– a lovely photo from someone’s family album. The lass on the right was someone’s grandmother who served as a nurse on Hawaii during the Second World War. The white socks and head scarves are pure period cuteness.
June 21, 2021
Narcos
Medellin Cartel
– we’re currently watching Narcos, about drug lord Pablo Escobar, who, at the height of his infamy, was bringing in $70 million a day from cocaine smuggled to the US. the image is a still from rare footage of him on a Yamaha dirt bike as he rode around his Hacienda homestead.
June 6, 2021
Day of Days
June 6th 1944
– a pivotal moment of the Twentieth Century when the Free World decided to take back what had been overthrown by the Nazis. Here’s a fresh faced army courier strapped into a Horsa glider, with his Matchless ride, bound for Normandy.
April 24, 2021
Chocks Away
Eureka Springs AR
– an adventurous sort tootling along the historic Main Street of a town that drew late 19th Century Americans to try the healing waters. Now it has fudge shops, t-shirt stores, trinket emporia, among other tourist attractions. Today also had the cacophony of open-piped Harley riders thundering up and down the traffic jammed narrow streets.
January 27, 2021
Pure Patina
– unpacking a 1960 sled once owned by racer Buck Smith. Acquired by Ace Classics in Lewisham southeast London. You can still see the grit and dust from the Big Bear SoCal arid hinterland.
January 20, 2021
Veep
– Today saw the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States along with his Vice President Kamala Harris. Becoming the first woman in that role. After how long? She’s also the first of African and Asian descent. Thulasendrapuram, her grandfather’s village in southern India celebrated her elected success and today is certainly partying with the swearing in of one of their daughters.
November 11, 2020
The Unforgotten
.. although the legacy of The Great War is of death and pain some of ‘the lads’ did find camaraderie with the mundane tasks to keep the military machine running. Here are despatch riders from the Royal Signal Corp having a jolly old time keeping their Triumph Model H’s on the road.
November 5, 2020
Anonymous
– a 16th Century Catholic conspirator became the symbol of postmodern anarchism with the mask of anonymity. The individual biker is an appropriate use of the effigies face.
October 11, 2020
Apache Red
– halfway along Fairfield Road a little north of Volo sits this ragged red clapped barn. I’ve passed by it numerous times so decided to stop today and memorialize its presence on the Lake County outings.
August 1, 2020
Coach House
Near my garage where the bikes are kept is this old garage and loft. The old doors, siding and shingle are great time worn vintage features that are only seen along this Evanstonian alley.
July 4, 2020
Independence
– lovely ride up to Winthrop Harbor this evening . Quiet roads with few cars and perfect temperatures.
June 18, 2020
June 19th
The oldest known celebration honoring the end of slavery in the United States. On June 19, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger led thousands of federal troops to Galveston, Texas to announce that the Civil War had ended, and slaves had been freed. Everyone needs to Ride Free!
May 17, 2020
Assembly Required
– here’s something that will keep me out of trouble for a few rainy afternoons. A 1/9 scale WW2 era Triumph 3HW. The ubiquitous single cylinder workhorse of the British forces. Indeed it is the motorcycle used by my grandfather George in his duties as a Military Policeman in the North African theatre.
