Bike Stories...

[VoicesInMyHead]

Got one? Love to hear it! :D

Most of mine, I've written over the years, but I'm happy to post them here for the first time... Hope at least one person is too!

[VoicesInMyHead]

Why I Ride

Sitting outside at midnight, in just shorts, in 66 degree weather looking forward to temps ranging from 85 to 90 through Sunday, all in the 3rd quarter of March, I said to myself, "This is why I ride". Oh, but then the voices piped up – "NO! This is why you like to ride… HERE. Why to you actually ride?"

We all know what it is that drives us... two-wheels. But what is it that REALLY drives our actual desire to sit upon an engine missing the cage and two of it’s wheels? Some will regurgitate the standard quotes: Freedom, Wind, The winding asphalt ribbon, It’s not the destination – it’s the journey... et al. And as true as these may be, are they the driving force, to you personally? Is this what actually convinced you to apply this style of living to your life? Hmm. I had no immediate answer to that. So, I began a discussion amongst myself.

Looking at the crystal desert sky with it’s unwavering diamond points of light and almost bright moon approaching half fullness, I found it hard to concentrate under the enormity of the universe we occupy. Questions with no answers crept into the corners of my mind: What would it be like to ride the craters of the moon? Would they make tires that could keep you from sinking into the gas surface of Jupiter, or would you have to settle for a JetSki?

Would our desire and fascination of this asphalt ribbon we have claimed for our steeds dressed in chrome, falter when technology brings to life the visions of jet packs and hover craft described in Science Fiction, and becomes Science Fact? I choose to believe that there will be those of us who would never give up that which breaths life into living.

I shook off the wanderings of the voices and attempted to answer this, for my voices. For us, I would have to say the answer lies in a culmination of desires and needs. Each voice craves a distinct fulfillment – motorcycling is what satisfies most, if not all of them for me.

The solitude of the wind... that envelops your mind, whether in the pack, or solo.
The camaraderie and brotherhood, into which we are adopted.
The feeling of control given by the open road to journeys yet undertaken.
The fact that few street legal cages can out accelerate us "A" type personalities... Yup. A few of the regurgitated quotes fit into my reasonings, and I am sure that some of them also fit into your "why" answer. However, to merge the standard and non-standard reasons I found that apply to me into one blended ideal...

Power. It creates a sense of power. Power to fulfill all your dreams, desires and expectations. Power to live outside the norm and experience life instead of existing in it. Power to leave behind the daily drumming of pressure and responsibility of clocking in... (even on the way to the office).

It keeps you from drowning in the in the labyrinth of life where time heeds no warning and crushes all the "what if’s" that never became the "remember when’s".

Listen to your inner voices... (even if you only have one)! You may be surprised.

[VoicesInMyHead]

Why I Ride… Chapter 2
Midnight Storm

Darkness envelopes my body like the all too flimsy worn out sheet, as I lie on an extremely firm air mattress. Sleep eludes my mind even though it’s dark enough to pass my hand in front of my eyes and see not even the slightest outline of flesh. The rhythmic thump of the ceiling fan is amplified by the uneasiness of my mind until it might as well be a pair of straight shots at full throttle not twelve inches from my head.

The discussion among The Voices this night is almost as understandable as the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, heard from the center of the room. The week’s events are pouring through the flood gates of my memories at an ever quickening pace, with all the direction of an M. C. Escher drawing.

Tossing and turning for literally two hours with sleep as elusive as an insect free mountain ride, The Voices decide to give up and give in to The Call of the road. If you have never heard, “The Call”… Well, that’s an entirely different tale to tell at a more appropriate time. It will have to suffice by saying there are times you will actually Feel a sound like cool silk, with the power to wrap itself fluidly around your innermost primal nature and pull you effortlessly to a place atop the journey of a lifetime.

As I stand in the milky night glow of a desert moon partly obscured by the Southwest haze of a receding monsoon storm, I forcefully quiet my mind and erase all conscience thought. I simply exist in a frozen split second of time, standing with the calling road at the edge of the past moment and my acceptance of the black motorcycle reflecting the night sky pulling me toward the edge of the coming moment when we become the beginning of the next “remember when…”.

I finally remember to breath and my intake of air is a reward brought only after the ending of a cleansing storm. With the roads wet enough to reflect the moon, my journey begins at the time when the majority of people are deep in the vary sleep that eluded all our voices and brought this time of travel and reflection.

My state of being is a transfiguration from a habitual drudgery to one of a viable existence for as long as the momentum continues. My estimation of the storm’s course was slightly misjudged as small drops of water collide with my body. The storm remains. As the hydro-missiles begin to intensify in mass and frequency, I begin to feel the environment is attempting a session of acupuncture. Finding the next highway overpass a welcome shelter on the empty road, I pause my dreamlike ride in a world created out shades of grey for the sole purpose to cater to the two wheeled warriors.

Standing alone in a rectangle of dry road, I watch the existing world come alive in a shimmering coat of moisture. The road glistens with movement as if it is recreating itself in an attempt to satisfy each of The Voices. The clouds once again break and a single shaft of moonlight streaks down to point my new direction with the ending of the rain. Without even realizing I mounted the iron steed, the black of the bike melds with the road and I am once again raptured to motion.

In a blissful recognition of exhaustion, I find myself heading back home. The route back was thankfully absent of falling water and I pull into the all-to-full garage, ending a completely rejuvenating experience. Silently I look in on my wife and daughter curled together in a complete dream world of comfort, defiant of the storm passing outside. Closing the door, I pass the Pug stretched out on the couch. With the look only a Pug can give with those bulging eyes, (tryin’ to sleep here), I creep back to the air mattress in my office where collapsing from late night computer work is all too often. With an exhale of contentment, I pass into a peaceful and complete sleep only to dream about a perfect ride in the mountains of the Southwest.

[ajponu]

Nice story. I don't have any good stories other than high-siding at Thunderhill race way. I walked away with a burn on my arm because I was wearing Underarmour. Here are some pics of the damage. I used my cell phone to take pictures.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c146/ajponu/IMG00236.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c146/ajponu/IMG00240.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c146/ajponu/IMG00241.jpg

[VoicesInMyHead]

Nice story. I don't have any good stories other than high-siding at Thunderhill race way. I walked away with a burn on my arm because I was wearing Underarmour. Here are some pics of the damage. I used my cell phone to take pictures.

Glad injuries were minor! Looks like the bike held up fairly well, considering. Hope all worked out, and your back on the rubber! :D

[wrenrj1]

Well, there's this story about me riding my bike last summer to band camp and....

[Tcape]

Voices In My Head, that's one of the greatest stories I've ever seen on why anyone has a passion for what they do. Wonderful work! I'm not a bike rider (too scared), but I love ANYONE who's a gear head. And bikers are gear heads. They love straddling a good, powerful engine. Same thing with car guys, just a different means of expressing it. Thanks very much for your great story. Even makes me think I might like riding a 2-wheeler. Well, in my dreams, at least. :D
Tom

[Teezer]

I've had motorcycles since my early 20s (I'm 66). I was a member of an old motorcycle SIG on GEnie (the pre-web internet). GEnie folded when teh inturwebs took off, and we all moved to MSN.

The Spectre was written in 1996. I blatantly plagiarized the form and the concept (lost Lenore) from E.A. Poe's, "The Raven" (like you wouldn't notice). It was originally posted to the MSN Motorcycle forum on Halloween.

The SPECTRE

Once upon a midnight dreary, as I netsurfed, lost and weary,
On many a quaint and curious web site I'd not seen before,
While I mouse-clicked, fingers tapping, suddenly I fell to napping,
Waves of slumber gently lapping, lapping on a dreamy shore,
"I'll rest my eyes," the thought unspoken, "ere I should begin to snore,
Only this, and nothing more."

In circumstances unforseen, it was the night of Halloween,
And as I napped before the screen, there came a sound I'd heard before,
It started as a gentle rumble, softly distant, strongly humble,
Building soon to rough-and-tumble, down upon my mind it bore,
"'Tis a rider, shaking darkness," thought I then, "a Harley, sure,
Only this, and nothing more."

Memories came then to haunt me, anguished thoughts began to daunt me,
Apparitions rose to taunt me, unfolding through my chamber floor,
Unwilling then and scarcely able, turned my eyes upon the table,
Saw, as viewed within a fable, the picture of my lost Lenore,
I saw the rare and radiant maiden, lost to me for evermore,
Just the picture, nothing more.

Then the sound I'd heard approaching, rich with angst and self-reproaching,
On my senses now encroaching, stopped, and sweat emerged from every pore,
Anxious now and barely breathing, terror rising, slowly seething,
Blades unseen but felt unsheathing, listening for a knock upon my door,
And when it came, I thought to flee and hide myself, but I forebore,
And said, "Come in," and nothing more.

In my swaddling chair I waited, huddled there with breath abated,
Peace of mind now extirpated, focused on the presence at the door,
And then the knocking came again, and once again I spoke "Come in."
But softly now and reedy thin, my voice much weaker than before,
But still the door remained unbreached, and I, afraid, could wait no more,
I rose, and opened wide the door.

In the deep and shadowed darkness, human form in shrouded blackness,
Shot me through with trembling weakness, as I saw the visage that it wore,
A helmet faced me, smooth and white, the faceplate dark as anthracite,
Reflecting back my mask of fright, standing frozen at my open door,
Faint with fear I drew away, for 'twas a spectre I had met before,
'Twas Death, come to even up the score.

A long-lost day both clear and sunny, I was flush with youth and money,
A Sunday outing with my honey, a motorcycle ride with sweet Lenore,
Way too cool for riding gear, on twisty roads we knew no fear,
We topped off lunch with lots of beer, and took a road that we'd not seen before,
A sandy curve along a beach -- too fast, we crashed upon the shore,
I survived, but not Lenore.

When I awoke and looked about, my vision blurred, my mind spaced out,
I noticed that the lights were out, and saw a darkling presence at the door,
Remembered terror stabbed my brain, my sweet Lenore in twisted pain,
My tears of sorrow fell in vain, for I would see my darling nevermore,
The spectre, dressed in shifting black, softly spoke her name, "Lenore",
Only this, and nothing more.

Since that day I've feared to ride, I bare endure to go outside,
There's rust on my Electra Glide, it sits alone and drips upon the floor,
The spectre, Death, has let me run, but on this night it's out for fun,
Reminding me of what I've done, of futures lost on foolish days of yore,
Angry now, I spoke these words, "Vanish, wraith! Darken not my door!",
It softly spoke her name, "Lenore".

No sooner than her name was spoken, the silence of the night was broken,
The Harley now hath Death awoken, deep within my bones I felt the roar,
And with a lurch and squealing tire, the Harley bolted, belching fire,
And racing toward my funeral pyre, I clung, frightened to my very core,
A sandy curve along a beach -- too fast, we crashed as once before,
I died this time, on night's Plutonian shore.

Of course you know 'twas just a dream, but things are never as they seem,
This happens every halloween, I ride with Death and die upon the shore,
The risk I took is simply spoken, one mistake and life was broken,
This nightmare's real, I've not awoken, what I've lost no god can now restore,
There's just the picture on the table, one fading image of my lost Lenore,
Only this, and nothing more.

[VoicesInMyHead]

Same thing with car guys, just a different means of expressing it. Thanks very much for your great story. Even makes me think I might like riding a 2-wheeler. Well, in my dreams, at least.

Thanks Tom! I gotta say, the Ridge has turned me into a dual truck/bike guy. I swore I'd only be off my bike when I had to take my daughter to school... I have to confess it's fun to drive, and I take it more than my bike right now! :eek: I've only had it 3 months, so I may fade back to majority bike, but for now I have NO complaints, and the wife likes my on 4 wheels rather than 2, too.

[VoicesInMyHead]

The Spectre was written in 1996. I blatantly plagiarized the form and the concept (lost Lenore) from E.A. Poe's, "The Raven" (like you wouldn't notice). It was originally posted to the MSN Motorcycle forum on Halloween.

Yup, That's a good'un! Great read every Oct 31! :D

[VoicesInMyHead]

An Arizona Winter Ride…

Waking in the pre-dawn darkness of a December desert to the digital bleeding of the very alarm that has numerous times flown across the room to impact the wall in the glow of my screen saver. I jump to the floor looking forward to a long hot shower and zipping up my leather gear.

Climbing into chaps, jacket, vest, gloves, and skullcap and finishing with a leather bandana I hit the garage to find my steel pony chomping at the bit to hit the road. Giving her a gentle wipe down to remove any dust that may have been missed in the 4 hour cleaning the night before (ok, I just wanted to touch her), I open the garage door to find a red and orange horizon promising a perfect day to hit the asphalt ribbon.

Carefully backing my black beauty onto the driveway, the brisk 40º air enveloped me and turned my breath into a visible pattern of warm silk floating on a slight Northeastern breeze. I insert the key and her pipes roar to life promising to sing the entire day if I let her. As I let the fire warm her for the coming day, I check the saddlebags for tools, rags, fuel cells, and digital camera to record any stops along the way. I look at the route I had printed out the night before and silently toss it into the trash. Wishing for nothing but exploration, I decided to let the front wheel guide my desire for a journey… destination to be solely a distant goal that is never attained.

Throwing my leg over the saddle I find myself sitting in the bike with adrenaline flowing into my body as I become one with my 2 wheeled life giving machine. I wonder if I have discovered the fountain of youth as I grab a bit if throttle and feel the engine vibrating through my body and the pipes echo in surround sound. Pulling up my leather bandana over my nose to the bottom of my sunglasses, I exhale in anticipation of the day’s travels. My breath quickly fogs the inside of my sunglasses and I chuckle, as this will happen when I stop and knowing I don’t plan to. Dropping my steed into first I let out the clutch and feed her some fuel. I roll down the street beginning my rejuvenation treatment.

The morning air quickly reminds me that leather is not only safety gear if the unthinkable happens, but is almost a necessity in sub 50º temperatures! After an hour of uninterrupted back highway travel, which felt like only 20 minutes, the desert sun began warming my black leather. After another hour I was able to remove my leather bandana, chaps, and switch to fingerless gloves. Arizona offers everything but a beach to see, and even that is but a few hours over the state line. With mountains that are blanketed in snow, canyons with iced rivers, and desert venues that offer the promise of warm weather, I opted to explore the later.

Following the front circle of rubber I found myself passing through mountain mining towns, railroads winding through canyons and open desert landscapes that offered a wide variety of wildlife. By lunchtime I was able to shed the leather jacket in the 74º December sun, and was able to feel the wind on my arms for an elation of freedom that we hold dear and will defend with a passion. The afternoon passes with the same mixture of happiness, exhilaration and wonder of seeing the world from this point of view.

As dusk approaches, I am bound for home as the sky once again explodes in colors that can only be seen from the deserts of the southwest. The combination of reds, oranges, yellows and wisps of clouds that dot the western horizon must be experienced as pictures and paintings fail to capture the awe of traveling this wondrous region.

Pulling my beast into her stable at the end of the day I find myself wishing for just a few more hours of light, but knowing that we both needed a rest. My mind was reeling in imagery as I wiped her down and hung up my leathers for the night. As I turned off the light to the garage so she could get some sleep, I quietly told her, “Don’t worry girl, tomorrow is another day”.

[ajponu]

Glad injuries were minor! Looks like the bike held up fairly well, considering. Hope all worked out, and your back on the rubber! :D

Ohhh yea.. I am back riding again. My bike now has a blue front cowl and copper gas tank.

[RidgeDOC]

What kinda stories you want? Those are nice poems and all, but they don't explain why I threw on the helmet and went for a blast today 73*F just because. I don't want to turn your thread morbid or anything, but just asking, cause if you want I have real stories after 5 crashes and totalling 3 bikes. And yes I still ride.

[VoicesInMyHead]

What kinda stories you want?

Any kind! ;)

Those are nice poems and all,What the heck is a poem? :rolleyes:

but they don't explain why I threw on the helmet and went for a blast today 73*F just because. I don't want to turn your thread morbid or anything, but just asking, cause if you want I have real stories after 5 crashes and totalling 3 bikes. And yes I still ride.You wear a helmet??? :confused: LOL I hear ya, I got hit from behind by an old dude in a trailblazer on a one way, one lane road... and he proceeded to argue with the cop in the middle of the road, that it was not his fault... Needless to say, his ins company ponied up, although the ins lawyer was an @$$!

So, displaced fracture of the ball joint from being crushed between the truck and my v-twin engine, no cartilage in left knee, ligament damage, 3 knee surgeries and lots of freaking daily pain, I'm right there with ya! Bring on the stories! :D

[VoicesInMyHead]

Oatman, AZ or Bust!

Ok, so my daughter wakes me up early Saturday morning. Since I’m up, I’ve got time to get in a full day’s ride! Where to go…

Well, I figure West’ish. So, I grab my gear and hit the garage. This will be my first real ride with the Saeng V.3 Micro-Swirl edging on the windshield. (Works GREAT) Hitting the gas station to top her off, I get hung up for 15 minutes by 3 different guys wanting to ask about the wing. (Ok, I don’t really mind bragging about my bike!)

After a trip back home to grab the iPod I forgot, I get on the road. I head up Hwy74 to Hwy60 into Wickenburg. Just out of habit I take a right and head North on Hwy93… Well, I decided not to head up to Prescott and made a U-turn back to westbound Hwy60. What a great stretch of road! I saw a total of 4 cars and 6 bikes headed towards Wickenburg – other then that I was alone with the wind while the temp’s hung around 70 degrees.

Arriving in Hope, I hang a right and sprint towards Parker. Wow, I had never seen so many Semi’s Eastbound on Hwy72 before! I literally lost count. Surprisingly, the CB was completely silent as tractor after tractor pass me, turning into specks in my rear view mirrors. Arriving in Parker I run into a huge right lane traffic back-up. ?!?!? Of course, I wanted to be in that lane to hit the Hwy95 northbound right hand turn. It’s then I notice the train. Ah. I also notice that cars are entering and leaving the corner gas station in front of a Semi who was nice enough not to block the driveway. So, I sprint around into the left lane and turn into the station to fill up.

After the train and traffic pass, I head north toward Havasu. It had been awhile since I had been along the Colorado River – it’s still there. Lots of boats, skiers and wave runners were heading up and down the water. Pulling into Havasu, I stop and grab a bite to eat – man there are a lot of trucks pulling boats! After lunch, I promptly get one of those trucks changing lanes into me, forcing me to make an unplanned right turn – hey, look – London Bridge. So, after crossing the bridge, making a U-turn and crossing it again, I hit Hwy95 northbound.

Turning westbound on I-40 for about 9 miles, I head for Topock. Here is where the cross-winds I had been riding through decided to beat me about the head & neck. I watched as the Semi’s swayed and made impromptu lane changes by being hit from the side by angry winds. Next thing I know my head gets rocked from the right by a gust that ripped my sunglasses right off my face! Yup, there they go bouncing down the highway behind me in my mirror – oops, right under a Semi. Bummer. I take the next exit and make sure I didn’t lose a contact lens and break out my spare pair of sunglasses. Back on the road, I hit the Topock exit and head up old Route 66 into Oatman.

Took a break in Oatman, got a cold drink, window shopped a little, laughed at some lady (with her husband) who got bit in the butt by a burro. Man they are all over that town! Trying to leave I had a young burro (burrito? he he), stand in front of my bike and lick the headlight. One of the shop keepers was nice enough to come out and push about 6 of the little boogers out of the way. They have absolutely no fear!

Anyway, back out to Bullhead city to Kingman and down Hwy93 towards Wickenburg, I find myself behind 3 cars who are behind 3 Semi’s. It took a while but all 3 cars finally pass the Semi’s and I’m looking for my opportunity. I am listening to the truckers the whole time as they talk to one another about the cars as they pass, and the big-ole-bike still behind them. The road finally opens up and I crank the throttle wide open and I’m well into triple digits when I pass the front Semi and key the CB to give him a “Cooooommmmin’ Through!” as I pass.

Well, that strikes up a conversation between me and the 3 truckers for a few miles until I go to pass a little red car. Just as I move left to pass, I see the car’s brake lights – not too unusual… However, the car was not braking to give me a quicker pass – it was trying to avoid the coyote that was running across the road! YIKES! By the time I tap the brakes, the coyote is already past my bike on the left and doing a frightened jump off the asphalt – “missed it by ‘that much’” (in my best Maxwell Smart voice). I actually missed it by about 10 to 15 feet – whew! The truckers were talking about my missing the coyote until I was out of range and couldn’t pick them up anymore.

Soon after that, my headset goes out. No sound in the left ear, on and off in the right ear. So, silence for about 50 miles into Wickenburg. Stopping at the rest stop near the Hassayampa River on the Phoenix side of Wickenburg, I meet a Roadstar rider taking a break and we hang out for a few while I try to get my headset working. Well, it’s dead, so I part from the Yamaha and head back out onto Hwy60 to Hwy74 back to home. Man, I am going to have to clean about 3 pounds of bugs from the windshield & faring! What a nice lazy 475 mile ride with temps ranging from 67° in the AM to 86° in the PM.

[ajponu]

You have some great stories, do you have any pics of your bike? Also, there is another site strickly for motorcycle riders. If you already don't know about Pashnit you should check it out.

[VoicesInMyHead]

...do you have any pics of your bike?

Thanks aj... I am actually on (or read) several bike forums... I'll be sure to check out that too!

Here is my current (black one), just sold the Wing in Jan. :(

http://members.cox.net/voicesinmyhead/images/gwss.gif

Last Pic of my Wing before selling it:

http://members.cox.net/voicesinmyhead/images/p1.jpg

[ajponu]

A long day of fun riding out in California Sierra Nevada Mountians. This is the meet up place before the decent to the greatest ride in california, Highway 49 nick named "The Little Dragon". We make this a pit stop for using the restroom.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c146/ajponu/bike005.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c146/ajponu/bike004.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c146/ajponu/DSC_3998.jpg

Here is a picture of the Little Dragon. This is what is awaiting us, when we start our ride down. The road is perfect and doesn't get any better then this.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c146/ajponu/twistys.jpg

[ajponu]

As we ride down this twisty road of heaven, one of the riders pulls over to take action shots of us riding Highway 49.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c146/ajponu/thxgiv07_02.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c146/ajponu/49_dave_aj_Small.jpg

As we finally finish riding the Little Dragon. We stop off at Black Oak Casino for Lunch.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c146/ajponu/IMG_0028_Large_Large.jpg

After Lunch and a little gambling, we head down some back roads and make one last stop to say our farewells to nice people and a great ride.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c146/ajponu/bike007.jpg

[VoicesInMyHead]

Here is a picture of the Little Dragon. This is what is awaiting us, when we start our ride down. The road is perfect and doesn't get any better then this.

SWEET! I'm marking that one down as a must ride here in the near future, as long as finances hold out!

Few months ago, 4 of us went to Fat Cat's in San Luis Obispo for lunch, great ride - long - and was on Hwy62 East of Twentynine Palms (the exact opposite of Hwy49):

http://members.cox.net/voicesinmyhead/delphi/fatcats/otr4.jpg

That stretch of highway only had 1 benefit - it allowed us to avoid I-10. But man, what a boring road!

Self-portrait taken with cell phone, at sunset from that ride...

http://members.cox.net/voicesinmyhead/delphi/fatcats/otr5.jpg

[VoicesInMyHead]

Arizona Prescott Mountains
(During my time living there)

There are many things that mountain riding will give you. Considering the fact I speak of Arizona Mountains, the first and foremost would have to be the cooler temperatures during the “oven months” or summer, if you will. While Phoenix is firmly embedded in triple digit mercury readings, Prescott enjoys days in the low to mid 90’s and nights in the mid 60’s! I can only imagine Flagstaff at night, now that would be my kind of "cool"!

Next to be listed would have to be the lack of straight road. Who could resist the up’s, down’s and sweeping curves of mountain riding? Not I! It’s great to be living in a place where so many are forced to just make it a stop along the way. I know it was a favorite stop of mine before I became a permanent sight on the familiar roads.

The fresh air is another point of attraction to many a nostril that roll over the asphalt. You undoubtedly find yourself taking long deep breaths and hold them ever so slightly before a luxurious and lengthy exhale. The smell of the trees mixes with the openness of freedom creating an intoxicating combination. Of course, this is assuming that you can avoid the occasional skunk that has been unfortunate enough to be “radially compressed” by some cage.

The unique (see: Tourist Trap) stops you find in out-of-the-way places long forgotten by main stream traffic can hold must-have treasures waiting for the right person to see their worth. This can be either a blessing or a curse… it all depends on what side of the fulcrum your desires fall. To the shopping rider (or passenger), this is wonderful! To the exploring rider, this is a horrible thing that keeps him/her off the road and disrupts the journey.

All things being considered – including some points not talked about… I must confess to being addicted to mountain riding, and of being the exploring rider not wanting my ride to stop for any reason – who also dreams of a nuclear powered bike to negate the need for gas stops! Wonder what the turbo would do on a bike like that……

[VoicesInMyHead]

California Family Reunion
(From Prescott to Yorba Linda Regional Park, August 7th 2002)

Well, I made it back from my trip alive... really tired, but breathing. After about 4 hours of sleep, I headed out at about 02:45hrs on Saturday morning, which (I must assume) pleased my neighbors to no end. I was amazed to see how many cars were parked around the town square at 3am!
Heading down 89 towards Wickenburg, the weather could not have been more perfect! Dressed in a sleeveless shirt and leather vest, I was not even close to being cold. The crescent moon was giving off just enough light to show me the shadows of the mountains trees and rock outcroppings, but dim enough to hide all detail. Heading in a Southwesterly direction as I wound my way downward, I was catching glimpses of lighting strikes off in the distance directly ahead. Smelling the clean pre-dawn air, I could not detect any smell of rain. Looking at the stars, I noticed a lack of them near the horizon to the South extending around to the West. Maybe I would catch some rain after all.

Gassing up in Wickenburg, I headed West-Southwest on 60 towards I-10. The absolute absence of light, people, and any kind of vehicle gave the sense that I was in my own private desert – kept quiet and still allowing for only my iron steed to break the silence. Brush and bushes rushed by while cacti passed in frozen statuesque salutes for my solitary ride. The clouds and lighting strikes were always just above the Southern horizon providing a wonderful show without the worry of rain I had earlier in the journey. Rabbits, dear and quite a few snakes crossed my path reminding me all the way, that I was actually not alone and complacency could have drastic results!

Nearing the 72 West turn off, I changed my mind and opted for the faster route of I-10, as there would be little traffic at this time of day. I was right. For the most part there were even few 18 wheelers heading my way. It seemed the trip on I-10 would be a good one. I stopped in Indio, Ca for my next gas stop. I stopped only long enough for me to wipe off some of the bugs that seemed to grow thick as I crossed the Colorado River, then it was back in the saddle.

From Indio, I made it to my destination without needing to stop again, however, the merge onto Ca’s Hwy 60 that would take me through Riverside to Hwy 91 to my goal – well, it proved to hold changing weather! About 1 mile from I-10, I looked to my left and saw some really low lying clouds… or what I “thought” were clouds. Turns out I had completely forgotten how bone chilling cold and damp that a nice thick bank of fog can be! I had about 8 to 10 miles of fog that would let you see about 3 car lengths in any direction. This fact did cause the freeway to slow from 90mph to about 65mph – an amazing sight in California! After about 10 miles the fog lightened up a bit and would allow for about 100 yards of visibility, and stopped soaking into my clothes, but persisted for the next 60+ miles to my destination.

A full morning riding, a full and long day at a family reunion, and a long evening talking with relatives into the night I finally got to bed at about 11:30. I again woke up at 02:00hrs for the trip back to miss most of the California traffic and the Arizona desert heat. Considering the lack of sleep, and very active, very long days, I decided to simply reverse the route I had taken to get there, to get home.

Again, the freeways were almost clear of traffic, and of fog! It was a great ride through California, gassing up again in Indio and next in Quartzsite, AZ. 10 miles East of Quartzsite, I made the turn onto 60 East towards Wickenburg. This is where the exhaustion of riding, the non-stop family reunion, and the 3½ hours of sleep kicked in. Wheeeew Doggie! (That’s what’s said when in the middle of the desert.) Rolling into Wickenburg, I stopped at the Circle K at 60 & 93. After gassing up, I headed into the store to get sugar and Mountain Dew! I figure I needed the rush and wouldn’t come crashing down till I was home.

I saw 2 bikes pull into the parking lot as I was piggin’ out on powdered dough nuts and “The Green Elixir Of Life”. One was a brand new completely stock purple HD. Hmm. Next to him was a custom flamed chromed out bike that looked familiar. I walked over and noticed a familiar crank case cover and frame. That made me look at the shaft drive and finally the radiator – it was a Shadow! It had custom forks, handle bars, rear shocks, seat – the nifty side mount license plate frame… this thing look GREAT!!!! I asked the rider if it was a Honda Ace, to which he replied in shock, “Yeah, it is. How’d you know?” I told him I had the cousin to it and was familiar with the line. I could definitely see how if you were not intimate with the shadow line of Honda… you’d be hard pressed to figure out with it was.

Well, I was a mere 62 miles from home so I climbed on my ride and hit the highway. It was a great finish to the morning, and as suspected, I did not crash from my sugar/caffeine high till about 20 minutes after I got home.

[northernlights]

I just started looking into Super Moto type bikes. Anyone have any info to share. I realize theirs not many made but????? Looking at some of the pics on this thread I see some bikes that are of interest.