The official Grattan update thread!

[ND4SPD]

At least your butt isn't sore.

[nhfirefighter13]

[CBR929RE]

Sorry I didn't get a chance to say good bye to you and HG. I was so preoccupied with getting my car unlocked (yes...keys were inside ) I forgot to look for you guys before I left. Hope you have a safe trip back home!

how did you manage to arm the alarm with the keys in it?

Of course, Hammer decided to play with this one:
Attachment 15518


And really, what's up with you iphone people?!
Attachment 15519

A certain Red Sox fan didn't find this funny:
Attachment 15520

I found it funny. he's still a bastard though. wish I thought of something like that. He said he got the idea when we left CT and crossed into NY on the way there.

[JH41]

Sorry I didn't get a chance to say good bye to you and HG. I was so preoccupied with getting my car unlocked (yes...keys were inside ) I forgot to look for you guys before I left. Hope you have a safe trip back home!

I still say that tow truck driver was taking too long to pop that lock.

I know folks that would have had your truck parts stripped down and listed on Ebay quicker than that

[abtech]

mrsmaxib and I arrived safely at about 1500 hours today. It took another 30 minutes to back the trailer up to the garage because the neighbor's landscaping crew had heavy equipment and trailers all over the place, but I finally did it without smashing the front of the truck or taking out the mailbox! After unloading the trailer, Barb decided to crash on the couch while I went for a few things for the refrigerator...my son hoovered everything out of it while we were gone. At least the house was still standing. We will let the root beer keg settle and will collect a couple gallons for ourselves and friends before returning it tomorrow. We were very glad to bring it to Grattan and that everyone seems to like it!

abtech asked me in the thank you thread why I did not ride as he did not know that I did not (more properly could not) ride this year. It was certainly not by choice. I had my best year at Grattan last year and was very looking forward to this year.

The bike passed tech with two donated zip ties from Pete (thank you), and the gear all passed tech.

I did not pass tech.

I can live with the arthritis in both ankles, left knee, hip and shoulder. However, I have to stand while doing surgery and I have massive varicosities with dependent lymphedema despite blood pressure being under very good control. In fact, I just took it...121/71 pulse 80.

So I am gearing up for my first session and cannot zip my right leathers completely to the ankle. It was not much, maybe an inch at best, so I put on my boot and could only get it closed to just above the ankle bone. We even tried mrsmaxib pushing the boot together while I pulled with a ViceGrip on the zipper pull. We achieved another 1/8th inch of closure with a ten fold increase in pain. Well, that won't work let's try the other pair of boots I have. No difference...and all the gear fit perfectly two weeks ago!

My feet fit into the boots fine. It was everything above the feet that were way bigger than normal, so I put on some tight compression socks hoping to reduce the swelling to get a boot on for the afternoon session. Good plan, didn't work.

So I watched the sessions, ogled the bikes and let jetbdude take my bike out for the two up.

I wore the compression socks all night with my feet up in the air on extra pillows. The next day, I still could not get my gear on. While shooting the breeze with Sheep I showed him and his reply was "you GOT some water down there". If an Engineer type can see it, it must have been bad. I half heartedly hoped I could find boots, but my leathers still would have been a problem.

So I just resigned myself to enjoying the sights, the sounds, the people and the food. The last time I saw Z was the year I crushed my heel...and I actually got to meet SSG whom I thought really did not exist. (Met his lovely wife as well!) Seeing old and new friends in general is a treat. It was still a very good time for me!

Other notes...I would like my money back from NH and TAZ that I paid them under the table to make me look fast, as I never got on the track. As NH injured himself over a bird, he can repay in installments.

CBRVFR...could not make it to Elderly Music. They open at 1100 which, with all the time I could waste there, would have put us way off schedule. Maybe next time. Also, the echocardiogram came back abnormal.

Timbers dinner is always bittersweet. It is the best of company and food, yet it must come to an end (or we all go to jail!). I feel sad that I did not have a chance to meet all the new people or be able to say goodbye to all I know, but there is always next year!

Now, does anyone know of a source for making custom fit ARMORED boots?

One word: Aldactone

Having said that, I now have to say: Physician, heal thyself. You really need to find out why you are retaining fluids in your extremities as this is exactly what I deal with (with my wife) on a daily basis.

Time to go in for a complete physical and get to the bottom of this.

[abtech]

For those that may possibly be wondering about it, this is the damn bird that did me in. She's much more vicious than she looks. Part pterodactyl, I think.
Attachment 15517

That is a Michigan Killdeer (don't know where they got the handle as they are just a small bird). I told Firefly that I have 3 ground nests in my yard and mow around them every week while they do the "broken wing" drill. Actually really interesting birds if you are into birds at all.

Sorry this one took you out, but it could have been a Turkey Vulture and then things would have been pretty grim . . .

[08silvercbr]

RED you locked you keys in your truck? You should have said something. I had a break in kit in my tool box and could have opened it up in less than 5 min. What did you think was in that box?

On a positive note I think the track finally dried up this afternoon. Anyone want to go back? I wasn't done..

[HondaGalToo]

That is a Michigan Killdeer (don't know where they got the handle as they are just a small bird).

They get their common and Latin name from the call they make: kill-dee or kill-deeah.

[maxib]

One word: Aldactone

Having said that, I now have to say: Physician, heal thyself.

Oh now, you cut to the quick.

Time to go in for a complete physical and get to the bottom of this.

Done that, been there. I am very sorry that your wife is in the same situation. You have more things to concern yourself than I. Please give her my love and I understand completely. And take care of yourself. We want to see you at Timbers for many years to come.



All I ask is that you put me down first in the street group for 2010!

[RedRider]

I still say that tow truck driver was taking too long to pop that lock.

I know folks that would have had your truck parts stripped down and listed on Ebay quicker than that

I was hoping you would show the guy how to do it...he definitely was lacking in those skilz.

RED you locked you keys in your truck? You should have said something. I had a break in kit in my tool box and could have opened it up in less than 5 min. What did you think was in that box?

On a positive note I think the track finally dried up this afternoon. Anyone want to go back? I wasn't done..

Yeah...just what I needed at the end of a great event. JetB had a hammer he kept tempting me to use...

[NinerPilot]

Thats funny, I thought the Yukon Valdez came equipped with Onstar???
Chris

[RedRider]

Thats funny, I thought the Yukon Valdez came equipped with Onstar???
Chris

OnStar works great...unless you let your subscription expire. You needed to be there to demonstrate your lockout skills, too.

[SomeStrangeGuy]

OnStar works great...unless you let your subscription expire. You needed to be there to demonstrate your lockout skills, too.

It looked pretty painful...and I cannot believe OnStar has a shitty re-up plan, wonder how much that alone costs them per year!

[08silvercbr]

It looked pretty painful...and I cannot believe OnStar has a shitty re-up plan, wonder how much that alone costs them per year!

By the looks of it I should have left a business card

[RedRider]

By the looks of it I should have left a business card

It wasn't pretty...

[NinerPilot]

Looks like the Yukon Valdez has been upgraded since I rode in it last... And yes I have a good lock out kit that I try to take with me when I go out to friendly events. It should take no more than 30 seconds and be painless for all involved.
Chris

[SheepOfBlue]

See you should have been there.... got to listen to me

[MrsStrangeGuy]

At least your butt isn't sore.

We've been home two days and I swear my butt is still sore. What the heck was I thinking agreeing to ride out there?!

[08silvercbr]

We've been home two days and I swear my butt is still sore. What the heck was I thinking agreeing to ride out there?!

Next year bring a truck. The bike goes in the trailer

[SomeStrangeGuy]

Next year bring a truck. The bike goes in the trailer

Yeah we're on the same page....need to get for Grattan '10:

Trailer (enclosed, dual axle) towable by a Honda Pilot
Bike - to go in said trailer (or motard wheelset for GS)

[CBR929RE]

Yeah we're on the same page....need to get for Grattan '10:

Trailer (enclosed, dual axle) towable by a Honda Pilot
Bike - to go in said trailer (or motard wheelset for GS)

I've seen an FJR out there complete with bags if I remember correctly.

[SomeStrangeGuy]

I've seen an FJR out there complete with bags if I remember correctly.

But the drag marks on the bottom of the bags affected resale value a tinge

As was stated elsewhere...we might need a short bagger session if this sort of thing continues

...or I just need a new Connie before the next event

[HondaGalToo]

Yeah we're on the same page....need to get for Grattan '10:

Trailer (enclosed, dual axle) towable by a Honda Pilot
Bike - to go in said trailer (or motard wheelset for GS)

I think our buddy Doug used to pull his 6x10 single axle enclosed with a Pilot. The Pilot is a 6 cyl? Not sure you could do the dual axle, as they're usually on 6x12 or larger? He's redsazook on here, but isn't on that often. I'll check with him. We have a 7x14 dual axle enclosed, and there's no way I'd try to tow it with a 6. Not saying it isn't possible, just don't think I'd personally do it.

[SomeStrangeGuy]

Well, thats good to know HGT, thanks

Dual axle might mean an upgraded tow vehicle is required too...damn this event could get pricey . Or I could always go with a smaller trailer...

[CBR929RE]

Well, thats good to know HGT, thanks

Dual axle might mean an upgraded tow vehicle is required too...damn this event could get pricey . Or I could always go with a smaller trailer...

I heard rumors of an RV coming from out our way next year.

[Hammer]

I used to tow my 6X12 with a 94' Ranger 4.0L and on flat ground it did ok, but it was way under powered to tow it well. It did have 150k on it though, and the main reason for my upgrade to a full size truck. Although it did keep up with Depo going through Chicago traffic one time.

[08silvercbr]

Well, thats good to know HGT, thanks

Dual axle might mean an upgraded tow vehicle is required too...damn this event could get pricey . Or I could always go with a smaller trailer...

You seen how much stuff I got in the 5x8 right? On the way home I managed to get everything in the trailer and didn't use the bed of the truck for anything but the stands. Well, luggage and our suits went in the ext. cab, but I fit everything else in the trailer ok.

I used to tow my 6X12 with a 94' Ranger 4.0L and on flat ground it did ok, but it was way under powered to tow it well. It did have 150k on it though, and the main reason for my upgrade to a full size truck. Although it did keep up with Depo going through Chicago traffic one time.

Yours was a stick though correct? Motor probably isn't as much as an issue as burning up a trans.

[Hammer]

Yours was a stick though correct? Motor probably isn't as much as an issue as burning up a trans.

Yea, it was a 5 speed, 4X4 with the 4.0L.

[SheepOfBlue]

Well, thats good to know HGT, thanks

Dual axle might mean an upgraded tow vehicle is required too...damn this event could get pricey . Or I could always go with a smaller trailer...

I am confident that my dual axle 6x12 would wind up tearing a trans out of a 6 cylinder. Check your capacity then add in bike, tools, luggage and a heavy trailer would put you over I bet.

[HondaGalToo]

I am confident that my dual axle 6x12 would wind up tearing a trans out of a 6 cylinder. Check your capacity then add in bike, tools, luggage and a heavy trailer would put you over I bet.

...and don't forget to account for the wind drag since the trailers have that nice flat front that's a lot taller than the tow vehicle. I understand a V-nose doesn't really help all that much.