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

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

Lucky 10

We're all just lucky to be able to get out there to pull some wheelies.

Counter: 685

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Late Summer

Think of a song, play it with your instrument, and think of late summer. That is today.

Counter: 590

Owning It

Sometimes, or all the time, you just have to own how awesome you really are.

Counter: 575

Night

It's hard to see at night. It's best to either have owl eyes or some wheelie lights installed.

Counter: 560

Easy, Smooth, Repeat

Easy, Smooth, Repeat... yes!

Counter: 550

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

Relaxectomy

Just perfect even after a week break. LMR was even at the lot!

Counter: 520