The Other Other Daytona Race

Today, Daytona International Speedway played host to the climax of Daytona bike week with the running of the Daytona 200.  While the rules of the 200 have changed over time, the current 200 mile format saw 45 600cc 4-cylinder (or equivalent) motorcycles from Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Ducati, Buell, and Triumph battle both in the infield and on the high banks.  As the bikes sat pinging themselves cool, four riders knew they had given everything.  One had taken the checkers while the other three had lost out by a mere 0.048 seconds.  Here's how it all went down.

Gestation of an Amateur Photographer

Nine months ago, I picked up my first real camera hoping to capture some really kickass photos for FPH.  At first, I thought it was going to be easy.  How hard could it be to aim at something and hit a button?!?!  Was I ever in for an awakening!  Not only were my pictures stagnant and off-color, they didn't illicit any emotion.  Now I don't confess my pictures are frame worthy and should be hung over a fireplace.  However, I do feel I've learned a lot since I unboxed my Nikon back in March.  Knowing that I still have a lot to learn, I present, what I think are, the best pictures of 2011 in chronological order.  Enjoy!

P.S. Some of the pictures get cut off on the right side due to formatting issues.  Click on them to view in large format.

"The Way the Big Wheel Spins"

Take a minute and think back to your younger days before you were allowed to drive.  What was your first set of wheels?  For many, that first taste of the open road was embodied in the Big Wheel.  The Big Wheel was a sweet bike to start with.  A low center of gravity meant those three wheels stayed glued to the road as long as you didn't overpower the plastic front wheel.  The low slung cockpit made the sensation of speed feel illegal.  The child sized motor only needed to be fed with Kool-Aid and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.  You could go anywhere on that thing, even to your friend Timmy's house down the end of the block.  That was the life... for awhile.

Inevitably, things like growing became an issue and the Big Wheel just didn't fit anymore but it was a great way to cut your teeth before your first real bike...

Why Do I Ride?

Ever since Danny Choy and I started Flappy Paddles Heads, I have wanted to write about why I ride motorcycles.  Since I got my license over five years ago, it seemed that I couldn't go a week without explaining my reasons, especially living in a very congested (read: dangerous for motorcycles) city like Boston.  Every time I sat down in front of the computer, I would start typing about feeling the temperature drop as I passed through the shadows of a tree line, the sweet smell of bread as a baker completed a tray of rolls as another is put in the oven, or the sight of a setting sun through my tinted visor as the sun's last warming rays and I parted ways for the short summer night.  Yet, these descriptions, while true, never felt complete.  Now, just over a month since I woke up to an empty parking space and with a 20/20 hindsight, I can finally convey what riding is to me while thanking my departed Daytona for showing me.

2006 Triumph Daytona 675 - stolen August 23, 2011

It's Not Old... It's Vintage

This past weekend Lime Rock Park afforded me the chance to see cars older than myself turn a wheel in anger at their vintage festival.  While the wheels were old and arthritic and vintage racing is much like the NFL Pro-Bowl where everyone shows up but nobody cares who wins, amusement was still had by all.  That being said, race commentary won't be found here, just the sights of a few old warhorses. 

Click for full size and enjoy!

Love Triangle

We hope all our east coast readers fared well this past week. Many people taunted the storm on their status updates but I, for one, was pretty close to shitting bricks. Irene is not to be effed with.

Anyway, back to our regular program. I found this adorable video by True Biker Spirit about how a couple's relationship kept growing upon their passion for motorcycles and adventure. Enjoy guys, There's some gnarly sidecar action to boot!

Drive-ins, Cruise Nights, and Club Meets

Throughout the summer, I've been trying to get to as many car events as possible to challenge my very amateur photography skills.  While FPH has covered the Mount Washington Climb to the Clouds and American Le Mans at Lime Rock, it's hard to constantly find race venues that are both within driving distance as well as willing to extend media credentials to FPH up here in the northeast.  To stave off the rust, I've also been attending car meets of various kinds.  Here are some of the more artistic shots I've taken.  Feel free to leave any kind of constructive criticism in the comments.

No one can be as 'clever' as the British.

And nothing is more British than a Triumph.