Gate Ajar | The Meriden factory gates closed permanently in August 1983 after final bankruptcy was called. I wonder what happened to these main driveway gates after demolition a year later… probably sold for scrap. However the Phoenix arose!
Woman Strong
Racer, metal fabricator, mechanic, TV personality Jessi Combs was killed while trying to push the envelope for a women’s speed record. She died tearing across a dry lake bed in Oregon in her rocket powered car at over 400mph. A strong talented person, she was an encouraging inspiration to girls and women nationwide. RIP Jessi Combs (1980-2019)
Skyscraper Scenery
The City on the Lake | a selection of the fantastic images captured by my pillion Ali as we sped around the triathlon course. The skyline is a marvelous backdrop to such an event.
Kodachrome
Dolly Grip | the moto crew organizer Patrick kindly sent me this photograph yesterday that he captured as I was heading up the off ramp onto Lake Shore Drive with Ali the photographer aboard. Tomorrow I’ll upload a couple of the images Ali captured from the pillion stance.
Small is Beautiful
Sixty Mini Years | Today marks the 60th Birthday of the classic small car. Designer Sir Alec Issigonis introduced the Mark I compact runabout which always seem larger on the inside. One of the most fun cars to drive.
Chi-Tri
Triathlon Triumph | What better steed to be on to offer vehicular support for the 36th Chicago Triathlon than a triple cylindered Tiger. Ten volunteer riders showed up under Lake Shore Drive at a coffee and donut fed 5am to give facility for race officials and photographers during the cycling portion of the iconic swim-bike-run endeavor. I had Ali, a Turkish photographer, as my pillion taking him around the course to memorialize the huge effort put in by the entrants. The weather was perfect (though the swim was cancelled due to unsafe lake conditions) and we all had a great time.
Five for Fighting
Pentagon | an errand in the City allowed me to drop my new panniers off to Johnny Scheff’s Motoworks to have their looks keyed to my ignition key. The new Triumphs looked splendid in the August sunshine. The current line-up are all cracking looking bikes.
Land Ahoy!
Jenny Wren | A group of smiling lasses serving as Royal Navy despatch riders in WW2.
Floppy Ear
Mans Best Friend | what other color should a chimney sweeps hound be that white?
Born to be Free
Muffler Man | frame from opening scenes to Easy Rider depict a looming Ax Man. These fiberglass behemoths advertised car mufflers in the sixties but we’re sometimes repurposed for other city symbols. Typically a silencer would be supported between the giant paws of the lantern jawed gargantua – but other items can be substituted too, such as the double headed axe that this chap is wielding.
B&W
Out ‘n’ About | A good black and white photo reminds me of countless hours in chemical scented dark rooms trying to get the optimum negative exposure from the enlarger. Developer : Stop-Bath : Fix
“Do not enter” light on the door.
Bean Been
Coffee Stop | between the summer storms we managed a brief trip north for an iced java in Highwood. An occasional fresh breeze wafted up the lakefront ravines from Lake Michigan. Very pleasant.
Key West or Bust
Wyatt & Daryl | the final episode of the first season of Ride With Reedus sees The Walking Dead actor cruising through the Everglades and down The Keys on a pair of Triumphs. Norman is like a kid in a candy store riding alongside the iconic Peter Fonda. ‘Gators, Hemingway and tales from the road.
Lock-Up
Cooper Coop | trying the garage for size before getting the bikes moved in. It’ll do nicely!