Random Thoughts

The Tour is over. It was killer. Great group, great riders and a whole helluva lotta fun. We had the hottest temperatures on record for Louisiana, but I think everyone had fun. At least I hope so.

I’m sitting here in Marfa Texas. Its a small, Texas town who’s claim to fame includes the movies Giant (James Dean’s last film) and No Country for Old Men (a favorite). Tomorrow, I’ll make around 600 miles and sleep in my own bed and then take the Van to Los Angeles, and fly home

The whole tour was awesome. One for the books. I’m not gonna lie; I miss my wife, my kids and my dog.

But I had to buy one today. I’ve given more helmets away the last few years then I’ve bought, and I had to choke down paying 160 bucks for a 3/4 face helmet today. I have to wear one on the last 2 tours, and I just picked off the freebie rack at Eaglerider and gave it back when I was done.

This time, I have a lot more bikes and I’ll need a headset to communicate with my van driver in case someone goes Rogue or we have a problem.

Yeah, I know… the safety thing. Plus your uncle, or your friend who died because he didn’t wear a helmet. I get it.

But, they’re like condoms —- and I hate those things too! Sure they’re safe, but whats the damn point if you lose a little enjoyment?

First off, they’re hot. 2nd, harley’s vibrate, and I have this thing on my head that intensifies the vibration. I just hate em. I have this novelty helmet I wear in California and Nevada, but I’m pretty sure I can’t pull that off for this trip.

This is the one I got: It’s black and as subtle as I could find, with just a hint of Danger.

The reason I started shaving my head years ago is because I was riding a lot in helmet states and my head would itch. I shaved my head to get rid of that itch. Having the wind blow across my bald little head at 80 miles per hour is like the 3rd or 4th finest feeling I’ve ever had.

I suppose I’ll save on sunscreen, dammit.

Anyway, don’t mind me. I’m just bitching about helmets.

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.

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 🙂

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.

A day or so ago, I talked to this lady on the phone.

Man, she went on and on about Trump, America and how we’d screwed things up. We don’t have 2 weeks vacation just provided to us; we don’t have national health care, etc… she kind of rambled.

Then she went to pay for the product she wanted. Her country charges a 20% tax. It was something she didn’t want to pay. She wanted to use a US address, to bypass having to pay that tax.

Heh, socialism. I just thought it was interesting.

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.