http://www.shockingbarack.com Just another WordPress weblog Fri, 18 Jun 2010 17:00:41 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en I never shut up. Brian, on the other hand, is pretty soft spoken. Which means that when he says something, it usually has substance. And his summation of how we finally gave Barack Obama an electric motorcycle is as humble and genuine as he is: "It isn't a fairytale ending, ... http://www.shockingbarack.com/2009/10/30/we-give-a-bike-to-president-obama/ As Brian and I watched a dialed, well-dressed Craig Bramscher effortlessly clear White House security and walk through the same type of gate we were nearly shot at, we had to admit that maybe we weren't White House material. I have stuff on my neck and hands, and after ... http://www.shockingbarack.com/2009/10/30/craig-meets-with-us-secretary-of-energyand-select-captains-of-industry/ Since we arrived in Washington we'd been pounding the pavement and banging on doors all over the capitol, right up to the White House itself, trying not to run afoul of the United States Secret Service or any other government agency in our attempt to get an electric motorcycle to ... http://www.shockingbarack.com/2009/10/28/since-weve-gotten-to-dc-it-felt-like-weve-gotten-nowhere-but-because-of-everyone-following-and-participating-and-passing-this-thing-around-craig-bramscher-the-brammo-ceo-received-a-last-minut/ Well maybe we didn't have momentum in government circles, but it was nice to find out we had a little momentum in pop culture. Thanks to all the people who've been following us and the growing popularity of the site, we landed an interview with a reporter from the Associated ... http://www.shockingbarack.com/2009/10/28/meeting-the-press-on-capitol-hill/ The Secretary of Energy, Dr. Stephen Chu, was quoted recently as saying that if it was up to him, he would spend every penny of automotive funding on electric vehicles. So if the Smithsonian wouldn't take the bike, maybe the Department of Energy would. We had heard they display energy-related ... http://www.shockingbarack.com/2009/10/28/we-try-leaving-the-bike-at-a-beacon-of-the-future/ Being the first American production highway-legal electric motorcycle seemed historically significant, so we decided to visit the Smithsonian Institute, and specifically, the Museum of American History, since that's where they display transportation industry exhibits. Brian became hopeful as soon as we entered the building, because C3PO, the chattering gold robot ... http://www.shockingbarack.com/2009/10/28/we-try-leaving-the-bike-at-a-shrine-to-the-past/ After dozens of fruitless attempts to contact someone, anyone, who could get us in the door, we finally resorted to simply walking up to the White House and ringing the doorbell. Well, it's not a doorbell in the normal sense. Sure, the button thing you push is almost ... http://www.shockingbarack.com/2009/10/27/we-ring-the-whitehouse-doorbell-and-someone-actually-comes-out-to-meet-us/ Shortly after we parked near the White House, a group of distinguished looking gentlemen wearing pleated slacks and government-issue White House sweaters gathered excitedly around the bikes. It seemed like this was exactly the kind of break we'd been looking for. We just needed to get the bikes ... http://www.shockingbarack.com/2009/10/27/ray-of-hope-generated-by-fancy-sweaters-quickly-extinguished-by-soiled-shoes/ There's no such thing as the CWD, but for us, today, that's what the Council for Environmental Quality was. The CEQ is a division of the Executive Office and coordinates all federal environmental efforts. We got as far as the reception area, where a kind lady having noodles ... http://www.shockingbarack.com/2009/10/27/the-council-for-whatever-dude/ So we're not exactly the world's slickest operation, and we didn't really work the system or do lots of planning. How are you supposed to work the system from the side of the road in Lorain, Ohio, or on some guy's pull-out couch in Pittsburgh, PA? We're just ... http://www.shockingbarack.com/2009/10/27/who-needs-a-plan-when-you-have-an-answer/ On Tuesday Brian and I will be on Capitol Hill, meeting Senators and Congressmen, talking about our journey and the future of EVs in America. Attach this video as you contact lawmakers from YOUR state and let them know that if they're interested in a homegrown solution for the ... http://www.shockingbarack.com/2009/10/26/invite-senators-or-congressmen-from-your-state/ We've ridden through big cities and small towns, past lakes and over mountains, through rain, wind and sun, recharging in the homes and businesses of generous Americans, and sleeping on their couches when we needed a rest. Through it all the bikes performed superbly, hitting 70 mph on flat stretches, and going hitting up ... http://www.shockingbarack.com/2009/10/26/now-that-were-here-the-real-journey-begins/ No one in government works on Saturdays. Actually no one works on Friday either, and from what we've heard, they take it kind of easy on Monday, too. But that didn't stop us from making some preliminary calls. For the most part we got answering machines, but we did ... http://www.shockingbarack.com/2009/10/26/discovering-no-one-here-works-on-saturday/ Our next stop was Silver Springs, Maryland, just outside DC. It was hard to believe we were so close to the Capitol, and we kept peeking at the top of the trees, expecting to see the Washington monument poking out. But our destination tonight was not the White House. It ... http://www.shockingbarack.com/2009/10/26/were-welcomed-by-the-evadc/ We are no one. But George Washington was someone. So what if, on our way through Winchester, PA, we stopped at George Washington's old office and tried to call Obama from there. Surely the Whitehouse has caller ID, and one can imagine a call from George Washington might carry serious ... http://www.shockingbarack.com/2009/10/26/an-ill-conceived-plan-never-even-gets-off-the-ground-in-winchester-pa/ Many people who've reached out and offered us electricity through the website are into things like alternative energy and sustainability. It stands to reason that green types would want to help out a couple of guys on electric vehicles. So we were a little confused when we pulled into ... http://www.shockingbarack.com/2009/10/26/we-get-amperage-from-a-fossil-fuel-fan/ It was still brisk at daybreak, cold enough to see our own breath, but by mid-morning the sun was high enough to warm us, not to mention set the gold and red leaves ablaze with light. As we raced through the hills it was clear that electric vehicles have no ... http://www.shockingbarack.com/2009/10/26/an-unlikely-ally/ As night fell we rolled into the historic town of Berlin, Pennsylvania in search of a charge. About the only thing open was a little place called the House of Miracles, an unlikely amalgam of coffee shop, religious book store and historical site. We plugged the bikes into an exterior ... http://www.shockingbarack.com/2009/10/24/the-second-rebellion-to-come-out-of-berlin-pa/ A person's mental outlook is directly attributable to the state of their feet. Just look at the Grinch. Shoes two sizes too small turned a benevolent dog-loving homebody into a psychotic sled-driving misanthrope, and were in fact the impetus for his devastating unilateral attack on Whoville. To avoid precisely this ... http://www.shockingbarack.com/2009/10/24/happy-feet-and-a-coin-induced-economic-revelation/ Despite inclement weather, road weariness, and a few fleeting moments of self-doubt, our trip has been marked by warmth and laughter, and a strong sense of hope. But there was nothing hopeful about Monessen, PA, and as we rode past boarded-up businesses, crumbling homes, and the mile-long remains of a ... http://www.shockingbarack.com/2009/10/24/we-have-a-long-way-to-go/ http://www.shockingbarack.com/2009/10/24/electricity-baby/ These things go 70mph. Who knew? http://www.shockingbarack.com/2009/10/23/444/ It's safe to say that before this trip Brian and I would have found the term "couchsurfing" abhorrent. The idea of turning someone else's sectional sofa into makeshift living quarters seemed a little invasive to both of us. Then there's the fact that people's homes seem to have their own ... http://www.shockingbarack.com/2009/10/23/the-truth-about-couchsurfing/ Southside Iron Works is an old school Pittsburgh gym that's been in business 25 years. There are no fancy machines, no Aveda products in the locker room, no electronica being piped in through tastefully hidden speakers. There are rusty racks, worn carpet, and 9 million pounds in free weight. ... http://www.shockingbarack.com/2009/10/23/pumping-lithium-iron-phosphate/ Caffeine has become nearly as indispensable to us as electricity--it's mostly caffeine that has kept Brian and I from riding into a ditch, or the grille of an oncoming Kenworth. So when Ken Zeff and Adrienne Zangrille, owners of Crazy Mocha, offered to hook us up with both forms of ... http://www.shockingbarack.com/2009/10/23/caffeine-liquid-attention-span/ The motto of Carnegie Mellon University is a quote from founder Andrew Carnegie, "My heart is in the work." Amen brother. We feel the same way. So it was particularly gratifying to share our work with some design students before we left Pittsburgh. As usual we showed up with little ... http://www.shockingbarack.com/2009/10/23/what-he-said/ This trip isn't about Brian and I giving Obama a bike. It's about America proving that the country is still creative (something it has always been), and that it can still do a lot with a little (something it hasn't had to do for a long time). These bikes are ... http://www.shockingbarack.com/2009/10/21/sign-right-here/ Can we make it to DC? Can we really give a bike to Obama? From the outset we've asked ourselves those questions. But those aren't the real questions, the big questions, the questions to which even an imagined "yes" generates goose bumps. Can Americans innovate? Can we create jobs? Can ... http://www.shockingbarack.com/2009/10/21/yes-we-can/ This Steelers fan seemed like he would happily participate in any suspension test that involved running over people in Cleveland Browns colors. http://www.shockingbarack.com/2009/10/21/403/ Funny drawing in Pitt men's room. We're all for shaking up the system, but this is a little aggressive. http://www.shockingbarack.com/2009/10/21/401/ An astute shockingbarack follower recently voiced concern over giving the President an EV of any kind, citing George W. Bush's ill-fated voyage on a Segway. But it's pretty clear Barack Obama has skills beyond those necessary to inhabit the oval office. The guy plays hoops. Clearly he's an athlete. ... http://www.shockingbarack.com/2009/10/21/what-this-country-needs-right-now/ We rolled into Pittsburgh in the general vicinity of Heinz Field, where a Steelers game was clearly about to start since the place was a sea of black and gold. In a parking lot adjacent to the field there was a wild tailgate session in progress, a miniature city of ... http://www.shockingbarack.com/2009/10/21/terrible-towels-really-good-clam-chowder/ On our way to Pittsburgh we stopped to pay our respects to a friend we'd both grown up with. A friend we met the first time we were buckled into the back seat of our mother's cars, and really got to know on our 15th birthdays. Our friend lived a ... http://www.shockingbarack.com/2009/10/21/here-lies-an-old-friend/ Reflecting. Or softly weeping maybe. Ohio/Pennsylvania border. http://www.shockingbarack.com/2009/10/21/388/ If a town the size of Sebring can install plugs along its streets to light trees during the christmas season, why can't the nation do the same for EVs? http://www.shockingbarack.com/2009/10/21/385/ http://www.shockingbarack.com/2009/10/19/aaron-reflects-vol-2/ A few days back we learned the constitution forbid elected officials from accepting gifts. But today, @sefba, a helpful follower and astute observer of governmental type stuff, informed us that the President and Vice President are exempted from this strident no-gift policy. Even better, since Brian/BRAMMO are American, there is ... http://www.shockingbarack.com/2009/10/19/disaster-averted/ Recharged from both a mental and vehicular perspective, we crossed the Pennsylvania border in the rain and dark. And when our bikes were nearly drained we rolled up to a restaurant bar called Harry's Place, in search of a plug. Proprietor William Myers let us roll our bikes directly inside ... http://www.shockingbarack.com/2009/10/19/green-meets-blue-at-harrys-place/ The moment we rolled into town, Sebring felt like home. First there was the name of the small town grocery store where we recharged. The West Oregon Express. With BRAMMO headquartered in Ashland, Oregon, Brian couldn't help but feel like he was in friendly territory, a feeling confirmed when ... http://www.shockingbarack.com/2009/10/19/resurrected-in-sebring/ Weird how a human being's outlook tends to mirror the weather. Today it was cold and ominous and it rained the entire time we were riding. And it was starting to seem like this whole Shocking Barack thing was a doomed enterprise. What were we thinking? Were we gonna ... http://www.shockingbarack.com/2009/10/19/dying-outside-aurora/ If you've been following the GPS function, you're probably aware that our bikes are at a dead stop, right at the Aurora, Ohio police station. We haven't been taken into custody, and the bikes are not in impound. After stopping to charge in Aurora we discovered that one of the bikes needed a new ... http://www.shockingbarack.com/2009/10/19/we-encounter-a-gremlin-in-aurora/ When we decided to undertake this journey one of the goals was to generate media-rich content the whole time. The primary victim of that strategy has been Mike Gersten, who's spent the entire journey in the back of the chase van editing on his laptop. As of this entry, he is nearing the ... http://www.shockingbarack.com/2009/10/19/the-trials-and-tribulations-of-real-time-broadcasting/ Video of cop escorting When a CPD motorcycle cop pulled up and suspiciously eyed the bikes, we were half expecting to be taken into custody. After an awkward moment, I said "You're looking at these like, 'What the hell are those things," to which he replied, "What the hell are those things." ... http://www.shockingbarack.com/2009/10/19/chips-redux/ We thought it would be fun to drop by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and see what they thought of our journey. We figured any place that had plug-in devices like the Fender Stratocaster might be open to plug-in devices of the two-wheeled variety, and it seemed like ... http://www.shockingbarack.com/2009/10/18/rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-actually-a-triangular-glass-hive-of-uptight-pencil-pushers/ Just as we thought the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame staff might be laid back, we suspected the folks at the Great Lakes Science Center would be a little neurotic. Wrong again. Science Center Vice President Blake Andres was one of the coolest people we've met in our entire ... http://www.shockingbarack.com/2009/10/18/science-center-actually-a-rectangular-repository/ It's not the cold or the rain or the long miles that get you. It's the inescapable fact that a helmet has turned your hair into a sickly, matted rat's nest. http://www.shockingbarack.com/2009/10/18/helmet-hair/ The bikes charged overnight in a gallery space at the Cleveland Institute of Art, and when we picked them up in the morning they looked pretty cool against the wood floor and clean white wall space. Even better, the faculty let us ride them through the halls on our way ... http://www.shockingbarack.com/2009/10/18/riding-the-halls-of-higher-education/ Since we only plugged in at the German lady's house for a short time, I ran out of juice right before we reached our intended destination--the prestigious Cleveland Institute of Art, a well known cradle for some of the nation's most talented automotive designers. Casually placing the students' education before my survival, Brian rode ... http://www.shockingbarack.com/2009/10/17/brian-leaves-me-for-dead-gives-inspiring-presentation-at-cleveland-institute-of-art-while-i-die-as-far-as-he-knows/ On a street corner in the suburbs outside Cleveland we found ourselves down to 1-percent of battery capacity. So we had no choice but to knock on the door of the first house we came to, and opportunity answered in the form of a sweet-yet-terrified octogenarian with a crazy Kaiser Wilhelm accent and her ... http://www.shockingbarack.com/2009/10/17/opportunity-knocks-then-again-sometimes-its-the-other-way-around/ Throughout the journey people have been sending us all kinds of helpful information. But we received a troubling bit of information last night. According to Article 1, Section 9 of the US Constitution, the president can't accept gifts. Gifts like a BRAMMO Enertia. Anyone have any ideas how to get around this? We can't ... http://www.shockingbarack.com/2009/10/17/unconstitutional-schmunconstitutional/ Throughout the cold wet trip we've relied heavily on little hand-warming packets placed inside our gloves. And there's absolutely no danger of us running out of them, as several folks following the blog tracked our gps coordinates and sent us the addresses of retail stores along the route that ... http://www.shockingbarack.com/2009/10/16/unlimited-supply-of-hand-warmers-courtesy-of-the-world-wide-web/ Our first declined request to charge-up took place at a Chinese restaurant in Fremont, Ohio. So when we pulled into our second Chinese restaurant in Lorain, OH, we were certain, based on the law of averages, that we'd get the green light. Unfortunately it was strike 2. Though the ... http://www.shockingbarack.com/2009/10/16/0-2-at-chinese-restaruants/ http://www.shockingbarack.com/2009/10/16/aaron-reflects-vol-1/ When we got to Sandusky, a town of roughly 24,000 people, we were invited into the home of Mark Norman. We were told his home was styrofoam, so we rode around looking for something that looked like an igloo. But as it turns out, Mark's home looks like any other, until you get ... http://www.shockingbarack.com/2009/10/16/banana-pancakes-with-a-local-luminary/ We pulled into a gas station to use the facilities on the way to Sandusky, only to realize the "bathroom for customers only" technically applied to us. We were on electric vehicles, and therefore had not purchased petroleum products. But the clerk was willing to overlook the fact and let us in. And she ... http://www.shockingbarack.com/2009/10/16/can-a-guy-take-a-pee/ Access to electricity is not a foregone conclusion. Running on sparks (the electric equivalent of fumes), we pulled into a chinese restaurant in Fremont, Ohio, but when we asked if we could plug in, we received an unceremonious "No!" from ownership. And you know what; there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. We know we ... http://www.shockingbarack.com/2009/10/16/our-first-no/ The ABC affiliate in Toledo, WTVG, sent a news crew out to meet us and see the bikes. They learned about our mission, and Brian was kind enough to do some speed runs in the rain for their cameras. But the pivotal part of the interview took place when I ... http://www.shockingbarack.com/2009/10/15/channel-13-does-hard-hitting-story-on-brians-hair/ At Energy Saver Advisors in Toledo, Ohio, the two are separated by nothing more than a pane of "low-e" glass. After letting us use the outlets in the lobby, Energy Saver Vice President Matt Simon treated us to lunch in what is easily the coolest office any of us had ... http://www.shockingbarack.com/2009/10/15/what-does-energy-efficiency-have-to-do-with-minor-league-baseball/ Who has something to gain if this trip is a success? Pretty much everyone on earth, except oil companies. Who has something to lose? Oil companies. So naturally, when we were hit by rain shortly after crossing the Ohio state line, we knew it was the result of a carefully orchestrated ... http://www.shockingbarack.com/2009/10/15/big-oil-cloud-seeds-shocking-obama-route/ By now everyone knows the internet has exploded the traditional news model. And it's mind-boggling to see how fast one net-savvy person can generate a story. While other reporters scrawled on pads of paper and snapped still photos, Adrian Telegram reporter Erik Gable stood to the side with a camera phone ... http://www.shockingbarack.com/2009/10/15/insta-press/ When we emerged from Adrian City Hall there was a throng of people surrounding the bikes, including a bunch of construction workers, including one guy, John Lueder, who's hardhat was covered with motorcycle stickers. Choppers Inc, Wiseco Pistons, etc, etc. The kind of guy who wouldn't be caught dead on an ... http://www.shockingbarack.com/2009/10/15/awareness-of-evs-under-construction/ First stop of the day was Adrian, Michigan. We met the mayor, Gary McDowell, who suggested we contact two Senators and a Congressman. We probed him to find out if any of the three were particularly susceptible to bribes, to which the Mayor replied "I'm not going near that ... http://www.shockingbarack.com/2009/10/15/he-knows-some-people-who-may-know-some-people/ While filling up on some breakfast we saw these. Funny to think that our entire trip to see obama will cost us about the price of four apples, and zero carbon emissions. http://www.shockingbarack.com/2009/10/14/apple-a-day-keeps-the-carbon-away/ This is BRAMMO Lead Engineer Aaron Bland, with an Enertia powercycle plugged into the wall outlet next to his bed. We're not saying there was any sort of inappropriate "interaction" between the two, but the bike would not talk the next day. It didn't say one word. Weird. http://www.shockingbarack.com/2009/10/14/strange-bed-fellows/ We have no budget. But that didn't stop us from incorporating special effects. Set up a still camera for long exposure, walk around the bike with lights, and you've got this. Sort of looks like the scene in Indiana Jones when they open the Ark. Only instead of crazy illuminated demons coming out, these ... http://www.shockingbarack.com/2009/10/14/big-time-special-effects/ OK, so the goggles are all Sopwith Camel'd out. But we're crossing an ocean of doubt, so they kinda work. Or not. http://www.shockingbarack.com/2009/10/14/94/ Just dropped by autobloggreen and hung out with author/editor Sam Abualsamid. Cool guy and seemed to dig the mission. Brian took him through some tech stuff, then did a few speed runs down the street for the camera. Brian and Sam were definitely vibing on the nerd stuff. I didn't understand half of ... http://www.shockingbarack.com/2009/10/14/hanging-with-autobloggreen-in-ann-arbor/ While we were recharging at Zingerman's, Jim Cousens stopped by--guy who at one time owned the largest collection of vintage electric vehicles in the world. Eye-opening conversation. EVs were prevalent around the turn of the century, but disappeared when no infrastructure of plugs arose to support them. With environmental issues making EVs the only ... http://www.shockingbarack.com/2009/10/14/who-killed-the-ev-not-exactly-a-who-done-it/ A plug for a plug. Zingerman's was our first charging spot and will always own a special place in our minds and in this journey. Is it just us or does Zingerman's look like a place that has been suddenly thrust into the 21st century with that Brammo powercycle out front. The best ... http://www.shockingbarack.com/2009/10/14/thanks-to-our-first-sponsor/ Today we began our journey to Washington DC from the exact same place the Big 3 CEOs started theirs–the private jet terminal at Detroit’s Wayne County Airport. At first they said it was OK to shoot in the terminal, but as soon as they found out what we were about they shut us ... http://www.shockingbarack.com/2009/10/13/an-ironic-departure-gate/ We started the day with a quick interview with Fox news in Detroit. We’re not sure when it’s going to be on but we will post a link to their website as soon as we have it. It’s pretty exciting to see the level of interest and support so far. ... http://www.shockingbarack.com/2009/10/13/we-made-the-news/ http://www.shockingbarack.com/2009/10/13/its-on/ Tomorrow it begins. Time to start building an industry that will make the world a better place. One mile at a time. http://www.shockingbarack.com/2009/10/12/tomorrow_it_begins/ Starting in Detroit, we are going to trace the journey taken by the Big 3 automotive CEOs in 2008. Only we are going to get to DC on electric motorcycles at a cost of about $4 per guy. http://www.shockingbarack.com/2009/10/11/the-route/