Safety Contemplation

With the week full of rain, and Saturday even more, I contemplated not going to this Chopper Fest on Sunday, thinking this event wouldn't be on. Then, on Sunday, I drove there instead of riding, as I felt the freeway would be slick from the rain and oil.

As I neared the event, I felt a little bad that I didn't ride instead, until I pulled into the lot, and found it full of cars and trucks, and not that many bikes. A truck in front of me spilled out four guys, and I asked them if they were riders and why they didn't ride instead, like me, and their response was the same. It as a safety issue. Riding a day after a hard rain, is not the wisest move for a rider!

Journey vs. Destination

I've come to realize through riding, and most probably due to living in Los Angeles, I'm more about the destination than the journey. More about the arrival than the ride.

While riding is about the ride and the enjoyment and freedom of it, at least for me, the ride is enjoyed but there is extreme caution during it which is obviously not a bad thing, it's a smart thing. But, it also lessons the enjoyment of the ride.

I remember hearing about an extreme parasailer's thought process while gliding in the air, saying he was so focused on getting to his destination safely, that he couldn't enjoy the sail.

And that sticks with me while riding, especially on the freeways of L.A. which I try to avoid whenever I can - and that for a motorcyclist, is not compatible. But the freeways here are very fast and quite dangerous. On the 405South yesterday while heading to the 2009 Int't Motorcycle Show, I observed a Harley rider ahead of me suddenly having to very sharply switch lanes in order to avoid being hit by a car next to him. The rider shook his fist at the car for a little while, and narrowly avoided going down. That was only a few cars in front of me, on the edge of Long Beach.

I hate riding the freeways here, and especially, the 405. Whenever some little voice tells me not to go on a ride, or even, take the car instead, I listen to that. After seeing this rider almost being hit in front of me, I was glad I took the car!

My rides are comforted by getting to the destination safely, vs. the journey of the ride. I'm sure the journey, for me, would be a greater ride, away from this city.

Knowing Limits

Did a "Mountain Ride" this past Sunday morning and while it was full of "twisty" roads, up a few canyons off Malibu, I knew I really didn't favor quicker turns perhaps built for either younger riders, or different bikes.

The Ride was great! About 30 Riders started at the 76 Station in Malibu. Headed up PCH, then turned into Topanga Canyon; one of the worst canyons to ride due to its speed limits and sudden, sharper turn needs. I was the 4th Rider in the group, heading up.

As we all closed deeper in, I knew why I stayed off that canyon. I started getting uncomfortable having to negotiate just too many winding paths, then, almost hit an SUV coming in the opposite direction! I slowed down a little, kept the rest of the group behind me, then we arrived at the "Rock Store" where about 500 bikers were gathered. A good handful of smokin' Harley Babes, but the ratio is of course, always way off here. Sagebrush Cantina in Woodland Hills ratios are always much more favorable!

As the group was gearing for heading out for "more harrier roads", I told the group's Organizer I was staying behind to enjoy a few beers, knowing I'd be happier, less stressed, and could embarked on my own path.

As Dirty Harry said: "A Man Has Got To Know His Limits"!

Easy Rider - and Me?

This is another "Holy Shit" moment for me! Had an unbelieveable experience today at today's Pre-Love Ride 26 Signature Event. Talked to Glendale-Harley owner Oliver about wanting Peter to sign my huge art, original 1969 poster of him on his Captain America bike.


I was taken upstairs into the inner sanctum of the Dealership, walked up the stairs by Joe, and in the Conference Room, was met and greeted by the Man himself! Man - I was practically speechless! What a life's treat for me to meet and speak with him. He was extremely gracious and signed my poster, posed for pictures with me, and these are some of the few treasures of my life - having grown up by and with Easy Rider all my life.

To meet the Man after 40 years - it was always one goal of mine. On the poster, he wrote - "Ride Forever"!

I remember my first Love Ride only a few years back, Love Ride 24, when I just caught a glimpse of Fonda on stage and thought, some day I'd just like to say hello and shake his hand.

That day, was today! Glendale Harley-Davidson Rocks!!! My next Harley will be from your dealership! Thank you very much, Oliver!!!

Another check mark on my Bucket List!

Buddhism vs. Karma

A member confides in me about an acquaintance talking negatively about him, and asked for my opinion on what to do, since another brought that to light for him. I gave him two resolutions: one is from the Buddhist perspective, and that was to simply forgive the negativity, seek the higher path, and pray for the maturity of the judger. As he was coming to struggle over this, the higher path, he sought a balancer, some other perspective with which to consider.

The second choice brought up another side, something from the street, from years ago. And it was this: "Their Karma"!

What was that, he asked. My response was this: While I prefer the Buddhist approach, being a good person of character and integrity, forgiveness should always be first considered. But if you discover that difficult, especially in light of continuance of your character's assassination, without the judger's 360 fact-check interest, then simply, TCB it!

What does that mean, he asked?

TCB is Take Care of Business. It's called "Their Karma"! And Karma, is what you earn, through your deeds and your words. For if an acquaintance does not want to be your friend, that's fine. But if they speak against you, malign your character, they have become an enemy.

While I strongly advocated Buddhist forgiveness and understanding of minds who talk negatively of others in the belief it makes them superior, "Their Karma", is also, their choice, for so as they sew, so shall they reap.

He's currently pondering his two options, awaiting further word. That, I assured him, will most assuredly come as the worlds they exist in, are indeed quite small.

In the mean time, I referred him to http://dharma.ncf.ca/introduction/truths/karma2.html which may give him some solice in knowing Karma will be applied either directly or indirectly, as a result.

Chopper Day

Today, I rode to Santa Clarita to view a 1970 Honda Old School 750 Chopper. Unbelievable sculpture of art, it was! I was floored with how awesome it was built, the banana seat, the extended fork, and it's lantern tail lights. A living room work of art, but I'd have to take it apart just to rebuild it, actually, in my living room!

So, as I'm contemplating buying this next acquisition, I recalled Santa Clarita Choppers that I discovered at the last David Mann Chopper Fest Show in Ventura last year, and "the one that got away"! An unbelievable custom built chopper that sold for $15,000, yet cost them $30,000+ to build. It truly was the Holy Grail of choppers, and I had it right under me, right there, ready for my discovery yet I did not have the funds to declare this lottery win. To me, it was a dollar ticket, that won millions! That's how much I fell in love with this bike.

So much so, that I made it last year's Christmas card to my circle, who must have thought, I truly lost it. But, so what!

I visited Santa Clarita Choppers, talked to the bike's builder who remembered the bike (long sold), and he showed me some of his pictures of it. I told him of the dozens of events I've been to, NO other bike captured me. "It was love at first sight", I said, which to me is like a once in a lifetime comet. I told him one day, I'd come back and pay him enough money to tell me who has the bike, then pay them enough to sell it to me. I'll never forget her!

Oh! What about the Easy Rider Chopper I just bragged about acquiring below, you ask? Sadly, we came to an end in our brief relationship. We were just too hot together to last any longer, and I had to let her go. I'll truly miss her!

This Too, Is A Motorcycle Adventure

I was so looking forward to today's Ride for Downed Officers which appears on West Coast Biker's Board from the police station in Reseda, escorted by officers for some 60 miles, then to Paramount Studios on this, a perfect day. It is one of the few Rides I'd do no matter what.

But, I also know, two worlds tug at me at the same time now. The world of motorcycle riding to one of these treasured events, and the world of spending time with my son.

When I first bought the Cruiser I ride, it was to replace the pain I felt when I didn't have him, not to replace him. So when certain events or shows or rides come up on days that I have him, I have to put aside my passion of the Ride and the event, and replace it with something much more valueable and important on this planet and that is time with him.

While I watched the clock throughout the day, plotting the route and destination of the ride as each hour ticked by, I knew I felt a greater sense of accomplishment this day, by the mere breakfast and lunch I made for him, the questions I answered of his, and the lessons I imparted. They are immeasureably more treasured, than a passion.

So in this sense, this too, is a motorcycle adventure for me. Of two worlds colliding, and one always more important than the other.

While I greatly missed this event, I felt comforted by my posting it on West Coast Biker's Board for others to consider, while I happily spent a perfect riding day, with my son. It is far more a greater day, than I know I would have regretted, had I taken this ride instead.

West Coast Biker's Board Getting Popular

Very excited to say, the West Coast Biker's Board is picking up a lot of steam lately. Now with over a dozen Sponsors recently added, the site - BikersBoard.Net - is quite impressive with it's services, ride announcements, membership networking, and motorcycle riding community links.

Of course, this all does take some solid work getting it there, and hard work does pay doesn't it!?!

A Motorcycle Dating site is the latest Sponsor contacting the Board so depending on available space, it may be added soon.

Haven't been Riding out there too much lately, but am ramping that up soon. Excited to find two brand new baffle-packed Harley mufflers in a yard sale which I changed on my previously too loud Vulcan. Now, the bike's Start Button is louder than the pipes. Imagine that!

Rolled this awesome chopper to Glendale Harley-Davidson on Saturday for their Love Ride 26 Pre-Celebration party. Hung out for a few hours then rolled through the 134 W to the 101N back home.

This thing, is one hard (rigid bike) ride that's for sure! Probably should be a little younger, I think! But man, I now know how Fonda felt in "Easy Rider". God - what a bike!

If I'm going to keep it, I've got to change the seat to sit back a little more. With springs!!! :-)

A Dream Come True

Woke up Saturday morning and wondered about the dream I had that, the night before, after two years of Craigslist searching, I had found and bought my Dream Bike. The Captain America bike from the movie "Easy Rider", a favorite of course!

In the dream, the bike was the same frame, same style, same fork, same handlebars. It had it all, except the tank was black, and the seat was small. I remember thinking in this dream, all I would have to do is find an old-school banana seat, have the tank painted as the flag, and change the pipes, and I'd have the bike. The Bike! The Captain America bike? Had to be a dream!

I - could Ride down the highway like Peter Fonda, in full mid-life crisis mode? Damn! Some dreams are so real, aren't they? Damn!


Well, anyway, I dragged myself up for another ho-hum day, shook my head over the dream, and headed out.


As I went to my garage with three bags of recycling bottles to cash in for a salad - I suddenly saw... the bike! OMG! It wasn't a dream? It wasn't a dream? WTF???

It wasn't a dream!


After two years of searching, I found it in Pacoima of all places. Pacoima! Of all places. Pacoima. Of all places!

I rode it back on the 118 East, the 405 South, then the 101 South. Saying along the way - "Holy Shit, Holy Shit, Holy Shit"! Am I dreaming? Am I really riding this bike? The Bike? Is this a dream?

Wow! It wasn't! Now - how the hell am I going to keep it!?!

"Holy Shit"!

Latest Fundraising Ride For An Abused Child

Thought I'd start blogging some of my motorcycle riding adventures, and today's was one of the more important Rides which donated to a very worthy cause of a little boy who abuse has visited. Baby Angel Ride was sponsored and managed by Renegade Classics in Canyon Country to fund needed funds for the care and safekeeping of Angelo Mendoza, Jr., 4 years-old.

This cause as a Ride, and many Rides for causes are supported and posted on my site, BikersBoard.Net which generates greater online awareness for these events. All local and West Coast Rides, fundraisers, shows, events, etc., are posted on this site, which is called: West Coast Biker's Board. You can check it out by going to BikersBoard.Net.

I hit the 101N at 8am, then the 405N, 5N, & 14N to arrive at the event at 9am. Had a terrific Ride and great day!

You can click on this flyer and please consider a donation directly to this great tot, who'll need a lot of ongoing assistance for his medical care and well being.