Brammo Blog: Old Review…by an Old Reviewer

12 07 2012

Blog 14: Dang I am toooooo busy….leave me alone….

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Alright, the above comment to not to you, my imaginary readers, but to my Boss who seems to think I should be working and not blogging…so 20th century. Plus, hello, blogging IS work….hella hard work too.

That said, sigh, no time to do much on the old Brammo Blog today…plus typing in my Creature from the Black Lagoon hands** is really really hard.

(**see yesterday’s post. nuff said. nuff said doesn’t really work there, but I’ve always wanted to type that and feel like Stan Lee…and it worked…I now feel like an 89 year old man…dammit).

So today I am posting a link to the Review I did of the Brammo Enertia…with a bit of follow up. Yes I am lazy….I have learned to deal with it, so will you 🙂

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So that was some time ago….yesterday my Odometer clicked over 4500 miles. Hmmmm, clicked is the wrong word for an LCD speedo…gah, now I have Speedo images in my head…If I ever find the person who designed and sold the speedo…slow and painful…slow and painful…

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See, I have no idea what is happening here, but Speedos = OMG I HATE THIS.

Luckily the Enertia can make everything better….

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It’s like the old Red Stripe Beer commercials…

“You are very very UGLY…Here, put this Enertia in front of you…You are still very very UGLY, but now I am looking at the bike and not you.”

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But, as is all too often the case, I’ve gotten off subject.

Back to the Enertia Review.

I hope it didn’t bore you too much. I can add a couple of details.

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OK, I’m not going to win the Iron Butt contest, but over 4000 miles on a commuter bike in 8 plus months isn’t too shabby.

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 I am many many more miles into my “test” drive.  I have not had any “down” time.  I have had a service code warning come up on the display. There is good and bad with that.

1) The Bad: I had a service warning. I did not know what that meant, but it looked serious. Otherwise, the bike rode and acted fine (can a bike “act”? Well I guess if what we call Kristen Stewart does “acting”, then sure, a bike can act too).***

2) The Good: I emailed Brammo service and got an immediate response. They told me it is a voltage warning. They also told me it was safe and ok to keep riding. And they told me they would fly out from LA to Albuquerque to fix it! Great service…of course I told them that if it was OK to drive, that they didn’t need to fly out as I would see them at Laguna Seca and they could fix it then. But I was impressed with the offer.

3) The Ugly…see the above speedo picture…shudder

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Other than that…I have a new chain. I HIGHLY recommend an O-Chain over the stock chain (I think all new Brammo bikes will have O-chains). It is insanely better. So far, no stretching of the chain and easy upkeep with less maintenance and cleaning. Do it now if you have the older chain.

Two up riding…doable on the Enertia…but I wouldn’t do it too often nor too fast. But it worked great in the Pride Parade.

These foot pegs work, but will move a bit. I’ll look for more permanent solutions when I get my bike. Unless I get an Empulse 🙂 That already seats 2.

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We don’t do a lot of 2 up riding, but would love it for the trips to the Albuquerque Isotopes games. You can park much quicker and closer on a motorcycle. Because I park where I want. 🙂

And yes, our local Baseball team is named after a Simpson’s Episode…One reason I love our town.

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Till next time….

Gavin

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For more info on Brammo, please visit: www.brammo.com
For more images, photos, discussions and all around Brammo goodness:  visit, lurk and maybe join: www.brammoforum.com

***Ok…I wondered if I could turn the Enertia into the highest paid Actress in Hollywood.

Then I realized, I didn’t need the dead eyes, just the open fish mouth…boom, instant millions per movie….

(original image from here: http://onemansblog.com/2011/01/01/video-review-brammo-enertia-electric-motorcycle/)


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Brammo Blog : Going Back to Cali, Cali, Cali…

11 07 2012

Blog Lucky 13:  LAGUNA freakin’ SECA!!!

Yes!….I’m going back to Cali, Cali, Cali / I’m going back to Cali.. hmm, Yes I do think so!

Ok, so I’m no LL Cool J. Actually I’m paler and lamer than Vanilla Ice. Sigh.

I am just barely cool enough to be allowed into The Red Bull U.S Grand Prix at Laguna Seca. And if you are wondering what that is:

http://www.mazdaraceway.com/red-bull-us-grand-prix

It will be thousands and thousands of people, vendors, LOUD motorcycles going insanely fast, Quiet motorcycles going very very fast also…and one dude that is paler and lamer than Vanilla Ice (actually I bet there will be many people paler and lamer than Vanilla Ice there…but that is a whole other topic.)

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Received in mail yesterday! 3 day pass and a Paddock Pass…which allows me down in the staging area.

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Monterey, California, where Laguna Seca is located, is just LOVELY. One of the prettiest places on Earth. It is also hella expensive, especially during the week of Seca. Which is why I’m staying in Salinas.

I think Salinas’ official slogan is something like this:

Salinas, the Superfluous Nipple of Monterey, but close and affordable.

I will have a grand time no matter what! “Why is that”, you ask? Because I am an invited guest of Adrian Stewart, head of marketing for Brammo Motorcycles. What that means is….well I’m not sure. I do know that I get to “help” out at Seca. But that is broad and scarily vague.  He did say I would be a VIP, but again, I have no idea what that gets me. Drinks? Respect? Helping with bike set-up and take down. Or a broom to clean the Pit area?

Pit Monkey would be cool. I would totally be down for that. But the chances of somebody losing a finger is increased greatly by having me handle anything other than a broom. And Brammo’s rider has already lost part of his finger…

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SteveO at the Brammo Empulse Release event, a few days after the high side crash at Infineon.

Either the pain meds are kicking in, or he is practicing his “American History X” stare.

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But back on topic…Laguna Seca should be a blast. I have a lot planned and it will be a “dense” week. No jokes about how all MY weeks are dense.

I will be driving the truck out with the Enertia on-board so I will have that fun little machine to ride around. The Enertia will be perfect for riding from Salinas to the Race Track and back. And for some short rides around Monterey too.

+++Leaving on the 24th… Is it too soon to pack up the truck?

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The Plan: Drive from Albuquerque to Needles, CA and spend the night…because everybody needs to spend at least one night in Needles. That way you will always be thankful for the  place you live. Next day, drive the heck away from Needles as fast as I can. Get to Salinas and then wonder why the heck I was trying to get to Salinas so fast.

Then I have a “day off”…which means a day in Monterey. That will be when I understand why I was driving so fast, because I do love me some Monterey. Will try and get in an early morning Sea Kayaking trip. Then some time at the amazing Monterey Aquarium. And then a little group ride around Monterey with some other Electric Motorcycle riders.

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A rough estimate of the Route…Haven’t hammered down the exact start and stop.

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Then Friday, Saturday and Sunday will be spent at the Race Track having–hopefully– some fun. It will be wild. It will be crazy. And those two usually equal fun. That or a week in the hospital. I’m hoping on fun. (I almost wrote, I’m “shooting” on fun. But the last time I was shooting for fun….a week in the hospital.)

+++My sun allergies will make me look similar to this by Sunday…Ok, I don’t have sun allergies, but I still plan to look like this by Sunday.

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Official Slogan of Laguna Seca:**

Looking for something to ride at LAGUNA SECA??

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Why not ride THIS!!!!

**ok, not in the least bit is that the official slogan of Laguna Seca…but it should be.

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Gotta Run…Lots to do…Pack, plan…and can’t forget my riding gear….

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Till Next Time…

Gavin

For more info on Brammo, please visit: www.brammo.com
For more images, photos, discussions and all around Brammo goodness:  visit, lurk and maybe join: www.brammoforum.com

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Bonus photo…a Rain Jelly**…not the best, but big.

**Rain Jellys are clouds with rain steaming down with distinct ends of the rain.

Like a JellyFish moving across the sky and dragging its tentacles along the ground.


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Brammo Blog : Ride an Electric Motorcycle and be Treated Like a GOD Part Î²

10 07 2012

Blog 12: Durango-Silverton Trip.

Part β. Durango.

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Yesterday we had some lovely photos** of Silverton…and a few photos from Ska Brewing. Today we move to Downtown Durango.

**And if you don’t agree that the photos are lovely, well remember that I now have God-Like powers…and I am immature enough to use them. My inclinations are not aligned with a somewhat pure and gentle God…I would be more like one of the Greek Gods…Overly emotional (angry, sad, joyous…all at the same time), drunk, horny…Come to think of it, the Greek Gods are basically underclassmen at a Frat Party…no wonder all the Fraternities use Greek Letters…He is sooooo totally not going to regret that later in life: “Yeah, I was a douche in college…but I’m cool now.” Ah, NO, not at all.

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But I’ve gotten a bit off track. Durango.

The famous Strater Hotel. Red curb means park here right? Maybe I should take a closer look.

Yep, looks fine to me…I park where I want.

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I didn’t take many photos of Durango as I was doing Helmet Cam video. I still need lots of practice with that helmet video…But here we go:

Again, multiple short clips. Watch some, all or none. Just remember, I’m like Santa…and not just because I watch you while you’re sleeping.

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Since we ended Yesterday’s Blog (that would make a good song title) with Ska Brewing, we start today with a short ride up to Ska.

Nothing too exciting…about 1 minute long. I park where I want, as always.

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Here I practice my “powers” and command a random person to tell me to “Film that Rainbow”

There is a beautiful half Rainbow in the distance…the Helmet Cam doesn’t seem to capture it well, if at all 😦   More of the Rainbow next.

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I point out the Rainbow…still not impressed…It was quite lovely in person. 17 seconds.

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Longer video: 2 minutes. Heading from Ska to Downtown Durango.

Ending up at the Strater Hotel. Thumbs up near the end was to a Marine in full dress uniform and his lovely bride who were crossing the street.

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Random Downtown in the Rain Video: 35 seconds.

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More Downtown in the Rain…this one with a Thank You…Cute family. 33 Seconds.

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Last Downtown in the Rain video: 2 minutes.

I wave to the guys because: The guy standing outside saw the bike and called to the person inside to come out and see it…and I give a thumbs up near the end to a kid pointing at me going by.The drumming sound you hear when I change lanes and come to a stop is me “playing” the “fuel” tank…a habit I do way too much.

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Heading from Downtown to the Durango Brewing Co. 2 minutes.

I park where I want.

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Next morning, heading to Breakfast…Love Carvers…Great Breakfast…and BEER. The Jack Rabbit Ale is damn tasty.

Riding all weekend with the son-in-law, Daniel.

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Before heading home we hit the local Flea Market…really needed some Colorado fleas to add to my collection. Sadly none to be found.

Daniel was looking for a place to park…I saw a nice open red curb right at the entrance to the Flea Market…everybody, “I park where I want.”

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So what have I learned here?

1) I really love both Durango and Silverton. I will be back. Often.

2) This type of filming is damn boring. I think I will keep to still photos for city stuff.

3) I am not giving up on Helmet Cam video, but I am going to save that for mountain riding and more interesting stuff…curves, speed and all that.

A short blog, text wise…I feel a bit boring today.

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Till next time….

Gavin

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For more info on Brammo, please visit: www.brammo.com
For more images, photos, discussions and all around Brammo goodness:  visit, lurk and maybe join: www.brammoforum.com

edit…forgot this photo for the 4th of July…


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Brammo Blog : Ride an Electric Motorcycle and be Treated Like a GOD

9 07 2012

Blog 11: Durango-Silverton Trip.

Part 1. SILVERTON.

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Today’s Blog was going to be about how everyone is nice to you if you ride an Electric Motorcycle.

And I still plan to write that blog later this week.

But this weekend has opened my eyes to one simple fact: You WILL gain God-like powers if you drive an Electric Motorcycle.

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(and yes, Norway has freakin’ HUGE dandelions)

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As I said, I had planned to write about how everybody is nice to you if you ride an Electric Motorcycle. And it is true. But what I have slowly learned is that you will actually gain a certain power…which I will describe shortly.  It is surprising. It is intoxicating. It is also a bit dangerous. I must promise myself to use this power for good and not bad or selfish gains. But it is ohhhhh so tempting 🙂

It started slowly. I  ask people to charge-up and they say, “Sure. Is that Electric? That is cool….” and then 18 more questions. Then it evolves to where people are offering to let me charge without my asking, (me: sitting on the Enertia at Lowe’s waiting for the wife to show up so we can look at ceiling fans. Lowe’s worker walks up) “Hey, is that electric?” “Yes it is.” “Well we have an outlet just over there behind you, you can charge up if you like.” “Hey, Thanks, but I’m good. I don’t really need to charge right now. But thanks for the offer.” “No problem. That motorcycle is pretty cool…” and 18 questions follow.

And that was a nice little evolution; from asking and being told “Yes”, “Sure”, “Cool”, “No Problem” and then 18 questions about the bike, to not even having to ask if I could charge. “Yes” was, is and always will be the answer it seems. But it didn’t prepare me for the next huge leap in evolution (like the first Lungfish that looked at it’s shrinking pond and said, “Later Dudes, I’m taking a walk.” And yes, Lungfish were the first animals that used the word Dude. Look it up).

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     Not this Lungfish…though they are cool. And can walk and breath air.   

                                               

This Lungfish. Can’t sing nor play an instrument, but can “walk” and breath air.

(they also overuse both the word DUDE and exclamation points.)

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And that radical evolutionary leap was this:

“NOBODY WILL SAY “NO” TO YOU NO MATTER HOW CRAZY THE REQUEST IS!”

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Find a famous private road that has never allowed motorcycles on it? Ask them, “Hey, mind if we take 5 electric motorcycle on your road?” and you might be surprised by the answer.

Want to park your electric motorcycle near the Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad’s steam locomotive? Want to park right on the track with it? Ask them and they might not only say yes, but offer to set up security, find the best location….and then ask 18 questions about the motorcycle.

Want to take your electric motorcycle INSIDE a famous Brewing Companies bar?? Sure, Why the heck not!!

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It’s insane….I feel I can ask anything that comes to my mind and the answer will be yes.

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Today will focus on Silverton and Ska Brewing. Tomorrow Durango.

Silverton was amazing. 9321 feet above sea level and it was raining a bit…but a light rain. Still too wet for video. Which is too bad as Silverton is hella cute.

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Riding in to Silverton. Had to truck in the Enertia…270 miles from my house is a bit beyond it’s commuter range.

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First stop was getting some Grub (5 hours of driving makes me hungry…surprisingly 🙂 )

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Handlebars was great. Funky interior, crazy local waitress and GOOD Buffalo Burger. GREAT BBQ sauce. Highly Recommended.

If I get up the nerve, I will order this next time.

But I am nervous about eating Onion Rings 🙂

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Two for the Park Where I WANT series. Nice funky Hotel where I parked on the sidewalk…and then City Hall, where I parked in the middle of the street.

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But on to the main attraction…and the reason we had driven 270 miles from Albuquerque to the tiny town of Silverton, Colorado. The STEAM LOCOMOTIVE.

Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge Steam Locomotive.

She was really quite lovely and strong…and dirty and all that too. But, as Brammo said, “Iron Horse meet Electric Horse“. It really was Old meet New, Dirty meet Clean, Large meet Small, and all that. The conductor and everyone was super cool. Letting me put the bike anywhere I wanted and letting me take all the time I needed. Of course it was raining, so I didn’t spend too long out in the cold and wet. But I did get a few nice photos.

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She is a dirty bird for sure.

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At one point a railroad worker walked over and I thought he was going to tell me to leave or move back…but instead he just asked about the bike (18 questions) and then I asked if I could put the bike even closer to the train…”Sure, just don’t go on the second track as another train is coming, but other than that, anywhere you want.”

It was then that I had a glimmer of the power bestowed on me…a power that would be confirmed a short time later…..

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I Park Where I WANT….Train Tracks? Hell Yeah!

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And that’s about it for Silverton. A fun little town. She does get muddy in the rain. But very quaint, and the people are nice.

Our next stop was a tour of Ska Brewing in Durango. The tour starts at 4pm daily, except Sundays. We were an hours drive away and leaving Silverton at 2:50…and we wanted to take the bikes off at the Motel and drive the 6 miles through Downtown and out to Ska. So we had to skedaddle. And skedaddle we did….But we still knew we would be 10 to 15 minutes late. So halfway down from Silverton I called them and asked if the tour would wait for us….and the answer…”Sure, no problem.” Of course.

So we get there, park where we want (yes, that is getting old fast isn’t it), which was right by the cute little 3 wheeled APE vehicle. And we do the tour and see the inside workings of Ska Brewing…and it all nice and fun…and we try a few samples. And it is tasty. But it’s getting on dinner time and we wanted to ride some more around Downtown before it got too dark or too wet.

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So we get up to go, say goodbye to the nice server who took us on the tour…and suddenly a thought occurred to me. A crazy, silly thought…and I almost didn’t ask. But at the door I turned around and asked our “guide”, who was talking to a man at the bar who got up and left after I asked my question, “Do you think it would be alright to bring my Electric Motorcycle into the bar and get a photo?”

Why I thought that would be a good idea was beyond me. Why I even wanted a photo of the bike in the bar is beyond me. But I thought it…and then I asked it…and, no longer surprisingly, the answer was “Yes.”

Taken aback, I even said, “Are you sure?” In a quizzical voice of mild disbelief. Her answer, “The guy I was just talking to is the owner and he shook his head to me before he left.”

So I just happened to ask as the owner was there…and STILL GOT A YES….It is a scary power I now wield.

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Evidence….

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Tomorrow is Durango and some video fun….

Till next time….

Gavin

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For more info on Brammo, please visit: www.brammo.com
For more images, photos, discussions and all around Brammo goodness:  visit, lurk and maybe join: www.brammoforum.com


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Brammo Blog: Still supporting the 3 day weekend…

6 07 2012

Non Blog Post: #10

Ok, this is the Friday non-blog post, post.

Short and sweet with little meat.

Brammo Blog (me) is heading to Durango in the morning…so hopefully, weather permitting, there will be lots of pretty photos up in herrre come Monday.

Everyone have a great weekend…I know I will. 🙂

(some photos to sign off with)

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one of the reasons I’m heading North…cooler weather…I hope 🙂

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now to be honest, it wasn’t 116 here, just a bit over 100…but the battery compartment did get to 116 degrees while sitting in the sun. The sun is bright and hot here at 5331 feet. Which is the altitude of my driveway.

Ok, to be REALLY honest, this is the altitude of me lying on the couch in my living room. I just happen to be testing the Altimeter while being in, what my wife fondly calls, That ONE Damn Position Gavin is Always In.

Ok, to be really really honest, there is nothing “fondly” about how she calls me being on the couch. It’s not my fault that we happened to buy a really really comfortable couch.

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My transport truck bumper…Ska Brewing and Brammo. I will be riding one to do a tour of the other. As in, I will be riding the Enertia over to the World Headquarters of Ska Brewing for a tour of their facilities. Tours daily at 4 pm, except on Sunday. Ska is closed on Sundays.

Sadly I will not be able to test their product…maybe just a sample size…Hmmm, does the Durango Trolly go out as far as Ska? Must look into that…and if the Enertia will fit on the back 🙂

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Continuing with the “I Park Where I Want” theme:

The sign probably means no motorcycles inside the cage.

I choose to think it means no parking where I parked too…just so I can be a REBEL!!

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and finally…

this has a triple effect: 1) I am parking where I want…which is directly in front of the restaurant and 5 feet from the door. 2) I am showing that I have zero RANGE anxiety 🙂 and 3) it is one of my families favorite places to eat. So I like giving it some pub…again, pretending that anybody reads this blog…

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Till next time….

Gavin

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For more info on Brammo, please visit: www.brammo.com
For more images, photos, discussions and all around Brammo goodness:  visit, lurk and maybe join: www.brammoforum.com


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Brammo Blog: Breaking Bad, Brammo Style.

5 07 2012

Blog 9. Number Nine…Number Nine…Number Nine…I’ve got blisters on my fingers!!!**

**did The Beatles Blog?


OK….This will be a very familiar blog post for my friends over at BrammoForum.com as I posted these photos  there quite some time ago.

But I thought it would be nice to have them up on my “official” blog. Plus this should be a fast and easy blog entry…and everybody knows how much I like things “fast and easy.”

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So Breaking Bad is filmed here in Albuquerque. And it is a GREAT show. Wonderful writing. Amazing acting. To have a show of this quality filmed here in town is insane…but in the good insane way. Like watching cliff diving: You’re thinking, “Oh my god, that is crazy, but it’s beautiful. I so want to do that, but hell no, I could never do that.”

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But back to Breaking Bad. During Season 2 my cousin, who lives in Pittsburgh and works in film, came to visit and he LOVES Breaking Bad. So we looked around to find some of the filming locations. And surprisingly, Walter’s house is about 4 blocks from my brother’s house, and only one and a half miles from my house.

Cousin and I went around and took photos of him standing by Walt’s house and other sites. And a fun time was had by all (the owner of “Walter’s” house saw us taking photos and came out and talked to us…Nice woman.**)

Fast forward to 2011 and I get a nice little loaner motorcycle from Brammo to test out and I’m thinking, “Where should I go and get some nice local shots that will be interesting to people outside of my family?” I replied to myself, “I should do some Breaking Bad locations with the Enertia in them.” And so I did…and here there are.

These photos are of locations featured in mostly the first and second season, except Jesse’s Grandmother’s house, which is quite active for the later seasons too. I will have to go back and do some later season shots. I’m thinking I will do that:  A) when I get MY bike, vs the loaner and B) maybe do it when Breaking Bad is filming in town again so that I “might” be able to see some filming in action. Unlikely, but I could try increasing my “stalker” vibe and bug some film buddies who might be able to get me info on shooting and such.

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1st:

Who’s House? WALT”S HOUSE (shouted in my head in Run DMC style).

The house isn’t quite complete without a pizza on the roof.

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The Administration Building at Walt’s School. Not seen anymore as Walt has moved passed his teaching days

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Walt’s classroom is in this building. I had to “sneak” into this area for the photo. This whole area is enclosed by a metal fenced in area. Truthfully, it was a Sunday and surprisingly one of the gates was open, making my work here quite easy.

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This was Saul Goodman’s office. It has since changed into a bar called Hooligans…somewhat fitting.

Still, You better call Saul, his office is gone.**

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The Crossroads Motel. Ah, art imitating life. This motel was used a lot in the first season. I think the owners thought it would give some good publicity. Instead most viewers think of it, maybe correctly, as a crack whore motel.

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Jesse’s ill-fated apartment. Some sad shit went down in here…And it is available to rent!! So you can share in the sadness.

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This is Jesse’s House. It was Jesse’s Grandmothers house and home of some fun scenes in season one…sadder scene later. Poor Jesse doesn’t get a lot of joy in this series…though I guess nobody gets much joy on this series.

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Ah, more art imitating life. This is the car washed used in Breaking Bad. Walter’s wife wants to buy it to launder his drug money. Interestingly there is another Octopus Car Wash in town (not this one) that is “rumored” to be owned by a local gang to launder money. This rumor has been around longer than Breaking Bad, so I wonder if the writers decided to include a bit of local reality into the show?

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That’s it for the Breaking Bad photos….hopefully when I get my new bike I can add some more.

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On a separate note….Mr. Cranston, if you see this blog ( unlikely, but I remain ever hopeful) and would like a test ride on this Electric Motorcycle…Any Time, Any Place (in Albuquerque). I know you’re hella busy; I also know you’re a scooter guy, but I think you will like the Enertia. Easy and fun and clean. I’m not a sales person, nor affiliated with Brammo, just a fan…of the motorcycle and of your acting.

For a chance to get you to sign the “gas” tank, I would let you borrow her for a day and make a small donation to your favorite charity. I’m not a rich guy, but I would happily give 100 bucks or so to have both your signature permanently attached on my bike and a photo of you by or on the bike to hang in the waiting room at my work (I work at the Children’s Hospital Heart Center here at University Hospital). So if nothing else, you can “do it for the children.” And yes I have no shame using the children that way.

But enough of the groveling…any more and I hit “stalker” level…which I really don’t want to happen….again….for the 4th time. Sigh, so many court appearances and so much paper work involved each and every time.

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Till next time….

Gavin

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For more info on Brammo, please visit: www.brammo.com
For more images, photos, discussions and all around Brammo goodness:  visit, lurk and maybe join: www.brammoforum.com

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**Saul Goodman’s Office before it became Hooligans:

and the nice owner of Walter’s House…this was a couple of years ago…so I am sitting in a car…I try to not do that anymore…car’s suck. 🙂


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Brammo Blog: Independence Day!

5 07 2012

Blog 8, the Ocho.

Independence.

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So many meanings here. And such a powerful word. Love, Hate, Freedom, Independence…certain words have an emotion beyond the letters, beyond the dictionary explanation.

Yesterday the meaning, at least here in the States, is tied to this Country’s early fight for Freedom and Independence from England. **

And that is a very powerful statement…Our Country is Independent. We fought, shed blood, lost families all to have a freer, better future.

Years later, with the Emancipation Proclamation, black slaves in this country started a march towards freedom and Independence from being thought of and treated as property.

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Beyond that the meaning can be more personal. At 18 a young person here in the States becomes Independent of their parents. A progression from infant to child to young adult.

Here at Brammo Blog, Independence can be applied to being independent of Oil and Gas and free from the influence and control of countries that don’t really like us. Heck, many of them kinda hate us.

To me that is important on a few levels. Supporting governments of corrupt countries that treat their citizens poorly and would like nothing better than to see us fail and fall, well that seems “wrong”.

At the same time, becoming Energy Independent is a great way to support our own people, our own country. All while improving our Air, our Water, and our Planet for our children. Shipping oil thousands of miles across Oceans is not a very clean method to power our homes, cars, motorcycles. We can, and will, do better.

Beyond even that, Independence can be finding strength within to fight addiction. Strength within to leave an abusive relationship. Strength to find within a voice of Independent thought.

A strong word. A strong thought. A strong concept.

To be free. To be Independent. Everyday can be your Independence day.

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**(Isn’t it strange that the countries we are closest to are the ones we have fought wars with? England was our first war, and now is likely our closest ally. German, two Great Wars, and now close ally. Japan? We freaking dropped two nuclear weapons on them…the only country to ever have a nuclear bomb used against them…and now we are best buds. Not sure what all that means, just interesting to note.)

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Of course a blog post here would not be complete without some Brammo images or news.

July 4th image from Brammo:

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Brammo’s Youngest Rider

She was adorable making the “incorrect” motorcycle sound…this one doesn’t go “bababababababab” Addy. It goes…..”—–“.

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and lastly….Brammo SENT ME AN EMPULSE R!!!!!

Sadly it is a Empulse R mug…oh well…maybe soon enough I will have a nice new Brammo I can RIDE vs drink out of. 🙂

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Till next time….

Gavin

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For more info on Brammo, please visit: www.brammo.com
For more images, photos, discussions and all around Brammo goodness:  visit, lurk and maybe join: www.brammoforum.com


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Brammo Blog–Video Clips of the Pride Parade

3 07 2012

Blog 7, Lucky Lucky 7. Probably not for the people reading this blog, but somewhere there is somebody who is lucky.

This Blog today is a continuation of yesterdays post. My niece  (who flew back to South Carolina at the ungodly hour of 6am this morning…bye AP, hope to see you again soon) and I rode in the Pride Parade here in Albuquerque and I used that opportunity to try out my brand new, unopened and untested helmet video camera. I had planned to take some of my video clips and make them into a single movie, which I would then inflict share with all of you. And by “all of you” I mostly mean the clatter of voices in my head.

Just this morning I made a major executive decision, after a brief discussion with said voices in head, and decided to post the individual clips instead.

Why? Some could say laziness. In fact 3 of the clatter voices said laziness. But I beg to differ. If I edited all the clips together there would be one fairly long video that would likely bore the pants of many of my “readers”…and yes I like to live in a delusional world where I actually have readers.

But if I include individual clips:

A) The clips are short and likely/hopefully less boring to watch.

B) Readers get to choose which clips to watch and how many to watch. Watch a couple, watch them all; it is all your Choice. And isn’t that what AMERICA is all about? Choice, Freedom and the option to watch endless YouTube videos of sleeping cats falling off TVs or post-anesthesia children cursing like Longshoreman.

C) Instead of one long introduction to a single clip, I now get to make several, short pithy comments…and I love to be pithy.

D) There is no D.

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I decided to break it down like this: Some pre parade clips, Some parade clips, and a single post parade clip.

We start with PRE PARADE 1

Short clip. 16 freaking seconds of your life. Of course it is also a boring and semi useless clip. But it shows my niece, the Enertia and our place in line (just in front of the Taos Pride truck).** Plus I am just learning how to use the video camera, so I considered this a practice run. Sadly the whole day was a practice run since I couldn’t check how I was doing until I got home and hooked up the camera to my computer.

**We could have ridden with the Dykes on Bikes at the front of the Parade.  We did hang with them at first and almost went with them. But they tend to ride fast–well fast for Parades–and I, probably incorrectly, thought it would be better to go slow and be in the middle of the parade.  Next year, I will likely be a “Mike with the Dykes on Bikes”…which is a guy who rides with the women up front. It just looks a bit more fun.

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Pre Parade 2

This is where I got bored waiting for the Parade to start and decided to drive around a bit and look at the people getting ready. The Bus was the place to be if you were a gay male. That Bus was ready to party. Clip is 3 minutes and 5 seconds…not horribly exciting, not horribly boring either. Your choice to watch or bail…

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Pre Pride 3…

Ok..12 seconds and purely to show that the TV News was there. I am an attention whore.

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Pre Pride 4…the last pre parade clip…

Again, showing a News van, this time radio. Yes, I am constantly seeking attention and confirmation…I should probably be in Therapy…ok, I should probably be in more Therapy. Ok, I should probably NEVER leave therapy. Shuddup voices!

Plus we get the “Bear” organizer on the microphone telling us to make some noise. His earlier taunt was “People this isn’t a protest parade, this is a Gay Pride Parade. Stop being so somber and make some NOISE.” Bear Dude…we love ya, but it is hotter than the face of the Sun right now and we aren’t moving at all…the only noise I want to make is yelling across the street to http://baileysonthebeach.com/ for, “Una cerveza por favor.”

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Ok, So finally The Parade. I have way too many clips and will try and limit it to just a few.

This first clip is from the very start of the Parade. I let my passenger know that some kids are coming up, so get ready with the Candy. I also notice a small group of Protesters. This actually surprised me. We are a pretty laid back town/city. It shouldn’t have surprise me, but I really didn’t expect anybody to be protesting.

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I didn’t quite get it on camera, but my niece almost nailed the cop with some candy…the female cop had to lean back quickly to avoid the sugary missile. A bit later on my niece did hit a woman right in the forehead, but her aim got better after that. 46 seconds…I think it is worth it to watch just to see the protesters. Sad little people. Wasting energy on hate is silly in this beautiful world we live in. I hope they are happier in their next lives. Happy? Heck, I hope they are downright gay in their next life 🙂

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Parade clip 2.

Short. 32 seconds. I like this one for the woman at 26 seconds in that is pointing and going, “Electric bike. Electric bike.”

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Parade clip 3 is on yesterday’s blog. That one is nice for the people up on the roof of Kelly’s Brew Pub. Not going to post the whole clip a second time.

But here is a screen grab.

Hmmmm, a beer at Kelly’s sounded good at this point of the parade…so did an ice cream at ColdStone Creamery…or just mix them both together…

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Parade Clip 4.

At 5:29 it is the longest clip, but a nice one. This shows the second most crowded spot on the parade.** It feels a bit like the top of a mountain stage in the Tour de France as the crowd really gets in close. Well that and the fact that I had to give a blood sample at the end too…they are really cracking down on performance enhancing drugs here at the Pride Parade. **The most crowded spot is at the end of the parade by the State Fair Grounds…sadly we didn’t quite make it that far…see yesterday’s blog for info on that.

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Clip 5 is cut. So just imagine how mind-crushingly boring it must have been if these other clips made it and this one got cut.

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Clip 6 could be cut, but is only 30 seconds…and at 8 seconds in there is a woman pouring water on her dog to cool the dog down…so that is a bit fun.

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and the last Parade clip…Clip 7.

also short…33 seconds…and largely forgettable. But it does show the Nob Hill location of O’Neill’s Pub…which was featured in my “I Park Where I Want” blog. That and it has me being photographed (4 seconds in) for the millionth time.

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After the Parade, we went to the surface of the Sun…I mean the Zoo. This clip show where I like to park…also featured in “I Park Where I Want”.

You can hear the motor fan running. The clip ends with me looking over to where I am “suppose” to park. Motorcycle Parking? Isn’t everything and everywhere motorcycle parking?

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So that is the Parade…plus 1. Not really much about the Enertia. She did fine. No overheating. With her single gear she is easy as can be to ride “stop & go” type riding. And she never got dizzy nor nauseous like my niece. 🙂

What did I learn about filming with a Helmet Cam?

1) Hold head as still as possible.

2) When I do move head, move slowly.

3) Don’t film parades while in them. Boring.

4) Do film more action footage. Get to the mountains and film the bike going fast on curvy roads. That is much more interesting. For Me, the voices in my head and my imaginary readers.

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Till next time….

Gavin

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For more info on Brammo, please visit: www.brammo.com
For more images, photos, discussions and all around Brammo goodness:  visit, lurk and maybe join: www.brammoforum.com


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Brammo Blog–Pride Parade and then the Zoo.

2 07 2012
Blog 6…I think.

So this weekend I took the Brammo Enertia for a ride in the Pride Parade. I love riding in Parades…or at least the idea and Utopian concept of riding in Parades. The truth is pretty different though: going 10 feet, stopping, going 12 feet, stopping. Throwing candy to kids. Most of the time they are happy and running to get the candy, which is GREAT! Sometimes they look at it and go, “ok, where’s the good stuff?” Or there’s the 35 year old guy going, “throw me some candy…”  Hmmmm, “NO CANDY FOR YOU!!” I say in my best Soup Nazi voice.

Still it is a “certain” kind of fun. As long as you realize there will be mass confusion mixed with stifling boredom in the pre parade set-up (get here an hour early is always what you’re told…still nobody knows where anybody goes and it all just comes down to a free-for-all to get on the road and going…and if you cut off a float filled with 6’6″ guys all dressed like Divine, well, as the Pat Benetar Drag Queen says, “you better run, you better hide” ).

Then the Parade itself will move slower than you think humanly possible. Plus there will be a certain number of kids that look at your FREE CANDY with distain…and a certain number of supposed ADULTS who will be pissed when you don’t throw them candy. Mix in a few mildly brain damaged people that think it is OK to cross from one side of the road to the other while the parade is going on just for fun…AND add in the fact that it will always be on the HOTTEST day of the year for some crazy reason. Stir gently till the Crazy mixes with the Excitement and Energy…then fold in a pinch of Heat Stoke and a dash of Anger…and bake till everything boils over….

Other than that it’s great 🙂

So this was the Pride Parade (vs the Day of the Dead Parade or the Annual Toy Run or other parades I try to do). I like to do the Pride Parade for a couple of reasons. TONS of PEOPLE. It is a very happy and joyous Parade and so is the crowd….Dare I say it is a very happy and gay crowd. It is also the most outrageous parade and crowd (the Day of the Dead is a close second for outrageousness). Plus I love to support my gay family and friends.

This Parade I took my 16 year old niece (image below) who is visiting from South Carolina. She rode on the back of the Enertia and was the one throwing most of the candy (I still threw some as I couldn’t resist…nothing is quite like throwing food on the dirty ground to kids who don’t know you from jack and watching them happily running after it…with their parents approval! What a gloriously strange world we live in…”Johnny, the drag queen just threw you a tootsie roll, say thank you to the nice…person.” Sadly, I was actually dressed kinda boring…helmet, leather jacket, jeans, bright pink over-sized Cod Piece I “borrowed” from the Band Cameo…I pretty much always ride in the same gear).

Not me:) My niece and the Enertia…with bag of candy and Rainbow Chain graphic…the theme of the parade was Pride Links Us Together. I really didn’t do much “decoration”. A) I really can’t compete with the “Pros” and B) I had freaking FREE CANDY. I WIN!!!

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There were lessons to be learned here. Which I will now describe in too much detail:

Some FACTS

The Parade started at 10 am. It is a 2 mile ride from the start at the University of New Mexico to the end at the New Mexico State Fair Grounds. That 2 mile ride takes an hour or so at “Parade Speed.” Parade Speed should replace Jumbo Shrimp as the go-to example for the word Oxymoron. We arrived at the starting point about 9 am and walked around and then drove around and basically mingled and looked at the floats and such. It was already 90 plus degrees and sunny. We had left the house without drinking or putting on sunscreen (I am a horrid Uncle–that actually might be my official title from now on with my in-laws from South Carolina—“Oh him? That’s just my HORRID UNCLE…dum dum dum dum dum dummmmmmmmmmb.”) My niece had never ridden on a motorcycle before. I was being over-protective and not only made her wear my wife’s helmet to the Parade, but also for the whole Parade. It is a full faced helmet. It was hot. We were going slow with constant stopping and starting and somewhat jerky motions as I was unaccustomed to riding with a passenger who kept changing the center of gravity of the bike by throwing candy.

So….1.5 miles into what I thought was a nice little parade ride, my lovely niece leans forward and says, “We need to stop, I feel dizzy and think I might throw up.”  As a father, and now grandfather, I know those words all so well…and know that I ignore them at my peril. “Ok, there is a side road up ahead and a break in the crowd. I’ll pull off there.”

She also did not quite understand how the D-Ring of a motorcycle helmet functions. So I am quickly helping her get her helmet off, the whole time she is bending over and making retching sounds……and it all was fine. Ha, you thought I was going to get covered in puke, didn’t you…Nope, this wasn’t college…but that is another story.

It was the end of our Parade. I took her to a Wendy’s on the corner, got her some water and kept her in the Air Conditioning (which is a Gift from God on days like that).  Then I called my wife and had her come by and pick the niece up ( We were all heading to the Zoo after the parade, and this way I got to have some fun riding the motorcycle that I can’t have with a dizzy nauseous teenage on the back. Plus I really didn’t want to have her put the helmet on again.)

So what did I learn? 1. Hydrate. You would think I would have learned that by now having lived in the high desert for the last 17 years. Nope. It is a lesson I must learn over and over again. It is my mental Groundhog’s Day. My mental Prometheus. 2. Sunscreen. see hydrate for how stupid I am. 3. To Helmet or Not to Helmet, that is the Question…actually, no you idiot, that shouldn’t be a question at all. In a parade when it is 100 degrees and you’re going basically negative miles per hour, do not make your niece wear a full faced helmet. 4. If you forget 1,2 and 3 for some reason, expect your wife to give you “that look” when she comes to rescue your niece. The look that says, “Dear God, I’ve married a complete and utter imbecile…How did this happen and how can I kill him in his sleep and get away with it? 5. There is no 5.

Some photos here from the Local Newspaper:

http://abqjournal.photoshelter.com/gallery/Albuquerque-PrideFest-Parade-2012/G00007m6u_TC7H9c/C0000bkZQ.UxBjtg

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I was too busy riding and making my niece nauseous to take photos. I did do some video…that I need to edit…but here is a short clip:

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This is just a random clip I grabbed. I had planned to edit down the clips, but I think I might just put up a few clips and not make an “official” video. This is the first time I used my new ContourRoam helmet camera. I have a lot to learn.

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After the Parade we all went to the Zoo (because, really, where else do you want to go at noon on a day that is 100 plus degrees other than a place where multiple exotic animals are sleeping in their odoriferous and slowly baking poo). Here is a clip of me catching up to the wife and giving her a wave…

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You can’t see, but she waved back…but I think she might have had a cramp in her hand as she didn’t hold up all her fingers when she waved.

I will put up the other clips tomorrow.

Till then…have a blast…

Gavin

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For more info on Brammo, please visit: www.brammo.com
For more images, photos, discussions and all around Brammo goodness:  visit, lurk and maybe join: www.brammoforum.com


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Brammo Blog: Real World views from a Real Electric Motorcycle

28 06 2012
Blog #4

PARK ANYWHERE….and FREE FUEL**

**(and not the horrible band from the  late 1990 to early 2000s…of course anything by them would/should be free. Probably they should give any listener compensation, basically a form of payment understanding the pain inflicted on the listener.)

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One of the things I love about the Enertia is that is is somewhat small, light and easy to take just about any place…which I do. Then I park her just about any place I want.

No oil drips, no gas smell, no hot exhaust pipe. I have never had a complaint nor been asked to move the bike. In fact, if I do  get stopped it is not to move the bike, but to be asked many many questions about her.

So today’s Photo Journal is all about “Parking where I WANT!” Cuz I’m tough like that 🙂

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Photo 1:

Summer Adult Kickball League** has just started. Do I park with the cars on the street? NO! I park on the FIELD. Try and stop me….

Yes, it is behind our Shade Tent, but still technically on the field.

**and Yes, Adult Kickball…go ahead and insert Oxymoron jokes…but it is fun and Deanna joined up, so having the wife play is nice.

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Photo 2:

I take a trip to the fantabulos Albuquerque Zoo. Do I park in the parking lot with the cars? NO, I park next to the adorable Roadrunner sculpture right at the front entrance. Try and stop me.

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Photo 3:

I head to O’Neill’s  Pub at their Knob Hill location (Parking in the back only. Parking in the back is for LOSERS). Do I park in the back with the cars and the losers? NO, I park right off Central Ave right in front of the dog entrance….cuz I love DOGS…Try and stop me.

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Photo 4:

I’m riding on campus and want to have an animated discussion with the bronze Lobo sculpture (it was a Wednesday, my day to discuss Camus and Existentialism with random metal objects.) Do I look for visitor parking? NO! I park on the sidewalk next to the LOBO.** –all together– “TRY and Stop Me!”

**(Lobo was particularly bristly that day…trying to argue back, “Gavin, what you fail to see is that language is no longer spoken by man to express a true inner self, but that language speaks man. But what do I know? I’m just a metal Wolf permanently a fixed to this concrete block, forever watching each person walk by. The interactions, the loneliness, the joy’s and sadness, the failure to accept the human self as free yet fleeting.” And I said, “Ha, yes, you’re just a Wolf. You lose. I WIN!”)

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Photos 5-8:

A bit of a theme here…Parking in No Parking and riding past One Way signs. Do I look for a different area to park? Do I listen to One Way signs (on days other than Wednesday)? NO. Again, all together now and with feeling: “Try and Stop ME!”

(and yet I parked, and I assume it was some portion of ANY TIME…suck it sign!)

(again, I laugh at your thin metal sign and it’s attempts to limit my parking options.)

Oh, and it’s not just parking…Wrong Way?? MY WAY is never the Wrong Way!!

(ohhh, you know I drove right up that road. Till I came to a car going the “right way” and quickly U-Turned and waved the Universal “Oops, My Bad” hand signal)

Do Not Enter? Oh, you better believe I ENTERED! Twice.

(This is the Ranger’s Station in Tijeras, one of my favorite rides. It was Sunday and nobody was there.)

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Photo 9:

The Warrior Dash. Ok, some background. This is the first time the Warrior Dash (a muddy obstacle course run for charity) has come to New Mexico. It had only one road in and one road out…and that road was a dirt road. Over 10,000 people showed up and it took hours for most people to get there and then park 1/4 of  a mile from the Entrance. ME? I rode on the side of the road past all the stopped cars and parked within 50 feet of the Entrance. It was Glorious.

(same getting home…easy and fast…and muddy.)

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Sidewalks, bike racks, beside the ticket office at the movies, under the shade of a tree…IT IS ALL FAIR GAME….plus it is easy to park between cars just about anywhere. Though I do try and take a full space, and the best space, because I can!!!

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I’ve showed this next photo before, but it brings up the point of both Parking and Free Juice. Here I’ve stopped at the Blackbird Buvette for a bite to eat. While eating I grab a nice parking spot between cars and get some free juice to fill up the battery. And if I sit and eat for an hour I get 10 more miles of riding, the Blackbird gets my food and drink money and it costs 10 cents in electricity. Win Win Win. And you CAN’T DO THAT WITH GAS. First off, 10 cents in gas would get you half a block. Secondly, just try asking your waiter to fill up your car’s gas tank for free while you sit and eat. Not only will the answer be no, but you will get sooooooo much spit in your food that you will think you ordered soup instead of a Bagel Bird sandwich.

(and i didn’t pay the meter either…boom! I am not a rebel…I AM THE REBEL.)

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Till Next Time…

Gavin

For more info on Brammo, please visit: www.brammo.com
For more images, photos, discussions and all around Brammo goodness:  visit, lurk and maybe join: www.brammoforum.com

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Lobo:

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“you know this isn’t you…you don’t act this way.”

me: “Shuddup, you’re just a Wolf…I WIN! And it’s not Wednesday. Plus I did the “Talking Sun” thing yesterday, I can’t do that two days in a row…Or can I? I do what I want. TRY AND STOP ME!!!


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