Wanna' Get Away?

Apparently, Matt Mladin wanted to send a message to Toby (the amature) Mark on Saturday at the Seattle 100. The bike-cam (and the shame) belong to Toby. The "wheely" Matt rides as he blows past our hero like he was a fire hydrant sort of says it all.

Coming Soon...

Watch for a post that features some of the beautiful flowers that Mrs. Wingmaster has been cultivating in the yard. Even though this blog is titled, "Life On The Road", you gotta' stop and smell the roses. ;-)

Meet My "Ex-"

My Ford Ex-pedition, that is; fondly referred to as the "Long-Range Pheasant Assault Vehicle (LRPA for short). LeRPA has been feeling sorely neglected for the past few months. It seems that his thirsty 5.4 liter Triton V-8 (13.5 mpg) just can't compete with the throaty rumble of an 88 cubic in. V-Twin Harley with Sequential Port Fuel Injection, Stage 1 Fuel Mapping, 2-into-1 Hooker exhaust and and lean 40+ mpg in the Big City!

Now that all you ladies have slipped into a catatonic state, induced by male technical gobble-d-geek, let me get to the point.

Today is the first day in many weeks that I have driven my "Ex" to work. The rain in today's forecast, coupled with the fact that I was riding almost as many hours this week-end as I was awake, prompted me to leave the bike in the garage and fire up the LeRPA. I had to turn it over last night just to make sure it would start. It was then that I realized that (since the end of March) I have put almost 3-times more miles on the Harley than on the LeRPA. At an average of less than 500 miles per month, My old "Ex" just might last a few more years. But then again, Pheasant Season opens soon!

My Heros Have Always Been...

AMA Superbike Champions?

Do you know who this is? It's non-other than Matt Mladin, 6-time AMA SuperBike Champion and featured guest celeb of the Seattle 100, a motorcycle lap-a-thon that I had the privilege of attending Saturday as a member of "Team Toby". (More on Toby Later).

A couple of weeks ago, I couldn't tell you what AMA stood for, let alone who Matt Mladin is. Needless to say, Matt has achieved "Rockstar" status in the motorcycle road-racing world. Toby was thrilled and honored to be on the same track with him. (That's Toby below)

I guess it would be like me getting to sit in on a jam-session with The Eagles back-stage at some concert. Yeah, I'd feel terribly out-classed, but who cares?

Kinda' gets you thinking about who we put on a pedestal. How long will that individual (or group) be on top? Will you always be proud of their accomplishments, conduct and lifestyle? Are they "real" people, or just arrogant snobs who think they're "something"? (Mladin seemed to be a very nice Aussie with a humble demeanor) He's a family man who rides a 200 hp crotch-rocket, owns & flies 5 airplanes, and doesn't have a problem drawing a crowd at a racetrack. But if you were like me at the beginning of this blog, he'd just be another guy in a t-shirt and expensive sunglasses.

The only true hero worthy of lasting worship didn't fly a plane or ride a bike that cost more than most of us make in a year (or two).

He wore linen instead of leathers, rode a donkey into town and split history in half (BC-AD). He flew without the aid of thrust, velocity or lift and He changed my life forever.

I can't wait to get my picture taken with Him face-to-face!

Sometimes, sharing the burdens of others lightens the heart of the burden-bearer and the one who's sharing the load.

But then there are those burdens that weigh heavily on the bearer and also on he who would help shoulder them.

I have shouldered such a load with a brother; may our Father give us wisdom, strength and endurance for this road looks long and rough with no rest-stops in site.

I Miss My Grandkids and My Daughter!

What more can I say? I miss my Grandkids! They are in CA and we're up here, 1200 miles away. It's a lousey (sp?) arrangement. Carol, Mike, Matt & Ava- I love you. Hope to see you soon!

Late For Work

OK, it's open- My web-log. Took nearly an hour and now I'm in danger of being late for work. We'll see if I really take the time to keep it updated (or if I really have anything blog-worthy to say). Kick-stand, up~ Let's Ride!