“Keep The Rubber Side Down”

From Bender:  Story #1

Rode to Bagnell dam today to get out of the house. The strip down there is one souvenir shop after another on the Lake of the Ozarks. It attracts all sorts and there is usually a metric fuck-ton of cruisers.

I stopped to get some back scratchers (4 in all ) at one of the podunk places that sells this kinda stuff. When I came back out there were about 5 harleys pulling up in spots next to me. I nod to them, put my helmet on and as I get on my bike one of the guys asks very loudly, “Why didn’t you get a harley?” and promptly fell right-the-fuck over. I think he put his foot down in some kids dropped ice cream.

Good thing I had my helmet on cause I was grinnin like a pig in shit. But to make matters worse, one of his riding buddies screamed out, “Hey dumbfuck, I think karma just bit your dick off!” I tried to help sir drops-a-lot up, but he wouldn’t have it. All his friends waved me off while they were trying not to drop their bikes from laughing so hard.

I’m glad I wasn’t that guy today.

Story #2

We’ve got a few Chinese guys in the plant this month learning how to repair some of our big compressors. 4 or 5 of them I guess and they look to be in their mid 30’s. Nota berry muck engrish to be speeked, so we use a lot of body english and some drawings to help get our points across. Kinda fun actually.

I came out of the plant at quittin’ time today (first one out the door don’t ya know) and found three of them out in the parking lot checking out my ole GS. There are probably 15 harleys and a few hondas, yamahas, suzukis, and kawasakis, but those guy are all out there checking out my filthy bike from top to bottom with big grins on their faces. As I approach they all turn to see me putting on my helmet while I walk towards the bikes. I hop on mine and they all give me the thumbs-up sign. They get real quiet as I turn the key and thumb the starter. As soon as she lights they all get those big goofy smiles on their faces again, so I pointed at one of them and motioned for him to get on the bike. Without hesitation he climbs on and off we go down the grass covered slope that I ain’t supposed to be on, sliding the ass-end of the bike around as much as I dare and take him back. He gets off the bike and I wave goodbye to them as another climbs on back. Ends up I gave them all a short ride while we giggled like idiots. I let the last guy off and they all piped up in broken english… Bee….Emm…a-Doubleyou and gave me the thumbs-up again.

Not one of them heard any of the open-piped bikes fire up and leave.

Pretty damn cool!

On June 11th, I wrote a post entitled “What a way to go!” , about a man named Warren, who was planning to be buried on his motorcycle and sealed in clear vault.  Warren is alive and kicking and continues to fine tune his project.  The video below shows another man who had a similar wish.  This clip was shot in a funeral parlor somewhere in Puerto Rico.  Evidently, this hombre was an avid sport bike rider and had made it clear to his family and friends that he wanted to be buried on his bike in the event of his death.  I am not certain if he was buried on the Repsol, but at least he got to ride it at the viewing.

From 1989-1998, Honda produced the ugliest motorcycle ever built; the Pacific Coast.  I am a huge fan of Honda, and usually love their motorcycles, but not the PC.  During the nine years that the Pacific Coast was produced, over 14,000 units were sold around the world, but today the bike has an iconic following.  I have had the opportunity to ride these bikes and have to admit they are comfortable and fun to ride.  My only advice is you either ride it under the cover of darkness or in a full faced helmet with a dark shield so your neighbors don’t recognize you.

On Friday, a friend of mine dropped in to see me and he was riding his Pacific Coast.  The bike you are about to see was involved in accident sometime back and actually cut a deer in half.  My buddy rebuilt the fairing and… well, you just have to see it. (Note; in the video I mistakenly refer to the bike as a 1988, I meant to say 1989.)

“I wonder where this road goes?”

I have been in the market for a medium size tool chest for several weeks and with a little time to kill on a Wednesday afternoon; I decided to pay my local Lowe’s store a visit.  To make a long story short, I found what I was looking for and bought it, but while pushing the cart across the parking lot I remembered I was on my motorcycle.  “This could be a problem,” I said to myself.  I knew I only had a couple of bungee cords in my top bag and this box was bigger than I had anticipated.

I tried several different approaches to secure the box, but it was simply too large.  Just then I saw a friend of mine pulling into the lot in his beat up Silverado.  I flagged him down and asked him to drop the box off at my house, which he was willing to do, but only after he busted my chops for being such a dumb ass.   This impulse purchase worked out for me in the end, but without the help of a friend, I would have been screwed.  So here’s my question for you; “What’s the strangest thing you have ever carried on your motorcycle?”

Friday, while stopped at a busy intersection waiting for the traffic light to turn green, a Harley bagger pulled up to the light, coming the opposite direction. The motorcyclist had just made a complete stop and put his feet down when a large commercial truck failed to stop soon enough and rear ended the bike. The impact catapulted the motorcyclist into the intersection, which fortunately, was clear of oncoming traffic at the moment. The shocked rider instinctively held onto the two wheeled projectile for about ten feet before hitting the asphalt with an indescribable thud. The truck was moving at a very slow rate of speed at the time of the collision or things could have been much worse. Turns out the motorcyclist had some road rash and bruises, but was going to be fine.

From my vantage point the motorcyclist did nothing wrong in this incident, but whenever we are stopped on our cycles whether at a traffic light or stop sign, there are at least three actions we can take to help minimize these rear end collisions.

1. Plan a possible escape route as you pull up to the light.
   As you roll to a stop look for the best exit should you need to get out of the way.
   
2. Keep the motorcycle in first gear.
   This gives you the ability to move quickly should the need arise.
   
3. Check rear view mirrors often.
   Perhaps you can spot a potential problem coming up behind you.
   

Not all accidents can be avoided, but making a habit of these three actions can increase your odds for keeping safe on the road.

It was nearing 10 p.m. as my son Jonathan and I, rolled under the carport of a Comfort Inn just outside Frostburg, Maryland.  We had been riding for eight and a half hours in ninety-five degree heat, and my stamina was fading.  My shoulders were stiffening and my reflexes were becoming sluggish, I knew this meant I needed a light meal and some sleep.  We were concluding the first of a three day tour of the Washington DC, and Baltimore, area.

 As we parked the bikes and removed our helmets, I noticed an elderly man who had just exited his tan Mercury Marquis, slowly shuffling his way to the lobby.  As I approached the front desk I overheard the night clerk explaining to the gentleman that there were no rooms available at this hotel, but that she had been in touch with another hotel just two exits east that did have some vacancies. 

Armed with directions for the alternative hotel, the old man and I walked across the lobby together. I held the door open for him as I bid him a good evening.   He returned the greeting and told me his name was Edgar, Edgar Garrison, from Athens, Georgia.   As we stood under the black Maryland sky, Edgar told me he was 87 years of age, and that he was on his way to Baltimore, for his great granddaughter’s wedding, “she is pharmacist you know,” he proudly proclaimed.  I nodding with approval then I shut the car door as he settled behind the steering wheel of his large sedan.  Edgar stood about five feet seven inches tall, and slightly bent over; he was of slender build, and thick white hair that was disheveled enough to give him the appearance of a slightly mad scientist.  He was articulate, and appeared to be of a gentle disposition. He reminded me of my grandfather who had passed away many years ago.

Jonathan and I fired up the bikes and jumped back on the highway heading toward the hotel and a good night’s rest.   

8:00 a.m. came much too quickly, but after a long, hot shower and some hot hotel coffee it was time to move on.  As we walked toward our bikes, I quickly surveyed the parking lot to see if I could spot the tan Marquis  belonging to my new friend Edgar, but unable able to spot the vehicle, I assumed he must have found another place to  spend the night.  We threw a leg over the motorcycles and headed eastward.  As I settled into the ride I continued to speculate if Edgar had found a place to sleep last night, perhaps I should have seen to it that he got a room. 

I spent the better part of the next hour aggravated with myself because I didn’t offer more assistance to the old man even though he didn’t seem to need it.  As we approached a steep incline on US 68 the Maryland scenery was stunning!  I rolled on the throttle and eased my way into the passing lane as we flew by the heavy laden tractor trailers, whose engines were straining to make the steep climb.  Then up in the distance I spotted a tan Mercury Marquis, I immediately identified the vehicle as Edgars, and within a minute’s time we pulled alongside of him.  He instantly recognized us and he flashed a brilliant smile revealing his finely fitted porcelains, followed by an animated wave and a tip of the hat.  That was all I needed, it seems my new found buddy was having the time of his life.   I waved a final time and rolled on the throttle, content to know Edgar would be just fine! 

I am on my way home this morning.  I have about 8 hours of open road in front of me and the weather forecast is calling for some heavy, but scattered thunderstorms along my route.  This is the second time in a few weeks that I have been on the Pennsylvania turnpike only to be greeted by severe weather.  Hope you have a great Sunday!

The fourth weekend in July is shaping up to be a motorcycle riders dream.  The weather is going to phenomenal and there are rally’s and cycling events a plenty.

I have spoken to many of my fellow riders and a high percentage of them will be touring somewhere this weekend.  Here’s a few places some of them are headed…

Wild and Wonderful Mountain Fest

Deals Gap

All Ohio Bike Fest

Do you have any specific riding plans scheduled for this weekend?  If so, let’s us know where you’re heading!  Heck, maybe we will pass each other along the way!