Today was raw cold when I got up and I decided that it would be the best if I stayed inside and did something constructive, like pestering the pups. They didn't want to go out either and we all settled into the TV.
About 9:00 I got a call from an old friend. When I answered the phone he began by saying "lets go for a ride". My reply was lets not and tell everyone that we did. He laughed and agreed. He was working on an old Honda and was looking for parts. We visited for about an hour about his project, the weather and the "good old days". He reminded me of some of the trips we took together and some of the silliness we got into. It was a good visit and we hung up promising that we'd get together on a warmer day for a ride.
His call reminded me of a lot of good ridin times as I was growing up. One in particular stuck out for him as it does me and since it's too cold for me to be out doing something...
When I was about 15 I had an old Triumph-Harley-Honda cross breed that I was riding around. For some reason I had some money and after talking with a couple of friends I was decided that I should head for Beer. Now living in a rural area and in a dry county that meant a "Bootlegger".
There were several people in the county that were known to sell beer and one of them, a woman, named Jean lived six or 7 miles from me. She was pretty easy going in that she knew my parents and if I ever got too far out of line, well, it always kept me in line.
As I remember the ride over was mostly back roads to keep off the highway and reduce the chance of running into the Trooper. The Trooper we had in our area was an alright guy. He was never too hard on any of us that I remember. He would make you pour out your beer though and that always hurt. Especially when you didn't have a job and money was always tight.
Anyway, I made it over to Jeans place in one piece and made a purchase. "Old Milwaukee in the 14 oz cans". That was our thing, two extra ounces for the same price. I got it all rolled up in my sleeping bag and tied on. And was chatting a little when the world as I knew it ended. The County Sheriff and a Deputy and the afore mentioned Trooper pulled into Jeans driveway. They had another man with them that I didn't know. The Sheriff got out and looked over at me and said "just set still a minute". (I never will forget those words.) He walked Jean over towards the house and they got into a conversation and it got heated real fast. She was cusin and hollering and pointing at the man in the car. Finally she calmed down her and the Sheriff, Deputy and Trooper all went into the house. Figuring I was going to Jail I started to think up stories to tell my parents and ways to get the beer off my bike without getting caught. Just about the time I had my nerve up, the Deputy came out and over to me. He asked me my name and I told him. He knew my folks and I knew then that it was all over. Then, he says, "Jean says your broke down","You need to make a call to your folks or something"? Thinking the fastest I have ever had a though in my life, I said no, I think that I can limp it home if I don't get it too hot. He asked what was wrong with my ride. I lied like a dog in the sunshine and told him I was low on oil. Guess I'd pushed it too hard coming back from Russellville. He asked what kind of oil I took and I said Quaker 30. He though for a second and turned and went over to his car and opened the trunk. Couple of seconds later he handed me a quart of Quaker 30 and said maybe this will help. If your not too low. Again, thinking pretty quick, I said thanks and went about "overfilling" my bike. Just as I was finishing pouring in the oil the Sheriff and Trooper and Jean walked out. Jean wasn't looking any too happy and got into the Deputies car. This seemed to make the guy in the Sheriffs car happy. The Sheriff came over to me and said "you going to be able to get that wreck home"? I said I think so if I take slow. He nodded and said be careful and started back to his car. The trooper came up to me and asked how old I was. When I told him 15, he looked hard at me and said, "Hit the back roads and don't let me catch you on the Highway again"!
I fired up and bounced down Jeans driveway to the pavement and headed out like I was on fire.
A couple of weeks later I found out that the man in the Sheriffs car had had a run in with Jean and she wouldn't sell him any beer and he had gone to the law. They caught her with 24 cases of beer and several bottles of hard liquor. She was fined heavily and didn't do any Jail time.
I also found out several years later that the Law knew what I was really doing there. At the time I found this out it was a joke to them. They were laughing about how scared I was as at the time. They were even having a pretty good time all these years later while they were telling me about it. Seems at the time they just didn't want to have to mess with me and my folks and all that it took to charge a Juvenile.
I don't remember much other than being sure that I was going to Jail and, later, how good that "old Milwaukee" tasted as I drained out a quart of oil from my bike. My buddies thought it was a pretty cool deal, my close brush with the law. They also agreed that it would probably be best if we all laid low for a while. I stayed off the highway until I got my license and still kept a pretty it low for a while. Jean moved out of our area and I haven't seen her in several years. I never forgot her taking care of a customer and if shes still alive, hope shes doing well.
It's kind of funny the things you get into as a kid. Especially when you find out that people, like the Sheriff, Deputy and Trooper had all, Been there, done that, long before you ever thought about it.
Hope to catch ya on a warmer day on the road
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Warm weather and Flashbacks
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Yesterday the forecast was for a warm afternoon. I fired up in 40ish degree weather and headed toward work. There wasn't a whole lot of traffic on my stretch of Hwy 45 and I made real good time to the foot of the mountain. The down side of this was my back and the arthritis. With the weather changing daily I have been in a constant state of pain. So I got to become well acquainted with every little bump and jiggle. Other than that little draw back it was a great ride. I had decided to ride in and maybe get some welding done on my bike so I was thinking about that and was able to get kind of lost. Funny how I always seem to get found when I get close to work.
The day progressed to a warm one and I saw several bikes go by on the four lane by work. Thinking that I might have made a mistake and should have taken the day off to get in some riding, I sat there and toughed it out till quitting time. Let me tell you that was hard to do. Days like this I'd rather be out on the road. Finally headed home It was just right. cool but not cold and the perfect weather, air mixture for my old bike. It ran like it was new and I just seemed to float along. Even the bumps and jiggles didn't seem to be there. I had an absolute blast on the trip home! Pulling in at the house I rushed around and got the "Republican Quartet" fed and out the door for a little while. I had a dinner planned at the local Pizza place with the son and other assorted rif raf so I hurried and change clothes. Getting those little Republicans rounded back up was a chore in it's self. It was warm out and they wanted to chase something. Finally after lots of bribing the were back in and I took off for town.
The Pizza joint is about eight or nine miles from the house and mostly a straight shot. Everything was clicking along so good that I could just kick back and set the throttle and "look ma, no hands". Think I may have even spooked a couple of drivers as I waved at them with both hands. Ah well, like the song says, "I still feel 25 most of the time."
At the intersection coming into town the light was with me and I laid down into a right turn and headed for the ATM just up the street. A few minutes doing battle with the money box and I was back out zig zaging through traffic. Most of these people are trying to get home on a Friday afternoon and as I split lanes and even white line up to the light, I don't think a few of them were much happy for me and my two wheeled ability. As I approached the light It changed and I down shifted and jumped out in a right hand turn, ahead of the traffic that had been held by the light. man! It was such a great evening for a ride. A couple of blocks and I pulled in to the Pizza place.
Bud and his squeeze showed up and a few minutes my bride showed up and we all chowed on pizza and pickles. After some light visiting and eating, everyone decided that it was time to leave. We had been there about two hours and I figured that the temperature had dropped. Bracing for what I knew would be a cool ride I headed outside. Man, the air was warm and it really felt like early spring. I fired up and as I idled across the parking lot I had one of those intense flashbacks. Back to when I was a teenager and riding the hills of home. I really don't know how to describe it other than I was brought back to something really good.
Pulling out of the lot I got caught up in some poke along traffic and began to think. Thinking back about thirty five or forty years, riding, seemed I was always alone and running through the mountains. (Hills as I called them) Anywhere I went there was a mountain and a decent ride. Harrison 34 miles to the north or Clarksville about 40 miles or so to the east. Russellville, about 40 miles to the south and Fayetteville/Springdale 65 miles to the west. It seemed that I lived in the saddle of my bike. Sleeping bag tied on the back and at that time it seemed, not a care in the world.
The traffic bunched up at the light and when it changed I eased out and even though your not really suppose to, used a wide spot and managed to get ahead of everyone. The moon was full and the clouds were light and I settled into a smooth 65 mph and before I knew it I was pulling into the house. (hate it when that happens)
It was really too bad that I wasn't making a trip someplace. Last night would have been the night to go. Perfect weather for riding. Especially when your on an older air cooled machine.
It was great!!
Hope to run into ya on the road.
The day progressed to a warm one and I saw several bikes go by on the four lane by work. Thinking that I might have made a mistake and should have taken the day off to get in some riding, I sat there and toughed it out till quitting time. Let me tell you that was hard to do. Days like this I'd rather be out on the road. Finally headed home It was just right. cool but not cold and the perfect weather, air mixture for my old bike. It ran like it was new and I just seemed to float along. Even the bumps and jiggles didn't seem to be there. I had an absolute blast on the trip home! Pulling in at the house I rushed around and got the "Republican Quartet" fed and out the door for a little while. I had a dinner planned at the local Pizza place with the son and other assorted rif raf so I hurried and change clothes. Getting those little Republicans rounded back up was a chore in it's self. It was warm out and they wanted to chase something. Finally after lots of bribing the were back in and I took off for town.
The Pizza joint is about eight or nine miles from the house and mostly a straight shot. Everything was clicking along so good that I could just kick back and set the throttle and "look ma, no hands". Think I may have even spooked a couple of drivers as I waved at them with both hands. Ah well, like the song says, "I still feel 25 most of the time."
At the intersection coming into town the light was with me and I laid down into a right turn and headed for the ATM just up the street. A few minutes doing battle with the money box and I was back out zig zaging through traffic. Most of these people are trying to get home on a Friday afternoon and as I split lanes and even white line up to the light, I don't think a few of them were much happy for me and my two wheeled ability. As I approached the light It changed and I down shifted and jumped out in a right hand turn, ahead of the traffic that had been held by the light. man! It was such a great evening for a ride. A couple of blocks and I pulled in to the Pizza place.
Bud and his squeeze showed up and a few minutes my bride showed up and we all chowed on pizza and pickles. After some light visiting and eating, everyone decided that it was time to leave. We had been there about two hours and I figured that the temperature had dropped. Bracing for what I knew would be a cool ride I headed outside. Man, the air was warm and it really felt like early spring. I fired up and as I idled across the parking lot I had one of those intense flashbacks. Back to when I was a teenager and riding the hills of home. I really don't know how to describe it other than I was brought back to something really good.
Pulling out of the lot I got caught up in some poke along traffic and began to think. Thinking back about thirty five or forty years, riding, seemed I was always alone and running through the mountains. (Hills as I called them) Anywhere I went there was a mountain and a decent ride. Harrison 34 miles to the north or Clarksville about 40 miles or so to the east. Russellville, about 40 miles to the south and Fayetteville/Springdale 65 miles to the west. It seemed that I lived in the saddle of my bike. Sleeping bag tied on the back and at that time it seemed, not a care in the world.
The traffic bunched up at the light and when it changed I eased out and even though your not really suppose to, used a wide spot and managed to get ahead of everyone. The moon was full and the clouds were light and I settled into a smooth 65 mph and before I knew it I was pulling into the house. (hate it when that happens)
It was really too bad that I wasn't making a trip someplace. Last night would have been the night to go. Perfect weather for riding. Especially when your on an older air cooled machine.
It was great!!
Hope to run into ya on the road.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Ice
I ride in all kinds of weather. I do draw the line on riding when it is icy. I have a real aversion to spending months with my leg or some other important body part in a cast. The last two days have been icy. Not too bad for car travel but bad enough that my bikes are all covered up. Guess that's the best way to say it. Last year I only remember one or two times that we had enough ice that I couldn't go. So far this winter we've had ice twice and winter is just getting started.
I don't like days like this as I would prefer to ride to work. I watch people go by on their bikes and it makes me feel a little cheated. They have an edge that I don't have. They start to work later than I do so it has a chance to warm up and clear off. They also live in town just a few blocks from their jobs. However if it weren't for days like this occasionally I wouldn't get anything done with my bike or the new accessories I have built and haven't had the time to put on. So I guess I'll not complain too much.
Hopefully the end of the week is going to be warmer and I can get back in the saddle as it were.
But I have been busy trying and retrying different camera mounts and tie down junk for the trip I have planned back to the Buffalo River. The first warm weekend I'm off for the river and a photo shoot. Hopefully it will all come together and I can get some decent shots of the area and the points of interest. Also, hopefully, I can include them in here.
Hope to catch ya on the road (when it isn't icy)
I don't like days like this as I would prefer to ride to work. I watch people go by on their bikes and it makes me feel a little cheated. They have an edge that I don't have. They start to work later than I do so it has a chance to warm up and clear off. They also live in town just a few blocks from their jobs. However if it weren't for days like this occasionally I wouldn't get anything done with my bike or the new accessories I have built and haven't had the time to put on. So I guess I'll not complain too much.
Hopefully the end of the week is going to be warmer and I can get back in the saddle as it were.
But I have been busy trying and retrying different camera mounts and tie down junk for the trip I have planned back to the Buffalo River. The first warm weekend I'm off for the river and a photo shoot. Hopefully it will all come together and I can get some decent shots of the area and the points of interest. Also, hopefully, I can include them in here.
Hope to catch ya on the road (when it isn't icy)
Sunday, January 4, 2009
...it's all part of the game
Today finally hit a whopping 30 degrees before I took off. Cool, but I had planned to make it a short ride and the temperature wouldn't matter so much. Figuring I'd just run down to Mission and maybe grab a sandwich at Penguin Ed"s. I pulled out onto Highway 45 and headed west. Traffic was slight at this hour as I figured most people were either still at church or still in bed. It was really enjoyable being out in the crisp air and listening to the unique roar my pipes make. Not a Harley sound. Not loud, not really anything like I usually associate with a bike. Just kind of a rumbly roar. Some people run Screamin Eagle Systems. I run "Cluckin Chickens". To be exact The "Roosters loose edition".
Anyway, as I topped Slaughter mountain and came along by the Chapel I hit a warm air pocket and it felt so good that I began to think that maybe I might make a bit longer trip and just tool around the area a bit. On the spur of the moment I hit Gulley road and went blasting down the hill like I was a whole lot younger and had less brains. The wind was back to being cool again and I slowed down. Coming out on Butterfeild Coach road I saw a bike go by . Thinking there goes today's title I tried to catch up and see if I knew the rider. But they were doing some moving and by the time I got out they were just a speck. Ahhh well, I was just going for a short ride anyway. Turning back in the general direction of Ed's I started thinking about all the small connecting back roads that eventually would lead back over to '45 and remembered how we'd take these little roads and streets just for fun.
Turning down one side road led to another and before long it was like being in a maze. Short stretches with right angle curves. None really long enough to get up any speed. In about 45 minutes I managed to come back out to Highway 45. Only about a half hour longer than if I had taken the direct route. Yes, It was still lots of fun. Even by myself.
I rode on down to get my sandwich and thought again about maybe doing a longer ride today.
After eating I got back out and realized that it was wayyy cool. I fired up and figured that maybe I'd just head back to the house and do something inside today. I still had that Camera mount that I was wanting to get together. So with that in mind I headed to the house and a hot cup of coffee.
Today's ride wasn't much by Biker Magazine standards. It was however a ride. It was a lot of fun and it was in 30 degree weather. Something I don't read about much in Biker magazines.
Anyway, as I topped Slaughter mountain and came along by the Chapel I hit a warm air pocket and it felt so good that I began to think that maybe I might make a bit longer trip and just tool around the area a bit. On the spur of the moment I hit Gulley road and went blasting down the hill like I was a whole lot younger and had less brains. The wind was back to being cool again and I slowed down. Coming out on Butterfeild Coach road I saw a bike go by . Thinking there goes today's title I tried to catch up and see if I knew the rider. But they were doing some moving and by the time I got out they were just a speck. Ahhh well, I was just going for a short ride anyway. Turning back in the general direction of Ed's I started thinking about all the small connecting back roads that eventually would lead back over to '45 and remembered how we'd take these little roads and streets just for fun.
Turning down one side road led to another and before long it was like being in a maze. Short stretches with right angle curves. None really long enough to get up any speed. In about 45 minutes I managed to come back out to Highway 45. Only about a half hour longer than if I had taken the direct route. Yes, It was still lots of fun. Even by myself.
I rode on down to get my sandwich and thought again about maybe doing a longer ride today.
After eating I got back out and realized that it was wayyy cool. I fired up and figured that maybe I'd just head back to the house and do something inside today. I still had that Camera mount that I was wanting to get together. So with that in mind I headed to the house and a hot cup of coffee.
Today's ride wasn't much by Biker Magazine standards. It was however a ride. It was a lot of fun and it was in 30 degree weather. Something I don't read about much in Biker magazines.
28 Degrees and it's all part of the game.
Today is a cool one for sure. My pups didn't even want to go out.
I try to ride some everyday. On days like today I usually let it get a little warmer if it's going to before I get out. Also on days like today I usually do some of the "bike related stuff" that I don't always have time for when it's warmer. Like yesterday I went over to the Buffalo River and took some pictures. (see masterpieces above) In looking around over there I came up with a great ride and a way to kill the whole day and maybe the weekend. I have spent most of this morning planning a ride that will take in all that I got to see yesterday. There was one place that will take a little in getting to as it is all down the mountain on a good but, very steep, dirt road.
There is a couple of other things along the river that require a little walking to get over to see. All in all it will make for a great trip and will combine a couple of the things I like doing.
Also today I am planning on doing a little modification to my bike and rig a camera mount that will allow me to do more while I'm riding. I see some of the best pictures as I'm buzzing along and I'm going to see if I can maybe fix that so there wont be so many of those missed "did you see that's"?.
I have been getting more in to the idea of camping out on some of my trips in the warmer months. I have a couple of ideas kicking around for carrying gear with out having to put a sissy bar back on my bike. As I'm old and arthritic now I think I'd like to take more in the way of creature comforts that are designed to keep the pain at a minimum. Saddle bags are OK but they limit all that you can do. I'm working on a new bed roll design that will allow me to tie on what I cant put in my bags and would be a solid tying platform like you get with a sissy bar but not as high or in the way. I guess the carefree"tie it on with bailing wire days" are like some of the other heady things of youth, slipping from my daily grasp. I find that I'm more and more at this stage in my getting around of being into a solid and trim lined ride.
I use days like today to just take a hot cup of coffee and go out and look over my bike. Kind of a pre maintenance walk around. Just to slow down and see what has worn and worked loose. Check all those little things that I should be checking on a daily basics. Cause, everyone knows that if it's warm enough to ride, well, you ride.
It's gotten about as warm as it's going to today and I'm about ready to take off. If you've made it this far. Remember, It's all part of the game.
Hope to catch ya on the road
Friday, January 2, 2009
Today - unconnected and loosely folded
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Polar Bear Ride 2009
Congratulations goes out to Stan. He gets the "Hale and Hearty" pat on the back for riding his 72 Iron Head Sportster the most miles about 32 as close as we can figure.
This years Polar Bear Ride came off with out a hitch. We had a great turn out of four bikes and riders. Compared to last year (just me last year)
We started this when we realized that there weren't too many of the bikers in the area that rode in the cooler weather. And since it's normally agreed on that January 1st is one of the coldest days of the year. We figured that it would be a good way to see who all was still riding. Just a chance, if you weren't working or other wise preoccupied, to get out and ride on a crisp day and be counted.
We promote this event by word of mouth only and most people that I talk to about it cant seem to get the fact that it isn't a poker run or some other kind of organized event. It's real simple. You ride from your home to the Restaurant ( a minimum of 2 miles)and have lunch then go where ever, back home, to the mother in laws. Where ever. No rules or door prizes.
In years past it has been unseasonably warm and we have had some good turn outs. But as the seasons get cooler the attendance slacks.
This year (morning) it was in the high 30's when we left my house and really wasn't a bad ride. By the time we left to head back home it was a whopping 40 something degrees and made for a really nice ride
Cat and Stan
Cat and Luther
The Restaurant is one of the better ones in the area. Back a few years ago they used to hold bike night here and most everyone that rides knows where it is.
Hopefully next years ride will bring more people out and most of all will be as much fun as this one was.
This years Polar Bear Ride came off with out a hitch. We had a great turn out of four bikes and riders. Compared to last year (just me last year)
We started this when we realized that there weren't too many of the bikers in the area that rode in the cooler weather. And since it's normally agreed on that January 1st is one of the coldest days of the year. We figured that it would be a good way to see who all was still riding. Just a chance, if you weren't working or other wise preoccupied, to get out and ride on a crisp day and be counted.
We promote this event by word of mouth only and most people that I talk to about it cant seem to get the fact that it isn't a poker run or some other kind of organized event. It's real simple. You ride from your home to the Restaurant ( a minimum of 2 miles)and have lunch then go where ever, back home, to the mother in laws. Where ever. No rules or door prizes.
In years past it has been unseasonably warm and we have had some good turn outs. But as the seasons get cooler the attendance slacks.
This year (morning) it was in the high 30's when we left my house and really wasn't a bad ride. By the time we left to head back home it was a whopping 40 something degrees and made for a really nice ride
Cat and Stan
Cat and Luther
The Restaurant is one of the better ones in the area. Back a few years ago they used to hold bike night here and most everyone that rides knows where it is.
Hopefully next years ride will bring more people out and most of all will be as much fun as this one was.
Well, Thats my story and I guess I'll stick with it.
Catch ya on the road
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