Randy Wheatley

First snow 11/22/2024

Yeah yeah the snow started last night and today it's gray, messy, and slushy on the road in Cleveland.  I would have liked to have been riding all through the fall until the first snow with significant accumulation.  Now I'll use the break to do maintenance and some details on the bike and get some strength training going and stick with it.  

Once the fuel delivery mystery is truly solved I'll send out my request for sponser letters to friends and family.  Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Post Ride

This years ride was going great until my motorcycle stopped running during the 2024 DGR without any warning.  I coasted to a stop along Lake Road at the O.V.I. Civil War museum in Sheffield Lake (which looks like a cool place to visit when it is open).  Sunday is a difficult day to find anyone to assist, let alone renting a trailer.  I retrieved it a few nights later with the help from my generous friend Louis from work who had the perfect utility trailer, so we picked up the bike and brought it to my house and rolled it into the garage.  I tinkered with it and it wasn't getting any fuel, it would start if I shot some gas directly into the intake, so the fuel pump may be shot or it's an electrical issue with the fuel pump.  I will get the bike to the shop for repair over the holidays since the riding season has come to an end.  See you in the spring 2025 my fellow DGR riders, and when you do ride for a noteworthy cause, make sure you are dressed dapper not just in your engineer boots, leather jacket and blue jeans.

Cooperation

Thank you sincerely for your donations!  

Hey you know the weather rarley wants to cooperate in Cleveland, just last the week in April and we we in the mid 30's in the morning and today we'll hit 82 degrees.  Thanks again for joining with me for men's mental health and prostate cancer.  I look forward to participating in this ride to bring awareness and funds for research and care. 

There's a natural community that happens in motorcycling, having a good cause makes it more meaningful.  We all know or have a close friend or family member affected by cancer or mental health issues. 

If you have time to watch the inspirational origin for the Distinguished Gentlemen's Ride it was founded in 2012 by Mark Hawwa in Sydney, Australia with a group of his friends, and is centred around classic and vintage styled motorcycles.  Check out this 10 minute video about him  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pis2iIuDpr0  

The ride carries no entry fee; however, some rides require minimum donation amounts to join. All riders are encouraged to raise funds for prostate cancer research and men's mental health programs on behalf of charity partner the Movember Foundation. https://us.movember.com/about/foundation

Donations are linked to the rider of your choice and payment go direct to the organization so the rider doesn't have to handle any money as it all goes through the riders link to the site. 

If you have any questions or want to ride, call or text me.

Be safe.

Post Total Eclipse

After the eclipse the weather seems to be more spring-like.  Looking forward to riding more seeing the fresh grass and tree leaves, breathing some fresh air.

Cleveland has the beautiful Metropark's "Emerald Necklace" which runs along the city's southern edge east-to-west. It's a winding well maintained smooth asphalt ribbon surrounded by trees and picnic areas.  Riding it at dawn is the perfect time, being careful to avoid deer when it's foggy or still a little dark, evenings it tends to get crowded and more cars, vans, SUVs, and pickup trucks cruising at the posted 30 mph limit. 

During the summer it looks and feels like a car show, with plenty of classics!  Auto and bike clubs will do sponsored rides or charity runs through the park.  

Cleveland Weather

Happy April Fool's Day!  Living in northeast Ohio you aren't surprised by extreme weather and rapid shifts in temperature.   Planning a commute or ride when there's still a chance of snow can be discouraging, but you might have to if you are miles from home or on a cross country trip.   Get out and ride that motorcycle or bike, enjoy that two(or three)-wheeled freedom.

I tried a small windscreen for this ride and it does help a little at higher speeds, but it's not effective for low speeds like a full fairing (one of these days I'll get one for Wedge Fairings)

Keanu Reeves talks about riding motorcycles https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4fwQ10BCdY

Prep time

Pull that bike out of the garage and prep it!

Check tires for wear, damage, proper inflation.

Charge the battery and tighten those loose terminals.

Check tool kit, if you have a tire repair kit that's even better!

Clean wash & wax, look for signs of wear or damage.

Contact your potential and previous sponsors, let them know you'll be riding again.

Get some riding in!  Enjoy.

I'm Riding for Men's Health in The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride

On Sunday the 19th of May 2024, I'm riding in The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride with fellow men and women across the globe to raise funds and awareness for prostate cancer and men's mental health on behalf of Movember.

https://us.movember.com/

Men die on average 6 years earlier than women and for largely preventable reasons. The number of men that are suffering is growing, and we need to do something about that. So, before I put on my leather jacket & tie and polish my big harness boots, I'm asking you to join me in raising funds and awareness for these causes by donating what you can for to help the men we care about, live happier and healthier lives, and also in memory of the fathers, sons, brothers and friends that we have already lost.