Friesland/NL

[OhCrap]

There wasn't that much to do today at work and the weather was really nice outside, so I decide to take the afternoon off and show my bike where I grew up as a child. Luckily I reminded to bring my camera today, so I thought I'd give it a go and post my first ride report since Fishmeister keeps bugging me about posting one.

There even is a windmill in one of them especially for you Fish, got to spot it yourself though ;)


It's not much of a ride report, just some shots of my lovely bike with some different backgrounds, but enjoy folks.

















The first were taken 2km's outside of the small village I lived in until I was 9. There's not much there, only 14 houses including the surrounding farms. From there I drove a while till I got to the Northsea, or actually it's the Waddenzee. It was pretty hard to find a spot to get on the dike itself, but with a little offroading I got there. It's a place I visit often just to look out over the sea and clear my head, try to stop thinking for a while.




























While I was driving along the dike on my way back to town I noticed how the wind was making beautiful waves in the grass and I just had to stop and try to capture it.






But since a picture wouldn't do it:







Just a first little impression of this province in the North of the Netherlands I call home. Feel free to leave any comments or tips that could help me improve these in the future.

[gammer]

Very nice 
Too bad it was so cloudy out 

[OhCrap]

Thanks, lovely blue isn't it? It was pretty windy and cold though, I should have brought my winter gloves.

[ariwhiteboy]

Very Beautiful!  Just a tip for the future, put a peice of cotton over your camera's microphone and tape it there with clear tape. I just learned this from another rider and it's a great do it yourself wind stopper.  It really cuts down on the wind noise but still allows you to hear engine, speech, etc.

[fishmeister]

That was pretty cool OC!

It gave a feeling of solitude and peacefullness.

That windmill was the new version, not the original kind.

The sheep didn't seem to mind the Nighthawk, must have thought it was one of their own.

Bike looks great! It's novel to see it in another country.

What ugly plates they give you over there.

If you do much of that cobbled road riding, I wouldn't get the 501's. I think they are more of a street tire.

[Puppysnake]

Pretty scenery.

Seeing your bike brings back a lot of memories for me. A red, white, and blue '86 was my first bike back in 1988. It was my only transportation for the  next several years and I put thousands of miles on it. Yours is in beautiful condition.

[OhCrap]

Thanks, I've never heard that one before. I'll try it next time.

And hmmm, engine, I should have left it running, haha.

[OhCrap]

Thanks Fish, that pretty much sums up how I felt when I was out riding today. I didn't even got over 6000rpm the whole ride I think.

The sheep really didn't mind, some of them just kept laying on the road even. They only got startled a little when I got off the bike.

I thought you weren't in to candy-canes though? 


Thanks Puppysnake. I drove my first Nighthawk 15 years ago, but I didn't even know this color scheme existed until I found the add for this bike a few weeks ago. But it was love at first sight, and I hope we live happily ever after.

[fishmeister]

In all honesty, The RWB is my second favorite color/year bike.

I think it would rock if they would have used a pearl metallic with the blue and white colors.

Funny you mention the cruising speed, lately I have been doing the same thing...low rpm and high gear.

I think that last sheep had it's eye on you pretty good......

[OhCrap]

Really? I'm surprised.

Pearl white would've been nice though. I noticed the sidepanels are getting a little bit craquée, so who knows, perhaps in the future.

Oh, and I'll try to find you a more authentic windmill next time. I know of a few nice ones, but they're a bit hard to get close to I'm afraid.

[Burgi]

What?? Not a single bicycle? Lovely pictures but how can you be in the Netherlands and not see bicycles???

[fishmeister]

I really think your small village would have been interesting, we don't see much of that.

http://www.ski-epic.com/amsterdam_bicycles/

[luckylindy]

 Enjoyed your pics.

[OhCrap]

Seriously, what's so interesting about bicycles?

They're so common around here, everyone has got at least one. I deliberately waited till they were gone before taking another picture, lol

It's a real cute little village. Just a square field surrounded with houses on 3 sides and a church on the the other side. I'll take some pictures next time I get there and add them to this thread.

[fishball]

Very nice OC.  I liked the shots along the sea.  Great video as well.  Is is often windy where you live?

[OhCrap]

Thanks, and I don't think it's particularity windy out here. But the town I live in is about 20mi from the sea, and the closer you get to it the windier it gets.

[hppants]

Looks like you grew up in a beautiful place.  And I like your bike to.

[isleofmanfan]

Thats an interesting engine guard.  Did you fabricate that, or is it a generic aftermarket piece?  Maybe I dont pay good enough attention, but I dont remember seeing one like that.

When is the MotoGP race at Assen?  Who is it gonna be... Jorge, Valentino, or one of the Brits?

Good to here from you guys across the pond!

[OhCrap]

I think it's an aftermark engine guard, but I have no idea who made it, sorry. It was already on the bike when I bought it.

I'm looking for someone who can powdercoat it for a reasonable price.

June 26, just a few more weeks :D Ever been there? I'm guessing Valentino, but I'm secretly rooting for Hayden. I don't really care who wins though, as long as we get a good race.

[isleofmanfan]

That'll be nice looking after its coated.

Never been to that round, but I always enjoy seeing it on TV because the Dutch fans are so enthusiastic and knowledgeable.

Yes, I've noticed Nicky has been quite fast on the Ducati.  Good for him, he has worked hard with the engineers to make that bike work for him.

So, it looks like Casey is going to Repsol Honda.  Bummer.  Hes pretty good friends with Nicky.

[OhCrap]

Thanks, I have family in Assen and I've been going there since I was a kid myself.

I've always wanted to attend a F1 race at Silverstone myself btw, perhaps one of these years I'll get to it.

Well, can't blame a guy for wanting to drive a Honda, lol
Actually I'm still surprised, I'd imagine he'd never leave Ducati.

[isleofmanfan]

I'd crawl across a mile of broken glass to see either a live F1, or MotoGP race over there!  ESPN's coverage is pretty good though, I have to admit.  Still, I cant imagine standing near F1 cars running 14,000 RPM and being driven by the worlds best drivers!

I'm totally baffled why Casey is not renewing his contract.  It seems hard to believe Ducati would be so hard on him because of his recent health problems.  But, whatever.  He has already proven he can run at the front with a Honda under him.