No I am not leaving the .NET ecosystem.  This post is a departure from the usual focus of this blog.

I first started Motorcycling at the age of 7.  My first bike a Honda SL70 is laughable today but I thought it was the greatest back then. Since then I have owned a number of bikes the most recent being a Honda CBR1100XX.

Clearly a long way from the Honda SL70!  But about three years ago I taught my boys to ride.  I never really got to ride with them since they aren't allowed to ride on the street (they were 10 and 11) and the blackbird doesn't handle the triples very well. I decided I wanted to ride with them and bought a cheap 1971 Suzuki PE185 that a friend was selling.  My first two stroke dirt bike.  It was a blast.  I really enjoyed riding with the boys but the trail riding we were doing just wasn't suited to the PE185. Well finally I realized I really wasn't riding the Blackbird as much as I once did and I was paying $70/month in insurance just for it to sit in the garage. So I sold it and the next day went out and bought a new Honda CRF250X.

Wow!  What a difference compared to the 30 year old technology in the Suzuki.  I have been riding almost daily with my boys and been loving it.  I have also realized it is great to be able to come home and do something while hanging out with my boys who are now getting to be quite a bit older.  All in all a great time.

Now to bring things back in line just a bit.  Post TechEd on the Saturday the 29th I will be headed out to Gary LaPlantes MotoVentures near Temecula for a dirt riding refresher course. I have heard great things about the school even from fairly experienced riders. Personal goal is to be able to get the bike more than 6 feet off the ground. If you have a day to kill come check it out.

Tuesday, May 18, 2004 8:32:45 AM (Pacific Standard Time, UTC-08:00)         Comments [2]