Smithsonian Air & Space Udver Hazy Center

My wife took off from Dulles Airport. So, I, m taking kids to A&S museum. The museum is actually connected to the airport, so they can fly in the aircraft and hanger it right in for display.

Drag Race @ Maryland International Race Way

"View Larger Map"
Type: Short Trip (Morning / Afternoon Ride)
Distance: 97.4 miles
Ride Time: 2 Hours Round Trip According to Google Map

With 2 hours travel time, this really wasn't a touring. I found that there was a drag strip nearby and they were hosting a motorcycle race. Cool! I hopped on FZ-1 and went to Maryland International Raceway (not sure what's up with "international". Every race way seems to claim it..). Really, I didn't even take my usual baggage or heavy riding gears. Just a casual ride to an event.  It turned out to be an AWESOME sunday.

Burn! Good day at the track.

Route: Bowie to MIR
It is a simple route from Bowie, MD to Maryland International Raceway, take US 301 and get on to MD 5 just North of Waldorf, or, take US 301 further down south to MD 234. I stopped by in Waldorf to meet up with my buddy, Mr. H, so I took the MD 234 route. Once you passed Waldorf , the route becomes pretty scenic, especially after turning to MD 234. I like Southern Maryland country side in summer. I kicked up the side stand around 8:20, met up with H, and got to the raceway by 9:45.

Race:
I entered the raceway and immediately felt so awesome! There were race bikes everywhere, getting from the paddocks to the track! Well, there was one problem. Where is the parking for us, the spectators? The sign said, "just park under the bleacher". Really? Is it OK? I don't see anybody... It turned out, we were the only wuss that were not racing! Everybody else brought their bike and getting on the track! There were three large Harleys before us, but that's it. I was the only one with high performance bike that was not racing, since H was also on HD. I parked and first thing I saw. A good looking young lade in ZX-14 with broken foot, carrying a crutch in her pillion, apparently going from the staging area to the paddock. Hear the shrinkage of  my male ego! I gotta get a good set of leathers. I want to join the fun!

Parking in the morning. My FZ-1 is the only high HP bike. All else are racing.

The weather was perfect. Warm, dry, and light breeze. Note to myself, bring a hat next time. The sun will not be as kind as today. Everybody was having fun. No, the bleacher was not actually empty. More riders showed up as the day goes on. The racers and their friends were also there to cheer on. There were many kids too. They really ought to be wearing some hearing protection though, and somebody should be selling cotton candies.

There were bikes of many types, Suzuki, Kawasaki, some Yamaha and a few BMWs. There was even a Harley guy too. I found it kind of strange that there were not many Hondas though. Vast majority were Suzukis, yeah, there were many Hayabusas. Surprisingly, there were quite a few old air-cooled bikes, and they were pretty competitive, generally going 8 seconds.

Things don't get much cooler than this. 1972 Kawasaki Z-1. Clocking 8.3 sec. Awesome!

The lone Harley guy. Looks almost stock V-Rod. Clocking 11.11 sec. Not bad.

Mighty Mouse!

Ninja Turtle!

One guy clocked 6.80 sec. WOW!  It was apparently a tie to the stock bike world record. So we were all hyped up for the second run to break the world record. Well, he missed the clutch and could not start. Dang it! Such is a race.

He missed the start after successful 6.80 sec run.

It was a great weekend. We finished up with beer at H's house. His lovely wife was waiting for us with Pizza. Got home around 7:00. 

Indian Demo Ride

They brought Indians Back! Polaris bought the right and started making new ones. I saw them first time at a bike show, and found that a dealer was half an hour away in Annapolis. As a matter of fact, they were right by the loop I make on a quick fix loop. They were having a demo ride, for some reason on a Tuesday.  So I left work early and off went riding!

Only pic I took. I thought I took more though. 

They did a pretty good job. I believe all three models they have are basically the same bike dressed differently, but they felt all well balanced, lots or torque, and felt pretty light for it's size. I would take the most well dressed Chief if I had a choice. Let' face it. It is a luxury bike. I would take the most expensive and comfortable one if they felt so similar.

After the ride though, it felt so different getting back on FZ-1. To be honest, I don't think I am ditching it for Indian any time soon. FZ-1 feels like a real bike, instead of something wants to be a car.