Boog
Traveling Story Teller
- Joined
- Oct 17, 2013
- Messages
- 8,487
- Location
- Dumfries, Virginia
- Ride
- 2014 R3T, RAMAIR, Full Viking Dual exhaust
Back to the ‘different-than-Virginia’ biker beat; no helmet law here. Ok, plenty of folks do wear them none-the-less. But the ones who do not wear them usually wear no protection gear except maybe boots. I am not bagging on them so much as simply making the observation and knowing that this is nothing new to anyone who lives in a no helmet State. But what did surprise me was the large number of HOT ladies riding with little to nothing on. If you are a heterosexual male, this is a horrible distraction while driving. I had to park myself at several watering holes, (with a view of the street) just to be safe here. I will now accept punches for no pictures of the “cross-fit like” chicks on Harley bikes in their short-shorts and tank tops without bras: punch away. Honestly, I couldn’t get the darn phone out fast enough to take any; pants were too tight I suppose, dang these girls are pretty though.
On the road from Phoenix to Tucson on the first day, I saw the Kyle Petty bike for charity ride going by. They had several support trucks/RVs and full police escort. Looked like a few hundred bikes. This was their first day out from LA I think. One of the local motor cops was sitting on the side of the road while they passed then pulled out after the support trucks and almost dumped his bike. He was on a sport touring rig, I think a Honda ST 1300 and spun his tire in the dirt on the side of the road and when it hit pavement he almost became superman. He caught it though and sped ahead out of my site within seconds.
On another day, I saw a bike coming up from behind quite fast, (I was doing 80) and passed me like I standing still. He was on a Road King with no helmet or wind screen, and dried blood on his forehead about the size of an axe wound. I wonder what had hit him. At least he had cool sunglasses on.
I went by Buddy Stubb’s Harley dealership in north Phoenix one day to see about renting a bike. They are less expensive than Eagle Rider is but still outside my present budget. In the store they have a cool museum (it doesn’t open till 11am) that I would recommend you go see. I had to leave before it opened but there are many great old bikes inside. In the show room, they have two of Evil Knivel’s bikes, a HD and a Bonneville. They also have the bike from the movie Electra-glide in Blue.
Towards the end of the first week, I found I had some time off in the afternoons and took Herman up on his offer to lend me his ’07 Classic for a jaunt up Mt. Lemmon. From his Transmission shop to the village of Summerhaven is only about 47 miles. But the map said it would take nearly two hours to get there. I left his shop by the airport and worked my way through Tucson past Davis-Monthan AFB and up to the base of the mountain. Herman had forewarned me about the cops along the way and I did see several on the side of the road speaking with other motorists; I didn’t get to meet any of them though, seemed like nice guys.
Once I started up the slope, I noticed a large number of old hot rods coming down the hill.
Every make and model I could think of were out this Friday including old Bucket T’s and even a ratted out Willis; I could hear its blower before I could see it. It was tubbed out with 50’s under the back and a wheelie bar; nice car.
I stopped and took pictures along the way and must say that Herman’s bike is a photo hog; looks real good up against the various backdrops.
Just don’t venture behind the walls at the overlooks. Evidently others have been there before and marked their territory. **** flies were as big as sparrows…
At the village, I stopped and ate ribs at the Sawmill restaurant. Different than what I am accustomed to but very good. And, I like variety. I saw several other bikers that day in small groups or singles. Most of the HD crowd was sleeveless and no lids and the Wingers had ATGAT; must be culture. One of the HD pillions had the best set of blue jeans and wife beater combos ever. I don’t think her top could have been more see through if it were wet; bless her…
I didn’t stop on the way down except to let other folks get by me. Even though I am on a Rocket, I had no desire to zoom past the incredible vistas along the way. And going down the mountain was very different than going up as far as the views go. It was like a totally different ride.
And speaking of the ’07 Classic, I noted several differences in it and my R3T. First off, it is very light weight compared to my comfy couch. Herman’s bike is a little taller and with the shorter wheel base makes slow speed maneuvering much easier. The handle bars are higher and narrower than on mine and the hand grips are angled further forward on the outside. This seemed to give me the idea of a more aggressive posture. The bike is rougher but then again it is seven years older too. I felt quite comfortable taking the turns on the mountain with this bike and know I could have rode it much quicker if I wasn’t such a tourist and scenery gawker. I will say that I think I enjoy long rides better on my Touring though as it is pretty darn cushy. I didn’t miss my ABS either as these brakes were just fine on my little ride. Herman has the taller windscreen which took the most adjustment for me. I bumped my head several times getting on and looking through it was a new experience. I saw many ghosts within its curvature. (Thanks again Herman, I don’t think you know how big of a deal it was for me to ride that day).
Coming back to my room after the steak night, I caught up to two bikers around 9:30 pm on the freeway. The girl in back was on a Honda CBR 1000 and tucked in behind the wind screen nicely. Her pony tail was blowing way behind her head coming out from under the goggle strap she was wearing. She had on what looked like old school aviator goggles. She was wearing leather pants and a tank top and obviously work outs. I didn’t want to pass her by but figured I shouldn’t gawk as I might crash without either hand on the steering wheel. Her riding buddy must have been a body builder as he makes Lupe and Mighty Mouse look like Pee-Wee. This dude had shorts with tree trunks coming out the leg holes and a tank top as well and made his BMW S1000RR look incredibly tiny. I don’t normally mention a fellow but this dude’s arms were bigger around than my belly. I am glad I don’t have to pick him up and put him on a stretcher after the crash…
I also took my team to see the Casa Grande Ruins and some Petroglyths in a nearby Park when we weren’t working. As for work, most of it consisted of me lounging around in the shade.
Finally, a question for Lupe: just how much fiber is in Mexican food? If any of you other folks are having trouble going in the rest room, just come down to Buckeye and Gila Bend, AZ and eat with the locals. You won’t be stopped up for long…
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