Woke up to a pitta-patta of rain and someone farting on the tent nextdoor and then springing away with a chuckle as the surprised sleepers inside alternatively cheered and revolted at the pranksters antics. Camping while touring, certainly an experience.

My tent? Mmm.. . . it’s orange,  I think .. . Read the rest of this entry »

So, what’s the consensus on Navi?

Shunning the tech, thinking it was all a bit too complicated and distracting (which it is), it’s made itself useful in ways I’d never taken seriously. I mean I knew it had these functions and they were useful when in the car but, being the intellectual Honda cub that I am, never realized how well it would complement my wanderings. The mapple has been my spotty but mostly brilliant guiding light till now and the Garmin is filling in the voids. Here’s how:

1. it’s great for finding fuel when your running on fumes. Unless the Gas stand has been pushed down in the past 2 years, as the Garmin streetpilot riding my bars lead me to on Sunday.

2. excellent for getting back on track when you’ve been turned inside out on unknown sections of road after trekking into the suburban wilds in search of fuel.

3. clocking top speeds. Doesn’t work in tunnels though, unfortunately.. .

4. finding food you want to eat

5. marking points of interest that would usually be forgotten until you rode past them again.

But best of all, it has been finding the hidden link roads that take you from one great road to another without having to go the long way around and pay the piper. Yep, I’m addicted to finding the road less travelled more than ever.

Garmin Streetpilot 2610, Mapsource version 7

PC3/BMCfilter/Subthottle plates supplied by Ivan’s performance

What is the best mod you’ve done to your bike?

Some would say tires, others suspension and the odd lunatic would praise the 50horse shot of NOS he just strapped on the rear seat of his tire melting, soon to detonate road monster!

Recently some donor suspension from the R1 has rocked the FZ1’s world and changing to HID headlights certainly saved my skin a few times but there is one mod that just keeps on giving for no additional outlay(unlike tyres). The Dynojet – Power Commander 3 – or electronic piggyback fuel controller.

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Well, I guess I gotta keep punching the keys to keep my totally unwarranted place at the SBK blogspot. As I don’t have much competition here yet I can just write whatever I want, right?

So today it’s the sunday-squirt write up.

All of us have a favorite road, set of roads or a route that includes some cool roads. Kantonians know the Izu skyline and most know the west Izu run or the Doshi-Fuji Skyline-469 trifecta and I had a great run around the back of Asama-yama, in Nagano, on a seemingly endless roller coaster of bitchin backroads a few months back. The unfortunate thing is some of these roads are too far away and others are just too well known by all the wrong people.

So, where do you go for a good Sunday ride? That navi has been helping me dig up and log some of the rippers I’d previously staggered onto and proceeded to forget as they were more than several roads into a circuit and my skull sponge has a problem holding onto more than a few facts at a time, especially when flooded with adrenalin. But there are a few favourites and I’d be happy to share with any who can make the Sunday morning meet up here if you can rise with the sun.

The past few Sundays have been great. 3 weeks ago it was actually warm up on the skyline (it is meant to be winter, right?) and the bikes were out in force. The roads are still quite winter empty, and being warm, the ice hasn’t been a problem in the higher areas. Take care on the north side shaded areas though. Gas is cheap and the great thing about riding this time of year is the minuscule presence of posers and wannabe riders. Yep, plenty of real riders who are looking in their mirrors, being realistic toward other road users and willing to give a nod or have a chat at the rest areas. And most of them are out there alone, like me, on their Sunday squirt.

Had a cool experience last Sunday banking the hairpin 1/2 way up the Tsubaki-line. Taking it easy and floating through the corner, didn’t bother to slide a cheek which had the FZ dragging a peg quite a way, I was almost blinded by the flashes of more than a couple cameras just as I was getting on the gas mid corner. Had to take a look over the shoulder to make sure those cameras weren’t connected to uniforms and was delighted to see a few guys in leathers giving me a wave. Later saw them on the skyline where one gave me another wave. Kind of felt like Hokkaido. That’s the spirit!

The Sunday squirt is what riding is all about for me. Take off early for half familiar roads,find a few unknowns, scare yourself shitless at least once and soak in some cool scenery. All before lunch!

So, see you cats on the road.

Well it’s 7am on Sunday(1/3/09) and the weather is crap! Was really looking forward to a ride before the WSBK. These things happen I guess. Next week.

Welcome to the Touge-Express

In search of touring, hidden back roads, great scenery and momentous ride experiences.

Having toured from end to end on the main islands , Honshu-Shikoku-Kyushu-Hokkaido, it has been a blast and blessing. With a touring Mapple in the tankbag, a reliable stead under the rump and a wrist full of enthusiasm, this country has delivered!

Read on and join the ride .. . .

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