www.NCMotorcyclists.com

Stallion Trike

2008-06-12T15:32:00.004-04:00

Recently, I rode with some friends in eastern TN and one of the ladies showed up in a new Stallion Trike. It’s a good looking machine and certainly a different approach to a trike as compared to a motorcycle conversion. For more information, visit their website at www.southwesttrikes.com/stallion.htm

The vehicle is classified as a motorcycle and requires a motorcycle endorsement to drive/ride.

Cumberland Falls "Moonbow"

2008-05-22T10:14:00.008-04:00

Last weekend I visited the Cumberland Falls State Park in Kentucky to see a moonbow. It is like a rainbow but is created by the light of the moon, not the sun. Here is a photo taken at 10:00 p.m. with a five minute exposure...

Photo courtesy of Charlie West

Lees-ure Lite Motorcycle Camper

2008-05-08T13:44:00.008-04:00

I purchased a Lees-ure Lite motorcycle camper from Jimmie Dawkins at Lite Tent Camper (www.litetentcamper.com) a couple of weeks ago and finally had the opportunity to try it out at the Blue Ridge Motorcycle Campground (www.blueridgemotorcyclecamp.com).

I have always enjoyed the camping experience and in partiuclar the opportunity to meet other bikers at the motorcycle only campgrounds. Unfortunately, I have reached the age where I no longer like sleeping on the ground. The Lees-ure Lite solved that problem and put the fun back into camping. It is easy to tow, unfolds in seconds, and allows you to carry plenty of gear.

Communication Problem Between The Sexes...

2007-08-23T11:06:00.000-04:00

For The Consummate Biker

2007-02-08T13:03:00.000-05:00

www.cyclefaucets.com

Another Optical Illusion

2007-01-02T15:58:00.000-05:00

If you stare at the photo below for serveral seconds, you will see Toronto's CN Tower...

Don't Go To The Mountains

2006-10-23T08:11:00.000-04:00

I just returned from a trip to eastern TN where I discovered that some strange phenomenon is turning the leaves funny looking colors. I checked with http://www.snopes.com/ to make sure this was not some government conspiracy, alien invasion, or Halloween prank. Here is an untouched photo of the actual event… believe it or not!

Lin Cove Viaduct from Route 221

Flying With Professionals

2006-06-12T09:18:00.000-04:00

Some friends invited me to fly to Ocracoke Island this week end to do some kayaking. Here's a photo of Charlie and Debby making sure that I had a safe and comfortable flight...

Very Cool Illusion

2005-11-17T19:54:00.000-05:00

If you like optical illusions, link to http://www.patmedia.net/marklevinson/cool/cool_illusion.html and follow the directions. Hopefully, you will be as amazed as I was.

There is also a link on that page to other illusions at http://www.michaelbach.de/ot/index.html.

Diesel Powered Motorcycle

2005-11-16T07:59:00.000-05:00

I received a newsletter from Hayes Divisified Technologies announcing the commercial release of the Diesel Fueled D650-A1LE Bulldog! The 611 cc engine gets over 102 mpg and develops 32 ft-lbs of torque @ 4200 rpm. Unfortunately, the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price for the D650-A1LE Bulldog will be $18,999.00.

I believe they start with a Kawasaki KLR650 and then modify it for their diesel engine.

Three Wheel Vehicle

2005-11-14T18:44:00.000-05:00

The Carver is an interesting three wheel vehicle that steers like a car and banks like a motorcycle. Visit their website at http://www.carver-worldwide.com/Home/Index.asp?nc=1 and watch the videos at http://www.carver-worldwide.com/Movies/LoadMovie.asp?S_ID=64&nc=1.

The E-Mail Time Capsule

2005-11-07T10:27:00.000-05:00

Send an e-mail to yourself in 20 years at http://futureme.org/

Suspending Gasoline Taxes

2005-10-08T12:21:00.000-04:00

An article in the local paper indicated that 86.9% of NC business owners said that gas prices were having a "dramatic impact" on their business and that the state should temporarily suspend its $0.271/gallon gas tax. The governor said he would not suspend the tax because it would cause a $120 million deficit in the transportation budget.

This got me to thinking about the role of government. In school I was taught that democratic goverment was "by the people, for the people".

What better way for government to help the majority of its citizens than to temporarily suspend gas taxes. Virtually everyone gets immediate financial relief including small businesses that make up so much of our economy and without the "shipping and handling charges" that governments take out of our taxes.

The temporary loss of revenue to the transportation department would be off-set by increased sales and personal income taxes generated by people and businesses having more money to spend and invest.

Perhaps, schools should now teach that a democratic government is "by a few elected officials, for a few special interests".

Hatfield~McCoys Trails, WV

2005-09-29T13:57:00.000-04:00

I rode the Hatfield~McCoys Trails in southern West Virginia this past weekend. There are over 500 miles of off-road riding! The trails are marked green (easiest), blue (more difficult), and black (most difficult). The black trials are down right frightening in places and are truly for the experienced and not easily intimidated riders.

ATVs can be ridden legally on the streets of most of the small towns surrounding the trail system. It's very convenient to ride into town for gas, meals, etc.

My Kind of Road

2005-09-14T14:52:00.000-04:00

Imagine the adventure it would be to ride this road...

"only a small part of the road to Batopilas (Mexico)"

Geocaching

2005-07-23T19:29:00.000-04:00

There is an interesting website at www.geocaching.com regarding the sport of “geocaching”, finding and leaving stuff via your GPS.

Notes From An Inexperienced Chili Taster Named FRANK, who was visiting Texas from the East Coast...

2005-07-23T19:04:00.000-04:00

Recently, I was honored to be selected as an outstanding Famous celebrity in Texas, to be a judge at a chili cook-off, because no one else wanted to do it. Also, the original person called in sick at the last moment, and I happened to be standing there at the judge's table asking directions to the beer wagon when the call came. I was assured by the other two judges (Native Texans) that the chili wouldn't be all that spicy, and besides they told me I could have free beer during the tasting, so I accepted.

Here are the scorecard's from the event:

Chili # 1: Mike's Maniac Mobster Monster Chili

JUDGE ONE: A little too heavy on tomato. Amusing kick.
JUDGE TWO: Nice, smooth tomato flavor. Very mild.
FRANK: Holy shit, what the hell is this stuff? You could remove dried paint from your driveway with it. Took me two beers to put the flames out. Hope that's the worst one. These Texans are crazy.

Chili # 2: Arthur's Afterburner Chili

JUDGE ONE: Smoky, with a hint of pork. Slight Jalapeno tang.
JUDGE TWO: Exciting BBQ flavor, needs more peppers to be taken seriously.
FRANK: Keep this out of reach of children! I'm not sure what I am supposed to taste besides pain. I had to wave off two people who wanted to give me the Heimlich maneuver. They had to walkie-talkie in 3 extra beers when they saw the look on my face.

Chili # 3: Fred's Famous Burn Down the Barn Chili

JUDGE ONE: Excellent firehouse chili! Great kick. Needs more beans.
JUDGE TWO: A beanless chili, a bit salty, good use of red peppers.
FRANK: Call the EPA, I've located a uranium spill. My nose feels like I have been snorting Drano. Everyone knows the routine by now. Barmaid pounded me on the back; now my backbone is in the front part of my chest. I'm getting shit-faced.

Chili # 4: Bubba's Black Magic

JUDGE ONE: Black bean chili with almost no spice. Disappointing.
JUDGE TWO: Hint of lime in the black beans. Good side dish for fish or other mild foods, not much of a chili.
FRANK: I felt something scraping across my tongue, but was unable to taste it. Sally, the bar maid, was standing behind me with fresh refills; that 300 lb. bitch is starting to look HOT, just like this nuclear-waste I'm eating.

Chili # 5: Linda's Legal Lip Remover

JUDGE ONE: Meaty, strong chili. Cayenne peppers freshly ground, adding considerable kick. Very impressive.
JUDGE TWO: Chili using shredded beef; could use more tomato. Must admit the cayenne peppers make a strong statement.
FRANK: My ears are ringing, and I can no longer focus my eyes. I farted and four people behind me needed paramedics. The contestant seemed offended when I told her that her chili had given me brain damage. Sally saved my tongue from bleeding by pouring beer directly on it from a pitcher. It really pisses me off that the other judges asked me to stop screaming. **** those rednecks!

Chili # 6: Vera's Very Vegetarian Variety

JUDGE ONE: Thin yet bold vegetarian variety chili. Good balance of spice and peppers.
JUDGE TWO: The best yet. Aggressive use of peppers, onions, and garlic. Superb.
FRANK: My intestines are now a straight pipe filled with gaseous, sulfuric flames. No one seems inclined to stand behind me except that slut Sally. I need to wipe my ass with a snow cone!

Chili # 7: Susan's Screaming Sensation Chili

JUDGE ONE: A mediocre chili with too much reliance on canned peppers.
JUDGE TWO: Ho Hum, tastes as if the chef literally threw in a can of chili peppers at the last moment. I should note that I am worried about Judge Number 3. He appears to be in a bit of distress as he is cursing uncontrollably.
FRANK: You could put a ******* grenade in my mouth, pull the ******* pin, and I wouldn't feel a damn thing. I've lost the sight in one eye, and the world sounds like it is made of rushing water. My shirt is covered with chili which slid unnoticed out of my ******* mouth. My pants are full of lava-like shit to match my goddamn shirt. At least during the autopsy they'll know what killed me. I've decided to stop breathing, it's too painful. **** it, I'm not getting any oxygen anyway. If I need air, I'll just suck it in through the ******* 4-inch hole in my stomach.

Chili # 8: Helen's Mount Saint Chili

JUDGE ONE: A perfect ending, this is a nice blend chili, safe for all, not too bold but spicy enough to declare its existence.
JUDGE TWO: This final entry is a good, balanced chili, neither mild nor hot. Sorry to see that most of it was lost when Judge Number 3 passed out, fell and pulled the chili pot on top of himself. Not sure if he's going to make it. Poor Yank.
FRANK: --------------(editor's note: Judge #3 was unable to report)