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October 27, 2008
F1, Finally
After 7 years of searching, mas o menos, I have finally found a reasonably priced Ducati F1. The timing is horrible, as our investments—like everyone else's—are cratering. On the other hand, the national calamity is causing many folks to reevaluate their collections. I hate to think that I am profiting from someone's misfortune, but their is little doubt that the marketplace for vintage bikes is taking as much of a hit as any other investment.
Not that I plan to ever sell the F1, once it arrives here. As I mentioned above, I have looked for one of these for several years. The last time one sold at a price I could afford ($1000 more than this one) was back in 2000-2001.
Though the price is certainly right, I am concerned about the track history of this particular example. However, a fellow Morini-list and 851-list Ducatista emailed me that the modifications this bike has are ones that cost alone has prevented him from making to his own F1. He loves his F1 so much that he told his wife that he wants his ashes to be placed in the gas tank so that they can be buried together.
Now comes the excruciating part: arranging and paying for delivery, viewing the bike in person, and of course getting it all dialed in. I am viewing this as a long-term relationship but really what I want to do is take it for a spin before it gets too dreadfully cold here.
Posted by Underblog at 2:42 PM | TrackBack
October 26, 2008
Further Adventures With Roomie
It seems that all the riding I have been doing lately has been with Roomie. I suppose that she is making up for lost time. In any case, the riding has been spectacular.
Two weeks ago, we went for a day trip on the Chimayó Santuario - Peñasco - Dixon Loop. That trip (263 miles total, a new Roomie record!) was full of fall colors. However, Roomie had not worn quite enough layers and so she declined the High Road to Taos in favor of a quick descent into the canyon through Picuris Pueblo and Dixon.
Notwithstanding the chill of that ride, her enthusiasm for going up to Taos remained unabated and so after consideration of the clothing we could fit in the saddle bags (as it turns out a useful constraint) she was ready to take off Friday morning for a day ride to Taos and a day ride back. Instead of stopping at Santuario for tamales at Leona's as we had two weeks prior, we continued on NM 503 past the turn-off for Santuario and toward Cundiyo and Santa Cruz Lake. After dining at Sugar Nymph's Bistro in Peñasco (well worth the drive), we decided to take the High Road into Taos rather than the Mora - Angel Fire scenic route. The High Road turned out to be even shorter of a ride than I had predicted in Peñasco, taking us all of 45 minutes to complete.
We arrived at the budget-date hotel seriously early, and so we did a quick loop around Ranchitos Road to La Posta and got stuck in Taos' now infamous traffic before visiting a friend. Once the visiting concluded, Roomie joined me in the hot tub (another first!) back at the motel. She is now more prepared to entertain the idea of putting a hot tub behind the studio having experienced the benefits after a long day in the saddle.
Next day, the F650 barely wheezed up enough juice to get going. Once warm, it started just fine. By the time we were done visiting our friend in town, it was noon. We took US 64 out to Angel Fire (the stretch from town to the 585 cut off was lovelier than I remembered) and NM 434 south to Mora. In Mora, we decided to head back to Dixon (Roomie's favorite part of the ride—she must like the canyon) and lunch at Sugar's by the Rio Grande. It did not disappoint.
We really lucked out on the meals this trip. Lunch at Sugar Nymph's was excellent, dinner (Kung Pao Scallops!) at Hunan Chinese also delicious, and the barbecue beef sandwich at Sugar's in Embudo Canyon also excellent. We look forward to next season and more meals at these places.
Posted by Underblog at 11:55 AM | TrackBack
October 4, 2008
Interview: View From the Passenger's Seat
In order to understand Roomie's enormous—one might say miraculous—conversion from no-interest-whatsoever-in-motorcycling to each-weekend-it's-where-are-we-going-to-ride, I asked her a few questions. She was kind enough to provide the substance of today's post.
UB—You have been riding as a passenger for several hundred miles in the last couple of months, more than in 1991-2007 inclusive. What is behind the change?
Roomie—You and I have been twice to Italy together. The Italian motorcycle scene is different from the American one. Whereas the trappings of the American scene - the whole rebel, outlaw, tough-guy, outsider thing - has always seemed silly to me (from living with you I know all motorcycle riders don't fly that banner), but the Italian relationship to motorcycles feels natural and integrated into their society. All kinds of people ride all kinds of motorcycles for all kinds of reasons, from hot-shots to the little old lady next door. I guess the Italian scene opened my eyes and helped me get over my prejudice. Plus I got it into my head that a motorcycle would be the most fun way to travel in Europe.
UB—How is riding on a motorcycle different than driving in a car?
Roomie—Being on a motorcycle is like being on a bicycle, except without the toil. I like the fresh air, the smells of nature (even the bad ones), being out in the weather, and feeling more connected to the landscape I'm moving through. It's fun being with you, too. I like hanging on to you for dear life. But I like driving a car too. I just like driving it my way: 40 mph on back roads with no other cars around, no need to get anywhere on time, and music playing that I can to sing along with. Loud.
UB—Do you get bored riding on the back? It doesn't seem like there is much to do back there.
Roomie—It's fun being with you in silence. It reminds me of canoeing together: doing something new and different, sharing an experience beyond just hanging around at home. Actually, it's even better than canoeing because it's pretty much impossible to get into a fight. Being on a motorcycle is a new adventure. Maybe once I get used to it I'll get bored. I love looking at the scenery. Sometimes I work on book ideas in my head, but usually I'm in the moment taking things in. I find it quite refreshing.
UB—I suppose some aspects of riding are still frightening. What are the scariest aspects of riding as a passenger, and how do you deal with the fear?
Roomie—I start feeling more afraid when you go over 70 mph. But mostly I keep waiting for the fear to kick in, so far I've been surprisingly fear-free. It's quite weird. I'm less afraid than when I'm in a car even, which tells me that I've been given some sort of mystical cloak of fearlessness. I suppose if something happens, an accident or something, my cloak will get tattered. I got a little uneasy the other day when we were on the freeway and the wind was buffeting us around. Not so crazy about that. This whole motorcycle passenger thing is a trust exercise for me. I'm letting myself trust you, and that feels good. I certainly trust you more than I would trust myself when it comes to being in charge of a motorcycle.
UB—Of the roads you've traveled so far, which have you enjoyed the most and why?
Roomie—I've liked all of the smaller roads: Highway 4, Highway 14. I like the scenic routes. I like toodling through town, doing errands, going out to eat. Although, I suppose that's more dangerous because of all the other cars. My favorite is going, like, 45 or 50 on a beautiful road. That's the best.
UB—Which have you enjoyed the least?
Roomie—The freeway. Not my sort of road, any way I travel it.
UB—You've mentioned that you are looking forward to taking the High Road to Taos. What other roads are you interested in exploring sooner than later? Which roads would you like ride someday?
Roomie—Any road that's fairly well paved, smallish, with few cars, going through beautiful or interesting terrain. For specific roads, "I'll find some and get back to ya."
UB—You've ridden on both a Ducati 750 and a BMW F650. How do the two motorcycles compare for the passenger?
Roomie—The Ducati was fun because it felt powerful but the BMW with it's seat built for two is WAY more comfortable.
UB—What would you look for in a touring motorcycle, that is to say one upon which you would consider riding across Europe?
Roomie—Something like the BMW only heftier and a little more powerful, maybe.
UB—You have a reputation for being quite the fashionista. What do you look for in riding apparel? Are you a fan of the motorcyclist "look"? Where do you draw the line between practicality and attractiveness, when it comes to choosing what to wear when riding?
Roomie—I think my fashionista days are behind me, dear, but I have an aversion to any item of clothing with labels and advertising all over it. I like "retro" looks mostly, but in the case of motorcycle apparel I'd have to say safety comes first. I want to be well covered - so a full face helmet, a tough and roomy pair of jeans, tough boots, a plain leather jacket (because really leather is the best protection) like the Schott that you wear would be nice, and a pair of palm covering gloves.
UB—Do you see being a passenger as a "stepping stone" to riding a motorcycle of your own someday?
Roomie—Nope. I can picture myself possibly riding a scooter of my own, something very low-powered and easy to ride.
Posted by Underblog at 11:41 AM | TrackBack
October 3, 2008
Roomie Rides the Jemez Loop
Saturday, the weather was nice and Roomie and I were up reasonably early. So we decided to go for a motorcycle ride a wee bit longer than the previous one to Madrid and back. The next longest loop to ride from here would be up to Jemez Springs, up to Los Alamos, over to Pojoacque, and back down along El Camino Real.
Roomie appeared to have a good time. Now, the F650 ain't the 851 or even the 750 Sport (for sale at PJ's!). Although the ride was not as sporting as it would be on the Ducati's, the weather was perfect and the scenery delightful. A chill in the air was palpable as we ascended from Jemez Springs. As always, this was balanced by a blast of heat navigating the S-turns through the national lab compounds.
While lunching breakfasting in Jemez Springs, Roomie announced that she would be game for an overnight trip up to Taos. And this was later confirmed after we completed the second 100 miles of our trip. All told, it was about a five hour, 200 mile ride. And Roomie is ready for more. All we need is a precipitation-free weekend and a tank of gas and we are out of here!