Brammo Blog : Video Madness!!

17 07 2012

Blog 17: And by Video Madness, what I mean is I have some videos and some madness…not necessarily together.

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Ok, so yesterday I did a photo blog of Saturday’s Show and Shine. Today I am doing a video blog of the Show and Shine and the ride that followed. I am still a horrible noobie at using the video helmet. So forgive my shaky head and boring video…One day I will improve…I promise.

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Nice bikes, super cool Cushman Ape and tons of Neon….what’s not to like?

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Here is a walk down the line of bikes…Did this kinda early and some more bikes showed up. But is a fair representation of the bikes there. Holding the helmet cam in my hand is not ideal…I should probably use my iPhone Video for these shots next time. Or take that Michael J Fox drug as I am getting a bit spastic lately. Ok, yes I admit I have been spastic longer than “lately”, but it used to be all mental spastic and not physical spastic. Ok, dammit, that isn’t true either. I’ve always been a restless leg syndrome guy….years and years before they made up a name for that. My wife tells me that I’ll be fidgeting in my coffin…one of the reasons she plans to burn me…the other 15 reasons are really none of your business.

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The view from behind…No crude comments please. Though I did have this running through my head as I was filming…

Oh, my, god. Becky, look at that tire.
It is so big. It looks like,
one of those rap guys’ motorcycle.
But, you know, who understands those rap guys?
They only ride it, because,
it looks like a total prostitute, ‘kay?
I mean, that tire, is just so big.
I can’t believe it’s just so round, it’s like,
out there, I mean – gross. Look!
It’s just so … black!

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A close up of a couple of those crazy Modded Ruckus bikes. And those fat ass tires….

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A slow, and silent, ride though the group before taking off for the ride. It is a nice number of riders…I would expect Camp Scoot, the next big group ride, to have about twice as many.

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Taking off…I played “sweeper” for most of the ride.

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Just a bit of riding through town…The white Vespa you will see in these video is our “Blocker”…a very important job in any group ride. He did a great job. The red Ruckus I waved to move up is one of the Portland riders…he was doing some filming along the ride too.

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One of the bikes had pulled over…as sweeper I normally stop, but another bike stopped to help them. I did go to the lead rider and tell him we had two bikes behind and that I was going back to check on them…that is why I could get this shot of the riders going by. It was just a loose handlebar that they tightened before I even got all the way back to them.

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First stop…basically a pull out and turn around stop. One thing I love about riding Rio Grande Blvd (when not the freaking Lavender Festival) is that we have basically lush countryside in the middle of town. Very nice. The 25 mph speed limit and constant presence of cops looking for speeders is not one of the things I love about riding here.

Last time I rode down here I saw a coyote slowly stalking a Sand Hill Crane through the high grasses.

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Walking look at the rides at the stop.

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Stop signs…we don’t need to listen to no stop signs. Thanks Blocker. The ride itself is flat, slow and fairly boring…but it is always fun to ride with other bikers….especially when we can ignore stop signs.

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As sweeper I get to hang back a bit and chill and look about a bit. A pretty mellow ride.

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Watching the red Vespa in my rear mirrors a bit…and the thumbs up at 24 second is to a sign that says: “Share the Road”.**

At about 40 seconds in we start to hit the Lavender Festival parking…I still am baffled that anybody, let alone many people, go to a Lavender festival.

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Here I say goodbye to sweeping and head to the front to let Richard know I’m breaking off from the group.

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Heading home…I swear these two guys stole this Trolly car…No Trolly goes on this route.

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Ok, ok, so not very exciting–But it was a nice day, hanging with some nice people. I promise, PROMISE that the next video will be a ride up the Sandia Mountain…now that is a fun ride. Ohhh, maybe at night! Hmmm, no, that wouldn’t show on video at all.

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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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Reminder: Saturday is the StreetFest…but you don’t have to wait till then to buy a raffle ticket to win a Scooter or Fixie…Buy one NOW!…or buy many.

 

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**Share The Road–words to live by…literally. Sadly my Helmet Cam did not catch the words…

 

I like to think it says “Shake Your Rump” in honor of MCA

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Brammo Blog : Coffee is for Closers…not sure how that fits, but I’ll make it some how.

16 07 2012

Blog 16: Riddle me this, when does 3rd place feel like 1st?

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When you didn’t even know you were in a contest….

 

Background. I went to a local “Show and Shine”. I know the person putting it on and I thought I would hang out, look at some bikes, chat a bit about their bikes and then chat a bit about the Enertia and just have a nice mellow time….yada yada yada…

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And yes I brought along the Enertia, but I didn’t think I/it was in the contest. Basically I thought it was a Scooter and RUCKSTAR Show and Shine (they had some beautiful and crazy Ruckus mods…images coming up)…So I was surprised when the Judges yelled out, “And 3rd place in Best in Show is the Electric Motorcycle, because we think it’s cool and unique.” I was, “What? Sweet.”

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I love that scooter badge soooo much

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Considering how nice the modified bikes were at the show, and that the Enertia is a 2-year-old stock Brammo motorcycle, well I was happy and surprised. I do remember that Richard, the guy running the show**, at one point said to me, “Gavin, we decided that since your bike has a chain that it is a motorcycle.” Me, “Umm, Ok?” Not sure at the time why he told me that. Now I know it was because they were deciding if they were going to include the Enertia in the Show.

**He was not a judge.

So that was nice. But more about the Show and Shine.

They had a wide variety of bikes (more Ruckus’s/Ruckii than I’ve seen around town, but I found out that the local Ruckus group was a co-sponsor of the Show and Shine and had bikes coming from a “sister” group in Portland), and a nice turn out. But the 2 main highlights for me: The heavily Modded Ruckstars…and LIVE Pin-striping. Nothing like adding an artist doing some pin-striping on a bike that makes me happy.

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The pin-striping area…everybody was staying in the shade as much as possible.

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Seems like it was a lost art for a while. Making a nice come back, at least locally.

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But people don’t come here to see pinstriping…they come to see some bikes. (ok, not sure what constitutes “people”…but I like to tell myself “people” come here…and if being delusional is wrong, I don’t want to be right.)

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One of these things in not like the others….

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3 crazy modded Ruckii…all local…Nice guys too. I snuck my bike into the photo…and a nice dune buggy too.

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Every Ruckus was different. Pipes, shocks, wheels, handlebars…so many variations.

Here could be Brammo’s Anti-Scooter.

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Gotta love the Spree…1976 I think and less than 1000 miles….I told the owner that if it ever goes “missing”, don’t check my garage.

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We did go on a little ride down Rio Grande Blvd (stupid Lavender Festival slowed us down…who the hell puts on a Lavender Festival? Who the hell GOES to a Lavender Festival?**)

**http://www.lavenderinthevillage.com/   it is real!!!

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I will put up video of the ride tomorrow…so you too can see the wonders of the Lavender Festival.

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 A couple of helmet photos…why? because…

Scary Clown=Crazy good helmet.

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Icon Carbon Helmet…I included this for 2 reasons: Icon is a sponsor with Brammo for the TTXGP racing circuit…and this helmet looks quite a bit like the one SteveO Atlas is wearing while he races for IconBrammo…and I plan to bug them at Laguna Seca to make me one too…:)

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I want that helmet!!! Except in my size…SteveO is a little dude. And I have a huge Irish head, so I doubt he wears my XL size helmet.

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And finally, a couple of photos from the Scooter Shop that allowed ScootNM to take up their parking lot on a Saturday morning.

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That is one nice Cushman

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And the world needs more happy neon bears hawking wheel alinements**…Look how happy that bear is!! I want him to be my friend and make my car drive straight.

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**what is the proper spelling? Alinements? Alignments?

Tomorrow, Video from the Ride…and more….maybe…:)

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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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 ps…next week is the StreetFest…but you don’t have to wait till then to buy a raffle ticket to win a Scooter or Fixie…Buy one NOW!…or buy many.

 

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pss…yeah, never did work in the title…too lazy to change it. or did I? Perhaps it is just a mystery…yeah, mystery is the route I’m going.


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Brammo Blog : Still supporting the 3 day weekend…but I can’t resist a Friday the 13th Blog.

13 07 2012

Blog 15…If I was smart I would have saved blog 13 for today…but, sadly and truthfully, i ain’t s.m.r.t.

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Normally Friday is an off day for the world famous Brammo Blog, but then all my days are “off” days. But today is Friday the 13th! I love this day.


So today we do a little mash-up blog and cover a number of bases.

First….

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Jason doing what Jason does best…but now in Stealth Mode.

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Jason is thinking…”If I had the Plus version of this fantastic bike  I could do some stabbing twice as far.”

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2nd…Rides and Camping and “Festing”…

There is ScootNM to talk about…and Summerfest…and Camp Scoot (though that is next month, so it can wait for it’s own Blog)

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Tomorrow is a get together and a showing-off  of the various rides…followed by a group ride…I am on-call all this week and next, but will try and make as much of this as I can.

http://www.scootnm.com/

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Summerfest looks fun….But this is what I’m going for:

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Hanging out and showing off the ride…two things I love to do.

http://rt66central.com/rt66summerfest.html

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And finally some Crazy Blog called the “Wall Street Journal”, whatever that is, tells us that Brammo plans to raise 1 Billion Dollars!!!

http://blogs.wsj.com/venturecapital/2012/07/13/the-daily-start-up-electric-motorcycle-maker-brammo-aiming-at-1b-ipo/

and all I can say to that is….

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Gotta Run…the weekend calls.

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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ps…Saw this sign near work…I WILL PARK THERE next week…Bet on it.

after all, I don’t even have an “OTORCYCLE”

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Pss…Breaking News…

Finally a reason to go to Walmart…because it is no longer a Walmart…


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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 β

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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Categories : Electric Motorcycle, Family and such

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