Breaking into a formation

I recently was asked my opinion on what I thought about breaking into the line of a biker formation with a car. Meaning when a group of motorcyclists is riding in staggered formation, clearly riding together as a group, has a car merge into the formation. The person who asked me used to ride, so he does have a clue, and does respect bikers. He said he was following about 15 bikers riding staggered formation, on a long winding hilly road. The group of riders was going about 5 M.P.H. under the speed limit for a very long time, and were holding up quite a line of traffic behind them. It was a difficult road to pass, with little opportunities to do so. He said there were four other cars in front of him, and the opportunity came to pass, and as a group of 5 cars, they all went to pass the biker group. He said just as the other four cars made it, a vehicle was coming around the next curve, and he realized he was not going to make it. He said he could not merge back into traffic behind the group, because he was so close to the front already, and would hit the oncoming car head on if he waited that long to fall back. He said he had no choice but to turn on his right turn signal, and pray that the group of bikers would let him merge into their formation. They did, and he did. He said not so much by either of their choice, but it had to be done. He felt they would understand, and give him a break, and as first opportunity would come, he would let them resume without him in their line up. The lead biker (Lets say Road Captain) Freaked the Fuck out. (He could not confirm if this was a HOG organization, or MC, or just casual group of friends riding together. He said he thought the latter, as no one had on any colors. Anyway, the leader would not let him pass. Would not let him do anything. Every time he went to get out of there the biker sped up, and got in front of him and slowed way down to like 30 in a 55 M.P.H, zone, furthering the traffic delay they were creating in the first place. He said this went on for about 15 miles or so, before he finally turned off. I said etiquette wise, probably not wise to break biker formation. Consider it one unit, like a really long truck. Watch as most times at an intersection if a group is riding in formation, they will proceed through an intersection as if they were one vehicle. I did mention that the lead biker sounds like he had his undies in a bunch though. I would have given the guy a break.

What do you think?

Browsing My Saved Pics and Rides...

How would y'all like to see some of the pictures I've taken this year...ones that haven't made it to the blog...or are so far back you need a pick and sledge hammer to dig them up? Well...I think it's what I'm gonna do...I feel a bit lazy today.

And although I am going for a ride today...it's something to do while I wait for Mom to get up!



An amazing street sign...yes, I took this picture!


This is a local cemetery near my home...I like small, old cemeteries...



How do you feel about country stores? I love this one...





You can find this store in the little town of Grant in Southern Virginia.



I stop to read as many of these signs as I can. You never know what's nearby to look at! Take photos of...cool stuff...and it's FREE!







On this ride...I hit three states...






I saw these sights....



I ran across folks like these....


On other rides, I stop and take pictures of my little girl...at historic places...she is very photogenic



Here she is in front of the National Cemetery in Greeneville TN. where our 17Th President is laid to rest...



Not exactly historic...but it's cool!



A game of B-Ball anyone? This was taken in a place called "Cool Springs" in NC. A little place that had one church, a graveyard, and three houses at a cross roads. The graveyard has this basketball hoop on it's edge...



In January, I took this photos of the Covered Bridge near my home...



This fella, provided me with one of my favorite shots...



The countryside is loaded with dams and weirs like this one...providing scenic beauty...and a wonderful resting spot for the weary traveler....



Let's not forget the country churches...




There is so much more...left for another post!
Thanks for visiting...

Switch Back Creek Campgrounds, Or...IT DON'T SUCK TO BE ME!

A VIEW FROM NEAR THE SWITCH BACK CREEK CAMPGROUNDS @ http://www.switchbackcreek.com/
CONTACT INFORMATION:
570 Wallace Rd.

Shady Valley Tn 37688

407-484-3388

E Mail

switchbackcreek@earthlink.net



I know I’m one of the luckiest people alive today! I’ve been taking advantage of the warm weather we’ve been having here…the last two days! Temperatures have ranged from the low 80’s to the high 80’s! Now add to the fact I have been riding in the mountains rather than the hills or lowlands…we can take away about 7 of those degrees…and we have perfect riding temps for me and my little girl! She likes 75 degree weather…and so the hell do I!


I know I promised you a story on the Nortons, but I have been looking at the pictures, and I’m not satisfied with them. I’ve called Windy and asked him if he and I could do a real photo shoot next weekend, take the bikes out to a picturesque place with a non distracting background and do a real shoot that will give the bikes some justice. I also will need Windy to take that tank bag off…but hey, hold on…I’ll give y’all a sneak peak into both bikes right now!





You know, on Friday, when I went for my ride to visit with Windy...I stopped and got some shots of how to find him...street signs and of course around here, we all use landmarks rather than street signs to tell people when to turn...so here is what I got from Windy...and I have to admit...it works!



First Windy tells me to look for this street...no problem, I can read...who needs landmarks? Well...I passed it and drove about another mile before I called him and complained...he then told me to look for this landmark....



"The stone house on the corner!" I found the place right away....
Next, continue down the road to the first right....OK...I can do this! Oh and in case there is any doubt...and you can read...there is always this to point the way!



Now as I'm making my way down the road towards the campground, I see this field. I had to stop and snap a picture...lovely....I think Tennnessee has some beautiful places...right smack dab in the middle of no where!



I find the campgrounds easily enough...it's just where Windy said it would be...surprise surprise! I see Windy in the middle of his open field...talking with one of his guests...and ride up to him. I turn my bike off, stick out my hand and say..."I guess your Windy?" and sure nuff...he was.



Now climbing off the bike after making sure the ground I was "camped" on was firm and level...I climbed of my little girl and spun around...checking things out...yes, I think to myself, "It's as he discribed on the blog cast...good, I'm dealing with an honest man!" So I ask Windy, "What's your vision for this place in a few years?" Wow...did I ever learn a few things! "Look down here if you would please Ma'am..."



"I've got a road roughed in now...it leads down to the creek, where I plan to put some primitive tent sites in." The road leads down into a bowl shaped depression below the main level of the camp. At one time, it was a Laural thicket...now Windy has cleared most of the brush away, and I can see something wonderful this way will come. I can almost make out the small stream in the distance. Windy has 21 acres to play with here...and he has loads of plans to help make your camping and riding dreams come true!

Here is where Windy is planning a small lake. There is a stream that will feed it seperate from the creek that runs out beyond the area we see here!



Here is the creek...



Now I realize it don't look like much now, but once he gets the area properly cleared...including the bank area...you will see exactly what he does...and I can see it as well...in a year maybe two...you will see a lot of wildlife and some great camping down there.

For now though, your regulated to the field. I forgot to take pictures of that area...but if you scan back up at the field I posted earlir...that's pretty much what you get!

Windy has his bath house built and ready for your bathing and toilet needs...check out what you get!







Hot water on demand...


If you don't want to rough it...then book one of his quaint cabins! They feature twin beds an in wall AC unit, electricity, and a vainty. Comfortable units to be sure!





I'd like you to keep in mind this campground is a work in progress. Windy is develouping his dream as he is able. He trades labor with neighbors all around him. This one has a business which clears land...Windy will trade his mechcanical skills for the machinary to clear his land...it takes time to do something good...it takes longer still to do it right. I believe Windy is doing this right.

This area is full of great motorcycle riding! Within a mile or two of SR421...or better known to the locals as "The Snake". click here to read more about SR 421 and The Snake! http://www.squidoo.com/the_snake

Hold On My Friends...

I came back from a ride yesterday...after meeting an incredible man who is working hard at making a go of creating a biker campground...owns a Norton, and is a Norton refurbish-er...knows his shit when it comes to British bikes...I have a story in the works about him...and I guess I will take an early ride on Sat. then come home and hash out a story about him...and his bike...pretty cool stuff. But the weather is exceptional, and I am going to put myself out in it as often as I can while I can!

I promise...we'll have something good to read and some pictures worth looking at by Sunday...
Chessie

Celebrating the Female Rider…If You’re Gonna Do It, Do It Right.

I've visited a few other blogs lately, where people have made comments regarding Harley Davidson's declaration of May being Female Ridership Month…or something like that. I've tried to put into words on these other blogs the way I see things, and I guess I'm failing miserably, because I get all the wrong feed back from the readers. So…I'm here, in my own blog space to clarify my position regarding Harley's Declaration of May as Female Rider Month, and I think I shall put this to bed there after.

Women have been riding the motorized version of the bicycle since the late 1800's. The engine size grew and so the designs changed to reflect the need for a stronger frame. Because of these changes, the world saw a change of the kind of women who rode the motorized two wheeled contraption. No longer was it considered a mode of transportation for the gentled society woman. Now, it was the black sheep who rode these noisy, dirty, unsafe and undignified modes of transport.

In the early days of motorized bicycle's you could find ads where the product sales pitch was aimed at the woman. But as the motorized bicycle grew into the motorcycle, the gentile woman was not permitted to operate this machine by herself. At least not without strong disapproval from her family, her social circle, and society as a whole! In the early part of the 20^th century, if you were a female and enjoyed the thrill of motorcycling, you were more often than not looked upon as an outcast of your family and social framework. As a woman, you didn't have your own cache of disposable spending money…and you answered to your father, your husband, your brothers….and the whole of the community for any untoward behavior such as the operation of a motorcycle.

But throughout the short 100+ years of motorcycling history, there are female riders who braved the elements, the scorn of their families, of their communities and rode the motorcycles of their dreams! These women are the real heroes and champions of female ridership. I am at a loss to explain why the Motor Companies of today feel the need to try to make what we gals are doing today to be "special." It isn't.

We today, no longer have to buck the family, the community, or face social out casting because of our choices to ride motorcycles. Today we gals have jobs that allow us the freedoms to spend our disposable funds in ways that please US! It wasn't until the latter end of the 20^th century the Motor Companies started to see us female riders as a true commodity, rather than as fender candy for our men and their rides. The motor companies are a bit on the slow side recognizing the female riders of their machines, and the way I see it, it's not because they didn't see us…it's because we weren't a large enough group with large enough disposable funds to direct advertising campaigns at us. Women started working more and more outside of the home by the 60's. It wasn't until the last quarter of the 20^th century women actually made enough money to have something left over at the end of the month to start looking for credit of their own and buying big ticket items such as houses, cars, and luxury toys like boats and motorcycles. It's taken the motor companies much too long to honor the female riders. I see this as not honoring us, but rather as a marketing ploy…trying to catch up with the times…that women do have a say in the market place, we always have…

I don't mind the fact there is a month dedicated to the female rider. I am offended by the mentality of the Motor Companies, who seem to be disregarding the pioneer women of this sport and concentrating on selling me this newly designed bike, or that cute little accessory. I feel that if you're going to have a celebration of the female ridership, if you're going to have a rally centered on the female rider, then why not donate a portion of the proceeds from the sales of your branded items at these rally sites (Colorado)?

I made this point once before. Someone replied she wasn't stupid enough to be sucked into spending her money on things she couldn't afford. Well it's got nothing to do with stupidity. When these women attend these rallies, they have budgeted so much for souvenirs. These souvenirs will be branded items that will cost way more than they should…because of the brand…and the profits will all go into the pockets of the MoCo…huge profits…without a single dollar going towards safety education or other type of programs dedicated towards the enrichment of the sport of motorcycling for women…or for anyone else for that matter.

The women of today's motorcycling scene are not being celebrated for and of ourselves….we are being used as advertising for the growing market of female disposable cash. AND THAT IS WHAT OFFENDS ME.

The motorcycle manufacturers want to celebrate the female riders? Start then with a campaign that honors women like Vivian Bales, who at age 20, set out to discover the USA on a Harley. In 1929 she covered 5000 miles on her bike. Those were days when road surfaces were often little more than hard packed clay or mud bogged passages of two stripes through a vast land of wilderness. Vivian Bales took her adventure alone.

How about looking into the exploits of Della Crew? She is a well known motor maiden who rode around the era of the 1915's and onward.

I have no problem with celebrating the ridership of females…I just have a problem with the motor companies who do it in such a way, that the women who came before me are forgotten and are not celebrated.

Biker joke - The crusty old biker

A crusty old biker out on a long summer ride in the country pulls up to a tavern in the middle of nowhere,
parks his bike and walks inside.



As he passes through the swinging doors, he sees a sign hanging over the bar that reads:



COLD BEER: $2.00



HAMBURGER: $2.25



CHEESEBURGER: $2.50



CHICKEN SANDWICH: $3.50



HAND JOB: $50.00



Checking his wallet to be sure he has the necessary payment, the ole' biker walks up to the bar and beckons to the exceptionally attractive female bartender who is serving drinks to a couple of
sun-wrinkled farmers.



She glides down behind the bar to the ole biker.



"Yes?" she inquires with a wide, knowing smile, "may I help you?"



The ole biker leans over the bar, "I was wondering young lady," he whispers, "are you the one who gives the hand-jobs?"



She looks into his eyes with that wide smile and purrs "Why yes, yes, I sure am".



The ole' biker leans closer and into her left ear whispers softly, "Well, wash your hands real good,

‘cause I want a cheeseburger".

Custom paint repairs

Another recent project that I worked on was a repair to a gas tank, and a cracked fender weld. Blending into existing custom paint.

Click on the image below to watch YouTube Video with step by step photos.

American Classic Museum of Harley Davidson…and Diner…and a Whole Lot More!

A week ago, while driving the highways of North Carolina, Jeff and I happened across a little museum by the name of American Classic Motorcycle Company.

1170 Highway 64 West
Asheboro NC
Phone: 336.629.9564



This place is not only a museum (which is free and asks for donations at the foot of the stairs before you walk up into the museum), but is also a diner

AND a motorcycle repair and restoration shop,



AND a souvenir shop, AND a display case for one of the owner/partners art!



I meant to take more pictures of his art, but I was whisked away by Jeff after out upstairs visit to the museum. Jeff was very hungry, but had no intentions of eating there at the diner, he had spent $85.00 at the gift shop, and was feeling kind of foolish…but really darlin' I DO need those gauntlet gloves you bought me…thank you so much. As for the T-shirts, they were overpriced, but I guess it's how they help pay for the museum upstairs!

Well, speaking of the museum, I have to tell you, when we first arrived, we saw the donation box at the foot of the stairs as you go up. Jeff stuck some money in the box, and up the stairs we climbed. As your climbing the stairs, your looking up to the top of the stairs and you see posters…old posters, advertising Harley Davidson. These posters are not of the "new to look old" variety.

They were the genuine articles! Unfortuenetly I didn't capture good pictures of those posters, and even these photos of "The Enthusiast" covers that line the walls are of poor quality…but y'all needed to see something of what there is for us to enjoy on the upper floor of this building!

Once Jeff and I were at the top of the stairs we could see there was work going on up here. Renovations? Well yes, I guess you could call it that, although I think mostly it was a carpet exchange going on. It was evident the old flooring had been removed, and we were currently staring at a concrete floor that showed some signs of gluing in a past age.

Ignoring that, your eye begins to look for the motorcycles and I was immediately disappointed. The bikes were behind Plexiglas, all lined up side by side, with no room between them to get an eyeball of what was the engine, or the rear of the bike.



Very disappointing indeed. Jeff and I walked the horseshoe display area, looked at the bikes and I was just ready to leave. Thanks to my Jeff, always the negotiator, we didn't. Instead, we headed back downstairs to the showroom display area (which if your walking into the building is to the right of the diner,) we stroll around there, until the guy behind the counter frees up.

Jeff ambles over to the counter-man and introduces himself as well as me to him. The guys name is Ed Rich…huh, that's the name on all the paintings that cover the walls in both the diner portion as well as the showroom portion of the building. There are paintings on the floor leaning against walls, there are paintings framed and ready for sale hanging ON the walls…there are paintings everywhere by Ed Roth, and they are excellent paintings as well. Not cheap shoddy displays of ego…but actually oil paintings of some worth and value…If only said I….if only…

Talking to Ed, Jeff and I got him to take us back upstairs to look closer at the bikes. Ed pulled open the wide Plexiglas doors and allowed me to enter and start clicking away at the bikes.



There were plenty there to gander, but again, many were not in good enough position for me to click pictures of that would be of interest to any of you!






Let's have a look at some of the wonderful early Harley Davidson's Ed has upstairs…tucked away until he gets his new carpeting in…or longer, because some parents are too lazy or stupid to keep their rug rats off the bikes when they were located in the center of the floor…what a shame, a waste…and I guess it's not just the kids who were sitting on the classics…and now antiques…Ed tells me it was a whole gaggle of people who just thought the bikes were there for them to climb on and behave badly with and around…such a waste and a shame…here are some pictures, I would like for you to enjoy the beauty of the bikes if you can!









 

Now downstairs, where the parts department and diner are, you'll find these two bikes…more as well, but these were the ones that presented the most interest to me!




Notice the paintings along the floor and on the walls with the WWII bike? Very nice place after all! Check Ed Rich's work by clicking on the words "American Classic" below!

Ed and his partner are planning a classic motorcycle show in the new future…Please be sure to visit their webpage for more information as it becomes available!

American Classic