S. 25th Street, DeFuniak Springs

$15 per Bike/$5 additional rider (includes your meal after ride)

Extra hands will be available for $5

9-9:45 am: Registration

9:45 am: Blessing of the Bikes

10:00 am: KSU

1st Stop: Horse Power Pavilion, 4497 Hwy 20, Freeport

2nd Stop: Special Forces Brotherhood MC, 13885 Hwy 20, Niceville

3rd Stop: AmVets Post 78, 910 Valastics Ave, Valparaiso

4th Stop: AmVets Post 178, 4776 Hwy 90, Defuniak Springs

5th Stop: VFW Post 4437, 25 S. 25th St, DeFuniak Springs

3:30 pm: Food will be served at VFW Post 4437

4:00 pm: Auction and 50/50All proceeds from this Run will be donated to our LOCAL “Cancer Freeze” Program. “Cancer Freeze” is a Non-Profit organization that provides much needed financial assistance to Northwest Florida and South Alabama individuals battling cancer.

CANCER FREEZE

Horse Power Pavilion

Special Forces Brotherhood MC (Duke Field FL)

Amvets Post 78 – Valparaiso, Florida

Amvets Post 178

Seventh Seal Tattoo

CaNDe Custom

Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits

Jerry’s Burger Co.

(end quote)

As you can see it’s a full day, sounds like a ton of fun and benefits an exceptional cause. So the reason for this post is to make as many people as possible aware so that you can participate if you so desire. I’m personally going to try and be there, only some physical issues might prevent me from riding. (more on that issue later)

Actually in this event you are not required to ride a motorcycle, pretty sure they will allow anyone in a car or truck to participate or they will take donations for Cancer Freeze, either way you want to help. So I’m going to end this now, post it and hope to see you there. Remember April 11, 2021, this coming Sunday. 🙂 🙂 🙂

By the way as always feel free to share this post, comment, like, and hit that follow button to be notified the next time a post is published. 🙂

Tags: #cancerfreeze, #pokerrun, #VFWpost4437
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Motorcycle Camping Part 3 – The Trial

April 6, 2021

This should be the last post about the motorcycle camping trial run, in other words the testing in real time before the serious stuff starts. At this point everything I can think of is packed, food, toiletries, clothes, cooking utensils, heater (this was in March and still cold) extension cords, table, chairs, firewood, etc etc etc…. In other words had the trailer hooked up, bike and some supplies in trailer with the remainder in the cab or back of the truck.

Lets go——we had reserved camping sites at Karick Lake South for March 4 through the 8th of 2020. Five days to test out this setup, see what was missing and what could be left behind on the next outing. By the way Karick Lake camping is near by (25 miles) and is a really quiet and well taken care of campground. It has a fishing pier, bath rooms, showers, and hiking trails. Each campsite has electrical hook up and water. For those with RV and trailer campers there is a dump station on your way out.

As you can see from the photos, when we arrived it was dreary looking, foggy, raining, and on top of that the wind was blowing pretty good also. Those photos were taken around three in the afternoon. That was not going to stop this camper however, we were going to stick it out no matter what. In fact turns out most of the five days we were there it was like this, cold, damp and for normal people some might have called it miserable.

Next it was time to setup, unload the bike first, then inflate the queen size air mattress, unpack the blankets, hook up the water hose, plug into electricity, turn on the heater, build a fire and get ready to prepare some food. The RV you see in the right side of the photo below is my brother and sister-in-law. They camp in style with all the comforts of home. 🙂

It rained really hard that night, the camper directly in front of me was camping in a tent and riding a motorcycle. Met him the next morning as he was packing up to leave. He explained it was pretty rough since his tent flooded and he only had a few dry clothes to change into. He was from Mississippi and was headed home that morning hoping he could stay out of most of the bad weather. Not likely though, storms were brewing all across the southern states at that time.

Even though is was miserable, had a great time with my brother. We hiked almost every day, cooked and ate a lot, sat around the camp fire which we kept going strong for the entire time and talked about anything that came to mind. Learned a lot on the trip, some changes I might do and other things I could do without. In other words, I packed way too much stuff. 🙂 Even though the weather was not nice still had a chance to take a few short rides on the motorcycle which for me is always fun.

Will post a two minute video below of one ride as I was leaving the camp site and out of the campground to the main road. Camera was mounted on rear of the motorcycle. Turned off the sound because it was so windy.

Soon we will catch up from the past and start posting about what’s happening now, but first I will need to catch you up on what has happened since this camping trip, maybe more camping, more rides, more photos and videos. So be patient with me, we’ll get there I promise. Will close this post out with a few more photos of that campsite. It was a blast and a learning experience for sure!

Remember not an “Old Biker” by definition, just an old man (by birth certificate) that loves to ride motorcycles. Feel free to leave comments and suggestions. Stay tuned, hit that follow button to be notified when next post publishes. And if you feel the urge, you can share this on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Thanks for reading. 🙂

Tags: camping, motorcycle, motorcyclecamping
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Motorcycle Camping – Part 2

April 2, 2021

In the last post kind of explained what would be necessary for me to purchase in the area of a trailer to do all the things I needed to do with it. Like the motorcycle search which took a while, the trailer search began. After a couple of months searching, found the trailer I’d been looking for and it was probably about 1.5 miles away. Was a six by twelve foot single axle trailer, covered, with drop down rear door to use as a ramp and side door for entry when you didn’t want to drop the rear door down. Was large enough to carry the Yamaha and all the other stuff I thought was necessary.

Once the trailer was in my possession it was time to set it up and make it mine. First had to find a motorcycle chock that would accept the front tire of my bike and hold it up without support. Of course you have to use tie downs before you move it and that meant tie down hooks in the floor were needed. Turns out it already had some tie-downs.

Next thing I did was add electricity. Wired in an on/off switch, light, and a wall plug. Placed the plug-in down on the under side of the trailer easily accessible so it would be easy to run an extension cord and plug it in so you would have lights and electrical power inside the trailer. Most of the campgrounds I would use have electrical hook-ups, water, bathrooms and showers.

Also built a little area in the nose of the trailer to store things so they wouldn’t move around and even put a rod across the front of the trailer in order to hang clothes, jackets, helmets, and whatever else needed to be hung up. Also devised a way to mount the spare tire on the wall. When I say nose of the trailer, forgot to mention that it is V shaped in front which actually makes it pull easier due to the shape it will split the wind better. Will put some photos below.

When all of that was done, time to see how it would feel pulling it with my truck, bike loaded. Hooked up the trailer, loaded up the Yamaha, tied it down securely and took off down the road a few miles to test how it pulled, felt and then on returning making sure the bike was still secure and had not moved. Did some quick turns, faster than normal stops just to see if anything would go wrong with the way I had it setup.

Result, it pulled great, bike stayed in place and it appeared that the trailer, bike and me were very close to ready for a trial run at camping. Well not quite, still had to buy/gather up some supplies. Food, clothes, camp stove, utensils, paper towels, cleaning products, air mattress, sheets, blankets, pillow, heater (it was cold), charger for phone, extension cords, water hose, table, chairs, coffee, coffee pot, hot chocolate, firewood, matches, gas for stove and lantern. Believe me there was probably more but I really wanted to over pack and see what I really needed on this trial run. There was a lot more minor items packed I’m sure but you get the idea. 🙂

Funny thing is my brother and sister-in-law were going to be camping in the very next campsite in their RV to assist me with anything necessary but the idea was for me to test this out as much as possible on my own. Plus we would only be camping about 25 miles from my home at Karick Lake South so if necessary I could run back home quickly should there be something missing. LOL

Will have to finish up this camping experience on a motorcycle in the next post as I don’t really like to make these post too long and boring. There will be a part three to this story posting soon. See some of the trailer photos below.

Off subject a bit but just got notification that Viking Bags is running an Easter sale at 20% off. For how long it lasts I have no idea but this is the place I go to when I need saddle bags, sissy bar bags, or any type of motorcycle luggage you can think of. Viking Bags- World Largest Motorcycle Luggage Manufacturing Company, Offering over 700 Key lockable Saddlebags and pouches with hardware.

Tags: camping, motorcycle, motorcyclecamping
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Motorcycle Camping – Part 1

April 1, 2021

Camping is another of my passions these last few years. Probably influenced by my brother, sister-in-law, and one of my first cousins all of which are avid campers and love the outdoors. Even before the Yamaha was found and purchased had thoughts of traveling on the motorcycle, not staying in hotels but rather camping overnight, saving money and doing something enjoyable at the same time. (Doing this while recovering from bypass surgery done in January of 2019.) Side note: they told me I shouldn’t be riding a motorcycle for at least the remainder of 2019, too much vibration? It came up in conversation with one of my nurses who rides. 🙂

I’ve seen where other people have camped during their travels on a motorcycle carrying all they required, tent, sleeping bag, food, clothes, etc…. but for the life of me I could not see how to carry all the things I would need on a long journey possibly multiple states and weeks at a time. Maybe it’s because my requirements are many in that I really like to stay as clean as possible, eat well, and sleep in more comfort that just a tent and pad to lay on? 🙂

Since I had not done a lot of camping alone in a long time my first task was to basically figure out what supplies and and other requirements would be needed, yep, made a list. This list of course came from conversations with my camping experts, brother, sister-in-law, and first cousin who I actually visited in TN back in August of 2019. Had never been to Tennessee so it was quite an experience. Spent a week with my cousin and then a week with my best friend from high school days who also lives in Tennessee, another area of the state. Saw sites and things of interest that I had only seen in books and TV. It was an awesome trip. May go back someday on the motorcycle.

Okay, sorry I get side tracked sometime so back to the process of making the list, food, bedding, clothes, toiletries, fire wood, tent, etc etc etc….. no way in hell was that all going on a motorcycle.

First thought was maybe I should consider a small RV camper that was self contained and then tow my motorcycle on a trailer behind. That way I could camp at great places for motorcycle riding, have a place to sleep and ride the area during the day. Great idea right? Yes, good idea but way too much money involved in finding the right RV. Way out of my budget, so that was discarded after a few days maybe weeks of looking and thinking about the situation. Remember these thoughts were before finding the right motorcycle right price.

Then it hit me, I already had a truck, all that I needed was the right trailer to tow the motorcycle one I could use for carrying all I needed plus a place to sleep after unloading the motorcycle. So the search began, needed to be a covered trailer at least twelve feet long and inside height of six feet or more. Also had to have a style door that when lowered would be a ramp to load the bike. Timeline: This planning was happening during and after my trip to Tennessee, August, September, October and into November of 2019.

First things first, had to make a decision on one of the many motorcycles that I had been looking at and researching. FOUND it, 2005 Yamaha Roadstar XV1700 located at Rucker’s Auto and Cycle Sales in Enterprise, Alabama. This was somewhere in the first week of November 2019. Had to go see it, turned out was a beautiful bike, had lots been done to it recently, and was in excellent shape mechanically and otherwise. Even had a cup holder, phone mount with charger. Perfect for me and fit into my price range. It had all the bells and whistles I wanted and more. Owner Danny Toole was very nice and worked with me on every question or concern I might have. Even helped me at the local Credit Union to get financing. Long story short, Danny loaned me a trailer (didn’t own one at that time) to bring the bike home which I did on November 14, 2019. 🙂

This post is getting long so will cut if off now but stay tuned for Motorcycle Camping Part 2 coming out soon! 🙂

Tags: camping, motorcycle, motorcyclecamping, motorcycletrailer
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Dash View

March 28, 2021

Think I said in the past that experimenting with the video in various places was something that I found interesting and well just needed to be explored since I’m all new to this.

Below I posted a video from a much different view. Camera mounted on top of helmet, pointed down toward the dash area of the Yamaha. Please understand I’m certainly not looking down at the dash area while riding since that would end up in disaster for sure. Eyes always on the road, in fact looking out as far as you can see in front and watching all side views to boot. Even more so than in a car.

This video was recorded on April 15, 2020 on my way to my favorite place to walk, Florida’s highest point. Actually walked about four miles that day and then went riding afterwards for an hour or so after.

Video gives you an idea of what the dash was like on that beast, had all the accessories a person could ask for on a motorcycle. 🙂 Notice that’s all past tense now…. later post will explain.

Yamaha Dash View

Hope you enjoy these little videos. Still trying to post more on my My youtube channel. so if you get a change drop by and check it out, and if you wish please subscribe to be notified each time I post another one there. Talk with you later, next post coming soon.

Until then, remember I’m not an “Old Biker” by definition, just an old man (by birth certificate only) that loves to ride motorcycles. Stay tuned and hit that follow button so you’ll be notified when the next post hits the web. 🙂

Tags: motorcycle, videomotorcycle, yamahamotorcycle, youtubevideo
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Rides Tracked & Recorded

March 27, 2021

Partially true. It was hard for me to remember to record ALL my rides or even a large percentage of them since my main goal was to just get out and ride. That little camera I mentioned in the last post would run out of battery power after a while so some of the rides that I was trying to record didn’t make it to the end. In some of my first videos had the camera set to make 5 minute shots, then switched it to 3 minutes and even some I recorded at 1 minute intervals.

I would then pick one of the better intervals of some rides and post that short video to Youtube. Not really a youtuber like so many are and certainly don’t own the professional equipment it requires to make quality youtube videos but if you want to see what I’ve posted so far this is My youtube channel. Hopefully I’ll get better at it and post more in the very near future. With that said if you want to subscribe and be notified when that happens feel free to do so. 🙂

By the way, “Tracked” was also mentioned in the subject line so yes that is another thing I do on some rides and it doesn’t cost a thing. There are free aps on your phone that can record your route and some are actually geared for motorcycles. The one I use most often is “My Ride”, it was developed by Yamaha Motor Europe. When you start your ride just turn it on and it records not only your route but some other interesting tidbits also.

Occasionally I’ve used “Rever” which seems to be popular with a lot of motorcycle enthusiasts but honestly I prefer the “My Ride” ap. In fact I’ll post a photo of a “Rever” ride I took. The three minute video excerpt in the previous post was a short clip of the ride tracked that day.

Rever has an upgrade option as most free applications do which of course would most likely provide more and better info but for my purposes just sticking to the free version.

Will have to say there are some interesting rides I’ve tracked which I will share with you later. One that is especially interesting is the one recorded on June 14, 2020, day of my accident. Stick around I’ll make a post someday about that entire day since there has been a lot of questions about it.

Until then, remember I’m not an “Old Biker” by definition, just an old man (by birth certificate only) that loves to ride motorcycles. Stay tuned and hit that follow button so you’ll be notified when the next post hits the web. 🙂

Tags: motorcycle, motorcyclerides, raysmotorcycleexperience, videomotorcycle
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Ray's Motorcycle Experience

Finding my new Ride

And then IT happened..

Motorcycle Camping Phase Two

Final Video – more rides

Event this weekend…Poker RUN

Motorcycle Camping Part 3 – The Trial

Motorcycle Camping – Part 2

Motorcycle Camping – Part 1

Dash View

Rides Tracked & Recorded

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