Fall Foliage

Well it's beginning to get brisk which means winter is coming but there is still time to get out and ride. I have a small 1 car garage so I am extremely envious of J.P. Usually my bike sits in the back corner on the Park-and-Move. I've got to move My wife's car from the drive way and then back my car out of the garage. This after moving bicycles and other various toys and things to get my bike out. Then there is the gear. By the time I think of all that I need to do to get out and ride I often don't. Well I decided to change things up. Although my wife doth protest, I started parking my bike outside in front of my door, literally. I am sure I will get a nasty letter from the home owners association Nazis. I keep a cover on it but its easy access from here on out while the weather cooperates.

When I get up in the morning I throw on a pair of Draggin-Jeans just in case. My helmet and gloves are on my desk and my jacket is on the back of my chair. Now I'm on at a moments notice even if its just a grocery run. I found out that with my top case I actually CAN get a case of wine home safely if I de-box it. Until it gets too cold to ride or too slippery, she's staying at the ready. Get out and ride and enjoy the foliage! Ride Safe, -Robert

Time to Ride

Happy 2013!  Can you believe that another riding season is upon us?  I am sitting here on March 16, 2013 looking out my window and seeing a 3 inch blanket of snow on the ground.  Last year at this time the weather was in the 70-80's which for Chicago area is unseasonably warm.  In fact last year for the month of March I was able to ride about 2500 miles.  The most miles that I have ever ridden in March around here.  Anyway, I am looking forward to another riding season.  As I am writing this blog there are some in our group preparing to ride the unpaved roads!  Yes that would be Joe and Ron.  I believe they are preparing for the Trans America Trail or TAT.  Good luck to them.  I think this year we are planning to go back to Americade.  This year Americade is extending the Expo on the Beach Front for the whole week from Saturday to Saturday.  I will assume this is done to compete with all of the vendors in Warrensburg.   Anyway, mark your calendars for the first week in June, 2013 and plan to go to Upstate New York!

Ride safe,

Jp

Look who was at the Chicago Motorcycle Show 2012

Guess who was at the Motorcycle Show this year? Do you believe in miracles? Theresa actually had what appears to be a good time at the Show. I am so proud of her! She spent Sunday afternoon at the Stephen's Center looking at motorcycles and motorcycle gear.....Ride safe, Jp

Chicago International Motorcycle Show 2012

NOB was present at the Chicago International Motorcycle Show that took place February 10-12, 2012. As with each year, we attended the Show on opening day and had our dinner at Gibson's. It was good fellowship as always. I want to thank everyone who attended this year. It was good to see some of our friends who are vendors at the show. Ever year it appears that the Show has gotten smaller with respect to the number of vendors. This is probably a combination of the economy and fact that the number of new riders is on the decline. The Show does provide a nice winter break and hope for the new riding season. I am looking forward to the future rides this upcoming year. Again, I thank all that attended. See you down the road. Ride safe, Jp

MotoGP Indianapolis 2K11

NOB attended MotoGP this year. We had a small but intrepid group of riders. Bert, Mallory, Erskine, Edmund and me rode to Indianapolis for MotoGP. This year we had the pleasure of riding with Mark Michaels. He is much improved since the days of riding with a broken gear shift in loafers.....Mark actually looks like a rider these days. Thankfully we had no accidents. The weather was great and the fellowship was even better. I like to thank all of those who attended MotoGP this year. Our group "hung out" in downtown Indy after the time trials on Saturday night. It was a hot and muggy night with 1000's of bikes and freaks.....A fun time was had by all. We hope that next year Indianapolis will play host to MotoGP. If so, we will be back in Indianapolis next year. Enjoy the fall riding season. Soon it will be time to put the bikes up for the season. Ride safe.

Happy Father's Day

Greetings:

We just returned from a great 2K11 Americade Trip! From Syracuse to Montreal, Canada!!! For those of you who attended this year's trip thank you. I really enjoyed our time on the road together. For those who were not able to attend, you missed some really beautiful rides this year. Unfortunately, Americade is really changing. I think it is a combination of a poor economy and a change in the demographics of the type of riders that are attending Americade. When NOB first went to Americade in 2002, Americade was primarily for Tour Riders, i.e. Goldwings, Sport Touring and Beemers. This was reflected by the types of vendors that were present at Americade. What Americade has morph into is a more universal rally with 50% of the riders there on Harleys and metric cruisers. With the Laconia Rally taking place the week after Americade in Laconia, New Hampshire, you have a lot of the cruiser crowd going to Americade. I hope that Americade will survive. I think about the Honda Hoot (rip 2008), Honda Homecoming (rip 2007) and various other motorcycle rallies disappearing because of the lack of interest or the poor economy.

Anyway, this being our 5th trip to Americade we have become somewhat familiar with the roads. This year we went up the the top of Mount Washington in New Hampshire. Likewise, Erskine found Vermont Route 100. It is one of the most scenic state highways that I have ever been on. I will follow up this post with a more details and pictures.

Upcoming events-Wing Ding, Knoxville, TN. July 6, 2011 through July 9, 2011; BMW Nationals July 21-24, 2011 Bloomsburg, PA. Other rides TBA.

Happy Father's Day to all of the Fathers out there. Again, thanks for riding. As always, ride safe.

Jp

New Riding Season 2K11

Greetings Riders,

As we are about to start a new riding season, I just wanted to let everyone know what we are planning for the first part of 2011. The upcoming rides are Litchfield Honda Open House May 14-16, 2011. For those of you that have not been, think of a mini-Americade! There will be a number of vendors and music and a whole lot of motorcycles. Litchfield, IL is located on I-55 approximately 45 minutes south of Springfield, IL or 45 minutes north on I-55 of St. Louis, MO. Next ride will be Americade in Lake George, NY. That trip will be June 4-13, 2011. We will be leaving Chicago on June 4, early, i.e. 5 a.m. riding to Syracuse, NY. From there we plan on going into Canada and to Mount Washington, NH. We will then ride back down to Lake George and spend a few days at Lake George, NY. It will be a nice time. After that, some non-NOB trips with be the Wing Ding, July 6-9, 2011 in Knoxville, TN, and BMW Nationals in Bloomburg, NY, July 21-24. One of my friends Roc Shannon is a co chair of this event this year. More information to follow for those that are interested.

As always, ride safe and I hope to see all of you on the road this year.

God Bless,

Jp