B.C.R.

B.C.R.

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B.C.R.

Times are a-changin'

I believe it's time to consider other blogging options. I'll be blunt. I completely oppose censorship in any way, shape, or form. Blogger's choice to censor what we are able to read, view, and publish goes against some of my core beliefs. While it's their right to run their business as they see fit, it's my right to not help them generate income when they choose to become a "nanny".

It is an individuals responsibility to censor themselves or their children, not a business or governments job. If you don't want to see it, don't look, if you don't want to hear it, don't listen, if you don't want to read, then don't read it. It's pretty simple but more and more some believe they have the right to regulate what we see, hear, and read. I still believe in the freedom of choice and the freedom of expression and if Blogger doesn't support those basic freedoms, then I will withdraw all support from Blogger.

I am currently in the process of exporting my blog to another service. It still needs a little work, but it's live. I want to thank those that have taken the time to read my ramblings over the past couple years and hopefully you will visit me in my new "home" at-
Blue Collar Rides

Viking Cycle Angel Fire Jacket Review

The first thing I'm going to review is the Viking Cycle Angel Fire leather jacket from Motorcycle House .

With it's classic biker jacket styling this was a hit for me from the start. The leather, even new, is pretty supple and high quality. After having spent the last 3 weeks with it the leather is starting to break in and become even more comfortable. The heavy duty YKK zippers work very smooth with no hang ups, although I do plan on waxing them, as I do all my gear with metal YKK zippers, to aid in longevity.

  One thing that has always been a pet peeve of mine is the "cigarette" pocket on the front. Over the years, that pocket has gotten smaller and smaller to the point where it is only there for looks. I like functionality, if it's there, it needs to serve a purpose and that's exactly what you get with the Angel Fire. While I don't smoke anymore, the pocket would easily fit a pack of smokes. For me it's the perfect size for my I-pod Classic or my I-phone. The side pockets, while having a very large opening could stand to be a little deeper.

  The front zipper is another high point for me. On some "other" jackets, when zipped all the way up the zipper will either pull at an odd angle at the top or start unzipping as you're riding. This one does neither. It zips up to a very comfortable angle and stays put.

  With only a sewn in liner this jacket is more suited to spring and fall riding. With our riding season here heading into fall, this is the perfect jacket for the cooler temps. So far I can say it works very well from 50*f to 70*f. Another gem on the inside is not one, but 2 inside pockets. I tend to use these alot for various items and having 2 is great!

  One thing to keep in mind when ordering this jacket is that the sizes run a little small. Normally, I wear an XL, I ordered this in XXL and the fit is almost perfect, with enough room the wear a sweat shirt if I want. The price point is hard to beat. Coming in at $79.95, it's my opinion that this jacket is the absolute best "bang for your buck" and I look forward to many years of use.

Stay tuned for a video review coming in the next week or 2!

New page!

If you look at the top of the right sidebar you'll see I added a new page, Gear Reviews! My hope is to have a more organized blog and make it easier for you to find what you like. I hope to improve this as I learn more about Blogger!

Motorcycle House Gear Reviews!!

Everyone I know that rides loves gear, myself included! I spend way too much time perusing the internet looking at gear and like everyone I know, searching for the best deals, stretching our hard earned money as far as we can.

A couple weeks ago I was contacted by Dewayne Jasper from Motorcycle House and was offered the opportunity to try out and honestly review gear. After looking over the websites of Motorcycle House and Viking Bags, I agreed as the prices and apparent quality matched most anything I have looked at. One thing I know my fellow riders do is pass on info on gear, good and bad. Be sure to keep an eye on this blog as reviews will begin shortly! Also be sure to check out the Motorcycle House and Viking Bags websites for great deals on gear!

See ya in the wind!

Time Flies!!!!!

Where the hell has this summer gone!?! This entire summer has been a whirlwind, it seems as if just yesterday I was wound and ready for another riding season and now we're hurtling headlong into fall. Due to lots of family and work commitments I haven't been able to get near the miles on that I would normally. Not to worry! Fall has some amazing riding as the fall colors start taking shape making way for winter.

Now things are starting to calm down, I might actually get some riding in! I've had a complete turn-over in bikes. The Kawasaki Drifter 1500 is gone, she served me well for many miles, but after a good offer was made, she was off to a new home. Her replacement? The scoot my wife and I had wanted for a long time, an '07 Harley Davidson Ultra Classic. I bought it locally from a retired couple who had taken extremely good care of her, with service records to prove it. With a low 12,000 original miles she was begging for some wind therapy.

With every option you could want, plus Rinehart true duals and more chrome than you can shake a stick at, she is an absolute beast on the road. The 96 cubes with a 6 speed tranny make any situation easy and comfortable. While we haven't had the opportunity to put a lot of miles on what we have been able to do have been awesome!

I've got a couple more projects in the works but more on those later!

Time to revive?

Wow...it's been over a year since I did anything here. Between a severe loss of inspiration and life events I honestly didn't feel like writing. Things are looking better, maybe it's time to crank it back up..

Music, cont....

In 1985, when I got my 1st real guitar, I was fortunate and had a friend that would teach me some basic cords and some songs. The 1st song I wanted to learn was Paranoid by Black Sabbath, he already knew it so it was on! I learned the typical Kiss, Ted Nugent, along with some Judas Priest, I was loving it! I honestly didn't practice as much as I should have and I never bothered to learn solo's to any of the songs, I wanted to learn the songs damn it! Even back then the rhythm that sucked me in, the groove, the heaviness of it all. Little did I know that what I considered heavy at that time wasn't even close to being heavy. I don't remember the exact date, but I believe it was sometime in 1986 I heard a commercial on the radio that Ozzy was going to be in El Paso for the Ultimate Sin tour, I was so stoked! There was absolutely no way I was going to miss that one! Up until then I had only heard of Metallica, so I had no real interest, but things were about to change. As with most metal heads I wanted front row, so we got general admission tickets and from the time we got there we started working our way to the front. I was front row center for Metallica, Master of Puppets Tour. That show change me forever musically. Here's 4 guys, about my age, just pummeling the crowd with the heaviest music I had ever heard, the brutality, the ferocity, the absolute power. No fancy costumes, no make-up, no fancy light show, just 4 normal guys delivering a message with such fury it could not be ignored.

Seeing that show left such an impression, the passion and the power of Kirk, James, Lars, and Cliff went through me and touched my soul. They weren't out to put on a huge theatrical production, it was just 4 regular guys delivering a new kind of music, thrash metal. This was Metallica at their best. Tragically, Cliff was killed in a bus accident on this tour. Metallica was never the same, IMHO. R.I.P Cliff. I feel very fortunate to have been able to experience that show, absolutely pure Metallica.

The 1st Metallica song I learned was For Whom the Bell Tolls.

From that point on I immersed myself in thrash metal. Megadeth, Anthrax, Slayer, if it was heavy I was listening to it and trying to learn it. Over the years it got heavier and heavier, I've never looked back.

Getting back with my 1st love.....

Music! Music has been a special part of my life since I can remember. I was always drawn to it, even as early as 4 or 5 years old I remember music being special and it's still the case to this day 46+ years later. My folks thought it was "cute", that is until at 8 years old my older cousins introduced me to KISS. My folks thought it was evil, I thought it was the most incredible thing I had ever heard. The screaming guitars, the pounding drums, the punishing bass, all completely changed how I would look at music forever. I think "Cold Gin" was the 1st song I remember hearing.

The impact it had on me at 8 years old was unreal, rock and roll had a firm grip on me and I was for the most part, consumed by it. Ace Frehley in particular left a huge impression on me, the Gibson Les Paul became my most sought after guitar, and I wanted to play in the worst way! Well, considering the time, 1974, location- middle of nowhere Iowa, and being the oldest son of a farm family, my folks were not going to let that "evil rock and roll" take their son. Playing an instrument was out of the question, boys didn't do that, they worked. Playing music was "irresponsible". I was however, allowed to listen to it "at a reasonable volume", and as long as I paid for the albums(yup vinyl, cassettes hadn't been invented yet, lol!) My dream of playing guitar, playing rock and roll, seemed to get further and further away. I kept listening and learning about new bands and old bands alike. The next two to get a firm foothold in my brain was Ted Nugent and Black Sabbath. All through the 70's and 80's I immersed myself in the growing rock/metal/heavy metal genre listening to everything I could get my ears on. Then in 1983 it happened, the band I had basically been idolizing since 1974 was going to in concert in a city an hour from our farm. KISS was on their 10th anniversary tour! I had passing grades(I was a junior in high school at that time), had a friend that they liked willing to drive, and hadn't been in much trouble recently so I got to go! Actually seeing them in person was unbelievable, that much volume, that much power, was almost overwhelming. Being in a crowd of about 3000 kids just like me, screaming, fists in the air, being able to completely and freely let our anger flow was almost magical. For alot of us, we had found home, we were accepted simply because of our love for music. It was 30 years ago and I still remember how I felt that night. Seeing KISS, and really Ace Frehley, rekindled my desire/need to play guitar, to express myself, and to maybe one day be lucky enough to give someone else that same feeling.

The following year I became more and more dissatisfied with "status quo" and very disillusioned with what Iowa's version "society" had become. In December of '83, halfway through my senior year, I dropped out and was determined to live life rather than have life live me. Not the brightest move I've ever made, lol, but I felt I had to make, and do not regret to this day. By May of 1984 I was ready to implode, I had to get out, so a month after I turned 18 I joined the Army, I had to get out and explore this huge world, somewhere out there was my dream. After basic training and AIT, I got sent to my 1st actual duty assignment, Ft. Bliss Tx. Since I was officially on my own, had no one to tell me otherwise, I bought my 1st guitar! It was an absolute piece of shit, Strat bodied Hondo, but goddamnit it was mine!!! The dream was on!

Anyhow, I could write all night about this, but I won't, maybe another installment later? I have taken the last 8 years off from playing, I still held on to some of my gear and they've been patiently waiting for me. Music is part of who I am, a huge part, and just because I stopped playing doesn't mean the music stopped. I still listened to it, it was always in my head and over the past 7 or 8 months the need to play, to create, has been getting bigger and bigger. I've made the decision to play again. This time for me, not for a band, it's time to take what's in my head and make it real.

Yup, I play metal. The one on the left was given to me by wife 25 years ago. The one on the right I bought in 1993 and is technically my oldest sons as I gave it to him for his birthday a long time ago. He left it at the house so I"m playing it for now, lol! Yes, Jimmy, you'll get it back!

Finally!! Back in a 4 wheel drive!!

As most probably don't know, a big part of my past was 4 wheel drive vehicles. My vehicle of choice back then was Jeep, but hell it didn't matter I liked them all! For the better part of 10 years I lived for rock-crawling and trail riding, I built my Jeep to take on extreme obstacles and it got to the point that I had to trailer it most places. That was all fun and games till gas hit $4.80 a gallon in '08. That's when I sold everything 4x4 related. It wasn't bad for the first couple years, then not having something that could get around in the winter, haul things, and not getting off pavement started to bug me. The itch was back. I took it as long as I could and yesterday I couldn't take anymore. I pulled the trigger on a truck.

It's a 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 Sport 4x4. About as stock as stock gets, light truck tires with decent tread, auto trans, 5.9L v-8, 140,000 miles and all around very clean. It'll take some time but a plan is forming(insert evil laugh), she won't be getting the extreme off-road treatment, but she'll be getting some attention to make sure she's able to go through some messy stuff, but still maintain street-ability. For now I'm just enjoying having a truck again!

November 10th and in the 70's!

Hard to believe it's still this nice in November! Of course it's not going to last, this is Kansas after all. Tonight's forecast calls for rain and possibly snow with low of 33 and a high tomorrow of 41, glad I got out for some miles today!

She's dirty and she's given alot of great miles this year. Will it be the last ride of the year for her? That depends on the weather and if I decide to do another round of mods. After having put alot of miles on her this year, I definitely have some in mind. Number 1 is the seat, while it looks great and has great lines, it's probably one of the most uncomfortable seats I've ever owned. It sits at too much of an angle and you end up sliding off the back under hard acceleration. I haven't decided which route to go, got to do more research. I have more in mind, but we'll have to see how the winter unfolds.

Acclimatizing...

There's no denying it. It's here. Nice 80* days are history till next year, just like the leaves on the trees, fall is here with winter fast on it's heels. With a predicted high of 56* and sunny, I broke out my fall gear and headed out, time to get used to the cooler weather and take advantage of a clear sunny day. It was a brisk 45* when I left the house, but it doesn't seem so bad when your protected by a windshield, lowers, and chaps on the crash bar.

1st stop- the Veterans Memorial in Clifton Kansas-

After about 70 miles of back-roads I stopped at the Fancy Creek area of Tuttle Creek Lake.

In the 3 pics above you see a channel of water and a huge open area of brush and saplings behind the channel. Not pictured is a bridge that spans that area that we refer to as the Mile Long Bridge. 22 years ago, when I was stationed on Ft. Riley I drove across that bridge and there were people water skiing in that area pictured above. 

Another Miracle

I've been neglecting this blog, but since last time we have been blessed with a little miracle. On Sept. 6th Charlotte Adair Fickbohm joined us in this world!

Me and my Princess

Such long little legs!

My wife and the Princess

Labor Day Cruise

There's not a whole lot going on around here over Labor Day so what better excuse to get out ride, lol! Today was one of those relaxed, no plan, just ride rides, to me those are the best rides. Rural Kansas can get pretty desolate, but it has cool sights none the less, if you get off the beaten path. Bill and I did just that. Bill is between bikes right now so he gets to ride my '06 XL1200C and I rode my old iron head. All went well to the 1st stop and the "bitch", my iron head, decided it's battery was dead. WTF!?! I just got that battery back in March! Oh well, at least we were at a truck stop so I bought some cheap cables and we jumped it every time the rest of the day, lol!

Kansas has some pretty cool places to ride, if ya take the time to find them.

JFR Run 2012, part 2

One of the only creeks with water in it, the drought is everywhere this year.

Me and Dan's Sportsters

Taking a pic of me while I took one of him, lol!

Someone had a bad day!

Bill and Big Bill chillin at our "bar".

Bill enjoyin a beer

Big Bill and Dan

You can tour on a Sportster

JFR Run 2012!

After things not working out well for a JFR(Just Fucking Ride)run last year, we had a hell of a good one this year!! Just to fill in the blanks, JFR, is a group of family, brothers, and friends that try to get together once a year for a long weekend run. Last year life happened and the run didn't, this year we more than made up for it. This year was special for me because 2 of my closest friends, guys that I truly consider my brothers, were both able to go. Dan and Bill have been a part of my life for the last 15 years, through the best of times and the worst of times they have always been there for me and me for them, the truest of friends, brothers. The icing on the cake was Bill's dad, Big Bill, was able to go as well. It was the 1st time I've had the privilege of hanging out with him. He's one of the grey beards that has "been there, done that", hangin' with him was an education and an honor. This year we headed south and based in Eureka Springs, Arkansas and stayed at the Riders Rest Motel, a biker only motel. If you've never ridden in the Ozarks you are truly missing out. The roads are very well maintained, the scenery incredible, and the twisties awesome! While there are so many awesome roads to ride we chose the main ones this time. The Arkansas Toothpick(highway 16), The Arkansas Dragon(highway 123), Scenic 7 Biway(highway 7), The Ozark Highlands(highway 21), and the Pig Trail(highway 23). The pictures aren't in any specific order, so just enjoy them for what they are!

Rollin out at sunrise

The "bar" at the motel, they provide the bar, we provide the beer, lol!

  

more to come......