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.
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.
Is it a Byrd? Bassist Chris Hillman looking hip on a Triumph back in the sixties. I was listening to McGuinn, Crosby, Clarke, Clark and Hillman with their Easy Rider soundtrack earlier when preparing the evening meal.
Ruddy ‘Ard | That there’s versatile actor Tom Hardy sat on a Triumph Thruxton on some city street corner. Effortless cool.
He’s Dangerous | The official trailer for the sequel to Top Gun was released today. Called Top Gun Maverick it stars Tom Cruise as the titular character – this time an aged fighter pilot rather than a brash young jock. Kawasaki motorcycles feature again. A brief sighting of the original Ninja 900 as well as a speeding Ninja H2. The Need for Speed.
Poop-Poop | one of the great environmental books to read is Kenneth Graham’s tale from the riverbank: The Wind in the Willows. Mr Toad of Toad Hall always finds the adventurous side of life as can be seen in the latest animated offering being released this summer. In the trailer he’s haring along a country lane on a vintage motorcycle only to come a cropper.
“The Open road, the dusty highway, the heath, the common, the hedgerows, the rolling downs; Travel, change, interest, excitement! The whole world before you, and a horizon that’s always changing! ” Toad
Theodore “Ted” Logan | Keanu Reeves is known for many iconic movie roles (Johnny Utah, Neo, John Wick) but the first was as one half of the dim witted Californian duo Bill & Ted. They travel through time, in a phone booth, meeting historical figure thus ensuring good high school grades and eventual fame for their band Wyld Stallyn’s. A future utopian society based on their music depends on them not flunking high school.
It was just announced last week that a third B&T film is going to be made for release in 2020. Bodacious dude!
Keanu is a very keen motorcyclist, being seen on all kinds of rides including this contemporary Norton. He also formed a company called Arch Motorcycles building high end custom bikes. We’ll cover this in a separate post.
“Strange things are afoot at the Circle-K”
Jon and Dorothea – Mr & Mrs Bongiovi lookin’ like a happy couple riding a Harley softail across the desert of Moab where he was filming the video for their chart topping hit from Young Guns II “Blaze of Glory”. Jon Bon Jovi is 57 today. Cowboy boots ‘n’ all!
Cooler King – slim chinos, cut down sweatshirt, cigarette and Persol shades: he epitomizes Cool. A Triumph TR-6 dresses up to look German hits the mark too.
TRON – here’s a blast from the past. Early CGI from 1982’s outing into the realm of the program and user. Light Cycles race for domination of the grid with wall like trails. Jeff Bridges played main character Flynn in his typical laconic style.
“My greatest moments of solitude – my churches – are found in the land, on the road” ~ Brad Pitt (55 today)
Rita Nebraska – Lauren Hutton takes on a perfect pose with this track’d Bonneville. She starred with Robert Redford and Michael J Pollard in the 1970 comedic drama Little Fauss & Big Halsy flick about motorcycle racing. With her distinctive gap-tooth grin she still models into her seventies.
The Eye of the Tiger –
“Risin’ up, back on the street
Did my time, took my chances
Went the distance, now I’m back on my feet
Just a man and his will to survive
So many times, it happens too fast
You trade your passion for glory
Don’t lose your grip on the dreams of the past
You must fight just to keep them alive
It’s the eye of the tiger, it’s the thrill of the fight
Risin’ up to the challenge of our rival
And the last known survivor stalks his prey in the night
And he’s watchin’ us all with the eye of the tiger”
Magicians Special – actor Rupert Grint beams whilst perched on a black Bonnie. Not quite a Nimbus 3000 but I’m sure you’d give the Golden Snitch a run for its money. Ron Weasley usually ended up with hand-me-downs but this time he’s plumped the wizards prize.
