No DSB ride for me this month. The guys got together for their annual Memphis ride on Sunday but I was being daddy so I just took the kids to the park where the crew departed from. The kids enjoyed seeing the bikes and then loved playing at the park. Here's a quick pic of the guys rolling out.

After an hour, I took the kids and their Uncle Steve, who had joined us that morning, on the route they took for the ride. On Belle River rd. we came upon the DSB group pulled off into a driveway, which wasn't a good sign. There was a St. Clair County police officer present, so we hoped it was just traffic enforcement being applied. Unfortunately though, one of the riders went down in one of the corners. He was basically fine and the bike, while banged up, could have been much worse. The family that took everyone in was totally amazing and helped out any way they could. They even loaded up the bike and trucked it back to Roseville, which I followed to help unload and with anything else I could have helped with. Ron, glad to see you came out ok, man. Here is some photo evidence.

So, what am I sharing this week if I missed the big ride? What was good enough to put out and share with you guys. Only the best ride I've ridden yet.

Friday night I left from the garage and flowed in traffic down Gratiot for about 3 miles. I stopped to eat dinner at Big Jacks Bar-b-que and the Perch dinner I had was very good. I couldn't empty my plate, but I never can at this place. Then it was east on Martin over to Jefferson to enjoy a lazy pace toward home. Passed Shook just a bit and stopped for an ice cream cone, but with the smell of fishflies in the air, I wasn't sticking around long. Jumped back on the bike and took Shook back to Harper. Shot up Harper to the apartments where the kids were at a birthday party and talked to them for a second, then back down to 15 mile rd. to head to the garage and pick up the car.

Wait a second. "What the heck was so special about that ride?", you may ask. Well, this is why!

Yes, my babydoll has finally joined me on a ride. Our first together. She was nervous. In fact, at dinner she told me she only opened her eyes a couple of times. And those times were only when we were stopped. That's when I left it up to her to just get home on quick on Gratiot or take the scenic route. Just a short cruise around the area. She opted for the latter and even promised to try to keep her eyes open. She did. And she enjoyed herself. So much so that I have to share a little info about our Saturday night ride, too.

I said we ran by the apartments where the kids were. You should have seen how excited they got when we pulled up and mom was riding on the back of dad's bike. They got quite the kick out of it. Ashley immediately asked if she could ride next. That's my little princess! I wish we could have gotten a picture of their smiling faces to share with you. They were awesome. But, to the garage to park it and we were done. About 15 miles of all straight city roads, but the ride couldn't have been better.

Saturday night, quick and simple, Jen got to experience some curves. Moravian, Clinton River rd., and Romeo Plank. When it was over, she said she was hooked. "How do you know?", I asked her. With her beautiful smile and a gleam in her eye, she answered, "because I can't wait to do it again." Yup. I love you, Babydoll!!!

Was a good weekend for a ride. IF you were riding on Saturday, and I was. Was steaming hot and in Michigan, when the weather hits 90 degrees, you head for the water and that's what we did. Arpad, riding the Beemer, and Barb on her FZ1 invited me along for a ride Saturday evening up along Lake St. Clair and St. Clair river. I was all about that so I met them at their house to take off from there.

To get to the water, we had to hit the slab for a few miles. We jumped on 696 over to 94. Once on 94 we were going to head for 59. Mille, that's Arpad, for a split second decided to open up that BMW for a few but his mind was quickly changed by the Michigan State Police SUV hidden in the median. Mr. Police stayed put and we were all happy. Once on 59, we jumped right over to Jefferson, where we were welcomed immediately by that cooling breeze blowing off the lake. No, it just doesn't feel the same in a car.

From Jefferson, it didn't take too long to get to 29. A quick turn east and we'd be heading up the lakes coastline. Traffic was a bit heavy, but it didn't even seem to matter. We weren't on a search for twisties, just a search for a ride. This was a nice lazy ride and still loved every second of it. Sometimes it's nice to see how the cruisers do it when they ride.

After a short time on 29, we took a detour onto Anchor Bay drive, right before the St. Johns Marshland Recreation area. Follow that back to the boat yard and keep to your right. Watch on your left and you'll see Deckers Landing on your left. This is a great place to stop for a break. We only grabbed something to drink and listened to the live band for a few minutes but the scenery is great and it is a great chance to grab some pics. Here are a few that I shot of the bikes and the sights.


















Once we were satisfied we'd enjoyed the moment long enough, we got back on the road. We got back to 29 and continued our trek up the eastern coast of the thumb. We enjoyed lighter traffic from this point on and seemed like we pretty quickly made it to Marine City.

Once in Marine City, we found the ferry for a ride into Sombra on the Canadian side of the river. This was a first for me on a motorcycle. Do I have a picture of it, no. That is because I managed to drop my helmet while trying to get my camera out of my pocket. I should have just left it on because the ferry ride is short. Maybe two minutes. Well my shield popped off and the assembly on the helmet broke and the visor would only stay on if you kept it about half way open. I couldn't close it or open it all the way. Was a minor pain to deal with and my eyes paid a bit of a price, but, live and learn.

Once off the ferry we meandered up a nice two lane in Sombra for just a ways until we found a nice roadside park that was well shaded and had great views of the river. Was another nice spot to rest for a minute, take a drink of water and get some good pics to share with you.


















Well, by now our stomachs are telling us it's time to find some food. We all jumped back on our bikes and headed back into town (and it's not much of one of those) the way we came. Right where we got off the ferry was a little restraunt so we stopped in there. They told us, since we didn't have reservations, the only openings were on the patio. An enclosed patio with very slowly moving ceiling fans on an 85 plus degree day. Yeah, OK. We decided to cross back into the good ole' US of A and find someplace more familiar. This time, I got pics from the ferry.










And here's Mille showing me the proper method for transporting your lid across a river. (And finding a new place to eat for our next visit. Gotta love locals!)










And here is myself showing that I can learn a lesson. Even if it is always the hard way.







Once back onto the shores of the homeland, we headed back south. We rode into Algonac to Snoopy's Dog House. All I can say is my burger was an actuall burger, thick and juicy and very good fries. And after seeing Arpad's plate of fish, WOW! It was a huge plate of walleye and he said it was very good. The fill-up we took on in Snoopy's made sure we would be on a lazy pace the rest of the way home. Before we took off, though, there was this "biker chick" that couldn't keep herself off of Mille. You know, the kind that sees your helmets and jackets and gets all turned on and wants to go for a ride and all that. Well, I had to snap a pic of this piece of tail that Mille could've pulled if he wanted.







Well from there we hit the streets headed home the way we came. Once on 59, we split off since I didn't trust my shield at freeway speeds. Didn't want it flying off and hitting anybody's car. So after a good-bye wave I shot over to Gratiot and headed home. They hit the slab to their side of town.

Thanks for the fun day Arpad and Barb. Can't wait to do it again!

Wow, do I have some stuff to share with ya today. It's been an interesting two weeks, to say the least. Where to start? Ok, I'll start with last weekend.

Saturday our internet went down. Was down till Thursday. That blew. Didn't go on any fun rides or anything. Jennifer had to work all weekend, so I was kinda grounded.

The next fun came on Tuesday night. I knew I needed gas but hadn't yet switched to reserve. My normal stop on my way to work is five miles down I-94, so on the on ramp, I went ahead and switched to reserve with full confidence I'd have plenty of gas to get there. And I should have. Somehow, there was no reserve. Whether I was riding in reserve the whole time or if there is a mechanical problem with the fuel selector valve, I don't know, but a mile later I ran out of gas. To make it worse, I had to pull on to the left shoulder of the freeway.

In an effort to make it safer for my babydoll, who was going to bring me gas, I wanted to get to the other side where the shoulder is wider. As soon as I saw a nice opening in traffic I pushed my bike off the shoulder and started across. As soon as I went down the shoulder, my bike bounced a bit and bounced my helmet, which was hanging on my mirror, right off my bike. It bounced and landed right in the middle of the first lane. I then had to fight to get the bike back up the shoulder. I finally did and got the kickstand down just in time to wave down the first car, a truck actually, who slowed and went around it, and the second car, something small, did the same. The third car evidently thought that the two cars in front of them emergency braked and swerved for the hell of it, even if there was a big pink and yellow warning sign on the side of the freeway, and proceeded to come through at full speed. Big pop, and loud scraping noise later, they finally pulled over, backed off the helmet, and left. Here is what's left.







Well, Jennifer was kind enough to go ahead and bring my other helmet that I used last year along with the gas. As soon as I put it on, I realized how lucky I was when I went down last year that I didn't crack my dome worse than I did. This helmet is WAY to big for me. I will definitely be having to get another one soon. Until then, there is a great guy on the DSB forum that is lending me a helmet that will fit me. Thanks Marc!

That brings me to the weekend. There was a memorial ride for a rider who died last year after making a very poor decision while on his bike. His family has turned this tragic event around and now is putting a positive message that all riders could and should listen too. Any ticket, whether it cost you $100 or $1000, is not worth losing your life over. It isn't fair to your loved ones that you leave behind. Man up, pull over and except the consequences of your actions. The riders in the area are really backing them up with a show of support and I had hoped to show mine also, but family plans caused a change in plans for this year. Here are a few pics from the event.

Knowing on Saturday night that I wouldn't be able to make the Memorial ride, I set the alarm for a very early 6:30 am. My babydoll was also sweet enough to make sure I didn't just roll over and ignore the alarm, and I was up outta bed and getting ready by 6:50. Unfortunately I can't keep my bike at my apartment, so now I had to spend additional drive time to go get my bike, but was on the road by 7:30, anyway.

Planning on just a comfortable laid back ride, I headed up Romeo Plank to 23. Next time, I'll jump on Shelby road after 59, save alot of straight lining on 23 mile rd. From there jumped up Dequinder to Parkdale. From this point on was basically the DSB Memphis ride. It runs up Rochester Rd. through Lakeville, past Leanord to Dryden. From there, you gotta head over to Capac rd. where you can jump on Belle River Rd., which is a decent motorcycling road, and will take you right into Memphis, MI. That early in the morning, traffic wasn't bad at all either. Those roads through Lakeville are getting rough and really had my front end hopping though. Not very confidence inspiring. Here is a picture of my bike in Memphis. Loved the look of the oldness feel of the building and just thought it would look like a cool pic.







Well, from there, I headed east out of town over to Dolan then Rattle Run Road. Took Rattle Run to Wadhams where I headed south. Wadhams changes to Indian Trail after you cross Belle River. Jumped off Indian Trail Rd at Marine City hwy, east to Marsh rd. Ran down Marsh into Algonac. Rattle Run and Marsh are a couple of pretty nice motorcycling roads. Check them out some time if you haven't yet. In Algonac, I jumped on 29 and followed the shoreline back home to Jefferson, around to North river road, South River rd and Jefferson again. You know I love the water and was happy to snap a pic of the fizzer in that setting. Yes, it's a shame that Michigan wasn't this nice most of the year.







It was a beautiful morning, 50 degrees when I left out. Great day for a ride. Yes, life does start before 10:00 am on a Sunday, and a good ride is a great way to go find it. Ride safe y'all, but have fun doing it!!!!