Photo post: Bikeweek 2000

Yeah, a while ago I know.

Me (w/ light on) going south on Main Street at Dayton Bikeweek 2000. This digital photo was taken with a first generation digital camera that stored images on floppy disks (remember them?). The less than 0.5 megapixel image (640x480) is not bad for displaying on screen, but doesn't print well except in small size.

A few other pics:

Digital cameras for motorcycles

Type	Description
	Digital Single Lens Reflex Offers the most flexibility primarily because of interchangeable lenses. Advantages include high image quality, easy image exposure control, and most allow shooting in RAW image format for greatest post processing flexibility. Disadvantages include bulk, carrying extra lenses, and complexity of use. The DSLR I use is the older Canon 10D generally with a 24-85mm zoom lens. I almost always use aperture-priority mode and spot metering. I shoot in RAW format and don't hesitate doing post-shot image processing using the GIMP.
	Advanced Point & Shoot When a DSLR is too much camera to carry or when its complexity is undesired, a high end point & shoot camera is nearly as good. These cameras typically offer a zoom lens, manual, semi-automatic, and pre-set shooting modes, and some have RAW image format capability. Their advantages include relative small size, range of shooting modes, and an ability to use other equipment like hot-shoe flash. I use the Canon G9. Because it's so versatile, many times it's the only camera I take on rides. I shoot in RAW mode almost exclusively. This is the primary differentiator between this camera and the one below.
	Point & Shoot These are the ubiquitous small sized cameras used everywhere. These cameras are designed to be very easy to operate. Most can be set in a full automatic mode requiring only a shutter push for a good photograph. Their primary advantage is small size and are excellent for recording events during a motorcycle trip. These cameras generally do not have a RAW image mode. The PS camera I use is the Canon SD750. This camera fits in my shirt pocket and I have it with me nearly always.

Photography and motorcycles

Photography and motorcycles go together well. I plan to write a number of posts on photography and motorcycles in the up coming weeks. The photos will be predominantly "travel photos" of our riding adventures--check out earlier postings for examples. But I'll also discuss equipment and photo tips.

In the mean time, check out one of my favorite photography blog sites: TWiP (http://www.twipphoto.com)

Stay tuned!

Zen and motorcycles -- part 2

Have you had the experience of discovering your face is tied up in a grimace, and after realizing it, you let the tension "flow out" by relaxing your muscles?

I've discovered this never happens while riding.

Ride often. It's good for your health.

Zen and motorcycles

Growing old is more palatable if its disconnected from growing up.

Ride safe. Ride often.

Cam belt service life -- can it be so?

My Ducati has 13,000 miles. The manual says the cam belts should be replaced at 12,000. In an era where some motorcycle drive belts last at least 100,000 miles, it boggles my mind that Ducati would have belts so inferior. What gives? I've heard all of the horror stories of cam belts breaking and I know exactly what will happen. Who has had or knows first hand of such an event that could be directly attributable to broken cam belts?

Let the 2008 riding season begin!

My wife and I rode our bikes out Rte 211 for our first ride of the season. The weather was great and traffic was reasonably light. If not for the high pollen count, it would have been a perfect day.

Alas, I failed to download the track information from my GPS before clearing its memory. Our route today was essentially the same as in a previous post about Rte 211.

We're making plans for summer road trips. We will be heading to Sikeston, MO for the 1st Annual Trike Rider's Int'l Rally. The price of gas may hinder some of our plans, but we're certain to make a number of day rides and likely a few over nighters. I'll do my best not to forget to download the GPS track data and plan to post the rides here.

Safe riding!

Funny feeling leads to Iron Butt Rally on a Cosmopolitan

Since January, I've had a funny feeling in my gut about things. Today everything coalesced into a clear picture of what I had to do.

I managed to ride my Honda Valkyrie and Ducati Multistrada to a nearby Honda Motorcycle dealership and traded both on a Honda Cosmopolitan scooter. It was a tad more difficult than I anticipated straddling both bikes, especially given the differing seat heights. Working two throttles, the brakes, shifting gears presented their own set of problems. But I made it. I purchased a blue and white Cosmopolitan scooter like the one below.

I have given my two weeks notice and will be entering the next Iron Butt Rally covering 11,000 miles in 11 days. My calculus, which accounts for aerodynamic drag, Coriolis effect, and the gravitational pull of the moon, indicates I can cover the 11,000 miles with one 10-gallon tank of gas strapped to the rear luggage rack. I plan to keep Hostess Twinkies & Red Bull in the under seat storage compartment. In this way, I will not have to stop for gas or food. Presently, I am now training my body to so completely digest Twinkies that the only generated waste will be liquid. In this way, I will not have to stop for bathroom breaks.

I'm testing a satellite based Internet service provider and the not yet released iPhone 2.0 so that I can write blog posts on the road.

Give me a wave if you see me passing your home.

Musings of a motorcyclist - why I ride?

Commuting north this morning on I-395's segregated HOV lanes with an indicated 80-mph had me passing an unmarked officer with a 4- or 5-mph speed differential. For reasons I'll likely never know, that was the moment I thought of the oft heard phrase used by many motorcyclists:

If I have to explain, you won't understand.

This phrase is most often heard when non-motorcyclists ask motorcyclists why they ride. It strikes me as a cop out response. When I use it I feel inarticulate.

Why can't I explain why I ride? Why won't a non-rider understand?

I've hinted at motivations in earlier posts: Jan 25^th, Feb 6^th, and 14^th.

So, while passing the policeman on the HOV lanes I got to wondering how to answer why I ride. My head started to hurt so I quit thinking about it.

About then I noticed spring is coming. The air was crisp, the sky blue, and even in the midst of way too much traffic I spied a daffodil on the side of the road. Heading north on the George Washington Pkwy I noticed the Potomac with a wisp of fog indicating the presence of a temperature difference between water and air, albeit ever so slight. Continuing I could see buds on some trees promising to hide the expensive homes grossly in view when the trees are winter-bare. It was nice to ride and be given the promise of spring.

Why do I ride?
If I have to explain, you won't understand...

Not going to Bike Week

The 66^th annual Bike Week is in full swing.
To celebrate, I rode to work on my Valkyrie yesterday.

It wasn't quite the same thing.