Fair Play

Hey Kids,

First weekend in March. What we do is dependent on the weather.

On the eastern side of this country this year- well, it’s damn cold and snow bound. You’re going to have to wait. That’s a shame but not tragic.

Here in the western part, at least the Intermountain area, we are warm and dry. We had some snow recently and the mountains are still under 8 feet of it; but today, here in the lower valley, we’re looking at 50’s to 60’s and sunshine. Lots and lots of sunshine.

Sometimes it’s the opposite and we’re the cold ones. In fact, next week it could all turn around. And then again on the following week, it could all be different again.

It’s springtime. It’s how it works. No whining allowed. Everybody gets some, sometime. Just wait your turn.

Spring brings out the motorcycles.

Today they have been rumbling and winding up and down the streets and highways. Many out for their first time this spring.

They’ll be bragging about their “great rides” and how “what a wonderful day it was to ride” and some will even be mocking those who did not get their bikes ready or still felt it too chilly to ride.

Oh bragging rights will be claimed. Other riders will be shamed. And a false sense of heroism might be expressed.

I have just a few words for those whose “First Flight” this weekend makes them think they have entered the Early Bird Club of Motorcycling. Six words to be exact.

“Where were you in January, bitches?”

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Day 12

 

Electric Motorcycles

Hey kids,

Are electric motorcycles really the future? I watched a video on a new electric motorcycle that looks like it might be.

The motorcycle, the Lightning LS-218, is a head turner. It owns a land speed record and won the Pikes Peak Hill Climber over all the other gas manufacturers.ls-218-specs-graphic2

There are questions of range on electric vehicles and this bike has not answered them yet. Here in the desert, best case scenario of 150 miles is not a long range. The need to charge and go still needs to be addressed.

Electricity is not free either. Power comes from hydro electric dams (deemed bad for the environment), coal burning electric plants (deemed evil), power lines (unsightly), solar panels (geographically impossible to have enough), wind turbines (death for raptures and unsightly), geothermal (never mentioned anymore), etc. Are emissions out of the tail pipe better than those emitted out of factory stacks out of sight?

But if performances of the electric bikes begins to out shine the gas engines, if their purchase price makes them affordable to the masses, and if the range issues are answered; and I imagine these all will happen, electric powered bikes and cars will happen.

Bring them on. It’s not really the CO2 that I need to have a good ride; it’s life on the road from atop two wheels.

 

Day 11