http://pnwriders.com/blogs/ Motorcycle rides and riders in Washington Oregon Idaho British Columbia en Mon, 20 May 2013 12:31:11 GMT vBulletin 60 http://cdn.pnwriders.com/images_pnw/misc/rss.jpg http://pnwriders.com/blogs/ http://pnwriders.com/blogs/ninjaboy70/1013-update-amp-oregon-washington-ride.html Fri, 23 Nov 2012 23:20:39 GMT New Ride Every Other Sunday! Who: Beginers/Advanced (Novice!) Why: Ride and Meet other Riders Where: Starts At SE River Road @ Shell Station on SE 13th, St. When: This Sunday @ 10 am KickStands Up @ 10:30 am What: Ride approx. 148 mi. Bike Nite @ Hooters off of I-5 @ 5:30 pm. Door prizes. Thanks! Chris. New Ride Every Other Sunday!
Who: Beginers/Advanced (Novice!)
Why: Ride and Meet other Riders
Where: Starts At SE River Road @ Shell Station on SE 13th, St.
When: This Sunday @ 10 am KickStands Up @ 10:30 am
What: Ride approx. 148 mi. Bike Nite @ Hooters off of I-5 @ 5:30 pm. Door prizes.
Thanks! Chris. ]]> NinjaBoy70 http://pnwriders.com/blogs/ninjaboy70/1013-update-amp-oregon-washington-ride.html http://pnwriders.com/blogs/ninjaboy70/1012-why-we-ride.html Sun, 18 Nov 2012 01:33:14 GMT Different reasons I am sure? Different reasons I am sure? ]]> NinjaBoy70 http://pnwriders.com/blogs/ninjaboy70/1012-why-we-ride.html http://pnwriders.com/blogs/ninjaboy70/1011-make-new-friends-keep-old.html Sat, 17 Nov 2012 07:05:43 GMT One is silver and the rest are pure Gold! crackup: One is silver and the rest are pure Gold! crackup: ]]> NinjaBoy70 http://pnwriders.com/blogs/ninjaboy70/1011-make-new-friends-keep-old.html http://pnwriders.com/blogs/ninjaboy70/1010-my-100th-friend-i-will-coffee-whatever-you-drink.html Thu, 15 Nov 2012 15:06:28 GMT Be my friend, and let's enjoy life. Keep the rubberside down... Peace Wave! :mfclap: ]]> NinjaBoy70 http://pnwriders.com/blogs/ninjaboy70/1010-my-100th-friend-i-will-coffee-whatever-you-drink.html http://pnwriders.com/blogs/sschering/1006-death-catastrophes-come-threes.html Mon, 22 Oct 2012 18:11:23 GMT I have to say it's been a rough few months around our house.

Back in August my Grandmother in-law passed away.. She had several strokes and had been slipping for months. Her passing was expected so we were well prepared..

2 weeks ago I got news that my Grandmother's health was deteriorating and she had been moved to Hospice care. 4 days later she passed away. Thankfully she was a organized kind of lady who didn't want to burden her family. She had set up a savings account with enough money to cover her expenses, plane tickets for the whole family to fly to Indiana, Hotels, car rental, meals and even trips to the zoo for the kids. She really made a hard time much easier to cope with. Thank you for that Grandma.

This weekend capped off the dreaded three.
Friday night we were out for dinner and got a call from my mother-in-law. Niki's dad Joe was up working on the roof of his rental home alone patching the roof and fell off trying to get back on the ladder.

He was in the Pendelton Hospital ICU with a broken his arm two skull fractures plus possible spine injuries. By the time we got home they had called for Life Flight to transport him to Portland. We put the kids to bed with the teen in charge. Hauled over to Pendleton to pick up his wife and made a midnight run to Portland arriving at 4am. By Saturday afternoon he was stable and alert but in a lot of pain.

We managed to get back home by 10pm Saturday night and pick up my step son and his date from his homecoming dance..

Sometime soon I need to go out to Castle Rock and ride Joe's dual sport back to their home in Pendleton. He's not going to be riding for awhile.

No more please! I've had enough for quite awhile thank you! I just want to go ride my bike. ]]> sschering http://pnwriders.com/blogs/sschering/1006-death-catastrophes-come-threes.html http://pnwriders.com/blogs/sschering/1004-darn-car-tried-strand-me-work.html Thu, 04 Oct 2012 01:42:39 GMT Battery cable clamp on the CRX broke today when I was at work.. The darn thing was hardly making contact and didn't have enough power to crank.
I had nothing but a bobby pin I found in the glove box to work with..



Bobby pin FTMFW! It got me home. ]]> sschering http://pnwriders.com/blogs/sschering/1004-darn-car-tried-strand-me-work.html http://pnwriders.com/blogs/sschering/994-i-got-new-riding-friend.html Sat, 28 Jul 2012 05:34:36 GMT I got a surprise today.. One of my old friends called up asking for a ride so he could pick up his new bike.. He's done dirt before but this is his first street bike.

He got a 2001 SV650S.. Good choice for a first bike I believe..

I told him to join up here. Hopefully he'll post up soon.

]]> sschering http://pnwriders.com/blogs/sschering/994-i-got-new-riding-friend.html http://pnwriders.com/blogs/sschering/993-doctors-ruining-all-my-fun.html Wed, 25 Jul 2012 05:57:48 GMT Those pesky Doctors are messing with my riding season again. They carved a suspicious bump out of my arm yesterday. Now I can't push my bike out of the garage and up the driveway because I might tear the stitches.. This sucks.. I'll be rocking the CRX Si for 2 weeks. ]]> sschering http://pnwriders.com/blogs/sschering/993-doctors-ruining-all-my-fun.html http://pnwriders.com/blogs/sschering/988-lepan-tc970.html Sun, 15 Jul 2012 18:32:34 GMT A company called LePan makes a 10" Android tablet that fits in most Ipad cases and sells for $199..
Don't get one! I've gone through 3 of them in 9 months.. They have a crappy power port design that ends up breaking so it won't charge
anymore..

I've had 2 fail this way.. spent a month waiting for a replacement after the first one broke.. 1st replacement arrived with a defective SD slot.. They took another 4 weeks to get a 2nd replacement out.. That fucker broke this weekend.. Same power port damage..

Guess I'll stick with iPads or maybe a Galaxy Tab. ]]> sschering http://pnwriders.com/blogs/sschering/988-lepan-tc970.html http://pnwriders.com/blogs/diva/980-divas-favorite-annual-rides.html Mon, 04 Jun 2012 05:18:55 GMT This is a list I posted in PNWR Angels and thought it would make a good blog. I've highlighted the women only rides. Had more annual rides, like the one I met my late finace on, but unfortunately it's no longer around. Willing to add more to the list. Hope to see you there for some this year or next.

Winter
1/1 Polar Bear Run
Feb Annual Teddy Bear Run 2nd Sunday
March NWBikers End of Winter Run ~Spring Solstice (20-21)

Spring
April Microsoft Riders Tulip Ride 4th Sunday
April/May Bikers Against Child Abuse 100 Mile Ride

May
1st Friday Annual International Female Ride Day
1st Saturday Lady Riders Annual Celebrate Women Ride Month - Ride to the Kangaroo Farm
2nd or 3rd Saturday NWBikers 3 Pass Blast (Blewett, Snoqualmie, Stevens)
3rd Saturday Snohomish/Sky Valley Motorcycle Show

Summer
June 18th Annual Ride to Work Day 3rd Monday
June 24th Childrens Hospital Ride 4th Sunday
July 4th Weekend Seattle Magic Wheels Annual
July 18th Lady Riders Annual Backfire Ladies Ride In 3rd Wednesday
Aug/Sept VME Vashon Island TT Rally

September
9th Puget Sound Ride for the Kids 2nd Sunday
16th Women Riding for Women 3rd Sunday
23rd Oyster Run 4th Sunday

December
1st Olympia Toy Run 1st Saturday
~7-9th Seattle International Bike Show 2nd Weekend ]]> Diva http://pnwriders.com/blogs/diva/980-divas-favorite-annual-rides.html http://pnwriders.com/blogs/diva/979-roads-new-vs-familiar.html Mon, 04 Jun 2012 04:28:01 GMT Kind of been blogging about my ride experiences and thought I'd try it on this forum. So welcome to my 1st official PNWR blog. Enjoy!

Thanks to Destination Highways (no this is not an ad for them but they are highly recommended), I’ve had the pleasure of exploring a lot of back roads throughout Western Washington and several in Eastern WA. I have several local favorites, but I yearn to find new roads (well roads new to me) for that since of discovery, the thrill of the unexpected, and the enjoyment of something different. But is the thrill of new better than the comforting feeling of the familiar?

Once a year there are certain areas/roads I try to always do:
Woods Creek/Lake Roesinger to Granite Falls
Hwy 504 Mt St Helens
3 Pass Blast (Snoqualmie, Blewett, Stevens and reverse order), including Chumstick Hwy
Tulip Country and the back roads/twisties on Whidbey Island like Penn Cove, North Bluff Road, Smuggler’s Cove

I love the feeling I get riding these now familiar roads. I don’t need to bring a map or directions really, but do only to make sure I don’t miss anything. After all, it’s been about a year since I’ve been here and a lot has happened over that year most times. But there is something thrilling to see that familiar exit of the freeway, passing by other side roads I’ve explore smiling at the memory of where they lead me or laughing cynically knowing the mistake I made trying that path vowing to ‘not do that again’ (oh Cabin Creek Rd off I-90 comes to mind, trying to bypass traffic and nearly getting caught in a snow drift – hate doubling back but hate be stranded even more-ha!), or wondering where they led as I make a mental note to map it when I get home.

One way I make familiar roads new again is to ride them in the opposite direction. Approaching form the north instead of the south, turning left instead of right can make all the difference in the world. Not that I like to go up and down the same stretches on the same day, waiting a week, month or even year can make it new for me.

Bringing others along also help me to see my familiar route with new eyes. What will they think of this corner or curve or view? It’s kind of like a parent looking at their world through the eyes of their child, or seeing your local sights through the eyes of a visiting tourist. Seeing the route and roads in with a different POV I won’t say make them like riding a new road, but enhances that familiar feeling to a intimate state, making it comfortable knowing a weird bump or a change in the quality of the payment. All in all, it’s a joy to ride.

Last year I explored some truly new roads to me, over on Vancouver Island. I joke that I had to go to a foreign country to find new roads, but I’m not that arrogant to think that in my 10+ years of riding that I’ve explored all roads. I know that’s not true. I’ve just explore many of the best. ;)

Riding Vancouver Island is now a surreal dreamlike experience and was at the time. I was ecstatic to finally be discovering all new roads, from turning left at the border off I-5 to 3 days later returning to Anacortes. Everything was completely new and very different for me especially since it was in a foreign country where kilometers replaced miles and litre replaced gallons. Street names were unfamiliar and landmarks, while historical, were novel to me. So much to take in, I couldn’t register everything I wanted to. The road, the route was primary, but the scenery was a robust competitor. Vying for equal attention was the quality and warm character of the riders showing me their favorite local roads. Not even the ever changing weather throwing us freezing rain, hail and snow could lessen the excitement. In some ways it may have even enhanced it. Still more to take in that unfortunately can’t be captured in photos or a helmet cam, though I would like to try the helmet cam part at some point in time. I guess this is the feeling film makers have. For now, I will have to settle with vivid memories and lucid dreams.

With all the wonderful miles I experienced that long weekend, it fueled my desire to find more roads, not quench it, though it make have satiated it for a while.

So what’s the answer to new vs. familiar? There really isn’t one other than to enjoy them both as much and as often as I can. As I do, I just need to find more time to get away to explore the outer reaches of the state and beyond. Until then, seeing my familiar roads through new eyes in different directions could stave off that ever un-quenching thirst for somewhere new. I’m sure will do my best to combine the two. ]]> Diva http://pnwriders.com/blogs/diva/979-roads-new-vs-familiar.html http://pnwriders.com/blogs/mikeyshawn/975-progress-over-winter.html Wed, 02 May 2012 20:00:31 GMT mostly cleaning and clearing dirt from the frame; checked the tension of the drive chain / rear tire alignment. Image: http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee487/MikeyShawn/75%20CB500T%20Project/IMG_1495.jpg (http://Image: http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee487/MikeyShawn/75%20CB500T%20Project/IMG_1495.jpg ) things on my to do list: ( not alot but being out of work gives plenty of time and little cash) bleed the front brake - tire not turning, will tear down if need to free the... mostly cleaning and clearing dirt from the frame; checked the tension of the drive chain / rear tire alignment.



things on my to do list: ( not alot but being out of work gives plenty of time and little cash)

bleed the front brake - tire not turning, will tear down if need to free the caliper

change Oil - looks like grey sludge on the dipstick. Yuck! will need to flush?? not certain but know it couldn't hurt.

check the rear brake pressure - just because

replace the fuel filters and air filters

get battery charged and check all connections
- V/ohm ; bulbs ; et al

replace both turn lens on right side

Find /fabricate or purchase pair of baffles for the exhaust
-then hang the pipes I got recently

Kick it over and see if she lives

synch the carbs and set idle
test brakes
check lights
check tires

hang the license plate

Say a prayer to our "Lady of Engineering and Locomotion" & test ride ]]> MikeyShawn http://pnwriders.com/blogs/mikeyshawn/975-progress-over-winter.html http://pnwriders.com/blogs/sschering/974-1-000-miles.html Sat, 28 Apr 2012 06:53:18 GMT Sounds crazy but in the last two weeks I've driven 1000 miles fetching a bike and parts for it..

So sick of driving.. ]]> sschering http://pnwriders.com/blogs/sschering/974-1-000-miles.html http://pnwriders.com/blogs/ladygladiator/972-adventures-biker-chic-its-been-while.html Tue, 17 Apr 2012 02:54:56 GMT Well... It's no longer Adventures of a Harley Chic Rider...

We traded my V-Rod in last year, 2011, for what you see in my pic to the left: Yamaha FZ6-R. I LOVE it! His name is SPARTACUS I think I'll change my post titles to: Adventures of a Biker Chic!

I haven't really ridden a whole lot in the past 2.5 yrs. I wrecked my V-Rod in August 2010. Not too much damage on the bike... On me however, was a total different monster. I tore up my left knee and shoulder. I didn't ride from August 2010 till April 2011. In that pic, was the first time I was back on 2 wheels since the accident. Vida, the V-Rod, was possessed and was trying to kill me! :shock: I had other crazy mishaps on her. She was a beast.

I'm stoked about the upcoming Int'l Female Ride Day on May 4th. I've posted before about this ride. This year will be the 6th Annual Event. I've attended two other rides; one in 2008 and one in 2010 (3 months prior to my accident). I'm looking to find gals to meetup with for the ride in the Puget Sound Region!
Well, until next time... keep the rubber side down and the shiny side up! vtr2: 8) ]]> LadyGladiator http://pnwriders.com/blogs/ladygladiator/972-adventures-biker-chic-its-been-while.html http://pnwriders.com/blogs/caslaw/970-washington-what-do-before-after-motorcycle-accident.html Sat, 14 Apr 2012 17:36:14 GMT As many of you know, I am an attorney. I recently posted some tips for Oregon motorcycle riders. This is a slightly different version for Washington Riders. DISCLAIMER (you knew there would be one): The information in this blog post is not intended as legal advice and is for informational purposes only. *BEFORE AN ACCIDENT* * Safety* * Rider Training: *If you are new to motorcycling, or you are returning to motorcycling, rider training courses are available. Here is a list or... As many of you know, I am an attorney. I recently posted some tips for Oregon motorcycle riders. This is a slightly different version for Washington Riders.

DISCLAIMER (you knew there would be one): The information in this blog post is not intended as legal advice and is for informational purposes only.

BEFORE AN ACCIDENT

Safety

Rider Training: If you are new to motorcycling, or you are returning to motorcycling, rider training courses are available. Here is a list or rider training providers: www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/motoschools

Safety Gear: In Washington helmets are required. Optional protective gear includes motorcycle boots, gloves, pants, jackets, and armor. Gear has evolved over the years and includes many materials such as leather, kevlar, specialty nylon and polyester materials, CE-approved armor, and even carbon fiber. Gear is also now available in high-visibility colors.

Motorcycle Maintenance: The mechanical condition of your motorcycle is important to your personal safety. Tire condition, brakes, and other mechanical aspects of your motorcycle should be maintained in a good and safe condition. A pre-ride inspection of tire inflation, brake condition, fluids, and other conditions takes just a few minutes but can make a difference.

See and Be Seen: Always be aware of your surroundings, adjusting your riding to the environmental conditions. Ride with the assumption that you are not seen. Most accidents occur because automobile drivers (cagers) do not see the motorcyclist and pull out in front of them. While you cannot control what cagers will do, you can help ensure your best reaction when they do the unexpected.

Ride Your Own Ride: Always ride within your own limits. Don't try to ride to other riders' limits. Many single-vehicle motorcycle accidents happen because riders push themselves and their bike beyond their limits and the limits of the riding conditions.

Insure Yourself

Motorcycle Insurance: You should consider insurance as insurance to protect yourself instead of insurance to protect others. Washington law does not require insurance for motorcycles. You need Uninsured/Under-Insured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage to protect yourself. A lot of riders buy no insurance or the cheapest insurance policy with minimum limits on the assumption that they are insuring others who are not likely to be seriously injured as the result of a motorcycle. In truth, you should be buying it for yourself. The more coverage you buy, the cheaper it is. That first 25/50 over coverage usually costs more than the amount it would cost to increase that coverage to 100/300 or even 250/500. I have seen too many injury victims in my office with serious injuries and only $25,000 in coverage or no coverage at all.

Health Insurance: Most motorcycle insurance policies provide for only $5,000 in medical coverage (regardless of fault). If you are injured in a motorcycle accident, your access to medical care is critical. Health insurance is the most effective means of insuring that you get the medical treatment that you need and that you do not suffer a financial injury on top of your personal injury.

Disability Insurance: If you are unable to work as a result of an accident, you will need to protect yourself from the lost wages you will suffer during your recovery. Most motorcycle policies do not provide for wage loss. Private short-term and long-term disability policies may be available through your employer and are available on the private market.

AFTER AN ACCIDENT

Medical Treatment

Get Help at the Scene: Do not hesitate to accept help from witnesses and do not hesitate to flag someone down if no one else is at the scene. Have them call 911 for police and medical assistance. Let a witness move your motorcycle if it needs to be moved. Many riders will react to their motorcycle instead of their own injuries, often by lifting up their motorcycle and moving it. As much as you may love your motorcycle, its value is minor when compared to your health and safety. Find a safe place to stay still until medical help arrives.

Ambulance: If you are injured in a motorcycle accident, do not hesitate to take an ambulance. Most injury victims are not aware of the extent of their injuries due to shock. If you are hurt you should not try to ride your bike. Take the ambulance to the hospital and call a friend to meet you there.

Hospital: Do not decline diagnostic tests. Get any X rays, MRI's, CT scans, or other tests that medical professionals suggest. Knowing the full extent of your injuries as soon as possible will aid your recovery and reduce the chances of concealed injuries going untreated.

Follow-up Care: Follow up with your primary care doctor. It is good to have a familiar physician serve as the gateway for your medical treatment. See any recommended specialists and comply with physical therapy, chiropractic care, or home exercises that are prescribed. While it is inconvenient to have to attend multiple appointments, the temporary inconvenience of these appointments pales in comparison to the life-long inconvenience that comes from a poor recovery from injuries.

Protect Your Legal Rights

Protect Yourself at the Accident Scene: If you are physically able, call 911 for assistance and get contact information from witnesses. If you are not able to do this yourself, request assistance from a witness or bystander and ask them to call 911 and get witness information for you. This is particularly important if your are involved in a hit-and-run or phantom vehicle accident. Many insurance companies will deny coverage in these types of cases where there are no witnesses or other corroborating evidence. If the police respond to the accident, be sure to give them information (if you can) so that the police report contains both sides of the accident story.

Keep the Details of Your Accident and Injuries Private: This is probably the most common mistake I see. DO NOT post details about your accident and injuries in public forums or on Facebook. Let friends and family that care about you know about your condition privately. Insurance adjusters and attorneys know how to use the internet too. They can search public forums for your posts and use the information against you. It is now standard practice for insurance defense attorneys to request information from your Facebook account.

Cooperate With Your Own Insurance Company: You are required to cooperate with your own insurance company as a condition of your coverage. If you have medical and wage loss coverage, your insurance company will be making payments for your medical care and compensating you for your wage loss. You may also have Uninsured/Under-Insured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage that will compensate you for your injuries. If you have collision coverage, your insurance company will pay for the repair or replacement of your motorcycle.

Speak to the Other Insurance Company Only if You Have to: The other party's insurance company will not be providing you with any financial benefit while you are recovering from your injuries. You should only speak to the other party's insurance company if you do not have collision coverage and need them to pay for the repair or replacement of your motorcycle. If you do need to do this, do not discuss your physical injuries. Politely decline to speak about your physical condition. The insurance adjuster will do his or her best to make it sound like you need to speak to them and that they are trying to help you. This is not true. They represent the other party's interest which is adverse to your interest. This does not make them bad people, just people whose job it is to work against your interest.

Retain an Experienced Motorcycle Attorney: Most people think that they do not need an attorney and that an attorney will just take 1/3 of their financial recovery leaving them with only 2/3 of what they would have received had they not had an attorney. One of the major insurance companies got into trouble because they sent out brochures with this message to injury victims. When you consider why an insurance company would do this, it makes perfect sense. Injury victims with attorneys have greater financial recoveries than those without attorneys -- and this costs the insurance company more money. Making a major legal decision without an attorney makes as much sense as making a major medical decision without a doctor. Since almost all attorneys charge a contingent fee (they recover a percentage of your recovery) it makes sense to retain an attorney early in the process. You are going to pay the same amount for the attorney, so you might as well have one throughout the process. This will also minimize the mistakes you might make on your claim without an attorney. You should also retain an attorney with specific experience in motorcycle cases as they involve unique issues when compared to other accidents.

Don't Put it Off: The statute of limitations in Washington for motorcycle accidents is three years. If your accident involves a public entity such as the State, a City, or a County, you are required to give notice of your claim (tort notice) within three years of your accident. If you fail to timely file suit or give tort notice, your legal rights will be lost. ]]> caslaw http://pnwriders.com/blogs/caslaw/970-washington-what-do-before-after-motorcycle-accident.html