Its funny watching biker trends. It’s like any other mainstream culture. Right now, its rat rod bikes — pans, knuckles and shovels as cheap as you can; retro bikes 60’s and 70’s style. I see em’ on the the freeway with a gas can strapped in with a bungee cord because they’re riding with a 2 gallon peanut gas tank… Baggers and choppers are out, rat rods are in.
In 2003, this was the thing: custom choppers and these guys were in the right place at the right time. I watched the show, and even bought the entire DVD set.
OCC is trying to make a come back: It’s kind of cool.
Kinda sucks. While I gotta admit I never really liked the looks of Victory bikes, they were an American made bike and from what I’ve heard, they were really well made. The capitalist in me loved the fact that competition is good for the marketplace. I have several friends who ride them, and loved them. With the experience they had they re-launched the Indian Brand, which they plan to focus on more now.
This thing though: Erg…. Dayum this was an ugly bike. They say they are really nice, but man….
After summing up the bank account between the move and Christmas, it was pretty clear I was to stay home last weekend. No exploring here. I changed the oil in the bike and ended up getting sucked into a Breaking Bad marathon, and just relaxed. It was fairly awesome. Overall, not a bad holiday weekend as holiday weekends go.
I thought I’d make a blog post, either way.
I keep thinking about the differences between Utah and Arizona, and maybe a few other states I’ve been to. Since I’m a road hound, the biggest comparison is how people drive in different states. I figgered I’d throw em out on the blog, for your perusal and insightful comments.
Some random thoughts:
The first thing I noticed here is that Arizona drivers are WAY nicer than Utah drivers. There’s just no comparison. I was almost shocked when I would signal, and people would back off and let me over. Coming from Utah, this is a revolutionary thing, at least to me. Here, its just being polite. I figured it out after a couple of days; its made me a better driver. After all, we’re all in this thing together.
Arizona Drivers get up to speed before they take over a lane, or wait for a big gap in traffic to merge. Again, not the Utah way. Its fucking beautiful. You may have no idea how much this effects your commute and traffic flow.
In my one month here, I’ve yet to see a guy in a jacked up F-250 truck with a pair of aluminum gonads hanging from his trailer hitch that darted in and out of traffic looking for that one single edge that was going to get him to his destination 4 minutes early (Ok, i’ve seen one… but I gotta think he was legitimately late for something). I could ramble on, but I’d challenge anyone to say that Utah drivers are more polite than Arizona Drivers.
Texas has the most polite drivers of any state I’ve been in. In Texas, if someone is passing faster than you, that driver will get over for you. It’s southern hospitality, or the way you were raised or something, I swear. Maybe Texas is so big, no one is in a hurry and just enjoys the moment. Either way, Texas has the best drivers in the union.
The states with the 2 highest speed limits in the US are Texas and Utah. One just drives more politely so traffic runs much more smoothly. Utah could learn a thing from Texas and Arizona.
New Mexico and Kansas have the worst speed limits on the planet. New mexico I swear has 15 signs for a curve that drops you 5 MPH in speed. Kansas is like central Utah, only with no mountains . Thank God they have twisters, because that at least makes things interesting.
I avoid southern California as much as I can, so I dare should say if I like their drivers and speed limits. I suppose they’re good drivers, but they’re high on weed/art/Nancy Pelosi… something…
Where you live — How do they drive? I’d seriously love to know.
Happy New years! I’m not doing anything major this weekend. Hanging out with the family, and getting ready for 2017. I can’t wait. It’s gonna be a fucking epic year methinks.
What a year. I’m still trying to sum it all up, but what I do know is how good I have it. Life is good; my family is all here, I have a great job and there’s people about my life who love me and I love them. I’m not sure what else a person could ask for.
My Christmas:
My bike got an oil change:
I don’t want or need for much, so I asked for Oil for my bike. Oil drains better in a hot engine, so it was excuse to go for a ride on Christmas Day; I was just glad it was 55 degrees when most of the people I know were shoveling snow off their porches.
I’m a king I tell ya.
There’s a lot of Arizona still to see. It’s always better when you know your bike is in order. Mine is now.
We had a great Christmas here at the Zip home. This is my favorite time of the year.
So the plan is, to go riding for a couple of days after Christmas. Like, go get lost somewhere in southern Arizona riding. Pack a tent, take a bag, point the bike and see what happens kind of riding. It’s been too damn long. So much has happened the last 2 months that It’ll be nice to take a break and go explore some. I’m really right where I want to be, and I want to come out swinging for 2017.
Last weekend I was sick and didn’t get a chance to explore much, other than take US 60 East and found and old bypassed section of roads and tunnels I couldn’t get to in a car because of being blocked off. I measured the barriers, and I’m pretty sure my bike will fit between them. Maybe Ill get the balls and go explore those. I more than likely will. Curiosity killed this cat.
I think I’ll head east toward Globe AZ and down toward the old copper mining town of Bisbee and maybe over to Tombstone AZ. Really, I don’t care. Everything is a new road now, and I’ll eventually see those places. I just want to ride, take a deep breath and enjoy Arizona a little bit.
I hope all you biker pricks are having a Merry Christmas so far!
The weather down here just inspires riding, especially in the winter. It’s been over 70 degrees the last 2 weekends, and after finally having everything somewhat settled I had a chance to point the bike toward a new road. I could hardly wait.
Scouting the perimeter: Luckily, my wife knows I need to do it, even though she gives me a hard time about the saying. Its maybe the biggest reason I moved to Arizona, as there is a whole lot of perimeter to scout.
I headed west through Phoenix and then a little south, toward Arlington Arizona. I had somewhat of a destination in mind.
The Gillespie Dam – Built for flood control and irrigation by a local rancher in 1920 to tame the Gila RiverCars crossing the river on the skirt of the dam – 1920s
In the early days, cars used to have to cross the river at the base of the dam, which could be impossible during heavy runoff or floods.
In 1927, they finally built a bridge with the advent of the US HIghway commission. It was the longest steel structure in Arizona at the time. The road later became US Highway 80 and connected Savannah Georgia to San Diego California.
In 1993, with unusually heavy rainfall the Gillespie dam failed. It was never rebuilt, and the bridge was unaffected.
I found the fucker. I’m a sucker for an old Rusty Bridge.
The Gillespie Dam Bridge.
She’s a beautiful old Gal. Fun to ride.
The Breached Gillespie Dam, unchanged since 1993. The Gila River had it’s way, as rivers usually do.
Remnants of old Highway 80 in Arizona.
The ride through old Highway 80 was a really nice ride. Not much traffic as it goes into Gila Bend. I was just scouting the perimeter, so I’m pretty sure I’ll be back as I noticed a lot of side roads I’d missed, old towns I’d bypassed and historic markers I wasn’t sure I’d have time to stop and read. It’s why you scout the perimeter, or at least why I do: when you go back, there’s always something new to see, learn and wonder about.
I figure it’s winter down here, so Ill see what I can in the southern end of the state while it’s still cool enough to see it. Come summer, I’m going to want to head north toward route 66 and flagstaff where I don’t get heat stroke.
The ride through the Sonoran desert National Monument was beautiful. I need more days. I wasn’t ready to go home.
