2009 was an excellent year here in Fuzzygalore-land. I’m blessed with good health, a great family, prosperity and an amazing group of motorcycle friends from around the world.

100 Things I’ve Learned in 2009

1. If for a split second the thought “I should stop to look at that” crosses my mind, I should indeed stop.
2. My friends will wait – No excuses necessary.
3. My motorcycle blog is my blog. I have to remember to not feel bad because it’s not like someone else’s motorcycle blog.
4. I still need to work on handing out my trust.
5. I no longer want to do track days. That time has come and gone.
6. A Costa Rican bike tour is on my short list.
7. I need to let other people lead and make routes.
8. It’s okay to make friends with other riders. Not everyone is a squid.
9. At this point I much prefer a textile jacket.
10. I’m still not tolerant enough to be nice when people ask if “I’m hot in that.”
11. Waterproof boots made my life better.
12. I am definitely not a BMW person.
13. Fanatical brand loyalists can be incredibly annoying.
14. I really think the Speed Triple is my most-favorite bike ever.
15. I still can’t ride with a tinted visor.
16. The term biker still seems like it has a negative connotation to it.
17. I’m still waiting for someone to change my mind.
18. At this point, I think 3 cylinders are the way to go for me.
19. If I could figure out how to get my dog to ride the with me, I’d probably take her along.
20. Riding helps me relax.
21. I want a pink motorcycle and I won’t apologize for that.
22. It’s okay to not be mechanically inclined.
23. I really don’t need a GPS.
24. GPS fanatical loyalists can be really annoying.
25. Metal flake paint makes everything okay.
26. I would still love a Givi box on the Triple.
27. Motorcycle riding dents all of my cameras.
28. I’m even more certain that I am not cut out for any type of Iron Butt riding.
29. I’m really impressed with anyone else who can sit that long without going bonkers.
30. I see a banana guard in my future.
31. I have no idea where I “fit” in the motorcycle world.
32. I’m strangely drawn to bobbers.
33. I would really like to go to the Isle of Man.
34. I still don’t see why people looked down on Long Way Round. Those guys still rode the miles!
35. Discovery HD had some great motorcycle shows to pass the time.
36. RoadRunner magazine makes me want to go places.
37. A giant cauliflower is just as good a reason to go for a ride as any.
38. I prefer riding in the cold over riding in the heat.
39. Motorcycle bloggers are an interesting and diverse bunch. They help the workday go by.
40. I’m struggling with whether it’s better to have slabbed and seen or not seen at all.
41. I often think about what riding in California was like and think I’d like to move there one day.
42. I really like other motorcyclists who don’t seem to “fit” a lifestyle or clique either.
43. I want to ride in the Alps sooner rather than later.
44. I sometimes wish I had a scooter but I know I’d never ride it.
45. I need to ride to work more often.
46. I wish I could feel okay about riding in jeans.
47. No other leather smells like Vanson.
48. My gloves usually fade to brown before I ever wear them out.
49. 75% of the things that are in my tank bag could probably be taken out and thrown away.
50. I need to pack lunches on some of my day rides instead of buying.
51. I should ride with other people more often.
52. Sneaking out for a midnight summer ride is something I should do.
53. I don’t know what to do with all of the old motorcycle gear. I hate ebay.
54. I never have any idea what rpm or gear I use.
55. I love riding in West Virginia.
56. I hate it when other motorcyclists speed past my house.
57. Motorcycling is romantic.
58. There is a strange comfort to the smell of exhaust in my own hair.
59. I don’t want a new motorcycle.
60. I find myself envious of west coasters motorcycle photos.
61. I still want Wonder Woman leathers.
62. I dream of moving to a rural place just so I could have good roads to ride.
63. I don’t care about upgrading my suspension.
64. I’m probably the only person who finds it funny that there are loose Goldfish in my tankbag.
65. I wish I could figure out how securely attach a giant stuffed Domo to my seat cowl.
66. The smaller off the beaten path roads are getting more and more appealing.
67. Not having my earplugs in on the highway now makes me nuts.
68. The new RSV4 is seriously foxy.
69. That Icon Speed Cretin helmet has grown on me in kitsch value.
70. I’m not impressed by horsepower.
71. I have exactly zero interest in working on or cleaning my bike.
72. I wish I could go for a ride with my Dad.
73. I find myself listening to Third Eye Blind often on the bike.
74. No kidding, I think I do all my best thinking in the saddle.
75. I can’t remember 99% of my thoughts when I turn the key off.
76. I ogle those lithe bicycle guys on the road when I’m out on the bike in the summertime.
77. Watching Catfish compete in the IBR this year was awesome.
78. I still don’t understand why I can’t make a living riding around looking at and photographing big, silly things.
79. I will ride to no place special for a cup of coffee.
80. Almost all of my friends ride motorcycles
81. I still have no desire to ride a cruiser.
82. I still fail to understand why anyone would ride to Sturgis, Americade or Laconia when the roads are clogged with people.
83. If your jacket has fringe on it, it looks stupid.
84. Think someone should make motorcycle boots that look like Gene Simmon’s demon boots.
85. I think in 2010 I’d like to camp on the bike.
86. I need to pay more attention to my tire pressure.
87. I’m hoping my tipover in November satisfied my mishap for the next decade.
88. Motorcycle people are still fascinating to me.
89. I just like saying Hippo Hands.
90. I don’t care if they’re great, the Hayabusa and the new VFR are fug.
91. I wonder if I would be any good at a small 24 hour type rally?
92. It never fails, I never ride as much as I’d hoped to for the year.
93. I’d love to ride in Utah.
94. I would love to get a ride in a sidecar.
95. I think I might buy myself some new leather gloves this year. Maybe.
96. Yea, Gerbing is still where it’s at.
97. The Knox glove exoskeleton, even if it is “useless”, is very sexy.
98. I still don’t know how to hold on if I am pillion.
99. 80% of my daydreaming involves a motorcycle.
100. Some things never change – It’s new Year’s day and I am dreaming about my first ride of the year.