Pedal Power

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Last Sunday, Troubadour and I tried to figure out what we should do for the day. We thought about taking the motorcycles out, but couldn't predict what the weather was going to be like and also didn't have a destination in mind.

We decided that since we hadn't taken our bicycles out of the garage this year, we would ride them downtown and have a late breakfast of a pecan sticky bun at New Morning Bakery.

We suited up in warm clothes; long underwear under our jeans, extra warm socks, layered shirts and jackets and found our gloves. You'd think it was as cold as Richard was experiencing instead of the 46˚F it actually was.

Troubadour then got the bikes down off the ceiling hooks in the garage, we gave them a quick wipe down and he started up the air compressor and made sure the tires were inflated properly. By the time we left it was after 11 am.

We headed north towards the fairgrounds and the start of Campus Way. Campus Way is a multi-use path that runs through the Oregon State University Research Fields from 53rd Street to 35th Street on the west side of campus. It is the safest way for bicyclists or pedestrians to get from the west side of Corvallis to campus and beyond campus to downtown.

We pass fields of llamas and sheep as well as the back side of the OSU Research Dairy. We were hungry and didn't stop to take pictures of the animals.

Part way along the path is the Irish Bend Covered Bridge.

Originally built in 1954 to span the Willamette Slough by Monroe. In 1975 Irish Bend Road was rerouted and the bridge fell into disrepair. In 1979 the bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places. It was eventually dismantled in 1988. Through negotiations with Benton County and Oregon State University an agreement was reached to reconstruct the bridge on OSU property. This was completed in 1989.

From there we continued along the path and cut through campus into downtown Corvallis. The roads we took pretty much landed us at my work. A good place to store the bikes without having to lock them up outside.

We stored the bikes inside, used the facilities and walked a few blocks to the bakery. We each ordered a pecan sticky bun and a coffee. I realized I had left my camera in the basket of my bike. Doh! No food porn pictures to be had. The buns and coffee were tasty and because the sun had decided to come out and play we decided to wander a bit downtown. We went into several local bicycle shops and looked at what they had.

We walked back to the office to retrieve the bikes and set off towards home. There is a bit of an incline when heading west through campus. This was really noticed when only having three gears.

We made a few stops for pictures on campus. The first was at some structures made of willow branches. There was no plaque to tell us about the project or the who, what, when, and why they were there. It looked as though the branches were stuck in the ground and some of the branches were green.

We rode around campus a little more only stopping to take a picture of the Memorial Union Quad. The Oregon State University Memorial Union was the first student union in the state.

Here is a link (<---- click) to the quad's webcam for a better view. The bottom of the page also has interesting webcams placed around OSU's campus and even their marine research facilities at the coast.

While riding home we realized we were not that enthused with our bicycles even if they are rather retro and funky looking. The few times we've ridden them, since we bought them a few years ago, we've enjoyed them but they aren't as multi-use as we'd like them to be. Three speeds is not quite enough and the coaster brakes are no match for actual brakes. It has us thinking about selling or trading them in. I wonder if we'd ride them more if they were a bit more functional.

Naaa..... I think I'd rather take Max. Maybe I'm just getting lazy wanting an engine to propel me, but I feel more stable and safer on Max that I did on the bicycle.

- Au Revoir

"Life is like riding a bicycle - in order to keep your balance, you must keep moving." ~ Albert Einstein

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The Seven Day Challenge

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I recently wrote a blog post that listed what seven motorcycles I would like to own if money was no object.

As Raftnn, aka Roger from All Things Rogey! fame, suggested in his comment on that post: "You should make this a blog challenge.....you just never know what migh turn up!"

Challenge accepted, so here goes:

If you had unlimited funds and could have one bike for every day of the week, what bikes would you choose? Please do a blog post listing which bike you would choose for which day of the week and why. After posting, please leave a comment on this post linking your blog post.

Please note this is not a contest. Everyone wins when it comes to dreaming about motorcycles. Just have fun trying to narrow it down to seven.

- Au Revoir

"Two-lane blacktop isn't a highway - it's an attitude." ~ Author Unknown

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A Bike a Day For Seven Days

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A week or so ago Dar from Princess Scooterpie fame commented on one of my blog posts and said "I wish I had extra cashola, I would have a bike for every day of the week!" This comment got me thinking...... if I was wealthy and could have seven bikes, one for each day of the week, what bikes would I choose.

At first I thought I'd have a hard time coming up with seven, but once I started thinking about it, it was difficult to narrow it down to just seven. Maybe using a fortnight would have been easier.

Here are my seven in no particular order:

1. TRIUMPH TIGER 800. I have yet to test ride one. Based on comfort and how light and balanced it felt when I did sit on it, and Troubadour's huge grin after riding one I'd say it would be at the top of my list, even a list in no particular order. I think it would eat up the forestry roads and be much more comfortable for that type of riding than my Gladius.

(Troubadour's first 'in person' viewing of the Tiger 800)

2. SUZUKI GLADIUS SFV 650. Of course I had to keep this one on the list. A great little v-twin. Light and nimble and easy to ride. Peppy too.

(Max basking in the sun)

3. PIAGGIO MP3 500 et al. Since I first saw these machines in a magazine several years ago they've fascinated me. In comparison to a traditional two-wheeled motorcycle the price seems a little high, but fun factor seems to be way up there too. I think they would be good for lazy days when I want to ride, but having an automatic and built-in storage would be nice.

(Stock interweb photo)

Until I was looking for a stock photo online, I didn't know that you could stoppie an MP3.

(Stock interweb photo)

A Hybrid MP3 would be a great alternative. Perfect for commuting. Love the color scheme.

(Stock interweb photo)

4. DUCATI MONSTER 696. I really debated one of these prior to buying the Gladius, but I was concerned with maintenance costs. The ergonomics are a little sportier too, but I think it would be a hoot to have it in the garage at my beck and call when the twisties are whispering my name.

(Yours truly at the 2010 Seattle International Motorcycle show - bad hair day)

5. HARLEY DAVIDSON XR 1200. One of the only Harley Davidson models in which I truly love the styling. When we were looking at bikes prior to buying the Gladius a salesman in the Portland area told me it would be a great starter bike for me. As a starter, no. I had about 3500 miles on two wheels at that point. Would be neat to have one in the stable now though.

(Troubadour at the 2010 Seattle International Motorcycle show)

6. CAN AM SPYDER. 'nuff said. Sure it costs as much as our Subaru, but the comfort for long distances and the grin factor would be awesome.

(Stock interweb photo)

7. TRIUMPH BONNEVILLE SE 865 cc. A Bonneville was on my short list before I bought the TU 250 and before purchasing the Gladius too. I've test ridden one a short distance and enjoyed it. Now that I have more miles under my belt it would be cool to take one out again. A good thing to have in the garage for when I want an upright, but comfortable ride for just cruising around.

(Stock interweb photo)

Well, that's seven. If I'd gone with fortnight and could add seven more, it would probably be the following (click names for links): 2009 SUZUKI TU 250, 2012 TRIUMPH STREET TRIPLE ACE 675CR SPECIAL, the new 2012 SUZUKI V-STROM 650, 2011 DUCATI DIAVEL, 2001 KAWASAKI W650, 2009 MOTO GUZZI BREVA V750, and a 2011 ZERO S electric motorcycle just to name a few.

I know it is a fairly generic list and not very exciting. No vintage bikes and no stand outs. I am sure if funds were unlimited the list would be longer and there would be some vintage Triumph's on there for sure, among others. Just remember as a woman I can change my mind. This is the list today, but that doesn't mean it will be the list next month or even next week.

So, what are your seven?

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Where would I house these harbingers of chuckles and grins? If funds were unlimited I would have to say I'd buy a parcel of property in the country 5 to 10 acres or more. On it I would build my dream house. A large garage with modest living quarters above it. The heat from the garage would keep the floor of the house warm and we've always said we need a bigger garage than we do a house.

In searching for a picture to show what I mean I saw these plans online.

(Stock interweb photo)

The garage is just under 700 square feet, but I think I'd make the main level bonus room smaller so that the garage would be larger. The living quarters upstairs are larger than we need and what we are currently in, but I think I could handle it.

What is life without dreaming......... now to win the lottery.......

- Au Revoir

" The best reason for having dreams is that in dreams no reasons are necessary." ~ Ashleigh Brilliant
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In the Slammer

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Just to show that this blog isn't always about motorcycles and food, I thought I'd do a quick post on Squire Basil.

Basil has a self feeder in a corner of the dining room with dry food in it that he can eat as much or as little as he likes, any time he likes.

He is usually not content with just dry food and likes little morsels of canned tuna periodically through the day if we are home, or in the evening on work days. When we need to call him in from outside we know we can tap the bowl and he'll come running.

If he is becoming a pest and continually wanting in and out the patio door (also known as the magic tuna door) we occasionally will pick him up and show him some love. Basil doesn't like to be held so this usually deters him from coming in again too soon.

We have two bar stools at the kitchen island. Basil has figured out if he hides under a stool we can't pick him up him through the rungs and legs. I call it his kitty jail as he looks out through the bars. All he needs is a little tin cup to drag back and forth.

Every once in a while we pick up the stool and nab him, but usually if we try to do that he is too fast and runs under the kitchen table. He knows it is to much work to roust him out from under there.

- Au Revoir

"I had been told that the training procedure with cats was difficult. It's not. Mine had me trained in two days." ~ Bill Dana

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Happy World Vegan Day

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November 1st is World Vegan Day.

Since Troubadour and I switched from lacto-vegetarian (with the occasional fish) to vegan a few months ago we have tried even more yummy things such as Daiya vegan cheese.

In celebration of World Vegan Day, I thought I'd share a few of our favorite recipes. These are two we've made for the last several years.

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BLACK EYED PEA SALAD

Ingredients:
2 - 14 oz cans of black eyed peas (rinsed and drained)
1 can pitted black olives (drained and sliced)
1 cup long english cucumber (diced)
2 large tomatoes (diced)
1 medium green pepper (chopped)
1/2 cup red onion (chopped)
1 jalapeno pepper (seeded and minced)
1 clove garlic (minced)
1 avocado (diced)
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
3 Tablespoons olive oil
3 Tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 Tablespoon szechuan sauce (San-J is a good brand)

Directions:

1. Mix together black eyed peas, black olives, cucumber, tomatoes, green pepper, red onion, jalapeno, and avocado in large bowl.

2. In separate small bowl whisk together lemon juice, vinegar, olive oil, szechuan sauce and garlic. Pour dressing mixture over vegetables and toss.

*This salad is great over chopped romaine, on it's own, or in a pita with hummus.

** If you do not want a vegan salad you can add feta cheese.

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VEGAN SNICKERDOODLES

Ingredients:
1-3/4 cup all purpose flour
1/4 cup cornstarch
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 cup vegan margarine (Earth Balance is a good brand)
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup soy milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
(cinnamon and sugar combined in small bowl or ziploc for rolling)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350˚. Coat baking sheet with cooking spray.

2. Whisk together flour, cornstarch and baking powder in bowl and set aside. Beat margarine by hand or with an electric mixer until soft. Add sugar and beat until fluffy. Beat in soymilk and vanilla until smooth. Add flour mixture and beat until smooth.

3. Shape dough into 1 inch balls. Roll each ball in the cinnamon and sugar mixture and place on cookie sheet. 1 dozen will fit easily on a cookie sheet. Bake 10-12 minutes or until the cookies look dry on top and are lightly browned on bottoms. Transfer to wire rack and store in air tight container. Do not overcook. They will firm up when cool. This usually makes 2-1/2 to 3 dozen.

I hope some of you will give these recipes a try. I regret that I do not have any pictures. Next time I make them I will take pics though.

- Au Revoir

"You put a baby in a crib with an apple and a rabbit. If it eats the rabbit and plays with the apple, I'll buy you a new car." ~ Harvey Diamond .

Play Date With Max

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Last Saturday Troubadour was auditing his second Team Oregon Basic Rider Training Class, which meant I needed to find something to do. It was about 54˚F outside so I decided to ride to Saturday Morning Coffee.

I stopped downtown to fill the bike with petrol, mail a Netflix movie, and arrived just as one other rider was getting there. I ordered my usual: a grande decaf vanilla soy latte. Some days you get a little leaf design in the foam but Saturday was not one of them.

It would be pretty neat if one day they surprised me with this design in the foam.

(Stock photo from the internet)

Everyone was done visiting and started heading out. It was trying to sprinkle a little, but I thought I'd go for a short solo ride despite the dark clouds.

I headed towards home but instead of stopping, kept right on riding out towards Bellfountain and Alpine. It is a route I know and I wasn't sure what the weather was going to do. I wanted to be on the look out for some fall colors so I kept an easy pace.

I made it to Alpine before long and stopped for a snack since it was noon. I had a little Jerquee and water and then took a few pics. The backdrop wasn't so great but it is our usual stopping place.

The yellow jackets were harassing me and climbing in my helmet so I dug this little fella out to block their way.

It seemed to do the trick. Must be the menacing look on his face.

(I thought his yellow matched the school bus in the background)

The weather wasn't getting any better and my feet were chilly so I decided to head the 20 miles home.

About half way there the sun was trying to shine and I found some nice fall colors at the end of someone's driveway.

A little further down the road the sun burst through the clouds. After the yellow of the leaves on the trees I had to stop by this field for some pictures of green.

When I got back on the bike a look in the mirror showed me the clouds I'd outrun. It also showed me a dirty mirror.

Before putting the camera away I turned it on myself.

Upon reflection I'd say it was odd for me to be riding with no other riders around. The 50 miles I went on Saturday was the longest solo ride I've ever done and that wasn't even that far.

I will definitely go out solo again when Troubadour is busy, but my biggest problem is I have no idea where to ride. I like to have a destination in mind and I am hesitant to explore unknown roads when by myself.

Not very adventurous, I know. It will be fun to learn.

- Au Revoir

"By all means use sometimes to be alone. Salute thyself; see what thy soul doth wear." ~ George Herbert

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