fabiodriven
06-24-2014, 11:01 PM
I have been thinking about this post since I got to Trikefest this year on Sunday June 15th. I've been taking in the events transpiring around me during this time and trying to remember the most memorable things. The problem is, the whole trip was so big and the entire thing an event in itself, so words may be lacking here to portray my experience this year.
I will start by saying 2014 was by far my best Trikefest ever. I've been enough now to know how to prepare which makes the trip that much more enjoyable. We worked hard this year as we do every year preparing for this week. This week is my New Years. This is the week that my entire year hinges on. Not one thing or anybody could stop me from making this week happen for me, and it's gone on for long enough that most people I know understand. If they don't they'll figure it out pretty quick.
This year the trailer needed a ton of work and the truck had a lot of changes to it as well that left a question mark as to whether or not the camper would sit on it. I am a truck driver by trade and enjoy what I do, so a big part of my trip is concentrated on a flawless hauler. I enjoy over loading the girl and stretching her legs out on the big road, it's what it was made to do. Part of the enjoyment of my trip is the actual ride there and back. This year we were thrown for a loop with Steve's purchase of his own camper a mere 3 days before our departure and the camper not arriving to Steve's property until the day before we left. He had never owned a camper or driven with a trailer prior to this day. His truck had no trailer brake controller and his 200X was still apart when Craig and I arrived at Steve's late in the morning the day of our departure. The three of us divided and conquered, uniting again when one of us needed a hand and then splitting off and going back to our respective jobs. I told Steve we'd be rolling out that day and there wasn't any other way. We needed to make it happen and we did just that. We were on the road only slightly behind schedule, which is fine when you arrive days before most people anyways.
Our convoy had been on the highway for roughly 7 minutes when I got a somewhat frantic call from Steve behind me. It seems he was having some issues with his camper swaying behind his truck. I gave him some helpful advise and he was able to smooth things out. The next time we stopped we loaded the nose of his trailer up with weight and it straightened out significantly. Craig was with me in my rig and he's a self-admitted back seat driver. He was nervous as soon as he got in my truck. No sooner did I hang up the phone with Steve when I noticed a Duramax coming up the hammer lane behind me with a massive 5th wheel rig in tow. In order to calm Craig's nerves, I immediately depressed the accelerator to its fullest position. The Duramax was newer and his load lighter, but were gaining on him at about 95 mph. We had caught up with traffic at that point and now Craig had a reason to worry (or so he thought).
We stopped in a rest area for a night and slept. The next morning Steve was boasting about how smaht he had been ta pick up a coffee the night befo-a. No sooner did he finish alerting me to such a bright idea did he knock his coffee on the ground. Right around that time William had informed me that he was going to arrive at Haspin before us. Nuts.
A few hours later, not long before sunset on Sunday, we were ascending the hill into Haspin Acres yet again. This was the culmination of hundreds of hours of work and thousands of dollars. We've been waiting a year for this, and it is here in front of us right now. I stirred the shifter of my truck in search of a lower gear to let the 7.3 announce our arrival and again depressed the throttle to its fullest. As we crested the hill and began to see in the park I grabbed a handful of air horn and looked up to where I expected to see William. Who I saw was Kevin, and he was on the phone. I'm going by him making as much noise as I possibly can with a very loud machine, and he's scurrying in the opposite direction with the phone pressed to one ear and a hand firmly pressed over the other. Haha, oh Trikefest.
As we pulled through the gate, I was amazed to see there were probably about 5 other trike camps already set up before sundown on Sunday! In my four years, three of which arriving on Sunday, the place is usually a ghost town until late Tuesday. I knew there was going to be a big turnout.
My first move when we got there was to unload my XR conversion. I went for a brisk lap out to the shoe tree and parked it for the night. I'd heard some strange noises from the rear and this was this machine's first time in the dirt. The road tires with 32 psi in them were far too hard, this much I knew. No biggie. The next morning I was telling Raffa about the noises from the back and the two of us spent a couple of minutes doing some extremely thorough and precision diagnoses which consisted of Raffa lifting the back of the bike up and me wiggling things. In Raffa's expert opinion, the noise was originating from the rear shock linkage. In my expert opinion, I agreed. It was both our expert opinions that I should go beat the tar out of it, so I gave 'er a little jaunt. I didn't give 'er the beans, but I tossed it around a bit. The noises persisted, but it was fine. Just the shock linkage. Yeah, no... The noises were the sounds of my swing arm bending and cracking in multiple places. So Monday morning, my second ride, and my crown jewel was broken. No matter, people always ask why we have to bring so many trikes when we go places. Now I have a reason. I usually Zing most of Trikefest anyways.
My first move every day is to the river, so after breaking my bike that's where I headed as I was already late. The river and I, we've got a thing. It doesn't matter if there is anyone else there or not, I don't mind being down there by myself. Nobody badgers me for doing pushups that way. I said before about this trip being my New Years, and it truly is. This year was an exceptionally special one for me as it marks a year in my life that I couldn't be happier having behind me. This trip was about reflection for me and looking back at what I've learned and how far I have come, as there have been times in the past that could have taken me off to the big brothel in the sky. I have made a conscious decision to eliminate as much negativity from my life as possible and I have learned a lot over the last few months. There are things that I have learned about that many people never will, and I'm just getting started. My brain goes constantly sometimes, but I've learned to apply its thoughts to things that will benefit me rather than things that will cause me worry or grief. Part of this effort requires me to separate myself from certain kinds of situations and people from time to time who may be discussing (most times unknowing that I can't involve myself in certain conversations) things that might trigger something in me. I am not here to judge anyone or tell anyone else what to think or say around me. I'm not like everyone else, we're all different. If I am on the outskirts of the group looking at the stars yes, I am indeed OK. There are a lot of answers in the universe if you know how to see them. If I am by myself it's probably intentional, and that's OK too. The time I spent in the river by myself reading my book was pure enlightenment. I remember sitting on the shore with my arse and tootsies in the water without a care in the world. My phone god knows where, but close enough to take pictures with from time to time. No schedule, nobody to tell me what to do, the sun beating down on me and filling me with a natural glow. I felt like I was literally glowing from the inside out. It didn't matter how late I stayed up or what time I got up the next day, whose camp I went to or what I ate for dinner. Those surrounding me are all friends, regardless of whether or not we have yet to meet. My body and mind felt better than I can remember any time recently and I thought about the dragons I've slayed (now I know how Matt feels) in the past year and I revel in my triumph. I can see clearly the path now and on this anniversary of setting out into a path strewn full of shite and knowing full well the challenge in front of me, yet not knowing at that time I could traverse it, I can feel a huge sense of accomplishment. I can sit on my arse in the place I love more than any other with the sun beating down on me and there ain't a person on the planet that can touch me right now. I'm fawking bullet proof!!!
This happened almost right after we got there, and it set the tone for the trip. From that point on I was on my own planet as many of you may have noticed. Some looked concerned, very few understood. The few that did though I really connected with. I made many good friends this year. I'm not sure I can remember them all. The Dragon Tamer, great guy unanimously, hands down. Pittsburgh Pete, I highly recommend this guy. My type of humor all the way. Kind of a Trikefest lurker. Hung out a lot at his camp and the river, but made very few events. Great guy. Shovelryder and Ironchop, both great guys as well. All four of these guys were at their first Trikefest. I love seeing the people every year. There was a group of guys in their early 20's? camped near me, 8 of them from New York, mostly riding hard tails. I shot the shite with them a bit at the river and apparently it's their 4th Trikefest? I wish I had talked to them some more. It was funny when the whole lot of them would roll out at the same time, friggin Trikefest... Haha. strobers22 (Roberts) and I ended up really hitting it off this year and he had me drag is FL350 jugged 2nd gen R! Roberts is an absolute class act, I don't think he even farts. Great people all around at this thing.
I have to go to bed for now. I'll continue this tomorrow or when I can whether anyone likes it or not, haha.
I will start by saying 2014 was by far my best Trikefest ever. I've been enough now to know how to prepare which makes the trip that much more enjoyable. We worked hard this year as we do every year preparing for this week. This week is my New Years. This is the week that my entire year hinges on. Not one thing or anybody could stop me from making this week happen for me, and it's gone on for long enough that most people I know understand. If they don't they'll figure it out pretty quick.
This year the trailer needed a ton of work and the truck had a lot of changes to it as well that left a question mark as to whether or not the camper would sit on it. I am a truck driver by trade and enjoy what I do, so a big part of my trip is concentrated on a flawless hauler. I enjoy over loading the girl and stretching her legs out on the big road, it's what it was made to do. Part of the enjoyment of my trip is the actual ride there and back. This year we were thrown for a loop with Steve's purchase of his own camper a mere 3 days before our departure and the camper not arriving to Steve's property until the day before we left. He had never owned a camper or driven with a trailer prior to this day. His truck had no trailer brake controller and his 200X was still apart when Craig and I arrived at Steve's late in the morning the day of our departure. The three of us divided and conquered, uniting again when one of us needed a hand and then splitting off and going back to our respective jobs. I told Steve we'd be rolling out that day and there wasn't any other way. We needed to make it happen and we did just that. We were on the road only slightly behind schedule, which is fine when you arrive days before most people anyways.
Our convoy had been on the highway for roughly 7 minutes when I got a somewhat frantic call from Steve behind me. It seems he was having some issues with his camper swaying behind his truck. I gave him some helpful advise and he was able to smooth things out. The next time we stopped we loaded the nose of his trailer up with weight and it straightened out significantly. Craig was with me in my rig and he's a self-admitted back seat driver. He was nervous as soon as he got in my truck. No sooner did I hang up the phone with Steve when I noticed a Duramax coming up the hammer lane behind me with a massive 5th wheel rig in tow. In order to calm Craig's nerves, I immediately depressed the accelerator to its fullest position. The Duramax was newer and his load lighter, but were gaining on him at about 95 mph. We had caught up with traffic at that point and now Craig had a reason to worry (or so he thought).
We stopped in a rest area for a night and slept. The next morning Steve was boasting about how smaht he had been ta pick up a coffee the night befo-a. No sooner did he finish alerting me to such a bright idea did he knock his coffee on the ground. Right around that time William had informed me that he was going to arrive at Haspin before us. Nuts.
A few hours later, not long before sunset on Sunday, we were ascending the hill into Haspin Acres yet again. This was the culmination of hundreds of hours of work and thousands of dollars. We've been waiting a year for this, and it is here in front of us right now. I stirred the shifter of my truck in search of a lower gear to let the 7.3 announce our arrival and again depressed the throttle to its fullest. As we crested the hill and began to see in the park I grabbed a handful of air horn and looked up to where I expected to see William. Who I saw was Kevin, and he was on the phone. I'm going by him making as much noise as I possibly can with a very loud machine, and he's scurrying in the opposite direction with the phone pressed to one ear and a hand firmly pressed over the other. Haha, oh Trikefest.
As we pulled through the gate, I was amazed to see there were probably about 5 other trike camps already set up before sundown on Sunday! In my four years, three of which arriving on Sunday, the place is usually a ghost town until late Tuesday. I knew there was going to be a big turnout.
My first move when we got there was to unload my XR conversion. I went for a brisk lap out to the shoe tree and parked it for the night. I'd heard some strange noises from the rear and this was this machine's first time in the dirt. The road tires with 32 psi in them were far too hard, this much I knew. No biggie. The next morning I was telling Raffa about the noises from the back and the two of us spent a couple of minutes doing some extremely thorough and precision diagnoses which consisted of Raffa lifting the back of the bike up and me wiggling things. In Raffa's expert opinion, the noise was originating from the rear shock linkage. In my expert opinion, I agreed. It was both our expert opinions that I should go beat the tar out of it, so I gave 'er a little jaunt. I didn't give 'er the beans, but I tossed it around a bit. The noises persisted, but it was fine. Just the shock linkage. Yeah, no... The noises were the sounds of my swing arm bending and cracking in multiple places. So Monday morning, my second ride, and my crown jewel was broken. No matter, people always ask why we have to bring so many trikes when we go places. Now I have a reason. I usually Zing most of Trikefest anyways.
My first move every day is to the river, so after breaking my bike that's where I headed as I was already late. The river and I, we've got a thing. It doesn't matter if there is anyone else there or not, I don't mind being down there by myself. Nobody badgers me for doing pushups that way. I said before about this trip being my New Years, and it truly is. This year was an exceptionally special one for me as it marks a year in my life that I couldn't be happier having behind me. This trip was about reflection for me and looking back at what I've learned and how far I have come, as there have been times in the past that could have taken me off to the big brothel in the sky. I have made a conscious decision to eliminate as much negativity from my life as possible and I have learned a lot over the last few months. There are things that I have learned about that many people never will, and I'm just getting started. My brain goes constantly sometimes, but I've learned to apply its thoughts to things that will benefit me rather than things that will cause me worry or grief. Part of this effort requires me to separate myself from certain kinds of situations and people from time to time who may be discussing (most times unknowing that I can't involve myself in certain conversations) things that might trigger something in me. I am not here to judge anyone or tell anyone else what to think or say around me. I'm not like everyone else, we're all different. If I am on the outskirts of the group looking at the stars yes, I am indeed OK. There are a lot of answers in the universe if you know how to see them. If I am by myself it's probably intentional, and that's OK too. The time I spent in the river by myself reading my book was pure enlightenment. I remember sitting on the shore with my arse and tootsies in the water without a care in the world. My phone god knows where, but close enough to take pictures with from time to time. No schedule, nobody to tell me what to do, the sun beating down on me and filling me with a natural glow. I felt like I was literally glowing from the inside out. It didn't matter how late I stayed up or what time I got up the next day, whose camp I went to or what I ate for dinner. Those surrounding me are all friends, regardless of whether or not we have yet to meet. My body and mind felt better than I can remember any time recently and I thought about the dragons I've slayed (now I know how Matt feels) in the past year and I revel in my triumph. I can see clearly the path now and on this anniversary of setting out into a path strewn full of shite and knowing full well the challenge in front of me, yet not knowing at that time I could traverse it, I can feel a huge sense of accomplishment. I can sit on my arse in the place I love more than any other with the sun beating down on me and there ain't a person on the planet that can touch me right now. I'm fawking bullet proof!!!
This happened almost right after we got there, and it set the tone for the trip. From that point on I was on my own planet as many of you may have noticed. Some looked concerned, very few understood. The few that did though I really connected with. I made many good friends this year. I'm not sure I can remember them all. The Dragon Tamer, great guy unanimously, hands down. Pittsburgh Pete, I highly recommend this guy. My type of humor all the way. Kind of a Trikefest lurker. Hung out a lot at his camp and the river, but made very few events. Great guy. Shovelryder and Ironchop, both great guys as well. All four of these guys were at their first Trikefest. I love seeing the people every year. There was a group of guys in their early 20's? camped near me, 8 of them from New York, mostly riding hard tails. I shot the shite with them a bit at the river and apparently it's their 4th Trikefest? I wish I had talked to them some more. It was funny when the whole lot of them would roll out at the same time, friggin Trikefest... Haha. strobers22 (Roberts) and I ended up really hitting it off this year and he had me drag is FL350 jugged 2nd gen R! Roberts is an absolute class act, I don't think he even farts. Great people all around at this thing.
I have to go to bed for now. I'll continue this tomorrow or when I can whether anyone likes it or not, haha.