Ramble Plan Echo: First Thursday
Weather: 37°F (3°C) in light drizzle.
Road Conditions: Dark and wet. Ice in spots.
Five of the seven motorbikes that showed up at Dulono’s tonight.
It’s no fun rambling through rush hour in January. By the time Scarlet and I set out on Ramble Plan Echo, it was already dark. We were invisible, riding through the middle of uptown Minneapolis. We had to lane-split and use other tactics just to avoid becoming the meat in an SUV-sandwich.
I’m sure the route we took would be scenic any other time, but in the dark and confusion of Lake Street at five p.m., it was all I could do to spot and catalogue the various threats all around us.
When we arrived at Dulono’s, Scarlet was the first motorbike to park in the lot. I went inside, and greeted all my cage-driving friends. They were sitting around a couple of tables, bench racing and trash-talking, same as it ever was. I settled into a table, across from a fellow named Dick Bear, and did something I haven’t done in a long time at a First Thursday: I ordered dinner.
Dining at Dulono’s…
It was a bad night for photography. Things were getting crowded by the time my meatball sandwich arrived. It was dark, in our little alcove at the center of all the action, and I couldn’t find a combination of aperture and shutter speed that would do this fine creation justice.
My blurry rendering of Dulono’s Meatball Sandwich.
After three failed attempts to capture it without getting jostled, I gave up and dug in, before it got cold. Dulono’s Meatball Sandwich is legendary amongst First Thursday riders. The meatballs are just spicy enough, and the sauce is a superb blend of sweet and tart. As you can see, they blanket the thing in sauce and shredded cheese, so you have to eat it with silverware, like a civilized human being.
In between bites, I talked to my new friend, Mr. Bear. He owns ten (10!) modern motorbikes, the oldest of which is a 2001 Goldwing. The rest are cruisers of various brands, big and little V-Stroms, and a DR650 dual-sport to play with in the dirt. He tells me he is retired.
Must have had one HECK of a 401k!
I reckon it’s practically a full-time job just keeping all ten of them running. He assures me he does, though, putting on at least fifteen thousand miles a year (without riding in the Winter).
After finishing half of this formidable sandwich, I decided to take the rest home for lunch tomorrow. Our server Heidi brought me a box to put it in, and I realized I had a dilemma on my hands. This was not going to fit under the seat, with my tools and my books and my camera gear. But of course, this is where scooter utility comes into play. I pulled a plastic grocery bag out of my Aerostich pocket, and put the To-Go box in that. Then, for the ride home, I hung it from the parcel hook and placed the bag on the floor between my feet.
Thus arranged, Scarlet and I embarked on the long ride home. The full moon was out, diffused behind low, gossamer clouds. Scarlet purred like a big cat down the narrow streets around the restaurant.
We chose 38th Street to get us to West River Road. This passes through residential neighborhoods that are less hectic than our usual Lake Street route. It goes right by the Riverview Theater, which is a retro movie house that shows B-Movies and Independent films, as well as cult classics and special events.
The interior is late art-deco, circa 1950s or `60s, and the tickets are half what you pay at a modern Mega-Cina-Plex. Popcorn is silly-cheap as well. I saw the modern moto-classic “Faster” there, shortly after it came out.
Cars at intersections did not see us. It was the same thing as last Winter: we are not supposed to be out here. Riding ultra-defensively, we soon reached the Ford Dam and bridge. Almost home.
It’s past my bedtime as I tap the rest of this out. But if I didn’t finish it now, I would only lose sleep thinking about it. It was a good ramble, and a very good time. I enjoy seeing my friends here, month after month. Sure, they don’t always ride, but that’s up to them. When we do ride together, it’s always a day to remember. That’s what counts.
January 4th, 2007 at 11:25 pm
I have the exact same problem. I lay awake and write a blog post over and over in my mind. I’m a half hour late to bed but had to get the post out of my head and into cyber-space. I also love a great meatball sandwich. Not so sure after your photo! :
January 4th, 2007 at 11:59 pm
“Parcel Hook”??? That thing is a purse hook. Not that there is anything wrong with that.
January 5th, 2007 at 6:00 am
Now that is a meatball sandwich! I’m going to have to show that to our local meatball sandwich place.
You know you are a real scooter rider when you have the courage to hang something from the purse hook. A man truly has to be confident to make that move. That’s ok. Don’t ride with your legs crossed though. It’s not safe and just wrong—scooter or not.
Great post Gary. It was like being there.
January 5th, 2007 at 8:48 am
Your meatball sandwich article is *not* the thing to read when I’m three days into a New Year’s Resolution diet!
Based on your comments, I will have to catch a movie at the Riverview. It sounds alot like one of my favorite theatres, the Plaza in Maplewood.
January 5th, 2007 at 9:19 am
I was half-expecting to hear that something bad happened to your sandwich on the way home.
Or that it saved your life when you crashed again.
January 5th, 2007 at 9:34 am
Gary,
A purse hook? For a Marine? Oh well, I didn’t think about that when I read your blog. You wonder about the experiences of the guy who picked up on that. Nice to see the First Thursday is still working. I was just out to Dry Creek Store yesterday. It has been stormy and I and a Vietnam Vet were the only two bikes there. This is one of the few places in the county you can sit on the porch, watch the world go by and smoke and drink booze at the same time. I had just lit up a cigar and taken a few sips of my beer when we had to make a decision to finish our libation and put on rain gear later or hit the road NOW and get out of the path of the storm that was fast approaching. Both of us had dirty bikes that are ridden all the time. I had rain gear and he didn’t. I’ll let you wonder what happened. We didn’t have the meatball sandwich though.
January 5th, 2007 at 11:04 am
I was going to go to first Thursday this year but did not find out where and when, I know first the first Thursday of the month but what is the local? Weere you at the Icycle this year? I was looking for you and scarlet.
January 5th, 2007 at 12:05 pm
Good to see you again Gary. Next time I will get there earlier and have a meatball sandwitch with you. God Bless
January 5th, 2007 at 11:18 am
irondad: Trust me, it was just as good for lunch today as it was last night.
Buster: Call it what you like… it works. The official nomenclature on Baron scooters is “Parcel Hook”. Why? Because I’m the Development Rider and I said so. I’m sure it is still a purse hook on Stellas…
Steve: Thanks. What do they call that thing on your Vespa?
Jim C.: Ah yes, the Plaza Theater. That brings back strange memories…
Late September, 1980, standing in line for the midnight showing of “The Song Remains the Same”, listening to KQ over the loudspeaker as they announce that John “Bonzo” Bonham has died. A minor riot ensued, and they opened the movie early, showed it over and over, all night long. That wasn’t mere coincidence, it was Destiny.
AZ Lucky: The sandwich did indeed survive, until just a little while ago. I can feel it’s memory in my belly as I type this.
Dick: Read my reply to Buster above. That should clear things up for you. If you were sitting on a porch, which implies an awning or roof over your head, and it was an expensive cigar, then the solution is obvious.
Ride well,
=gc=
January 5th, 2007 at 11:32 am
Bob: Just missed your comment in my earlier reply. As I have mentioned in past First Thursday posts, Dulono’s is located at the corner of Lake and Lyndale, in yUptown Minneapolis.
And if you had read the long previous post, you would know that Scarlet and I skipped the I-Cycle Derby this year, and will continue this boycott until they put the 3-Wheeled Cars With Handlebars (aka Sidehacks), in a separate class.
Splitting the workload between two riders, while not having to worry about falling over on the ice, is such an obvious unfair advantage that the `Hacks swept first, second, and third this year. Besides, I would rather race than do a timed road rally which actually penalizes speed. But some people like this sort of thing. To each, their own…
Ride well,
=gc=
January 5th, 2007 at 12:51 pm
Your first Thursday sounds fun. My riding group gets together the 2nd Saturday morning of every month. It’s actually for our chapter meeting, but we have it at a restaurant and partake of breakfast. Best morning meetings I have ever been to, lol.
We are presently getting snowed on AGAIN, sigh, and talk of snow late next week. May have to drive the cage to the next meeting. Where is all this snow coming from?!!?
January 5th, 2007 at 1:34 pm
Gary: good to see your new year is going well.
Betty is getting snow that MN (and the rest of the midwest) was supposed to get. Heard some rumblings over at the national weather service — something about a big fiasco where the new guy just moved to the Channhassen office and didn’t know how to fill out the paperwork correctly for “winter”. Apparently he called his buddy working near Denver for sample cold/snow requisition forms (to use as a template) and he forgot the change the location to MN when he filed the paperwork. (NOTE: His identity is being kept secret to keep him safe from rioting from local snowmobilers and ice fishermen.)
Mat
January 5th, 2007 at 1:52 pm
A “parcel” is a rectilinear package wrapped in brown paper, which may or may not be tied up with string. You can put a “parcel” on a shelf, but you can’t hang it anywhere. Vespas came with a purse hook, which could also be used, in a pinch, for shopping bags. A guy like Mike Yarusso might hang a whip from it. I didn’t actually see it go out the door, but I’m gonna say that your meatball sub was in a styrofoam pod, inside a polyethylene bag with handles on it. Does a poly bag with handles more resemble a parcel, or a purse? (That’s a rhetorical question, and we all know the answer.)
Repeat as necessary:
parcel>shelf
purse>hook
parcel>shelf
purse>hook
January 5th, 2007 at 2:58 pm
It’s actually a partially finished helmet anchor for a 3/4 face helmet. Full-faced helmets have the full ring, 3/4 helmets don’t need the whole thing. Enough all ready. Ok, don’t say I never did nothin’ for ya, Gary! Gotta stick up for my bro’ even though you don’t really need the help.
Dan
January 5th, 2007 at 6:58 pm
Dave: Good to see you too. Sorry I had to leave so early, but the blog was calling…
Betty: I hope you read MatL’s comment. That probably sums it up as well as anything I could tell you. Hope you get to ride again soon. But hey, in Colorado, it’s the Quality of the rides, not the Quantity, right?
MatL: I KNEW the gubmint had something to do with this! I swear I saw the black helicopters pass by the full moon last night…
Buster: If folks here didn’t know you were a lawyer yet, now there can be no doubt.
Still, the Chinese translation of “Purse Hook” is, in fact, “Parcel Hook”, so my assertion still stands.
irondad: Well, thanks anyway, Dan. But if Buster wanted to, he could tie us both up in rhetorical knots, without even breaking a sweat. It’s best just to let this one go…
Ride well,
=gc=
January 5th, 2007 at 8:11 pm
They’re called parcel hooks here. And their main use is as you did, to hang the take home meal. Of course, Versace or someone did come out with a range of purses and handbags in camo, so I guess…never mind…lets not go there…
She’s wondering why I’m laughing my head off as I’m writing this.
January 5th, 2007 at 9:42 pm
Best of everything! Bikes, buddies, and BIG meatball sammies. Another tasty post.
Have fun,
Bill
January 5th, 2007 at 11:46 pm
I was laughing so hard about Buster’s answer, even my husband wanted to know what was up. I, being of the female gender, don’t use purses when on my motorcycle, I use a pink backpack instead. But I guess with a scooter I could actually dress up more and… hmm…
January 6th, 2007 at 7:40 am
Snark: Thank’s for clearing my six. Now that we have it on your authority, I think it’s safe to say the debate is over. But just for the record:
From my handy copy of Webster’s, “Parcel – 4. a wrapped bundle “.
That meatball sammich bundle was most definitely wrapped.
Bill: Yes, and all this in January, in Minnesota. Life is good…
Betty: Buster cracks me up too. You definitely need a scooter. They are the perfect vehicle for urban transport.
Ride well,
=gc=
January 6th, 2007 at 8:07 am
Gary said, “The official nomenclature on Baron scooters is “Parcel Hookâ€. Why? Because I’m the Development Rider and I said so.”
It’s good to be boss, eh?
Betty- I fear I’m to blame for the strange weather. Normally, my bike is ready to go on short notice in my garage in case of good weather. Western NY (where I live) has had mostly great weather for the last 6 weeks or so. Many days have been sunny and warm, or at least warm. Friday was Sunny with temps in the high 40’s ! First week of January, and no snow in Buffalo since the freak storm in October?!? The ONLY explanation has to be that the top of my engine is not in one piece right now. Doing some gasket replacements… Anyone riding and enjoying the weather in WNY can send the checks to me here! So why are you getting snow? It has to go somewhere other than here!
Bro Shagg
January 6th, 2007 at 2:19 pm
Hey Bro, put that engine back together and pronto!! You guys need some of this white stuff back!! LOL
January 9th, 2007 at 6:37 pm
Parcel hook, purse hook (“purcel hook”?)… Its a huge advancement no matter what you want to call it. I remember stuffing the goods from the grocery store down our jackets to be grilled at the meeting house before the ride more times than I can remember.
I just saw this site for the first time. You’re doing an excellent job.
Harv aka The Roadbum
January 9th, 2007 at 7:29 pm
Harv: Thanks for writing in. I’ve only scratched the surface of your blog, but I like what I see so far. Are you riding this month? If so, we ought to meet up somewhere in between St. Cloud and St. Paul, just to do it. What do you think? Maybe a joint restaurant review?
Ride well,
=gc=
January 9th, 2007 at 9:20 pm
Thanks for reading my blog! Some of the better ones are somewhere in the middle. My personal favorites.
I would greatly enjoy it. You wouldn’t call me a big eater (once you see me you’ll know why haha) but I’m definitely up for it. I rode Saturday and really enjoyed it. The distance wasn’t far due to time constraints with family but I try to get out there when the roads are clear. Looks like that could happen more often this year, eh?
I think it would be a blast to ride with you. If you haven’t been out this way too often maybe we could try some of the more scenic routes away from the city lights. Give the steeds a chance to stretch their proverbial legs. This area can offer the type of morning rides that make you remember what its like to breath that deeply again. By midday you’ve got the warmth of the sun bathing you and at twilight the sunsets on the open horizon are hard to beat. Sometimes I ride at midnight just because the sky is so clear and bright around here. A quiet machine like the Vespa is hardly noticed when leaving or returning.
Yeah… I’m up for it. : )
Harv