June 2008 Blog Posts (12)

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Chicken Strips Are For Kids

How I graduated from Michel Mercier’s FAST Riding School.

In the motorcycle world of egos and tough guys it is often said that the unused strips on the left and right side of your rear tire is the measure of how good a rider you are. I found out this weekend that it’s not true. Well, mostly... not true.



Let me explain.



Last November I signed up for Michel Mercier’s FAST Riding school based out of Quebec. FAST conducts courses… Continue

Added by Andrew Shaw on June 25, 2008 at 9:26pm — No Comments

Parry Sound Sport Bike Rally

Have you ever dreamed of an endless road? I bet it was full of curves. And hills, great stops and sights and most of all no traffic.

What if I told you I found it?



Last July 7, 8, 9 - I was fortunate enough to make it to the Parry Sound Sport Bike Rally aptly named after the Ontario town that was in charge of organizing this years horsepowerfest.



Besides the steamy hot weather – there was a lot to do, especially riding the… Continue

Added by Andrew Shaw on June 25, 2008 at 9:25pm — No Comments

Friday the 13th a Big Attraction in Port Dover

Friday the 13th is a great day, if you ride a Harley. Every time this infamous day shows up on the calendar a dark horde of motorcycles descend upon the unassuming little Ontario town of Port Dover.

Port Dover is located on the north shore of Lake Erie, about 100 kms due south on highway 6 from Hamilton. Anyone unlucky enough to be caught driving a car on the way was definitely out numbered.



The Ontario Provincial Police estimated the… Continue

Added by Andrew Shaw on June 25, 2008 at 9:24pm — 1 Comment

Chain Lubrication & Maintenance

Lots of folks I see riding out on the street have improperly maintained chains.

The need for chain maintenance is one of those things that creeps up on you, before you know it you can hear your chain slapping around during gear changes - and you start to experience a strange delay when rolling on the throttle.



There are a couple of things to consider when evaluating your chain health.



First, the chain should have no more than… Continue

Added by Andrew Shaw on June 25, 2008 at 9:23pm — No Comments

Am I my brother's keeper?

Listen to this. When I was only 11 years old my brother Steve showed me how to ride my first dirt bike on a friend of my dad's farm.



His instructions seemed simple enough to me at the time - "That's the gas. That's the clutch. Those are the breaks and that is the gear shifter." He said as only an older brother can.



"I got it, I got it." with brazen youthful courage I exclaimed. "I'm not a kid you know?".



Sure as shit - I… Continue

Added by Andrew Shaw on June 25, 2008 at 9:20pm — No Comments

Everyone needs a good wrench.

I have a great mechanic - in the High Park / Bloor area of Toronto. If you need your bike fixed you should check Tom and his guys out at cyclewerx.
So far I have had tires changed, fork seals done, some cabling work and a safety for my old machine.

He is on time. He is on budget. He does solid work.

Need a mechanic? Tom's your guy - give him a call at 416.913.4965.

Added by Andrew Shaw on June 25, 2008 at 9:19pm — No Comments

People who ride scooters.



My pet peeve has to do with scooter folk. I mean, c'mon - the worst part is these people spend too much time trying to 'look cool' and none whatsoever considering safe riding gear.



Let me explain, the worst scooter incident I saw was right in front of my office in downtown Toronto.



This young girl in a lovely flowing skirt caught my attention at the intersection of Queen and Victoria streets.



I said to myself,… Continue

Added by Andrew Shaw on June 25, 2008 at 9:18pm — 1 Comment

Cayuga? Is that in Toronto?

Well, it's definately in my Toronto. This is the track where I first dragged my knees while getting my racing technique polished up.



Toronto Motorsports Park formerly known as Cayuga is a haven for drag racers and gearheads, and the facility is top notch.



So check this out... I get an email today from the track administration inviting me to come for a FREE lapping day next wednesday!



Apparently the local residents are complaining about noise pollution (No sh*t… Continue

Added by Andrew Shaw on June 25, 2008 at 9:17pm — No Comments

December Riding in Toronto?

God bless El' Nino, or maybe is it a fringe benefit of Global Warming?



Last year I put the bike away in mid-November, this year it looks like I will be riding during the Christmas holidays.



You really can't complain about that now can you?



The downside to the winter for me is the cost of transportation and parking.



After registering a car for the winter now I am having to pay parking costs, increased gas consumption, increased insurance… Continue

Added by Andrew Shaw on June 25, 2008 at 9:15pm — No Comments

Top three finish: Radar Run Parry Sound 2006

No kidding - I just found out that I placed in the top three at the Parry Sound Sportbike Rally.



I'd like to go back this year on July 6,7 and 8th 2007.



I have put new gears on the rear and have a few more racing miles under my belt since then.



Oh yes, and this year I am going to burn out the tire a little first.



2006 Radar Run Results 750cc Class Chris Shantz - 184 kmhr, 186 kmhr - Winner: Fastest in the 750cc Class



Lorne Bleskey (GSXR… Continue

Added by Andrew Shaw on June 25, 2008 at 9:14pm — No Comments

Where to Park in Toronto for $106 Bucks

Well, the answer is where ever the hell you want.



Let me explain, and first of all, sorry for my language.



What do you think is a motorcycle owners worst fear?



Crashing? Nope, that's not it. Trucks on Highways? Wrong again. How about, Where did my bike go?



Yes, it happened to me. There I was, strolling across the grass lawn of the Church next to St. Michael's Hospital after a hard days work at 50plus, and I burst out saying, What the hell?!Where did… Continue

Added by Andrew Shaw on June 25, 2008 at 9:13pm — No Comments

In another ten years - the Internet will be known as Google. Period.

Sure, my title is a little sarcastic - but come on, is there really anything these guys can't offer?

That said,(here comes an awesome segue) the guys at Google are simply thinking the same thing. But I have to confess, they're the best at it.



I mean oodles of public money aside, they are doing a good job. I confess we are using Analytics, Adwords and Sitemaps like everybody else *lol*.



I expect that Matt and the Google folks… Continue

Added by Andrew Shaw on June 25, 2008 at 9:00pm — No Comments

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