Monthly Archives: May 2012
Memorial Day Motorcycle Trip
Sunday morning we took off on the bikes for a mini vacation.
We wanted to get far enough out-of-town to feel like we escaped but wanted to stay close enough to home because we weren’t sure how the SV would go on a distance trip. With this in mind, we ended up traveling about an hour and a half south of Tampa (home) to Sebring.
For all you race fans out there, you may have heard of Sebring, FL. Sebring International Raceway is located there. Lots of cool events and races take place at that track.
We didn’t have reservations, just took off on back roads all the way down. Something I love about no set plans, just ride and see where you end up. Has a certain motorcycle magic to it. Not quite sure how to explain it really, just something about that really means road trip to me. Not to mention, you could get half way to where you are planning on going, then see a road that looks interesting that ends up taking you some where completely different from what you planned. Not having reservations allows to make up the trip as you go!
Since we didn’t have reservations, when we arrived in Sebring we pulled out the ole smartie phone to find somewhere on Expedia that had openings and was in our budget 
We found a hotel that was right up the road, and located RIGHT ON THE TRACK!
Which we arrived at the hotel right in time because this is what came about 15 minutes after we walked into the hotel:
Holy Down Pour
After we arrived at the hotel, we had lunch in the hotel restaurant and watched the cars doing laps around the track (apparently it was a track day). That was great to watch all the different cars going around. Even better watching the thunderstorm slowly moving its way toward the track. Lunch was tasty and after it was done we ordered a pina colada and moved the party out by the pool to watch the cars go round and round.
Pool, track, pina colada’s and thunderstorm coming in!
There was some restlessness that kicked in after sitting poolside too long so we decided to explore a bit. There was an opening in the fence from the hotel to the track so we wander in to the track area. It was pretty cool, not going to lie. The cars were zooming by and we were having a blast just watching them.
Although we were having a blast and did not jump a fence or sneak on to the track spectator area in anyway, apparently we were not suppose to be there because security caught up to us and questioned us as to how we got in. We explained to them about the open fence area. They were really cool and kindly asked us to go back out the same way we got in.
Good times!!! We spent the rest of the evening relaxing and doing whatever it is that you do on vacation!
The next day, we loaded up and hit the road. Grabbed a delicious breakfast at the local IHOP then took the long way home. This time however, we did not escape the rain. We hit a storm cell and got hit HARD! I missed the FJR during this and its amazing fairing. That huge fairing always kept me dry. The SV doesn’t offer the same rain protection so I got nailed by the rain.
Cooled me off though, it was getting hot out there 
Overall, it was a fantastic mini get away! Can’t wait to start planning the next motorcycle road trip!!!
Dinner and A Motorcycle Date Night
Spending the last few days resting paid off because The Doc was feeling so much better today!!
We spent the day sanding and painting a Melges 24 keel. Probably a good time to note, The Doc is very handy. He may spend his time working on getting his Ph.D but the man can do anything. Work on cars, motorcycles, build whatever, fix whatever, do whatever! The “whatever” project of the moment is to redo a keel for the guy we sail with.
The weather and the wind worked with us to day and we were able to get 2 coats sprayed on before dinner. You have to allow 4 hours to drying time in between coats so after we put on the first coat, we had plenty of time to get work done around the house…I know exciting stuff right there!
With that said, after actually working all day, we HAD TO jump on the bikes and head out to dinner. Somewhere close but not too close. We wanted to take the long way there and enjoy some twisty back roads
I must say, I LOVE MY NEW BIKE!!!
Don’t get me wrong, I loved the FJR 1300 but with that bike, I felt like it usually ended up riding me instead of me riding it. As any motorcycle rider knows, when the bike rides you more than you ride it, no good can come of it. Sadly, and I hate to admit it, but I feel like I had a mental block on the FJR. The weight really got to me, I just didn’t realize how much until tonight while riding the SV 650s around.
The FJR I pushed when I felt comfortable but never really pushed in the turns. Tonight though on the SV, I felt like I could turn in more going into the turns. The FJR I “oh yeah, a twisty road” (note sarcasm). However, on the SV, I was so excited to hit the twisty roads!!!
I finally feel like I am riding the bike, not it riding me! The SV was the perfect find for me at this stage in my riding. It is amazing how everything changes when you find the bike that is perfect for you. The FJR may have been my dream bike and I have no regrets owning it, but the SV is more fitted for me!
We ended up taking about an hour to get to a restaurant that is 15 minutes from the house. It is adorable seeing the ST4S and the SV side by side. The SV seriously is a baby Duc. The Doc and I refer to the girls as Duc and Baby Duc!
The ride home we took a couple shorter twisty roads back to the house. It was so nice out under the dark sky of night!
Tomorrow morning we are taking off on the bikes, somewhere. No idea where but we will know where it is as soon as we get there. Best way to do a trip, have a general idea but figure it out as you go
The Duc and Baby Duc
3 Day Weekend of Unknown!
With the three day weekend upon us, I stare out my work window and count the minutes until 5 o’clock (being a desk jockey sucks but at least the pay check is nice).
Day Dreaming
This week has been, a trip to say the least.
As you all know, on Tuesday on I bought my new motorcycle!! So our plan was with the long weekend to take off Saturday and explore the Florida countryside on the bikes.
Well…after we got home from dinner and my first ride Tuesday night, The Doc started to experience some pain in his side. I’ll spare the specific details as I’m sure he would appreciate me not posting the ordeal on here but we arrived at the hospital ER around 11pm Tuesday night and got out Wednesday morning at 8:30am. Long night but for the most part all is well. Still some soreness/pain but he kicks ass and is doing trekking along!
For the past two days he has been home resting and taking an easy.
Being the adventures we are though, we still want to take off for the weekend on the motorcycles but we are going to play it all on how he feels Which is fine by me, health is first. And going balls out down a back road tuck on a motorcycle isn’t the place to be if you aren’t 100%!!
So dinner and a movie is on our agenda tonight, MIB III at IMAX!
Hope you all have a great Memorial Day weekend!! Whether you are hitting the road on your motorcycle, riding some trails on the ole mountain bike or whatever your gets your engine revving, be safe and have fun!!!
NEW MOTORCYCLE!!!!!!!!!!!
That is right, I finally bought a new bike!!!!
Drum roll please, I decided on the SV 650s!!!
I love it!!! First impressive is it reminds me of a mini FJR 1300 (kind of). Just need to get some saddle bags and take this girl on a trip!!!
The weight is fantastic. It weights in at 436 wet and I can easily maneuver the bike on my own! The FJR was always a struggle with her 700 pounds, granted I always felt like superwoman when I moved that thing around There were times when Colin had to help me backing it out because I just couldn’t move her.
Enough about the ole fat girl, back to the SV 650, after I bought her, I followed Colin to a nearby restaurant for dinner. The dinner conversation revolved around Ducati’s, the FJR, the new SV and what would my next bike be?!?!
Right now, my next bike is looking like the VRF 800. I know, just got a new bike and already thinking about the next one. Typical
Until then, the SV and I are going to become fast friends!!!
My new baby!!!
Driving her to dinner right after I bought her!
PLAY SAIL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So on May 12th The Doc and I hosted a play sail for some of our friends. During the last play sail we took the boat from the yacht club down to the Skyway Bridge and back which took us 7 hours. For this sail, we sailed almost to the Skyway Bridge but due to time restraints, we couldn’t sail all the way there, just almost there! The wind wasn’t blowing as hard as the previous play sail.
We had a fun group and everyone left with smiles on their face. Could have been due to the sail or the rum, probably safe to say a combination of both!!!
Keeping things in check at the bow of the boat!
Sam and I being silly
I spy at the bow of the boat…
IT’S A SAILLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!
No Wind, No Sail and a Sad Goodbye
Today we were suppose to sail for the Sunday race but when we showed up, we only had a crew of 6. Now we have all sailed with a crew of 6 before so that was no biggie, however, there was NO wind!
So light on crew and NO WIND!! Hmm, let’s think about that…
Then to top it off, we had no rum! So just to review, Low crew, no wind and no rum! Three strikes against sailing today! So as a team we all decided to call the sail and we all ventured off on our merry ways
Prior to the sail, I had a farewell brunch with my best friend Samantha 
This week has been filled with a couple of farewell meals. Tuesday night a group of us went to Samari blue for some sushi and sake! Two things you can never go wrong with…EVER!
Group Shot
The adventure club!
Sam and I’s friendship in a nutshell
Friday night another group of us went out to a delicious place on the water called Ozona Blue!
Going away party part duex!
Then today, Sam and I meet for brunch for a little catch up time before she flies off Tuesday Our parting words, “there is no such thing as good-bye, there’s just see you net time”.
Morning Runs
Ah morning runs!!! There is just something about them that gets me pumped up and motivated for the day!!
Yesterday I decided to take as a rest day and spent the extra 20 minutes sleeping. While I felt nice and caught up on sleep, I felt like something was missing from my morning. It was like the coffee drinker who skipped their first cup of coffee or the smoker who decided to skip their morning cig. My morning was off and I didn’t like it!
This morning was almost a repeat. Yesterday after getting off work at 5, I drove the 40 minutes home (blah), picked up The Doc and we headed east over to Orlando to put my butt on some motorcycles. The drive there was a little over an hour. I set up seeing the bikes to start the closest to us then work our way east. This made the drive home around 2 hours, getting us home after 11.
Needless to say, all that driving was exhausting and we crashed hard once we got home and ready for bed. When I say crashed, I mean crashed. Usually I wake up a time or two during the night but I fall right back asleep, last night, I slept all the way through the night. That almost lead to victory for the alarm clock this morning but my desire to run prevailed and I ran!!
This morning I decided to push harder than I normally do. The pic below describes how I felt at mid-point during my run.
The end result, I set my best personal mile this morning. Well my best personal mile since 2005 when I use to run a 5k every morning before breakfast (true story).
My view this morning while out running
I’m so behind in posting adventures. I have to post about the camping/canoeing trip, the play sail last weekend and how my hunt for a new motorcycle is going!! This week has been crazy as work has been stepping it up a bit (which is good), I have been test riding motorcycles and my best friend Samantha is moving away this weekend.
This weekend I plan (famous last words) on catching up on all the posts that I have slacked on as of late!
Until then though, tonight I have to decide something very tough…Do I go sail my Thursday night race or do I set up some appointments to go test ride motorcycles?!?!?! The battle of my two loves is in full effect right now. Which passion will win?! Stay tuned
What Do A Sail Boat, A Mountain Bike and Brunch Have In Common?!
They are the makings of my weekend!!!!
Tonight was my usual Thursday night race sailing. I have a couple of pics to post but I am experiencing technical difficulties with my Mac laptop right now (also on the agenda this weekend is to buy a new laptop)!. Once I get the lap top issue fixed I’ll add the sailing pics to this post. UPDATED 5/11: I was able to post the pics from another computer, and there is much rejoicing!!!
Pre-race – Dock B, where all the magic happens
Everyone cruising around waiting for the race to start
We came in 2nd place tonight. Not too shabby. The wind was blowing about 13 knots or so. Nothing out of the ordinary with this sail, no vangs breaking during the race!! (which is the direct picture above you can see our sexy new black vang).
Saturday The Doc and I are throwing a play sail for some friends. Love play sails! You get the joy of sailing without the rush of racing. Granted I love the rush of racing but people who are new to sailing like the play sails as an introduction. It is just so much more relaxed during the play sails
We of course though make it worth their while and get the boat heeled up on its side. That either scares the crap out of them or gets them hooked!
Pic from the last play sail as we charged through the water!
Sunday is Mother’s Day so I am planning on cooking my moma brunch and get some quality catch up time in!
My parents also happen to live close to a mountain biking trails, so my game plan is to take my mountain biking with me and try to hit the trails after brunch!
And of course, I will also be on a mad search for a new motorcycle!!!
P.S. – I didn’t forget to post pics and details from this past camping and canoeing trip! I blinked and it was Thursday, sometimes I wonder where time goes!! I will the trip posted up this weekend as well, I promise. As a teaser, there were gators, ticks (ekkk) and a snack that swam in front of us on the river!!!
My Baby Is Gone!!!
Yesterday went down in history as bitter-sweet.
I decided to sell my FJR 1300 and buy a 600 or 650 bike of some sorts. I LOVE the FJR and I do mean love. If I could get her in the house she would have her own spot set up in the living room. Walk by every now and again, caress her, smack her saddle bag
As much as I love her though, there is a downside to the FJR, her weight. I’m 120, she is 640 dry. That is a lot of weight for my small frame. Mainly I just notice the weight as I come to a stop.
I had an unfortunate experience on our motorcycle trip to Tennessee (part 1 and part 2). When we arrived in Gatlinburg, TN, we pulled over into a parking lot to find a hotel via our phones. As we were going to leave said parking lot, there was a downhill turn left and I put the wrong foot down as I came to the stop sign that was in the middle of the turn and fell over (dumbass move I know). Scuffed up the bike just a hair It was then that I thought as much as I love this bike, what if it would have fallen on me?!?!
Not to mention, I couldn’t pick it back up. I had to have a knight in shining armor come rescue me (thank you my lovely Doctor). If I do lay a bike down, I want to be able to pick it up my self. The whole damsel in distress thing doesn’t work well for me.
So with that, I decided once we got back to Tampa, I was going to sell her. I listed her on Craigslist late last week (little procrastination there) and yesterday had the first guy come and look at her. Turns out, he was the magic buyer! He rode off with my baby!
Very bitter-sweet moment. Sad to see her go because I did love that bike so much. Happy because the hunt for a new toy begins!!!!
I’m jonsing to ride!!! I’m like a crackhead that hasn’t gotten a fix in over a month. When I decided to sell her, I thought it best not to ride her for the “just in case” moment. So it has been a month and a half since I have rode, that is not counting riding on the back of the Ducati. I don’t count riding bitch as riding.
So hopefully soon I will have a new pic to post of me and my new motorcycle but for now, let me pay a little tribute to my first true love, my FJR! May the new owner love her has much as I did!
The first day I got to ride her! ** I always ride with helmet, riding jacket, boots and gloves, safety first! ** This was in a parking lot right next to our house so I went sans gear.
Campin’, Canoein’ and Maybe A Little MTB-ing
Thursday, just the sound of this word makes me all excited because I know the weekend is so close!!!!
Usually this day is rounded out with some racing on the sailboat but not this Thursday. The Fort Myers Race is today, so our boat is headed down there!! Good luck to my Time Bandit crew!!!
However, this works out perfectly because The Doc and I are headed out of town tomorrow for some camping and canoeing this weekend. Tonight will be filled with packing, prepping and preparing for the arrival of a new couch tomorrow morning (at like 7:30am,!
At first, there was a small army joining us for the trip. Over the course of initial planning and now, the actual going, everyone dropped out but The Doc and I Oh well, while I wish everyone could have made it, if there is one thing The Doc and I know how to do, it is have fun! Bring on the water!
The canoe run is rated as Moderate but I hear it is more challenging than Moderate. There are some spots where you have to get out, lift the canoe up over trees and whatnot, I’m excited for that! We will see though how it shapes up once we get there though. I am really hoping it is more on the challenging side. I need a little challenge in my life I’ll provide a full update when we get back.
We are also bringing the mountain bikes with us. There are some trails about 5 miles away from the campsite so we are planning on hitting them up this weekend as well. So much to cram into 3 days, just the way I like it!
Also, heard a rumor there is a high bear alert. GRRRRRR!!!!!! Good thing I have been running lately!
Speaking of running, its a new month and that means a new workout bet between The Doc and I. For the month of April our bet was who could track the most miles during the month. I lost, by a whopping 10 miles. Together though, we tracked 254.73 miles over the month! Go team go!!!
For the month of May, the wager is who can have the most improved/best 5k time. This morning I put my first 5k on the board. Drum roll please….38:36. Its not the best time but I haven’t been training for the 5k for too long so I am happy with that number, for now.
Colin (aka The Doc) put a time of 39:35. So we are pretty much on the same level with our times. It will be an interesting month to see who can put down the best 5k time!!
For now though, hope everyone has a wonderful and safe Cinco de Mayo weekend!!!!!
One of the canoe runs
Another beautiful run on the springs
