Otis
Needs a job
Captain Kickstand
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posted March 24, 2003 07:58 AM
 Edited By: Otis on 24 Mar 2003 08:02
My good thought for the day...
I'm sitting on a porch swing. It's early evening and the sun is already below the mountain in front of me. Even though I don't want it to, the swing is swinging, no matter how many times I ask, it just keeps swinging, but that's ok cause all is well. My left hand is cold from the can of Budweiser, half drank, resting in it. In my right hand clutched between two fingers is a half smoked Kool. I reflect on the day as I watch Bart cleaning bugs off his windscreen, Rick meticulously wiping his rims with Honda Pro Polish, Mark watching over Rick like a father making sure his boy doesn't screw something up, Brian sitting on the edge of the porch smoking a cig, Rob sitting on the other swing staring into space and Harry on the swing next to me just enjoying life, but why won't he stop swinging?
The day started out early with Barto making breakfast for all of us, need the energy for the events of the morning. We take off slow getting the tires warmed up and our minds in synch as we lazily ride down 321 to the foothills. I am calm in these early moments of the ride, thinking about the bike, about what lies ahead. Everything seems to be working fine, front air pressure could use another pound or two. I imagine the others have the same thoughts in their heads too. These thoughts of calm before the storm. We pass a few cars and goose the throttle a bit letting the motor know to get ready. As we make the left onto the foothills I sit up in my seat, inch closer to the tank, wiggle a little to get my postion correct. A transformation comes over my face as I get into the mode. I follow Rick into the lazy right hander that opens onto the road and check my 6 for the others. Of course Harry is right there and although I can't see his face, I'm sure it's the same as the rest of ours, determination and satisfaction. Game on! Rick is off and I and the others are with him. The dance begins.
All day, so many lefts and rights I can't count. Perfect execution of turns mixed in with a few misses and bumbles. A couple hair raising moments mixed in with nirvana. The smells of the mountian mixed with the sweet smell of victory. Victory over the usual days, the monotonous days, the days of regular life. Victory over death.
We encounter close quarters on 411, open sweepers on the Parkway, all of them shrugged off by the 12, all of them conquered with friends and comrades in the pursuit of utopia. But there is no pursuit here for me though because this IS utopia, this is what it's about, this is why I'm here. Some won't understand and they shouldn't because this is my utopia, my escape. I hope it never ends.
Still swinging I think of all the miles and all the sights, I think of the way the tires gripped the center of that right hander on the Cherahola and then squirmed in protest on the way out, I think off all the blackies that Rick leaves behind, I think of the symphony of and the precision of friends who have ridden together long enough to hit the throttle at the same moment and turn in at the same point, I think of the trust I have in my fellow travelers and they trust they have in me, I think of seeing Harry in my mirror only a couple feet behind me in an incredibly fast left hander and not harbouring a second of doubt, I think about how crazy we were riding 100-140 all the way from Ashville to 321 on the e-way, I think about the moment of satisfaction and relief when I shut the motor off back at the cabin. We're back and everyone is safe.
So here I am after 15 minutes of silence sitting on the swing, swinging, smoking my Kool, drinking my beer, watching my friends, reflecting on the day, feeling more content than a man should and I look at Harry sitting next to me wondering if he is thinking about the same things, is his mind wondering about the same things? I have to ask him a question though so in a very mellow friendly voice I ask "Harry could you please stop swinging for just a couple minutes?" and Harry looks at me with an incredulous look and says "Fuck you you Fuckstick!"
And I laugh and know that all in the world is right and life with my friends is great.
Can't wait till DGV!
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It's a free country brother
  
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Ninjaman12R
Needs a job
as a Deal's Gap tour guide.
Posts: 4767
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posted March 24, 2003 08:52 AM
DAMMIT BOY!!!!!
C,
You damned nigh brought a tear to my eye son!!! Excellent viewpoint, and may I add that it is SO on target. Fucking A brother, you took a MF back right there. For a minute I was THERE!!! It won't be long now brother. May is just around the corner. 
Went for a nice ride to the lake yesterday. The bike is behaving beautifully, rear tire is toasted though. I saw several bikes yesterday. It was great weather for riding. I rode to work today, it was 53* when I left the house this morning. Felt good to hear that big four talk first thing in the morning. Can't wait for quittin' time so I can hear it again.
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What we're dealin' with here is a complete lack of respect for the law.
Sheriff Buford T. Justice of TEXAS
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wannabe
Pro
Posts: 1931
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posted March 24, 2003 09:52 AM
Peter Eagan from Cycleworld ain't got nothing on you, man.
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"There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering; the rest are just games." - Ernest Hemingway
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Otis
Needs a job
Captain Kickstand
Posts: 3028
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posted March 24, 2003 10:27 AM
Edited By: Otis on 24 Mar 2003 10:27
Thanks wannabe, the best writing always comes from the heart of experience, not thought.
Rick, I too rode to work today. Is it 4pm yet?
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It's a free country brother
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Ninjaman12R
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as a Deal's Gap tour guide.
Posts: 4767
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posted March 24, 2003 12:44 PM
Gettin' Close.......
Yeah Otis, it's gettin' close to quittin' time. Gonna do a little riding after work, then go home and fire up the grill. Steaks & shrimp are on the menu tonight, cold Bud will be in order as well. The weather is far too nice to spend the evening inside. It's all good...........
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What we're dealin' with here is a complete lack of respect for the law.
Sheriff Buford T. Justice of TEXAS
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redelk
Moderator
Please... speak to the hand.
Posts: 3212
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posted March 24, 2003 01:06 PM
OUTSTANDING, O! I felt like I was there and can't wait for DGV!
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There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games.
-Ernest Hemingway
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Ninjaman12R
Needs a job
as a Deal's Gap tour guide.
Posts: 4767
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posted March 24, 2003 01:13 PM
He did good......
He did good didn't he Sherm.......
You'd never suspect he was a glue sniffin' ass bandit from the motor city. Just kiddin Otis, you da man.
____________
What we're dealin' with here is a complete lack of respect for the law.
Sheriff Buford T. Justice of TEXAS
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redelk
Moderator
Please... speak to the hand.
Posts: 3212
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posted March 24, 2003 01:18 PM
DAMN ALL OF YOU (that rode to work today). It's a beautiful day here as well. Yet all I can do is look at my old swingarm sitting next to my desk and wait for my 7R swingarm to get back from the powdercoat guy.
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There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games.
-Ernest Hemingway
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wannabe
Pro
Posts: 1931
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posted March 24, 2003 01:21 PM
Look! I found an Otis smiley: 
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"There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering; the rest are just games." - Ernest Hemingway
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slug
Pro
Out in search of my mind...
Posts: 1433
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posted March 24, 2003 02:53 PM
lol nice
new engine breaking in well, it's nice and loose, but not sloppy. perfect for the track, as intended
dg trip my baby will have all nice new pieces so no more slopped 2nd gear
man that was awesome
from yesterday, sorry digital only. film will be week or so more
http://slug.nofone.org/Spring2003/
  
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LUCKY12
Expert Class
Posts: 198
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posted March 24, 2003 03:37 PM
Great job Otis May is just around the corner.Good to hear you all are getting a little riding in.My bike has been at hpMike for the last couple of week he has been getting it set up for me because Maxton is this weekend.Mike an Roger have been a big help taken care of the bike and just think it was dg1 when we all met and we have been friend every scene.Because of the dg events i have made friends with a lot of great people and that is what riding is all about.All of this down time getting ready for Maxton means know riding at the gap so i'm sure i'll be a rusty come may but what the hell it's all about fun anyway.
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harryzx-12
Needs a job
Posts: 3643
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posted March 24, 2003 05:27 PM
I had some deja vu going on there
It was like I was there again Otis.Redelk may be lookin for a new job soon.I feel the same way as you guys do.I trust you guys implicitly.I normally don't want other riders too near me but it is so much fun when we are all together riding like you described and I've ridden so much with you guys that I KNOW what you are going to do.
I've got to set my bike up for curves next month.Right now theres not enough room (it's lowered)under my bike for 2 ants to fuck.
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"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways- Body thoroughly used up, totally worn out...Screaming "WOO HOO, What a Ride !!!"
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Ninjaman12R
Needs a job
as a Deal's Gap tour guide.
Posts: 4767
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posted March 24, 2003 07:30 PM
Ahhhh Poetry My Man................
quote:
Right now theres not enough room (it's lowered)under my bike for 2 ants to fuck.
That's classic "Harry" for ya right there...... LMFAO!!!!!
____________
What we're dealin' with here is a complete lack of respect for the law.
Sheriff Buford T. Justice of TEXAS
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Scooter
Zone Head
Posts: 899
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posted March 25, 2003 06:04 AM
Fuckin' classic.
You Fucksticks have fun for me too. I am so pissed I can't make it this time. We need to bump the fall one up to Aug.
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"Growing old is inevitable, growing up is optional."
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Otis
Needs a job
Captain Kickstand
Posts: 3028
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posted March 25, 2003 07:45 AM
I'm glad I cheered you up even for a moment during these tough days Harry. I've been thinking about you buddy.
Slug, what happened to your motor? I didn't read anything about this.
Scooter, you sure you can't make the May dates? Come on dude..
Mark you better post stuff about MAxton and I want PICS!!!!!!!!!!!!
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It's a free country brother
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Ninjaman12R
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as a Deal's Gap tour guide.
Posts: 4767
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posted March 25, 2003 07:57 AM
Maxton.......
Man I'd love to go to Maxton with Mark, Mike, and Roger. Those cats are going to have an awesome time. If I went maybe I could get me an Lil' Red into the "140 Club". On one wheel of course!!!  Honestly I don't know what my fastest wheelie is on the 12, but I do know I've had it in 3rd gear hitting the limiter with 17/47 gearing. Probably not 140, but trust me, plenty scary.
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What we're dealin' with here is a complete lack of respect for the law.
Sheriff Buford T. Justice of TEXAS
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Scooter
Zone Head
Posts: 899
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posted March 25, 2003 10:07 PM
No can do. Mill outage for 12 days. Running all 4 crews around the clock, 2 on days 2 on nites. Gotta get back up and running asap, lost production is lost. Cant make the new dates either. I will be down there for the Honda Hoot. Dad bought some property for building a retirement home in Dandrige TN and will likely retire this fall so I may be down often after that. I can ride around on that slow ass red 12 of his too.
Just keep me in the loop for the fall dates.
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"Growing old is inevitable, growing up is optional."
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Otis
Needs a job
Captain Kickstand
Posts: 3028
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posted March 26, 2003 03:50 AM
Sorry you can't make it Scoot. Will surely let you know about the fall dates.
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It's a free country brother
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LUCKY12
Expert Class
Posts: 198
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posted March 26, 2003 11:00 AM
Scooter call me up and let me know what days you are going to be here for the honda hoot 1-865-389-2069.Scooter do not look at the first date that is posted for the fall ride. I think Otis will be in Cuba that weekend.Always go with the second date. LOL
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slug
Pro
Out in search of my mind...
Posts: 1433
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posted March 26, 2003 02:32 PM
otis: ebay treasure ive been picking up since 01
did inventory, bought a few choice parts and built engine for the trackbike
(which i acquired a frame for last summer for 50 bux)
hehe
this was yesterday, back up to spring2003 for the rest
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GreenGlenn
Expert Class
Ron Jeremy's Stunt Double
Posts: 370
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posted March 26, 2003 06:05 PM
schweet scenery
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If you love your bike, set it free. If it comes back to you....you probably highsided.
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ballisticzx12r
Zone Head
& Deals Gap Board Member
Posts: 940
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posted March 26, 2003 06:17 PM
Edgar Allen Otis,
I must admit, I am chocked up. I cannot wait for this trip (I think I always say that). Thank you very much for that, I needed it.
Anyone but anyone who wonders why we make the journey should never again as why.
See you all soon.
Barto
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Be fast and Be safe
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Scooter
Zone Head
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posted March 27, 2003 12:16 AM
LMAO on the Fall dates. Got your number, call ya soon.
Should be there for the Hoot by the 10th. Staying 10-12 days, most likely at a ZRX guy's cottage in Kingston. Bringing Ruby and the girls and the ZX and SV.
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"Growing old is inevitable, growing up is optional."
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Otis
Needs a job
Captain Kickstand
Posts: 3028
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posted March 27, 2003 04:10 AM
Gotcha Slug. Lucky, I will NOT be in Cuba! Maybe Madagascar though. LOL
____________
It's a free country brother
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slug
Pro
Out in search of my mind...
Posts: 1433
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posted March 27, 2003 04:20 AM
greenglenn: that is about 20 minutes from the house, you best be making it up here for the weekend before the gap trip so you can over-indulge on these roads
:-)
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