Plans for more training

I have tried over the last couple of years to get into the Experienced Rider Course offered by the UIUC Motorcycle Rider Program (of which I am an instructor for the basic course). The first attempt was on a cold rainy day and not enough students showed up to begin the course. Last year, I was scheduled for one on a rainy 32 degree day of which I would have had to ride 40 miles over many bridges. I sat that one out (it was cancelled due to lack of students).

I just got my confirmation of my registration for the ERC at Triton Community College for the last Sunday of July. I also registered Neil, who will have had 4 months of riding experience on his 09 Ninja 250. Maybe he was the lucky charm.

New ride in the family stable

Picked up my stepson's brand spanking new 2009 blue Ninja 250R last Thursday. Mind you his only riding experience was the MSF class last July and nothing since then.

Day one, rocking using the friction zone, power walking, shifting 1, 2, 3rd on our dead end no traffic street.

Day two, playing follow the leading in our subdivision, Homewood Estates, for about 30 miles. He was exhausted. Getting a new bike has helped ease him into the use of the throttle as he need keeps in no higher than 5000 rpms which only gets him to around 35 mph in sixth gear. The break in limit will last until 500 miles.

Day three, 3 different rides (only one with me) in the subdivision. Today he focused on adjust speed for cornering and planning his path of travel (outside-inside-outside).

At the end of day 4 he is up to 120 miles.

The frame sliders I ordered for the bike aren't in yet. When they get in we will have them put on.

The UIUC Motorcycle Rider Program instructor update is this upcoming Sunday. I have signed up to teach 11 classes. My stepson has signed up to range aid for 28 classes this year. He is graduating from HS in June and the range aiding will provide some cash to help pay for his college textbooks, pay for some the bike, and save for a car. It will also keep him focused on MC safety. I hope that with range aiding so many classes, he will consider going through the instructor program sometime in the future.

Winter begins to crack

The deep freeze that the Windy City has endured this winter is beginning to crack. Earlier in the week we were still experiencing highs in the 20's. Today a warm spells is in the forecast with a high in the mid 50s. On the walk from home to the train, I spotted a full dresser Harley and an older BMW on the road. Sitting in my office, I noticed a coworker walking by wearing his Fieldsheer riding suit. He rides a Suzuki 1200 Bandit.

As for myself, I will be picking my Concours up from CSC today. I dropped it off the night before last for its 27000 maintenance.

My step-son is getting excited about get his Ninja 250R. Still likely that it will be a March 31 pickup. It's still in a crate in a warehouse somewhere in Ohio. Looking for it to be delivered to the shop this month and get the frame sliders installed prior to picking it up.

A little updating

Non-MC related:

Looks like my granddaughters will be with us at least through the summer. The routine is there and I really feel good about what my wife and I are able to do with them and for them during this time. They finished their first ice skating classes and I signed them up for another 6 sessions. Weekend only activities are the only option given our work schedules.

MC related:

U of I MRP class registration is open for online enrollment. It went live at classes are already full for the first several sessions for each of the various sites. In adjusting to my to responsibilities and working with my wife, I have signed up to teach 9 weekend classes and 2 9-1 M-F classes. Might as well burn a little vacation time making some money and teaching classes. My first class of the session is a Thursday/Saturday setup that begins April 9th. Of the various session taught, the two week Th 6-10 Sat 8-3 is my favorite to teach. It leaves Saturday evening and all day Sunday open.

We are field testing a Intermediate Rider Course that requires familiarity with riding and will only be a Th 6-10 and Sat 8-3. I did notice that if required the rider to have a valid drivers license in addition to a MC permit. So for those riding who want to get legal, it will only cost them 10 hours vs the full 20 hours in order to get the license waiver from the program. I don't know how it will be taught in the classroom or what exercises will be used yet. I will learn all of this at the one day update on March 29. I will be curious how well the students will have accessed their readiness for the Intermediate Course.

The current plan for Neil's MC is to pay a little more off on the layaway and get the bike at the end of March. I have had fun exploring stuff to add to the Ninja 250. Neil likes the idea of adding frame sliders from Intuitive Racing to protect the plastic on his newbie ride. Given my orientation, I will probably spring for led license plate cover to give him some more visibility. That will do it.

New bike is coming

I am taking the money to the shop to put a New 2009 Blue Ninja 250 on hold for my stepson. He graduates from high school this year. My wife and I are planning to get the bike out in April. Cornelius initially wanted black, but I was able to remind him about wanting stand out in traffic. He relented for the blue. Chicago Sports and Cycle only got 9 2009 Ninja 250's in for the year. Ours will stay crated until we are ready to pick it up.

More later.

Race and riding

Tomorrow is a big day for the United States. I remember when Obama first announced his candidacy, it didn't think that he had a chance. The basis was two fold. First was that he was junior new Senator from our state of Illinois. Second, I didn't think that that United States was ready or willing to have an African American as the President. Yet I have been happily surprised that enough Americans got behind him and the world joins in our excitement at his inauguration tomorrow.

Obama leadership of our country demonstrates progress but not the end of the issues of race. While many celebrate his presidency, I know many peoples world are disrupted by the thought that this country will be lead by an African American. Yet I hope that this era will usher in a time of a more cosmopolitan acceptance of those who aren't mirror images of ourselves.

Personally, I hope that this level of acceptance will allow my wife to comfortably ride with me on the Connie anywhere that we chose. However, I have to be practical. I have found that people worst can come out even more when confronted with the reality of a multiracial couple even. I am blessed to be comfortable and happy with who am I. More so I appreciate both those who are like me and well as those who are not. To me that is what makes life special.

In the riding world, we are often as segregated as other areas of our lives. Most riding groups are homogoneous in one way or another and most often amound racial lines, just like most of our churchs. I think that the only people who are in mixed riding groups, or churches, for the matter, are those who consciously choose to be in that setting.

May the advent of a new political era also usher in a greater appreciation and respect for others.

Peace and the open road.

Teaching season around the corner

Got the email this week announcing sign ups for teaching the MC classes year.  My wife and I are going to go over the possibilities tomorrow.  With the granddaughters living with us, my schedule will be more reasonable.  I look to initially sign up to teach 10 classes during the season.  If the girls go home to their mother's during the season, I may pick up a few extra classes.  

Besides the excitement of teaching the classes, this year will be extra special.  My stepson Cornelius will likely be a range aid for most of the classes that I will teaching.  He took the BRC class that summer, but didn't get the M added to his license yet.  Since he doesn't turn 18 until February, it would have meant that he needed to take the test at the DMV on another bike.  Instead, he held onto the license waiver  and will add the M with no fan fair next month.  My wife is planning on purchasing a used Ninja 250 for him for his high school graduation.