mrzip66

I was raised by wolves. Very kind, very nurturing wolves. I love riding to a town a just barely learned the name of on a Friday, making a decision at the intersection to get myself lost 1000 miles away from home on a Saturday, and trying to figure out how the hell I can get home on a Sunday. Just ride a place and see a thing.

The Beatles: Abbey Road – Then and Now

abbey Road BeatlesIt’s still my favorite Beatles album.   I gotta think that “something” is my favorite song of all songs.   The fab four had been to the top, and we’re starting to break up, but even with all the tension in the band they made some of the most beautiful songs ever.    John and Paul had carried the band for the early part of the decade, but George and even Ringo were starting to come through with their own styles as song writers themselves.

Yeah, what a great album.

Check this out.    If you’re a people watcher, this is kind of cool.   Its  the Abbey Road Live Web Cam, with audio and everything.     Right now, people are trying to re-create this iconic picture from 1969.    Some do it over and over.   Some don’t dare.   Some watch.

I’m easily amused.

 

The Beatles: Abbey Road – Then and Now Read More »

This is the day

I’m an 80’s kid.   I’ll admit it.   Born in the 60’s, but those formidable teenage years were in the 80’s.   For the most part, I had nothing but a whole lotta fun.

Moving again.   I got two more moving days:   this one, and the next one.    The next one, I’ll be able to get a loan after a few years of shit, bankruptcy and a few lessons.   Next year, me and the missus can get a loan and put down some roots.    I can’t lie,  that’ll be a great day.   We’re both a little older and a little wiser.

This is the day….

This is the day Read More »

Happy Independence day!

o-AMERICAN-FLAG-facebookIn 1776, a few guys with some great big balls sent a list of grievances to the king of England.   Knowing what it meant, they declared their independence.    That letter reached England, and the shit hit the fan.

Kudos to our founding fathers.   They fought for it, and ending up founding  a nation with some pretty cool governing principles.     It was an  experiment in government:  Something that hadn’t been done before, or since.

In my eyes, it was visionary.

Happy 4th of July to all you biker pricks out there 🙂

 

Happy Independence day! Read More »

Guy on a Buffalo

A guy on a buffalo bears no explanation.    It’s a guy, on a buffalo.    I gotta think, steering a buffalo might be a bitch.      The whole thing made me laugh.

Changed the back tire on the Road king.   It had run its course.

2014-06-24 23.35.43

 

wrenching on your own bike is a religious experience.     The MOCO wants $350 for a back tire replacement.    Hell, they want $500 to do a 10,000 mile oil change.    I’ve had enough kids out of some bike school who barely care wrench on my bike, and nobody cares more than I do.   Found a killer price from Rocky Mountain ATV, who happens to live a few miles south of me, so I got a new back tire for $125.

Tomorrow, we ride.

 

Guy on a Buffalo Read More »

East Canyon

Every year since I’ve been married, my wife’s family has a family reunion at the Lions Lodge in Morgan Utah.      The last few years I’ve tried to make a ride out of it if I could.    A few beautiful canyons, a lake and just a really enjoyable ride separate  where I live from the camp spot, and last saturday I headed that way, like I’ve done the last 24 years.     At the last minute I put on my windshield and threw my leathers in my saddlebags, and I was glad I did.    It got colder than hell for a June when I hit the summit in Park City.

There’s always been a loose guideline with my girls that when they turn 11,  we go on a long ride.   Wendy and Megan have done thousands of miles on a bike, and when Bri turned 11 she told me it was her turn.   She hadn’t ridden as much with me, and I was pretty happy and proud that she’d remembered.   I gotta think the small moments like that are what they’ll remember, at least I hope so.   It was with me, and my dad.

2014-06-14 11.59.53

 

The weather up here is dumb.   I’m still not used to wearing a jacket in June, let alone leathers.    It was threatening rain, but very little dropped.    Just a typical northern Utah cold front in spring I guess.

East Canyon is awesome.   Some history here.    I drank in what I could and tried to learn a thing from historical markers.    I wanted to hit the Kozy Cafe in Echo to see if they still had their shingle out for business, but I decided to get to the reunion.    I’d be really surprised if the Kozy is still open.   Another time…

The reunion was fun.    Bri was excited to ride, so we headed back sunday morning.   Her first 100 mile ride.    She’s a pro, just like her sisters.    A cool moment for me.

East Canyon
Bri at the summit.  
Harley East Canyon Ride
She’s ready for a long ride now methinks.
Big Mountain East Canyon Utah
Took some moments to try and teach some of the history of the area.

Great little ride.   She had fun and so did I.   I got good kids.

She’s ready for a long weekend ride methinks.    Her vote is Disneyland 🙂

2 days, 4 counties, 170 miles

East Canyon Read More »

Annual Family Reunion

A weekend long family reunion in the mountains is a cheap excuse for a ride.     Missus Zip is already up there.  I promised her I’d get up there fast tomorrow, but I’m sure she knows me better than that.     2 of my kids have jobs and responsibilities and can’t go, which is how it should be at their age.

East Canyon is a beautiful ride.   A great ride to just take your time….Up through the aspens, and great turns as you head into Morgan County.     I look forward to this part.   Just me and my bike.    88 miles in 6 hours.    I’m gonna stop at any little thing of interest.   Take a picture of that view.   Breathe.    Drink in the scenery.    Enjoy that sweeping curve.     Bark at that douche bag on his pedal bike for being in the middle of the road when he doesn’t need to be.   Round a lake.   Hit that side road that I’ve always wondered about.   Stop at every historical marker that someone made in 1962.

Shit, now  I can’t wait.    A good ride is a beautiful thing.  It’s warm up here, and the windshield is stored away for a while.

My youngest is 11, and I’ll pack a helmet and some sunglasses for her so she can ride back with her Dad.    An opportunity.   I gotta think those are the moments they’ll remember, at least I hope so.   She’s a good kid.

 

 

Annual Family Reunion Read More »

Ronald Reagan nailed it for me, just now. I think he said this 35 years ago.

I think its why all my best friends are bikers.    The concept of freedom isn’t lost there, and they have the balls to fight and protect it if need be.

I’m a Ronald Reagan Guy, always have been.   Love this clip.

 

Read More »