August 2019

I’m effing ready

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Yeah, I’m ready. I’ve still got about 2 1/2 weeks to go, but I’m ready now.

Leading a group of 20 people is a lot different than riding by yourself. Riding alone is cake: Make sure your wallet has money in it, make sure it wont fall out, and get a good set of maps and you’ll figure it out en route. Some of my favorite rides the decision on which direction to explore happened at the intersection. Those are good times.

For the tour, you gotta be ready. I’ve never been a GPS guy, but I forked out for a good one and got everything ready. Took a CPR class, peed in a cup and had it tested, filled out the paperwork.

I feel like I’m all dressed up and ready to go. I live for this stuff. I almost can’t believe I’m getting *Paid* to do it.

I probably won’t have a lot of time on the road, so I’ll be blogging it when I get home. I’ve had a facebook page for the blog for a while, and I’ve never really used it but figured I can at least post pictures each night. https://www.facebook.com/EasyRiderRoute66/ is that page —

Yeah, I’m effing fired up.

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Morganza Easy Rider 50th Anniversary

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EASY RIDER 50TH from LA Rider on Vimeo.

I think they’re gearing up for a helluva bash. They’ll be riding from the death scene in Krotz springs, into Morganza, and then down to Franklin I hear, who’s also been doing some good stuff for the 50th.

My friend Jim Leonard is bringing his huge collection of easy rider memorabilia, including an exact replica Captain America and Billy Bike, which are 100% Spot on. Peter Fonda told me that Jim’s Captain America bike was the most accurate replica he’d ever seen. Jims collection is pretty impressive.

They’ve got a Band coming, and the Sheriff and some of the girls from the Cafe Scene will be there. They’re doing this one right.

The gig is on Saturday, but I’ll be coming through with the Tour on Monday.

I think I love Morganza 🙂

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Peter Fonda Dead at the Age of 79

5 Comments / Easy Rider / /

I just got home from work, and saw that Peter Fonda has died at the age of 79 from lung cancer.

A nod to the man who produced and came up with the idea of Easy Rider. I’m glad he made it to the 50th anniversary of a movie that hit a nerve of the times, rocked the movie making establishment and inspired me at a young age to ride.

I’ve always had mixed feelings about Fonda, to be honest. Some of the things he did I loved, others I hated. Some of those things, I put in the book.

But, at the end of the day he made a helluva film that inspired me, and I gotta say in a way, had a pretty big influence on the direction of my life. It Was Easy Rider that inspired me to buy my first street bike, and start exploring the country.

I have some things I want to say, but now isn’t the time other than to say Rest in Peace sir, and thank you.

https://www.tmz.com/2019/08/16/peter-fonda-dead-dies/

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Morganza Louisiana is Easy Rider USA.

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51 years ago in 1968, Dennis Hopper and his brother in law went out scouting for locations for a low budget movie called Easy Rider. The job was to scout the locations and report back to the crew. Between Taos New Mexico and New Orleans, They found Morganza Louisiana. On the edge of the Mississippi river, Morganza is a small, sleepy little southern Town, with not much of anything around it. In the heart of town, was a local cafe called Melanchon’s. It was perfect for the film.

They originally had hired a local acting troupe lined up to play in the Movie, but upon arrival, Dennis decided the locals were a better fit. It was in Morganza that the famous Cafe Scenes were filmed.

Over 3 days they filmed in Morganza.

The town has never forgotten it.

They’ve been doing various events over the last year commemorating Easy Rider and next month they’re doing a big Easy Rider Festival.

I’ve gotten to know this crew a little bit over the years, and I love these guys. The gal who is spearheading this is a firecracker, and a helluva sweet lady. They’ve got some good stuff planned.

Worth checking out, this one should be a blast. Meet some of the people in the movie, and they’ve got a few more surprises. If you’re an ER fan, this is a must see.

Go Morganza!

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Roadside Prophets

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I came across a bike movie yesterday that I’ve never seen; Roadside Prophets. I can’t believe I missed it back in the day. I rented it on YouTube last night to check it out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hh3_x3mr_M8

It’s bad. Haha, really bad. But I ate the whole thing up. John Doe from one of my favorite old Punk Bands was in it, as well as Timothy Leary, Arlo Guthrie, David Carradine and John Cusack. From what I could tell, only David Carradine could actually act.

But I’m a sucker for a motorcycle movie. If I’m not riding, its nice to see people riding on an open road somewhere. The places they rode were my old stomping grounds; Amboy and Barstow California, Pioche, Ely and Jackpot Nevada. The roadrunner cafe was in it.

Check it out if you get a minute. A pretty decent road movie, and mildly entertaining. I was wincing in spots, and its the kind of movie I was convinced I only need to see once, but I’ll more than likely end up buying the damn thing to watch it again.

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