FJ rallies in the north east?

[ssuv93]

Ummm, a lot of you do not know my history.  I used to ride a Harley when young.  Bought my FJ last spring after not riding for 20+ years except for a few rides from hell on a friend's Honda 900rr(I did not like having the front wheel of the ground for a hundred feet or so).  Last year I only road about 1500 miles due to weather and my left testicle ending up inside my abdomen  :bad:from the bike.  This condition did finally diagnose a hernia I had for 6 years.  Had my operation (open) on Dec. 24.  Recovering nicely. I have been riding as much as I can (about 150 miles) in the last week. 
   So the question is, can any body help me adjust my training wheels??   But seriously, I will only ride at my skill level, I won't mind riding at the back, or riding alone if I can't keep up.  I hope this attitude won't upset to many.  I would love to have someone help me back up to "speed".  I used to be a very good rider years ago.  I do NOT feel that I would be a danger to others, and am comfortable at my skill level.
  Does any one think that I can get my health insurance company to pay for my FJ as a medical diagnostic tool?  Lets see 6 years, 5 specialist, too many mri's, CAT scans and ultrasounds, enough prostate exams for 2 life times (seriously, 5 in one visit to the hospital) and no right diagnoses. The FJ did it all in one summer, so I am thinking it was worth $60,000 to 80,000?

[racerman_27410]

No need to ride beyond you abilities at any FJ rally.... we are all there to have fun and our goal is to return safely from each and every ride.  we all agree to ride "the pace"

http://micapeak.com/info/thepace.html

over the years as the rallies have continued to grow we do tend to split up into multiple groups of like minded riders..... this rally in Maine will be a lower number of riders so splitting up isnt going to be an option. However no matter how slowly you ride you will still be able to catch up at the turns (we will wait) and we will all have fun.

I would rather wait an hour at each turn then all day at the hospital.

After all at the end of the day F U N is what its all about no matter how you have it fast or slow(er)


Kookaloo!

Frank

[captaudi]

Thanks to everyone up in Maine for doing the legwork.  . As far as adjusting the training wheels, I am a FJ rally virgin myself, happy to help and enjoy the ride. I have it on the calender and am ready. If there are guys interested in sharing a cabin or a room contact me and lets set something up. Also, any of the guys riding up from the south, I am on the major route heading north, lets try to hook up and caravan.

Side note, first ride of the season today. 45 minutes at 80 MPH at 35 degrees lacked fun. The way home was 62 and sunny

Kookaloo!!!

Cheers,

Dan

[Bob]

... So the question is, can any body help me adjust my training wheels??   But seriously, I will only ride at my skill level, I won't mind riding at the back, or riding alone if I can't keep up.  I hope this attitude won't upset to many.  ...

I've never felt 'pushed' to ride beyond my limits at a rally.  Not too many mountains at home, so it takes some time to adjust.  But anyone is cool with flat-landers taking it easy. 

[racerman_27410]

, any of the guys riding up from the south, I am on the major route heading north, lets try to hook up and caravan.


Kookaloo!!!

Cheers,

Dan

where are you located Dan?
I will be riding up from NC but i intend on staying mostly on the back roads thru Pa.....i've never been on the Jersey turnpike on a motorcycle and i plan on keeping it that way.


Kookaloo!

[captaudi]

Hey Frank,

I am in Shrewsbury MA. When you come up through CT to MA you will probably run up 84 to MA pike to 290 to 495. I am 1.5 miles off RT 290, easy on, easy off. Google maps shows just under 4 hours to Bethel. Happy to provide anything needed.

By the way, I would love to pick your brains about your bags, if you get a chance PM me.

Thanks,

Dan

[weymouth399]

I'm sure that were all smart enough to realize are abilities, once we ride a little while groups will form. It's been 20 plus years off a road bike for me till I bought my 86 in oct.09. I have raced dirtbikes in just about every format you could. But street bikes never that confident (I don't back it in like my ice bike) I plan on running sweep I'll enjoy some company
  Bob

[jamesearthdrum]

Hey Frank,

I am in Shrewsbury MA. When you come up through CT to MA you will probably run up 84 to MA pike to 290 to 495. I am 1.5 miles off RT 290, easy on, easy off. Google maps shows just under 4 hours to Bethel. Happy to provide anything needed.

By the way, I would love to pick your brains about your bags, if you get a chance PM me.

Thanks,

Dan

Hi Dan,
    I'm in Salem, MA let me know what route you'll be taking and I'll meet up.
As far as the pace. I started riding only 7 years ago at 45 and went to my first Rally in '06. I had never and I mean never ridden roads like the ones at the Rally. Never felt pushed or left behind. Got passed by a Goldwing on the Dragon. One great thing about being slow is you become the subject of some great photos!!    As Frank likes to say...."It's all good"!

[rktmanfj]

One great thing about being slow is you become the subject of some great photos!!

I left way before you did...     

Randy T
Indy

[racerman_27410]

Hi Dan,
    I'm in Salem, MA let me know what route you'll be taking and I'll meet up.
As far as the pace. I started riding only 7 years ago at 45 and went to my first Rally in '06. I had never and I mean never ridden roads like the ones at the Rally. Never felt pushed or left behind. Got passed by a Goldwing on the Dragon. One great thing about being slow is you become the subject of some great photos!!    As Frank likes to say...."It's all good"!

James,

i dont ever take for granted the great riding we have down here 

or that fantastic meade you brought either.... you still make meade?

i think it was the persimmon i really took a shine to.....


Good times and great friends is what a rally should be about..... you new guys shouldnt be worried... you are about to make new lifelong friends and stories.... It IS all good!

Kookaloo!

[ssuv93]

Thanks guys, I was nervous about riding with more experienced sport riders.  When I rode with the my Harley friends, up to 70 bikes, we often ended up with some street "squirrels".  They were dangerous, would not stay in line, weaving through the formation like we were pylons, Pissing of the natives with their "cool" drag pipes.  It got tiring waiting for the ambulances, the cops to write the tickets.  Often groups would just break off and go our own route to get away from them.  It seemed like there were just fewer and fewer "real" riders, ones who rode to work every day, all weather, to whom riding was a lifestyle, not a fad.  To most of us, our bikes were like horses, you took care of them and didn't abuse them. We fixed them ourselves, made pieces that we couldn't afford.  Then it all seemed to change, we got the weekend warriors, the ones who just bought their bikes from the dealers all prettied up.  They did not seem to have to save for months to add something.  They were posers who's numbers just overwhelmed us. The big clubs were starting to come to Maine about then, so most of us just hung up our jackets and gave up.
    The local sport riders (young) around here remind me of the "squirrels"  of old. They ride by my trailer park at night, pull the clutch and share with us the sound of 15,000 rpms, repeatedly.  I have seen riders in two pieces after doing wheelies in traffic. Kids who brag about broken bones caused by stupid behavior.  And they are treated like hero's by others.  They make fun of me when I won't race them.  So I am glad to have found some of the spirit of the mature riders here.

    I know, I know, Long rant, as I am wont to do.  Anyways, I look forward to meeting you all! 

[TRoy]

  weaving through the formation like we were pylons,

... its because you WERE a pylon!   

long strings of slow moving bikes should be outlawed! (or slalomed) 

[markmartin]

  weaving through the formation like we were pylons,

... its because you WERE a pylon!   

long strings of slow moving bikes should be outlawed! (or slalomed) 

My backrest is an orange traffic cone.

[captaudi]

You know it's all relative. I spent the winter commuting in my old Mercedes diesel. I sit in the middle lane 70 MPH listening to talk radio. Yesterday was the first day on the FJ. I came up on someone in the left lane, BMW talking on the phone. I start grumbling for him to move over. Then I look down and I am running 90 MPH. I guess what makes a pylon relative.

Cheers,

Dan

[Mark Olson]

ssuv93, sorry don't know your name.

there is a book by Nick Ienatsch called" sport riding techniques" that can be found at most m/c stores or at www.bullpublishing.com

Read it , live it , love it.

He is also the Author of "the pace". You will find it very informative and soon realize you already do a lot of things in the book already but just didn't know why.

I hope that helps you, and you  will be able to enjoy the rally.