Some Rare, Cool Weather

While the rest of the country is suffering through a heat wave, somehow those of us in Phoenix got a respite from the summer temperatures on July 4.  The previous day had been cloudy, and on the Fourth it did something unusual: it rained.

If it rains enough, it has a dramatic impact on the temperature here in the urban desert.  So instead of sweltering in triple digit heat, we only had to deal with temperatures in the mid-nineties (never mind the sudden humidity).

Since cool temperatures in July are excessively rare here in Phoenix, Lady Luck and I decided the best thing to do was take advantage of the relief by taking the bikes out to watch fireworks.

We've got a favorite spot on a hill in Tempe that gives a pretty good view of Tempe's firework show.  Tempe throws a big party every year for the Fourth, and their annual fireworks display is impressive.

The two of us haven't been over there in a while, however, and we got a bit turned around.  The mistake wound up being a happy accident, however.  We ended up finding a quiet spot along the road  on reservation land where we could see no fewer than eight fireworks displays.

The heat has returned, so the chances are that the Vespa won't be getting out again for a couple of months.  I'm glad we were both able to get out riding.  Unfortunately, I had to work the following day, so we weren't able to continue the ride much longer after the fireworks shows had ended.

Here's hoping for some more rainy days this summer!

Happy Independence Day!

Hey there!  Today would be a lovely day to go out and celebrate our nation's day of independence with a motorcycle ride.

Hop to it.

Seventh Birthday!

As of yesterday, The Great Motorcycle Pizza Tour is seven years old.  I kind of can't believe it.  On the other hand, I can totally believe it.  I was re-reading some of my old posts, and cringing at the writing in some of them.  On the other hand, I felt pretty proud of a few of them.  Several of the posts from five years ago I could swear I'd just written last year.  

So, summer has arrived, and although I haven't been posting a lot recently, I haven't thrown in the towel on this blog yet either.  I hope you'll bear with me as I try to come up with ideas for more content.  Now that it's hot here in the desert, I may have to start doing pizza reviews for places in higher altitudes.  Or providing recipes for post-ride beverages.  Or something.

Anyway, thanks so much for reading along for the last several years!

Great Video Featuring Urals in Washington

I don't really have much to add, except that I'm mildly jealous of these guys.  Enjoy!

The Five Deadly Attitudes

I probably don't need to tell you this, but I'm going to anyway, just in case you've gotten cozy and complacent in your motorcycling habits: riding a motorcycle is risky.  Most bikers will tell you, if they're being honest, that the risk is part of thrill.  But those same bikers, assuming they aren't raging idiots, will also tell you that risk management is a major part of living to become an old biker.

Speaking of attitude...

I've borrowed a bit of wisdom from aviation in the past, since aviation is as much, if not more, about risk management as motorcycling.  In my curiosity, I've come across a bit more wisdom that is just as valid for those of us flying at low altitudes: The Five Deadly Attitudes.

Deadly Attitude Number One: Resignation

"What's the use? I give up," or, "I'd better lay the bike down."  Resignation is giving in like a whiny little jerk.  There's no place for resignation on a motorcycle.  You've got to stay in control, or if you discover you're not in control, get it back.  If you're going to go down, at least go down trying your best not to.  Don't just watch it happen.  

Deadly Attitude Number Two: Anti-Authority

"Why should I listen to you?"  Note that this is not the same thing as questioning authority.  This is refusing to do something just because someone else told you to do it, and vice versa.  Maybe you've been sitting at a red light that won't change for five minutes and you get a bit frustrated, and decide you know what's best, so you take a quick glance to see if anyone is coming and just go.

Deadly Attitude Number Three: Impulsiveness

"Do it now."  This is the belief that doing something is better than doing nothing.  I think this comes along when one has already made a mess of other bad choices.  If you're keeping SIPDE (Scan, Identify, Predict, Decide, Execute) in mind, you should rarely if ever have to do anything without a seconds thought.

Deadly Attitude Number Four: Invulnerability

"It won't happen to me."  The belief that only other guys crash when doing an 80 MPH wheelie down the freeway.  Or that you don't need to wear protective gear because you're not going to crash.  It can happen to you, so take care that it doesn't.  Every now and then, you need to take a second and remember that riding a motorcycle is still risky, and stupidity is frequently rewarded with lots of pain.

Deadly Attitude Number Five: Macho

"I can do this!"  For example, declaring you can make it home despite the tornado warning and hard rain reducing the visibility down to twenty feet.  Or that you can ride across Death Valley in the mid-day heat in July, no problem.  Maybe you can.  Maybe it's still stupid to do it.  If you find yourself wanting to prove how tough you are, that should set off a little alarm in your head telling you to think for a minute.

I suspect we've all been guilty of one or two of these.  Sometimes, we've got to step back and ask ourselves if we're sure we're being rational and safe.  It is, after all, possible to ride hard and ride safely at the same time.

What are your thoughts?

Shaking Off The Dust

Hi there.  Sorry for the dearth of posts lately.  Blame it on too much thinking about the existential nature of motorcycles and not enough writing about hooning around town on them.  I've got a nice post in the works that should be up soon - I just have to shine it up a bit.

In the meantime, I've just got to say that, wow, was the weather ever perfect this morning.  I very seriously considered calling in and going to work late today just so I could buzz around a little more.  As I mentioned in my previous post, The Heat has returned to Phoenix, so it's important to enjoy every little bit of tolerable fresh air while I can.

Return of The Heat

Those of us living in the desert wastes just got to enjoy a final, glorious weekend with perfect temperatures.  Of course, now we're hosed.

Yes, the Heat* is returning to the desert.  While those of you in colder climates are celebrating the thawing of lakes and such, please toast the poor souls here in the southwest doing our parts to keep you guys warm.

As for me, I'm going to have to admit that it's actually time to start wearing my summer gear.  It looks like we're going to hit three digit temperatures next weekend - which says to me that next weekend will be an excellent weekend to get out of town. 

Anyway, to make the best of the upcoming Heat, here's a post from last summer for your enjoyment:  Five Tips For Riding In Oppressive Summer Heat.


* The summer weather in Phoenix is a proper noun