First ride and new hobbies

[blackbear at frontiernet.net]

Well, after a scramble to get the GPZ legal, I had my first ride to work today.  Can't believe it's May right now, it feels like late March!  Damp, cold, and we had snow last Sunday.

There have been a few things going on this year that almost kept the bike parked for the year.  The Jeep and car both need repairs (already dumped $800 in new struts in the Grand Am), the Jeep just needs brakes (unless I break something at the 4x4 101 event this weekend), but it ate up the tire budget I had for the GPZ.
Luckily some friends came through.   A Co-worker gave me a Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa he used a couple times on the track.  Yes, I know all the arguements for and against using track-day take offs, but the tire is in great shape, I'm a VERY careful rider, and the price was right.  with luck, I'll be able to order a NEW set of Pirellis later this summer.
My neighbor also offered me a BT front that looks to only have had about 100 miles on it.  He bought it to replace a flat he had, but then went with a brand new matched set for his bike, so this was taking up space.

I've also decided this year will be the year I do many things I've wanted to, but could never afford.  The principle goal is to exercise my 2nd amendment Rights.  I've applied for a pistol permit with the Orleans County Sheriff.  There are many factors that led to this, not the least is being approached by (suspected) drug dealers when I come to work at oh-my-god-early in the morning, and a desire to go target shooting.  There is also a need to see how hard it will be to get, as I'd like my wife to get hers as well.  There was a kidnapping from the parking lot where she works, and I worry about her getting out of work at 7pm (used to be 10pm) and the company refuses to hire guards or add security cameras.
if things work out like I hope (fate, the stars, and any deities willing), I'll be making a run over to Ulster County to pick up what I hope to be my very first pistol, a Smith & Wesson 45 caliber semi-auto.


So, that's my year in a nutshell.  Going offroading this weekend, then have the required pistol safety course on Monday night.  then I need to get back into recreational riding.  It sucks to only use the bike for the daily commute.



Michael (still alive) in Holley, NY