More Pictures from Route 66 Raceway

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http://www.route66raceway.com/ June 5th to 8th 2008-get your tickets now!

Torco Racing Fuels Route 66 NHRA Nationals

Last year my son and I went to Joliet to see the NHRA Drags at route 66 Raceway. I wanted to see the pro stock motorcycles-Matt Guidera, Angelle Samphey, Andrew Hines, Karen Stoffer, Eddie Krawiec and Matt Smith. We arrived early, about 9:30 A.M. The track facility was clean, concessions were reasonably priced, parking was good. Be prepared to do alot of walking. Very hot that day 85-90 degrees. Shade was available below the stands with a big screen so I didn't miss anything when I went for snacks.

We were able to walk to the south side of the track to see the various teams who were preparing their race cars for the day's events. Every race team was represented. We saw the following teams: Ron Capps, Ashley and John Force, Robert Hight, Tony Schumacher, Melanie Troxel, Antron Brown, Brandon Bernstein, everyone was represented. I was thrilled to get John Force's autograph.

Early in the day you can see the Jegs Allstar Races

http://www.nhra.com/2008/sportsman/div1_08_as.html

About 1:00 P.M. the NHRA session begins with the final eliminations in preparation for Sunday's Finals. It was great to see Ashley Force in her career debut in Funny Car. Her car burned up in dramatic fashion. She was unhurt.

I can't wait to go this year, I recommend this if you're a real car guy/racing fan.

Waiting For Better Weather

Weather has been nasty this spring around here. Just when it seems that things are looking up, it snows again. Last week I was able to go for a ride on Wednesday, the thermometer read fifty-five degrees. As you may know, you can deduct at least fifteen degrees when you ride a motorcycle. I dressed warm and with the sun out, managed a forty minute ride. It was magic, almost as good as playing golf at the now defunct Twin Ponds Golf Course in Crystal Lake. This course had twin majestic ponds. My brother and I would play there every week. Nine holes, par three, with one long hole-the seventh. This hole had multiple rolling hills before the green. How do you play it? You aim for the beer sign on the other side of the road. It was the only hole that had a ten foot flag pole. We used to assemble three foursomes. We would go out first and when we reached the seventh green, we would take the flag and run back and forth across the width of the fairway. All this with the next foursome getting ready to tee it up! The only way to play it was to aim at the beer sign or the flag-you had to be there, it was precious.

Anyway, back to motorcycling. Yesterday, I managed to go out again for thirty minutes. I topped off the tank ($5.25) with gas at $3.35 a gallon. So I was down about a gallon and a half. The ride was great, it was, however, cold for a fifty-two degree day. When I returned, I rode my Schwinn Bicycle for exercise. I do have to say that I am a little more round in the middle since I got a motorcycle.The bicycle ride was good too, I rode for about forty-five minutes.

So what to do when one gets home? I reread my copy of At Full Throttle (the story of Orange County Choppers).

http://www.orangecountychoppers.com/occ/index.html

The life story of Paul senior is inspiring and worth reading. How he became a successful businessman and what he overcame to get there is interesting. If you ever get a chance to see an Orange County Chopper in person, don't miss it. I recently saw the Die-Hard Bike at the International Motorcycle Show. I saw one two years ago at the Rolling Meadows Car Show. The gentleman who had it told me that he custom ordered it through a local dealer. The fit and finish on these bikes is impeccable. Unlike most choppers that you'll see at a motorcycle show, they can be ridden.

Well anyway, While I'm waiting for better weather, I'll continue to sedate myself with endless motorcycle shows on the Speed channel (American Thunder and Super Bikes) and countless motorcycle magazines (V-Twin, Road Bike and Robb Report).

Chopper Show and Swap Meet

When I read about the Supercycle Show coming to Schaumburg Illinois I was excited. Close to home and a chance to see custom motorcycles-it sounded like a great time. If you get a chance to see a custom chopper you'll see they're truly works of art.

The show opened to the general public at 11:00 A.M., Saturday March 15th. I arrived at 11:15 to find the main parking lot full. I used the access road and found plenty of parking. On a thirty-eight degree day patrons were lined up outside to get into the Renaissance Convention Center. The line moved very slowly-soon the reason became apparent-everyone had to be patted down before entering. All knives were confiscated with no promise of getting them back. Many motorcycle clubs were present countered by dozens of law enforcement personnel. The crowd was huge and well behaved. A stage was set up in one corner with rotating bands. About sixty custom choppers and antique cycles were present for viewing. Two-thirds of the display floor was covered with parts for sale. Fenders, hard bags, seats, leather jackets, pants, hats, stereo equipment, body tools for custom metal fabricating, motor blocks, heads, carburetors and even patches for leather jackets instantly attached by a guy with a leather sewing machine. In other words, everything was available. You could buy a rolling chassis (naturally minus the engine). Entire vintage motorcycles could be found for sale. Reasonably priced refreshments were available.

A Good Day

Last Saturday we took a trip by car to Woodstock, Illinois. We shopped at Farm and Fleet. If you've never been there, make a point of it. It has everything a normal department store would have and in addition it has every imaginable item for the farm. Employees are helpful and friendly and merchandise is reasonably priced. You can even find Harley motorcycle boots. It's really interesting to browse through this store. I especially liked the live turkeys and chickens that were on sale. The tag on the turkeys said that they would weigh forty pounds in sixteen weeks. They were cute, like new born chicks. They were in cages under heat lamps. I found this to be very educational.

After we left Farm and Fleet, I just happened to travel a few blocks west to the corner of 47 and 14 and what to my wondrous eyes should appear but a Harley Davidson Dealer. (http://www.woodstockharley-dav.com/) When I entered the parking lot, it was full of cars. I couldn't help but notice that new bikes were lined up outside the building and customers were pouring over them in earnest. My wife elected to stay in the car, and I ventured inside. I was impressed with the amount of new and used bikes available. The facility was clean and well ordered. Clothing and accessories were well displayed. The showroom and service area was spotless. I liked the used police bikes. My wife's cousin owns one and swears this is the way to go. He has a Road King. He bought it with about 4,000 miles on the odometer and just loves it. These bikes come with all the trim. The hard bags are accessible from above by twisting a large black knob. Several used Electra Glides were available for sale.

Genuine Harley accessories were displayed, ready for purchase and installation. Many owners bikes were in an area adjacent to the service department. The service department looked well organized. If you like motorcycles your nearest dealer can be a great place to visit!

First Ride ' 08

Fifty Two Degrees-12:30 P.M.-Rain forecast later-Heart Pounding in anticipation, yes you guessed it-first ride of the season!
My last ride occurred on Veterans Day of '07. As you know this last winter was brutal. Record setting snowfall, cold, record flu cases, long winter nights, constant snow shoveling were just a few of the depressing events of the last four months.
After checking the tire pressure and fluid levels, I let my Suzuki Boulevard C50 (http://www.suzukicycles.com/Products/C50K8) warm up slowly ( it always starts on the first crank). During warm up I got dressed for the ride. Jeans, thermal undergarments, fleece shirt, neck warmer, balaclava, Joe Rocket jacket, HJC full face helmet, River Road leather winter gloves, wool socks and steel toed boots
I was ready!
I coasted down to the end of the driveway. Checked traffic, slowly increased throttle as I let the clutch out, and away I went. I immediately noticed the vast amount of water on the pavement (due to the sudden thaw). I took my time and rode for 30 minutes around the side streets in my subdivision. I did once travel route 62, but there was a lot of backwash from cars so I abandoned this quickly.
This little 30 minute ride was as good as a vacation for my soul!