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.jpg) Shifting
Gears at Fifty, A Motorcycling Guide for New and Returning Riders was
written for the "over forty" set who are interested in riding motorcycles, or
want to return to motorcycling after a long layoff. The largest segment of
new riders and motorcycle purchasers are in this age group, and many see this as
the perfect time to begin a new adventure. The first half of the book
provides information on the steps needed to get a motorcycle license,
suggestions for buying your first motorcycle and acquiring experience on a bike,
as well as purchasing riding gear and accessories for your motorcycle. The
second half of the book features stories that I have written about my travels
and tours in various locations around the country, my experiences on the road,
humorous anecdotes about my travels, and some of what I consider to be my best
photography work. My thanks to Walt Fulton, noted motorcycle safety expert
and a lead instructor in the Streetmasters Motorcycle Workshops organization,
who was also a featured rider in the movie "On Any Sunday," for his
contributions and sidebars in the book, and David Hough, author of the
well-known "Proficient Motorcycling" book series, who wrote the foreward for my
book.Shifting Gears at Fifty can be purchased online in either
paperback or e-book format at
Amazon.com,
Barnes and Noble.com (available in paperback at Barnes and Noble and other
bookstores on February 14th, 2012) and is also available through Apple's iBooks.
Links on this page lead to some of the freelance articles I have written that
have been published over since 1999. Clicking the article titles will lead
to articles that are either posted on an external link magazine website (where
noted) for the article as published by the magazine or in their article archive
or to a page on this website. Articles posted on the website are generally
the unedited versions of a previously published article (where noted), and as such
may have a
bit more detail and relate more of my own experiences and insights about the
travel.
To return to this index page, simply exit the external site or click the 'Freelance
Writing' button at the top of the page.
Articles are listed in Reverse Chronological Order (the most recently published articles are at the top of the list).
Electronic Engine Control & Throttle By Wire
(external link) - A discussion about the theoretical pitfalls of using electronic
engine control and throttle by wire systems in motorcycles. Published in
the February 2012 issue of Baggers Magazine.
New Roads and New Rides
(external link) - A cross country relocation offers the opportunities for some
nice motorcycle riding in different areas of the country. Published in the
October 2011 issue of Baggers Magazine.
Sometimes Sunshine
Ride - Washington's Scenic SR410 (external link) -
Although winter in the Pacific Northwest can have more than its share of cold
and overcast days, you do
get sunny and worthwhile riding days almost year-round, as I found out when I
took a ride on SR410 up to Washington State's beautiful Mt. Rainier in late October. Published in the October 2011 issue of Rider Magazine.
Royal Enfield 2011 Line Up
(external link) - Royal Enfield Motorcycles, manufactured in India, retain their
classic British styling while also being updated with modern amenities and
safety features. Published in the Winter 2011 issue of SoundRIDER!
Magazine.
Riding through the Discover Pass
(external link) - An excursion through the myriad of new fees and licensing
requirements - and the added new costs to the taxpayer - as a result of new
state park and land use fees imposed by Washington State government as of July
1st, 2011. Published in the Summer 2011 issue of SoundRIDER! Magazine.
It’s All in How You Lean
(external link) - An article on
the increasing variety of multi-wheeled motorcycles appearing on the market, and
the problems new configurations are causing for motorcycle training
organizations and licensing departments in the Pacific Northwest.
Published in SoundRIDER! Internet Motorcycling Magazine, December 2010.
Biketoberfest 2009
(external link) - A wild time in the old town tonight! An article about a few days
in Daytona Beach taking in the sites and sounds of the yearly motorcycle event. Published in the March
2010 Issue of Hot Bike Baggers Magazine.
A Low Country Rolling Boil
(external link) A tour through the South
Carolina "Low Country" taken in October 2009, which includes the
Hilton Head Island and Beaufort, South Carolina areas. Published in the May, 2010
issue of Motorcycle Cruiser magazine.
Just One Road: Warwoman Road (external link) - A great loop ride in
northern Georgia that offers a variety of riding environments from relaxing
straightaways to twisties and forest roads as well as mountain views.
Published in (Motorcycle) Cruiser, April 2010.
Just One Road: SR 180
(external link) - A road in northern Georgia that rivals the "Dragon" at Deal's
Gap for twists and turn and changes in elevation - an unforgettable ride!
Published in (Motorcycle) Cruiser, December 2009.
A Ride On The Ridge - Touring the Blue Ridge Parkway
The BRP is 469 miles of road made for riders. Published as a feature
article in Rider Magazine, July 2009
Re-Imagining the Great
American
Road
Bike (external link) Some of my ideas about changing touring
cruiser motorcycle design that, in my
opinion, would make traveling bikes better suited to the task. I used the
Photoshop program to make the changes to hardbags, exhaust systems, etc., to
show the changes as "real world" bikes. Published
in the August 2009 issue of (Motorcycle) Cruiser magazine. My thanks to
Cruiser and Victory motorcycles for the use of their photos.
The North Georgia Colors
(external link) The fall colors in the North
Georgia Mountains and the moderate temperatures in September and October make
this one of the best riding locations at this time of year. Published in
Rider Magazine in April 2007.
Leaving Las Vegas
Getting away from the tables for a day or two can lead to some beautiful
State and National Parks no more than an
hour's drive from the strip. Published in Motorcycle Consumer News, October
2008.
The North Carolina Outer Bank Islands and Carolina Coast
Published in Motorcycle Tour and Cruiser magazine in
June 2001.
The Georgia Triangle
Published in Motorcycle Tour and Cruiser magazine in May,
2000.
Here's Your Sign An essay
written about the improper placing of traffic control signs at intersections
around Atlanta and the state of Georgia, and how this placement constitutes a
danger to the drivers of this state, and others.
All Articles and Essays
Copyright 2012 Philip A. Buonpastore, Reprint by Permission. |
