Or, what would you like to know?

I’m kicking around adding a wee page on here that is just about my 2007 Ural Patrol. There’d be info from the nuts-and-bolts specs, to the bike’s quirks and what mechanical issues come up, that sort of thing. Essentially, I’m envisioning a running list of particulars of owning (and working on) this 2007 Ural Patrol. I’d like the info to be of interest and use to anyone else who has a Patrol, or is considering a Ural in general or a Patrol in particular.

What would you like to know about one person’s motorcycle, and what it’s like having a Ural Patrol? Please leave your suggestions in the comments.

This past weekend was just too nice to do anything computer-related, so I’m working on the image uploading problem this evening.

Here’s the deal though. Except for images, I’ve got some posts ready to go on a quick ride last week, and my 500km service. Whatever happens with the image thing, I’m posting these now. I’ll add the photos to them when the image uploading issue is sorted out.

The posts are dated for the day when this stuff actually happened (for, um, posterity):

• April 10, 2008 - Rider’s-Eye View: 500km Service on a Ural Patrol » Ride Three - Ural Sidecar Motorcycles
• April 30, 2008 - Eugene Ural Ride: Sunset at Skinner Butte » Ride Three - Ural Sidecar Motorcycles

Raise a glass to luck, and hope I’m soon able to post images again!

Update: OK, I think I’ve got it sorted. Images have been added to the Skinner Butte post, and will be added to the 500km service post soon. Thanks for your patience!

Been doing some system updating behind the scenes, and it turns out there are some bugs with adding images to the site. I’m working on sorting it out, but posting may be slow the next few days. A bit annoying, as I’m ready to put up a bunch of trip posts, but we’ll get there eventually.

In the meantime, if you haven’t already, go buy a Ural!

OK, looks like everything went okay with the site update. If you notice anything squirrelly (other than me, that is) please comment or email.

Evening, all. I’m about to upgrade the system on Ride Three, so things will be down for a wee while. I’ll post again when all is back up. Or, just keep an ear out — if all doesn’t go well, you’ll probably hear the swearing, wherever you are.

Riding weather, not typing weather

Not only was Thursday a great trip to Salem with Andy Grow for our Urals’ first service, but this weekend turned out to be, well, perfect. Blue skies and warm, warm, warm. I didn’t touch a computer, but spent plenty of time behind the handlebars.

Strangely enough, today (Monday) was rainy and back to normal for Eugene, so I’m now tucked up at my desk with coffee and a laptop. Thank you for all the comments and well-wishes. I’m gradually getting things caught up, first with comments and now with posts. Our Mac, which is our workhouse for photos, is in the midst of some major updating, so the trip posts will be along in the next few days.

First up, fill ‘er up

In the meantime, I’ve started by (yawn) recounting the riveting tales of putting gas in the Ural during these trips – but with a very pleasant mileage surprise, post-500km service. Actually, I like tracking the gas mileage, especially with gas prices what they are nowadays. I’m interested in seeing how it changes over time, and I’m guessing that I might not be the only one interested in seeing what Urals do over time in terms of gas mileage…

• Ural Gas Mileage: Apr. 10, 2008 Fill-up #1
• Ural Gas Mileage: Apr. 10, 2008 Fill-up #2
• Ural Gas Mileage: Apr. 10, 2008 Fill-up #3
• Ural Gas Mileage: Apr. 13, 2008 Fill-up

Also on the way

In addition to Thursday’s trip to Salem for the 500km service, there’s also been a fair bit of UDF (or, Ural Delay Factor), and one other day trip, from Eugene to Blachly/Triangle Lake. For this latter trip, Jodie and Ella also came along – our first road trip together!

More to come soon, and with photos aplenty, on…

• Eugene-Salem road trip (via Albany on the way up and Corvallis on the way back)
• The 500km service at Raceway Services
• Eugene-Blachly/Triangle Lake road trip with Jodie and Ella
• Chills, thrills but, luckily, no near-spills as Anthony rides solo and our wee family rides together through wet-and-wild Western Oregon

Parting words of wisdom

If you’re thinking about getting a Ural, it’s already too late. Don’t think about getting a Ural. Just get a Ural.

Ride Three was down for part of Sunday. My hosting provider had some power outage issues with their building. All’s good now, and props to my host for sorting things out as quick as they could, with an issue that got kind of dumped on them. Thanks, lads.

Ride Three.com is a new website providing tips and resources for the Ural motorcycle fan. It will also chronicle the trials and trips of a new Ural owner as he waits (impatiently) for his new 2007 Ural Patrol, what happens when it gets here, and how he adapts to what is not only his first Ural, but his first motorcycle.

Ride Three.com will also discuss dealers, maintenance and gear, as well as provide links and lists for all things Ural and sidecar motorcycling.

Follow along with the free feed, give feedback below and check back for more on the most fun you can have on 3 wheels!