maximo

Not on a bike, but on a car, crossing the border into BC, the Canadian Border Services Agent asked if I had any weapons, and I said "no", then remembered I had pepper spray, so I said "Altho I do have pepper spray in the car, I don't know if that's considered a weapon." He immediately keyed something into his radio and then said something in a calm, smooth voice to me (I don't remember what, only that it was inconsequential). Before I knew it I had two CBSA on my car, one in front and one in back, the guy in front with his hand on the holster - not drawn weapon, but making it clear he was ready. The agent in the booth suddenly got very authoritative and gave me very precise orders on how to reach for and hand over the pepper spray. Then to give him the car keys, and then how to get out of the car. I was then taken inside into a conference room where I was kept for 3 hours answering questions to two sets of agents, the Canadian version of Good Cop - Bad Cop, which was sort of Good Cop - Better Cop. They dismantled my car and unpacked my suitcase and backpack (I was on my way to hike the West Coast Trail). They kept asking me things that I knew corresponded with things they found in the car. They kept trying trip me up on my story, or would ask the same thing from multiple angles. They asked about my Canadian host and did a background on him, asking me detailed questions about him. Very bizarre. Finally when it was all done, I was filling out the paperwork and the CBSA did the most Canadian of things, apologized for the inconvenience and told me next time to bring bear spray, since that's legal, "and it's the same thing", he offered helpfully. No actual gunpoint or harassment needed, but it was quite clear they were in charge. Oh, and the West Coast Trail was stunning. I would recommend it to anyone with the physical ability to do the trail.

What? 200 miles? I hired a teenage kid from the neighborhood to follow me on every ride so he can do clean and lube the chain every time I stop. Even red lights.

I've learned that the wrong answer to this is "Ooh! Twenty questions! My favorite game!"

How much are you paying people to take the stock saddle off your hands? 😂

I do whatever will let the LEO know that they're in charge, and that I present no threat to them. The specifics change with each stop. My worst offense was passing an unmarked LEO on a double yellow curve with me going triple digits. He lit me up, I pulled over and immediately took my keys out and held them out. As he walked up to me, before he had a chance to talk, I said "will you let me take off my gear before you handcuff me?" Luckily he thought it was funny, slapped my wrist and let me go.

That's the thing with helmets, isn't it! What fits me perfectly may give you a total headache or bad protection. Or it may fit you fine, but create a howling noise where it doesn't with someone else wearing it. It's all trial and error until you find the one that works for your own melon.

There really is something to be said about initial impressions. I have had lots of bikes, and I have loved and adored every single one except two. The first was an FJ1200. I bought it without riding it, and on my way home I thought "why did I do this???" It was ok, but there was something about it that wasn't quite right for me. I kept it for a couple of years. I rode it exclusively for a year trying to figure it out, but I started riding it less and less, and I then I realized it was never going to fit me, so I sold it. The second one was the FJ-09. On my test drive I kept thinking "this isn't what I thought it would be". But I had ridden 4 hours to get it, made arrangements with a friend to help shuttle it, so I felt like I had to get it. I've put 15k miles on it, and while I really like it, I don't love it. Unlike the FJ1200, the FJ-09 does put a smile on my face, but I've never really burst into spontaneous giggles after a particularly twisty section. The gut feeling I had when I first rode it still sticks to this day. In retrospect, I wish I'd said to the seller "thanks, it's not for me" and kept looking. There's probably a better bike for me out there, and I knew that on that first ride.

That's monstrous! And the design is so.... out there. It must feel so imposing to be next to it!

Next challenge: Photo of your bike next to a pre-1980 Japanese car/truck. Bonus if it's a Datsun.

Yup. My office is just a couple of miles downstream, right next to the spillway channel. Let me assure you that I paid close, close attention to this!

Shoot! I didn't realize I was supposed to set up the next challenge... I'll put something up.

I have a '15, and for me the biggest problem is the throttle. In stock form it's notchy, jerky, and in my bike's case, almost unrideable. I had the ECU remapped, and had the TPS manually adjusted, and that took care of 90% of the problem. The little jerkiness left over is manageable (albeit annoying). This is the reason why I like this bike alot, but I don't love it. Many others don't seem to have the problem as pronounced as mine, so YMMV.

I figured it was a good day for a twofer, so here's New Bullards Bar dam. It happens to be the 5th tallest dam in the US, and not too far from the Oroville dam. This one is shorter, but much more impressive.

Here's the Oroville dam, the largest and tallest in the US. This thing is massive, it's hard to photograph, so I took them from top and bottom.

Ooh ooh ooh! I'm a stone's throw from the tallest dam in the US, I need to get out there and take a picture!!

In American football, the offense lines up with a play already pre-decided. But when the quarterback lines up and sees there's a better play than the one that had been determined, he will change it on the spot by yelling something to his team that means "never mind what we decided, let's do this instead!" This is what is known as calling an audible.

I agree! I used to live not far from this shop, and the owners, Rich and Kathy, are very involved in the riding community. I got to know them a little bit, as a friend of a friend, I got invited to sit with them at Sears Point, and they are just good people who care a lot about their product. It's definitely a company worth cheering for.

I've never had enough faith in any kickstand to try stepping on the footpeg before swinging my leg over. I wonder how often they actually give way (if ever)?

That's super cool! The Keddie Wye is one of the most fascinating sights to me. I know nothing of trains, but that looks to be unique. If you're going to ride the area let me know. I can help draw up some routes to catch the good roads. And I might try to tag along...

Carson Pass is very similar in either direction. Ebbets has distinct flavors tho. Each way is great for its own reasons. I love westbound for the rip roaring fun you can have on climb. You have dramatic scenery as you go on perfectly cambered roads, with gravity providing just enough tug so that you never have to touch your brakes. Then again, the eastbound section is spectacular in the single lane sector. I dunno, you can't go wrong. Also, this is how much I love Ebbetts: it's the only decoration in room.

Ebbets may be my favorite of all the passes. To me, it's the most complete. But then again, talking about your favorite Sierra Pass is like taking about your favorite Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader.

Your ride is epic!!

I just went up to the Greenville Wye (where 89 and 70 meet )and back, maybe an hour each direction. It's a nice afternoon jaunt.

It's actually a second bridge that criss crosses it. The top one's for cars, the bottom one's for trains. If I were a better photographer I'd taken this one, which I just pilfered from the web.

On Sunday I took a little ride down the Feather River Canyon. There was construction at one end of the canyon, so traffic was held up for 15-20 minutes. I happened to hit it at the right time – I scootched to the front of the line as it reopened, and from that point on I had the road all to myself the entire length. I set the cruise at 60, kicked back, and enjoyed the pleasant scenery and the open, winding road. A lovely spring day. On the return trip I stopped for a few pictures to share.