Little House of Trikes

Last Saturday in northern Arizona was truly a magnificent fall day. The air was clean and sweet smelling from all the rain we had the previous week. The mountain peaks appeared so close that reaching out and touching them seemed possible. All summer long we had suffered from the smoke of prescribed fires filling the Verde Valley with thick, smelly and lung choking filthy air. One deep breath Saturday and we knew it was going to be a fantastic motorcycle day.

I met up with two other riding buds and one budette in Sedona. It’s nice having a woman rider along. Julie keeps us civil (sort of) and she is one of the guys when it comes right down to it. She belongs with our group of ragtag riders who don’t take life too seriously and love to laugh. Teasing one another is par for the course and it helps to learn that laughing is contagious and good for the soul. Jay, Hoppy, Julie and I all smiled and hugged at our meeting. We are great friends one and all.



Julie



Hoppy



Jay



Mittster

After some hot coffee and sweet pastry in the Village of Oak Creek, we saddled up for the ride to Mayer and a look-see at a terrific trike and classic bike shop we had heard about from Adrian, who owns a tattoo shop named Physical Graffiti in the Village. We had met at his shop because my wife Sandy wanted a small tattoo, but she was unable to be with our group that day. We met in the parking lot and Adrian was able to check out our bikes, which consisted of two Harley V-Rods, a 1975 first-year Honda Goldwing and a Harley Super-Glide.

As we headed south toward Interstate 17, it became apparent that the day was special and smiles spread wide as we negotiated the last round-about and headed for Mayer. Even though the air was crisp and cold, it felt good after a hot and long summer. Traffic was light going south, but northbound was heavy as the tourists flocked toward Sedona. Thank God we were going the other way; Sedona can become a zoo and no place to be riding a motorcycle when the car traffic becomes heavy.

We soon turned on the I-17 south and cranked up the scooters to 75 mph with wind in our faces and brilliant sun lighting up the fantastic vistas. It didn’t take long to reach Cherry Road and we then headed west toward Prescott until we reached Highway 69 and turned south again toward Mayer and The Trike Shop. We arrive to the sight of two beautiful trikes outside for display. We rode around to the back of the shop, parked, shed coats and gloves, and headed inside to the best motorcycle shop I have seen in years.

I only took pictures of the Harley trike conversions this time and the pictures I took of all of us meeting in Sedona didn’t turn out because I am an idiot (don’t ask).












My V-Rod when I get too old to ride two wheels.






















We are planning another trip soon so I can photograph the many classic Harleys, Indians, Hondas, and other fantastic one-of-a-kind bikes in the museum. Thank you, "Scruf," for being the perfect host during our visit!

To be continued….

Write on,

Mittster

Skull and Bones

I couldn’t figure out why Harley-Davidson started putting skull and bones on all their bike accessories. After some research, the reason became apparent. As a murder mystery writer and Harley rider, the skull and bones have much significance, but it never occurred to me that there could also be a “booty call” connection.

My wife has always objected to any Harley stuff with skulls attached to it until I bought my V-Rod a few weeks ago. Low and behold when we got home she presented me with a Buddy Stubb's skull and bones T-shirt! I doubt she knew about the real connotation or my T-shirt would have been a traditional bike picture with no connotation what-so-ever.

Too late now, darling, I have it and I am wearing it! Of course, my reasoning is to tie murder mystery writing in with Harleys so I can sell my books while riding in motorcycle rallies. A little “booty” watching along the way surely can’t hurt. It keeps the eyes in good shape, but – Look, but don’t touch is another connotation I also understand well….

I’m just saying,

Mittster

Out Riding

Out riding my Harley...have a great weekend!

Welcome to the 21st Century

Whoever said you can’t teach old dogs new tricks has never ridden a Harley-Davidson VRSCA. This old dog is now riding the first water cooled bike made by Harley. The V-Rod was offered up in 2002, but at the time I was still “old school” and riding a Twin Cam 88 Road King. I didn’t pay too much attention to the hype and went on about my business.

In 2005, I test drove a silver anniversary model 2003 VRSCA at KA Cycles in Cottonwood, Arizona. I was impressed with the ease of shifting and the smoothness of the lighter, rocket fast V-Rod, but, alas, I was still old school to the core. The ride left a lasting impression on me though, as did the looks of the bike. It reminded me of a Café racer, but still distinctly Harley-Davidson.

In 2010, I did the unthinkable and sold my Road King to help finance Evil in the Mirror and Day Stalker, two murder mysteries I had written and published. I missed my King, but was very excited to see my books on Amazon.com. Although my timing was lousy because we fell into the deepest recession since the Great Depression, I was determined to continue authoring and started my third novel, The Phoenix Code.

As fate would have it, I have returned to construction and started earning more money again. Now is the time to get back on a Harley. My decision to look for a V-Rod was one of common sense. I was tired of air-cooled bikes that didn’t much care for the hot Arizona sun, and they protested by pinging loudly if I let them idle too long in 100 plus degree heat. You could cook a full course meal on the engine! No such problem with the V-Rod; that is if I remember to check the water. The other issue is weight. I was also tired of man handling 750 pounds of road hog and welcomed the idea of only having to handle 575 pounds with a very low center of gravity. I also realize that my long hauls all over America are finished and that I don’t need a lot of storage space anymore.

I have found a perfect low mileage, “pristine silver,” Anniversary Model V-Rod at the best motorcycle store on the planet, Buddy Stubb’s Harley-Davidson in Phoenix, Arizona. I jumped at the chance to grab it up before someone else bought it. The V-Rod is truly is a cruiser on steroids and perfect for the short charity runs we have in northern Arizona. My first ride is for the Humane Society of Sedona, Arizona, in May. I look forward to riding with all my motorcycle friends again and at the same time supporting our favorite charities. Life is good….

I’m just saying, “I’m back,”

Mittster

I Feel a V-Rod Coming On

After I sold my Harley-Davidson “Road King” to help finance the publishing of my second murder mystery, Day Stalker, I found myself sucked into the no riding void of self-pity and depression. It seemed everywhere I looked, someone was riding a Harley, and while they were feeling good and looking good, I just hung my head in shame and rejection.

All my riding buds and buddettes have ridden off into the sunset while shaking their heads wondering how I could have sold my beautiful Harley touring bike. Sometimes I wondered the same thing, until I let my mind wrap around the fact that I have written and published two murder mystery novels that are five-star rated on Amazon.com. How many of my riding friends can say that? This fact may not be like riding a motorcycle, but it sure is exciting in its own right!

A funny thing happened to me on the way to my computer last month. I landed a construction consultant job and the position could very well be fulltime and salaried in the near future. This was better than I could have ever dreamed; after all, construction work in Arizona was non-existent. When this opportunity presented itself, I jumped on it like a frog on a bug and instantly unretired myself, yet again, from the industry I had spent so many years learning. When in doubt, do what you know best, and that is exactly what I am now doing.

Suddenly, owning another Harley seems within my reach. No more expensive, heavy touring bikes for the Mittster. I dream of a used 2003 Anniversary Model, Harley-Davidson (water cooled) V-Rod. I test drove one about five years ago and knew then that if I ever decided to stop the long hauls, the V-Rod would be my choice for just cruising the short trips.

It's official; I am going to Buddy Stubbs this Sunday to pict up my V-Rod! I’m sure glad I didn’t sell my riding duds and boots. The Mittster will be, once again, riding into the sunset!

I’m just saying,

Mittster