OLD BLASTARD: Better late than never

We're right behind you. That's been the problem

It's been a long time but I'm glad to say that I'm back in the saddle, the saddle has a pad -- concrete at that -- and the Intertubes are finally connected, up and running.

And so are we.

We've taken a bit of a hiatus, if not a hegira, got ticked off and buried in Lyme and even found ourselves in new locations with new spaces and new lives.

We are now residents of Richmond and residents of Belleview where we have not just a room but an entire suite. The padding's thin, sure, but the hardwood floors are great for banging your head.

And it's been a head-banging time out there. There's been a lot of good rides and a lot of new riders showing up and we, unfortunately, have not been available to share it with you.

Our bad.

We beg succor and understanding: Life got in the way.

Things have not always been so good. We lost a new SOB recently in Ethan Kenney, who completed his MSF course and license back in April. Unfortunately, training does not assure your safety. The road is a harsh lover and, when crap happens, it happens at a mile a minute.

Our best to his family.

We're motorcyclists. We spit on the chest of Weird. Still, our life is a life fraught with hazard, from potholes and Camrys to lingering injuries. Another one of our own, James Jarman of Jarman Sportcycles -- sponsors of the local bike nights at Wild Wings Cafe on Wednesdays and Buffalo Wild Wings on Thursdays, has spent a couple of weeks in the hospital, including time in intensive care. His stay is not directly related to motorcycles, but those who know his story know that, indirectly, it certainly is.

Those who don't know his story should drop by and talk to James. He's a good man, a good talker and has a great sense of humor.

Meanwhile, the best way to support him and his family is probably not through flowers and get well cards -- those work, of course -- but through going down to the shop and spending the same dough you'd drop on petals on parts and hats and gloves and maybe a barbecue sandwich.

Times are tough and they're getting tougher and the support of the family business could go a long way.

As for today, it's time to give the bike its 1,500-mile dialysis treatment with a little Mobile 1 or Castrol synthetic. We'll be out there and we'll be bringing more of you to you through here.

Ride well.

Rainman