CONTENTS ___
FEATURES
McCullough Custom Cycles 2010 Ducati Monster Biker’s Movie Review: Easy Rider
22 28 36
Women’s World Motorman’s Test Ride Craven Moorehead Motorman’s Mean Streets CMA
13 18 39 44 46
___
Columns
__________
DEPARTMENTS Page 3 Girl News Hottest Bike Nights BTR Kids Rides,Runs and Destinations
3 4 15 46 47
REPORTS
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On The Hotseat ABATE Charm City & McAvoys Industry Report: SS Trike Cancun Cantina Boomers Atlantic Bike Fest Second Brigade MC Shop Talk On The Run H-D Baltimore MVP Party
7 8 9 11 23 27 32 34 41 42 45
ON THE COVER
_______________________
McCullough Custom Cycles (410) 796-6107
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The information contained herein is provided by Born To Ride Magazine or by its advertisers. BTR makes every effort to present accurate and reliable information in the issue. Born To Ride Magazine does not endorse, approve, or certify such information, nor does it guarantee the accuracy, completeness, efficacy, timeliness or correct sequencing of such information throughout this magazine. Use of such information is voluntary on your part, and reliance on it should only be undertaken after your independent review. Reference herein to any specific manufacturer, company, commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, service mark, or otherwise does not constitute or imply endorsement of or recommendation of said by Born To Ride Magazine.” “Born To Ride Magazine (including its employees, contributors and agents) assumes no responsibility for consequences that may result from the use of the information herein, including the use of the information oabtained at www.borntoride.com and it’s linked sites, or in any respect for the content of such information, including (but not limited to) errors or omissions, the accuracy or reasonableness of factual or scientific assumptions, studies or conclusions, ownership of copyright or other intellectual property rights, and the violation of property, privacy, or personal rights of others. BTR Magazine is not responsible for damages of any kind arising out of use, reference to, or reliance on such information. No guarantees or warranties, including (but not limited to) any express or implied warranties are made by BTR Magazine with respect to such information contained throughout the site.” No part may be copied without written permission of the publisher, Born To Ride, Inc. P.O. Box 3021, Brandon, FL 33509. 888-795-5779, Fax 813-689-2996.
btr 2 | borntoride.com
Issue #3 July 2010
A dvertiser I n de x
Action Insurance 38 American Tattoo 21 Bikers Point 33 Bill Bateman’s Bistro 17 Blue Collar Cycles 38 Boomers 27 Brunson Custom Concepts 17 Budwieser 14 Byker Bizzare 38 Cancun Cantina 24 Cavanaugh Law Office 30 Charm City Choppers 9 Dave’s Trailer Sales 21 Eagle Riders 35 Eastern Performance BC East Side Chop Shop 10 Excape Club IBC GK Construction 48 H-D Baltimore 45 Jeff’s Tap Room 21 John Grason Turnbull III 12 Kenny’s Sports Bar 33 Loaded Gun 17 McCullough Custom Cycles FC,23 MCS Custom Lighting 10 Mikes Famous H-D 12 Oasis Bar 35 Outlaw Jam 1 Pete’s Cycle 20 Resort Motorsports 30 Ride 4 Life 12 Speed FX 16 Speeds Cycle 30 SpeedWerks 41 Sport Zone 7 The Stone House 48 TY’s Cycle 33 Verizon Wireless IFC Viridian Energy 40
born to U.S . Representive Randy Forbes Leads Rolling Thunder Motorcycle Ride Letter from the publishers Thank You! To all of our dedicated Born To Ride readers. We here at Born To Ride hope that you have enjoyed the new Born To Ride Delmarva magazine. We appreciate all the praise you have given us on all the hard work we have done. It was great to see our readers at the annual Dick Gelfman Ride across Maryland charity event. We want to thank Dick and his staff for allowing us to participate in their fight against breast cancer. Congratulations to you and your dedicated staff for organizing a successful event, especially for surpassing the 2 million dollar goal! We would also like to invite all of our readers to our first weekly Bike night at Bill Bateman’s Bistro in Rosedale, MD supported by HarleyDavidson of Baltimore and Charm City Choppers. See Ads on page # 17 We also had the pleasure to attend one of Cancun Cantina’s famous bike shows and Bull riding contests. I have never seen live Bull riding before; I have to say I have a new found respect for those riders. Make sure you check out the event pictures and write up in the magazine. We here at the Born To Ride family want to extend our heartfelt condolences to Walt and Caroline the publisher’s of Fast Lane Biker Delmarva magazine on the loss of their daughter. We are truly sorry for your loss and we wish you and your family faith and strength in your time of need. We would also like to thank all of our sponsors that support us; without their support we would not be able to bring you this great publication. In return, we urge all of our readers to please support these sponsors who support us, so we may continue to be your #1 Motorcycle resource for the Maryland, Delaware and Virginia area. Steve Baldwin and Mitch Jordan
Happy 4th Of July
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WASHINGTON, D.C., June 7, 2010 – Congressional Motorcycle Safety Caucus member, Representative Randy Forbes (R-VA) rode at the head of the annual “Ride for Freedom” demonstration at Rolling Thunder in Washington D.C. over Memorial Day weekend. Forbes joined thousands of motorcyclists and delivered a speech honoring the men and women who have served our country. After the event Forbes commented, “What a great ride and a way to help us to never forget our POW/MIA veterans.” The event also offered an opportunity for Forbes to highlight motorcycle safety. “While Sunday’s ride was specifically a way to honor our nation’s POW and MIA veterans, it also demonstrated just how important responsible riding is, and served as a reminder to other motorists just how many riders are out on the roads – including thousands of veterans.” The Motorcycle Industry Council’s (MIC) Senior Vice President for Government Relations, Kathy Van Kleeck noted, “MIC would like to thank Congressman Forbes for leading the Ride for Freedom, and for his commitment to safe motorcycling.” Duane Taylor, MIC’s Director of Federal Affairs said, “As a rider himself, Congressman Forbes is a great representative of motorcyclists. However, Members don’t have to be riders themselves to be committed to motorcycle safety. MIC urges all riders to contact their Member of Congress to encourage him or her to become a member of the Motorcycle
Safety Caucus.” The Congressional Motorcycle Safety Caucus is a bipartisan group of Members of Congress, including Caucus Co-chairs Representatives Michael Burgess (R-TX) and Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ), committed to improving and advancing the safety of motorcyclists. The Motorcycle Industry Council exists to preserve, protect and promote motorcycling through government relations, communications and media relations, statistics and research, aftermarket programs, development of data communications standards, and activities surrounding technical and regulatory issues. It is a not-for-profit, national trade association representing manufacturers and distributors of motorcycles, scooters, motorcycle/ATV/ROV parts and accessories, and members of allied trades such as publishing companies, advertising agencies, insurance firms and consultants. The MIC is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., with a government relations office adjacent to Washington, D.C. First called the MIC in 1970, the organization has been in operation since 1914.
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ride news
Carl Edwards Wins Harley-Davidson XR1200 at Road America Nationwide Race
BORN TO RIDE Delmarva Magazine 209 Eastern Blvd. Essex, MD 21221
National PUBLISHER Born To Ride Inc. Ron Galletti rgalletti@borntoride.com
Delmarva PUBLISHERs Mitch Jordan mitch@borntoridedelmarva.com Steven Baldwin steve@borntoridedelmarva.com
ASSOCIATE EDITOR Susan Hurst
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Jesse Williams content@borntoride.com jwilliams@borntoride.com
EDITOR AT LARGE Scott Odell
ART DIRECTOR
Nick Betlow nbetlow@borntoride.com
ART DEPARTMENT
NASCAR driver Carl Edwards left Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, with more than just a win in the NASCAR Nationwide Series Bucyrus 200, the series’ inaugural road course race at scenic Road America on June 19. In addition to a custom trophy designed by the Harley-
Davidson styling department and presented by Willie G. and Bill Davidson, Edwards also rode away with a brand-new Harley-Davidson XR1200X motorcycle. Not a bad haul for a hard day’s drive.
Whats Hot: The “Cimarron” Available at Lehman Trikes Dealers
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Director Of Photography Jesse Williams
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WEB MASTER
Nick Betlow info@borntoride.com
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Neale Bayly, Paul Garson, Rouge, Craven Moorehead, Jim Miller, GearBox Greg, Chip E. Fresh, Eileen Katrick, Sunnie Murphy & Drivetrain Jane
Photographers
Steven Baldwin, Mitch Jordan, Chip Deitrick, Neale Bayly, TJ Morgan, Scott Odell and Debra Kinnear
Sales Department
Cara Bien - National Sales Cathy Gootee - Eastern Shore Chip Deitrick - Delmarva Crystal Rollins - DC / Alexandria Debra Kinnear - SE Baltimore Eileen L. Katrick - Mid Maryland Eric Price - Southern Maryland Jessica Floyd - Eastern Shore Shelly Lane - Sussex County / Delaware Sunnie Murphy - Metro Baltimore Vinnie Maimone - Southern Maryland
Main Sales Office: CALL: (410) 497-RIDE FAX: (410) 686-2427
Lehman Trikes is pleased to announce the “Cimarron”, featuring custom two-tone paint uniquely styled to complement the curvaceous lines of the CrossBow powered by the Victory Vision. The “Cimarron” comes standard with Reverse and John Lehman Signature billet wheels and is now available
at Lehman Trikes dealers. For more information on Lehman Trikes and to locate a Lehman Trikes dealer, visit www.lehmantrikes. com or call 888-3WHEELS. Or Call Pete’s Cycle, for more info 410-663-8556 or see their ad on Pg.20
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borntoride.com | BTR 5
Doug Ferris This month I would like to introduce the man behind Delaware’s Hottest Bike Night. Doug Ferris, Owner of the SportZone Restaurant and Sports Club in Smyrna, Delaware has created a well oiled machine with his Thursday bike nights. Q: Doug, thank you for taking the time to talk. Please tell our readers a little about yourself and some of your accomplishments?
I am a financial adviser by profession but I always had a vision of a Sports Club with a great food— watch some great sporting events and yet have bike nights. I coached football for 14 years and loved the opportunity to influence kids to do well. I also think it’s a great opportunity for the community to take advantage of fundraising opportunities. We gather large crowds so why not raise funds for some good local causes. Business should always give back to those who support it and the Smyrna area has been a very good friend to the SportZone.
A:
Q:
How long have you been holding bike nights
at the SportZone? We started bike night the first summer we were open, 2007. I love to ride and thought if I can put together a clean safe place that all types of riders would enjoy, then they will come out. The first year we would get maybe 50 bikes and now it has grown to 300 or more on a good weather day.
A:
Can you tell me some of the most important things to keep in mind when trying to organize an event such as your bike night?
Q:
Give them lots of room to mingle and look at other bikes they may not see so often— and music (not too loud) outside with an exciting DJ. Security is also an issue so everyone feels safe to bring the kids to view the bikes; and of course good outside service.
A:
Q. What are your future plans for the SportZone?
I intend to expand the current SportZone with an outside deck. I enjoy a cigar once in a while and thought it would be a great addition.
A.
If you would like to be On The Hot Seat email us at content@borntoride.com
I intend to open other locations as we see how our model works in Smyrna. Southern Dover or Camden is in our views. Q: The SportZone offers a lot more than bike nights, let us know what to expect when we visit and what you offer that makes your place unique?
You can expect a CLEAN, friendly atmosphere. All the credit should go to my most dedicated staff; they are great!
A:
Q:
Any last words?
Just want to thank Mike’s Famous HarleyDavidson, L & D Suzuki and Diamond Motorsports. I would like to thank the town and the people of Smyrna, Clayton, Middletown and other surrounding areas for their support. The Smyrna police have been a staple at the Zone since we opened and play a huge role in our success. There were lots of nay sayers out there but the town of Smyrna and its people make for a successful business and I encourage you to look at Smyrna for your next business venture.
A:
borntoride.com |btr 7
HELPING SAVE LIVES THROUGH SAFETY
About a year ago, Maurice Hughes walked into a motorcycle shop and picked out a gray 650-cc Yamaha, “a real eye-catcher.” He planned to teach himself how to ride it, figuring it couldn’t be that difficult. He was wrong. On his first outing, he hit a tree and broke a bone in his left hand. “I looked at the tree, and that’s where the bike went,” said Hughes, 65, of New Castle. After the crash, he parked the bike and hasn’t ridden it since. His first time back on a motorcycle came Saturday morning during a three-day safety course offered by the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles. Similar courses are offered by every state and by many motorcycle dealers. Safety advocates say such courses are one key to solidifying the decrease in motorcycle fatalities that the nation experienced last year. In some states, cash-strapped legislatures have tried to balance their budgets by tapping the funds that pay for safety programs, said Imre Szauter, government affairs manager for the American Motorcyclist Association. Though official figures are not yet available, the Governors Highway Safety Association estimates the number of fatalities dropped by at least 10 percent between 2008 and 2009, the first decline since 1997. Based on a survey of states’ preliminary figures, the group estimated 4,762 motorcycle deaths last year, compared with 5,290 deaths in 2008. The reasons for the decline are open to speculation, said Robert Gladden, general manager of the nonprofit Motorcycle Safety Foundation, which develops and sanctions riding courses like the Delaware DMV course. “We’re happy that people aren’t crashing and dying, but nobody knows why,” he said. Deaths had been climbing steadily as the number of motorcycles on the road grew, according to data from the Federal Highway Administration. Nationwide, the number of registered motorcycles doubled in the past decade, from 3.9 million in 1998 to almost 7.8 million in btr 8 |borntoride.com
2008, the most recent year for which figures are available, according to the FHA. Delaware had even more growth during that period. The figure increased 152 percent, from 9,791 in 1998 to 24,660 in 2008, according to the Delaware Office of Highway Safety. During last year’s recession, though, growth stalled. The number of bikes in Delaware remained almost unchanged in 2009, with 24,526 registered motorcycles in the state. Sales of new motorcycles and scooters dropped dramatically in 2009, according to the Motorcycle Industry Council, which tracks retail sales. Nationwide, sales decreased 43 percent, from 733,131 bikes in 2008 to 416,352 last year, the group reported. In Delaware, sales dropped 35 percent, from 2,230 in 2008 to 1,448 last year, according to the group’s data. Those who already had motorcycles may have parked them during the recession, since most owners ride for recreation, not commuting, Gladden said. Bruce Perdue, one of the three instructors running the Delaware DMV course Saturday, said demand for training had been high until this year. “I guess it was the economy,” he said. The course includes five hours of classroom time to review types of motorcycles, riding gear, braking, accelerating, shifting and other basics. An additional 10 hours are spent in the DMV parking lot, learning and practicing riding skills. Low-speed control is sometimes the toughest skill to learn, Perdue said. Throughout the morning, many students stall, stutter or over-rev the bikes. “You’re giving it too much throttle and not letting the clutch out,” instructor Joe Fitzgerald told one student. As the morning goes on, the students get smoother and more confident. They learn to shift, brake, weave between cones and control their speed with the clutch. Instructor Tracy Novacich said she sees many riders on the road with unsafe habits, such as not wearing protective gear, not signaling or using only one of the bike’s two brakes. “I want to stop them and tell them, ‘Would you please go and take a class for the rest of our sakes?’” she said.
Tim Butler of New Castle took the class to learn the safe way to ride. His cousins all have sport bikes, but none took a safety class. “They all started riding first and then had accidents,” said Butler, 35. Kelsey Geary, 20, of Newport, was the only woman in Saturday’s class of eight riders. She said she rarely sees female riders on the road. Most are passengers, like she has been many times. “I always end up on the back of them,” she said. The number of female motorcyclists is growing, said Brad Hopkins, general manager of Mike’s Famous Harley-Davidson in New Castle. That has contributed to an increased emphasis on safety in the motorcyclist community, he said. Mike’s Famous offers Rider’s Edge, HarleyDavidson’s 25-hour instruction and safety course, for $325, Hopkins said. The Delaware DMV course costs $50 for state residents and $200 for non-residents. The state’s Transportation Trust Fund, which gets money from fuel taxes, tolls and other fees, helps pay the costs. Most other states have dedicated pots of money for public motorcycle safety programs, said Peter Horst, spokesman for the American Motorcyclist Association. They’re funded by extra fees motorcyclists pay to renew their licenses or registrations, he said. In Indiana, only $655,000 of the $1.4 million that went into the state’s safety education fund will be spent on rider courses, said Jay Jackson, executive director of ABATE of Indiana, which provides the courses. Most of the rest will go into the state’s general fund, he said. That means ABATE will be able to offer courses to only 5,500 students this year, instead of the 8,000 students it had been serving annually, Jackson said. “Without sounding too melodramatic, we expect it means some people may die,” Jackson said. Pennsylvania’s course is free for residents, paid for by an extra $5 a year that motorcyclists pay with their license renewal, said Danielle Klinger, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation spokeswoman. About 26,000 students took the course last year, down 10 percent from a peak of almost 29,000 in 2008, she said. Pennsylvania’s motorcycle-related fatalities dropped 14 percent last year, from 237 deaths in 2008 to 204 in 2009, Klinger said. The decrease came despite continued growth of licensed motorcyclists and registered motorcycles, she said. “We want to keep this downward trend going,” Klinger said. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation is working with the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute on a new kind of study to understand motorcycle crashes, Gladden said. Beginning later this year, researchers will equip the bikes of participating motorcyclists with tiny cameras and GPS units, he said. The devices will let researchers look at riders’ total behavior, rather than reviewing what happened after a crash, he said. Retrieved June 29, 2010; from abateofde.com/welcome_page.htm
http://
By MIKE CHALMERS
The News Journal June 28, 2010
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3 rd Annual Spring Into Summer Event
Check out more Event Coverage at www.BornToRide.com
borntoride.com | btr 9
INDUSTRY REPORT: SS Trike
Many of us first experienced the freedom of the open road with the wind in our face rolling down the sidewalk on a Big Wheel. Eventually someone was going to try putting an engine on the one vehicle that gave many of us so much joy and excitement as kids. If you were the proud owner of a Big Wheel as a kid damned if you don’t fall in love with the SS Trike. Introducing the SS Trike from Olmax Fabrication; it’s not a Big Wheel, but one glance at it and you know its origins. The SS Trike has a 117ci S&S X-Wedge EPA certified engine; with electronic fuel injection, fully automatic transmission with reverse, so it’s gas and go! American Suspension Front ends are standard on them, 24” front wheel 14” rear wheels. There’s a lot of info on the website www.sstrikes.com. Being partially involved in the R&D along the way, we (East Side Chop Shop) are going to offer 3 different wheel designs and a few other parts and custom paint. The factory will offer basic flames, but we will offer whatever the imagination can hold for paint ... to make ours stand out a little more! Riding the SS Trike is a BLAST, it handles GREAT. I’ve ridden a few trikes in my day and
they’re just not for me; they push in turns at speed— where the SS Trike makes you feel very confident in a turn. On the highway no one that has ridden it has said they didn’t feel confident or comfortable on it! It draws a crowd everywhere you take it, and people are very surprised to find out it is a production trike and not a one-off! The base price of the SS Trike is $29,000; they are pretty much priced with the Harley trike. The Olmax Fabrication LLC factory will offer accessories: a really sharp tour pack, countered detachable windshield, air ride rear suspension and some others; go to the website www. sstrikes.com to see what’s available.
About the SS Trike:
Bobby Reed
Olmax Fabrication, a Wisconsin based manufacturer, first introduced the production version of the SS Trike at Sturgis in 2009. The Trike was unveiled at the AMD Official World Bike Building Championship and immediately grabbed the attention of everyone in attendance. The SS Trike is currently in production and the firm is currently signing up dealers.
SS Trike to be Offered Exclusively
Check Out Born To Ride.com to read more Industry Reports.
with Race-Inspired Transmission
The SS Trike is the hottest 3 wheel innovation to enter the increasingly attractive trike market. The SS Trike comes standard with a 2 speed automatic with reverse. It excites onlookers at first glance with its hot, low-slung chassis design and big-wheel punch. The trike is built with a bullet-proof 2 speed automatic transmission with a lock up torque converter that is actually derived from automotive racing applications similar to the GM Powerglide system. The best thing about the lock up torque converter is that at cruising speeds it eliminates the slippage that make for the torque multiplication in a torque converter. The advantage is better mileage and very little heat build up. The components are light-weight and readily available, making this a perfect combination for power and affordability in a custom-look trike. The Olmax adapted design delivers smooth and consistent shifts with an undeniable Powerglide reliability. Check out the SS Trike at East Side Chop Shop, 6653 Washington Blvd, Elkridge, MD 21075 or call 301-483-6351. borntoride.com |btr 11
Women’s World Genevieve Schmitt
There are many, many people I have met in the motorcycling world that have left a positive impression with me. When I was writing my book, “Women and Motorcycling – The Early Years” I was very fortunate to have had the opportunity to meet Genevieve Schmitt. Genevieve is one of the most positive and sincerest women I have met in the motorcycling world. We connected again recently and I asked her to sit with me and tell me what’s been going on in her busy, busy life. Q: It’s so good to talk with you again! Let’s start out by telling my BTR readers how you got involved in motorcycling.
Actually, I got into motorcycling through my television work. I worked for “Good Morning America” and GMA was doing a segment on, “Career Women Riding Motorcycles.” I rounded up 15 women riders for the television shoot. Once I saw these women riders, I was hooked! They had a spirit and energy about them that I wanted to be a part of. So I took the MSF class!
A:
Q:
What was your first bike?
I started on a Honda Shadow 500cc then graduated to a 1200 Harley Sportster.
A:
How did you get involved with the media part of your job?
Q:
Since I’m a true media person inside and out, I couldn’t just go to a rally and be a regular person. I had to try and write about my experiences. Kinda like you getting hooked up with Born To Ride, I got hooked up with Thunder Press in 1993 and started writing freelance articles. I was still with GMA while I was doing my freelance writing. Television was changing and I had an opportunity to get into the motorcycling end of television by accepting a position with “Speedvision” as a motorcycle reporter. They were looking for someone to go to rallies and report on them. I have a lot of behind the scenes experience being a television producer for 15 years. So I took a shot at being in front of the camera this time!
A”
Q: You’ve certainly have had a varied life! Tell me about your great on-line magazines!
I have two on-line motorcycle magazines; Trike Riders Now (www.trikeridersnow.com)and Women Riders Now (www.womenridersnow. com). That’s pretty much the bulk of what I do. I own these two companies. We are a sound company with very high journalist standards. Just like a print magazine. That’s the way I like to do it.
A:
Before I started my company, I was asked to be a journalist for American Iron Magazine. Like you, I have a monthly column with a female perspective. I also do a lot of the women’s bike features as well. American Iron is a great magazine.
Q: One thing that impressed me about you is your empowerment of women. I feel the same way when I talk with women wanting to become more involved in motorcycling. Give me your views on empowering someone that really wants to ride. When a woman comes up to you at a rally and says, “Genevieve, I really want to ride, but. …”
I see a fear of the unknown in a lot of these women who have come from whatever background that has provided some kind of barriers in their life where they feel they can’t do these things. Sometimes it’s from abusive relationships, strict upbringing, or stereotypes in the family where females “can’t do anything.” Fortunately, I wasn’t raised with those barriers. I was taught that I could do anything. It’s really a matter of reorienting their thinking. I show women how to tackle motorcycling using baby steps. If you think about starting motorcycling as a whole, it’s a very daunting task. How can I get to here – not knowing anything about bikes – to out there – riding on the open road? So I break it down by telling them to set a goal. 1. Do you want to ride? 2. Then you need to take a class. 3. How are you going to get there? 4. You need to set up time. Etc. I try to show them how to break through those barriers. I think about myself as well. There are times I go through the same things. There are other things I want to do in my life that are a little fearful for me as well. I ask myself how will I get from step A to step B.
A:
Q:
What do you currently ride now?
I bought a new 2008 Harley Street Glide and it was a jump from my stripped-down 1994 Dyna Low Ride. I do so much touring now. When I’m out, I’m out for days. I needed the extra storage space and comfort. I was a little intimidated going into a touring bike. But I got the bike lowered and ergonomically fit for me. It’s perfect!
A:
Q:
Tell me about your family?
I have a husband and a dog and three cats, no children. I just missed out on the Mommy genes!
A:
Q:
Where do you live?
A:
I live in Livingston, Montana, near Boseman. I came out in 1997 on my motorcycle on my way to Sturgis and just fell in love with this
Check out Womens World at Born To Ride.com for more women’s issues and videos.
particular valley where the Yellowstone River runs through. I told myself, “I just have to live here!” The motorcycle riding is just incredible, albeit, very short. But we ride when we can. Q:
What’s on deck for 2010?
In February, I have a tour in southern Arizona, kind of a “get out of the snow and cold” tour. I signed up with a company called, Twisted Trails. It’s a two-night, three-day tour. Then Harley Davidson has their “Celebrate Women Riders” event, scheduled for May 2223 in Milwaukee. I’m really looking forward to going there. Then possibly in August there is a big Motorcycling and Women’s event in Ontario, Canada, that I want to go to. And of course you have to mention Sturgis. This will be my 16th year!
A:
You are an inspiration to many, Genevieve. How would you like to end this article?
Q:
When I promote women and motorcycling, it’s never been about alienating men and only a voice for women. It’s a matter of making motorcycling inviting to the women out there who have fears, barriers, or intimidated by a male dominated sport. What it is, hi! Here’s the welcome mat. Come on in! The whole sport will benefit with you being a part of it!
A:
Q: Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to talk with me! And when you do come to Florida to visit your family, be sure to let me know! Great talking with you, Genevieve! A:
Great talking with you too, Susie! Susan Hurst
borntoride.com| btr 13
Hottest BIKE NIGHTS
M O N DAY
Advertise to get your Bike Night Listed!
Featured bike night The Sport Zone
T U E S DAY Bill Bateman’s Bistro
Rosedale, MD • 8620 Pulaski Hwy. • 410-574-9464 Trader Lees
West Ocean City, MD • Rt.50 & Rt.611 • 410-213-2000
W E D N E S DAY Smitty McGee’s Raw Bar
Selbyville, DE • 102 Bayville Shopping Ctr. • 302-436-4716 Hooters
New Castle, DE • 194 South Dupont Hwy. • 302-326-2526 Kenny’s Sportsbar
Ellendale, DE • 12327 Dupont Blvd. • 302-424-2055 Cheesburger In Paradise
(2nd Wednesday of the Month)
Pasadena, MD • 8026 Ritchie Hwy. • 410-761-1003
T H U R S DAY Hooters
Rockville, MD • 1584 Rockville Pike. • 301-230-2134 Hooters
Rockville, MD • 1584 Rockville Pike. • 301-230-2134 The SportZone
Smyrna, DE • 235 Stadium Dr. • 302-223-1808 Jeff’s Tap Room
Bridgeville, DE • 416 Market St. • 302-337-8602 Freddie’s of Bel Air
(3rd Thursday of the Month)
Bel Air, MD • 660 Boulton St. • 410-803-4860
F R I DAY Cactus Club
Salisbury, MD • 200 Columbia Dr. • 410-546-3599
S AT U R DAY Hooters
Laurel, MD • 14707-B Baltimore Ave. • 301-362-5668 Ram’s Head Tavern
(3rd Saturday of the Month)
Svage Mill, MD • 8600 Foundry St. • 301-604-3454
S unday Buck’s Store
Princess Anne, MD • 33594 Dublin Rd. • 410-957-6518 Oasis Bar & Grill
Whaleyville, MD • 7539 Old Ocean City Blvd. • 410-641-2100 The Ice Lounge
Dover, DE • 1036 Lafferty Lane • 302-678-8069
Get your bike night listed! ADVERTISE WITH BORN TO RI D E
Call 410-497-RIDE
The SportZone is Delaware’s Hottest bike night. With over 300+ bikes coming in on a good weather evening. The outside beer bar, DJ and biker support make it a great place to hang out and look at alot of great bikes. If you live in or near Smryna, Delaware.... this is the place to be on Thursday nights. Check out their ad on Pg.7 borntoride.com | btr 15
MOTORMAN’S TEST RIDE
A couple of years ago, Can-Am, the maker of some great snowmobiles and ATV’s decided to fill a niche in the motorcycle/trike market with something completely different from both the two-wheeled and three-wheeled vehicles available. They called it the Spyder Roadster. Unlike a trike, the Spyder has two wheels in front and one driving wheel in the back. This configuration provides superior stability and in fact, handles very similar to a fine sports car; you steer it with handlebars, much like a trike or motorcycle. Maybe that’s where the Roadster name comes about? Can-Am now offers several models of the Spyder—new this year is the RT, for Roadster Touring. As the name implies, the RT has all the touring amenities one could ask for and then
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some. There’s a tall electrically adjustable windshield, tour pack with passenger backrest and rear speakers, saddlebags and a large trunk up front. An ultra comfortable touring seat is also standard as is a 5-speed manual transmission with reverse. An automatic transmission is also available. ABS is standard as is power steering, vehicle stability system, with rollover mitigation and a security system. You also get cruise control, electric parking brake, heated hand grips, am/fm radio with hand controls, iPod integration audio input, heated passenger grips, auxiliary power socket and a two-year warranty. If that’s not enough, there’s a bunch of optional equipment and accessories available as well. As I stated earlier, the Spyder RT has everything you could possibly want on a cross-country trip. So, how does she ride? Well, unlike anything you’ve ridden. The closest thing I can compare the Spyder to is a lightweight sports
car, only more responsive. The sales rep told me to just relax with the handlebars. In other words, don’t put to much pressure on the bars. He was right. If you just relax your grip on the
“ The closest thing I can compare the Spyder to is a lightweight sports car, only more responsive. ” bars and turn them easily, the Spyder reacts in a very stable manner. If you try to muscle the bars around, you’ll find yourself darting back and forth in your lane. Once I got the hang of it, which only took a few minutes, I was rewarded with an extremely precise and stable handling vehicle. This thing handles the twisties like a Formula One race car. If you get a little too aggressive in the turns and
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2010 can-am spyder roadster rt lift a front tire, the stability system adds a little braking which brings the tire back to Earth so gently you don’t even notice it. The power comes from a 998cc Rotax V-twin and this power plant puts out 100 hp. The Rotax V-twin is a state of the art motor. It has DOHC cams, 4 valves per cylinder and of course, fuel injection. The 5-speed transmission shifts very smoothly and has wide ratios. The hydraulic clutch has a nice wide friction zone and an adjustment wheel to bring the lever closer to the grip. On the Spyder I rode however, even at the closest setting, the lever would still be too far out for smaller hands. The integrated ABS braking system is activated by a foot pedal only. That does take some getting used to as I found myself searching for the non existent front brake lever. The powerful brakes however do a great job of hauling the Spyder down in a hurry. The rider’s seat is very supportive and luxuriously
Did you know: In 2007 BRP set out to conquer the open road – the company’s last frontier, Can-Am.
comfortable. The seating position is bolt upright and the adjustable windshield can be set to either block just about all the wind or lowered to let the breezes flow. The ride is sporting and firm but can be adjusted electronically for a softer or firmer ride. With all the power you’ll need from the Rotax V-twin, and the great handling of this machine, you can easily cruise the interstate all-day or head for your favorite winding road and enjoy both in complete comfort. So, who exactly is the Spyder intended for? Well, first I’d say for the guy or gal who wants a trike ride a Spyder before you commit to anything else. The fun factor of the Spyder is head and shoulders above anything else I’ve ridden on three wheels. Or, maybe you’re the guy who just can’t talk his better half into anything on two wheels or maybe you’d just like something completely different. Either way, you owe it to yourself to take a close look at the Can-Am Spyder RT. You can do so at Pete’s Cycle Co. located at 7511 Belair Rd., Baltimore, MD (410) 663-8556. Tell ‘em Born To Ride sent ya. Jerry “Motorman” Palladino Copyright 2010
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With over 25 years experience in the motorcycle industry, the staff at McCullough’s Custom Cycles has the know how to keep your motorcycle running and operating in like new condition. Located at 5844 Washington Boulevard in Elkridge, Maryland, McCullough’s Custom Cycles is a true one-stop shop. From a simple tire air pressure check and oil change, dyno tuning and performance mods, or a complete rebuild of your motorcycle, we value and care about every customer and the safety of their motorcycle. When you are ready to take the next step and personalize that ride of yours, we can help btr 22 | borntoride.com
in any and all design aspects—from choice of accessories to helping with a paint scheme. The staff at McCullough’s Custom Cycles is ready and willing to educate our customer about their motorcycle and the customizing process. THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A DUMB QUESTION when it pertains to your motorcycle. When the need arises for that specialty bike, we have all the talent to design and build you that one of a kind bike you’ve been waiting for. Currently we are building four different custom baggers. Our motorcycles have been featured in many of the industries leading publications such as V-Twin, Hot Bikes, Hot Bike Baggers,
Hot Rod Bikes, American Iron, Bike Works and many others. Your reputation is not based upon what you are going to do, yet it is based upon what you have achieved. We feel our work speaks for itself, as well as numerous satisfied repeat customers. Stop by and visit our shop and take a look around and see for yourself, or call us at 410796-6107.
Ride safe, Larry & Debbie McCullough and The Staff McCullough’s Custom Cycles
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Cancun Cantina
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Boomer’s Biker Party
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2010 “... without a shadow of doubt, it’s the wildest, craziest twowheeled
adrenaline pumping production motorcycle ever made”
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Did you know: Duacti Motor Holding is a motorcyle manufacturer in Bologna, Italy.
Street Fighter
R
oad notes July 2010: Throttle too sensitive at small openings, or low speed! Difficult to modulate brakes in tight twisties. Too much vibration at low rpm. No fun under 50mph. And that’s why I’m in love with this bike. Ripping the front wheel off the ground at 70 mph with a light crack of the throttle is like taking an uppercut to the jaw. Slamming your head into a 150 mph hurricane-force wind across the unfaired handlebars in five, heart-pounding gear changes, it’ll stop so hard that when you want to end the madness you’ll end up with three Adam’s apples if you’re not careful. Inhaling high-speed sweepers, faster than Lindsay Lohan doing shots at happy hour, riding around town is like pissing Mike Tyson off and taking him to Fight Club at your local bar. It’s like trying to train a junkyard Rottweiler to sit and stay at your local poodle parlor. And without a shadow of doubt, it’s the wildest, craziest two-wheeled adrenaline pumping production motorcycle ever made. So much so that it should come with a government health warning, or disclaimer: “Operating this machine might end up leaving you stark raving mad.” Or something to that affect. Making all of the Monster range of motorcycles that have come before it seem comparatively
tame and well mannered, it seems somewhat strange to me that Ducati has taken such a long time to create such a beast. With the Streetfighter movement beginning in Europe around the time I was cutting my motorcycle riding teeth, it’s a style and culture that is going on three decades since its inception. Triumph has been very successful with its Speed Triple line, which capitalizes on the idea of a stripped down sport bike, left with just the bare essentials for ripping around town and tearing up the night. Aprilia has also jumped on the bandwagon by taking the bodywork of the RSV Mille sport bike to deliver the very badly behaved Tuono, and MV Agusta has the rare and hard to find 1078 Brutale. But while the venerable Speed Triple and the wild mannered Tuono have enjoyed the top billing over the years, they pale into insignificance under the shadow cast by Ducati’s new Streetfighter. With a fighting weight of 368 pounds and packing a 155 horsepower punch from the 1098 derived engine, it simply leaves any previous machine in this genre, except perhaps the Brutale, sucking exhaust fumes. It makes bikes like the Kawasaki Z1000 and even Yamaha’s FZ1 seem like touring rigs. Even the wickedly styled, powerhouse Benelli Naked TRE comes in coughing like a chain-smoking bar fly when See More Photos of the Streetfighter at www.BornToRide.com News
you compare horsepower and torque figures. And looking closely at the new Streetfighter spec sheet it’s obvious Ducati didn’t just peel the bodywork from a bunch of left over 1098s. Starting with the black steel-trellis frame the steering head angle has been relaxed to 25.6 degrees, compared to its more race orientated sibling’s 24.5 degrees. The rear swing arm has been lengthened to give an overall wheelbase of 58.1 inches, compared to the 1098s 56.3 inches. With the wider bars this makes a lot of sense, as the bike would be way too hyper on the Superbike’s original geometry. There is also a uniquely styled, and sturdier, lower triple clamp holding the inverted 43 mm Showa fork in place. (Ohlins if you opt for the higher priced “S”) and the bike rolls on its own unique Marchesini wheels. These are a pair of beautiful 10-spoke aluminum alloy rims and wear regulation sport bike sized Pirellis rubber: 190/55R17 rear and 120/70R17 front. Responsible for rearranging your family jewels under the deceleration process, two Brembo four-piston monoblock calipers attack massive 330 mm discs. With braided steel lines taking the fluid from the radial pump master cylinder with the lightest two-finger squeeze, the Streetfighter’s brakes are easily amongst the strongest in the two wheeled world. Maybe even too strong for road use? Requiring a deft use of the digits to avert tragedy at lower speed, on the borntoride.com | btr 29
Mulholland Highway heading to the coast I had a lot of trouble finding the right pressure to allow me to make smooth progress. On a more open piece of highway and need to lose a lot of speed quick; they instantly become your best friend. And, as related by my peers, they are faultless on a racetrack. The Showa suspension is multi adjustable at both ends as you would expect. And as ridden was mostly compliant over the variety of surfaces I rode on. Chasing my buddy Chris on a BMW R1200GS along some bumpy back roads, I had to give up after nearly being tossed out of the seat a couple of times. No one needs to travel that fast on these sorts of roads though, so it’s not a major complaint; I just wanted to see how it fared. Tucked in tightly and very neatly, if you consider how much plumbing and wiring must have needed to be hidden, the 1099cc engine is a riot. Making mind-blowing amounts of power for the street, it is quoted as delivering 155 horsepower at 9,500 rpm, with the rev limiter shutting things down at 10,200 rpm. This is actually about five horsepower less than the Superbike, due to the shorter air intakes that are needed without the full fairing, although the Streetfighter’s engine is actually seven pounds lighter thanks to the cast-aluminum crankcases. Having recently ridden a 1098R, there is no way from the seat of the pants you can notice the minor power loss, and if you need more horsepower, you might want to try therapy first.
Dealing with the burned gases from the two large combustion chambers, a 2-into-1-into-2 steel exhaust exits into two canisters on the right had side of the motorcycle. These emit a healthy throb and will no doubt be responsible for losing a lot of weight from the bike when they are eventually replaced with an aftermarket system. A pair of sensors located inside these pipes reads exhaust gases for precise fuel mapping, and an electronically controlled valve boosts mid range power. One thing I immediately noticed when I jumped on the Streetfighter was that the pegs felt nice and low, and gave a lot of legroom. This is due to a thicker seat pad, which gives a 33.1-inch seat height, compared to the 1098’s xxx inch. In contrast to the comfortable foot peg position, the tapered aluminum handlebars felt small and quite far forward, putting the rider into a semi race crouch. Personally I would have liked them wider and closer to me for extended road duties. Parking the bike for beauty shots, it’s all Ducati. Beautiful, exotic and unique all at the same time, the 1098 derived headlight gives the bike an unmistakable look. Complete with the tiny color matched headlight shroud and belly pan, there are enough splashes of red on the standard model to keep things balanced. And the wheels are just plain sex appeal. Mirrors are interesting, but might be a love them or hate them item; and the gas tank looks identical to the Superbikes. Although apparently it is one
inch shorter to help get the rider closer to the bars. The view from the hot seat is all road ahead; and it feels weird at first to have this feeling of nothing in front of you. You can’t see the headlight and have to look down a tad to see the instrument panel. With a digital bar running up the numbers on top and a set of small digital numbers calculating your speeding fines on the bottom right, all the regular information is easy to find. The warning lights, turn signal lights, and neutral indicator are on top of the pod, and there is a temperature gauge on the bottom in the middle. Jumping off the Streetfighter and boarding a plane home it took me a while to process my feelings about the new Ducati. It’s definitely for the experienced rider only, and it’s only going to work well in a limited number of situations. It’s so visceral, so insanely fast and just so incredibly raw though that none of that matters; and by the time I landed I was humming opera and speaking Italian. It’ll set you back $14,995 ($18,995 for the S) but the price of admission guarantees the start of one of the most intense love affairs of your life. Your Ducati Street Fighter is waiting for you at Speeds Cycle 5820 Washington Boulevard · Elkridge Maryland, 21075. (410) 379-0106 or www.speedscycle.com by Neale Bayly
Did you know: In 1926, Adriano, Marcello and Bruno Ducati, founded Societa Scientifica Radio Brevetti Ducati.
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Atlantic Bike Fest
For those of you who rode down Coastal Highway on Memorial Day weekend know there were motorcycles everywhere. This weekend was just perfect to be on your bike at the beach. I was hanging out in Ocean City, Maryland, at Hooter’s enjoying some wings and beer, when my friend “Mike Bike” called and asked if I was getting any good pictures this weekend with all the bikes in town. It was Atlantic BikeFest or “Black Bike Week” as everyone I talked to referred to it as. I had to find out what was going on but there was one thing, I didn’t fit the requirements to hang out ... so I thought. I am a huge sport-bike fanatic and I had to go out to Ocean City and see what was going on. The streets were spotted with packs of sportbikes; and after talking with a few riders I found out there was going to be a meet and greet at The Grand Hotel, Friday night. The event was organized by The Imperial Bikers from Brooklyn, NY. While taking pictures of bikes at the meet and greet, I met “Sosa” and the Psychotic riders M/C out of New Jersey. Sosa started to escort me around and introducing me to a lot of people. I can verify firsthand, Sosa definitely lives up to the clubs name. As I was driving down Coastal btr 32 |borntoride.com
Highway the next day, here comes Sosa on his bike. He rolls up next to us and was hanging inside my SUV rear passenger window while we were driving. My friends Jill and Bo were laughing, yelling you’re crazy! And Sosa’s yelling back “It’s what we do, baby!” Overall it was an amazing weekend to be out in OC and you can see by the photos there were many clubs from near and far on hand for Ocean City’s 2nd annual biker event. Now let’s talk about Black Bike Week. I want to get to the bottom of all the stereotyping that seemed to be hurting the community’s support for Black Bike Week. I really think that it’s not the whole bike week that’s messing up. If you treat a group of bikers like they are not welcome in your town then maybe your town might not get the respect it should. The result of the town’s uncooperative measures to control the Myrtle Beach Bike Week would make anyone get pissed off. You wouldn’t have to be “black” to know your human rights are getting close to being violated, if they weren’t already. Maybe a few dudes get a wild hair up their ass and have to show off and pillage the town’s liquor cabinet, but you can’t blame everyone. Most guests are
hard working, fathers, mothers, business owners and respected people of their community. Not to mention some came here from as faraway as Rhode Island on a bike, give um’ a break. I am hearing only positive feedback about this year’s event. Ocean City Chamber Executive Director, Melanie Pursel, commented. “It went very well. It seemed pretty low-key we thought there would be a lot more bikes in town. From what I understand, everyone had a great time and liked the affordability and unique family atmosphere Ocean City has to offer. We welcome the bikes and as long as everyone follows the rules and respects one another, we can all play in the sand together.” Mayor Rick Meehan also said, “This week that Ocean City welcomes all special events and wished the Imperial Bikers well with their second annual gathering.” So overall after talking with the community, business owners and town officials everyone seems to agree that Atlantic Bike-fest has a home in Ocean City for as long as the bikers want to come. ... Chip E Fresh
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the second brigade MC
“My machines will outlive me. Therefore, they are my legacy.” When I read this quote from an anonymous writer on the Second Brigade website, I knew exactly what Cyrus of SBMC meant when he was telling me about the Club’s history. The Second Brigade became the machine that will keep the Vietnam Vets M/C traditions “alive” once all the Veteran riders are gone. SBMC is the legacy left behind from the Vietnam Vets MC club and built on their traditions. Started in 1997, SBMC was formed because the VNVMC had limited membership. You had to be a Vietnam Vet Rider. So a club was formed to allow riders who supported the VNVMC, but were not Vietnam vets, to carry out the traditions of the original MC club; a place where friends, family, and the public can ride to support the brothers who give all or nothing. And I will just tell you they are not a 1% club and they claim no specific territory. The club is a nationwide organization. Southern Chapter President “Cushman” was telling me, “We wear the three-piece MC patch so we ride as a club and respect the governing clubs rules, but we ride for the vets and all we support are the vets.” “We want the troops to know they are never forgotten while they are away,” says national founding member, Cyrus. When a soldier is away at war he forms a bond with his brothers and to survive you become a family. There is btr 34 |borntoride.com
a commitment that forms: I got your back – you got mine, and if you make it back from over there, it seems that bond is not around anymore. Something is missing? That is where SBMC comes in. They are a brotherhood of loyal riders who have our vet’s back while they are away and after they get home. Most of the clubs members are veterans from other wars and give respect to the Vietnam veterans that went off to fight a war at a time when it was not socially acceptable. It was a massive global conflict that changed history, forever! It went down in history as on of the deadliest wars with over 58,000 U.S. troops giving their lives. The Vietnam Vets MC and the Second Brigade MC are there to make sure that our vets and soldiers from the Vietnam War through wars of today have a voice in our country fighting for them while they are off fighting for our freedoms. Our government is not standing behind our troops and the motorcycle community is not happy about it. Riders from all over the country gather to protest our government’s actions towards its vets and soldiers. Rolling Thunder began in 1987 as a demonstration to bring awareness to the plight of prisoners of war (POW) and to those missing in action (MIA). Rolling Thunder originated when four Vietnam veterans, exercising the First Amendment “Right to Petition and Assemble,” organized the first
group of 2,500 motorcycles to ride through the streets of Washington, DC. This first Rolling Thunder run was made in an attempt to petition the government to take responsibility for the soldiers that were abandoned after the Vietnam War ended. Today over 250,000 motorcycles ride during the Rolling Thunder Memorial Day weekend observance, held each year in our nation’s capital. Rolling Thunder has evolved to be not only a demonstration for the POW/MIA issue but also a demonstration of patriotism and respect for soldiers and veterans from all wars. Visit www.rollingthundermotorcyclerally.com for more info. Maybe after reading this you will think a little differently about respecting our vets. As you reflect back to the fireworks you just watched over the 4th of July and remember the men and women who fight behind the lines that makes this all possible. It is in honor of our veterans and soldiers that I celebrate my freedoms and independence this month. Thanks to The Second Brigade MC for inviting me to their spring bash and opening my eyes further about the issues our vets face. For more info on or about joining the Second Brigade MC visit their website www. sbmcde.com. Embrace your Independence this month, thank a VET! Chip E Fresh
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M ay 1 7 , 1 9 3 6 – M ay 2 9 , 2 0 1 0
With the passing of Dennis Hopper, a true American cinematic icon of our generation, the body of work he left behind is vast and incredible. But the one movie that made him a household name, and started a movement that hasn’t stopped, is Easy Rider. Today we salute him and honor him with the review of the 35th Anniversary Deluxe edition of Easy Rider. The classic movie made for every biker who ever rode a motorcycle. The special edition includes a bonus CD sound track from the British Film Institute, a documentary with Peter Fonda, and Dennis Hopper himself. There is also Dennis Hopper
audio commentary production notes and more, which makes this exclusive package a must have. “An astonishing work of art and an overpowering motion picture experience.” Los Angeles Times
This film continues to strike a cord with audiences of all ages; it is truly a timeless film of brotherhood and freedom. Ron Galletti
Included is the review for Born to Ride’s Top 13 Biker Movie countdown of all time. Hope you like it!
This month Born To Ride reviews the Iconic film “Easy Rider.” The ultimate in biker films, Easy Rider ventures beyond the ‘exploitation’ theme of similar films exposing the lifestyle of, and the counterculture of the late sixties. This film spawned countless lookalike exploitation pieces, and as a stand alone in its class, can be credited for the creation of the very lifestyle that a lot of us enjoy today. There is no reason for me to explain the plot of this movie. If you are reading this magazine, you have already seen it at least twice, and can remember the nuances that this piece contains. This month we will go behind the scenes and explore some facts and fiction regarding this monumental film.
Sex, Drugs and Rock – N – Roll Easy Rider explores the societal landscape, issues, and tensions in the United States during the sixties, such as the rise and fall of the hippie movement, drug use, and communal lifestyle. A behind the scenes examination would reveal that Easy Rider is legendary for its use of real drugs in its portrayal of marijuana and other substances. The main players themselves show the great diversity in these turbulent times. Fonda, as Wyatt, (a loose reference to Wyatt Earp) btr 36| borntoride.com
Photos courtesy of the movie Easy Rider 35th Anniversary Deluxe edition
on The Tonight Show, and during the interview, he alleged that Torn had pulled a knife on him during the altercation, prompting Torn to successfully sue Hopper for defamation.
“God is a great Gaffer”
adorned in the American Flag leather jacket and helmet, Billy (the Kid) played by Dennis Hopper in Native American style buckskin pants and bushman style hat, and of course Nicholson as the (lawyer) George Hanson in the traditional business suit show a microcosm of the times and styles of this era. It is alleged that the characters Wyatt and Billy were based on Roger McGuinn and David Crosby of the Byrds. That fact denied by some and accepted by few, did lead to the production of the movie’s soundtrack, where McGuinn is credited for the ‘score’. “The Ballad of Easy Rider” however was actually Bob Dylan’s idea! Dylan did not want to contribute to the actual soundtrack for the film so he wrote the first verse to the song and said “give this to McGuinn, he’ll know what to do with it”! McGuinn’s legendary ‘sound’ is contributed to the Rickenbacker 12 string electric guitar that he introduced while playing with the Byrds. The music in this film is extraordinary, featuring songs by Steppenwolf, Jimi Hendrix, the Band and many others. Embattled music producer Phil Spector also appears as the ‘connection’ that
purchases the contraband Wyatt brought back from Mexico. Go figure!!
The Southern Connection The film was written by Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper, and Terry Southern. A book written by Lee Hill explains the behind the scenes issues with the production of the movie, and gives a new outlook to those who desire to learn. The book is included in the 35th anniversary DVD “Deluxe Edition” of the movie. According to Lee Hill, the part of (Lawyer) George Hanson had been written for Southern’s friend, actor Rip Torn. When Torn met with Hopper and Fonda at a New York restaurant in early 1968 to discuss the role, Hopper began ranting about the “rednecks” he had encountered on his scouting trip to the South. Torn, a Texas native took exception to some of Hopper’s remarks, and the two almost came to blows. Torn withdrew from the project and had to be replaced by Jack Nicholson. In 1994, Hopper was interviewed about Easy Rider by Jay Leno
The film, shot mainly in the daytime under natural lighting, is not in itself a technical wonder but more of a true view of the road and life in the period that it portrays. Hopper fought the crew to take control of the production of the film, and many altercations ensued behind the scenes during the filming. Hopper commented that “God is a great Gaffer” and that statement does ring true in the final cut of the movie. The motorcycles used in the film were 1949 thru 1952 Harley Davidson ‘Hydraglide’ units purchased at a police auction for $500.00 each. There were a total of 2 each (captain America and Billy Bike) units constructed by chopper builders Cliff Vaughs and Ben Hardy under the direction of Peter Fonda. The crew believed they would need 2 each of the machines to complete the production, “in case one of the old bikes were wrecked or failed to run.” One “Captain America” machine was demolished in the final scene, while the other three were stolen and probably taken apart before their significance as movie props became known! The remaining “Captain America” bike was purchased by Dan Haggerty, and rebuilt. He sold the bike in an auction in 2001 after displaying it in a museum for all those years. Haggerty played a Hippie in the movie, and was credited as an extra.
A “touchstone for a generation” that “captured the national imagination” Produced on an estimated budget of $340,000.00 this film by 1972 had produced $60,000,000.00 (that’s sixty million!) worldwide. Available today on DVD the movie continues to please the generations of believers in the ‘free wheeling’ lifestyle it portrays. It is in this reviewer’s heart and soul the NUMBER ONE biker film ever made! It runs 95 minutes, and should receive 95 stars if that many were available! See it again, and again. It is your legacy after all. … Tell us how the movie Easy Rider affected you as biker? Send your comments to content@borntoride.com
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CRAVEN MOOREHEAD
sense of the word. Second, Billy is kinda scary looking and has a voice that sounds like that noise produced when you bathe a cat with a belt sander. Being abrasive and of limited vocabulary has its perks however (remember Paul Allen?) but. … Hey wait. … Does this make Billy an OxyMoron? Probably, but we have bigger fish to fry on our George Foreman grill. … Next season, he will likely get more air-time than Billy. ... NOT! But seriously, Webster’s defines an Oxymoron (roughly) as a figure of speech by which a locution produces an incongruous, seemingly self-contradictory effect, as in “cruel kindness” or “to make haste slowly.” This definition being what it is leads me to include some of my favorite examples of this underused term for your reading pleasure. An abbreviated list of these terms includes the following:
Oxymorons - A gripping tale of media horror and ‘Read Rage’. … There isn’t much time to just sit back, relax and think. If you’re a biker, you have even less time to sit around and wonder what your next move is going to be. It’s sorta preprogrammed. Usually there is a bike night every night and a myriad of happenings on the weekend. There’s always something to do ... every day. This in itself allows only the time you spend enjoying the ride to think about things that are important. Most of that time however is spent dodging ignorant butt holes who can’t (or shouldn’t) drive in the first place. You know what I’m talking about, so I won’t go in to detail about what we should do with these morons. I will simply strike a chord for you to carry a heavy unidentifiable object in your pocket, so you can do your part in reminding them that they should have their windshield replaced. In blessed downtime, I think about a lot of stupid stuff. Most of this comes from exposure to television which in itself is an onerous waste of time. Television, combined with the minimum daily adult requirement of Budweiser always seems to make a person drift off into faraway lands where things are more or less complicated depending on the alignment of the Moon and Venus. Well, maybe it doesn’t work for everyone, but it certainly works for me. … Oh, don’t try to tell me you don’t know who this guy Billy is. He’s the dude that promotes Oxy-Clean and a thousand other products that are “Limited Time offers” only available on this “Tee Vee Special.” Oxy this Oxy that, and a few garden implements that will probably be featured as the murder weapon on the next edition of America’s Most Wanted. Seriously, do you want me to believe all this crap? First, I can’t see any truth coming out of the one-eyed monster in any
• • • • • • • • • • • • •
Icy Hot Liberal Conservative Same difference Jumbo Shrimp expect the unexpected Controlled Chaos Government organization Military Intelligence Christian Rock Motorcycle safety Drink responsibly Microsoft Works Happily Married
As confusing as they may sound, not all phrases that refer to things that are oxymoronic are self-contradictory … with the exception of Billy Mays. These may be referred to as simple figures of speech. Elementary Redneck vocabulary dictates “that dog won’t hunt.” So in effect we have a dichotomy of phrases that everyone should understand how to effectively use in an everyday conversation. I’m sure you have your own that you employ from day-today in your interaction with others. One of my favorites is: “If yer gonna be dumb, you gotta be tough!”… Not to be confused with an oxymoron, a figure of speech, sometimes termed a rhetoric or locution, is a word or phrase that departs from straightforward, literal language. Figures of speech are often used and crafted for emphasis, freshness of expression, or clarity. However, clarity almost always suffers from their use. With my stories for Born To Ride this is an absolute rule. Efff clarity!! Although confusing, the difference between the two becomes clearer to the reader as he scratches his or her proverbial head (or physical head) either major or minor. Remember, in the male species, the minor (or smaller) head inevitably dictates the actions taken by the larger (or major) head.
“Read at Your Own Risk!”
“Not For The Squeamish!” “Industrial
Strength Insanity!”
As an example of the figurative use of a word, I indulge you to consider the sentence; I am going to crown you. It may mean: • • • • •
I am going to place a crown on your head. I am going to buy you a pint of Guinness. I am going to symbolically exalt you to the place of kingship. I am going to put a second checker piece on top of your checker piece to signify that it has become a king. I am going to punch you in the head with my clenched fist. Repeatedly. …
Why am I even going here? Most of you don’t want an advanced grammar lesson. You didn’t want a definition of terms. What you want is to be entertained. I do try but most of the time I’m too busy worrying about stupid stuff like this. I mean it really bothers me when people use the word ‘ideal’ when they have an ‘idea.’ It’s nice to have ideals, but it’s even nicer to have a clue of how to speak English. You can spend hours in the local convenience store, gas station or motel lobby trying to explain to people what it ‘is’ that you want to purchase. Or, you can spend even more time at the drivethru speaker dealing with a person attempting to take your late night order for desperately needed nourishment after you closed the local Cougar bar. Inevitably your order will be wrong ... mostly due to the overt lack of communication. If he can’t understand simple English, then he can’t get it right. It gets worse and worse every day. But it seems to be something that goes with the territory. What once was a country where we had pride in being true American communicators has become a melting pot of semantic, colloquial speaking degenerates that further corrupt the ability of our impressionable youth to grasp our own language. I say speak English or get a new occupation! But hey, that’s just me. … It’s just something I read on a T-Shirt. Luckily for me, I was able to read it! Craven Moorehead
Check out Born To Ride.com for more articles from Craven . Comment at content@borntoride.com
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shop talk Speed Werks So you like high performance motorcycles? Interested in racing and track days? I want to introduce you to Delaware’s top sportbike & race motorcycle shop. I can personally tell you that the guys at Speedwerks cater to and take care of their customers. I used them for my GSXR750; they do great work and are my choice for the best specialty shop in Delaware. There are no complaining customers that I found out in the motorcycle world; all their customers come back again and again. So when you need any type of work done on your bike whether you have a sportbike, race bike, or Hog get to Speedwerks. The team at Speedwerks is not only a great repair shop but they are also a full-blown race team. I had a chance to get Steve, owner of Speedwerks, away from working to get into what Speedwerks is about.
Q: Tell me more about how track days and speedways fit together?
It is a big part of our business in a growing market. More and more people every year are riding track day and racing. There are a lot of guys out there that love riding the racetrack but they work
A:
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and might not have the time to put into customizing their bike. That’s where we come in. Q: What was your last full build for a customer? Well, we specialize in obscure stuff. Our latest work was a bike that was from the Japanese market. It was one of those bikes that were never brought into the American market. It was a Honda NSR250. Checkout the build on our website at speedwerks.com.
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Q: Tell the readers why they should give Speedwerks their business.
We have been in business for 15 years and we are totally independent. Everyone here that works on a customer’s bike also races and does track days. We build, prep, and maintain race and sport bikes. Riders come as far away as 4 hours to have us work on their bikes. We work on every type of bike out there and we do it well.
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By Chip E. Fresh
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On The Run
2nd annual maryland trauma Teddy Bear Rally
The date was set for one of the biggest parties to ever hit Camp Conowingo— and an amazing countryside motorcycle run. The Sister’s of Chrome WMC organized this benefit and 3-day event. On hand were bands like, Jimmy VanZant, Confederate Railroad, and Amanda Overmyer from American Idol; with others, they were rocking two stages both Friday & Saturday nights. The party really started on Thursday though. I think the party’s name was Wayne aka “Vendetta.” What’s up brother? I had a blast with you. The crowd that showed up for this event had three days in the middle of nowhere to do one thing ... party! The weekend also included bike games, vendors, tattoo artists, bike contests and an amazing countryside bike run. The run which started at Harley of Baltimore, btr 42 |borntoride.com
Chesapeake Harley and Cycos Motorcycle apparel in Gambrills, MD and all ended up back at Camp Conowingo. Along the run, the hilly countryside roads made for an amazing ride. If you like to ride beautiful hills, and look at “forever views” while riding - than check out this area. The 3-day event had the potential to be huge, but unfortunately the turnout was a little lighter than expected. There has been a second event planned. The Sisters Of Chrome Recovery Party is set for Saturday July 10th from 4pm-8pm at the Silver Dome Lounge, 119 Middleborough Rd. Essex, MD 21221. Come on out and Support The Sisters Of Chrome WMC. They are still looking for donations of teddy bears, for more info visit www.sistersofchromemc.com.
Check Out Born To Ride Magazine Online to read more Motorcyle Reviews
with Chip E. Fresh
Katelynn Stinnett National Memorial Ride A ride for child abuse prevention & awareness
The ride of the month, that’s the way I see it. Bikers alike rode in memory of those whose voices have been silenced and for those who are too small and frightened to stand up for themselves. “We ride in Katelynn’s memory, but we’ll ride for all kids that desperately need help,” says Beth Reinstein, co-founder and coordinator for Southern California Katelynn Stinnett Ride. Katelynn was a beautiful little girl who was savagely beaten, raped, tortured, and murdered by her 18-year old babysitter, Brian Crabtree in 2008. This national run has been established for her. The goal of this run is to get all 50 states to have a ride all together and raise awareness about child abuse. Delaware was previously represented at the run in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and other states; but this year was the first time the run was held in Delaware. The run started out at 93.5 The Beach in Georgetown, DE and embarked on a ride escorted by our own “Kamikaze Delaware State Troopers.” These men put it balls to the wall as they kept traffic within a safe distance from the riders. Thank you so much for being there. The run left from 93.5 The Beach and headed thru the circle in Georgetown. We continued into Lewes and made a stop that was unexpected and shocking all at once. Shocking by the way it made me feel; I knew I was involved with something huge! There was an awareness ceremony held at a building I feel should no longer be standing—the former office of Dr. Bradley; a man that may go down in history for molesting the most children ever. I believe there are over 400+ reported cases for rape and abuse accumulated to date. But you know how it is; innocent until proven guilty. He has not been sentenced yet. The emotions from the crowd were somewhat intense, very quietly pinwheels—the national symbol for PCA (Prevent Child Abuse), were being placed around the abandoned office. After the ceremony the ride headed up the highway to Smyrna, Delaware and ended at the SportZone. The Sportzone is the perfect place to have a benefit. The auctions, drinks, and food were a great way to end the run and hang out with a lot of good people. Donations raised will go directly to Prevent Child Abuse Delaware. I want to personally thank Scoob, Angel, Doug and everyone that brought this event to Delaware and for raising awareness about child abuse in our area. To have your next event featured in On The Run, contact me. Chip@streetthrottle.com or 302-299-6612
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MEAN STREETS Q&A with Motorman I get lots of e-mail from the readers of this column and from people that have purchased my Ride Like a Pro video and Book. Here are a few questions as well as my answers to them that may be of some interest to you.
Motorman, I have a Gold Wing 1500 which weighs 800 lbs. I feel like I’m muscle-ing it around at low speeds. I think I’m leaning enough when making turns but maybe not because I’m so tired after my practice. Should I be this tired after two hours of practicing my low speed skills?
“Tense Shoulder While Turning” Answer: I’m betting the reason you’re getting tired out so quickly is because you’re tensing up. I see this many times at my classes. The rider’s arms are stiff and they have a death grip on the handlebars. When making turns, I notice in whatever direction the bike is leaning, they’ll have their shoulder on that side jammed all the way up. All these things cause fatigue in a short amount of time. When using the techniques properly, you shouldn’t feel any muscle fatigue at all and you won’t if you simply relax. You might start by sitting on your bike, shaking out your arms and your hands, roll your head from side to side then put both hands on the grips, grab the controls lightly, and make sure your elbows are bent. Next, close your eyes and visualize yourself running through whatever exercise you’re working on, in a smooth, graceful manner. In your mind, feel the bike lean from side to side. Now, open your eyes, take a few deep breaths and cruise through the exercise. -Ride Safe... Ride Like a Pro Team Jerry Motorman Palladino
“Correct Shoulder Posture While Turning”
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www.ridelikeapro.com • Copyright 2010
Check out Born To Ride.com for more Mean Street articles from the Jerry Motorman Palladino
H-D Baltimore MVP Paarrrty!
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CHRISTIAN MOTORCYCLists ASSOCIATION
The Christian Motorcyclist Association was started in 1975 when a man, Herb Shreve, saw the need for a Christian organization that was dedicated to reaching out to motorcyclist’s with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Little did he know that 35 years later there would be over 130,000 membership applications nationwide and over 1,000 chartered chapters in the United States. btr 46| borntoride.com
CMA is not a club but a ministry. Our ministry team program is designed to make ministers of our members. Some of the ministry teams are servant, first aid, prison, mechanical and music. CMA’s vision is “changing the world, one heart at a time.” We are involved in motorcycling events across the country. Here in the Delmarva area we do Worship services at Delmarva Bikeweek and have information-ministry booths set up at different events. During Rolling Thunder, the Eastern shore chapter had a water wagon and handed out nearly 400 gallons of cold water, one cup at a time! We can do Bike Blessings whenever and where ever. We are here because we love motorcycles, but most of all we love Jesus. We share the love for bikes, but we all have experienced the forgiveness of a great God and given the chance to start life over with a greater friend.
Since the small beginning of a father and son interested in motorcycles, CMA has been going to the highways and byways bringing light into darkness. CMA’s membership is made up of people from all walks of life who ride every type of bike. Matthew 20:28, “In the same way the Son of Man did not come to be served. He came to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many people.” We’re not here to be served, but to serve others in any way we can and be “Here if you need us.” CMA is just a tool God has given us to do what He commanded us to do in the gospels, “Go everywhere in the world and tell the Good News to everyone! For more info you can go to cmausa.org. Thanks, Buddy Timmons CMA, Delaware Area Rep.
Check out Born To Ride.com for more articles from CMA.
Rides, Runs, and destinations Delaware
Friday, July 16 New Castle - Mike’s Famous Biker Weekend – July 16th, 17th & 18th – (302) 658-8800 Friday, July 23 Houston – Phoenix MC Fun Run – July 23rd, 24th & 25th – (302) 430-8935 Saturday, July 24 Harrington – Broke Jokers Benefit Run – Cactus Club – 2:00pm – www.brokejokersmc. com Sunday, July 25 Seaford – 9th Annual Chrome City Ride for Benedictine – Registration at 9:30am – (410) 634-2292 Thursday, July 29 Dover – Delaware & Maryland State Hog Rally – July 29th, 30th & 31st – (240) 786-4072 Saturday, July 31 Georgetown – Bison Brotherz Motorcycle Ministry 2nd Annual Bikers Celebration – (302) 339-0616
Maryland
Saturday, July 17 Cumberland – Hillbilly Hotdog Run Registration 6:30am – (240) 580-5888
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Saturday, July 17 Frederick – 999 WFRE Crusin for St Jude – Registration 9:00am – (301) 663-4181 Sunday, July 18 Baltimore – Road Ranger MC Mystery Ride Registration 9:00am – (443) 590-9873 Saturday, July 24 Salisbury – ABATE Biker Drive-in – 4:00pm – (443) 271-1928 Saturday, July 24 Rosedale – Excape & Born To Ride Breast Cancer Poker Run – (410) 574-7941 Saturday, July 24 Manchester – Rumble at the Ranch – 11am – (443) 712-1010 Sunday, July 25 Ridgley – 9th Annual Chrome City Ride for Benedictine – Registration at 9:00am – (410) 634-2292
Virginia
Friday, July 16 Hillsville – Thunder in the Mountain V – July 16th, 17th & 18th – (540) 320-0558 Sunday, July 18 Tazewell –Iron Titans Motorcycle Rally – July, 18th, 19th & 20th - www.irontitans.com Thursday, July 29 Coeburn – Lonesome Pine Bikefest –July, 29th, 30th, 31st & Aug, 1st – (276) 393-8345
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to submit your events. Let us know what you have going on so that we can let others know what you have going on, HELP US HELP YOU!
This is a FREE listing for the biker community to find out what is going on!
Sunday, July 25 Severn – American Legion Riders 276 - 1st Annual Bike Show – 12 noon – (410) 969-8028
Saturday, July 10 Essex - Sisters of Chrome WMC Recovery Party – 4:00pm – (443) 559-6305 Saturday, July 17 Denton - ABATE Yahtzee Dice Run – 11:00am - Paul (410) 714-0832 or Bret (443) 786-5010
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