As 2016 draws to a close

As 2016 draws to a close, family was always number one, including getting together and visits for  Christmas, birthdays, and vacations.  Kids, kids of kids, mother, brother, in-laws, and all. 

But life on two wheels was another major element in the year, providing excitement, riding with fellow veterans, and the annual road trip with my best friend Nick.  This year we road to the Hollister Independence Day Rally.

Some of the time in the saddle was spent supporting our active duty military and veterans with the Patriot Guard Riders.  Riding with fellow veterans, we are determined that our men and women in uniform and veterans will not be forgotten.

Some missions provided honors for either the fallen or a veteran.

 

Other missions joined the joyous celebrations in welcoming home Marines and sailors from deployments. 

On some days it was just the joy of being out on the bike, enjoying the quintessential American biker lifestyle, made easier by living in southern California with its great weather.  But whatever the reason for throwing a leg over the saddle, uppermost is the pride of being an American...an American veteran...a Marine.
 

Looking forward to more miles and smiles in 2017.

 

Giving to their community

As the nation digests the election results, life goes on.  The sun came up on the morning of 9 November and each day since.

One of those days was Saturday 12 November, characteristically sunny and warm in San Diego.  A large group of bikers, many of them veterans, didn't take advantage of the day to go to the beach, play golf, watch college football on TV, or simply laze around the house.  They set out to give back to their community and more.

After breakfast at the El Cajon Harley Davidson dealership, they rode in four groups to the Miramar National Cemetery, where they stopped to honor those laid to rest there.

Their next stop was the Marine Corps Reserve Center & Headquarters of the 4th Tank Battalion, where the bikers dropped off the hundreds of toys they had collected for the Marine Corps Reserves Toys for Tots Program.  A small dent in the overall goal of 58,000 toys for children in the San Diego region, but a dent nonetheless.

Before returning to the Harley dealership for lunch, at the request of Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sergeant Castillo, the bikers did a surprise slow ride by the home of the father of a fallen Marine.  By their action, the bikers were saying to this Gold Star family that the loss of their son and their sacrifice are not forgotten.

Unlike some who were protesting the election results in parts of the country, these bikers, veterans, and patriots came together for a purpose bigger than themselves, giving back to the community and a Gold Star parent.

Veterans from different eras

Military veterans from different eras have and are pursuing a virtually identical past time - motorcycling.

The warriors who came home from World War II, purchased bikes, and grouped together are not a lot different from those from the nation's recent wars who have followed suit.

They prefer to associate with those who share similar experiences, as well as unbounded patriotism.

The wording on t-shirt worn by one young vet captures it well.  "If my patriotism offends you, your lack of a spine offends me." 

The camaraderie they learned and depended upon while in uniform is found in their biker clubs of today.  

Along with the aforementioned camaraderie and patriotism, like their forefathers they believe in integrity, honesty, hard work, earning your way through life, straight talk, the Second Amendment, brotherhood, directness, freedom, reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, standing for the National Anthem, saluting the American flag, honoring the fallen, and having a good time together.

Even though from different generations decades apart, the two groups of veterans are amazingly alike.  And we certainly need more of them. 

Quintessentially American

Nothing better conveys the image of American independence better than the motorcycle.  

Whether it is the solo rider on the open road.

A group ride.

The iconic imagery of the American biker is linked to independence, freedom, patriotism, and, perhaps, a bit of rebellion.

Today our young veterans are gravitating to the biker lifestyle, just as their forefathers did at the end of World War II.  What began in Hollister in 1947 continues today in locales like Sturgis.

More and more clubs are being organized by the veterans and active duty military, in which they share common values and the love of the open road.  

Seen at rallies and events across the nation, their leathers and vests are adorned with American flags, military insignia, service ribbons, combat action ribbons, rank insignia, and patriotic statements.

Multiple generations of warriors, from Viet Nam to Iraq and Afghanistan, roll alongside one another.  

The quintessential expression of American independence. 

Hollister Independence Day Rally 2016

Over the years, one of our favorite road trip destinations was the Hollister Independence Day Rally.  Then reports came out telling of several years of challenges and difficulties, so it was crossed off our list of favorites.  Lately, reports indicated the Rally was back, due to the determined efforts of a small group.  Based on this good news, we chose Hollister and the Independence Day Rally as the destination for this summer's road trip.

As the above picture illustrates, the Rally is indeed back.

Seen above, the iconic watering hole Johnny's was lively and crowded throughout.  Though crowded, everyone was upbeat and biker camaraderie was the norm.

  
Just up the road is the Corbin factory, where the interested biker could get a seat custom made while waiting, as shown in the above.

One fun activity was checking out the personalized license plates, like the above pair.  Can you guess which belongs to a female biker?

And there were custom bike shows, like this one in front of the Veterans Memorial Building.

The weather cooperated, crowds were large, and    Americana was at its best, with the biker life prominently and proudly on display.

If already looking towards a road trip in 2017, recommend putting Hollister on your list of destinations.

 

Independence Day Motorcycle Rally

Soon we’ll be throwing our legs over the saddles, cranking up the bikes, and departing for the Hollister motorcycle rally.  As in years past, we were looking for a summer road trip.

After some discussion, we decided on the Hollister Rally, our third visit to this event.  Many are probably of the history of this a small town out in the boondocks of central California.  

Inland from Monterey and south of San Jose and the Bay area, in 1947 Hollister was the location of the now (in)famous “riot” that served as the basis for the Marlon Brando film “The Wild Bunch.”  By popular myth, it is also viewed as the birthplace of the American biker culture.  

In ’47, the bikers were World War II vets, joining together in various clubs, or “gangs” as the press called them.  However, like today’s veterans, they were not gangs, but like-minded and similarly experienced veterans associating with their brothers.

For that weekend in 1947, the American Motorcycle Association sanctioned a Gypsy Tour motorcycle rally in Hollister.  Reports differ widely and dramatically, but it is understood many more bikers showed up than expected, with riders coming from all over.   

Some reliable reports indicate a few guys got out of hand, though the press (the fore fathers of the mainstream media?) wildly exaggerated the situation.  Though some bikers roared up and down the town’s roads, and drank in all of the welcoming bars, various sources indicated afterwards that it wasn’t as bad as made out to be by a largely absent press after the fact.   

For good or bad, truth or fiction, the legend of the Hollister riot began.  Indisputably, however, the American biker image began to take shape and the foundation for the biker life style was laid. 

The Hollister Rally had been taking place off and on over July 4^th for a number of years.  After attending two previous rallies, we’d read about issues plaguing the events.  Apparently, the rally didn’t occur for a few years, then suffered some problems during half-baked attempts to resurrect it.  Lately, however, it seems to be back in is previous well-organized and successful form. 

  

Hollister is about 45 miles southeast of San Jose (do you know the way to San Jose?) and about halfway between I-5 and the Pacific Ocean, off Route 101 and southeast of Gilroy.  So this year we will drop anchor in Gilroy.  What do you mean you’ve never heard of Gilroy?   It is only the garlic capital of the world!   

Hollister is a really, really small town in one of the warmer parts of central California.  Thankfully the weather forecasts are for decent temperatures during the rally.

One important aspect of the biker life style is recognizing the dramatic differences in operating a bike with one or more other riders.  When driving a car, following someone to a destination, it is relatively straightforward and easy.  Just get behind the other guy, maintain a reasonable distance, point the car, and go.  Step on the slanted peddle to go and rectangular pedal to stop.  Most often other drivers see you and you see them.  Nothing to it, right?  On bikes it is a totally different proposition. 

For example, while physically possible to ride side-by-side on most freeways, it isn’t necessarily safe to do so.  Consequently, experienced riders often ride in staggered formations, leaving fore and aft and side-to-side space between the bikes.   

Safety is paramount when on a bike, because from a frontal or rear perspective, a motorcycle is about one-third of the width of a car.  From the side, a bike is less than 50% of the length of an average car.  So a good rider pays attention to riding safely. 

Another factor is the impact of heat on the motorcyclist.  Riding in the heat is miserable.  Though probably wearing a light t-shirt, the sun and heat from the bike and the pavement beat on you.  And your head is encased in a helmet, which retains the heat.  The air moving across your body at freeway speeds provides some relief, but there comes a point where it is just absolutely miserable.  There is no other way to describe it.  Therefore, planning travel times and routes to avoid excessive heat is important. 

Packing for a road trip also deserves some specific comment.  Again, it isn’t at all like grabbing a couple of suitcases, throwing in everything you think you might need, and stuffing them into the back of a car.  On a bike you are limited to a small bag strapped to the sissy bar and a couple of saddlebags.  Not a lot of cubic inches, so good judgment is paramount.  Since it is likely you’ll encounter various weather types, clothing for cold-to-cool-to-warm-to-hot is needed.  

 This includes short and long gloves, helmet, goggles, and chaps (leather leggings to cover the legs).  And the leather jacket.  Add to these bulky items the shaving kits, parts/tools/oil for the bike, and ball caps, there really isn’t much space remaining for much more than basic attire, comprised of the ever-present blue jeans, skivvies, socks, shirts, swimsuit, and some half-way decent attire to wear when going out for a bite to eat.  With practice and experience, you can judiciously pack for a motorcycle road trip. 

As of this writing, our routing north through L.A. is undecided.  Hitting the I-210 to intersect SR-134 and ultimately Route 1/101 (Pacific Coast Highway) is preferred, even though a longer distance, because it avoids the perpetual mess of I-405.  However, temperatures through the inland empire are forecast to be in the 90s and possible low 100s, definitely something to avoid.  The alternative is timing our departure to miss the worst of the 405.  This can mean, nevertheless, hitting slow – if not stop and go – traffic, another pain on a bike.

OK, most of you have done stop and go traffic and know it’s a bitch.  But unless or until you do it on a motorcycle, you have no idea just how much of a total bitch it can be.  Clutch in, clutch out.  Feet up, feet down.  Oh yeah, motorcycles don’t stand by themselves when stopped.  You either have to put down the kickstand (unrealistic in traffic) or put one or both feet down.  It becomes a pain really, really fast.  Add to that the fumes from the cars and trucks around you, the heat, and discomfort and it is not what “Easy Rider” looked like.  When possible, plan to avoid heavy traffic and stop and go conditions. 

When on the road like this, you can’t carry on a conversation with your buddy.  Wind noise and distance make it impossible.  So you are left with your thoughts, together with paying close attention to the road conditions and other vehicles.  In a way it is a type of solitude in the midst of everything going around you.  It is easy to get mentally lost in the beauty around you, when conditions permit, which are heightened because of riding the bike.  As previously described, you aren’t encased in a car, with climate control and a stereo.  You are pretty much one with the environment.  But in traffic, it is imperative to remain focused on the task at hand. 

Once we get to the coastal area of Santa Monica, etc., the route and ride will be much, much more enjoyable.

Not too long before we are enjoying that part of the ride.

Memorial Day 2016

Memorial Day 2016 will see thousands of bikers converge on Washington, DC to participate in Rolling Thunder.  Starting with staging in the north parking lot of the Pentagon (brings back memories of being one of the first in and last out of that lot during my time there 1993-1997).

Once the ride begins, it will be hours before the last bikes cross over the bridge into our nation's capital.

Along the route, the riders will pass Marine Staff Sergeant Chamberlain, nicknamed "The Saluting Marine."

Some will have ridden thousands of miles to participate in this uniquely American expression of patriotism. 

Like those in Run for the Wall.

Lest no one ever forget our fallen, POWs, or those for whom there is no accounting.

Marine Corps brotherhood on bikes for a great cause

Last Saturday, beginning in a little town about 20 miles north of Camp Pendleton, the Brotherhood of Marine Corps Riders (BMCR) hosted their 12th Annual Semper Fi Fund Poker Run.

Registration took place in the parking lot for the Chopper Gallery in Temecula.  On the initially overcast morning, the prevalence of Marine Corps and veteran patches was uplifting for this gray beard retired Marine.

Just as was the banter common among and between Marines.  

This morning the banter was familiar and comfortable, as the gathered Marines are also bikers.  While no excuse is really needed for a real biker to throw a leg over the saddle, dropping down $20 for the entry in a poker run supporting the Semper Fi Fund was a no brainer for these Marines.  Semper Fi is short for Semper Fidelis -- Always Faithful -- the world renowned motto of the United States Marine Corps.  What could be better than riding with fellow Marines in support of the indisputably best military charity?

In addition to registering, getting the first card for the poker draw, and grabbing a fat pill (also known as doughnuts), it was shaking hands, slapping backs, and acknowledging one another.  Then it was time to crank up the bikes and head onto the route for the next four stops, drawing a card at each and ending up in Winchester for a BBQ lunch.

Riding along some of the best biking roads in region, as evidenced by countless other bikes we encountered, my favorite stop was the Round Up, located by an RV park overlooking Lake Henshaw.  Nice little restaurant that seems to cater to bikers, since it is open only Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

From there, it was only two stops to the Wild West Arena, where the lunch was superb (beef, ribs, salmon).  Predictably, my poker hand was miserable, but it didn't matter.  I had spent the day riding with my best friend since grade school and shared the event and roads with fellow Marine bikers, all in support of the Semper Fi Fund.  Doesn't get any better than that. 

Hollister - the original motorcycle rally

My best buddy and I decided we’d attend the Hollister Rally this year. We've been before and are looking forward to returning.

It's likely many are unaware of the history of Hollister, a small town out in the boondocks of central California. Inland from Monterey and south of San Jose and the Bay area, in 1947 Hollister was the location of the now famous “riot” that served as the basis for the Marlon Brando film “The Wild Bunch.” By popular myth, it is also viewed as the birth of the American biker culture.

The bikers were World War II vets, who joined in various clubs, or "gangs," as the press called them. The American Motorcycle Association sanctioned a Gypsy Tour motorcycle rally in Hollister that weekend in 1947. While reports differ widely, it is generally agreed that many more bikers showed up than were expected, with folks coming from all over. Some reports indicate a few guys got out of hand, though the press wildly exaggerated the situation.

Though the bikers roared their bikes up and down the town’s roads and drank in all of the welcoming bars, various sources indicated later that it wasn’t as bad as made out to be by the press after the fact. For good or bad, however, the legend of the Hollister riot had begun. Inarguable, however, was the fact that the American biker image had begun to take shape and the foundation for the biker life style had been laid. The Hollister Rally has been taking place over on and off over July 4th for a number of years.

And the term “1%’ers” actually has its origins in the American Motorcycle Association (AMA) sanctioned Gypsy Tour motorcycle rally in Hollister that weekend in 1947. As discussed earlier, there was a so-called riot that received plenty of bad press. To counter the bad press, the AMA published an article declaring 99% of its members are law abiding and only 1% were the outlaws who created the problems. In protest, some of the groups cut their patches into three pieces, which now have great significance in the biker world. Thus began the definition of the one percenters. It has become synonymous with outlaw. Other, more conventional biker clubs use one-piece patches, which usually identify a riding club, AMA sanctioned club, political action, or biker rights club.

I did a bit of research and found the LA Times carried a story estimating 60,000 bikers enjoyed the three days of the last Hollister we attended.

60,000 bikes at an average cost of $20,000 each equals $1,200,000,000. Over a billion dollars, just in bikes alone. What an impressive display of American consumers in action. Impressive by any measure. And it isn’t the largest motorcycle rally. During the same research, I checked out Sturgis 2010, also known as the Black Hills Motorcycle Rally, which we attended. According to Motorcycleusa.com, Rally Director Brenda Vasknetz estimated 600,000 people attended Sturgis in 2010. There are far more couples at Sturgis than at Hollister, so I needed to come up with a way to approximate the number of bikes. For general purpose and based on personal observations, I assumed 85% of the bikers were solo, leaving 15% having a passenger. Based on these estimates, that works out to 555,000 bikes. Using the same figure from above, 555,000 bikes at an average of $20,000 per bike means there was over eleven billion dollars worth of bikes at Sturgis in 2010. Now that is really impressive!

Wonder how many bikes will be heading to Hollister this year? We will be there and look forward to the rally. Hope to see fellow veterans and Marines walking and riding the streets.

Sunday time in the saddle

Lifelong friends are in town for an extended stay. So we took advantage of the nice weather for us guys to hit the road on our Harleys, leaving the gals to chat and catch up. The destination was Descanso, so we stopped in at the Descanso Junction Restaurant for lunch.

If you've not been there, the motif is decidedly western.
 
But as we bikers like to say, it's not the destination, it's the ride. And on this day I was riding with my best buddy since our grade school days, having first met back in the late 1950s. Avid bikers, we have rolled together to Sturgis, Hollister, and other interesting places in the western United States. Sometimes our wives have shared the adventures. At other times it has just been the two of us.

Today was the first time we have shared the road since September 2014, so just gearing up and mounting up on the bikes was great. It wasn't a long ride by any means, as we headed out east on I-8 for a relatively short trip. After passing Alpine and climbing into the local mountains, the temperatures dropped, so we were happy with the decision to wear full leathers.

Running at freeway speeds as the traffic thinned, we climbed a few thousand feet as the freeway headed towards the state line. Taking Exit 40, we were soon parking the bikes at the restaurant.

It is one of those places that is just plain comfortable, with food at decent value. While enjoying our meal over cups of coffee, we mused about all the similar places we have visited during the rides we've shared over the past 16 years. Local watering holes known for their decent food at decent prices. Like the one outside of Cheyenne, Wyoming.

For these two gray beards, all was right in the world this afternoon. On the Harleys with best friends and sharing a comfortable ride to enjoy lunch and conversation.

Riding is relaxing

Some might not think so, but riding is relaxing.  It doesn't have to be in an organized event, such as departing on Run for the Wall 2015 shown above.  Or escorting the Wall that Heals depicted below.

It can simply be a matter of rolling along on the open road, like this picture.

Riding is relaxing.  It can be solo or with friends.  Preferably in decent weather, but not exclusively.  Just cranking up the ride and hitting the road is cause for smiles.  

Sure, there is a bit of the biker mystique combined with the inherent freedom of the road.  And there is definitely more patriotism encountered in the biker community.  All of these factors add to the relaxation that comes from all being right when in the saddle and grabbing some throttle.

It is time to relax.

UPDATE:  It is sunny and reached 80 degrees today, quite a contrast with the snow falling in the midwest.  As the day comes to a close, I am really, really relaxed.  It was a joy being out on the bike today.  Even though a little breezy, riding under blue skies in warm temperatures was about as good as it gets.

The sun was out, as were the Harleys.

The sun was out, as were the Harleys.  The Harley Davidson Demo fleet was parked at El Cajon Harley Davidson, providing an excellent excuse for ignoring politics to enjoy some miles and smiles.  Here is a picture of the semi that is hauling the bikes around.

And here is a picture of the 2016 bikes lined up between demo rides.

Despite forecasts of rain for late Saturday into Sunday and Monday, the sun was out and BBQ pulled pork sandwiches were available.  Chatted with old friends and met some new ones, including fellow veterans.  The biker lifestyle was alive and well.

And all was right with the world.

Smiles and miles on the Harley

Too much time worrying about the election and those seeking office.  Time to return to those activities that produce smiles.

In addition to time with my wife, family, and friends, it is time to mount up and put some miles on the bike.

I'd go riding with my wife, but she has tennis.

I'd go riding with friends, but they are on their way to Texas for the birthday celebration for one of their grand daughters.

So I'll clean up, gas up, and mount up on my current ride.  Then hit the road solo.

For some miles and smiles, here in sunny southern California, all will be right. All will make sense.  And all will be patriotic.  

Sun, road, miles, and smiles on a Harley.