Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Borrego Springs Road Run




Borrego Springs road run had spectacular weather this year. We never know how it's going to work out but it was about as perfect as one could have wished for allowing us to ride around on the mountain top around Julian, Lake Henshaw and Warner Springs. To see so many fine antiques in 1 parking lot before and after each days ride and out and about on the highways is fabulous. I think the final tally of participants was 112 which is an awesome turnout for a local chapter run. It was all good to ride with the 2001 Century Ride Home riders Greg Johnson and Bob Clift, needless to say it was all fun for anyone who decided to hang out with this rowdy bunch and brought back fond memories of the cross country ride. It was also nice to see Bob Stark riding his Kawaski Drifter and for the 1st time at a road run Gary Stark. Bob is no spring chicken and it's nice that the old timers come out. A guy I always get a kick out of talking to is Hutch from Hutchinson's Harley in Yucca Valley Ca. He's a very long old time Harley dealer and I spotted him at a rest stop kicking back so I had to do a U turn and harass him as he's always good for some old factory stories. He wanted his photo taken of us together along side his 1930 Harley which him and his dad bought in 1935. It remained in bits for 70 yrs and he just finished restoring it days before the road run. I said well in all fairness you can get 1 picture of me alongside your Harley but it'll cost you 2 pictures of you next to the Crazy Horse Indian. He agreed with a big laugh saying you Indian guys just never give up do you. The SoCal chapter puts in so much effort into this ride each year to make it a very classy event. I rode Crazy Horse which was pure fun. This bike was built upon our Kiwi rigid frame, leaf spring forks, 84" engine and there is something very magical about the combination as it is a super nice and comfortable riding bike with plenty of torque to run through the mountain curves and hills. The solid copper tank and rear fender really makes this bike unusual. I look forward to going to the Texas road run later this month. I'm contemplating throwing saddle bags and a luggage carrier on my bobber and heading out across country. Congrates to everyone who made the SoCal chapter road run a great ride. Mike Tomas