For awhile, the airwaves hummed with shows featuring colorful welders and “custom choppers.” One of those shows was called American Thunder and it was different from all the rest because instead of welder it featured a model named Michelle Smith. (Seen squatting in the photo above.)
When the depression hit and people became less interested in bikes that were worth more than their homes but not their mortgages the show’s producers blamed Smith. She was fired and replaced by a manly millionaire who was once on Survivor. Maybe he was on Survivor more than once. Then he was fired and Smith became part of a new version of American Thunder called Two Wheel Thunder.
Two Wheel Thunder might be available for viewing on a television near you. Or maybe not, depending on your cable provider. You might get a home shopping show in a language that sounds like gagging instead.
I only bring this up now because I am too lazy to chase an actual story today and because Smith recently sent out an alert to 18,000 of her closest friends that Two Wheel Thunder will be “in Tampa for the premiere of the Easyriders Sequel.” I know because I am among Smith’s 18,000 closest friends, although some days I fear I may actually only be number 18,000 in a very long line. So when I heard from her my first thought was “There is an Easy Rider sequel?”
Easy Rider Sequel
Yes there is, I soon learned. Yes there is.
The late Dennis Hopper and Peter Fonda proposed a sequel in 1985. Hopper’s idea was to set the movie in a grim and distant future, like, oh maybe, 2012. The original characters would be magically brought back to life and take a road trip through this post-apocalyptic America.
That sequel didn’t work out but other Hollywood entrepreneurs liked the idea of milking more money out of Easy Rider. The actor Martin Landau tried to produce a new version of the film in the 1990s. After Landau, a producer named Glenn Tobias raised money for a sequel but didn’t actually make one. He kept the money anyway and was sued by the estate of one of his investors in 2004.
The Lawyer Dreamer
The estate won that legal battle and a wealthy lawyer in Ohio named Phil Pitzer bought Tobias’ rights. Those rights, however, did not include the title Easy Rider. The original film’s producers Bert Schneider and Bob Rafelson retained those rights. So, more litigation followed and to make a long and dreary story a little shorter, the Ohio lawyer eventually got to make his movie.
“I had a total vision of what I wanted in this movie. If it works, good for me. If it doesn’t, it’s my fault,” Pitzer told the Springfield, Ohio News-Sun in February 2010. “The last thing the Hollywood establishment wants is for someone like me to do well in their backyard.” Hollywood did not care.
The film was originally scheduled for release in September 2009. In May 2009 Pitzer flew a half dozen cast and crew members to the Cannes Film Festival for a “photo opportunity.” Pitzer tried to drum up an audience for the film at Sturgis that year. And, the film was not released that September.
The Ride Back
Easy Rider: The Ride Back was probably finished in 2010. “This movie may not be appreciated immediately,” Pitzer said. He was right about that. Since Pitzer was playing with his own money, no estimate of the film’s cost has ever been attempted. The movie has never been distributed but it does have an official web site.
That site describes the movie as, “The long awaited prequel to one of the highest grossing independent films of all time. Easy Rider defined the thoughts and values of a generation. The prequel Easy Rider: The Ride Back shows through flashbacks how these much loved characters became the classic icons of a generation. Millions of fans around the world know the throb of the Captain America Harley-Davidson, the roar of that great 60s music, the thrill of the open road. Now a whole new generation can experience the same sense of freedom….”
The movie seems to have not yet been released on DVD. If Easy Rider defined your “thoughts and values” and you want to see this prequel your best chance may be at the Gary Amphitheater in Tampa on February 25. And, if you are also one of Michele Smith’s 18.000 closest friends, now you know what she is talking about.
Related posts:
February 17th, 2012 at 4:09 pm
Isn’t this a sign of the apocalypse ?
February 17th, 2012 at 5:07 pm
She wants me. Her body language says so.
February 17th, 2012 at 5:18 pm
well….the trailers got me interested, and I have to say, Chris Engen
is passable as a Peter Fonda lookalike. Because it’s about motorcycles, and looks like they made some effort to use actual 60′s or 70′s era bikes in making this thing, I’ll probably watch it.
February 17th, 2012 at 5:28 pm
ok…….so maybe it’s Phil Pitzer as the Fonda lookalike??!!
(Morgan)
February 17th, 2012 at 6:53 pm
If it comes out on DVD, I’ll buy it and add it to my collection of good, bad and terrible biker movies.
Potius Mori Quam Foedare
February 17th, 2012 at 10:12 pm
I’ll watch it no doubt but I’ll probably be sorry. I got a feeling that it will be on the terrible side of RVN69′s collection of biker movies.
rr
February 18th, 2012 at 7:09 am
RR,
There are more than a few of those, some are so bad you can only watch them stoned!. Rebel Rousers with Jack Nicholson is the first that comes to mind.
Potius Mori Quam Foedare
February 18th, 2012 at 7:35 am
but at least Jack is riding a flathead in that flick.When the movie bikers are riding rice , a 12-pack won’t help the viewing experience much.
February 18th, 2012 at 8:47 am
RVN, which biker movies are in your “good” collection? I’ve been looking for a good one.
Amazon keeps prompting me to buy the DVD of a Canadian miniseries called The Last Chapter, and I’m considering it. Canadian entertainment isn’t as bad about moralizing as American entertainment is.
I’ll see this movie and if its bad, at least there will be bikes.
February 18th, 2012 at 9:53 am
I’m still waiting for The Wild Angels sequel as we still don’t know WTF happened to Heavenly Blues after everyone split from the cemetery.
February 18th, 2012 at 1:39 pm
The Last Chapter is an attempt by Canadian TV to do the Godfather with bikers. It isn’t worth the 4-5 hours it takes to watch the first and second part.
It was advertised first(for the first part) as a roman clef of the 81 expansion into Toronto and partly(barely) the formation of the RM in Quebec and surrounding provinces. The second part was supposed to be roman clef about the Red and Gold patchover of the RM.
It was bullshit though, with its sole bit of authenticity supposed to be coming from Biker Chaser Extrodinaire and All Around Fascist Pig, Guy Ouellette.
If we had some place to host it, I’d upload it to save you the money.
February 18th, 2012 at 3:39 pm
Thanks, V. I’ll take your word for it. I think I’ll go out and live real life instead. Its a lot more interesting.
February 18th, 2012 at 4:07 pm
It was beautiful in my little mountain town in North Carolina. I know it must have been nice in SC. Other than working on the farm, I tried to start rewiring one of my bikes so at least one would run. I didn’t get too far, but tomorrow is another day.
Take care.
February 18th, 2012 at 5:35 pm
Glen S.
What Big V said about “Last Chapter”. My Favorites are
One Week, not a biker movie, but they sure got the reason to ride correct.
Wild Angels, first one I ever saw, loved Fonda’s Pan
Glory Stompers, it has a wild Dennis Hopper
Hells Angels on Wheels, Jack Nicholson=Cool
Hells Angels Forever, documentary by that Club
The Loveless, Willem Dafoe and some great Panheads
Streets of Fire, Willem Dafoe, the Blasters and some cool bikes
Some OK ones are
Devils Angels
Savage 7
Northville Cemetary Massacre, real bikers, The Scorpions in Michigan
Hells Angels 69
Easy Rider, loved Hoppers Pan
Electra Glide in Blue
Born Losers, beginning of “Billy Jack”
Hell Ride, Hot Chicks and I liked the Shovelhead
Masters of Menace, it’s like some actors decided to make a movie for fun.
The BAD!!
Rebel Rousers
Stone Cold
Beyond the Law
Harley Davidson & the Marlboro Man
Wild Ones
I know there are many more, but these are the ones I own.
bob Says:
February 18th, 2012 at 7:35 am
but at least Jack is riding a flathead in that flick.
And don’t you just love those striped pants he is wearing, look like leftovers from some movie about a prison in the 1800′s
Potius Mori Quam Foedare
February 18th, 2012 at 6:14 pm
RVN Nailed the movies, but I’d like to add “The Mask” to the “Best” list
Respects
Doc
February 18th, 2012 at 6:25 pm
DocB: Agreed. Sam Elliott made a righteous cowboy, and a cool cinema biker too.
February 18th, 2012 at 7:32 pm
Ah, yeah. Sam Elliott was a great Morgan (or was it Virgil?) Earp. Never saw The Mask, but I’ll surely check it out, and definately the Defoe movies. Always liked him too.
It was nice here in upstate SC, but for personal reasons I couldn’t get too far from home today. Supposed to rain all day tomorrow but hey, winter is about over. I’m gonna shed the windshield and thick gloves and military issue thermals from the flea market ASAP, put some heavy miles on my cluttered brain.
February 18th, 2012 at 7:37 pm
DocB,
How did I miss Mask, great movie, Dozer was my favorite character.
I even got the movie, must be stored somewhere else.
R&SF
RVN69
February 18th, 2012 at 7:55 pm
Roadside Prophets
February 18th, 2012 at 9:11 pm
RVN69,
I forgot Streets of Fire. Lee Ving of Fear was the bad ass in that flick.
Shyster
February 19th, 2012 at 12:34 am
I can’t believe no one mentioned, Mad Max”! The Aussie riders in that flick were great! I don’t carewhat they were riding
~Philo
February 19th, 2012 at 2:27 am
After watching this trailer, I have to agree with this comment (not mine, but apt):
“Now a whole new generation… should watch the original and never, ever speak of this horrible shit-fest again.”
I have not seen “Easy Rider – The Ride Back,” but I don’t need to. Some things shouldn’t be messed with, Easy Rider is one of them. But what do I know.
troyez
February 19th, 2012 at 10:08 am
Has anyone seen The Last Ride (1998) by Hal Singleton with Gina Galligan (last official Miss Harley-Davidson)?
Ronnie Cramer’s online store has it albeit in VHS only.
February 19th, 2012 at 11:18 am
Hey, you forgot..
Stone (Aussie movie)
Lone Hero
Freebird
Quadrophenia
The Leather Boys
and the best of all…Psychomania
February 19th, 2012 at 6:46 pm
Well, I have to be honest: I didn’t like Hunter S. Thompson’s book about the Hells Angels and I didn’t like the movie Easy Rider. However, Michelle does have a set of major league yabbos and I like big boobs.
February 19th, 2012 at 7:20 pm
Aw, I love Mask but I never watch the ending.
The scene where Dozer says he is proud of Rocky makes me cry for happier reasons.
YYZ Skinhead
February 19th, 2012 at 7:37 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMvIIHFr4dA
Moby Grape – Motorcycle Irene
There she sits a-smokin’
Reefer in her mouth
Her hair hanging northward
As she travels south
Dirty, on her Harley
(But her nails are clean)
Super-powered, de-flowered
Over-eighteen Irene
I’ve seen her in the bare
Where her tattoos and her chains
Wrap around her body
Where written are the names
Of prisons she’s been in
And lovers she has seen
Curve-winding, bump ‘n’ grindin’
Motorcycle Irene
Ground around like hamburger
Layin’ an a splat
’tis Irene, her sheen I seen
In pieces crumpled flat
Oh, the feet were in the bushes
Her toes were in her hat
Stark-raven, un-shaven
Motorcycle Irene
The Hunchback, the cripple
Horseman and the Fool
Prayer books and candles and
Carpet, cloaks and jewels
Knowing all the answers
But breakin’ all the rules
The stark-naked, un-sacred
Motorcycle Irene
February 20th, 2012 at 11:32 am
Hard Ride would be on my “good” list, but some of those movies are better with the sound off and skipping the dialogue.
I usually hate prequels, but The Ride Back looks interesting.
I wonder if Michelle will make it to the inevitable Sons of Anarchy movie.
Glenn, I spent 600 miles though that storm yesterday. Coming through Raleigh I said “Fuck I-85 and the snow in Greensboro” and chose to water-log my ass through Columbia instead. I don’t know what was more annoying, the weather or the constant “I bet it’s cold out there” comments whenever I stopped for gas and to pour out my boots.
February 20th, 2012 at 12:07 pm
” Abraham Iker Says: I don’t know what was more annoying, the weather or the constant “I bet it’s cold out there” comments whenever I stopped for gas and to pour out my boots.”
Couple of years ago me and 4 brothers were riding back to Maryland from Memphis Tn. When we pulled out of Bristol it was pouring, raining so hard it was getting in the air cleaner and causing the bike to miss. Pulled into a place and got some gas and took the time to grab a cup of coffee and some soup, it was wet and cold! So here are 5 guys sitting around a table, dripping on the floor so bad the woman running the place put out wet floor signs around us, our bikes are parked right outside the front door, and some guy walks up and asks, “Did you guys ride in here?” Everyone just stared at him for a beat, then went back to what we were doing without answering. Wouldn’t it be nice if people engaged their brain before they released the clutch on their mouth.
Potius Mori Quam Foedare
February 20th, 2012 at 12:43 pm
RVN69,
That guy must have been in VA yesterday. Simililar image with the wet floor sign. Me and my lady, dripping and warming up. A fella was doing the “pee-pee” dance in line for the head and asks the same question. the he stood there, wiggling with his mouth hanging open, waiting for an answer. I gave a single nod and informed him that we was waiting in line for the lady’s room and that the men’s room was free. I didn’t want the nice lady to have to put up another sign by him.
Thank you for your service.
February 20th, 2012 at 4:09 pm
Agree on Roadside Prophets. Any movie with a stripper named “Labia Mirage” has my attention.
Also, The Mask. Just plain “Mask” (without the “the”) is a Jim Carrey movie. You DONT want to get the wrong one.
February 20th, 2012 at 4:49 pm
I dunno how complete this list is:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_biker_films
YYZ Skinhead
February 20th, 2012 at 5:33 pm
Dammit, I got it backwards in the post above. “Mask” is the biker flick. “The Mask” is the one with Jim Carrey.
February 20th, 2012 at 5:58 pm
The Girl Who Played With Fire (2010) is a Swedish/Danish DVD with subtitles. Includes Motorcycle Club and Harley choppers.
February 20th, 2012 at 6:32 pm
I kinda liked “The Worlds Fastest Indian”. However close to the truth it was that old fart was a biker in my book.
February 20th, 2012 at 10:06 pm
Dayum! I sure wished I lived near and knew you, RVN! I’d be askin’ to copy all those DVD’s – the good *and* the bad ones! Wally world won’t never have ‘em in the $5 movie bin and if they did, it’d be one every other year and I’d be dead before I could see them all or afford them, LOL.
And agreed with the others – Mask was a kick ass movie and only way it could’ve been any better was if they showed the bikes more often…and Cher nekkid! (I think she’s hotter than a two dollar pistol in Harlem!)
February 20th, 2012 at 10:32 pm
I looked through all my Swedish/Danish DVDs with subtitles,I THOUGHT there was one titled “The Girl Who Played With Fire” (well, she played with something anyways)…couldn’t find it but want to say if it wasn’t for all my French,Swedish,Danish et al DVD’s, I wouldn’t have learned all those foreign languages.I mean sure,all I know is “Oh God,Yes Yes” etc but hey, those people have a different word for everything ya know? Gotta start somewhere.
February 20th, 2012 at 11:17 pm
Abraham, I’ll do the cold and I’ll do the rain. But I try not to do both at the same time, unless I really want to go somewhere particular. Today was a good day. Got a couple of hours in before I had to go to work. Just got home from work, and it was nice out there with just me and a few drunk drivers, all the soccar moms on cell phones home and asleep, didn’t see a cop the whole way to Taylors from Mauldin. Maybe one red light caught me. Tomorrow is supposed to be nice. If I didn’t have so much to do, I’d take a day.
I’ll still be happier when it gets warmer.
600 miles in that shit yesterday and it cold, I salute you.
February 21st, 2012 at 8:29 am
Oh shit. Glenn, did you ever see any of the old wrecked Harley’s, BSA’s, and Triumph’s over at O’Shields Junkyard in Dacusville ?
That was the last “good” junkyard with real 50′s, 60′s, 70′s stuff still left in it. I remember finding a door for a 72 Charger I had there, and low and behold someone stashed most of a 45ci flathead engine and part of its frame in there in front of the Charger.
Last I heard Bruce died and his wife was going to crush all that stuff. I never made it back over there to see, after I heard Bruce died.
I know, thread hijacking. Sorry.
February 21st, 2012 at 9:02 am
Sled Tramp – That movie is part of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo trilogy. She did a nice job on her probation officer. Haven’t seen the USA version yet.
BTW, just thinking out loud … have never seen a mural of a real tank (M1A1 Abrams, etc) on motorcycle gas tank. Tank on tank, you know.
February 21st, 2012 at 9:27 am
V, I’ll take a ride over there soon and see if its still there.
The Girl Who Played With Fire, Part 2 if the Dragon Tattoo series, had a brief subplot with bikes and bikers. I recall being disappointed that, once again, the bikers were portrayed as one dimensional bad guys, do-boys for the real bad guy. The female protagonist stole one of their bikes. I did enjoy the Swedish movies if for no reason other than they were original. The DVD has an English dubbing feature.
To digress a little, the best foreign movie I’ve seen lately was Downfall, a non-moralistic German version of Hitler’s final days (if you’re interested in that kind of thing, as I am). You have to read the subtitles, but the German language gives it authenticity. Of course, the few that survived (Hitler’s secretary Traudel Junge and Reichsminister Albert Speer) were treated symphathetically while the dead (Josef Goebels and Gruppenfuhrer Hermann Fegelein) were not. Guess the survivors write the history.
February 21st, 2012 at 2:15 pm
A couple of us actually had bit parts (if that’s the right term) in an Australian biker move called Stone back in the early 70′s. We rode Kawasaki 900′s back then (Harley’s were pretty much unheard of in Australia)and we got to ride down the highway for a funeral scene which ended at a pub and then we all got drunk on the directors dime.
It was a good day out really. I haven’t seen the movie in years and I’m not even sure it was released outside of Australia but that was my 5 minutes of fame.
February 21st, 2012 at 4:23 pm
I shall get a Morgan Spurlock digital camera and make my own biker movie. It will show people riding bikes and trikes. I need to consult this forum on number of bOObs and minimum cup size, as well as how to match bikini girls with the correct choppers. Come awn guys, bikers are the experts on all things with hOOters!
YYZ Skinhead
February 21st, 2012 at 7:02 pm
ruffrider,
I agree with you on that one, Burt Munro was surely the genuine article! He modified and wrenched on a bike that was made to go 55 mph, and ended up with a beast that hit 190mph!!! He fabricated many of his parts and tools, and even cast his own pistons! I would have loved to have met Mr. Munro, he was one of a kind.
Check this out:
http://web.archive.org/web/20110723101934/http://www.indianmotorbikes.com/features/munro/munro.htm
troyez
February 21st, 2012 at 8:41 pm
Hey troyez, thanks for the link. That was way cool.
February 21st, 2012 at 8:42 pm
Rashomon: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oyj7YeXHhcA
Fuckin’ A.
February 22nd, 2012 at 6:38 am
@BigV – thanks for that. Talk about a walk down memory lane. Now I feel really really old but I guess the alternatives to getting old ain’t too good so what the hell.
Cheers
February 22nd, 2012 at 4:28 pm
I saw both Easyrider and Hells Angels Forever when I was 15 and they changed my life. Now I am in my late 30s and I still own and enjoy both of them…just for different reasons.
Mask is also a great movie and Sam Elliot is as cool and easy going in life as he is on the screen.
The Motorcycle Diaries also captures the essence of the calling of the road…I watched it with the ol lady and did not think I was going to like it.
February 24th, 2012 at 3:37 pm
RVN69 posted: “Couple of years ago me and 4 brothers were riding back to Maryland from Memphis Tn. When we pulled out of Bristol it was pouring, raining so hard it was getting in the air cleaner and causing the bike to miss. Pulled into a place and got some gas and took the time to grab a cup of coffee and some soup, it was wet and cold! So here are 5 guys sitting around a table, dripping on the floor so bad the woman running the place put out wet floor signs around us, our bikes are parked right outside the front door, and some guy walks up and asks, “Did you guys ride in here?” Everyone just stared at him for a beat, then went back to what we were doing without answering. Wouldn’t it be nice if people engaged their brain before they released the clutch on their mouth…”
Now that is funny. Made my day. Thanks!
February 24th, 2012 at 4:08 pm
Guy at work asked if I rode my bike in the rain one day. Told him it got wet and wouldn’t start so I carried it.
February 24th, 2012 at 8:18 pm
My bike’s all I got. Even do my grocery shoppin’ with it. Yep, the stupidity really comes out in people when I gotta ride in the cold or rain or both here too. I mostly just ignore them and keep going about my business.
@YYZ – Nice, hand-sized boobs are best! Anything more is a waste. Besides, those big-assed boobs that jiggle so much it looks like a tidal wave going across her chest just because a butterfly landed on one are just plain gross, to me they are, and fake boobs are just as gross and nasty.
And *any* bikini is good on a chick on a bike! Nekkid is better but leavin’ things to the imagination is real nice!
February 25th, 2012 at 11:03 am
Dear DocB,
Very good line.
Rebel
February 25th, 2012 at 11:04 am
Dear Chiyo,
No, that guy knew. He just couldn’t imagine doing it himself so he had trouble getting his mind around the fact that you guys did it.
Rebel
February 25th, 2012 at 4:05 pm
Question for you guys that have alot of experience riding in the rain.
It’s a law in my state that you either have to wear glasses/goggles/or face shield at all times.
What’s the trick to seeing through any of the above in pouring down rain?
I usually just push my glasses down as far as I can on my nose and look out over the top best as I can. The faceshield was the worst – couldn’t see at all through it.
Riding in pouring rain is painful – I try to avoid it if at all possible. I can be a little wimpy at times……
February 25th, 2012 at 4:43 pm
Sherides-
Since they may need to identify the body after the fact,I use a full face during the worst weather.I’ve actually grown used to it.I use two things that work exceedingly well.A) A pinlock inner shield which prevents fogging very well.Should that not be enough,I put in a breather mask.B) Plexus.The stuff sheets off water fast.
February 25th, 2012 at 5:15 pm
Dear sherides,
The worst thing is the rooster tails from the trucks. I carry a pair of goggles when I take long trips but I have never used them. If it is bad I just try to see through the rain drops on the glasses. I usually slow down some. One time at night in a pouring rain I wound up going up an exit ramp and had to turn around. Another time, at night in a pouring rain, I was coming down the Cajon Pass and the clouds were literally like ten feet above my head. The headlights were reflecting off the rain clouds. That was so memorable. I like memorable motorcycle rides.
And yes, the raindrops really sting. Look at it this way, riding a motorcycle is an accomplishment. Not everybody can do it. You’ll get the hang of it.
Rebel
February 25th, 2012 at 6:06 pm
Dear sherides
Rain just sucks. Nobody likes to ride in it. Everybody just does what they can with what they’ve got. It’s hard to see through anything in the rain.
If you short shift it helps keep the wheel hooked up and stay off the paint.
Respect
Doc
February 25th, 2012 at 7:07 pm
The newer flip face helmets are ideal for rain and most other weather. Nothing beats a good windshield, either.
I kept the windshield/fairing off of my FLT to someday do a frame mount fairing on the Boyce frame FX bike I built.
I used to have a pair of Georgia boots that were made near my hometown and they were awesome in the rain, but the newer Made in China Harley boots are terrible for traction in the rain.
Take it easy.
February 26th, 2012 at 12:06 pm
Dear Big V,
Windshield? Windshield!
Rebel
February 26th, 2012 at 1:27 pm
Got caught by a sudden rainstorm with 3 other guys while southbound on Hwy 1 from Davenport to Santa Cruz. No helmet law then. Let me tell you, rain really, really, really, REALLY *stings* when it hits your nose. I instantly put my gloved left hand over my nose to protect it then glanced into my mirror to check on the dudes behind me. Almost fell off my bike LMFAO as they, too, had left hands covering their noses. We must’ve been a bizarre sight to northbound motorists.
Fairing or windshield and a FF helmet, as others have mentioned, offer the best protection against the elements.
The biggest hazard, during inclement weather, are tailgating cagers.
February 26th, 2012 at 2:12 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PCTIEVMQfM&feature=related
February 26th, 2012 at 2:17 pm
Sherides,
I mostly wear a beanie helmet so I bought a cheap 3 snap flip up shield for the rain. Sometimes if it is bad enought I also slip on a riding mask made of neoprene for the stinging that Grumbler is talking about. And alas I do have a windshield on my FLHR, it is too short to protect my face, but on long rides it does reduce fatigue by keeping the wind off my body. After a long ride, 600-800 miles, I don’t feel like I was hanging on to my bike instead of riding it. I don’t particularly like a windshield, but as I have aged I have become more of a function over form kinda guy.
Potius Mori Quam Foedare
February 26th, 2012 at 2:21 pm
“DocB Says:Guy at work asked if I rode my bike in the rain one day. Told him it got wet and wouldn’t start so I carried it.”
Shit DocB, wish I was quick witted enough to come up something like that. I can think of witty retorts, usually about an hour after the fact!
Potius Mori Quam Foedare
February 26th, 2012 at 3:28 pm
RVN69: that’s a pretty common affliction. The French even have a name for it, and it translates to “staircase wit”, the stuff you think of too late when you’re walking away down the staircase. I think I’ve got the gene for it.
February 26th, 2012 at 5:29 pm
speaking of windshields:
http://sfist.com/2012/02/24/large_naked_woman_stomps_on_car_in.php
February 26th, 2012 at 7:05 pm
sherides,
The first trick for riding with glasses, goggles, windshields or face-shields is to keep them clean. The dirt, oil, and other road muck that ends up on those surfaces will hold onto the water pretty well and make them difficult to use. That is the simplest and best thing I have found. The main issue I have is fogging. I use “blaze,” an anti-fogging product that has worked very well, but does wear off. I tried to use the short windshield that came with my bike upon purchase but it fogged so bad on high humidity nights that I couldn’t differentiate shit from Shinola. Using that windshield also gave me the urge to drink cosmos and listen to show tunes, so I detached it.
The worse rain riding experience I had was on the way to Myrtle Beach Fall Bike week. Actually, I was going to see a chick and found out about the festivities when I got there. I left the FF helmet at home and used on bandana as forehead cover and the other over my lower face with shooting glasses for my eyes. At highway speeds there was no fogging or beading and the cotton kept the pins and needles feelings to a minimum. However, cotton swells when wet. So after an hour or so, breathing through a soaking wet bandana is similar to how I imagine waterboarding to feel. I also found out when I arrived that I was riding through a tropical storm that had just been downgraded from a hurricane.
Appropriately, the name of the fall rally is “Hurricane Alley.”
February 26th, 2012 at 9:01 pm
A pair of Halcyon goggles is what I wear whenever I ride (and a half-helmet is all I own also) – sunshine, rain, snow, sleet, day or night. The lenses are real glass so I put Rain-X on ‘em and it’s all I need. I can see in any storm I’ve ever rode though. The stingining ain’t too bad with rain, but try it with sleet. Now *that* stings!
There’s not enough money on the planet to pay me to have a windshield on my bike. Never have and never will. I *LIKE* the weather and wind hittin’ me as I ride the road!
February 27th, 2012 at 4:49 pm
Just wanted to take the opportunity to thank everyone for the “riding in the rain” advice.
It’s very much appreciated.
I do have a small windshield on my bike – it’s more of a bug catcher than anything.
Rebel,
This May 15, I will have been riding for 5 years now. I hope I never stop learning how to be a better rider.
Lots of my rides have been memorable. Some for all of the wrong reasons.
Now I have to go click a bunch of ads so you can get that tooth taken care of.
February 27th, 2012 at 6:53 pm
Abraham Iker,
If I could attach pictures to a post I would attach one I got put on a coffee cup. It was taken in June 2006 in Glascow, Montana, my wife and I were on the return leg of our coast to coast ride and very nearly got caught in a tornado. The picture was taken by a couple from PA., it shows me on the bike with my wife standing next to me in the lobby of the hotel. I pulled in about 40 yards ahead of the funnel cloud which paralled the road next to the hotel.
Potius Mori Quam Foedare
February 27th, 2012 at 11:41 pm
Rebel
I like memorable rides too. Especially way after the fact. They are nice over beer.
February 28th, 2012 at 8:21 am
During a Redwood Coast loop back in June 2008, the highest price I paid for fuel was almost $5 gallon for premium at the Chevron in Weed.
Out here in southwest Idaho regular was $3.36 yesterday.
Those of us with budget constraints might have to change 3-day weekend rides to overnighters and overnighters to long day rides. Brown bagging it instead of mom & pop cafes an option, too.
Might have to start packing my own beer if this gets out of hand.
It’s gonna be a memorable summer.
February 28th, 2012 at 1:03 pm
Try the chevron in Lee Vineing for high gas prices. Over 5 bucks for premium 3 years ago. Cant figuer what it might be now.
rr
February 28th, 2012 at 6:11 pm
Dear Grumbler
On a trip to Florida last spring the price per gall was around $4.00.
We kept it between 80 and 85 most of the time and ran into a headwind
the whole day. I got about 31 mpg and figured it cost me close to $10 an hour (road time) to run 800 miles. Or stated another way it cost more than twice minimum wage per hour to ride to Florida.
Aww WTF? Who’s countin?
r
Doc
February 28th, 2012 at 6:29 pm
Just one other thing about that budget.
When money for riding gets tight I cut back on non essential shit like food, clothing, or housing
ride safe
Doc
February 28th, 2012 at 6:40 pm
Ruffrider,
Expensive yes but the ride up and down 395 is worth every penny.
Shyster
February 28th, 2012 at 10:40 pm
@Shyster
You bet. one of my personal favorites. I try to do it at least once or twice a year. Its a beautiful ride and the people in the owens valley always seemed to be motorcycle friendly even before it was popular to be.
rr
February 29th, 2012 at 9:49 am
Dear Shyster,
And the 395 is one of my favorite rides. Although for a shorter ride, I have always loved Foxen Canyon Road in Santa Barbara County. Wineries, scenary, wild turkeys, llamas, miniature horses and not much traffic.
Rebel
February 29th, 2012 at 11:22 am
ruffrider – according to gasprices dot mapquest dot com, it’s $4.99 for regular at the Chevron in Lee Vining. The tiny town of Gorda, on the coast highway south of Lucia, probably has the highest gas prices in California. It’s in the grab your ankles and pass the vaseline category.
In my immediate region, the highest gas prices would be at the Sinclair in Stanley, ID. That’s 130 miles northeast of Boise via SH-21.
I’ve always enjoyed riding alongside the Eastern Sierras on US-395. Stayed in Mammoth Lakes while out there.