Time To Get In The Wind

Lapses in judgment are part of what makes us human, right?  That’s how I’d describe the photo in this post…

I’ll be riding wind-in-the-face along side some rebels-with-tats over the next several days in route to the 70th Sturgis celebration so don’t expect any new content on the blog.  And I won’t be watching any SEO, social mentions, Google alerts, clicks, subscribers, or moderate any comments.

Instead I’ll be riding in the northwest sun as it singes the morning air trying to find a few moments of motorcycle zen.  Basically it’s time to make some memories and unplug.

See you on the road.  Be safe!

Photo courtesy of Phantom Tracking.

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Road To Sturgis

The jester who stole the kings crown…Bob Dylan.

He rode a 1966 Harley-Davidson Shovelhead and loved to ride to get away.  Once when riding through the countryside, he commented that “The police are really friendly around here; they are all waving at me.” Later he learned they wanted him to stop because he had no helmet on.

And speaking of getting away.

It’s about time to load up for the long haul and head east where the thunderclouds hover over grain bins on soybean fields.  I’m talking about the Black Hills Motor Classic, which most of us just call Sturgis.  And the jester himself is playing at the Buffalo Chip on August 10th!

Road-to-Sturgis Game (circa: 1989)

Getting on the “Road to Sturgis” reminds me of that video game by the same name which Harley-Davidson released in 1989.  The game is about a biker who’s trying to get to Sturgis for the annual biker event, unfortunately it’s only days away and you are on the other side of the country. You’re main objective is to get to Sturgis within days, but to gather enough fame to become legendary as the ultimate biker.  You start off the ride determining wealth, charisma, riding ability, mechanical ability and brawler skills…in case you need to work as a bouncer along the way.  After selecting your stats you begin outside a local bike shop where you can spend some of your money to upgrade your bike. Sound familiar?!  Things like brakes, springs and even whole engines can be upgraded but every Harley has to be unique and you have to make it look different.  You’ll also want to buy some extra sturdy clothes because being on the road on a motorcycle is not easy.

Unlike the real world, the riding sequences had very little scenery and were quite lame.  The game suffered from a very limited appeal and these days it’s a challenge to find much of any information about it.  The game did have something that made people want to come back, probably the idea of riding alone on a motorcycle from coast-to-coast is something that appeals to a lot of us.

The Sturgis rally was started in 1938 by the Jackpine Gypsies Motorcycle Club as an event for Harley riders and their families.  Until he died the founder of the club, J.C. “Pappy” Hoel, would oversee everything, right as rain.  This year it’s the 70th Anniversary and no place in western S.D. will escape the roar and hum of the motorcycle engines.

If you’ve got a few extra bucks on you and can get your scoot to I-90 and exit 32 you’ll be in for a real treat.

Photos courtesy of H-D.

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2010 Bucket List

Happiness is doing what you love and given the northwest rain, gale force winds and cold weather means – I’m not feeling the motorcycle love! So, what else is there to do, but look ahead to the new year and map out some rides?!

A couple of trips that I’m hoping to budget for:

• Drive a portion of Route 66 – Ideally this trip would include a large chase truck which is better suited to bringing back memorabilia collected on the way to wherever, but the route being considered is Phoenix to Flagstaff and Grand Canyon.  Then on to Kingman with a drive-by in Laughlin for the late April River Run.
• Ride the ferries – British Columbia offers up remarkable scenery and where else do you go during the U.S. July 4th holiday?!   Nothing is more spectacular than a ride through Olympic National Park, catch the Port Angeles Ferry to Victoria then Buchart Gardens with dinner and libations.
• Make a return trip to Sturgis – we’re 202 days out and this year marks the 70th anniversary.  It was just a couple years ago several of us rode to the Black Hills.  It wasn’t the first time, but it did celebrate the inaugural Black Hills State University dorm room in Spearfish, SD.   The Sturgis rally defines the term “cluster” so I’ll likely settle for a day well-spent in and around the little South Dakota town…followed by a hot shower and a soft bed before quickly departing to enjoy more of the ride.
• Oregon State H.O.G. Rally – 2010 marks a combined Washington and Oregon State H.O.G. Rally.  It starts in Pendleton, OR on August 24th and ends in Coos Bay, OR on August 27th.  A week of riding and nearly 1500 miles with 8 dealer stops.  The current ride route is  through 4 states.
• Good Rockin’ Tonight – I’m talking Street Vibrations in Reno, NV (September) and the reference is to cover bands playing rock hits from the classic acts back in the day.  We’ve got a new culture these days as folks go to dance clubs and move to the bass-heavy productions of studio wizards…but, back in the day it was Montrose (some of you are old enough to remember this exact performance!).  The 19 year old Sammy Hagar stood on stage and rocked the crowds.  However, Street Vibrations is where the cover bands imitate the greats.

What’s in your future ride inventory?

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