Tuesday, January 31, 2012

In it to win it

There is a handicap system in place for the Cannonball based on the age and engine displacement of the scooter that provides a level playing field for all riders no matter what you're riding (rules [pdf] are here).  In theory, anyone ought to be able to win.  However, a consensus seems to have developed among many of us on larger scooters that we don't have a hope in hell of winning so we might as well just enjoy the ride.  I've been thinking for months now that I'm not going to drive myself all that hard.  That I'm just going to have fun riding.  That I'm in it for the camaraderie and the beer at night in motel parking lots.

Well, that's all good but I've given some more thought to the spirit of the competition and have decided that I owe it to the Cannonball - if not myself - to approach this with a more competitive attitude, to show up on the starting line thinking that I've got as good a chance as anyone at winning it.  While I still have some serious doubt about that, I'm going to give it a try.  This isn't a rally or a group ride or some rolling scooter love fest and I don't want to treat it like it is.

Monday, January 23, 2012

Countdown to ecstasy. Or agony. But probably some of both.

Less than 3 months to Cannonball.  It's far enough off that I can still be a little lackadaisical about pulling all my stuff together but close enough that I'm getting pretty freakin' excited.  Eventually it will get close enough that I'll start to panic and worry that I'm forgetting something important.  For now it's restless indolence.

I've been looking back through forum posts from past CBRs and riders' blogs.  One thing about the blogs really stands out - most of them have numerous posts leading up to the run and then virtually nothing after that.  A few post recaps at the end but a lot just fall silent.  I assume that everyone who was blogging went into the Cannonball with the best of intentions to post all the way across country.  The fact that they didn't tells me that I should not assume I'll do any differently.  I'm bringing my computer and can also post from my phone and I really want to believe that I'm going to write.  What is more likely, however, is that I will speak with Pat every evening and she will post little recaps and updates while I'm at the bar / wrenching in the motel parking lot / lying in a tub / passed out in bed.  I, like others before me, will do my best to return from the adventure and try to capture the high points in a retrospective.  We'll see.

Along with my hope of writing my way across the southern U.S., I'd like to return with lots of photos.  I've used the Cannonball as an excuse to upgrade to a different camera and I would like to see myself actually use it.  There are a few problems with this scheme, however.  The only times I'll be stationary during the day are first thing in the morning (when I'm nervously getting myself ready to ride), stopped on the side of the road to pee or refuel (when my camera is apt to be the last thing on my mind), and in the evening (when the scenery consists of 50 other riders and their scooters in a motel parking lot). 

We are going to pass through some gorgeous areas, particularly in the Southwest, and it will be a shame if I can't capture some of it.  This means I'll have to stop.  Since the Cannonball is a timed run, stopping means losing time.  If I was riding to win it would be out of the question to pull over to take photos, but the handicapped scoring system makes it look like winning is the longest of long shots for me.  This means I ought to be able to stop and get off my scooter whenever I damn well please and not have to worry that I'll ruin my chance at a podium spot and glory since the chance won't be there to begin with.  As with writing, we'll see.

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Yet another farkle post

This one actually hadn't made it onto my list of favorite farkles, but only because I forgot that I had it on the scooter.  This --> discussion <-- on Modern Vespa reminded me of it - the Go Cruise throttle control.

While having a cruise control on a two-wheeled vehicle may seem dangerous or even suicidal to some, I think if it is used prudently that it can make for a safer ride.  Huh?  What's that? 

On a short ride you're not apt to have much fatigue or cramping, but on a long ride it's a real problem at times.  Holding your throttle hand in the same position for an extended period can be tiring and painful.  I use my throttle control for a few minutes at a time to enable me to remove my hand from the grip and stretch my fingers and my arm.  You'll often see riders going down the road with their left arm hanging loosely by their side or tucked behind their back.  This isn't for show - it helps relieve cramping.  The throttle control allows you to do the same with your right arm.  Remaining loose and limber and pain-free to me translates into having a safer ride.

Using the Go Cruise is as simple as depicted in the company's demonstration video.  It takes seconds to install (and seconds to remove if you don't like it).  Engaging it is effortless.  Disengaging it is as simple as manually rolling off the throttle.  It's not risk free so if you aren't comfortable with the idea of holding your throttle engaged you probably shouldn't use one.

Some people use rubber o-rings to achieve the same result.  I have a dozen heavy duty yellow Caterpillar o-rings that I bought (I only needed one but the place I ordered from only sold them by the dozen).  The idea is that you put the o-ring on your throttle grip and when you want it to hold the throttle in place, you slip it over the end of the grip so it fits in the groove between the grip and the bar end.  It works a charm and really does the exact same thing that the Go Cruise does at just a fraction of the price.  Why, then, am I not using it?

When the o-ring is sitting in that groove it's on the outside of your right hand and you can't really see it.  Also, when you're wearing gloves it's more difficult to pull it out of that groove.  Those downsides kept me from getting comfortable using it.  While it may be unlikely that there would be a problem, the thought of taking my hand off the grip and fiddling with the o-ring while hurtling down the road with a stuck throttle...well, you can perform that mental exercise yourself and see how it feels.


Saturday, January 7, 2012

This is a test. This is only a test.

Just trying out the public tracking map for my SPOT GPS Messenger.  If it works properly, it should get pinged by the unit every 10 minutes while it's on and the track will show up on the map.  If not, well, I guess I need to keep working at figuring out the settings on it.

Thursday, January 5, 2012

My favorite farkles: Part II

Okay, this one maybe doesn't qualify as a farkle since it's not a modification.  Eh, so what.

Airhawk seat cushion: This runs a close second to the back rest on my list of favorites and the two work well in tandem.  The Airhawk was developed by a company that makes products to relieve bed sores in hospital patients.  It’s an inflatable cushion with a sort of waffle pattern and a nylon cover.  You inflate it only enough to provide a thin cushion of air between you and the seat so you just barely float above it.  It adds about ¾” of height so anyone with short legs who already has trouble reaching the ground might have trouble with it. 

I can say tons of good things about how much better my scooter ride is with it, but as additional testimonial for this product I offer the following: In October 2010 I broke my collarbone in an accident.  I was unable to sleep lying down for the first two weeks so I stayed in my recliner in the living room during this time.  To make myself as comfortable as I could in this very uncomfortable situation, I put the Airhawk on my chair seat.  It made my already comfortable chair even more so.  I liked it so much that I left it in place for a number of months afterward.  It’s that good.  I also recently spent a few nights in my chair again because I had bronchitis and lying down made me hack.  I used the Airhawk again and it's staying there for good now.

Most people on Modern Vespa advocate for the medium cruiser size.  I have both a medium and a large and have to say that the large is the better of the two by a long shot.  It covers from the front end of the seat all the way back to the ridge that separates the rider from the pillion.  I found that the medium had a tendency to slide forward during long rides; the large never does.  I won't argue though; use whatever works for you.