May 14, 2008 - 01:34 PM
I attended
http://www.skagitpowersports.com/" Skagit Powersports annual open house last weekend.
What a turnout! I'm sure the presence of Supercross Superstar
http://www.nacnac.com Jeremy McGrath was no small factor in
getting people to the event. My son waited in line for
over an hour without complaint to shake Jeremy's hand and get an
autograph.
The guys…
May 09, 2008 - 08:25 AM
There is definitely no shortage of motorcycling things to do this
weekend. There are several area events to choose from.
First up is
http://www.skagitpowersports.com/ Skagit Powersports annual open house on Saturday
http://www.starchapter154.org Star Chapter 154 will be providing food and Supercross King Jeremy McGrath
will be in attendance.
Also Saturday…
April 23, 2008 - 03:46 PM
The
weather forecast is looking very favorable for this weekend. If you are looking for somewhere to go may I suggest stopping by
Skagit Powersports to enjoy the BBQ put on by
Star Chapter 154? I have ridden with these folks a couple of times now and can personally attest that they…
April 14, 2008 - 07:18 AM
Saturday was, without question, the finest day of the year so far. Clear skies and warm temperatures made for perfect riding conditions. I woke early and, after rousting my son, headed South to Snohomish to meet up with the
SCRC folks for breakfast.
Cruising down I-5 we enjoyed the sight of Mount Rainier and the Olympics. Passing through Arlingon we saw a pair of ultralights buzzing around. Just before reaching…
April 11, 2008 - 07:15 AM
The Washington State Motorcycle Program is taking applications for 2 positions on the Motorcycle Safety Education Advisory Board. The term runs from July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2010. Board members serve a 2-year term of office, and receive no compensation for services, except reimbursement for travel expenses while engaged in business of the board.
The board was created in accordance with RCW 46.20.520 "to assist the director of licensing in the development of a motorcycle operator training…
April 09, 2008 - 11:23 AM
Last Saturday I enjoyed breakfast with
Chapter 154 of the Star Touring and Riding Club. We met at
Bob's Burgers and Brew in Burlington for their monthly meeting and ride. With 27 people attending, the banquet room was near capacity. Chapter president John G. kept the meeting moving with discussions of upcoming events, ride safety and other news.
March 18, 2008 - 08:17 AM
In the banquet room of the Cranberry Tree restaurant, 20-some members of what may be Skagit County's oldest riding club gather for their monthly meeting. Most arrive on their bikes in anticipation of the after-meeting ride despite the cold, wet and gray weather. Inside, the fireplace and the people make for a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Over breakfast the conversations range from summer ride ideas (Selkirk Loop?) to British bikes and vintage warbirds. These folks have been riding together…
February 04, 2008 - 03:31 PM
I'm trying to beat the Spring rush to get my bike ready for the riding season. I have scheduled a full maintenance visit with a mechanic and ordered a few upgrades and farkles to install while the bike is down.
First up is a re-worked seat. The stock seat has never been great. I have heard good things about Mean City's upgrades and, for the price, figured I should give them a try. I sent my seats off for the Double Memory Foam upgrade. In case there is an outbreak of sun, I arranged…
January 18, 2008 - 02:26 PM
Motorcycle Bloggers International, a group of motorcycle bloggers from around the world, are pleased to announce the opening of nominations for the 2008 Rider's Choice Awards. This is the third year for the awards that recognize the best and worst of the motorcycle industry.
Readers are invited to submit nominations in 13 categories.
Here's a link:
Nominate candidates for the 2008 Rider's Choice Awards
December 31, 2007 - 01:31 PM
The new year is here and many folks are making resolutions for 2008. I'm not usually the resolution-making type, but I do have some goals for the new year that could be considered resolutions. First and foremost is RIDE MORE. 2007 goes down as a very low-mileage year for me. Partly due to weather and partly due to the other stuff of life getting in the way. I am hoping to do better in 2008 and have already begun planning a couple of extended rides including one to California.
How about…
November 29, 2007 - 12:06 PM
The Cycle World International Motorcycle Show takes place this weekend at Qwest Field. This is one of the premier motorcycle shows in the country and it's right in our backyard. Unfortunately I will not be there. My son is participating in a basketball tournament this weekend, so that's where I will be. Priorities.
If you are going how about sending me some photos and impressions of the show? It'll be the next best thing to being there for me. Email me at john at motoskagit.com
…
November 20, 2007 - 08:33 AM
I was expecting something between Real World and Jackass. Instead, I was very pleasantly surprised.
Looking more appropriate for SPEED or ESPN than MTV, The Kentucky Kid is a surprisingly unembellished 2-hour look at former MotoGP world champion Nicky Hayden. The show began with the start of his MotoGP championship season and his collision with teammate Dani Pedrosa. Following Hayden through his championship-winning season you see him and his family, including racing brothers Roger and…
November 12, 2007 - 09:52 AM
Art Friedman has detailed a dozen motorcycling myths over at motorcycle Cruiser (
http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/streetsurvival/dangerous_motorcycle_safety_myths/index.html "):
1. Other Drivers Don't Care About Motorcyclists
2. Loud Pipes Save Lives
3. Motorcycle Helmets Break Necks
4. Helmets Block Your Ability to See or Hear Danger
5. A Helmet Won't…
October 19, 2007 - 10:11 AM
Boy Scouts have a list of 10 essential items that they are expected to have on them when on an outing. The list includes:
1. Pocketknife or Multi-tool
2. First Aid Kit
3. Extra Clothing
4. Flashlight or Headlamp with Extra Batteries
5. Rain Gear
6. Water bottle
7. Map and Compass
8. Matches and Fire Starter
9. Sun Protection and Sun Glasses
10. Trail Food
This got me thinking about what a biker might consider essential.…
October 05, 2007 - 02:25 PM
The weather forecast doesn't look so great, but this one is for a great cause:
The The 12th annual Ladies Run will be held on Sunday, October 7, 2007 in Sedro Woolley, WA. Riders will leave from the Hometown Café in Sedro-Woolley, WA and end at Scooter Stuff in Park, WA. Registration will be from 8:00 am to 10:00 am in front of the Hometown Café. Bikes can park on Metcalf Street (the main street in town)in Sedro-Woolley. Registration is $15.00 per rider and $10.00 per passenger. Bikers…
October 01, 2007 - 04:40 PM
This is the time of year when many riders in the Northwest begin to think about battery tenders, fuel stabilizers and other winterization strategies for their motorcycles. Then there are those who say that if you live in the Northwest and don't ride in the rain, you don't ride much. If you are considering extending your riding season, or just don't want to be caught out by an unexpected rain shower, a few tips will help keep you safe and comfortable.
1. Get in gear. Being cold and wet…
September 25, 2007 - 08:21 AM
I am really not sure where to begin with the Oyster Run this year. My son and I went and it was, as it always is, a lot of fun. We saw many, many unique and interesting bikes and an even greater quantity of more unique and more interesting people. I am not sure which is more entertaining; looking at the bikes or watching the people.
Our day started early as we rode South to Conway to meet up with a group of VTX owners from VTXOA. Departing Conway we took back roads to Anacortes. The…
September 20, 2007 - 11:43 AM
The granddaddy of Northwest motorcycle events is this weekend. Of
course I am referring to the Oyster Run. This annual event draws tens
of thousands of motorcycles of all kinds to Anacortes where they take
over about 12 blocks of downtown for the weekend.
Most local dealers have activities planned, open houses, BBQ's etc.,
for the weekend. Expect to see lots of bike on local roads like
Highway 9, Highway 20 and Chuckanut Drive.
This will be…
September 12, 2007 - 08:20 AM
I was reading CycleWorld's review of the new Kawasaki Concours last night. As have other reviews that I have read, this one praised the bike's performance, handling, comfort and value. The reviewers did, however, bemoan the absence of a GPS system and heated grips.
Has it really come to this? A motorcycle that by all accounts is an outstanding performer, capably doing all that a motorcycle should do, gets dinged because it can't provide directions to the nearest Starbucks.
September 05, 2007 - 08:01 AM
Although we are allegedly nearing the end of "the riding season" here in the Great Northwest, there are still plenty of cool events coming up in the next few weeks. This coming weekend there is the CPO Selectees Poker Run on Whidbey Island. The following weekend brings the Washington Patriot Guard Riders Meet and Greet. Then there is the mother of all Northwest motorcycle events, the Oyster Run on the 23rd.
For details on these and other events, check out the calendar and forums at
August 31, 2007 - 09:45 AM
The Washington State H.O.G. Rally goes through Monday, September 3 at Western Washington University. Demo and other events are also available at Bellingham H-D. A parade and bike show will be held on Sunday. Visit
http://www.wastatehogrally.com for complete details.
Ducati SportClassic Demo Week starts Saturday, September 1 and continues through September 8. Stop by Skagit Powersports and test ride a SportClassic.
Don't forget…
August 30, 2007 - 08:47 AM
The death of
Shane Chapman is a tragedy. Like many motorcyclists, Shane left behind a wife and young children. One of those children, 10-year-old Emily, has decided to do something about it.
Shane Chapman was killed when a car pulled out in front of him. He was not wearing a helmet. Shane's home state of Idaho does not require him to do so. Emily wants to change that. She has started a petition to change Idaho's helmet…
August 27, 2007 - 08:00 AM
After my son's football game Saturday morning, I went home to get started on some long-delayed lawn care. Got out the trimmer, check for fuel; near empty. Grab the gas can; also near empty. OK, how about the mower; tank near empty. Grab the other gas can; also empty. Two for two. The mower is easy enough, it runs regular gas. The trimmer is two-stroke and so needs premix. A check of the garage shelves reveals, you guessed it, no 2 stroke oil. Great, a run to the home store for premix.
…
August 21, 2007 - 08:01 AM
Saturday evening I rolled the VTX out of the garage to do pre-ride checks. The plan was to meet Jon at 7 am Sunday for the rider out to Oak Harbor and the EOD Poker Run. I topped off the tire pressure; the front was a little low, I need to keep an eye on that. I checked the oil and other vital fluids. All good. Finally, a short ride to the gas station to fill the tank. Everything was ready.
Alas, the weather was not so ready. Sunday morning brought rain and a 6:30 am phone call from…
August 17, 2007 - 09:25 AM
EODMU-11 and the EODMG from NAS Whidbey are sponsoring a Memorial Poker Run on Sunday, August 19. I did the last EOD run and it was very well run. Barring a schedule conflict, I plan to make this run on Sunday.
Meet at the base overflow parking lot located just west of the CPO Club (1080 Ault Field Road, Oak Harbor.) Registration is between 8 and 8:30 am. The ride will tour the length of Whidbey Island and end
around 3:00 pm at Flyer's in Oak Harbor (family-friendly).
August 14, 2007 - 02:44 PM
Welcome to MotoSkagit; the blog about motorcycling in Skagit county. I am your host, John Davis, and I look forward to sharing with you news, events, rides and opinions about the Skagit motorcycle community.
A little about me. I have lived in Skagit since 1993 and have been riding motorcycles off and on since 1976. I currently ride a Candy Red 2003 Honda VTX1800 Retro. I ride as much as I can year-round, rain or shine. Due to time constraints (no, blogging does not pay the bills so I…
