choco

Yamaha and Honda on par, Ducati is there, just needs one more set of wings, Suzuki is close, just needs a tad more power, Aprilia is coming on, KTM in two years. The sport is bigger than any one rider. Last few years many complained about boring racing in the premier class, not boring anymore, in fact the competition is so fierce that people, riders and fanboys, are cracking under the pressure. BTW, did anyone notice Jorge's Yamaha sported wings and Jorge basically said he doesn't expect to win the title again because it's so hard. I hope Dani Pedrosa gets the title he's been trying hard to get next year.

I agree this article does justice as a summary of the crazy last few weeks. Especially telling is the part where Rossi demands Dorna come talk to him in his trailer. As the author states, no rider is bigger than the sport, and Rossi and many of his most ardent fans believe he is. 70 pages, 698 replies and counting, this has to be one of the largest topics at VFRD, anyone know?

I think Rossi embarassed himself at the post race press conference. The guys on the podium had to basically fend off questions about protecting Jorge to hurt Rossi. That insults the magnificent rides of all four of the riders. Rossi is suggesting Marquez could have played with Jorge and should not have played with Rossie at Malaysia and Phillips Island. All riders were maxed out riding on the limit, so Rossi is suggesting Jorge, despite setting record pole position, was being protected by a guy breathing down his tail pipe for the last half dozen laps. As MM said, why would I ride so close, I/d ride five bike lengths behind. Rossi, I sadly say, was the author of his own demise, but the silver lining is, next year's MotoGP is going to be a huge money making draw as people watch the drama play out.

It looks good, I want to see one with fender eliminator and slip on pipe. I would also like to see the "pearl black" paint up close.

For fans it was amazing racing, Rossi picked the wrong fight. He was visibly agitated at MM throughout the dogfight, and that corner Rossi went way wide and then slowed forcing MM to lean in or go off track. I get MotoGP on line and have watched it many times. Rossi is lucky he didn't also go down or that the penalty wasn't more severe, as his teammate Jorge Lorezno called for. Rossi still has a chance because Jorge needs to stay upright in Valencia and not let Rossi gain on the front runners too much, anything can happen, the title fight is still not decided, it's all fans could have wanted, feirce racing and high drama!

First of all, Yeah! for Dani Pedrosa, just his luck that a brilliant weekend of qualifying with a new lap record and dominant win is relegated to a sidebar. He stated how difficult the Honda is to handle under heavy, late braking, but the jockey-sized rider managed the beast very well. MM did seem to let Jorge by pretty easily and engaged Rossi, but Rossi picked a fight a week ago that in no way would be beneficial to his title contentions. The comments he made about MM at the press conference were bizarre and seemed to show cracks in Rossi's cool demeanor. If Rossi didn't want to be harassed by MM he should have driven away from him, the fact that he couldn't might mean that MM was really trying to fight his way past Rossi. Rossi purposefully ran wide on turn 14 and tried to block MM from taking the long way around and setting up for the exit, Rossi looked like he was trying to force MM off the track and MM had to lean into what was remaining of the corner. I would need goal-line instant replay to determine the cause/effect of the leg push, so will let that ride for now, but there is no explaining why Rossi decided to engage and battle MM a week ago instead of focusing on his only title rival, Jorge Lorenzo. One thing is for sure, anyone remotely interested in MotoGP WILL be watching in Valencia in two weeks!

Sounds good, I didn't ride nearly as much as I'd have liked last summer so am going to try to make both events.

The best MotoGP race ever!

Hey Curry, I didn't choose from your pole as I think there are a few other areas to look at. I sent you a note, check it out. A good argument can be made for Corvallis too. One thing is for sure, if you're going to book Edgefield, then you might want to call and see how it's booking up for summer. When I booked our rooms there a few years ago I couldn't get Friday because the entire Hotel was booked for a wedding a year in advance.

Here I am. I just happen to be sitting in the Grande Lodge McMenamins brewpub/ hotel, I've been doing a lot of surveys in Oregon this year and am exploring roads so I have have some new routes to share with you Cogsly Cogswell. I also would ride to Nelson for Kootenay Kubed! Kount me in lets do both one in early July other mid- August I didn't ride nearly enough this wonderful hot summer. I'm also thinking of an epic trip stay tuned

Here's to all you Sum Sum riders, have a great time, be safe and oh do I wish I was going with you. Hope you can sleep next week.

Hey Cogswell, We should plan an epic bucket list ride next year, a two week romp through the best of the west. We should form a nucleus, perhaps you, me, Jim aka Bizbat and hopefully a few of our north of the 49th buddies and any others to commit to a two or three week ride and others can join in segments. I'm thinking best of Oregon, Utah, Colorado, California and back to wrap up in Bend. I'm turning 60 this month and I value my time and life experiences much more than money, but I still need money to live and explore. I'm running out of chances for an epic ride. None of us are getting any younger.

Sorry, I didn't have much luck making it appear, but someone, perhaps a mere child, could do better then I and / post it. Anyway, it looks awesome? I'm wondering if Jeff and Tony et al rode this route on the way back from the first Sum Sum in Dillon

I'm sorry to say, but I can't go, I'm in the same boat as Veefer Canuck last year with the Oregon Trail ride, I just started a new job that I like very much and the vacation days just aren't there, plus that's our busy season. So I cancled my reserved room at the Red Arrow Inn. I just talked to Jerra at the Inn and asked her to save the room for the Sum Sum block and she is going to make a note for her staff, also she said there are still three rooms available in the block, which surprises me. Have fun, I'll miss you all, my favorite riding buddies and miss the great event that Tony always organizes. Thanks Tony. In the mean time I will begin organizing the Oregon Trail II trip for next year, hope the world hasn't completely burnt up by then!!

Spoiler alert way below ............................. .............................. Stoner crashed and the other guys won

I've changed tires a lot, number one expense after gas, I've settled on Angel GTs, to each their own, lots of good choices out there. Baily, you should start planning for next years Oregon Trail II ride, you won't believe the roads. See the Oregon Trail threads from last year. Call me if you want some more info, we're planning an epic ride next year. Lee in Duvall, WA

Hey Cogs, You're tearing me up, man. I started with a new company, I like working here a lot, but I don't have the vacation days logged up or would have loved to join you. What say you and I plan next year's Oregon Trail II and perhaps drift down into Utah? Great photos and I appreciate solo riding as I see you do too. Take care and thanks for sharing. Lee

Pol Espargo and the Yamaha R-1 are on pole, Kawasaki 2nd and Stoner's group 3rd. Does anyone know how we can watch this on TV or Streaming on Internet? The race is Sunday. Cheers, go Honda

You're riding through a lot of country I've ridden through and cherish so much. Great shots and thanks for posting. If more people knew how fun it is to ride on a wonderful motorcycle through scenery such as this and to end up each day at a great destination, and meet fun people along the way then I think the world would be a much happier place, the down side is the roads would get more crowded than they already are.

http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/bikes/honda-africa-twin-crf1000l-leaked-video/ Or this They've added a 6 minute video of two Africa Twins on various dirt roads and the designers talking. At about 4 minutes you can see one with some durable looking luggage. This bike is going to be a hit and I might make it my first second bike, after the VFR, of course.

Welcome, when you get your bike sorted out maybe join a ride, I live in Duvall.

I once again forgot to book this weekend at Winthrop, they're having their annual rhythm and blues concert, for three days, next year Pauline and I will camp out and groove out and all that. Jim, bizbat is on his way to my house now from Yelm, then we're meeting Jake on his Road King at the Grill and take off from there. My new boss who has a Road King with ape hangers and one of those leashes and a gremlin bell couldn't make it. He's never been over the North Cascades before. I was worried my friends were going to hassle him about his Harley accouterments.

Anyone want to join in, Jim Landdon, aka, Bizbat, another friend on a Harley and possibly Gary, Vfore, are meeting at the Duvall Grill and Taproom for breakfast about 8 and leaving town about 9 to ride Lake Rossinger, Granite Falls, Jordan Rd, to Arlington, to Darrington, past Oso Slide, to North Cascades to Winthrop, return route to be determined, probably a reverse, come one come all. Lee in Duvall