Life changes you as well as your interests. I have been riding sportbikes since 1988 and I think I am done with that stage of my life.[For now] I have not left motorcycling altogether I am just on a different track now; I bought a 1998 Yamaha WR400F to do some woods riding once again. I seem to remember when sportbikes were rare and the Harley(clones included) were the rage. Harleys and clones are still pleantiful but sportbikes and their trickster riders are becoming overwhelming also. It seems that with the population increase in sportriders comes the attention of the local police that think everyone on a sportbike is doing stupid stuff in crowded areas, even though that is hardly ever the case. Most of us save our stupidity (i.e. fun) for the unpopulated back roads that will only injure us and our bikes if we crash. Oh well. I am going to attempt to ride in the woods again and attempt to miss trees instead of cars. Oh, I forgot to mention my WR has tags, so most of my time in the woods. I will welcome the change of senery an sharpen my reflexes as only a dirt bike can do.

Once upon a time there was a playground in western Maryland that could be enjoyed by all. It was wonderful place full of wilderness and adventure. It was a good place to ride your mountain bike, your dirt bike, your horse, your 4 wheeler or just hike by foot. It was a place where everybody got along and shared the trails. It was a great place to go and spend an entire Sunday just enjoying the natural beauty of the terrain and the well maintained trails through the wilderness.

While ear plugs may not be able to save you from a life threatening injury, they can sure go a long way to helping you maintain an enjoyable life. If you ride on the street at speeds greater than 40mph, then you should be wearing ear plugs. The noise inside most helmets at 60mph is greater than 100db, if you are like me and spend most of your time over 100mph, then the noise in your helmet can be up near 115db. That's louder than the straight through glass pack on your crotch rocket or the drag pipes on your hog. Most of you probably don't even notice. Next time you are out, actually pay attention to the wind noise. Quite loud isn't it? Over time, your hearing will be damaged. How much time? Measurable damage can occur after 15 mins at 115db and after 60 mins at 100db.

Ahh Winter.. the scourge of the motorcyclist. Sure many of you who live in warmer clients don't fear it. The endless hours of boredom, trapped in the house, watching the wind howl and stinging frozen drops of water fall from the sky. It's as if some god is wreaking vengeance on his subjects. But are we really trapped? Hell No.