So much has happened this last year. My life wasn’t at all where I wanted it, so I got it where it needed to go. Some big career changes, and I’m back where you can’t wipe the smile off my face.
It’s time to ride though. Any good life decision is made even better behind the bars of a bike. Got one planned for coming weeks if I can pull it off.
I’m also excited to be working with Viking bags again. I’ve reviewed some of their products in the past, and will be again on the future.
I learned a couple of days ago that Sonny Barger, the long time leader of sorts of the Hells Angels had died at age 83.
You can say what you want about MC’s, and especially about Sonny Barger and the Hells Angels.
I’ve read his biography a few times, as well as some of his other books. I’ve got friends that are and have been in 1% MC’s and I understand the lifestyle pretty well. As far as the stories go, I believe a lot of it is bullshit. A lot of it is not.
But the part I respected is the man himself. He stood up for what he believed in to the end. A man who loved freedom, motorcycles, and valued true individuality. He was the leader of quite possibly the roughest bunch of pricks in history. If you can lead the un-leadable, then you truly are a leader in my eyes.
“Freedom is what we all seek, but it’s what we do with that freedom that ultimately defines our character. In the end, a man’s character cements his fate, good or bad.” — Sonny Barger
Anyway, a mixed bag of emotions as I consider the life of Sonny Barger. RIP sir.
Everyone who rides, has a default ride. At least, I gotta think so.
It’s that It might just be around the block, down the street or around the county. It’s that ride you have to dry off the bike after washing it in the driveway, or its just that excuse to get out of the house and ride that bike of yours.
It’s the ride you do, when you don’t have to think about where to go. the road, where you dry your bike after washing it in the driveway;.
Mine? it’s changed over the years.
My first ride was down the street of Carterville road, in Orem Utah. It was the street I grew up on. I remember a lot of blind corners, and a couple of times running from the cops when they could see I was way under age to be on city road.
then, I moved to the southern part of the state. It was the Utah Hill; Old US Highway 91 which went from Alberta Canada to Long Beach California back in the day. It was a great, hardly travelled road with lots of bends, and some open stretches that were perfect for a Harley. The fastest I’ve ever ridden on a bike was on that road.
right now, my go-to winds through a mix of farms and subdivisions, toward old highway 80 and Florence Arizona. From there, its 150 miles of killer riding, and some surprises and history that I haven’t totally figured out
its a great loop of open road in my county. I do it at least twice a month.
A few weeks ago, I rode down to Yuma and got a room in an older, mid century modern motel and just had a ride. I really blog about it much, or even take any pics but I did see a lot of things that made me want to go back and check out. And, of course, all I need is an excuse to ride somewhere.
Its been nice down here. Mid 50s to high 60s, and great riding weather. I woke up on Friday morning, loaded the bike with a few things and headed out toward Yuma, taking the longest possible route I could take.
A lot of this was old highway 80, which pretty much ran the lower length of the state. There’s still a lot of old ghosts along this section, and since it was decommissioned in 1989 there are still a lot of old buildings a long the way, and some side roads that have some bitchen old history.
While Route 66 was the way through northern AZ, Route 80 was the way through the southern part of the state. Decommissioned in 1989, and recently given historic status, there are a ton of old alignments you can still ride.
The road was straight, the sky was clear and my bike was purring to be out. Fuck me, so was I. I’m not built to be home as much as I have the last year. To me, exploring is life. I don’t know why, but its in my DNA.
Sentinel Arizona. There’s not much here, but some bitchen old buildings and I’m sure, a lot of stories. If, you can find em.
This whole part of Arizona and California holds a ton of WWII History. In 1941, almost 18,000 square miles of western Arizona and southern California was designated for military tank Training. My favorite general George S Patton was the commanding general in 1942 where he trained troops in desert warfare in preparation to free North Africa from the Germans. This place, reeks of killer history.
I got off Interstate 8, and headed north toward Camp Hyder and Camp Horn, to see what I could find.
The Road to Camp Hyder. A gorgeous day to ride. Old Camp Hyder Barracks, still in great shape. The great thing about being remote, is the idiots haven’t come to vandalize. Wide shot of the Barracks.
A few miles past Camp Hyder, I found another bitchen old place: Agua Caliente (spanish for “hot water”)
Agua Caliente: A 2,700 acre ranch dating back to 1860’s.
At one point it had 22 room resort and was a popular destination before Arizona even became a state.
The Natural hot springs were a popular stop on the way to fort Yuma.
I got excited. I found a great little spot to dive into the history of, maybe come home and tell a story about and do some research on this place.
Right after I took that last pic, I dropped my phone. That was the end of that.
I think I’m buying a digital camera. Like, one with a neck strap, and that I can grip with my fat little fingers, and not this slippery little thin smartphone. I seem to break a lot of em on my bike. I might even go back to a flip phone, and just use it for making calls. I was sorta pissed. Luckily, I was able to get my pics off.
Well, it pretty much ended things. But, another excuse to go back. Missus Zip is heading out of town next weekend and I might go back and document it.
