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Random thoughts, life lessons, hopes and dreams.

On Two Wheels — CFFC

Dan Antion
1 minute
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Before we even get started on Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge, let me fix a mistake from Saturday.

US flag outside our local Post Office.

OK, I feel better. Numerous people mentioned that I didn’t have a flag photo on Saturday. I had used it in a rare Friday post (for Veterans Day). Now, back to Cee’s challenge. This week, she suggested:

“This week our topic is Bicycles and Motorcycles or anything with just two wheels. Have fun.”

In addition to random pictures and pictures of my bike, I have some pictures from the NHRA (Drag Racing) Museum in Pamona, California. I’ve been a fan of drag racing since I was a kid. This past May, Larry “Spider-Man” McBride, recorded the fastest motorcycle run in drag racing history with a 5.618-second pass at 268.38 mph (432 kph) riding hos Top Fuel Motorcycle. That’s 1000′(305m) in less than 6 seconds!

At my first AIIM Board meeting, we took a break to assemble a couple dozen bicycles to give to poor children in Dallas, TX
From the NHRA Museum in Pomona, California
From the NHRA Museum in Pomona, California
From the NHRA Museum in Pomona, California
Safe and secure
That’s Faith at our favorite rest stop on the Windsor Locks Canal Trail (under that trestle I often share).
That appears to be my bike at Faith’s place and Preston saying “any seat is my seat.”
That’s me leaving on a metric century 62 mi (100 km) fundraising ride.
After that fundraising ride
Share the road!
My bike after a blowout in the parking lot. Museum staff came out quickly to offer assistance.
My bike. Not seeing enough action lately
We no longer have Lime Bikes in Hartford but when we did, I rode them at Great River Park before work.
I think I took this photo (of the crane) in Toronto, Canada, but it has bikes.
Books on Gateway Clipper

Knuckleheads — The Evil You Choose — When Evil Chooses You — Secrets held Against Evil

All five of my current books are now available in audio book form thanks to Amazon KDP’s Virtual Voice process. The voice is AI generated, but I can honestly say, it’s pretty darn good. The audio books are reasonably priced (all below $7 US) and, if you already own the Kindle version and want to add an audio version, you can do that for $1.99. There is a five-minute sample on the book page for each book. If you’re interested, click on any of the Dreamer’s Alliance book links below the image or on the link below for my latest book.

Bridge to Nowhere

71 responses to “On Two Wheels — CFFC”

  1. Dale Avatar
    Dale

    Fun stuff! And that is crazy fast!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      I know! I can almost imagine going that fast in a dragster or a Funny Car, but on two wheels? Nope, not even in my dreams.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Dale Avatar
        Dale

        Me neither!

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
  2. Oddment Avatar
    Oddment

    The photo of Preston is my favorite; I’ve noticed that cats have a definite what’s-yours-is-mine philosophy of life. As for bikes, I can see only a faint resemblance between these and the one I rode once upon a time. Speed? Not a chance. I was as slow then as I am now, but bike rides were mostly about talking anyway, so the important thing was to talk and pedal at the same time. Good memories!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      I never rode fast, Maureen. I could manage a good distance before nerve problems in my neck may riding more than an hour a painful experience, but I was never going fast. Cats do have that view of the world – it’s all here for me – but Preston is such a cute little fluff, that I let him get away with it.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  3. tehachap Avatar
    tehachap

    Shared this post with our two sons — both into bicycle riding and anything on 2 wheels~! LOL

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      Thank you. I love riding my bike, but I have to find a way to make it not painful. I asked my physical therapist, but she recommended not riding.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  4. Judy@NewEnglandGardenAndThread Avatar
    Judy@NewEnglandGardenAndThread

    These days I stick with four wheels like my truck and car, but I spent many good times on two wheels. Good memories.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      That’s the case for me, too, Judy. Riding my bike leads to neck and shoulder pain. Also, I rode mainly on the roads around here, which no longer seems safe – at – all.

      Like

      Reply
  5. Murphy’s Law Avatar
    Murphy’s Law

    Preston deserves an award for keeping your bike seat warm! Love this picture.

    Kudos to you and all those who put bikes together for less fortunate children. I hope they all pay that kindness forward some day.

    In my youth I spent fun times on my bike. Bike riding with friends was always accompanied by lots of laughter and hooting and hollering! Now if I hoot and holler it’s as I’m trying not to lose my balance on my feet! No laughing though. 🤗 But I still enjoy the good memories. I have the scars on my knees to prove how much fun I had!

    Ginger

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      Throughout my life, I enjoyed my time on two wheels, Ginger. And yes, I have those scars. These days, it’s not a good place for me to be for very long. I miss riding and I keep hoping to find a way to make it not painful, but I think walking is probably my thing now.

      AIIM always included a community/charity support event at their annual conference. My first Board meeting was also their Annual Meeting and I was impressed when we took a break to assemble these bikes.

      As for Preston, he is a cutie. “You brought this for me…right?”

      Like

      Reply
  6. Rivergirl Avatar
    Rivergirl

    Clearly Preston needs a bike of his own. Great pic!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      I think he was telling me that he had one of his own.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  7. GP Avatar
    GP

    Good to know that I’m not the only one that looks for the flag pictures!
    Preston certainly knows how to pose!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      Message received, GP. Loud and clear, from many. Preston is a cute little fluff.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  8. Almost Iowa Avatar
    Almost Iowa

    Back in the day, I used to race triathlons. Was never really that good, but I enjoyed it. The thing is, triathletes are fanatical about their bikes. At one race, a guy was showing off a hardware kit he bought for $800 consisting of a couple of screws, nuts and clips, replacing the standard hardware with titanium ones to save a whole ounce of weight.

    “Every ounce is worth it on a 50 mile ride,” he beamed.

    “You know how I save an ounce?” another guy asked.

    “How?”

    PTOO!!

    “There, I just spit out an ounce.”

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      Haha that’s funny – My doctor recommended getting a lighter bike. He said his bike was probably 6 pounds lighter than mine. I pointed out it was $3,000 more and I could shed 6 pounds by giving up beer (if I was so inclined…which I’m not).

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Almost Iowa Avatar
        Almost Iowa

        Ever heard of the 50 lbs bike rule?

        It states, all bikes must weigh 50 lbs.

        Therefore, a 50 lbs bike needs no lock, because who would steal it? But a 15 lbs bike cost $3000, so you need a 35 lbs lock.

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        1. Dan Antion Avatar
          Dan Antion

          My favorite bike lock photo – https://nofacilities.files.wordpress.com/2022/11/941a93e6-fcb4-41dd-bd47-c5dc5a6524f8.jpeg

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply
          1. Almost Iowa Avatar
            Almost Iowa

            When I worked for the MPD, there was a stop sign in South MPLS that was the site of an amazing number of bike thefts. People would dutifully lock their bikes to the sign to only discover their bikes gone in a few hours.

            A squad staked it out and watched with awe and amusement as a guy in a van drove up and lifted half the sign pole up exposing a wooden dole that held together a pole cut in half. He then lifted the bike off the pole stub and tossed it into his van.

            Liked by 1 person

            Reply
            1. Dan Antion Avatar
              Dan Antion

              Ha! It’s downright amazing ow smart the bad guys can be.

              Like

            2. Dave Astor Avatar
              Dave Astor

              Love the “wheels” photos, Dan — especially the spectacular one with Preston the cat! (My cat Misty often perches on the seat of my exercise bike to look out the window. :-) )

              Liked by 1 person

            3. Dan Antion Avatar
              Dan Antion

              I give them credit for being able to jump up and land on those seats, Dave. Talented little buggers.

              Liked by 1 person

            4. Dave Astor Avatar
              Dave Astor

              Yes! Incredibly athletic, aren’t they? :-)

              Liked by 1 person

  9. House of Heart Avatar
    House of Heart

    I really enjoyed this Dan, I’m a bike 🏍 fan myself. Great post.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      Thanks Holly. I do like being on two wheels, but it causes pain these days.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. House of Heart Avatar
        House of Heart

        I hope you can get out as much as possible! 🤗

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
  10. circadianreflections Avatar
    circadianreflections

    My bike hasn’t seen any action recently either. Maybe in the Spring it will.

    That would have been something to see that motorcycle being driven at over 200mph!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      I’ve been to the NHRA events in New Jersey several times. The motorcycles are amazing, but the thought of going that fast with no cage around me, seems crazy.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. circadianreflections Avatar
        circadianreflections

        I love the races too, and agree on a motorcycle going that fast on those fast tracks it would be crazy scary!! But fun to watch. 😀

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
  11. Cee Neuner Avatar
    Cee Neuner

    Oh what a fun gallery. I like your photos from the museum. We don’t see bikes like that in the US. We are too stuck on our cars. Plus we have the room to spread everything out here in the west. You’d have a lot further to ride in most places :D

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      Thanks Cee

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  12. lois Avatar
    lois

    Every morning like clockwork a group of bike riders come zooming past my window (around the curve and down a hill). I can only wonder what they do when the hit the two bumps in the road that the signs warn you about. Much as I have always loved riding a bike, I feel just a bit safer walking/running how. But Preston…that bike was made for you, handsome!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      I have given up riding on the roads around here. It’s too dangerous. Maybe it’s safer in a group, but I had too many close calls. Preston does seem to fit well.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  13. Teagan Riordain Geneviene Avatar
    Teagan Riordain Geneviene

    Haha. I see from the comments that Preston is hands down the star of this post. Great pic.
    It was cool to see all the motorcycles too. A fun post, Dan. Hugs on the wing.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      Yes, Preston takes the prize today. Thanks Teagan.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  14. rugby843 Avatar
    rugby843

    Number four is something!!❤️

    >

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      It is, but not something I want to ride ;-)

      Like

      Reply
  15. dweezer19 Avatar
    dweezer19

    Look at you take that bike out. Cycling is so great. It’s been a few years since I lived someplace not ridiculously hilly. Nice selection of two wheelers Dan 👍🏻

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      It’s not something I can do much these days, Cheryl, but I hope to find a way around that.

      Like

      Reply
      1. dweezer19 Avatar
        dweezer19

        I hope you do Dan. 😊

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
  16. quiall Avatar
    quiall

    I had some great bikes over the years! Wonderful memories. My first exposure to speed faster than my feet could move. It was heady!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      It was a special kind of freedom, wasn’t it?

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  17. Damyanti Biswas Avatar
    Damyanti Biswas

    Hahaha, enjoyed this post :)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      That makes me smile, Damyanti.

      Like

      Reply
  18. walkingoffthechessboard Avatar
    walkingoffthechessboard

    My mother’s boyfriend used to drive a 1973 Duster in NHRA stock eliminator series up and down the East Coast for a few years. As a result, my mom was a big drag racing fan. I never really acquired a taste for it, but if something record-breaking occurred in that sport she always would mention it to me to check it out. As far as the photos here, Preston has definitely claimed ownership of that seat!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      Depending on when he was running, I may have seen him at Englishtown. We used to go there on Fridays for the full day/night qualifying runs. Yes, Preston claimed the bike as his own.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  19. Kirt D Tisdale Avatar
    Kirt D Tisdale

    Great pics….thanks for sharing!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      Thanks Kirt.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  20. Ally Bean Avatar
    Ally Bean

    Preston has won my heart. Nice photos of two-wheelers, but I’m smitten with the four-footed fellow.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      The story of my life, Ally, “Good work, Dan, but look at that cat!” He is a cutie.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
  21. John W. Howell Avatar
    John W. Howell

    I love that shot of Preston sitting on your bike. My bike is a single-speed cruiser. I ride it every other day. The hills tend to get to me sometimes.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      I’m glad to hear that you ride regularly, John. I ride an exercise bike, but getting back on the real bike will take some changes and a bike rack. I’ve given up riding on the roads around here.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. John W. Howell Avatar
        John W. Howell

        That is too bad. I’m lucky in that these roads are very quiet.

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        1. Dan Antion Avatar
          Dan Antion

          In addition to the wave of idiots unleashed during the early days of the pandemic, the new huge (2.2 million sf) Amazon warehouse opened along my old favorite route.

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply
          1. John W. Howell Avatar
            John W. Howell

            Does make it tough. 🙄

            Liked by 1 person

            Reply
  22. Gwen M. Plano Avatar
    Gwen M. Plano

    My niece tackles marathons, but bike riding is difficult for me (spinal issues). I love the photo of Faith’s cat on your bike. That’s a keeper!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      I was able to easily ride 30-40 miles on a Saturday morning, Gwen, but nerve issues in my neck have reduced my time in the seat from three hours to less than one before the pain sets in. I’m walking more, but I wish I could find a way to get back on two wheels.

      Like

      Reply
  23. JT Twissel Avatar
    JT Twissel

    I can’t ride those ten speeds – my shoulders just can’t take it. I once went on bicycling tour through Vermont and I was always the slowest one! But as long as you can do it, go for it!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      I can’t go very far these days. The nerves in my neck will cause pain in my shoulders very quickly.

      Like

      Reply
  24. Jennie Avatar
    Jennie

    Well done, Dan. I really like the motorcycles from the museum.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      Thanks Jennie. That’s a once in a lifetime visit.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Jennie Avatar
        Jennie

        You’re welcome, Dan. I bet it is!

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
  25. robertawrites235681907 Avatar
    robertawrites235681907

    Hi Dan, nice pictures of two-wheelers. I used to cycle a lot before I had my sons. We used to ride 100 kilometer cycle changes and did the Cape Argus (relatively famous) twice. I don’t have time for cycling now as I prefer to walk and look at nature.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. robertawrites235681907 Avatar
      robertawrites235681907

      I should have said, I don’t find time for cycling now. We can always find time for things we want to do, can’t we?

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Dan Antion Avatar
        Dan Antion

        Haha – you have many interests, Robbie. I’d hardly suggest you were being lazy ;-)

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        1. robertawrites235681907 Avatar
          robertawrites235681907

          No, I just have to many other interests and cycling is no longer one of them.

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply
          1. Dan Antion Avatar
            Dan Antion

            You reach a point where you have to choose.

            Like

            Reply
    2. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      I would like to get back to riding, but it causes pain from some misbehaving nerves in my neck. I am also walking now for exercise and sightseeing.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. robertawrites235681907 Avatar
        robertawrites235681907

        I can imagine that cycling could cause that sort of pain, Dan. You tend to be hunched over the handle bars.

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        1. Dan Antion Avatar
          Dan Antion

          My physical therapist said it was just about the worst thing I could do. I’ve been thinking about trying higher rising handlebars. I’d like to see it that works before investing in a new bike. I was going to do that when I retired, but when Covid hit, all the bikes were snapped up.

          Like

          Reply

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