A couple weeks ago my buddy Tech called me and left a voicemail – “hey man, me and Flash are going for a ride! We’re leaving in a few minutes! Call me if you wanna join us.” I was in Berkeley at that moment with my wife doing some chocolate research for her business. Needless to say, I said out loud, “oh thanks for the two minute notice man!” Anyways, I suggested that we take a ride up to Mt. Hamilton on Saturday. The only problem with setting up a ride 5 days before you go is that you have to wait 5 days before you go.
Saturday: So Tech phoned me that they were leaving the city and on their way. I wheeled my bike through the living room then through the kitchen and out the back door. (yup it’s true, it’s just the easiest way to get my bike off the patio) So I’m on my way. We met up at Hobees, had some food, then hit the road. A fast little jaunt up some freeways and soon enough we were at the foothills. As we started up Mt. Hamilton Road, I was reminded of how to handle the bumps and dips that are common there. Some of those dips are deep! But once you get used to them its really not that bad. I was glad to see that they didn’t have all those damned tar patches all over the road anymore. Slip sliding around turns is not my idea of fun. My attention was divided between handling the dips and maneuvering around the gravel that seems to be lurking around many of the turns. Of course, in between you get nice views of the dry grassy hills and all the… oh POTHOLE!
We ran into very little traffic and it was pretty much clear sailing to the top. Once at the top, we were enjoying the views with a few other bikers up there. Actually a group of deaf Harley riders came up shortly there after and that was interesting to witness. Bikes were loud as hell but they all signed to each other. Cool and surreal at the same time.
While at the top, we snapped some photos and chatted for a bit, then headed back down. More dips, gravel, pot holes, 1st gear hairpins and sweat drips in the eye. After that, we headed to Los Gatos for some lunch. Then a quick bypass to HWY 9 through Saratoga to Skyline. Onward down Skyline to Page Mill road with more stunning views and happy thoughts. A quick jump down Page Mill and we ended our day back in lowlands.
We pulled over to the shoulder and talked about the great ride and then said goodbye. I sat there for a moment and pondered our 100 mile journey. It was a good day, I thought and watched Tech and Flash ride off in swirl of dust.
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Back in 1991, I moved From New York to Washington State in the middle of the winter. The house that I had rented had no storage for my bikes and with a foot of snow still on the ground, I wasn’t about to dishonor them by making them sleep out in the cold. Into the living room they went. About a week had passed when my new Landlord had stopped by to introduce himself, I thought that I was dead meat. An unusually large affable Russian gentleman, I discovered that he was a motorcycle nut and was immediately smitten by the FZR600 and FZR400 sitting in the living room, the 400, still resplendent in it’s road racing set-up, number plates and all. One look at the bikes and all he uttered to me was, “How you say, Tiger?” I’ll never forget that.
So I don’t think that it’s all that odd to have to walk your bike through the house, perhaps you should consider storing them inside, they make wonderful conversation pieces! Then again, I am a bachelor.
Ride Well
E.T.
Nice E.T. That’s a funny story.
Believe me, if I didn’t live in California with it’s mild climates, I would be storing it indoors. Maybe there’s a business idea somewhere in this. I’m thinking a platform that slowly spins you bike with spotlights and fog machine. hmmmm