Here's a link I found to a film from 1920, Indian motorcycles dominating the board track.
There is no sound, however the picture quality is pretty good. I can't imagine what it must of been like to ride at high speed on a wooden race track wearing what was the only safety gear available at the time. A heavy wool sweater, leather pants, a leather helmet, and some work gloves was all that separated you from life and death from "splinters".... No full face helmets or leather track suits with skeletal plate supports for these guys. Pretty impressive.

more bikes... AND a guy wearing all leather in 90 degree weather (with humidity)

Michelle wants to buy the white yamaha 250.....

"Brand X" Brooklyn, the bikes...

BRAND X MOTORCYCLE EVENT, BROOKLYN NY

Free Asahi beer, free BBQ, live music, and a horde of vintage motorcycles... what a perfect way to spend a Sunday! Michelle and Molly met me for the festivities. We hung out at my friend Peter's booth (Moto Borgotaro) to hand out some free stickers and get out of the sun. Molly tried the BBQ (pig on a spit) and said it was a bit "pink", in a bad raw kind of way. She is still alive and doing well. Michelle now wants to buy a motorcycle... and if she had just ONE more beer I think she would have.
Soon after the event we made our way to our favorite BBQ joint in Brooklyn, Fette Sau (Fat Pig in German) to make our pork quota. Our friends Dave and Lauren joined us as we consumed a gallon and a half of liquid gold, smoked brisket, pulled pork, a rack of ribs, pork infused baked beans, potato salad, smoked lamb shank (which was special that day and amazing), spicy broccoli, and a smoked sausage link.

Ava's Birthday

This weekend Michelle and I took the bike to Fairfield for our niece Ava's birthday (she turned 4). We left Saturday morning, the weather for the ride up was fantastic, low humidity and warm with blue skies. We avoided I-95 as much as we could, taking Hwy 1 through the Bronx, Pelhams, and Westchester. I'm not that familiar with the area northeast of the city, but was very impressed. The positive, there were tons of marinas, curvy roads, old architecture. The negative, WAY too many traffic lights and congestion.

Ava and her cousin (our nephew) Dominic were all over the motorcycle, they have no fear at all!! They simply climbed on and wanted to go! I gave them a tutorial on how to start the bike, twist the throttle, use the the signal lights, and how to use the horn. The horn honking was fun for about 2 seconds. The rest of the day we sat by the pool and ate until we couldn't move, or at least I did... My sister made the most amazing tray of sausage and peppers I have EVER HAD! She is turning out to be a really great cook.

The ride back on Sunday afternoon was miserable for about 4 exits. Michelle and I were not prepared for the weather and ended up getting soaked, with me in the front taking the worst of it. I could feel the water dripping down my legs into my socks, slowly filling my shoes. It was time to stop. We pulled over and had a glass of wine at the bar at some Italian restaurant in Darien CT and discussed our options. We asked the bartender to turn on the weather channel and as we watched we saw a dry patch that stretched from our location all the way to NYC. We left at the perfect time, the ride home was a bit nerve wracking with the slick roads, however the sunset that awaited us from the BQE over looking the Manhattan skyline was incredible, like nothing I've ever seen before. It was a nice welcome.

New Pic.

Here's another from the the Triumph photo shoot. My friend James (the photographer) thinks I look like a pirate...

The LA, NYC Connection is.....

JEWISH DELI!! 

Cantor's is LA's version of Second Ave Deli (a lower east side destination for 50 years , which sadly closed shortly after owner Abe Lebewohl was robbed and killed outside his establishment). Cantor's appearance  is more diner than deli, brightly lit, vinyl banquet seats, cookies and pies in a rotating case, and a ceiling that's so uncomfortable to look at you feel like you're tripping on some sort of drug, which is exactly how felt after I ate an entire pastrami sandwich, a plate of latkes with sour cream and apple sauce, some pickles, and a side of potato salad. I started with a chocolate egg cream, and finished with a Dr. Brown's (cream soda OF COURSE). I felt like a kid, anticipating my first glance at the menu, even though I already knew what I was going to order. I told the waitress how excited I was, that it was my first time. She asked "where ya from"? I told her I was from NYC, she said "Ugh oh... let me know how we measure up".  The food was pretty, pretty, pretty good. ALMOST as good as Katz's (but not quite). The pastrami lost a few points when it came back a little on the dry side. But other than that... just what I needed. Who cares if it will make you fat... I wasn't homesick for the entire hour I was there, total comfort food. If you are ever in LA and have a craving for cured meats at 3am (open 24hrs), this is the spot to go.

ROSCOE'S!

 I saw this place years ago on "No Reservations". The "LA" episode wasn't very good, and the reason why I'm guessing is because there isn't anything very unique or exciting about the food in LA.  I mean, I've had some really good Mexican, something lacking in NYC, but other than that there are very few places I have found that have across the board great food, great service, and an attention to detail without being too "exclusive" or connected with a restaurant chain. If you know of a place, please tell me. I feel like NYC has multiple dozens of such establishments. Chicago too, even Des Moines!! (Ok, a small handful in Des Moines, NOT including the State Fair).

I stopped in for a late lunch at Roscoe's in West Hollywood, which IS a chain (I feel more than 2 locations constitutes a chain). I love fried chicken... and I love waffles. Finally a place where I can have both!! The chicken was greasy, fried crispy, and even a little dry. The waffles tasted like waffles. Exactly what I was expecting. It was still a fun place to go. 

On a side note. In Adam Sandler's new film "Funny People", he wears a "Roscoe's" T-shirt. I think the local restaurant T-shirt craze is in full effect. So if you want appear cool, the more local or "underground" the eatery, the "hipper" the the T-shirt you will have. Anthony Bourdain is definitely a victim of this in his "Sammy's" and "Katz's Deli" apparel. Then again he IS a chef so it's ok. OR if you win a local BBQ contest and get a t-shirt because you kicked ass, it's TOTALLY appropriate to wear it, because you earned it. 

So to sum it up.... a t-shirt from "Nathan's of Coney Island", cool. "Outback Steakhouse", not so much.

Triumph NYC

Our friend james is working on a concept book for Triumph based on NYC bikers. He invited Michelle and I to come down and have our portraits taken. This the first of many,  I'll get to post more very soon.

What's in heaven molesting angels???

I saw this as I was propping at Bed Bath Beyond.... I moonwalked back to the car. 

Lighthouse?

I can't wait to be home, been in LA for almost 2 weeks now, seems like forever. I was going through some pics and found these from our ride to Montauk in late spring. As you can see, we really love the lighthouse.

Catching Up With.......

It's been a while since I've updated the blog, MIMI is in the shop, the adventures are on hiatus. So NOW what??? Write about something "biker" related???

My friend Brent sent me this photo he took during this years NYC Gay Pride Parade. Unfortunately the biker guy from the Village People couldn't attend, (I guess his bike is in the shop too), but plenty of his friends did.

Michelle greeted me with SIGNS!

The Last Day, The Worst Day

I woke up around 8am in the Pittsburgh hotel room, overwhelmed with anxiety. My body sore, head to toe. Everything ached. I was so close to home, yet the idea of packing up my gear, rigging the bike, and riding for hours on the highway seemed so incredibly laborious and unappealing. Had I known what kind of day I was about to have, I would of stayed in bed.

10am, I finally get out of bed. Pack my bag, rig the gear, start the bike. There was something wrong, the engine sounded weird, there was a hot smell of metal, not in a good way. I made it 2 blocks when the bike started to lose power, backfiring, then shutting off completely. Perfect.

I called my mechanic in Brooklyn, extremely frustrated. I had this problem before and as far as I knew it was fixed. He explained that because of the amount of riding I was doing that the points closed up, creating the misfiring. Fair enough. He talked me through a quick fix, taking off the engine cover I delicately sanded the build up from the points. That seemed to work, the engine started right up. 2 seconds later the bike shut down, dead. Calling Peter I explained what happened, "sounds like you blew a fuse, you can reset it"... great... I open the headlight to see a jumble of wires. I made sure that everything was connected, nothing looked suspicious, yet again I had no idea what I was looking for. A little tap here, a little tap there, and the bike started right up, back to life!! I fixed it!! I was so proud of myself. The ordeal lasted TWO HOURS, yet the sense of accomplishment I had made me forget that part.

Riding out of town, in heavy traffic, literally right outside the entrance to the freeway, the bike loses power, AGAIN. I lose it... GOD DA#$&@, MOTHER F$#*%!!!! I stopped traffic, pushed myself up the off ramp to a "safe" spot on the edge of the freeway. I accepted the idea of staying in Pittsburgh one more day and researched my options. The BMW shop's number was disconnected. I started calling anyone that was affiliated with "motorcycle repair". After 30 minutes without any leads I started to feel helpless, which is something I am not used to. I approached the bike prepared to push her back into town when I noticed the choke was engaged. I was using the choke to warm her up and never set it back. DUH!!!! The bike started right up, I was finally on my way!!!

The rest of the day went well, riding through the mountains of Pennsylvania I forgot about the mornings ordeal. I would be home in a few more hours. I don't think I will ever be as excited again to see signs for New Jersey!! Made it onto the turnpike around 9pm, about 2 miles from the toll I noticed the generator light flashing... WTF! I waved my hand over the handlebars into the headlight. I had no lights!! No signals!! That also means that if my engine cuts off I won't be able to start her up, assuming the electronics are fried. Sure enough, I get to the toll booth, take my hand off the throttle to get some money.... the engine shuts off.

I pushed the bike over 4 lanes into the Turnpike's employee parking lot. I texted Michelle and told her not to worry. Emailed her my location and tried to get in touch with my mechanic. When I engaged the ignition the bike would jerk in spasms, not good but at least it's something. I opened up the headlight thinking maybe I blew a fuse (again). All the wires were melted together. My heart sank at the sight of it, I felt like vomiting... Now what do I do?? This is something WAY beyond a quick fix. I could literally see the Manhattan skyline in the distance. I called Peter for a pick up and again got his voice mail. I called Michelle and told her "I THINK I can push start this, I'll call you back".

There was a ramp that led to another parking lot down below. Away I rolled, not knowing what to do I put the bike into first gear... It WORKED!! Then it died. Rolled her back up the hill, second time was a charm. Called Michelle, "I DID IT!!". Made it to the Holland Tunnel, no lights. Leaving the toll I was stopped by a Jersey trooper, "your headlights!!!" I explained that my lights were fried.. he said "You ought to get dat fixed".. thanks buddy, ya think????

MANHATTAN!!! Home! Now to make my way across town. Not stopping at lights, I made it to Grand Street which leads right to the Willy B Bridge. Stuck at the light the engine dies... yet again. I pushed her to Chrystie Street, the street slopes, perfect!! Running along side the bike I got her up to speed and jumped on. My foot got caught up on my bag and over the handlebars I went doing a perfect tumblesault onto the pavement. I DROPPED the bike!!!! I lifted her up, all 500lbs, got back on and pushed myself down the sloping street. Popped 1st gear, engine starts! Crossing the Williamsburg Bridge, I took the "back roads" home.

I made it, in one piece.... What a day.

I love....

that I have a family with a sense of humor. your comments will get me through the rest of the day. Farrah and now MJ??? I heard about Ed last night, to be honest I was surprised he was still ALIVE!

ps. still not one Bear.

ROADKILL

In just 5 days of travel from the Midwest to the Northeast, via US Interstate and County roads I witnessed an extraordinary amount of mammal murder. I documented, created a very specific, organized tally. The numbers don't lie people. Perhaps there's something more to this? What do you think?

Deer- 22
Possum- 6
Badger- 2
Porcupine- 1
Skunk- 4
Squirrel- 6
Porcupine-3
Armadillo- 2
Muskrat/Gopher/Groundhog- 8
Cat- 3
Dog- 1
Blown out truck tires that I mistook for an animal- 28
Animals that I mistook for blown out truck tires-8

BEARS- 0

That's right, not ONE, single bear. You know what that means? Bears are REALLY smart, think about it. If they are smart enough to avoid a pair of bright lights coming at them at tremendous speed, there's NO telling what they are capable of. Total world domination. I predict Bears will soon take over the world. Think about it, a Bear City reality!

Last Day...

In Pittsburgh, celebrating my last day with a bottle of wine purchased from the restaurant where I had dinner, the hotel does not have a bar.
Can you BELIEVE it??? NO BAR!

Took the back roads out of Indiana into Ohio. I don't know how it happened buy I ended up in West Virginia... I reset the GPS and made to Pittsburgh via "National Historic Route 40", which sounds a lot nicer than it actually was. There were dozens of markers detailing significant historical events, however if you ever needed to unload a dozen used tires, a refrigerator, and an abandoned trailor home... this would be the place (this marks where George Washington had his first fort... oh look there's a pile of burning phone books). Something like that.

Back Roads

Took the back roads through a bit of Illinois to Indianapolis. Once the sun started going down it cooled off dramatically. I jumped on the interstate after dark to make up time. Rolled into town a little after 10pm. I took a trip to the Steak and Shake (2 bacon cheeseburgers, chicken fingers, and a chocolate shake) and checked in at the Holiday Inn, where I ate myself into a junk food coma.
Off to Pennsylvania!!