Does it Come in Black?

Yes, it does. Today I traded in my 2009 Corolla for a new Dodge Charger, why? Because I fit better, it rides better, and it's just plain more fun. So here it is, the "Batmobile".

Farewell "Blue Bandit"

Today is a bitter sweet day. Today is the last day I have with my car the "Blue Bandit". It may have been cramped, noisy and under powered, but it was still my first car and it treated me well, even surviving a traffic collision. Tomorrow I will turn in my keys for a new set belonging to my new car, a Dodge Charger that will simply be known as the "Batmobile".

[EXPLORE] Lake Thaw

Although I have ridden my bicycle two other times this year, and I normally post on the first ride, I did not because it was too cold and I didn't take any pictures. Today was the first decent ride of the year. It was a balmy 49 degrees out and although the wind speed was 18 mph (mostly in my face), a hoodie and shorts sufficed.

11.94 miles. (Google Maps)

Hockey, Cars, and Bars

This weekend my wife and I were invited to a couple of events. The first event was a Lake Erie Monsters hockey game (which I had never been to), and the second was the Piston Power Show at the IX Center.

Saturday

On Saturday we met up with our friends Alex and Andrea and headed to the RTA station on Brookpark Road. This is the first time I rode on the RTA since middle school.

[EXPLORE] First Ride of the Year

Today wasn't the warmest day, but it wasn't snowing and the rain had washed away a fair amount of the salt, so it would do. I unhooked the battery tender from Betty and checked the tire pressure. They were both low so I gave it about 5 psi more. I turned the fuel switch on, turned the key, pulled the choke, flipped the kill switch, and pressed the ignition. After a couple of presses she fired right up, sending those soothing vibrations up through hand grips. The beast had awoken from her winter sleep and after about a minute I pushed the choke back in and Betty returned to her usual low rumble.

Today I tried out a couple of new mounts for the action cam. The first one is a handlebar mount that I can turn to face either forward or back. The other is a helmet band that is also adjustable. I apologize in advance for the helmet cam. I didn't realize it was tilted and facing a little too far down.

Handlebar mount.

[EXPLORE] Swerve Bike Shop

Last year I put over 1,000 miles of strain on my bicycle and toward the end of the season I started to feel a difference in the quality of my rides. I have been putting off taking the bike in to be serviced, but today I finally did.

Saying goodbye for a week.

Amish Country (Part 3)

Saturday Night

After surviving the snowy tundra that was Amish Country, we retreated back to our warm cabin in the trees. We spent the night watching movies and playing games. Later in the evening we cooked some more. This time it was a hodgepodge of brats, cheese, jerky, summer sausage, and queso dip.

Master chef at work.