Axio Swift 2.0 Harshell Backpack

Posted on September 9, 2009

Hardshell backpack

Jamie sent this over this morning. Looks like a decent backpack specially made for riding and carrying a 17″ laptop (if I have to). I’ve actually found it online in a couple other locations much cheaper so this is next on the purchase list. I’ve already ordered a couple waterproof items. One for the iPhone and one for various paperwork like registration, etc that I’ll have to keep in the bike at all times anyway.

So, I’m getting there.

Getting Used to It

Posted on September 8, 2009

CIMG0019

It was an interesting weekend to say the least. Not too much pool excitement but the weekend as a whole was fun. Yesterday morning Jamie, Mike and I went for a ride out Indiantown Road (I think), a long straight stretch out west with little traffic and distractions. We had planned on heading down to Bostons in Delray but a huge storm impeded out progress.

Once we got home the pool just wasn’t cutting it for me so I completed the journey down to South Delray to visit Ramil. Nice little run down A1A. A little slow but relaxing.

I’m finally getting used to the bike and I think I only killed it a couple times yesterday (first gear’s still a little tricky). Now I just have to get used to checking the radar before heading out anywhere; getting stuck in the rain is never fun.

150+ Mile Ride Back From Orlando

Posted on September 6, 2009

Suzuki SV650

Well I made it home safe and sound yesterday from Kissamee, Florida (think south Orlando). Jamie was kind enough to give me a lift up there and he followed me back. It took a little less than 2.5 hours to get there and a bit more to get back but it was fun…that is except for about 20 minutes where the sky opened up and I was caught in a torrential downpour. I had puddles in my shoes but I made it. Whew, THAT was interesting.

It’s a great bike though and so far I’m really enjoying it. Jamie and I went for a little run this morning up to Jupiter to check the beach. Just took US1 and A1A up, grabbed a bite at Dunken Doughnuts and then back down 95. Great ride. The freeway’s still a bit sketchy so I’m being careful. I think I’ll probably do my best to stay off it unless it’s absolutely necessary. After yesterday’s ride I’m just stoked to be back in one piece. That’ll probably be the longest ride I’ll ever take on it (hopefully).

Check out more photos on my SmugMug Page.

Picking Up the SV650 Today

Posted on September 5, 2009

Suzuki SV650

Remember that bike I found online about a month ago? That’s the exact bike I’m picking up this morning so I’ll finally be up on two wheels. I stopped at Central Florida Powesports on my way back from Ohio to check it out… too bad they shipped it off to Clearwater Florida the day before I got there. Damn.

So I talked to the guy and with a small deposit they shipped it back to Kissamee and today’s the big day. Luckily my friend Jaime rides as well and is more than happy to give me a lift up there (2.5 hour drive!) to pick it up.

Needless to say it’s been tough to sleep this week just thinking about it, kind of like a kid a few days before Christmas. I still haven’t actually sat on the bike but I’ve done my research and all that I’ve heard about the bike sounds great. Clean, low mileage bike in great condition. According to the dealer it has a few addons he himself added (since he owned it before selling it to the dealership).

So I’m taking off at 8am this morning with Jaime who’ll be there the whole ride back just to make sure everything’s cool. I just hope the weather cooperates this morning, there’s a nice storm system off the coast and if we could beat that I’ll be stoked. If not this is going to be interesting. Jaime will be following me back in the car so that adds loads of confidence to the ride back.

I picked up an armored jacket that was on sale at a local shop and I’ve still got the new helmet (which I purchased off of Jaime) so I should be good. Can’t wait to see it and ride it home.

Lots and Lots of Driving (Florida to Ohio and Back)

Posted on September 2, 2009

Yes the Amish go to Wal-Mart

Sounds like there and back again by Bilbo Baggins but not quite. I decided to drive back to Cincinnati and see family (most importantly my Mom) and friends. The first leg was a grueling 16 hours straight through leaving West Palm Beach at 5am and ending up in Cincinnati at 9pm. Thanks so much Nicole for letting me crash on your couch, and what a comfy couch it was!

The next day was all Mom and family. The pic above is of an Amish horse and buggy outside of the Hillsboro Wal-Mart which I couldn’t resist taking.

Saturday I took off for downtown to hang with the guys and Nicole. I had a chance to see Surface’s new little girl and hang with his new family for awhile. The late night shots are uploaded on Facebook for that stuff. Here’s the full travel album for everyone else

Sunday was dinner with Mom in Eastgate then I had a chance to see my old buddy Eli and his new baby boy before heading back to Nicole’s couch.

Monday morning I took off for Atlanta to visit Matt on my way home and see his soon to be family. Thanks so much guys, that was awesome of you to let me stay a night there. Bambi looks great and is ready to have her little girl. Only five weeks left and Matt’s gonna be a daddy – good luck man I hope it’s a happy healthy baby girl.

From there is was the trip to Kissamee Florida to stop by the motorcycle dealership and check out the bike. I’ll write about that later as I need to get caught up on stuff but that’s the story for the most part.

Good trip, exhausting but good and I’m glad I got to give my Mom and my sister a big hug.

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  • About

    Damien Komala - web designer

    I'm a seasoned 33 year old web designer originally from Cincinnati (born in Wilmington) and now living in West Palm Beach. I specialize in high-end PHP and CSS sites as well as fully functional Wordpress and E-commerce sites for various clients.

    Even though I'm from Ohio I'm a die hard South Florida Surfer and beach guy. I picked up the sport over five years ago and never looked back. Any chance I get I'm in the water, which is sometimes rare considering that South Florida is fairly inconsistent with surf. Those days we do get are always a great gift.

    The blog itself is primary here to communicate with family and friends. If you're looking for my professional site you can go to http://www.mynameisdamien.com/ for a full resume, portfolio and blog.

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