Andrea

[Thunderbolt]

Looks like we may be in for some rain and wind.
http://www.intellicast.com/Storm/Hurricane/Active.aspx?storm=1&type=track

[Tropic traveler]

Yup. Being on the east side of the storm we will get the most rain & winds out of it if any winds develop.  ???
Rain OK, winds not so much! 

[flsix]

I guess the season is upon us.
I'll still take this over a tornado that only gives a half hour notice of arrival.

[Pappy!]

And here, in Lake County.....we need the rain so bad it's not funny. Lakes are down as low as I have ever seen them. C'mon rain!!

[James III]

Yea, looks like we're gonna get a warm up for the upcoming season. We do need the rain, yard just coming back to life. It's gonna be a hot summer but I'm looking forward to logging a few miles. I'm really hoping for good weather out for Inzane trip.
Oh well, in the meantime, keep your powder dry!

Jim

[John Schmidt]

Hey Doug, what's your wife's name again?    Not to worry folks, this will be a gentle one!!

[James III]

Thursday 06/06/13 6:30am sustained winds a good 35 to 40 mph with rain and gusts over 50mph at times. After 41 years of motorcycle riding, I spent the day on a MSF motorcycle course. Taking the test was on my "roundtuit" list for years; has been a mystery for years for many of my riding partners why I never took the class and test. Nothing legal, but thats a story for another day. Everyone has always told me how informative and fun the class was, good instructors, etc.. So I'm going to actually give Billyboy the credit for the nudge, after a little chat about the subject this last weekend on our ride. Class starts at 6:45am on the range. Brief introduction, a few questions about any experience, what I ride, am I ok with the weather, really a good motorcycle converstation. Now I have not ridden anything smaller than 750 -4 in more years than I remember and the class ride is a 250 zuki. Kinda scary for me, just not used to such a smaller machine. After 4 hours of 40mph wind, rain, can't even see the 2" tall cones in the flooded lot, full on riding and rain gear, and I thought riding on the Blue Ridge in September was a bear.......I did it, enjoyed it, and then went for class instruction and movies, took the test, got 50 of 50 correct and going again in the morning at 6:45am for final range riding to complete the required hours and material. Hey, it's not so bad, and only took 41 years.......
Out of six signed up, I was the only show....private instructor, couldn't have planned that. The storm worked in my favor today! Man I hate riding in the rain, but this was fun.

Jim

[larue]

now you're legit after 41 yrs lol, hey its never late..congrats my freind you gave the instrctor a run for his money

[John Schmidt]

James, good for you. I've taken a course at least three times over the years and it seems I learn something new each time. It's interesting to find out you really can maneuver, switch lanes, and stop on a dime without dropping the bike. The use of a different bike than what you're familiar with isn't too advisable however. One course I took had the same approach and used a bike much smaller than the Valk. I told them I don't ride their bike so don't want to learn on it, had quite a discussion over it. Finally I picked up my gear and started for the gate, planning on leaving. They relented and let me use my bike, so nearly all the others in the class decided they wanted to do the same. The instructor got a bit PO'd but allowed it, fun was had by all.

[James III]

  Thanks Larue and John!
Finished up early this morning on the MSF course, much better weather! Riding one of my bikes was indeed a given option, however in the inclement condishions yesterday my baby's didn't need to be out of the barn. The Suzuki 250 while small was good for the training, wasn't afraid to drag the pegs a little bit but wasn't really needed through the course. It was very enjoyabe, I'd do it again, or maybe one of the advanced courses.


Jim