Helsinki Spirit | My folks are enjoying their cruise around the Baltic. One further stop they had on the itinerary was the Finnish capital. My paw was kind enough to send this shot of an urban ready Triumph Scrambler. But I’m sure it’s used further afield through the lake scattered and wooded rural areas of the northern kingdom of Suomi.
Knobby Clarke | You can conjure up long forgotten or invent new creative curse words when changing a tire. Four ‘tar arns’, soapy water, elbow grease, and the job gets done… in 1 1/4 hours. I’m sure the front should go quicker now some semblance of a technique is being learned.
The Mouse and the Motorcycle | I need to conjure up a children’s book like this one… adventure for a diminutive rodent mammal. The original tale was written in 1965 by Beverly Cleary.
Gene Romero (1947-2019)
One of the top flat track racers in the late sixties and early seventies passed away over the weekend. Talented on Triumph twins around the dirt ovals and fast on the faired triples around a road track.
Owld Moto’s | Sunday scoot up to Highwood for a coffee. Bikes are running pretty good. Weather was a tad cooler by the Lake. It was fun to be on the older machine.
Tri-Umph | Three in the garage. Rainy day spent changing the oil and filter on the Bonnie. Getting it ready for some short outings in the coming season.
Bobbina | Across the decades women have been as keen riders as men. It can certainly be seen here with an early incarnation of a bobber followed by the latest model in the Triumph line.
Capital Capitol | Punctuating the isthmus between Lakes Mendota & Monona the White granite domed State capitol building stands proudly with the gilt Wisconsin statue atop it. The morning sun glints of it splendidly. As the Wisconsin mottos says: “Forward!”
Red Wing MN | With a name derived from the Dakota chiefs use of a red dyed swan feather to denote rank, this North Star State town on the banks of the Mississippi is a pleasant place to visit. Classic red brick architecture line a couple of very walkable streets. It is known for rugged work boots and clay pottery; as well as one of the earliest ski clubs in the US due to the Scandinavian population who settled there.
Bumblebee | My parents are enjoying a cruise around the Baltic this week. Their first port of call is the wonderful wonderful Danish city of Copenhagen. They sent this photo of the distinctive Nimbus motorcycle on display at a museum. The nimble and reliable in-line four 750cc engined workhorse became a staple mode of transportation for the Viking population. The Type C was introduced in 1934, when this model is from, and continued in very much this form until 1959. Its nickname was Humblebien (Bumblebee) due to a buzzing exhaust note.
Big Cat | The Tiger looks good whilst traveling the highways and byways. Purposeful and raring to go in any direction and distance.
Fuel Stop | As well as the necessary 93 octane for the Tiger there is also my engine to keep stoked. When passing through Minnesota or some parts of Wisconsin I always manage to grab one or two Nut Goodies made by the St Paul confectioners Pearson’s. Unsalted peanuts in a creamy maple center covered in milk chocolate. Washed down with a Coke… perfect road food!
Tandragee 100 | Considered the best road race in Northern Ireland; this years offering saw our man Guy Martin take his BSA Rocket Three to victory in the Classic 1000cc class on the 5.3 mile circuit with an average lap speed of over 90mph.
Red Barn | One of the things I do when passing through the American Heartland is look out for old barns. Their vernacular spirit intrigues me as they always seem to complement the rural scene. During yesterday’s jaunt through Wisconsin and Minnesota I could have stopped at least a dozen times; however this structure stood out for a photo-op. The grassy ramp of this ‘bank’ or ‘basement’ barn gives access to the hayloft itself supported on the stone built livestock stable. A cupola is supported on the classic gambrel roof.
The River Road | From Madison I took the roads across heart of Dairyland to Prairie du Chien. From there I followed the Mississippi through La Crosse to Winona and on to Red Wing, Minnesota. Spotted a few eagles soaring over the tree clad bluffs. Good Roads, Good Ride.
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