Donald Sutherland plays a nazi agent in this 1981 film The Eye of the Needle. Knowing plans about D-Day he needs to report back to Berlin with a U-Boat meet-up off Scotland. Ending up on a remote “Storm Island” he takes up with a woman who is emotionally estranged from her husband who lost his legs in an automobile accident on their wedding day just as he was about to head off as a Spitfire pilot. As our protagonist is being pursued by Scotland Yard he commandeers a Velocette motorcycle to hare through the glens of Scotland. He ditches it in the sea after just crossing the Connel Bridge which crosses Loch Etive. The film was directed by Richard Marquand who went on to direct Return of the Jedi for George Lucas.
Indiana Dunes hinterland was a nice part of the route today. Perfect summer weather and fairly quiet roads. Brunch at Froehlichs Bakery as a mid-ride stop was a breakfast treat.
Enjoyable morning in Winnetka wandering amongst some gorgeous motorcars. German, British, Italian, Swedish. The sumptuous curves and elegant lines covering midcentury engineering. The weather was perfect to match the machinery.
A nice build from Revival Cycles using a modern Royal Enfield 650 as a donor. Reminds me of my Tiger Cub in appearance, but this looks more purposeful for the job at hand.
Natural Habitat
Based in Austin TX they have some photos of this build haring around an arid SoCal location. Splendid just!
This year’s Motoblot event had plenty to look at. From older model cars and bikes to newer models being featured by dealers. Weather was hot as usual and the rockabilly music loud as an unmuffled engine. There was an ‘85 Kawasaki Ninja parked up too. Nice to see it!
We went to see this film tonight. Based on photography and recorded interviews from the late 60’s and early 70’s it follows a bike club in Chicago as they make their way through the Midwest on Harleys clad in oily leather jackets emblazoned with “Vandals”. Tom Hardy is leader, Austin Butler the too-cool-for-school member and Jodie Comer is marvelous at his wife. Two-Thumbs up!
Great film about a fictitious plan to kidnap Churchill during WW2. Donald Sutherland plays an IRA agent helping the Germans infiltrate a Norfolk village. Michael Caine is the Fallschirmjäger who parachutes in with his troops to undertake the mission. Jenny Agutter is Molly. A Royal Enfield Flying Flea is the motorcycle scooting around tge countryside. Sadly Donald passed away today aged 88.
Beautiful French singer François Hardy passed away yesterday. She was the epitome of gallic chic in music, film, and fashion. Regarded as an “égérie” ‘muse’ by the top French fashion designers of the time such as Chanel and YSL and later the upcoming women of fashion who rebelled against haute couture with the Yé Yé School. Well she looked good in leather with a moto nearby. François Hardy (1944-2024)
Proud youth with his ape hung, hardtailed rear, extended forked, bicycle headlighted Triumph Tiger Cub. The wooded setting sets off the red paintwork superbly. As George Hanson said whilst imbibing on a Jim Beam quart bottle “Here’s the first of the day, fellas! To old D. H. Lawrence.” The whilst flapping one arm like a chicken: “Neh! Neh! Neh! Fuh! Fuh! Fuh! Indians.”
On our ride today which took us past the west suburbs through small towns in McHenry County we happened upon a classic car show. What’s more they were a superb selection of American muscle cars. GTO’s, Mustangs, Chevelle’s, Olds Cutlass’; a few hot rods based on a Ford Deuce; and a lovely Chevy Nomad. Good roads out there too!
Weather perfect? Check! Dapper dressed folk? Check! Many splendid bikes? Check! A lovely gathering in the City for a good cause. Nigh on 300 people on nearly as many Triumph’s, Ducatis, BMW’s, Guzzi’s, and many other marques took to a route through Chicago’s Loop and along Lake Shire Drive.
Fulton Street and the Cobra Lounge
Getting a good send off from Johnny & Larry before stands up and the cacophony of motorcycles head down Ashland and through the intersection lights en masse.
Through The Loop
Eastbound on Jackson (Route 66) took us to the Lake and southbound LSD. Horns honked, engines revved and onlookers smiled.
Museum of Science and Industry
Big gathering and group photo on the steps before heading back north. Grand outing had by all!
Marvelous weather and a splendid ride north along the Lake. Dean and Nikolai made up the trio of our pack as we swung by Illinois State Beach Park. The Tiger was fresh from its important 12,000 mile service at Motoworks and ran like new. superb!
Perfect weather for a ride today. Through Lake County along the back roads to Lake Geneva in Wisconsin. Pear blossom highlighting the hedges, countless bikers on the roads. Smashing!
Vin takes chase to the outlaws terrorizing a village as part of this films titular septet. It’s on the Telly this morning so I may as well watch it! Happy Birthday Steve! He would have been 94 today.
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