First Thursday: Hardcore
Weather: Clear and cold, 34°F (1°C)
Only hardcore riders showed up for the November gathering.
First Thursdays during the Winter are much more enjoyable to me than during the regular riding season. The crowds that show up in the Summer now are incredible, and it has gotten to the point where a guy can’t move around, let alone park his bike, if he gets there around seven o’clock.
In the Winter, only the hardcore riders and the original Twin Cities Norton Owner’s Club members show up, along with assorted Moto-Mutts, and the mythical Blind Lizards. It is, once again, a gathering of friends, rather than an all-out LOOK-AT-ME! contest. I can sit down, relax, and talk about motorbikes with some of the very best local riders, without interruption from the latest open-piped Boss Hoss obscenity.
The No-Longer Mysterious Red KLR Guy, aka “Steve”, did not show up last night. At least, not while I was there. But in the 20° F cold this morning, on a dark stretch of West River Road, we passed in opposite directions with our customary wave.
There was another Steve there, however. Steve Hamel walked in carrying a modified Vincent cylinder head. Maybe you’ve heard of him. Watch this space for a feature about his Bonneville exploits soon.
Then we have the Usual Suspects…
From the left: Marty, Jim, Al, Buster Brown (in the Fedora), and “Carp”.
Regular readers here have read Buster Brown’s comments in both my blogs. He has been a good friend for a long time, but he has this strange fetish for ice screws. Marty is a flat-track racer and former co-owner of Trackstar Motorsports. These other fellows I’ve only met in passing. They all ride trails together, and someday maybe they will let Frogwing and I come out and tag along.
Buster Brown is quite a sight on a dirtbike. I just happen to have a little snapshot here that I took at Rob Himmelmann’s “Marquette County Home for Wayward Cycles”, a couple Winters ago.
The inimitable Buster Brown, rockin’ it old-school, off-road.
Rob Himmelmann is a close friend of Peter Egan, and is often mentioned in his Cycle World columns. In fact, Mr. Egan showed up that day, in his new Mini Cooper S. He didn’t ride with us, but I was able to chat with him for awhile. He is just as witty in person as he is in print.
On this day, Rob had pulled a whole variety of vintage trail and dirtbikes out of his barn, tuned them up, and turned a bunch of us loose riding them around the property. It was here that I first experienced a vintage Rokon, and a Kawasaki trials bike. The sun shined on us all day long, and we had a wonderful time.
But back to First Thursday…
Ramblin’ Dan Jones, getting ready to take it on home.
Fellow Baron scooterist Ramblin’ Dan Jones was in attendance, riding his 250 PM, which he has named “Hiyo” for the obvious reason. We ride together occasionally, and he comments here semi-frequently. He is braving the cold without the benefit of electrics this year. The High-Viz gear is in full effect though.
So, that was First Thursday in November. It was more about the people than the bikes, and I find it more pleasant that way. When I was getting ready to leave, I noticed a couple of Harley baggers had shown up, along with a beat-up, vintage Vespa. I had already put the camera away, so I didn’t capture them on film. There were a total of eight bikes in the lot when I left.
I hope some of these guys are still riding this time, next month.
November 3rd, 2006 at 10:37 pm
Had a great ride home from Dulono’s. So far, I’m finding that I really enjoy riding this time of year. Temps in the twenties don’t seem as bad as I thought they might be. Having layers over layers over layers helps a lot.
Next week we should get a few warmer days so I’ll be out and about for more sightseeing. BTW, I meant to ask whether you rejet or adjust your carb for cold weather… have heard some comments about that but nothing definitive.
Weather permitting, I hope to see you at the December First Thursday. BRRRRrrrrrrr!!
November 4th, 2006 at 12:02 am
Boy what a difference a day makes!! I have been riding around a lot this week and two things stand out. For the first time in my memory, I saw a group of 7 motor scooters ride past me in the other direction. Two of the scooters were two up also. I waved and they waved back. It was nice to see on a small twisty road in the wine country. It rained yesterday. And today while riding around I saw one scooter and one Harley. there was not another bike on the roads at all. For California that was very unusual. I plan on a nice long ride down to Palm Springs tomorrow. Will let you know observations.
November 4th, 2006 at 7:03 pm
Dan: So far, Scarlet has run fine in temperatures ranging from 20°F all the way to 100°F. She runs better in the cooler temps, however. But I was told that shimming the needle valve would make her run even better, so we may try that. Get some electrics, and I’ll see you at Dulono’s in December…
Dick: Sounds good. Sounds too good. I miss California. But then, I’ve said that before.
Ride well,
=gc=
November 4th, 2006 at 7:54 pm
I promise to ride all through winter, to show my solidarity with you guys. It’s be really hard and severe, since temperatures here can be really bad. Last winter here was the worst. The temperatures went as low as 75-85 Farenheit.
November 4th, 2006 at 8:53 pm
Dulonos sounds like fun but I’m shivering thinking about the cold. The older I get the harder it is to deal with. Just came in from the backyard and it is only 34 degrees and I just want to curl up and go to sleep. Hopefully it will pass as I ride more.
And get new gloves. I think I will take your advice and get snowmobile mittens. I always wear mittens backpacking in winter. I have no idea why I think gloves will work on the scooter….
November 5th, 2006 at 4:03 pm
Snark: Yeah yeah yeah…
Steve: Snowmobile gear is the answer for cold weather, along with the electric vest. The funny thing is that wearing mittens actually promotes safer riding over questionable surfaces. You can cover the rear brake at all times, but the front brake requires you to take your hand completely off the throttle. That way, you think about it before you apply it, which is always a good thing if there is black ice around.
Next time at Dulono’s, I’ll do a review of their incredible meatball sandwich.
Ride well,
=gc=
November 6th, 2006 at 3:58 am
I want to know who uses a ‘Hedgeabuser’ as a winter bike? Good choice!
November 6th, 2006 at 7:59 am
That meatball sandwich is a good choice. I had that one myself. What really rocks, though, is the spaghetti with meat sauce. A lot of sausage in the sauce, plus garlic bread. Usually more than enough for two. There is a newish Italian joint in Hudson, run by a family from the East Side. At first blush, it’s the kind of straightforward place that every town needs. But entrees are thirteen bucks, and the food lacks flavor; they just don’t get it, and will probably go under in a year or so. They could take lessons from Dulono’s, which has no pretensions to be anything other than a South Minneapolis 3.2 joint.
November 6th, 2006 at 11:13 am
Mad: Me too. I didn’t meet him, but I know all about that sans-front-fender mod… That’s to keep the snow from packing up and locking the front wheel. Therefore, we must assume that this guy rides on snow, right? YeeeeHaaaaaaawwwwww! -SPLAT!
Buster: I’ve never had Dulono’s spaghetti, but I do know the meatball sandwich is more photogenic.
Ride well,
=gc=
November 6th, 2006 at 2:37 pm
You have never seen the front of my shirt after I’ve had the spaghetti.
November 7th, 2006 at 3:18 am
Gives a whole new meaning to ’spinning it up’ :p
November 7th, 2006 at 1:19 pm
Gary, I missed you at First Thursday, I guess Marty left before I showed up, too. At least I saw “Buster”.