Get off my LAWN! "Grumpy Old Farts"

[GwenOnBass]

Doc, it wasn't my fault.

^ this is what my father* told me every motorcyclist tells him. Meet all manner of people in life.

Stay outta Italy. I was there for 2 weeks in Sept. '18. I had the driving permit and all that, rented a car at the airport. 4 days later I took it back and paid Uber to haul me around for the duration of the trip. It was nerve racking.

I called Italy home too, and Milan in particular. The Italians all agree Germans are the worst drivers. My personal experience is a great deal of bead clutching when a French man is at the wheel. Irish drivers are moderately sane. I believe that's in part because it takes a long time to get from here to there in Ireland. [StrongLanguage] I blding miss Achill.

* died in '94

 

[Black Out Jazz]

Doc, it wasn't my fault.

^ this is what my father* told me every motorcyclist tells him. Meet all manner of people in life.



I called Italy home too, and Milan in particular. The Italians all agree Germans are the worst drivers. My personal experience is a great deal of bead clutching when a French man is at the wheel. Irish drivers are moderately sane. I believe that's in part because it takes a long time to get from here to there in Ireland. [StrongLanguage] I blding miss Achill.

* died in '94

Milan is where I was. My corporation bought a small Italian manufacturer. This was home--- Hotel Ramada Plaza Milan - Book on the official website

On Wednesday mornings the street market is on Via Iliarone Rancati, and I saw the most beautiful veggies I ever did see there. I mean, tomatoes that are impossibly red. The Italians aren't addicted to processed flour and sugar like the US. Subsequently, they aren't obese to the extent we are.

 

[GwenOnBass]

Italian driving sensibilities might be similarly horrified in Boston.

 

[GonePlaid]

I hope that the resto doesn't cancel your gig at the last minute.

It's a VFW. They'll only 86 us if mandated.

 

[beans-on-toast]

I was not able to convert my AZ driver's license to a French Permis B. Big surprise when I went to buy insurance for the new Vespa that's been paid for for a month already. Only a few U.S. states' DLs can be transferred. Got blindsided by that.

But I've got to look on the bright side, right? I'll get plenty of practice driving my niece's GLA200 and watching how the French manage roundabouts. Hopefully, that'll allow me to more safely negotiate the traffic here. Multi-way stop signs? It's just a toss-up. The French don't handle them well. They need roundabouts.

If you can take your driving test with the vespa, it should be a lot easier.

 

[beans-on-toast]

It's a VFW. They'll only 86 us if mandated.

Those are tough birds. You wouldn't want to let them down.

 

[Passinwind]

Italian driving sensibilities might be similarly horrified in Boston.

One doesn't drive in Boston, one suits up for a potentially final battle mission where second place ends in smoke and tears, but the tears are those of your loved ones, if any.

 

[gtmalone]

I have been riding all my life and I have been down twice, once hospitalized for 2 weeks in traction. I say this to you, friend. Every car out there is trying to get you. Not maliciously---for some bizarre reason, people either ignore motorcycles or just can't see them. I lean to the former...

Exactly. I ride like I'm invisible and use hand signals along with turn signals. A few years ago I added LED DRLs (daytime running lights) and upgraded the headlamp and pass lamps with halogen bulbs. I've had fewer incidents of cars pulling out in front of me since then. The DRLs will put your eyes out if you look directly at them. I have an RTB (run-turn-brake) controller that keeps the rear turn signals on for running lights and flashes the signals and brake light three times when stopping.

I always leave a couple of car lengths in front of me for an out at stoplights, leave it in gear, and keep an eye on the mirrors for cars. If I see a car coming up I'll pull the brake a couple of times to get their attention. I've seen riders not paying attention at stoplights - stop right on the stop stripe, in neutral, while looking at a cell phone. Geez...

I've had a couple of close ones from drivers not paying attention. My only accident was in my early 20s giving a Yamaha 360 Enduro a little too much gas while the front wheel was in the air. Skinned up a little and a few days in the hospital from jarring something loose in my insides. I landed flat on my belly then rolled. Did you know a t-shirt doesn't offer much protection?

 

[gtmalone]

hello

View attachment 4395583​

Hmmm. I wonder what drove the decision to practice something like that? My head is still attached as far as I know. I check regularly.

 

[gtmalone]

Stay outta Italy. I was there for 2 weeks in Sept. '18. I had the driving permit and all that, rented a car at the airport. 4 days later I took it back and paid Uber to haul me around for the duration of the trip. It was nerve racking.

Come to DFW! Stop signs are only a suggestion. Roundabouts - hey, there is no stop sign so I can just keep rolling, right? Speed limits are only a suggestion - 40-45 > at least 55. 70-75 > oh, what the hell, let's make it 85! It's MY highway! Get out of my way!

 

[gtmalone]

Rich's solo at 32 mins in is terrific!! One of the loudest drummers evah, the amazingly precise softer touch he exhibits soloing on cymbals, rims, and just sticks alone, is one of the most impressive things I've ever seen a drum set player do!

Got to see him live in '73 in Newport, AR. Excellent!

 

[gtmalone]

Happy Sunday. Buddy Rich was a grumpy force of nature and I suppose he would have qualified for this group on grumpy-points alone.

GT I am glad you lived to tell us a tale of non-injury. Getting mowed down while in the pocket rocket might be expensive, but that's what insurance is for. Getting mowed down on a scooter is a little less likely to just finalize with a big invoice.

Played two sets last night and man, I was just not into it. My hands are really misbehaving but it wasn't that. Just tired. I hate shows like that.

Tonight the Mr. and I are taking some friends to see the Sons of Champlin. A friend and guitarist I used to work with a few years back is in the band that is opening for them. He's working with a blues artist who is having some chart success now and I could not be more happy for him, so it will be great to see him play on a big stage and enjoy both of these bands.

Thanks! I'm glad it was uneventful, too!

I hear ya on the gig. The summer school gig was like that. Pop's medical adventures and covid sucked the energy out of my playing. It wasn't much fun. Oddly, no one else in the group seemed to notice. Maybe it wasn't as bad as it felt.

 

[GwenOnBass]

Hmmm. I wonder what drove the decision to practice something like that? My head is still attached as far as I know. I check regularly.

Notlob is a rough place.

 

[gtmalone]

One doesn't drive in Boston, one suits up for a potentially final battle mission where second place ends in smoke and tears, but the tears are those of your loved ones, if any.

lol. That's pretty much how the major roads are around here!

 

[Black Out Jazz]

One doesn't drive in Boston, one suits up for a potentially final battle mission where second place ends in smoke and tears, but the tears are those of your loved ones, if any.

 

[Black Out Jazz]

Exactly. I ride like I'm invisible and use hand signals along with turn signals. A few years ago I added LED DRLs (daytime running lights) and upgraded the headlamp and pass lamps with halogen bulbs. I've had fewer incidents of cars pulling out in front of me since then. The DRLs will put your eyes out if you look directly at them. I have an RTB (run-turn-brake) controller that keeps the rear turn signals on for running lights and flashes the signals and brake light three times when stopping.

I always leave a couple of car lengths in front of me for an out at stoplights, leave it in gear, and keep an eye on the mirrors for cars. If I see a car coming up I'll pull the brake a couple of times to get their attention. I've seen riders not paying attention at stoplights - stop right on the stop stripe, in neutral, while looking at a cell phone. Geez...

I've had a couple of close ones from drivers not paying attention. My only accident was in my early 20s giving a Yamaha 360 Enduro a little too much gas while the front wheel was in the air. Skinned up a little and a few days in the hospital from jarring something loose in my insides. I landed flat on my belly then rolled. Did you know a t-shirt doesn't offer much protection?

Serious crash #1 was a T-bone by a woman who had Quaaludes in her car and bloodstream. That was when I learned forever that one never straddles a motorcycle in a T-shirt. Ever. 2 weeks in traction with a broken leg and they peeled the sheet off my road rash back twice a day. #2 I was sitting at a real busy traffic light on my Suzuki Hayabusa, glance in the mirror to see a woman yelling at someone/something in the back seat of her minivan. That happened when she was 30ft from me at speed. There was nothing I could do. She looked up and stomped the brakes too late. The bike got knocked into the cross traffic and plowed by a small car. I went up the windshield and slid off the top on the passenger side. Because of the unforgotten lesson of crash #1, I was wearing bike boots, leather gloves, leather jacket and "Draggin Jeans" kevlar lined motorcycle jeans. I wasn't injured except sore as hell the next day. Know what I did get? A brand new Suzuki Hayabusa.

I know Dallas. If I were you I'd trailer the bike out past Rowlett to the lake and ride east away from civilization.

 

[GonePlaid]

Serious crash #1 was a T-bone by a woman who had Quaaludes in her car and bloodstream. That was when I learned forever that one never straddles a motorcycle in a T-shirt. Ever. 2 weeks in traction with a broken leg and they peeled the sheet off my road rash back twice a day. #2 I was sitting at a real busy traffic light on my Suzuki Hayabusa, glance in the mirror to see a woman yelling at someone/something in the back seat of her minivan. That happened when she was 30ft from me at speed. There was nothing I could do. She looked up and stomped the brakes too late. The bike got knocked into the cross traffic and plowed by a small car. I went up the windshield and slid off the top on the passenger side. Because of the unforgotten lesson of crash #1, I was wearing bike boots, leather gloves, leather jacket and "Draggin Jeans" kevlar lined motorcycle jeans. I wasn't injured except sore as hell the next day. Know what I did get? A brand new Suzuki Hayabusa.

I know Dallas. If I were you I'd trailer the bike out past Rowlett to the lake and ride east away from civilization.

Miami, ~1976, Honda 550/4. People my current age(76)would look right at me and pull out in front of me. A coupla close calls and the fact I couldn't carry my bass and amp on the bike and I sold it. Couldn't pay me enuff to ride down there now.

 

[Black Out Jazz]

Miami, ~1976, Honda 550/4. People my current age(76)would look right at me and pull out in front of me. A coupla close calls and the fact I couldn't carry my bass and amp on the bike and I sold it. Couldn't pay me enuff to ride down there now.

On the Left Coast, Sarasota/Venice and parts South, they wouldn't notice you if you were running naked and screaming down the centerline with a 12 gauge shotgun.

 

[gtmalone]

Serious crash #1 was a T-bone by a woman who had Quaaludes in her car and bloodstream. That was when I learned forever that one never straddles a motorcycle in a T-shirt. Ever. 2 weeks in traction with a broken leg and they peeled the sheet off my road rash back twice a day. #2 I was sitting at a real busy traffic light on my Suzuki Hayabusa, glance in the mirror to see a woman yelling at someone/something in the back seat of her minivan. That happened when she was 30ft from me at speed. There was nothing I could do. She looked up and stomped the brakes too late. The bike got knocked into the cross traffic and plowed by a small car. I went up the windshield and slid off the top on the passenger side. Because of the unforgotten lesson of crash #1, I was wearing bike boots, leather gloves, leather jacket and "Draggin Jeans" kevlar lined motorcycle jeans. I wasn't injured except sore as hell the next day. Know what I did get? A brand new Suzuki Hayabusa.

I know Dallas. If I were you I'd trailer the bike out past Rowlett to the lake and ride east away from civilization.

What is this "trailer" thing you speak of?

I can get to decent roads with little traffic in about 20 mins without dealing with high speeds - North of and east and west of McKinney and US75 for local riding. The only major road I ride is US380 going west from McKinney. That's the best way to get out of the area towards NM and CO. East TX south of I-30 has some pretty good riding.

 

[gtmalone]

Miami, ~1976, Honda 550/4. People my current age(76)would look right at me and pull out in front of me. A coupla close calls and the fact I couldn't carry my bass and amp on the bike and I sold it. Couldn't pay me enuff to ride down there now.

The FL panhandle has some decent roads if you stay off the major highways. I've been to the Ocala area a couple of times on the scooter. If the rest of the state is anything like getting to Ocala, I'm not interested. From my trips and talking to friends that live in FL, it appears FL has the highest stoplight per capita in the country.