I first saw Easy Rider about 35 years ago — I gotta say, it had an impact on my life. At least, it changed the direction of my life. Not because of a social statement, or because I wanted to be a a hippie, or anything like that. It changed the trajectory of my life because I wanted to see things. The idea that you could ride around the country on a motorcycle, looking for adventure and whatever came my way just seemed like something I wanted; err, I *Had* to do.
I was living in Long Beach California at the time. The very next day, I bought my first Street bike, and I started riding the hell out of it.
Around January of this year, I got an email from Author Steven Bingen asking me if I wanted to be involved in a book he was writing about Easy Rider. I said yes.
The book came out November 1st. Steven is a stand up guy, and a really good author. I like his style: he’s a natural born historian and has written several books about the studio system in Hollywood and just seems to know his shit. We went back and forth a bit, but he seemed like a guy I could trust to give my info to.
Anyway, my name is on a book. The first printing is out on Hardcover on Amazon right now. I’m kind of fired up about it.
Hope to see it soon!
Congrats! Spoke to my friend Dean Derouen about the picture of our bikes in front of the Cafe… seems it made it into history, too
Hey Channing, email me your address — I’ll send you a copy of the book!
Easyrider, is the movie that inspired me to build choppers in my early teens. It also has afforded me the recent purchase of a 1962 Panhead / rigid frame / chopper. (Basket case) This fulfills a school boy dream of owning a Harley-Davidson created the same year as myself. Turned 60 a fortnight ago. I hope to ride those very roads Wyatt & Billy did back in the day! ✌️😎👌
Love this site you’ve put together. Came across your name in an article I read in a German motorcycle magazine called Custom Bike Online. It told the most comprehensive history of the movie Easy Rider that I’ve ever seen & read the ink offa the pages! Then researched your name & came across a cool video about your homage to Easy Rider & really dug the Hopper video where he meets himself 30 years later. I’m a bit of an Easy Rider movie aficionado. I’ve ridden many of the same roads, stopped at the same towns & seen the same sites that the mythical Billy & Wyatt passed in their search for America. Lemme know if ya do any Easy Rider rides in the future. I definitely would be interested…
Peace & Harley Grease, ~Flash~