Ducati Monster Forum

Riding.

This one won't be nearly as long or nearly as technical as the last one but expect to be on the bike for at least 12+ hours, we'll cover anywhere from 400-500 miles depending on whether or not anyone crashes... hopefully not as these rides I'm sure have a bad rap by now  [roll].

The usual procedures apply -
- You need to prove that you're legally able to own and operate your motorcycle and have all your paperwork in order; have an "M" endorsement on your license, have current registration and insurance, have a valid license plate number and current inspection. We will not wait for you or bail you out if we get pulled over and you're not legal. Other than that, The Usual Suspects DO NOT leave another rider behind, just ask Jake and Tommy about that.
- Full gear isn't required but it's highly recommended. I don't like riding with squids and jeans don't count as gear. Most of the roads that I choose are either very technical in nature or aren't really roads at all (dirt).
- Speed limits will be obeyed EVERYWHERE unless we are on a back road or I think being above the speed limit is appropriate. Once on a back road it's every man/woman for themselves, I'll wait at the next turnoff. All the rules of the road will also be obeyed throughout the day BUT (and it's a big but), we have on occasion been known to instill some good old hooliganism on the trip back home mostly due to hunger, fatigue, crankiness, bumper to bumper traffic and so on, so at these times it's rare for the group to stay together. However, on these rides I encourage you to ride at your own pace and comfort level, nobody is forcing anything on you and it is NOT a race, but when those Rockin' Fries are calling out to you, you have no choice but to heed their call. [laugh]
- EZ pass isn't required but it sure is convenient for the group as a whole.
- These rides are all about the riding so other than gas stops, there will be no stopping for food until we're almost home. Quick snacks at the gas station? Fine, a sit down meal? Not so much.

IN -
Me
Cru
Jake
Pete
Pat
Klink (OH SNAP!!)
Beattie?
Tommy?

Can probably squeeze in 1 or 2 more if somebody volunteers to be a well behaved and attentive sweeper. Or you guys can switch off doing sweeping duties, doesn't matter to me as long as I get that wave when I'm trying to regroup.

I haven't set the meet time/place yet because I still have to plot a route (although I know where I want to go and how I want to get there). We'll either meet at Gorilla or at the 2nd gas station on the PIP (it's unlikely though).

Post up if you're interested in coming along, space is limited.

Just checked the forecast for the area/s where we're going to be venturing into...

Sunny with high's in the 90°s... better start drinking that water now...

I'm down if it works for ya, GC.  I can start as early as you need, but will need to bail the group to be back in the city by 7pm-ish.  Happy to give up my spot to someone who can make the whole trip.

I cant this weekend, have fun though and keep the rubber side down! [moto]

Awaiting 1 part!!  (new oxygen sensor - how THAT broke I have NO idea).

Count me in, and I will confirm by Thursday noon!!

90!  :o

I will show up in shorts and sandals.  Just kiddin, tailbag and camelback with a block of ice in it.  [thumbsup]

Don't get dehydrated drink up in the morning, maybe eat some bananas too.

yeah coffee [coffee] isnt too hydrating....im 90% joining the crew, will confirm by end of friday

IN -
Me
Cru
Jake
Pete
Pat
Klink
CDawg
Beattie?
Tommy?


In regards to the weather... going to get a textile jacket during my lunch hour today. I'm also going to be rocking a cooling vest (soak it in water and the water slowly evaporates as you ride along). Probably will be doing the frozen camelback bladder thing too...

90s!  :o I guess I'll finally get a chance to really where my textile jacket.... [thumbsup]

I'll be there..  daisy dukes and work boots ...

 [laugh]

Dude, the Pride parade isn't until the 28th  [popcorn]

what! what!

Are you gonna wil'out in the park too? Sheeettt... where's my watergun...

My place overlooks the parade route - need to start stocking waterballoon arsenal [evil]

Update -

The route's set.

Meeting at the 2nd gas station on the PIP, the one in the middle between exits 4 & 5 at 9am, keys turned and bikes rolling no later than 9:15.
For those in Bklyn, will be meeting at the usual - Gorilla at 8am sharp.

The route isn't that long, there won't be any roads that will be new to most of us, and I tried to stick to the lower speed stuff (but still technical) as opposed to the 90+mph roads I had originally planned.

Sunday's forecast now calls for temps to be in the lower 90°'s  :o so make sure you're properly hydrated and prepared for the heat.... a great way to burn through brand spankin new tires  [bang].

***Edit***
 Ok, so I might have lied about the route. Our route can either be shortish - about 350 miles, mostly on roads that we know but it should be fun nonetheless.

OR...

 We can do another route that will take us somewhere in the neighborhood of 450 miles... give or take. Probably give. This longer route will take us on some roads that we know and some we don't. Of the ones that we do know, 154 is the highlight - OH SNAP!! 51 nonstop miles of awesome twistys!!!. If you folks decide that you want to do the longer route, keep in mind that gas will become a major concern once we start hitting the western most points on the route.
 Also keep in mind that if we do the longer route, expect a llllllloooooonnnnnnnngggggg day. Don't wanna scare anyone off, I just wanna give a heads up.

So, can I get a vote from the folks coming out?

Short. Or. Long. You decide.

hmmm...i'm down for either, but seeing as how it's gonna be as hot as the inferno & my back tire can't take a lot of slab miles the shorter would be better. however, if we do the longer route & there's less slab than last ride to PA (<300 miles), then it should be fine.

If we do the longer route, the only slab we're gonna do is the ~60 in the beginning, and the ~120 on the way home.

Now, what's your vote?

Longer. I think the camera will like 154.  ;D  [moto]

Not that my opinion sways any of the US's - but either route is fine with me.

Just so long as you don't mind waiting for me every once in a while... [popcorn]

I'm in - and I'll txt you, GC, ASAP if that changes due to something going horribly wrong. [bang]

Longer....   

Votes so far...

Long          Short            Whateves
  2                0                     1

GC,
I'm up for whatever with the disclaimer that I will likely leave the group early (NYC 7pm-ish) to meet the wife for dinner.
I'll be at the PIP stop.

Dawg, no sweat man, feel free to bust a u-turn whenever you feel like you need to but...

you'll be missing OUT on some of the best riding ever!!!


Votes so far...

Long          Short            Whateves
  2                0                     2

154! yeahhhh

can we go for a longish shortish mediumish route?  :P

Me no care, me just ride

Votes so far...

Long          Short            Whateves  (Way to be non committal  :P)
  3                0                     3


Still waiting on Klink and RCpete to vote...

Guess what showed up today?  8) That's right, the camera.  [thumbsup] Now I just need to find a way to mount it & test it out before the ride.

So does this mean you will be sweep?  [cheeky] [laugh]

Well if you get that camera mounted, I'll bring mine along and point it backwards towards you...

GC,
Are you Zumo-ing this ride?  If so, I load it into mine as and sweep for you.

I figure that I'll take turns sweeping. The camera says it's only good for 30minutes of video (not sure if that's at the highest setting though) & is maxed out at 2GB SD card...not sure if you can use a larger one.

GC, we need to get your camera & my camera working a la motogp style like you suggested.  [thumbsup]

you should be able to shoot as much footy as the memory card will hold...my friend just got a new camera and opted for an 8gig sd card....mad memory

Which camera did he get?

You can get a bigger card and it will work without an issue if its standard SD like you said heres an 8gb for $40

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3257692&CatId=380

something by casio....its a digi camera, very small and nice. takes stills and vid

This one:
(http://salestores.com/stores/images/images_747/ATC2K.jpg)

Oregon Scientific ATC-2K

I've been thinking of getting this one: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3760805&CatId=3360

And I have a 16g SD for it.  [thumbsup]

That would be sweet, but does it have any sort of stabilizing or shake reduction tech?  Might be something to look into especially if its mounted on the bike.

I would love to get something that could make a steadier image, but I'm guessing the cost will go up substantially.  :-\

Dawg, yep, the Zumo will be in full effect for this ride but the laptop I use to run the mapsource software is just a cheap beater that I got on ebay just for that purpose (I think it was $100). It's doesn't have an internet connection.

I'm a mac person at heart and I tried running bootcamp to run the mapsource software on the mac but it didn't work out.

That's cool.  We cal also do the route share feature the day of.  Also, check this out for running MapSource on a Mac:
http://www.zumoforums.com/index.php?topic=5797.0
http://www.zumoforums.com/index.php?board=35.0

You would think that but check this out
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16830234006 ;)

This one is substantially more but its shock resistant also
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16830180141

Thanks much.

I was on the phone with Aiptek less than a week ago and they told me the cameras that accept a 16g card don't have stabilization and the cameras that have stabilization don't accept cards larger than 4g.  :(

That panasonic I will be looking in to.

Hey guys.

PA ballet entered from this old fart (boy am I gonna regret this Monday morning).

I'll meet you on the PIP Gas Island at 9am, unless the meet place changes to suite a PA route (then I'll be at Gorilla's at 8am is it?.... for my double espresso & babe gawk.  [coffee]

Looking forward to the ride, guys.

Klink, you can meet us at either time & place, it just depends on whether or not you want that delicious Gorilla juice or not. Times and meet spots didn't change.

Votes so far...

Long          Short            Whateves
  4                0                     3


Looks like the "longs" have it so long route it is. After a lot of back and forth, I've decided to try the textile and try not to crash.

i'm in for a long ride. I'll see ya all at the PIP station at 9am.

Sunday can't come soon enough!

+1
I'm dying to get 154 on video. BTW, even with my 2GB SD card I'll get 60 minutes of video!  [moto]

Yea I can't wait, see you guys 8:30ish sharp at Gorilla  [cheeky]

Just as an FYI...

I'm showing up at Gorilla at 7:30. I'll wait with my coffee until the appointed meet time of 8:00am, then I'm leaving by 8:01. If folks show, cool. If not, that's cool too... have fun going in circles cause I'll be on my way to 154 with or w/o youze.

Sunday...

High of...

97°

I have awaken the angry grizzly cub, see you at 8am or earlier

Weather for Sunday is changing  :-\ (as of 6/7 1:37P)

Catskill 30%-50% Rain
http://www.weather.com/weather/weekend/USNY0230?from=36hr_topnav_undeclared
http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Catskill&state=NY&site=ALY&textField1=42.2148&textField2=-73.8655&e=0


Lackawanna County 30%
http://www.weather.com/weather/weekend/USPA1460?from=tenDay_topnav_undeclared
http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Scranton&state=PA&site=BGM&textField1=41.4089&textField2=-75.6628

1. We're not going to the 'skills.

2. You scared?

1. ok cool

2. you know me, I'm just a featherless chicken  :-*

Thanks guys for a great day out.  A frosty beer never tasted so sweet after a hot day like today!

I just got home...  it's 5am...

Wait for the ride report from THIS one!!! [coffee]

Nice, that's about the same time I wake up for work [thumbsup]

5 am no way! dam i knew i would be missing out on some serious shit by leaving you guys half way.... Hope there some good footage, and pics gotta have pics. I was feeling really good on the bike at the point where Cliff and I turned back home, maybe it was a good thing i didnt get ahead of myself. Cliff, thanks for guiding us home, that was a pretty fast pace we had there, felt good though on the freeway to cool off. It was freaking HOT, but really it wasnt as uncomfortable as i thought it would be. Once your moving through the twisties your mind is totally focused on whats ahead, not so much on the serious swamp ass occurring within your leathers. Highlight for me was scrubbin the Michelin man on my 2CT's. Anyway, cant wait to hear the rest of the ride report from the crew, so hurry up already! [popcorn]

I got home 4:30am

I want to die

It was all worth it

My boss says I look real tired today and should just take care of what's necessary and then go home.  Won't be counted as a personal, vacation, or otherwise day.  Yay work.  Gotta finish so I can go home and sleep.

Pics to come later...

So there were 9 that started this adventure.  No crashes [thumbsup]!  However............

First heat / gas stop in Port Jervis.  Little bit O' Hawks Nest then a slew of back roads towards Scranton.

Did I mention it was HOT?  I think I drank over a gallon of gatorade, and lost 90% of it through sweating - if you catch my drift!  It was shaping up to just be a hot freaking ride until Beattie and CDawg took off. 

Consider yourselves lucky.

Route 187.  Very, very fun.  At the next stop, Cru's camera was mounted to the fork of Pete's Monster.  No idea how the video turned out, but 154 is IDEAL for that.

We finish 154 and Goldenchild realizes he lost his wallet.  Gone [bang].

We re-do 154 back to the last stop, but no wallet, however..........

My headlight and taillight go out.

We tear apart my bike under a gas station canopy, in the middle of a thunderstorm sorting out the electrical gremlins of my bike.  After about an hour and a half, it's discovered that I have two wires inside the headlight that melted and fused, shorting out the lights fuse.  Oh yeah, we shorted out the main fuse, too.

In a supreme bit of luck, a local guy with a decent supply of electrical equipment (dunno if he was an actual electrician, but he had fistfuls of fuses - also rode a dirt bike and a CBR something or other) helped out with some words of wisdom.  His house 5 miles away with a fully stocked garage workshop sounded awesome, too!  We pointed him to this website, hopefully he finds his way here. 

BTW - there is no (or almost no) cellphone reception in Bradford and Sullivan counties :-\

It's now about 9:30pm.  We're WAY up near Alba, PA.  We now do 154 AGAIN in the dark, the fog and with wet roads.

1AM - Pete's headlight goes out.  We stop in Stroudsburg and find a 24 hour Wal-Mart.  Cru and Pete jury rig  a wiring harness for the headlight, and by the time we roll out, it's about 3:00. [bang]

At 4:45 I'm backing my bike into its spot in the garage.

Did you all notice my self-given title - Captain Slow? ;D

Do I need to thank everyone for waiting for me after every twisty bit AND three times on the highway?  Oh yes I do!!  Sorry guys, 85mph sucks for me on this bike.  Can't do any faster. [bang]

Once again, the Usual Suspects look out for each other, leave no one behind, spend a decent amount of time kickin' it in bizarre places, and ride, ride, ride. [moto]

[a new personal low - laying down in a Handicapped spot in a Wal-Mart parking lot.]

Couple last thoughts from me:

1 - Guys - Thank You Again [clap].  I had visions of camping at that gas station.

2 - I am a stupid, stupid man.

3 - It felt good to get some confidence back.

4 - It felt good to ride with the US again [thumbsup].

Where is my coffee? [coffee]

Wow sounds like a helluva ride.  Cant wait to hear from the rest of you all. 

When the storm rolled onto the island i was sitting there BBQing and first thing that went through my mind was "Damn i hope goldenchild and crew arent stuck in this".  Guess you all did get hit by it, glad everyone made it in one piece [thumbsup]

A little update...downloading Adobe Premiere right now (taking forever!). Will PM links to the videos after I've chopped them up. FWIW, I watched them last night & they're OK. I say "OK" b/c the video quality is so-so (as to be expected), but the camera has some vibrations that make the videos a little annoying to watch for too long. I've ordered a proper tank-cam mount already & have found that the camera has a little slack in the quick-release mount, which I believe is what caused the vibrations. I'm going to be taping it in the future, but think the tank mount is gonna be the way to go from here on out. Oh, the riding yesterday was pretty dope, even if my back tire was squirming all over the place most of the day  :'( .

apparently monster headlights dont like to be on all day in 90+ heat waves

Yeah, that was bizarre...two monster headlight issues within 4 hrs of each other. Strange.  :-\

Go figure.  The mods I make to the wiring don't cause the problem.  The stock wiring harnesses in my and Pete's headlights - problems...  Guess what I'll be doing Wednesday night 8)

Oh yeah, I need to re-angle the light, too.  Great view of overhead highway signs from 500 yards away?  Check!!!  Able to spot a massive re-tread in the middle of the road?  Not so much.  I thought a dog was in the road - I went flying by it at 80 - and missed it by MAYBE 2 feet.

At least it was a nice "close call" bookend to the Subaru that apparently almost took me out on the Palisades in the morning.

I left home at 7:30am.

I got home at 4:40am.

I'm down 100% for long days on the bike but me thinks this sort of thing is getting out of control.

Granted, while the riding was great, the company even better, I need my beauty rest.

The hi's & lo's -
- The heat. Between the sun baking me and the bike roasting me, I was not happy.
- 154 & 187. WHAT?!
- Losing my wallet.
- Dehydrated eyes... they were bothering me so much until I bought some Visine.. apparently all my eye juice dryed up from the heat. Once the Visine did it's thing, all was well.
- The cooling vest worked wonders.
- Dainese textile is the SH!T! Just don't leave anything of value in the pockets...
- T's mechanical, but between ALL of US, we all did our part in getting the bike back on the road.
- Pete's mechanical. Thanks to the Zumo, it found us a Walmart within 2 miles.
- M&M's ice cream cookie sandwiches, I think I have a new love in my life.
- Riding with Klink again... missed you bro!!
- Klink & Pat helping me pull the group home.
- Also thanks to Pak for sweeping.
- Continental Race Attack tires... they're the doperest.
- Leading the group down 154 & 42 on the rain soaked foggy pitch black roads. I felt like the guinea pig for deer vs. bike testing.
- Last but not least... grownass men doing laps at the gas stations... HILARIOUS!

The stats - now if we can only manage to do the same mileage at similar speeds, I'd be home in time to eat a proper meal -
(http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a335/darkside2323/PICT0001-1.jpg)

Tom's Shot Shop has re-opened!


First up we have several riders discussing the heat - pre-ride!
(http://www.mendhams.com/cars/060808_1.jpg)

Now, I'm really starting to get good at this photography thing - if I do say so myself.  Caught this fun moment between GC and Cru! [beer]
(http://www.mendhams.com/cars/060808_2.jpg)

More discussion of heat
(http://www.mendhams.com/cars/060808_3.jpg)

Once again, Tom's getting all arty...
(http://www.mendhams.com/cars/060808_4.jpg)

Now, staying cool is one thing, THIS is quite another.

[insert caption of your own] ;D

(http://www.mendhams.com/cars/060808_5.jpg)

Sorry GC, but I had to capture the moments when your wallet went MIA, all of us were trying to cool, and wondering what the rest of the ride was gonna look like.

(http://www.mendhams.com/cars/060808_6.jpg)

Yes, Hippies Smell, and so did we all by that point in the day!
(http://www.mendhams.com/cars/060808_7.jpg)

Soooooo many opportunities for pics, but heat and "adventure stuff" got in the way. 

We all know the truth that - adventures suck while you're having them. [beer]

Amen, brother.
It hurts a bit while you're going through it, but man, what a story for the grandkids!  [clap]

I had a great time, guys. It just took a little rest to fully appreciate the marvels of the mania. Many thanks to the chieftain for putting together and leading an awesome adventure. This crew is top notch.

Good to meet you, Cliff. Hope to see you out for another.

This was a great ride despite the technical difficulties.  Thanks again for planning/leading GC.
Thumbs up to all the suspects for sticking it out! 

Well now that I'm more rested I can better comment on this trip.

-Great ride, great roads, GC thanks as always for all the effort that goes into these.
-Tommy & Pete, glad everything worked out.  Don't forget to give those wires some attention.
- Nice riding with you Cliff, hope to see you around again.

And now some video.....

of the Usual Suspects.....

scooter club.......

going to bear mountain.........  [laugh]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRfUmziNDtE&amp;feature=related

weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

 [laugh]

 [laugh] ... seems quite fun though.

I suppose scooter clubs are just catching on here in USA ?  The Philippines had them for years now.  Last time I visited two years ago, the clubs used to go all out after Sunday church service.  [thumbsup]

hey guys i told ya i would check out the site.   and glad i coudl help you guys out .  i am shure an one of you would have done the same for me. but glad ya got it all figured out and  you definitly have to let me know abotu the next time you guys head out this way. i got some gnarley   back roads that  would make 154 look like  nothing  and you wont find too many of them on a map. mabey make a  weekend trip out of it  when things start cooling off.  but nice meeting you all and i will have to check this site out often too!  and as soon as i get my cbr1100 back together i'll definitly have to meet up with you all.

Man, thanks again for your patience, thoughtfulness and time [thumbsup]

I hope you read through a bit of the last page to see what we all went through that night... and into next morning :o

Stick around!

Thanks again for the help  [thumbsup]

Thanks again for you help.  [thumbsup] Don't get into too much trouble on that quad!  [moto]

What a great long a$$ ride and a lot of fun.

 I got home at 4:30 had a few hours of sleep and off to work i go.

It was nice riding with you Cdawg hope to catch you on the next one.

Josh - thanks for all your help and generosity we really appreciate it.

Thanks to all the crew for sticking together while fixing my bike. I apologize for the delay on our journey back home.
GC, Pak, Cru Thanks very much for putting my heaadlight back together.

 i read  the post from the rest of the ride. sounds like a killer trip. wish i coulda been right there with ya guys. its been a long time since i rode with other people on  sport bikes.   and i think i will definitly be in touch with you boys for the next ride. evan if its not  the entire thing  but i am shure there are some sick roads i could show you around here.

and also where is this video and pics you all  were talkign about??? lets see it guys

http://ducatimonsterworldwide.org/index.php?topic=4524.0   [thumbsup]