I am an ordinary guy who enjoys riding motorcycles. I love riding all makes and models. I love short rides, long rides, and multi-day road trips. I lead an annual summer tour in various parts of the USA. I post reviews about motorcycle gear, motorcycles, roads, restaurants, sights, gadgets and more. Check out the "Motorcycle Facts,Trivia and History" page, the "Oz on Pods" page and the other pages for other useful and fun information. Ride carefully and Prayerfully, Oz.
Showing posts with label races. Show all posts
Showing posts with label races. Show all posts

Thursday, February 11, 2021

Best Motorcycle Podcasts

 

In the Fall of 2019 my work commute was 45 minutes, if traffic was good and could be much longer if someone had a fender bender.  I listened to a lot of radio, especially talk radio as the political campaigns were ramping up.  I found all the negativity, name calling, hyperbole and hypocrisy put me in a bad mood by the time I got to work and/or when I arrived home.

I knew I needed to get some "positive" input for my brain so I decided to try listening to podcasts. I listened to some financial, investment and spiritual podcasts and enjoyed them, Podcasts were new to me but I was getting the hang of it.  I tried a couple of different podcast apps.  Each one had some features the other one did not have.  I experimented with both podcast apps, but ultimately decided I like the Google Podcast app.  I really liked the ability to change the replay speed.  I could set the replay speed of the broadcast and hear more over less time.  At 1.5X normal speed I could get through most shows without having to listen to the "pregnant" pauses or other moments of silence. 


I I decided to add motorcycle related podcasts to my listening portfolio.  With a simple Internet search I found there were a lot of podcasts from all over the world.  I did find when I listened to some of the British podcasts I had to slow down the speed of the broadcast - my Texas-speak ears needed more time for the Brits. :) 

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To begin I did a simple search through the app for "motorcycles" and subscribed to a few podcasts.  I later searched the Internet for "Best Motorcycle Podcasts."  I cross referenced some websites and subscribed to the podcasts which appeared on multiple sites.  I figured if two or three people liked the podcast it would be good - not necessarily, I learned.  


I listen to multiple episodes before eliminating a podcast from my list. Some broadcast just stopped producing new episodes without explanation while at least one announced the end and concluded with a final show.  A few appear to be very sporadic with episodes months apart so they may or may not still be going.  Some are sponsored by large companies, but most are sponsored by listeners and smaller companies.

I loosely group the various shows into the following five categories:

Racing News & Commentary - Professional racing of all types with race reviews, predictions and interviews of current or former racers

Industry News/Opinion - Manufacturer news about bikes, gear, accessories & interviews of riders or industry experts

Women's - Specifically for women and/or by women - interviews and information specifically designed to educate and motivate female motorcycle riders.

Builders/Garage/Mods - Information about vintage and modern bikes, modifications and DIY information

Reviews/Information - Random reviews of bikes, gear, accessories and at times interviews of riders (professional and nonprofessional)

A couple of the "top rated" podcast were just guys talking and joking about motorcycles, politics, etc.  I found them to be just opinionated ramblings with some coarse joking and overrated, but you need to decide for yourself.
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The following podcasts I found to be entertaining and informing (I am a big fan of MotoGP and other roadracing series and a novice fan of motocross, supercross).  I recommend you listen to two or three episodes of the following shows:  (Alphabetical order)

Adventure Rider Radio - Information, stories and interview dealing with adventure riding
Girl on a Moto - "Girl on a Moto is a podcst for women by women, to empower one another in the motorcycle community" - I do not listen to this now, but it is highly recommended by female riders
Greg's Garage - Racing news and interviews - MotoAmerica, WSB, MotoGP, Flat track, Supercross and more
Highside Lowside - sponsored by Revzilla, all topics of the motorcycle world covered
MotoAmerica Off Track - Information and interviews about MotoAmerica racing series
MotoWeek - Expert review of MotoGP and other series, great insights and interviews
Paddock Pass Podcast - motorcycle racing series covered and racer interviews
The Full Tank Motorcycle Podcast - motorcycle news and stories discussed
Throttled Motorcycle Podcast - "We discuss the news and tell semi-true stories from the world of motorcycling."

I have greatly enjoyed the variety in the podcasts I have listened to.  There are professional broadcasters, everyday riders, big sponsored, listener sponsored, lifetime industry members, racers, enthusiasts, experts, novice and everything in between.

Full discloser - I do not know or have any connection professionally or personally to any of the podcast members or companies, but sure would love to meet some of them!  

I hope you enjoy listening, learning and being entertained.  If you have a favorite podcast please let me know in the comments.
Ride carefully and prayerfully!    
  
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"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." - Proverbs 3:5-6 

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

MotoGP at Circuit of the Americas, Austin, TX

The ultimate motorcycle racing is MotoGP and it is a blast!  Austin, Texas hosts the only MotoGP round in the USA and it is a fantastic event.
Cota day 1, waiting for practice sessions to start
April 10-12, 2015 was the 3rd year for MotoGP at COTA in Austin, Texas.  I attended the first MotoGP in 2013 as a spectator.  This year my son and I attended the races as volunteer track workers.  Wow! what an experience.  There was the added bonus of MotoAmerica's SuperSport and Superbike/Superstock classes also racing that weekend.  A total of 5 classes to enjoy.
Richard and I ready for action
Not only did we get to see the world's best sportbike riders, we got to see them up close both on the track and in the paddock.  No crowds to disrupt the view of the races, plenty of space to move and be comfortable and drinks and meals delivered to our location.
 The sound and the speed is amazing - first practices of day 1
We asked to work together and to be track marshals.  Our duties included track inspection each morning and between races/practices and assist riders that go down or have mechanical problems in our assigned area.  Otherwise, watch and enjoy the races.  We saw several riders go down, but only one slid to a stop in our area for us to help.  Most of our work was removing rocks and debris from the track.  The rider we helped sure was young, not sure he had started shaving!  He was on a Moto3 (250cc) bike.
Day 2 - helping Moto3 rider after a high side on our corner
Volunteering was a full 3 day commitment with morning check-in between 5:30 and 6:00 a.m.  Breakfast and drinks were furnished each morning.  Parking was free and transportation to and from our track station was provided.  Each station had a cooler with water and soft drinks.  At various times the drink wagon (a side by side ATV) would stop by and make sure we had drinks and/or ice.  A box lunch from Jason's Deli was delivered at lunch time and on Friday and Saturday after the races a dinner was provided at the volunteers tent.
Amazing lean angles
Friday a track parade lap for volunteers and certain other groups was an option.  Due to other commitments we did not participate, but will next year.  We heard is was great and riders hit speeds close to 70 mph!

Saturday there were more practice sessions and the qualifying sessions.  The MotoGP qualifying session saw Marc Marquez display his competitiveness with a remarkable sprint back to his garage to his 2nd bike, after 1st bike mechanical problems, and then set a COTA track record as he qualified for the pole position.

For the Sunday races we were moved to corner 2.  We could see the big hill immediately after the start and the tough corner #1 before the riders headed down the hill to corner 2.  What a great view! The races on Sunday had some longer breaks in action which allowed us to visit the pits.  With our stylish (ha ha) track volunteer outfits we were able to walk though the pits (where spectators were not allowed).
Walking the pits Sunday morning
We were able to take photos of the bikes and even saw a few of the riders including Marquez.  We got really close and watched as crews finalized the bikes for the races.
 #99 Jorge Lorenzo's Yamaha Movistar bike getting ready to race
 Looking up the hill to turn 1 Sunday morning and waiting for the fog to lift
 Rider and bike waiting for the fog to lift and the races to begin
 Rossi's bike getting final touches
 Grandstands beginning to fill
Marquez's #93 ready to roll













  #46 ,Rossi, has both bikes ready to go, one with racing slicks one with rain tires
 Nice bike and someone pointed out there were umbrella girls in the background - coincidence I am sure
 Nicky Hayden's bike - the lone American
The MotoGP race concluded with Marquez (Honda) winning his 3rd consectutive COTA race (there have only been 3) with Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati) taking 2nd and Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) finishing 3rd.  After the checkered flag while the riders were taking a final lap Dovizioso ran out of fuel and coasted to our turn, stopping so we could push his bike off the track and he could catch a ride back to the podium.  Pretty cool to see his bike up close.  They are so light due to the carbon fiber and other advancements on racing bikes.
2nd place Dovizioso's bike waiting pickup after the final race
We are looking forward to volunteering again next year.  The days were long, the vantage point was awesome, we were well taken care of and we got in without a ticket!  If you enjoy motorcycle racing I would recommend volunteering at least once.  You get a new perspective.

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Friday, October 19, 2012

MotoGP - world class racing and great Texas Food

We are excited here in Texas about hosting MotoGP races on the new track in Austin, Texas - April 19-21, 2013.  More info
New track in Austin - photo from twowheelmania.com
This will be a great race at a great venue.  Austin is in the heart of Texas and is the state capital.  It is also on the eastern edge of the Texas Hill Country, home of some of the best riding in the south.  Here is a link to some of my posts concerning the Hill Country.  The Three Twisted Sisters is the premiere route in the Hill Country.
 The Hill Country has a lot of twisties
and a lot of ups and downs!
There are a lot of great places and roads in Texas - Link

If you want information concerning tickets for the MotoGP races you can find it here.

Ride, drive, trailer, fly, sail, or come by train, but come and visit us in Texas.  You will enjoy the hospitality, the roads, the food, and the races.  Maybe we can even all meet up and enjoy some great Texas bar-b-que or Tex-Mex.

Let me know if you are coming and if you need some suggestions on routes, restaurants,... just let me know.

Connect and stay up to date on future blog posts

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Enter your email address to receive post via email

Please visit the following great companies:

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Ordinary Biker Oz YouTube Channel has video reviews and more
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXRxEDV5qQLsRsag488Rg4Q?view_as=subscriber

* I have personally ordered from and/or visited this business and based on my experiences I recommend this company.  I have an affiliate relationship with this business, which means if you follow this link and purchase, I will receive a small commission and will get to ride more!

# Based on reviews, word of mouth and discussion with others I recommend this company.  I have an affiliate relationship with this business, which means if you follow this link and purchase, I will receive a small commission and will get to ride more!
 
Feedback on these businesses is appreciated.  You may comment below.

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