Long time no speak. So much to say, won't get all of it in this post.
Still at same retired guy job, for now. It's the easiest job on the planet. I work at a local gym. Doesn't involve much. The gym has been sold. New owner hasn't mentioned anything as far as changes so I didn't ask. I'll save him the trouble of lying about keeping me on, if in fact he has other plans. I'm not sweating it.
I'm still commuting via bicycle to work. I've added miles and time to the direct route of 4 miles. I get up an hour early just to log a complete 60 minute ride in. That's a wake up of 220 am. Pure insanity folks. Then I do another full 60 minutes on way home that afternoon. Not sure I'll do this routine when weather gets cold. Actually, I'm certain I won't. On the days I ride bicycle my mood is great. I have anxiety like a M.F.er . The longer rides keeps me from committing a felony on some stupid ass persons face with my knuckles.
I filed VA disability claims last April. I had my decision on July 30th 2026 . Denied on all but one claimed condition. It's an egregious error by rhe rater. I have filed a HLR . Should be re rated best case scenario early 2027. It's a bureaucracy, it's what they do best.
I bought a 2024 Honda adv 160 back in May 2026. A great little motorcycle/scooter that get 100mpg . I ride it to work a few days a week. That's why I started adding miles to my bicycle commuting days to male up for the 2 days a week I ride motorcycle. So I get avg. 5 to 6 hours a week on bicycle. A 50lb bicycle.
The Honda is a great motorcycle all around. It's perfect for local rides, it's easy and convenient. It's an automatic transmission, just twist and go. It's under 300 lbs so easy to handle. I researched extensively before buying it. I bought this off F.B. mkt. place . Two years old with only 700 miles, so basically brand new. I saved enough compared to cost of new to make it worthwhile. Im what's called a returning rider. That's a rider that was an active motorcycle rider but hadn't ridden in years. In my case, about 36 years. So I wasn't completely certain I'd want to be a motorcycle rider again. The idea sounded good but in reality it was jist a guess. So for that reason I didn't want to spend full retail on a new bike or buy a full size high power motorcycle. Also this motorcycle can be hauled easily on a hitch carrier, one of which came included in purchase. I'm glad I researched and bout the Honda adv 160, it's a smart move. I plan on touring western Md next season. The Honda adv only has top speed of 70 mph in the perfect conditions. Usually real life top speed of 63 to 67 mph. So staying off interstate is essential. That's not a problem, I want to cruise the scenic routes. I didn't plan. on riding high speeds. This little motorcycle is small enough to hop on and just roll thru the neighborhood and big enough to ride on all the two lane roads and the main highway around here, which traffic when not in rush hour mode is about 50 to 60 mph.
I just purchased a crash bar for the bike in case I drop it. I've been doing slow speed maneuver drills. I'm a lot better then when I first started this skill training. I can do a very tight full circle for reps. Not quite full bar lock yet, but close. Tight U turns aren't even a challenge anymore. When I approach a stop sign, I rarely ever put my feet down. I do a brief track stand while completely stopped then proceed. * I need to find out the police policy that defines a legal full stop . So the crash bars aren't installed yet, but after I do install them the bike will be protected fairly well in the event I drop it doing these tight maneuvers, plus they look cool.
So between my bicycle rides and the motorcycle I have to make sure I don't take the lazy option and stop bicycle commuting to work. I rode all weather up to now since April 1st 2025. Cold, heat , wind, rain, snow. I'm on the roads at 235 am these days. I ride local bike trail for part of my ride. It's blacked out, plenty of wildlife. Deer, fox, rabbits, an occasional owls making noise. Unfortunately I've encountered a few crack heads out there also. I mean in the most desolate areas, a long walk to anywhere was a female just sitting on a bench one foggy wet 240 am morning. I have bright lights on my bars and another on my helmet. I immediately scanned the area left and right for someone lurking in the shadows. Fortunately no one else there. I'm still baffled to thos day. I even stopped there in daylight to see if she had a hobo camp close by. Nope. Weird scene man.
Literally the best times of my days are when riding to work, second best time is riding "home to van house location.I have traffic on the roads to deal with o. home bound trip so the peace and quiet of dark empty roads is gone.
So when my VA is finally approved my financial situation will be drastically improved. I'm contributing largely to my Mom's financial situation. It's absurdly expensive to live in Md these days. Senior citizens that are unable to work are in a bad spot. Fortunately I'm here to help my Mother out financially, if not she'd be displaced from her own house because the illegitimate property taxes she can't afford to pay . Fuckin Md politicians should all burn in hell for eternity. Relax Ray. Breathe . Inhale, exhale.
So I kinda told myself before I found out the gym was sold, I'd keep working after VA disability claims were approved and build up some bank roll, savings. Not sure I'll have any say in the matter now. New owner in town Boys. He said no changes till New years. Ok, that's telling me 50/50 chance I'm out the door come New years. Not a death blow, I've got unemployment coming if I'm let go. But I'm reconsidering, if and when I get my claims approved maybe I will just fully retire. Spend my time doing 3 or 4 day motorcycle trips around Md. Maybe go back to commercial crabbing a few days a week . Have plenty of time to ride my bicycle. Lots of options. Even if I keep my job, I'd like to cut it back to max of 4 days a week, every weekend a 3 day. Oh well, it's just thoughts at this point in time. I've got a serious hurdle to clear, it called the VA claims process and it's very unpredictable.
I submitted properly formatted claims. All evidence, exams, lay statements, buddy statements, MRI radiology reports, all in proper order. Should have been an easy approval. Long story why it's a shit show but believe me, I did extensive research How to properly file a FDC VA disability claim. So in reality I can't breath a sigh of relief for a long time . I won't even allow myself the luxury of seriously considering my next move . I keep my guard up , I only cautiously consider my options upon the claims approval.
