The last session had friends watching while I pulled the last wheelies of this Fourth 1000 Wheelies Project.
Also, I happened to create a World Record for being the first person to wheelie a motorcycle while wearing a (bad to the) bone white Straight To Hell biker jacket!
Will I continue pulling massive wheelies with a Fifth 1000 Wheelies Project? Yes.
Counter: 1000
Fourth 1000 Wheelies
Saturday, April 30, 2016
Wednesday, April 27, 2016
So Good
Back at it... again. I can take a break, then pick right back up where I left off. And it's always so good when I do.
Counter: 970
Counter: 970
Thursday, March 31, 2016
Aluminum Horse
Back on my 300lb steed after a ridiculous sabbatical from regular wheelie sessions (due to a temporary state of overcommitment), I found peace behind bars tonight. The smooth sit-down wheelies flowed easily this evening, as easy as they have ever been. And that is a beautiful thing.
Counter: 950
Counter: 950
Sunday, January 10, 2016
The Code
It's been a busy month. Fortunately, 10 wheelies got done today.
Like all things you love -- do daily.
It just feels so good.
Counter: 940
Like all things you love -- do daily.
It just feels so good.
Counter: 940
Friday, December 11, 2015
Slidey
With the usual 'lot busy, the alt church lot proved to be fun, if not slightly fruitless. That 'lot was slippery with dampness and pine needles on this dark night. It made for fun experimenting with varying levels of traction, but overall, well, it was just good to get out there again.
Only practice on the days you eat.
Counter: 930
Only practice on the days you eat.
Counter: 930
Wednesday, December 2, 2015
GoProed
GoProed this moto wheelie session... just to document progress and a typical current outing.
Counter: 920
Counter: 920
Monday, November 30, 2015
OTBP
Wet with only a slight drizzle. Leathers. 40 degrees Fahrenheit -- feels like summer compared to the foggy 32 last night.
Wheelies are awesome. Pulled some real Over The Balance Point ones tonight.
Counter: 910
Sunday, November 29, 2015
Fog 32
Freezing temperature. Ice cold hands (need to install grip warmers and Moose winter hand guard covers). Low visibility, fogging spectacles, fogged up shield inside and out.
It was not easy. I have goals. I am working on them. No excuses.
Thursday, November 26, 2015
Thanksgiving Session
With a break from the usual life grind, this Thanksgiving brought the first real-deal over-the-balance-point-on-a-motorcycle wheelie session for me. It's been a long road. And now I love every second of those sessions. I give thanks to the space in my life that is filled with wheelies and all the circumstances given that make that possible.
Counter: 890
Counter: 890
Friday, November 20, 2015
37 Degrees
37 degrees F. Stadium lot packed, unusable; church lot used -- lots of darkness and fallen tree detritus made for fun. Just fun, fun, fun.
Counter: 875
Thursday, November 19, 2015
Rusty
A guy takes a week off, pulls a whoolie session, and feels rusty. That's just how it goes sometimes. That's part of the quest for the ultra wheelie.
Counter: 865
Counter: 865
Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Curbs
Another great feeling is to ride along the top of a parking lot curb stop to pop a wheelie off the end after a good suspension compress.
OMG. Yes!
Counter: 850
OMG. Yes!
Counter: 850
Tuesday, November 10, 2015
Mercy
With high humidity, low temperatures, darkness, wind, and wet conditions, I find myself at the mercy of the world.
But it doesn't stop me.
The cure is to cast aside exhaustion, drap oneself from head to toe in leather, and don an open-face Captain America helmet.
And ride big wheelies.
Counter: 835
Monday, November 9, 2015
Beef Jerky
Yesterday was a day in the woods on the WR250F. Tonight was a parking lot wheelie session on the WR250R. It's nice how both bikes complement each other while being nowhere near the same.
Even after being accustomed to the F model, getting back on the R felt completely normal and natural. Because it is completely normal and natural.
And the wheelies were ab fab.
Counter: 825
Sunday, November 1, 2015
Autumn Awesome
Pitch black. Wet. Open face Captain America helmet. Black leather jacket. Black leather pants. Perfect. Just another night in the saddle with the headlight aimed towards the heavens.
Counter: 815
Counter: 815
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Unridable Spaces
Stadium. Unridable. Church. Unridable. School. Unridable. All for different reasons, the usual holigan spaces were just not there today. Some days are like that. Fortunately they are rare.
Counter: 800
Counter: 800
Tuesday, October 27, 2015
Skyrocketing
With more experience comes more confidence. Tonight's flatlanding-at-the-stadium brought both out in full, like the moon tonight with 100% illumination.
Counter: 796
Counter: 796
Wednesday, October 21, 2015
The Future
This is the future. Welcome to it.
I am a bonifide genuine flatland over-the-balance-point motorcycle wheelie puller. With control. With style. It's taken me 30 years and nearly my entire family fortune to realize this day. My God, has it been that long...
Counter: 780
Counter: 780
Monday, October 19, 2015
16 psi
After a week break due to general busy modern urban life craziness, the rear tire pressure was set to 16 psi. And that feels darn good. Much better than even the previous set at 18.
Counter: 765
Counter: 765
Monday, October 12, 2015
18 psi
After having dropped the rear tire pressue a tad to 18 psi, the wheelies flowed a tad more naturally. The recent trip had tire pressures up. That always makes for either awkwardness or a mental adjustment.
Counter: 750
Sunday, October 11, 2015
All States
With body tired from gymming, I still just get out there to experience big whoolies in all states of mind and body.
Counter: 730
Saturday, October 10, 2015
Post-ADV
It took five wheelies to refigure out where the balance point is tonight. This session is the first since being loaded down with gear on a long weekend trip. Wow. But then it all came back.
TDC ADV 2015
TDC ADV 2015
Counter: 720
Monday, September 28, 2015
Every Wheelie is Different
This Fourth 1000 Wheelie Project has been The Project that has put so many years of training to good use. I have come into my own. Now, a flat space is mine. All fear is repressed in tipping it over the balance point in order to slow down, even on the flat. No uphill necessary. It's just amazing how far I have come. And I've loved every step of this journey.
My favorite oberservation is that every wheelie is different. It may appear to an outsider that I am out there every day doing the same thing over and over. I am not. Every wheelie has a slighly different set of circumstances to deal with. It could be a wind, an unseen dip in the road, a pebble under the tire, a tired hand and a slight unintented throttle goose to compensate for, an especially hot day and the bog that goes along with it, a reflection of light off of a random car or house window... the list is endless.
Every wheelie is different.
Counter: 710
My favorite oberservation is that every wheelie is different. It may appear to an outsider that I am out there every day doing the same thing over and over. I am not. Every wheelie has a slighly different set of circumstances to deal with. It could be a wind, an unseen dip in the road, a pebble under the tire, a tired hand and a slight unintented throttle goose to compensate for, an especially hot day and the bog that goes along with it, a reflection of light off of a random car or house window... the list is endless.
Every wheelie is different.
Counter: 710
Sunday, September 27, 2015
Super Control
Let the flywheel spin and... up flies the front. As I have done thousands of times before, tonight's session was no different. But noticing the effortless control was new. Sure, I'd noticed that ultimate control is possible, but only if one remains calm. It turns out that calmness is key.
Stay calm and anything is possible.
The trick is just to stay calm! It's not as easy as just issuing a self-command to stay calm. You have to practice it. You have to put yourself in uncomfortable situations and practice staying calm. Then, no matter what happens, the decision to stay calm or to freak out is a choice when things don't go as planned.
Counter: 695
Stay calm and anything is possible.
The trick is just to stay calm! It's not as easy as just issuing a self-command to stay calm. You have to practice it. You have to put yourself in uncomfortable situations and practice staying calm. Then, no matter what happens, the decision to stay calm or to freak out is a choice when things don't go as planned.
Counter: 695
Saturday, September 26, 2015
Friday, September 25, 2015
The Edge
On a certain level, today I felt that I'd been playing dumb regarding pulling motorcycle wheelies for a long time. Like I'd learned with the bicycle years ago, everything just works once you calm completely down, feel for the needed infinitesimaly small adjustments, and only allow external movements that correctly compensate for the magic in motion.
Counter: 675
Counter: 675
Thursday, September 24, 2015
Skillz
Alt lot today; control continues to increase. I've come a long, long way. And it still feels good to have come this far. And I want to go so much further with these skills; there is still so much to learn, so much to do.
Today, with the sun having had set and the environment darkening, the biggest challenge now is to just be able to see around the front fender and tire. Going over the b.p. these days to slow down is finally becoming an extension of thought... it is very bicycle... finally!
Counter: 665
Today, with the sun having had set and the environment darkening, the biggest challenge now is to just be able to see around the front fender and tire. Going over the b.p. these days to slow down is finally becoming an extension of thought... it is very bicycle... finally!
Counter: 665
Wednesday, September 23, 2015
To Love New Tires
While the first few wheelie sessions felt weird, awkward, and foriegn with the new tires, I have discovered that the level of control available just isn't available with a worn set.
Oh, how I love a good, new, rear tire. It is very bicycle in feeling.
Counter: 650
Oh, how I love a good, new, rear tire. It is very bicycle in feeling.
Counter: 650
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
New Tires Part Three
These new tires forced me to become a better rider. So much more control is available with an actual full tire profile. Steering is almost too easy now; there was a learning curve to adapt though. I got it. I love it.
Counter: 635
Counter: 635
Monday, September 21, 2015
New Tires Part Two
The new tires were a bit more manageable today. With slightly reduced rear tire pressure, Two-Fiddy was a tad less flightly. Still, it will be nice once the tires are worn in.
Counter: 625
Counter: 625
Sunday, September 20, 2015
New Tires
Brand new tires, Bridgestone Trail Wing TW-301 (front) and TW-302 (rear), are on and woooo... how different they feel. Up on one, the rear is very sensitive to inputs.
Tire wear helps whoolies. Let's be sure to remember that when we're on the Altiplano making a movie -- worn tires are so much better for pulling natural motorcycle wheelies.
Counter: 615
Tuesday, September 15, 2015
Evergreen
Due to an off-hours early schedule, I hit the Evergreen alternative 'lot. I'd not ridden there before and found it to be a good challenge, a good test, as the 'lot was a good short one.
Counter: 605
Monday, September 14, 2015
Late Summer
Think of a song, play it with your instrument, and think of late summer. That is today.
Counter: 590
Sunday, September 13, 2015
Saturday, September 12, 2015
Night
It's hard to see at night. It's best to either have owl eyes or some wheelie lights installed.
Counter: 560
Friday, September 11, 2015
Tuesday, September 8, 2015
The Stuff Dreams Are Made Of
After a long weekend of "real world" motorcycle wheelie pulling, hitting the 'lot and pulling good ones was easy!
It's a good reminder of all the variables to compensate for when pulling wheelies.
Counter: 535
Saturday, September 5, 2015
Thursday, August 27, 2015
Wednesday, August 26, 2015
Tuesday, August 25, 2015
Throttle Smoothness
With a focus today on throttle smoothness, I got it. My sit-down motorcycle wheelies over and around the balance point have become almost bicycle smooth. And they're getting better. Yes!
Counter: 480
Counter: 480
Monday, August 24, 2015
Rocking the Balance Point
As with any personal skills explosion, selecting the skills to refine next is easy. What's next? Throttle smoothness, without question. I find myself doing sit-downs just under and just over the balance point while slightly jockying the throttle. While effective, one of my goals is utter smoothness. I'll get there.
Counter: 465
Counter: 465
Sunday, August 23, 2015
Saturday, August 22, 2015
Self Test
As a self test, I stopped by one of my old flat parking lot test sites to see how far I've come in the past few years. Verified. I have gotten way, way better.
I expect that in a year I will be There, right where I set my goal so long ago.
Counter: 435
I expect that in a year I will be There, right where I set my goal so long ago.
Counter: 435
Friday, August 21, 2015
Starting to Live
It is safe to say that I am now just starting to finally realize my motorcycle wheelie dreams that I have been chasing for the past ten years.
Counter: 430
Counter: 430
Thursday, August 20, 2015
Tuesday, August 18, 2015
Better
Definitely getting better. A lot better.
It felt almost like the fall season tonight.
#Oktoberfest
#FallIsComing
Counter: 410
It felt almost like the fall season tonight.
#Oktoberfest
#FallIsComing
Counter: 410
Monday, August 17, 2015
High Risk
I figured it out. Motorcycle wheelies actually *are* easier than bicycle wheelies. In these past 10 years, I've heard that, but never believed it until today.
The difference? On a moto the risks are much higher. Bigger speeds. Heavier equipment. Potential crushing on a loop out.
The bicycle demands, arguably, a finer level of balance and control of inputs by the rider while the moto, given relatively massive gyroscopic forces of the wheels and engine, tolerates a slightly looser level of control.
Counter: 400
Sunday, August 16, 2015
Shot By Ruthie
I decided that an impromptu photo needed to be captured for tonight's random wheelie session. It wasn't a milestone event. There wasn't a special number or trick. It was just me in the moment.
Counter: 390
Reference: https://instagram.com/p/6eR93vnYjW/
Counter: 390
Reference: https://instagram.com/p/6eR93vnYjW/
Saturday, August 15, 2015
Tequila on the Sideline
With a bag with tequila on the sideline (in preparation for Ghostface KLR's 45th time around the sun celebration), I got in a good 15.
Counter: 375
Counter: 375
Friday, August 14, 2015
Thursday, August 13, 2015
Monday, August 3, 2015
Satisfaction
It's amazing to me that it has only been a few hundred wheelies since the close of the Third 1000 Wheelies Project. My skills and perspective have evolved over these past short weeks. So much so that I barely even recognize me out there.
What's changed? The feeling that one ill-timed input will result in an instant crash. It turns out that is only a fear. The reality is that subtle inputs aren't usually even enough -- it takes deliberate, but still careful, adjustments to pull a motorcycle wheelie well. One has to keep in mind of the sheer mass of these insane two-wheeled rockets. They are not light (no pun intended).
Counter: 325
What's changed? The feeling that one ill-timed input will result in an instant crash. It turns out that is only a fear. The reality is that subtle inputs aren't usually even enough -- it takes deliberate, but still careful, adjustments to pull a motorcycle wheelie well. One has to keep in mind of the sheer mass of these insane two-wheeled rockets. They are not light (no pun intended).
Counter: 325
Sunday, August 2, 2015
No Fear
Well, perhaps saying that I have no fear of riding my fire breathing monster on one wheel over the balance point is going a bit too far, I can certainly say that today marks the day where I am comfortable going over the balance point at speed. Of course, this fear was conquered years ago on the bicycle.
Today, I arrived. And it feels great.
Counter: 310
Today, I arrived. And it feels great.
Counter: 310
Saturday, August 1, 2015
Friday, July 31, 2015
Dream Big
Even after a week away from the standard wheelie sessions, I was able to pick right back up where I left off. Big wheelies ensued. As did big slides. And big smiles.
Good. All very good.
Counter: 280
Good. All very good.
Counter: 280
Sunday, July 26, 2015
Short But Good
It was a semi-wet summer session today. The rains were drying. There were clouds to the south and blue sky to the north, where the sun was. It was a perfect looking-under-the-handlebar session until an official looking dark blue car rolled in. I split. It was still a good session though. +10 for the books.
Counter: 265
Counter: 265
Friday, July 24, 2015
Freedom
Slip slidin' away in the rain. Amazing session, as always. So lucky, so fun. Jumping all obstacles well: hill, mound, curb. Sliding into position, squealing to the launch zone.
At some point I'm going to have to let go of the fear of crashing -- just like I did with the bicycle years ago. It is called Total Confidence.
Counter: 255
Thursday, July 23, 2015
Off the Beaten Path
With a popo cruiser strategically parked in the middle of my usual designated wheelie (undisclosed) location, I was forced to pull tonight's session in an alternative parking lot. While I had cramped space to work in, it was a good test of my skill development -- and I have decidedly progressed!
It's all a good reminder that going off the beaten path usually results in a better experience than going where the territory is well worn.
Counter: 240
It's all a good reminder that going off the beaten path usually results in a better experience than going where the territory is well worn.
Counter: 240
Tuesday, July 21, 2015
Flywheel
What a great session tonight. The displayed level of control surpassed all previous sessions.
I ran this session slightly differently. The first thing different was a consistent clutch up using a modified yut ughh. Tonight, rather than a short yut with a longer ughh up to near the balance point, I held the clutch in fractionally longer. That made more of a YYUUTT and a brief ughh. Much better. That gets the front end up closer to balance point every time (which is one of the secrets I learned a long time ago with bicycles; doing that on a motorcycle takes bigger balls).
The second insight I put to use was to not rush around the compound, wearing myself out in the process. Instead of racing up the hill and racing down it, tearing around at speeds approaching 60 mph at times, I took my time... much like the early 1000 Wheelies Project sessions. I'd pull a wheelie, then just roll, jump, and slide around to the launch zone again. That works well in order to conserve energy.
Counter: 225
I ran this session slightly differently. The first thing different was a consistent clutch up using a modified yut ughh. Tonight, rather than a short yut with a longer ughh up to near the balance point, I held the clutch in fractionally longer. That made more of a YYUUTT and a brief ughh. Much better. That gets the front end up closer to balance point every time (which is one of the secrets I learned a long time ago with bicycles; doing that on a motorcycle takes bigger balls).
The second insight I put to use was to not rush around the compound, wearing myself out in the process. Instead of racing up the hill and racing down it, tearing around at speeds approaching 60 mph at times, I took my time... much like the early 1000 Wheelies Project sessions. I'd pull a wheelie, then just roll, jump, and slide around to the launch zone again. That works well in order to conserve energy.
Counter: 225
Monday, July 20, 2015
Sunday, July 19, 2015
Keeping It Live
Fantastical balance-in-motion performances always require a subtle kind of jiggling in order to feel what's going on with the machinery. I call that jiggling "keeping it live." It's just a matter of subtle left, right, up, and down movements used in order to maintain control of the seemingly uncontrollable.
Counter: 190
Counter: 190
Friday, July 17, 2015
It's Friday I'm in Love
Sunset: 21:01 in Seattle. Weather: dry & hot. And I still love pulling motorcycle wheelies.
Counter: 175
Counter: 175
Wednesday, July 15, 2015
Post-bicycle
With only a short break between, tonight I went for a bicycle wheelie ride, then a standard motorcycle wheelie session.
My thoughts? Same as always; no changes. The bicycle, when set up correctly, is so, so easy to wheelie well. And the WR250R, even as light as it is for a streetbike, just feels like a heavy non-responsive-to-my-inputs slug in comparison to a bicycle. Sure that moto will do 0-60mph in 6.7 seconds and the bicy will only go that fast if taken on a base jump, but the level of control available on a mountain bike is second to none.
And I circle back to one of my earlier discoveries... bicycles and motorcycle are apples and oranges.
Counter: 160
My thoughts? Same as always; no changes. The bicycle, when set up correctly, is so, so easy to wheelie well. And the WR250R, even as light as it is for a streetbike, just feels like a heavy non-responsive-to-my-inputs slug in comparison to a bicycle. Sure that moto will do 0-60mph in 6.7 seconds and the bicy will only go that fast if taken on a base jump, but the level of control available on a mountain bike is second to none.
And I circle back to one of my earlier discoveries... bicycles and motorcycle are apples and oranges.
Counter: 160
Tuesday, July 14, 2015
Monday, July 13, 2015
Craptastica
Occasionally, when things aren't going well in life, nothing works. This session was the worst performance in recent history. You can't win them all. I'll go back to winning tomorrow.
Counter: 130
Counter: 130
Thursday, July 9, 2015
17lbs
17lbs more weight in the fuel tank makes a big difference, especially when The Bog can be felt due to warm ambient temperatures. But tonight wasn't a total write-off. I did learn something -- how to ride wheelies better with a full fuel tank when it's hot out.
Counter: 115
Counter: 115
Wednesday, July 8, 2015
Underbar
The problem with big motorcycle wheelies is that one cannot see ahead. The fender, front tire, instruments, and the whatever else consists of the front end of the bike just gets in the way. What to do? Look around.
I've taken to looking off to the side, under the handle bar. Under the handle bar!
Wunderbar.
Counter: 100
I've taken to looking off to the side, under the handle bar. Under the handle bar!
Wunderbar.
Counter: 100
Tuesday, July 7, 2015
7/7
With a slight gray overcast sky and non-blazing temperatures, it was a pleasant wheelie session today.
Monday, July 6, 2015
The Howl
It's safe to say that backing-it-in has become an essential element to my wheelie session regimine. And one nice thing about that, beyond the amazing feeling and quick return to the clutch-up zone, is the noise the tire makes when the weather is warm and the tire is fighting for traction.
It is The Howl.
Sunday, July 5, 2015
Speed
Sometimes the summer heat and the frustrations of life lead to an aggressive ride. Today was one of those days. And that is a good thing for focused wheelies and big, speedy, long back-in-in slides.
I cannot wait to get back in the saddle to repeat!
Counter: 55
I cannot wait to get back in the saddle to repeat!
Counter: 55
Saturday, July 4, 2015
Freedom
With the Captain America helmet donned, and fireworks exploding and smoking in the field below, tonight was one of the greatest wheelie sessions to date. The riding wasn't particularly spectacular. There was something in the air -- a feeling of freedom... the feeling that I was doing exactly what I should have been doing. And I was. Big Wheelies.
Counter: 35
Tuesday, June 30, 2015
Back to Back
While the last session of the Third 1000 Wheelies Project and the first session of this Project occurred back to back, session number two brought more energy and more aggressive riding, naturally.
Fear of tipping it way back has eased. Mostly, I credit the videos shot of the last 3k wheelie session for that learning. By reviewing the video it was easy to see that throwing it over the balance point momentarily, especially upon clutch up, is the way to go -- just like on a bicycle! Of course!!!
Counter: 25
Fear of tipping it way back has eased. Mostly, I credit the videos shot of the last 3k wheelie session for that learning. By reviewing the video it was easy to see that throwing it over the balance point momentarily, especially upon clutch up, is the way to go -- just like on a bicycle! Of course!!!
Counter: 25
Friday, June 26, 2015
Fourth 1000 Wheelies
60 seconds ago, my Third 1000 Wheelies Project ended. It was a personal project that took a year to help further develop my motorcycle wheelie skills. It worked. I can pull better motorcycle wheelies now.
Why stop documenting motorcycle wheelies once a few thousand are counted? Sure, I've pulled many more. But the point is to make a record of progress... and to chase that ultimate life goal.
The quest for the Ultra Wheelie continues.
The first five wheelies of my Fourth 1000 Wheelies Project have now been pulled!
Counter: 5 wheelies
Why stop documenting motorcycle wheelies once a few thousand are counted? Sure, I've pulled many more. But the point is to make a record of progress... and to chase that ultimate life goal.
The quest for the Ultra Wheelie continues.
The first five wheelies of my Fourth 1000 Wheelies Project have now been pulled!
Counter: 5 wheelies
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