Random Thoughts

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.

Man, what a great version of this song. Joe Cocker had the gift.

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.

Happy 4th of July!

A toast to you: May your BBQ be perfectly done, May your day off be full of the stuff you wanna do, May you and yours be happier than hell, May the politicians all crash into the Potomac and May everyone just realize we’re all Americans. Cheers!

Proud to be an American. This holiday means something.

Rock the fuck on.

It seems to me that some people are born a Biker. Some people have a bike, some have garage trophies that they’ve paid thousands of dollars for with 1200 miles in the garage they only bust out on Labor day. Some think they are cool and like it, but maybe not love it.

Then, there are some that love it. They just have to ride a motorcycle. I don’t know what that is, or how it happens but there are just some people who are born a biker. I swear, there is a riding gene.

I’ve always been friends with these people; some I like, some I love and some I really can’t stand, but I have respect for the biker gene; we have that in common.

I have had a number of people send me their stories over the years and I’ve enjoyed the hell out of them, and have been honored they related to what I’ve written that they sent them to me. When the Easy Rider book started late last year, I asked for your Easy Rider stories and I’ve loved reading them as well. Yesterday, an old biker friend of mine sent me his, out of the blue.

Anyway, I’m adding a new Section. The first story comes out tomorrow, and I’m going to compile them. I’d love to hear your biker story — what you’ve ridden, and why you do it and whatever else. Pictures too, if you have em. Email mrzip66@gmail.com and lets show off your bike, some of your rides and tell your story.

Ride hard, ya biker pricks 🙂

One of the things I like about Missus Zip is I’m able to sell her on doing things that normal people aren’t prone to doing. Like getting out of bed early on a Saturday morning (its a hard sell) and riding 40 miles to try a Breakfast joint a couple of towns away.

I’m usually up at 5, and I sit on the couch and watch the rifleman, or some war movie till I can’t stand it any longer, then go upstairs and pitch my latest idea that just came to me a few minutes ago. She usually relents. Missus Zip is a sport.

It’s been unbelievably nice weather, and the ride was nice. We found this bitchen old cafe that had been there since 1955 that had good reviews and tried it out. Tags is one of those old time local places. Full of Arizona Cowboys who give you the eye when you walk in, wondering who the outsiders are. They make a mean breakfast.

The ride was nice, so I pushed my luck and said lets head south to see an old Spanish mission I’ve been wanting to see. Mission San Xavier del Bac.

There’s not very many modern era buildings in the west that date back to the 1700’s. Back east, there are a bunch, but here its pretty rare.

I’m not a religious guy at all, but I can appreciate the reverence that people have for this place, and I’m pretty amazed by it. Humans make cool shit 🙂

We enjoyed the day, found us a new Mexican restaurant we haven’t tried in Tucson, and rode home.

A pretty damn good day methinks.

Flew up to Seattle this week. Not because work said so, but because I wanted to see my daughter, son in law and our Grandkid.

Man, she’s cute. She didn’t know what to think of the bearded guy, and it took her a few days to warm up. She did.

We ate some killer (and not so good) seafood, had us a brunch or two, and enjoyed each others company.

It’s cool to see your kids growing up, and raising other kids It’s a little different; you have to respect their ways, and sit back and enjoy it. You did things your way, they wanna do things theirs. The fruit it seems, doesn’t fall too far from the tree.

We went up to Seattle, and over to ocean shores. We watched hockey and I drank a beer I’ve never heard of. We laughed a little bit. We had some great and bad brunches. We saw the pacific ocean, and we all had a moment. Yeah, it was cool.

At the end of the day, Family means everything. You can ride, you can see the world;, but when you see a little kid staring back at you that is your own, it’s more important than anything you had in your head before that.

Pass it down.

“This operation is not being planned with any alternatives. This operation is planned as a victory, and that’s the way it’s going to be. We’re going down there, and we’re throwing everything we have into it, and we’re going to make it a success.” — General Dwight D Eisenhower

Thank God they did. Much Respect.

My wife controls pretty much most of the house. I don’t get much say on how its decorated, or really even get to pick any colors. Turns out, black with skulls and Harley logos isn’t ever a part of missus Zip’s Interior decoration plans.

But, the garage is different. I rule shit out here, and I have it set up as I please. Out here, I’m a god. I scheme, fix things and make life decisions. I have my road trophies on the wall; posters of things I enjoy. Some black, and some skulls. Its my fortress of solitude.

Today, I have way too much time on my hands for my own good, so I’m sitting out here in my makeshift desk, with my laptop in full admiration of my bike.

Much of the reason I moved to Arizona was to conquer the roads down here. There’s really not a road in Utah I haven’t ridden, but in Arizona the west and central part of the US is open to me. Time, is usually my problem.

My Bike is 20 years old. It still runs like a raped ape and has never let me down, but my plan is to get a new one. My wife and I make deals together; its just how we work. Our deal for the last year is to get her a house. If I do that, I can bring home a bike. I joke with her that I’m bringing home one the next day. I joke, but she pretty much knows I’m going to.

Bikes have always been a tricky thing. For the most part, I’ve had a motorcycle since I was 11 years old. In a solid and loving relationship, a bike can be a third wheel. She’s the love of my life; Im glad she has never made me choose. I think she knows I come home way happier than when I leave. I’m lucky that way.

With all this time on my hands, I’m sitting in my fortress of solitude mulling over the deeper questions of life: What bike am I going to get; and what is my next ride. This is weighty shit.

As far as the bike goes, I’ve pretty much ruled out the Indian. I like their bikes, but I’ve been a Harley guy and ironically, I can get the one I want cheaper. The only thing I’ll miss, is that electric windshield you can move up and down.

So I’m torn between getting the full on Electra Granny Glide, or another Street Glide. I like the Street Glide because it’s fucking bitchen looking, I like the Electra because it’s got everything you can want.

As far as rides; Long term: the entire state of Texas — Short term Douglas Arizona.

Shit, I’m rambling.

Just Random thoughts from the garage….

I’ve had about a half a dozen companies send me products to review for my blog. I’ve done one, and only because they said I could give my honest review even if the product sucked. The others I’ve sent back and respectfully declined, because they weren’t anything I’d ride with.

In March when I rode to New Mexico, It was pretty chilly, and I’d realized my old leather Jacket needed to be taken behind the barn, given a moment of silence and put down. The liner was long gone, the pockets were thrashed; I’d rigged the zipper with baling wire.

So I went on the hunt for a leather Jacket. Man, for years I wanted a Langlitz jacket. In my opinion, they’re the best. Hand made, good quality, and made in America. Lifetime guarantee. I’m just too much of a cheap ass to fork out well over a thousand dollars for one. Maybe someday.

I went to Arizona bike week in April, and searched around for one, and I found these guys. American made, really thick quality leather, and heavy duty zippers. I got out the door with this for $250 bucks, and thought I’d made a deal.

So here’s my free review to Papas Leather. I think I love you guys.

On the road, A good jacket is pretty much the 3rd most important thing. The first is your bike. The 2nd is your wallet, because if that falls out you’re fucked. The third is a good jacket; its the only thing between you and 80 mph road rash, it keeps you warm or protects you from exposure, and depending on how you lodge for the night, its your pillow in a pinch. Plus, it holds your shit. Your gun, your phone, and whatever else you might need right away.

The first thing; This is good thick leather. Its not cheap. They’ve done some nice things with it.

This is the mens “updated” biker Jacket. Old school, with just a few more pockets.

This is the part I like: Lots of pockets: and even more vents. Once I figgered on the zippers at 80 mph with my left hand, this became kinda cool. Kinda millennial I know, with just a hint of danger.

Great jacket; I think I love it. The liner is nice because it goes down the sleeves as well, and is easily removed. All for $230.00. Veteran discounts.

I’m fan. Great Jacket for the price.