On Being Tired

Sometimes if the body is tired and sore, it's best just to take the day off from whatever pulls at the heart. And sometimes it's best to explore that passion, no matter what. Today, I did the latter.

Were good wheelies had? No. But bad wheelies are better than no wheelies any way you cut it.

Counter: 725

Thursday Nights

Pulling motorcycle wheelies is one of the greatest activities humankind has invented. Let's not stop. Let's keep pulling big fat whoolies!

Counter: 710

Changes

Today, I was a different person out there. And I liked it. Gone was the over-the-balance-point woe of yesteryear. It's almost bicycle for me now. It's getting easier and better to just throw up a good sit-down low-speed wheel stand.

I feel that pretty soon I'll be able to roll the WR250R sit-down wheelies just as I would on a well set-up bicycle. Like a bicycle, I'll pop the front up just past balance point, catch the rotation on the brake, and ride into the sunset with an infinite wheelie.

I'm getting there. I'm still chasing my dreams.

Counter: 700

Comfortability

I am getting noticeably more comfortable with the extensive front wheel height required with sit-down 15mph wheelies on the tall and long moto. This spring, if anything, I am just getting more comfortable with my new style when things don't go as planned.

Counter: 680

Standard

Nice. +15 for the day.

Counter: 670

Barbie

She said "Really?" She said it over and over. She was amazed. I suppose she'd never seen anyone back-it-in from 50mph in a parking lot or wheelie the length of it on a motorcycle.

She was a neighborhood local; a friend of a nearby home owner. And after she'd touched my leather pants and jacket, she kissed my helmet and watched me in amazement for a few minutes.

Counter: 655

Heaven on Earth

With 20 solid wheel-ups done at my favorite parking lot, I hit the streets for some illegal blockz-style action.

Whoa.

It was just one wheelie... but this recent practice has clearly taken my skills to a new level. What happened was magical. It reminded me of the seeming carefree-loss-of-mental-control-as-if-I-am-not-in-control-but-simultaneously-am-in-full-control nature of riding dirt bikes.

There I was. Just floating along a roadway. Above it. Just feeling it, but not exactly connected to it. But completely connected to it via gravity, the rapid burning of hydrocarbons, and my nervous system controlling the motions.

It was extremely beautiful. No picture, video, or written description can do justice to what happened this evening. It just was.

Counter: 635

Preparation

Leather pants. Leather jacket. Leather boots. Captain America helmet. Fox dirtpaws. Check, check, check, check, check. 

We prepare for our rides just as we prepare to live the lives we intend to lead. 

The key is practice. 

So, practice wheelies. Daily. 

Counter: 615

Big Dreams

With big wheelie dreams in mind, it's important to remember to only practice on the days you eat. Today was no exception.

#betterandbetter

Counter: 590

2043 Sunset

With the sunsets getting late at 47.8 degrees North as the summer solstice approaches, I had a nice time tonight with another short but sweet session. Learnings? Nothing monumental. Just practice.

Only practice on the days you eat.

Counter: 570

Onlookers

It was a short session, but a very good, fun, and educational one. With E-rock and Shotgun Ruthie, both of TDC fame looking on, I found myself not being as smooth as usual, but having a really great time with slightly rocking wheelies. Odd for MotoBum, but great nonetheless.

Counter: 560

Soft Launches

While in a rush, I attempted more than several wheelstand launches that did not even have the power to get the wheel up more than 24". I felt like such a novice. And that, I am not. Today's session took a little bit of internal calming to get right. Once calm, I was on.

Counter: 550

A Bit More Sense

Yet another level of wheelie comfortability has been achieved. These level jumps occur infrequently, but when they do, they are felt through every bone in my body. And I recognized one today.

I recognized it tonight upon the first clutch up. It was as if life was in slow motion. The idle speed roll in first gear, the dragging of the rear brake, the dipping of the RSC lever, the gentle twist of the throttle, the slow-but-positive release of the clutch, the release of the brake, the raising of the front wheel, the application of the brake to catch the pre-balance point, the gentle acceleration to a comfortable speed, the application of the brake near balance point, the simultaneous modulation of the throttle and brake, the ever so slight steering left and right corrections... all were pure magic. Just as I had done thousands of times before. But today, somehow, it all just made a bit more sense.

Counter: 540