July 2019

A thought about America.

A day or so ago, I talked to this lady on the phone.

Man, she went on and on about Trump, America and how we’d screwed things up. We don’t have 2 weeks vacation just provided to us; we don’t have national health care, etc… she kind of rambled.

Then she went to pay for the product she wanted. Her country charges a 20% tax. It was something she didn’t want to pay. She wanted to use a US address, to bypass having to pay that tax.

Heh, socialism. I just thought it was interesting.

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Easy Rider tour 2019

For the last 20 years, Easy Rider has kinda been a hobby of mine. A fun as hell hobby, with an excuse to ride somewhere, and see a thing. I’ve ridden the separate locations and back a bunch of times. Its rare I can get the opportunity to ride them all in one shot.

In 2013 EagleRider called me when they launched the Official Easy Rider Inaugural Tour of which I was a consultant. Man, It was a blast. I made some great friends on that tour, and I enjoyed the hell out of it.

In 2015 I was able to do it again, this time as a tour Guide. It was a whole different beast sitting in the Captains chair. Other than the locations, there were a few things I wasn’t quite prepared for, so it didn’t go as smooth as I wanted. I’ve been chomping at the bit to do it again, with what I learned on that tour.

A couple of days ago, EagleRider called me and asked if I’d lead it again. I quickly said yes. A two week tour covering 7 states.

I’m fired up. Man, I’m beyond fired up. With one under my belt, we’re going to do this one right for the 50th anniversary. I’ve got a few things up my sleeve that I’ve never shown anyone; and a few surprises are in motion that should make this a helluva good tour. We are gonna have some fun.

https://www.eaglerider.com/guided-motorcycle-tours/eagleriders-easy-rider-movie-tour-inspired-by-the-major-motion-picture-easy-rider

We leave September 18th. 15 bikes are booked and ready to go, and 4 more slots are open. Wanna go?

I think the thing I like the most about these tours is the friends I’ve made. Something happens when a group of strangers ride together for 2 weeks; The heat of death Valley, the cool water of the Colorado river, the pines of Arizona; The hotels, the food; the unexpected stuff that comes your way, The laughter and the beers at the end of the day; It creates a bond that is unique. You make a lifelong friendship with people that I think only people who have been in battle together understand. It’s a helluva lot of fun, and memories you never forget.

It’s going to be one for the books.

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Easy Rider 50th Anniversary

On July 14th, 1969 Easy Rider premiered. It had been a hit a month earlier at the Cannes film festival, and was a surprise hit when it opened up to theaters 50 years ago, almost to the day.

I’ve never seen it in the theaters, it came out when I was 3 years old. But that damn movie has had an impact on my life. Not because of Peter Fonda’s message, but because it had motorcycles in it.

I was a young rider at the time, brand fucking new in fact.

The tagline of Easy Rider was “A man went looking for America, and never found it”.

He found it; I just think he didn’t recognize it. It was there, the whole damn time. I’ve ridden where he rode, he just saw something different than I found.

So tomorrow, I’m going to see the movie in the theater. I’ve never done that. Remade in 4k high definition. I’m kinda stoked about it.

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