Over the hot months of summer, there have been several times when I wanted to choose the air conditioning of my car over the saddle of my motorcycle. I didn't give in, though.
Pittsburgh Rides: To the Four Winds (8/26/2010)
My motorcycle was thinking itself cool last weekend after returning from the 43rd annual Four Winds Rally -- the longest continuous running BMW Rally in the country. The three-day BMW celebration was held at the Redbank Valley Municipal Park, just north of New Bethlehem.
When Larry Fletcher organized Chicago's first Mods vs. Rockers bike and scooter rally in 2005 he had a wealth of experience from which to draw.
Pittsburgh Rides: Middle-age motorcycle dreams (8/12/2010)
I have always been more of a gear head than the men in my life. I love cars and instinctively turn my head toward anything sleek and sexy, even if only to catch a glimpse from the corner of my eye. I typically break into a smile and imagine myself behind the wheel for a moment.
Pittsburgh Rides: Too much technology? (8/5/2010)
Not long ago a riding friend retired and suggested that we take a cross-country trip to California. Because both of my children live in California, it didn't take much to talk me into the idea.
Kenny Chesney announced that he was taking a year off. My wife and I have gone to see him every time he came to Pittsburgh since 2004.
Pittsburgh Rides: Bike Nights ... For Dummies? (7/22/2010)
Jay Leno held up a placard recently during his Headlines segment: "Archery Range Beer License Approved."
Pittsburgh Rides: Biker down! What do you do? (7/15/2010)
It is a beautiful day -- bright sunshine and comfortable temperatures. A line of motorcycles stretches out in front of you, thundering along roads dappled in sunlight and leaves. Suddenly, it happens. As an oncoming vehicle strays across the center line, a bike swerves and goes down. A shower of sparks flies from the sliding machine as it shreds itself all over the road.
It's a picture perfect day. The sun is shining, the wind is blowing through your hair, you're on your pride and joy and your back starts to hurt.
Pittsburgh Rides: The Biker's Camping List (7/1/2010)
"I got so tired of forgetting things on trips like this; I made this [list] up and store it in a file at home to check off when I am ready to go," Robert M. Pirsig says in chapter four of "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance."
