Tom Magliozzi Passing....

Life sometimes throws us curves and the last few weeks have not been an exceptions to that rule.  First with the passing of my Aunt, then followed by my friend and fellow rider Al (photos), and then yesterday Tom Magliozzi of Car Talk has passed.  While Tom was not a close friend like Al or a relative like my Aunt, I have been listening to Car Talk since the '80's whenever I have had the chance.  I really enjoyed listening to Tom and Ray's weekly banter over the years.  The show often reminded me of discussions with my brothers, my relationship with my wife, and I sometimes I even learned a bit about the workings of the automobile.  The last couple of years I have been listening to show podcasts using PocketCaster when traveling by motorcycle or car, when out in the backyard grilling or working in the garage.  I think mixing the show in with so many pleasant activities gave me an even greater appreciation of the show, plus with the podcasts I rarely had to miss a show.

http://www.cartalk.com/blogs/staff-blog/tom-magliozzi-1937-2014

https://twitter.com/cartalk/status/529384576834371584/photo/1

GLMC Dual Sport Adventure Rally Coming up June 28th

Want to ride in our GLMC Dual Sport Adventure Rally?   Its starts and ends at Shooter's house in Underwood, IA on June 28th.  Need to get folks there before 7:30 to sign waivers, instructions and first riders meeting will begin at 7:30 AM.  The ride starts at 8 AM.

You can pay day-of if you want, but I'm trying to get a rough head count by Monday.  There will be camping at the start point both Friday and Saturday if desired, or just show up, or hang out in evenings and ride to/from home.  There will be meals provided on Saturday and an open grill on Friday evening.

I'm going to finish my scouting this weekend starting Friday (I have it off).  I have a few places left to find but I have a list of places to look at.  I'm really enjoying getting ready for this Rally, it should be a lot of fun.  Shooter has his scouting for the afternoon portion about done.

Details here:

http://www.glmc.org/dsadventure.php  

http://www.glmc.org/GLMC_Garage/forumdisplay.php?fid=5

http://www.glmc.org/GLMC_Garage/showthread.php?tid=367

First Post of 2014

After a long and grueling cold winter here, I finally got to ride Pig last Sunday.  It was an unseasonable 71 degrees at the time.  Sadly, the only place I got to ride him was too work, but hell, beggars can't be choosers.

Today my lucky stars aligned with the temperature and work schedule and I was able to ride my Pig to work again.  Living close to work has benefits, one is that its a very short three mile ride on cool mornings.  It was 35 degrees at top of my hill, but as I dropped into Gordon Dr. valley the temp dropped too, down to 27 degrees.  I didn't notice much, just happy to be out with Pig.

By lunch break it was in the fifties and I grabbed a sandwich and soda rode out to Stone State Park on the north edge of Sioux City.  When I got there I found the park was still closed for the winter (to vehicles anyways), so I had a nice ride back to the office where I ate my sandwich.  Maybe after work I'll stop somewhere and get a picture of Pig with a cactus (photo tag).