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3 February 2010
Getting the Fix

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The best thing about making riding videos is being able to relive any ride. I have them downloaded on my Mp3 player and I can escape reality at any given moment of the day.

Sometimes a motorcycle fix is needed at lunch time. Sometimes you need it in the evening on those days when it's just too cold, wet or packed up with snow to ride.

Now it's not the same thing as actually getting out and riding, but it comes as close as you can get.

One thing that makes the video better, is if you share it with a friend, preferably one who rides and better yet if they star in your video.

The nice thing about the vid's; is they stir up conversation which can last for hours about our favorite subject; motorcycles.

I find myself carrying my Mp3 player everywhere; it's a lot easier than carrying a full collection of DVDs of music and movies. I can enjoy a break from reality at anytime during the day; either listening to my favorite music, watching videos or just looking over pictures.

My particular Mp3 player "Zune" can hold a lot of files; with a 120 gig-a-byte capacity memory it can hold several full length movies which of course the "Zune" people will gladly sell to you as well as music and TV shows too.

I originally bought the Zune so I could listen to music as I traveled about on the "PC". It's way too much of a distraction to listen to music on the "Beast" or the "MV"; life seems to happen way to quick on those two motorcycles and they require all of my attention. But with the more relaxed riding I do on the PC I don't seem to stretch my attention or concentration by listening to music..

I'm not suggesting everyone listen to a Zune or IPod Mp3 player while they ride. Some of us especially new riders who are working as hard as they can to keep up with just the riding and traffic part of concentration should probably pass on the music. But for those of us who have been riding a long while it is a neat way to pass miles on a trip by listening to music.

Of course there are some traffic situations where the Mp3 player should be in the off position; mountain roads, heavy traffic, rain or weather extremes and anytime you have to be super alert to the surroundings.

Of course getting a little motorcycle fix isn't a bad thing and it can be done in several ways; reading magazines and books, visiting web sites like the Biker eNews and others. But my favorite mc fix other than riding, is always the videos; either on the Zune, on my computer, or watching DVD's on my big screen TV.

While I'm on the subject of getting some motorcycle fix in and with the weather this weekend; I 'm sitting here looking at about six inches of snow on the ground, a mc fix is definitely needed…

Besides my videos, I have been whiling away some time with a great book. If you're a motorcycle racing fan especially road racing and you would like to know more about what goes on with the riders and how things are done, then you need to pick up a copy of "Top Dead Center" by Kevin Cameron.

Surtees

Hailwood

If you're an avid reader of Cycle World Magazine you will recognize the title of the book as well as Kevin's name. He has been writing his column for many years and the book is a collection of those columns. Kevin Cameron; is one of the foremost technical writers on all things that have to do with the mechanical side of motorcycles. He has a way of making the technical very easy to understand. He also has a way of understanding people too.

The hard cover book is available at Barnes and Noble. Once I finished my copy of "Top Dead Center" I will start reading "MV Agusta" a large book about the history of MV Agusta. With names like Hailwood, Surtees, Agostini, Read, and many more taking the powerful MV Agusta's to victory. They have more championship and race wins than any other manufacturer; over 3000.

The book outlines how they became a dominate part of racing from the 40s to the 80s and how the company became known for its now famous specialty built motorcycles.

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