There it is. The Third 1000 Wheelies Project is in the bag. The last 15 whoolies have been performed in my Third 1000 Wheelies Project. And it feels great.
Here's a video of the final session for posterity. No excuses are given, or needed, for the awesome low production value of this flick. Special thanks to The Dirty Crew's Ghostface KLR, Shotgun Ruthie, and Last Minute Ryan are given for their photography-in-the-moment contributions.
Be sure to catch the next 1000 Wheelies Project here:
http://fourth1000wheelies.blogspot.com
Counter: 1000
Third 1000 Wheelies
Friday, June 26, 2015
Tuesday, June 23, 2015
It's About Having Fun
While my main mission with these motorcycle wheelie sessions is to improve my wheel stand skills on a motorcycle, I can't help but notice that I'm just becoming a better rider overall. There are 30 years of riding under my leather belt. Often, I am definitely feeling like a complete beginner. Other times, I just smile after a good move. And that makes me think -- it's not necessarily about learning to be a better rider, is it? It's about having fun. And that comes naturally when one is on two wheels.
Counter: 985
Sunday, June 21, 2015
Things Can Happen Fast
Just when you think you're all smooth with the wheelies and smooth with the big speed slides, you get the reminder. The reminder is that things can happen very quickly on a motorcycle. One ill-timed goose of the gas and things get ugly quickly. And it's the same while cranked over to the right, on the brakes, sliding that rear around to meet you at the front.
Pro tip: be smooth. No excuses. Tired? Be smooth. Fatigued? Take a nap, then be smooth. In a rush? Just be smooth; you can't rush smooth.
Because when you, a hero, get it wrong on a motorcycle... well... enjoy the slide.
Fortunately, tonight's moto wheelie session turned out all right. I did enjoy several reminders though.
Counter: 970
Pro tip: be smooth. No excuses. Tired? Be smooth. Fatigued? Take a nap, then be smooth. In a rush? Just be smooth; you can't rush smooth.
Because when you, a hero, get it wrong on a motorcycle... well... enjoy the slide.
Fortunately, tonight's moto wheelie session turned out all right. I did enjoy several reminders though.
Counter: 970
Saturday, June 20, 2015
Friday, June 19, 2015
19 mph
With the wheel stand launches occurring around idle speed in first gear, and settling in around 19 mph, I discovered my wheelie session corollary -- What does the speedometer show while coming back to the wheelie launch zone during a 50+ mph back-it-in maneuver? 19 mph.
Amazing.
After further confirmations of this 19 mph phenomenon, I might need to have a "19 mph" patch made. This is a significant discovery.
Counter: 935
Amazing.
After further confirmations of this 19 mph phenomenon, I might need to have a "19 mph" patch made. This is a significant discovery.
Counter: 935
Thursday, June 18, 2015
Living Long
With only ten wheel stands to this session and a slight spring drizzle, I considered the session to be an ultra success as fun was had, the weather didn't change the session plan, and I got out there and just did it (in a life affirming way).
Counter: 915
Counter: 915
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
Amaze Me
It amazes me that having such balance in motion is even possible in this universe; nothing comes close in the amaze factor as a motorcycle wheelie.
Counter: 905
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
Thank You
I just have to say Thank You to the universe for the time, place, equipment, and situation for me to do what I love to do. It brings a feeling of satisfaction, flow, and child-like smiles to myself and onlookers of the big, fat, motorcycle wheelies, deep backing-it-in, jumping curbs, and rowing through gears.
Counter: 890
Counter: 890
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
The Ease
When things come naturally, they're meant to be. When they don't, they just take a lot of hard work.
Today's dichotomy: good wheelies are both!
Counter: 855
Today's dichotomy: good wheelies are both!
Counter: 855
Monday, June 8, 2015
Very Bicycle
Tonight's wheelie session was another subtle milestone. With the conscious decision to not worry about being able to see exactly where I was going, the big effortless wheelies came naturally on the WR250R. With this, one discovery was that, at certain moments, I was actually able to look ahead under the handlebar. This is progress for me on a motorcycle. The other discovery was that the *exact* balance point for me doing sit down wheelies, to date, on the WR250R is at a place that I have not yet been able to precisely pin down. And this is the b-side to having a moto that is insanely easy to wheelie (as this model has a particularly big balance arena). I'll get it. For now, I can know that my motorcycle wheelies are getting very "bicycle" feeling. And this is what I've been after for years.
Counter: 835
Counter: 835
Sunday, June 7, 2015
Dare Devil
Inspiring the next generation of dare devils isn't hard. Just get out there, warm up your motorbike, and let the onlooking youngsters see the big motorcycle whoolies and the deep backing-it-in occur. They will be affected.
In awe, they may be. And it just might change their worldview enough to see them doing the same thing in the decades to come.
Counter: 820
In awe, they may be. And it just might change their worldview enough to see them doing the same thing in the decades to come.
Counter: 820
Friday, June 5, 2015
Have a Spine
Do you know what great motorcycle wheelies come down to? Bottom line?
It's about having a spine.
It's about having big, huge, hairy balls. No, not literally (because you probably shave them clean like a the porn star that you are (no offense to females or the LGBT community whom have various parts that may or may not need shaving/waxing/depilating)). You have to have done it enough, to have the confidence enough, to know that you're not going to throw that glorious machine, that weighs hundreds of pounds and will certainly crush that very spine, your very core, into smithereens, unrecoverably over the balance point if you get it wrong, even for a microsecond.
Counter: 795
It's about having a spine.
It's about having big, huge, hairy balls. No, not literally (because you probably shave them clean like a the porn star that you are (no offense to females or the LGBT community whom have various parts that may or may not need shaving/waxing/depilating)). You have to have done it enough, to have the confidence enough, to know that you're not going to throw that glorious machine, that weighs hundreds of pounds and will certainly crush that very spine, your very core, into smithereens, unrecoverably over the balance point if you get it wrong, even for a microsecond.
Counter: 795
Thursday, June 4, 2015
I ♥ Wheelies
Wow. What a great session today. The sit-downs at and just over the balance point are juuust now becoming comfortable on the WR250R. It's amazing how long it has taken for that skill to translate from bicycles. Years!
Good things are coming.
Counter: 770
Good things are coming.
Counter: 770
Monday, June 1, 2015
Three Quarters
After years of continual personal progression, I keep getting better... incrementally. And I still have a lot of work to do. So, I'll keep on it.
Counter: 750
Counter: 750
Sunday, May 31, 2015
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
Were good wheelies had? No. But bad wheelies are better than no wheelies any way you cut it.
Counter: 725
Thursday, May 28, 2015
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
Tuesday, May 26, 2015
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
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
Monday, May 25, 2015
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
Counter: 680
Saturday, May 23, 2015
Friday, May 22, 2015
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.
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
Thursday, May 21, 2015
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
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
Wednesday, May 20, 2015
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
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
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
#betterandbetter
Counter: 590
Sunday, May 17, 2015
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
Only practice on the days you eat.
Counter: 570
Saturday, May 16, 2015
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
Counter: 560
Friday, May 8, 2015
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
Counter: 550
Thursday, May 7, 2015
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
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
Monday, April 27, 2015
Saturday, April 25, 2015
Consistency
Consistency is the key to making skills better. Get consistent at your current performance level. Only then, is it easy to push your limit.
Counter: 500
Counter: 500
Friday, April 24, 2015
Thursday, April 23, 2015
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
Wheelie Wednesday
It was another fun wheel-up session. And it's always about fun.
Today's insight was that sit-downs are slightly easier while leaning the upper torso towards the handlebars.
Counter: 440
Today's insight was that sit-downs are slightly easier while leaning the upper torso towards the handlebars.
Counter: 440
Monday, April 20, 2015
420 on 4/20
In a coincidence, the project hit 420 documented wheelies on 4/20.
Today's wheelies were very high.
Counter: 420
Today's wheelies were very high.
Counter: 420
Sunday, April 19, 2015
Wheelies by MotoBum
Twenty more lofties down, six hundred to go for this project. It was another picturesque evening of twilight. Just a steady hand and subtle balancing movements were all that was needed. And that is all that ever is needed.
Counter: 400
Counter: 400
Saturday, April 18, 2015
Counter: 380
It was another perfect evening. Quality wheelies. Big slides. Little jumps. Just perfect. Amazing. Beautiful.
Counter: 380
Counter: 380
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
Pants On
It’s a well kept motorcycle secret — a Yamaha WR250R is just an easy motorcycle to ride, plain & simple. People don’t talk about that. They talk about how much fun they are; the kind of fun that is the most-fun-you-can-have-with-your-pants-on kind of fun. The reason? Why are they so fun to ride? Because they are easy!
Want to pull a nice wheel stand? Give the engine a nice rev and let the clutch out. It’s like pushing a wheelie button. Easy.
Want to jump off something? Roll up to a lip. Give it some power. Bam. Nice air, dude! Easy.
Want to back it in? Speed up to 50mph. Click the tranny into first gear. Lean a little. Let out the clutch lever. So, so… Easy.
Counter: 355
Want to pull a nice wheel stand? Give the engine a nice rev and let the clutch out. It’s like pushing a wheelie button. Easy.
Want to jump off something? Roll up to a lip. Give it some power. Bam. Nice air, dude! Easy.
Want to back it in? Speed up to 50mph. Click the tranny into first gear. Lean a little. Let out the clutch lever. So, so… Easy.
Counter: 355
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
Monday, April 6, 2015
Another Twenty
With favorite leather pants, favorite leather jacket, and the Captain America open-face helmet donned, another twenty beautiful WR250R motorcycle wheelies got logged in my favorite Shoreline parking lot tonight.
Perfect.
Counter: 310
Perfect.
Counter: 310
Saturday, March 21, 2015
Ten Times Two
With a noon and an 8pm session, I successfully logged two sets of ten wheel-up jams today. It always feels great to get out there. It always feels natural. I can feel the neurons in my brain, gut, and heart all firing saying "this is what I love to do" while these sessions are on.
Counter: 290
Counter: 290
Monday, March 16, 2015
Just a Dark Ten
It was dark. It was mostly dry. It was all fun.
I still just love riding motorcycle wheelies!
Counter: 270
I still just love riding motorcycle wheelies!
Counter: 270
Sunday, February 8, 2015
Dark Rainy Ten
While three months have gone by without a documented wheelie session, kamikaze street wheelies were had. But even those were months ago. And I picked it up exactly where I left off.
Pulling wheelies felt amazing tonight in the pure darkness, in the rain, and in my "rusty" state.
Counter: 260
Sunday, November 2, 2014
Five
On the way to go have some custom bar risers made, I dropped into my favorite 'lot for a quick session.
Five more down. Living the dream.
Counter: 250
Saturday, October 25, 2014
Spontaneity
Wearing rolled up jeans, a t-shirt, and a down vest, I spontaneously rolled down to my favorite 'lot for a spontaneous micro session.
It always feels great to wheelie a motorcycle.
Counter: 245
Friday, October 3, 2014
Friday Night
In an unlit favorite parking lot, with the headlight pointed toward the stars, there were two 1.5 volt AA battery LED flashlights zip tied to the gold forks tonight. Illumination was only internal for me; the flashlights did nothing for lighting up the asphalt ahead. Regardless, by riding by feel, I had a great Moto Wheelie Session.
Counter: 240
Counter: 240
Sunday, September 28, 2014
Sunday Sesh
Complete with rolling burn outs, lots of backing it in, and fantastic wheelies, this Moto Wheelie Session was the closest to an actual stunt motorcycle session I've ever had.
Fan-tas-tic!
Counter: 225
Fan-tas-tic!
Counter: 225
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
Smooth and Dark
Another Moto Wheelie Session for the history books went down this evening. They were smooth. Conditions were near dark and a tad damp. The dampness only affected the backing-it-in, not the wheelies on that dream bike, that WR250R.
Counter: 210
Counter: 210
Thursday, September 18, 2014
Dark and Nice
Tonight's last-days-of-summer Moto Wheelie Session was in near darkness. The sun sets sooner now. I found myself, in an unlit parking lot, having to use a different sense to perform today's wheelies. It sounds silly, but I relied more on feel today than usual and less on what my eyes were telling me. In my head, this idea went so far as to momentarily block out all visual information in a kind of visual blackout by choice.
Counter: 195
Counter: 195
Friday, September 12, 2014
Deep In The Heart of Twilight
These last days of summer bring out the best in me, in smooth whoolie pulling. I've been working to perfect the motorcycle wheelie for many years now.
I'm still working on it.
Today's conditions were exquisite. Sunset. Dry. Warm.
I got a little better.
Counter: 175
I'm still working on it.
Today's conditions were exquisite. Sunset. Dry. Warm.
I got a little better.
Counter: 175
Sunday, September 7, 2014
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
Counter: 130
It was another 15 minutes riding paradise at dusk this evening... wheel stands... backing it in... jumping curbs... skidding about... having fun.
That's what it's all about.
Counter: 130
That's what it's all about.
Counter: 130
Saturday, August 16, 2014
Game On But Off
Some Moto Wheelie Sessions are an exercise in tenacity, just to get out there and be doing it. Today was one of those days.
Counter: 115
Counter: 115
Friday, August 15, 2014
When You Live Your Dreams
When you live your dreams
You'll find destiny
Is written in your heart
Counter: 100
You'll find destiny
Is written in your heart
Counter: 100
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
Have No Fear
Abandoning the mental concept of losing control while deep into the wheelie zone is essential. Have no fear. Everything will turn out alright. I just have to trust that I am able to respond, react even, to whatever comes up mid-wheelie.
Counter: 75
Counter: 75
Saturday, August 9, 2014
Only Wheelie On The Days You Eat
It was noon on a Saturday. What was I doing with my life? What was the big picture? Nevermind all that! I had to focus on something special, something that really mattered in the moment -- wheelies. Big. Fat. Wheelies.
It was another classic turning point day in my development. After viewing some videos of the east coast dirt bike riders on urban streets, I realized that I'd still had fear about going so far over the balance point on my WR250R, that I'd not be able to recover. And that can't be the case. Because those urban dirt riders can scrape their fenders on the ground. And it they can do it, so can I.
To date, today's Moto Wheelie Session was the best yet. Ever. I took my big, hairy, balls to my favorite parking lot... and got way, way, up there. It finally feels like my bicycle skills are transferring to motorcycles!
Counter: 50
It was another classic turning point day in my development. After viewing some videos of the east coast dirt bike riders on urban streets, I realized that I'd still had fear about going so far over the balance point on my WR250R, that I'd not be able to recover. And that can't be the case. Because those urban dirt riders can scrape their fenders on the ground. And it they can do it, so can I.
To date, today's Moto Wheelie Session was the best yet. Ever. I took my big, hairy, balls to my favorite parking lot... and got way, way, up there. It finally feels like my bicycle skills are transferring to motorcycles!
Counter: 50
Friday, August 8, 2014
Third 1000 Wheelies
Last week, my Another 1000 Wheelies Project ended. It was a personal project that took almost two years to help me further develop my motorcycle wheelie skills. It worked. I can pull better motorcycle wheelies now.
Why stop documenting motorcycle wheelies once a couple thousand are counted? Sure, I've pulled many more. But the point is to make a record of progress... and to chase that ultimate life goal.
The quest for the Ultra Wheelie continues.
The first wheelie session of my Third 1000 Wheelies occurred.
Counter: 25 wheelies
Why stop documenting motorcycle wheelies once a couple thousand are counted? Sure, I've pulled many more. But the point is to make a record of progress... and to chase that ultimate life goal.
The quest for the Ultra Wheelie continues.
The first wheelie session of my Third 1000 Wheelies occurred.
Counter: 25 wheelies
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