Port Charlotte and Englewood Beach

My Aunt and Uncle were in town this weekend so I wanted to ride with James to

my house to show them what I have been learning and doing on the weekends. My Uncles birthday was that following Monday so he got to ride on the back of Jame's motorcycle as a passenger, whether he really enjoyed it or not.

This would be my last ride before my weekend vacation up north to see some relatives so James had planned a longer trip then our previous few trips. We totalled about 150 miles on this trip and covered some familiar and some new areas along the way.

Through just past the Port Charlotte airport we got buzzed by a Blue Angels Jet as it made it's way back to the air field for the air show taking place that weekend. Riding past the airport we saw one of the stunt planes doing its tricks.

We ended up eating at a local biker bar for lunch, it was crowded with riders from all over the area. It was a great meal and interesting to see all the riders out today. From there we headed out towards Englewood beach our final destination of the day. The Englewood beach is actually a pretty nice place to ride to for a day trip or picnic, I will definitely have to remember that place in the future.

It all turned out to be a very good day to ride. We saw some stunt planes and Blue Angels jets, spring breakers enjoy their picnics down by the beach, part of a baseball game as we got stuck in the traffic trying to park in the stadium, and some fantastic weather all day.

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Colby Butler aka Kingkole02

Ride to Fisherman's Village

So after last Sunday's spill I gathered my head together and spent about 15 minutes in the driveway giving myself some friction zone lessons.


Friction Zone: Where the clutch is released just enough to the get the motorcycle to move forward while giving the throttle just enough turn to keep from stalling.

This Sundays was a horrible day. Its was cold lower 50's and overcast/drizzly during some parts of the days. Lucky for me I have a padded jacket and full face helmet which keeps me pretty darn warm.

I also did myself a favor after last weeks spill and got some Kevlar lined and CE approved padded jeans for my riding which helped keep my legs quite warm during our 55 mph trip. At 55 mph the wind temperature can be a minus 10 or more degrees then the ambient temperature, so it was like riding in lower 40's weather.

If you don't know what Kevlar is, Kevlar is a textile material which is a strong para-aramid synthetic fiber, that is five (5) times the strength of steel on equal weight basis.

So from now on in the event that something might happen while I'm riding and I have to lay the bike down again, my legs and rear will be protected much more so then in a standard pair of jeans.

My Gear so far consists of:
Full Face Helmet
Cordura w/ CE approved elbows, shoulders, and back protection jacket
Baggy Red Route (cyclegear.com) jeans
Boots and Gloves

What a crappy day. We got to Fisherman's village and it was windy and cold at the wharf restaurant. However we stayed to play some pool on the dollar tables and when we left the sun was finally starting to show a bit.
All in all it was a successful 100 mile round trip.

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Colby Butler aka Kingkole02

First Road Ride

So I have successfully completed my motorcycle training and safety course to get my endorsement to get my motorcycle license.

It has been a grueling 3 weeks to get back on a motorcycle again. Through a unique opportunity I have a chance to train with a veteran rider and use the other motorcycle the family owns. It is a win win situation where the motorcycle gets used and won't go to waste and I get to learn the road on a motorcycle.

I have been well prepared and ordered all my gear for the opportunity to ride. I bought a full face helmet because that is what I wanted to wear when I started and a full padded Cordura jacket with my gloves and heavy boots (later I found I need protective pants too).

These are the bike as we got ready to go.

I will tell you three weeks doesn't seem like a long time however it was almost like re-learning what I already learned. One thing I did not take the time to practice was the friction zone of this "new to me" motorcycle. Ever motorcycle is different and I had learned the motorcycle in my training course so well it was hard to re-learn a new machine.

Not even 2 minutes on the motorcycle and I turned the throttle too much and laid the bike down in the neighbors yard across the street.

*Note to self, play with the clutch and throttle to figure friction zone, OK got it*

Once back up we hit the road.

I had never been on an incline before on a motorcycle when we have come to an state highway intersection. The result was that I dumped the clutch and smashed the throttle. Well what happens when you fall back from the handle bars? You grasp the throttle to hang on because the right handle bar controls the throttle. Needless to say I laid the bike down in the middle of the intersection pinning my leg up against the rear fender. As I laid there waiting for James to return and help me up I again thought to myself...

*Note to self, play with the clutch and throttle to figure friction zone, OK got it*

Here is what happen to my boot, pants and leg.

My boot was missing part of the front tip leather and my pants have abrasions on them. The fender had taken a deep cut out of my leg which I had to shave around to get the band aids to stick to. My knee which took the impact of the weight as I went to the right side was very swollen and hurt to walk on for awhile. However no major damage to me or the motorcycle thanks to the engine guards which were in place on the frame for protection.

After all that we continue to ride on our way to eat dinner at a local Diner. Total trip was around 60 miles that day.

I made it back to the house and continue to ride for another day.

Moral here is to practice your friction zone, learn your bike, and keep your mind free of panic to ride safe.

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Colby Butler aka Kingkole02