Saturday, February 7, 2015

How Many More Weeks??

It really doesn't matter what the Groundhog saw this past week, winter here will remain though if we can indeed get away with only 6 more weeks of it, we'll be in fat city.

There's a feeling of spring in the air, small and yet, still a feeling however small.  At the IMS gathering today, Chad reminded us that there is a lightness in the air and mood......things are definitely changing.  Last weekend, a group of 6 of us met to discuss some sort of organized get together of Helix (Fusion, Spazio too) riders.  We don't have a clubhouse yet, no need for crowd control, the Roberts Rules of Order volumes haven't been opened but things are moving.  Who knows where this will end??

That was last Friday.  On Saturday a much different grouping of 10 met for lunch in a valley known for good riding, at a place fun to visit and known for good food.  Motorized machines with only 2 wheels (for the most part) were the common bond we all share.  Spouses, one Marine son.....we had a grand time together.  It was 101 miles one way for two of the couples but we all agreed that it was time and effort well spent.  This is the Praag not on the Vitava River.






Today Ben and I joined the crowd in Minneapolis for the International Motorcycle Show at the Convention Center.  Poor Ben had to put up with my many introductions ..."how did he get so tall?"....and socializing, over and over again.  We'd no sooner start moving and suddenly there was another familiar face.  Lots of talk, bikes, riding and otherwise though we did manage to actually check out a bike here and there.  I spent my money......on another pair of ROK Straps.


Our VJMC group was both well represented and popular.



I spent a fair amount of time looking at these.....


I'd have to say that I've been hearing the most and loudest buzz about these......


Finally, Minnesota lawn mowing in February.  I had been feeling a bit guilty for not getting that last cutting in.....at least someone is benefiting.  Seems that once again this year fussing with that nitrogen fertilizer supplement will be redundant and very unnecessary.


14 comments:

  1. What an excellent pastime... meeting with friends, and looking at bikes. Looks like there was a nice vintage collection available. I wonder how the Duc Scrambler will fare in your neck of the woods. In Germany it has become a big hit. People ordered it well ahead even before it was on display in the show rooms.

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    1. The Show continues to be a social event and the timing of when it rolls through the U.S. cities and arrives in Minneapolis helps to split up our long winter. Our VJMC group had 20+ machines, the Antique Club next door had almost as many and next to those guys, the Ton Up fellows. Lots of machines at the show that weren't brand new.

      It looks like the Scrambler will be a hit here as well!

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  2. Coop, your lunch spot looks like a place with real character (and characters!)
    The motorcycle shows are a great way to beat the winter for a few hours aren't they? I know exactly how Ben felt having spent the day with my neighbour (and friend of at least of half of the people who were at the Super Show.) It took us 3 hours to get through the vintage section. Yes we did look at some of the bikes, but mostly it was talk time.
    Love your winter lawn care - do they remove snow as well?

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  3. I've got photos here with a great deal more character and thought it wise to let them remain unpublished. Riding right on by the place dozens of times in the past, last weekend was the first visit. I'll definitely include it on my list of possible "stops" from here on out. Already plans are being made to include it on our VJMC ride this summer.

    As you've mentioned, I'm sure it was a challenge for both of you. Ben was exposed to a great deal of variety and I hope that was something that worked for you too.

    REmove?? .....not sure, they definitely Move the snow and now that the sun gets braver (higher) each day, these dark spots will grow in size on their own, making for very low effort lawn management.

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  4. Nice to see the deer earning their keep. We have one bedded down behind the back fence right now having a nap.

    I liked seeing all those old tractor seats on the ceiling. They were tractor seats weren't they?

    Glad you enjoyed the IMS. We didn't go to the Seattle one this year as we didn't think there would be much there. We were disappointed last year.

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    1. I hope yours are as healthy as ours are; no ribs protruding on these fuzzy ones.

      You are correct. Tractor seats, often other ride-along equipment as well. The early ones are cast iron and very collectible. Later on cost considerations changed the design to stamped steel.

      I'd say our show was typical of what we've been used to these last years. Brands typically there and usually not seemed to be following tradition. I thought the vibe of the crowd was a good one, lots of interest and excitement, possibly and probably about the upcoming season as much as about the machines themselves.

      I had told myself I wouldn't go if Ben had shipped out and wasn't going with me. I'm happy that I was able to be there.

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  5. Somehow I forgot all about the motorcycle show until Friday afternoon. I've had plans all weekend, so I wasn't able to make it. I'll have to pay closer attention next year.

    Looks like a fun day out!

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    1. Hey Lucky, sorry that you missed it if you had wanted to be there. I'm sure that many of us are more in the mood now than we were a week ago. I joked with Ben, wondering if we'd see any bikes out in front....often someone is very proud of the fact that they actually rode to the event in Feb. On our way home through Red Wing, we met a V-Strom and I'm going to count that.

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  6. I passed on the show this year. Not much of a budget for new cycles anytime soon.

    The old dump truck is interesting. An old Autocar?

    It's good to see that you at least have some snow on the ground this winter. We're looking at a warm up in the next week. Locals are wondering if there will be enough snow left up here for the Birkebeiner.

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    1. I think Autocar is a good guess. Didn't climb over the snowbank to take a better look but will in a few short months.
      Sounds like the Mora race will happen on the lakes due to lack of snow.

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  7. Did you get the chance to see the Kawasaki Versys 1000?I'm trying to get rid of the DR and FZ.I want to make room for a Tenere,FJR,FJ09,Ninja 1000 or Versys 1000.Not sure what will take up space in my garage.Dean B says I'm a prime candidate for a GoldWing so Sheri can enjoy the ride.I say I'd rather not.

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    1. Hey Scott, go for the Gold Wing!! I looked at the Versys but only briefly. I spent more time with the FJ09.

      Let's get Sheri in on the voting.

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  8. Quite the blog. It's an interesting read.

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