67th Annual Black Hills Motor Classic (Part 3) VERY LATE

Well ...... I received a message from a
reader that said my blog was LAME O
because I have not updated in a long time!!!!
He was absolutely correct. I have not I will blame it on my new job etc etc, but here
is my 2008 Part 3 Update; We rented a camper at the famous Buffalo Chip Campground
which was filled with rock bands, biker vendors, beer, tattoo shops, bikers, and beer.

The folks that showed us to our camper showed us a little more than just our camper.
Since this is a family site I have modified the picture a little with not one but two
Gar street signs. Anyway, back to the accommodations .... it was great having
running water, air conditioning and a cold fridge for refreshments. Check it out -
hopefully I will not wait as long for part 4.

Thanks and Good Night!!!!

67th Annual Black Hills Motor Classic (Part 2)

The next morning we left St Louis and road hard to Mitchell SD were we must of run into the bulk of the bikers headed to the Sturgis Bike Week event. At the run down hotel we stayed at in Mitchell, we met a husband and wife well in their 60's that ride up every year from Iowa. They each road their own bikes, large baggers. They faithfully made the trip even after losing a close friend the year before in a bike accident.

The dinner that evening was once again a nice piece of red meat at a very busy local steak house that was filled other riders from across the country. The trip the next day was beautiful as we moved closer to the Black Hills .........

67th Annual Black Hills Motor Classic (Part 1)

Sturgis Bike Week

2007 Ralley & Races Black Hills South Dakota

Part 1

We road a total of 3,976 miles through 15 states and enjoyed ourselves in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota this past August. The three of us have been to Daytona Bike Week and Biketoberfest several times both spring and fall, as well as Myrtle Beach Bike Week. This trip was special for me as it was a return to the town of my birth. Some 53 years ago I was born on the Ellsworth Airforce Base in Rapid City South Dakota. I had made a business trip to the area about 20 something years ago, but this trip on my scooter with two riding companions was truely a blast! The trip out to Sturgis included a stop Tennesee the 1st night with an uneventful sleep in a non-descript hotel room. The next night featureda stop in St. Louis MO to visit, dine, and sleep at a friends house from work, Jim R., who provided a feast and neighborhood party and a comfortable bed for the night. Off early the next morning headed for Michell SD ......................

"PORKER RUN"

A few years back in a little town called Stanley NC there was a event called a "Porker Run", that's right, it's "Porker" not "Poker" because it involves food at every stop, and I am talkin' good down home southern food like Tomato & Onion Sandwiches, Hush Puppies, Collards, Beans, Field Peas & Snaps, and Steak & Baked Potato, finishing it off with a Ice Cream Sundae.The event was of course a fund raiser for children and it involved Hot Rod Cars & Motorcycles. The event drew a pretty large crowd and it was Great Food for all! There must have been over 75 bikes and about 25 Hot Rods ranging from Chevy, Pontiac, Buick, Oldsmobile, Cadillac, Ford, Dodge, Plymouth, & Chrysler. The whole town (and then some) showed up for this fund raiser and run.

Dog - Cat - Mouse - Dude

OK Nothing to do with scooters or bikes .... but there is this dude in down town Santa Barbara that walks around with his Mouse riding on the back of his Cat - and Cat riding on the back of his Dog. Here is proof with an un retouched photograph.

Solvang Surprise

A dynamite little motorcycle museum located in the heart of Santa Ynez Wine Country. While touring and tasting some of the local Reds, at places like Fess Parker Winery and the Blackjack Ranch Vineyards & Winery, we came across a nice vintage motorcycle museum with over 95 different bikes in Solvang where much of the Movie Sideways was filmed. The Museum was well worth the mere $5 cover charge! If you are in the area I would recommend a quick visit.

I would also recommend the Aebleskiver, these are light and airy Danish hollow pancake balls with raspberry jam and powdered sugar.

Makes include, Ariel, AJS, Benelli, BMW, Britten, Brough, BSA, Buell, CZ, Ducati, Excelsior, Manxman, FN, Gilera, Harley Davidson, Honda, Indian, Jawa, Matchless, Maico, Moto Guzzi, MV, Agusta, Nimbus, Norton, Sunbeam, Suzuki, Thor, Triumph, Velocette, Vincent and the Whizzer!! Enjoy the pics.

Beijing Harley Davidson

Last trip to Beijing China I wanted to visit the new authentic Harley Davidson Dealership ..... after a cab ride around the entire country ... no it only felt like it ... it was probably a ride through all the inner and outer rings of the great city we pulled up in front of what I think is a knock off version of a "stealership". Chrome Horse was a place I visited in 2006 when I was in Beijing, however, this was a new location with a Softail Fatboy, a springer and a variety of T-shirts from Harley, EasyRiders, and other Biker Brands of choice here in the good old US of A. Anyway, after all that I decided to take a pic outside the new Building.

NightSter - Sportster

OK
Folks tend to love or hate the Harley Davidson Sportster. I believe it is the longest continously produced Motorcycle out there.

Personaly I LOVE the looks of the Sportster - and the newest version called Nighster (I think) is in my opinion "Drop Dead Sexy". Check it out and - Let me know if you agree. If I could afford a 3rd bike ..... this may be the one.

Blue Ridge Parkway

Some say that the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Mountains of western North Carolina are the perfect place for a scooter ride. I say this is absolutely TRUE. The problem is riding and paying attention while trying to take in the beauty of the area. Well a stop here and there for scenic lookouts provide a nice option. I have been in about half of the US states on my Bike and I think BRP is absolutely breath taking. If you get a Chance to spend some time it is well worth the trip. Boone, Blowing Rock, and Banner Elk are all nice towns for friendly biker visits. Check out Appalachian State University (they beat U of Mich in football) , Mellow Mushroom Pizza and several Mast General Store for all your dry good needs.

The Blue Ridge Parkway is a designated All- American Road

China Motorcycles

My love for motorcycling was evident when I visited China for the 1st time. Easy Rider was shot in Shanghai. The others were from Beijing where cycles are used for basic transportation rather than joy riding as it is here in the US. Here are a few from China to enjoy.

The Beginning

You Won!! November 2000
2001 Harley Davidson Softail Deuce

I did not know the joy this winning event would have, not as important as birth of children or wedding or all those other special days, but pretty close. The beauty was not the day I won my Harley, but everyday since then has been an adventure. From learning to ride on the back roads - to first trip up to 50 MPH, then the first ramp onto the freeway, first rally, first everything - etc. It has all been a blast. So just 8 years ago and approx 50K miles later I still consider myself extremely lucky! Could have been a Honda, could have been a Kawasaki, could have been a Triumph, could have been a Yamaha, could have been a Victory, could have been a Aprilia, could of been a Ducati, could have been Suzuki or any other brand - But it wasn't, it was a Harley that started it all. So here is a picture of the Deuce that started this journey. I will enter the events along the way and try to build the motorcycle history that I have enjoyed, and I invite any and all to add to it if they feel like it.