All Smiles 🙂 Old Triumphs with enthusiastic owners ready for racin’ & ridin’. The sun is shining and the outlook is rosy.
January 6, 2019
Do or Do Not… there is no Try
Resolute – It is typical of the New Year for us to put on the mask of Janus and look back at what we achieved (or not) the previous year and thus look forward to the coming twelve months and make a determination of what we want to achieve. Usually in an effort to better ourselves; and, in a way, make this time we have count. Me? I’m not a big one for ‘resolutions’ but it’s fun to think of things that you would like to try and do. A list you ask? Well, here goes:
- Write/Illustrate a children’s book.
- Ride the Triumph Tiger more.
- Sketch more.
- Ride the Lake Michigan loop.
- Fettle the Bonneville for occasional vintage runs.
- Get the Cub out onto some off-road shenanigans.
December 18, 2018
T-Shirt Ink & Flatcap
“My greatest moments of solitude – my churches – are found in the land, on the road” ~ Brad Pitt (55 today)
December 15, 2018
Velocette Vixen
A Ray of Sunshine – today is the birthday of one half of preeminent mid century designers, the Eameses. Ray Eames was born in 1912 and along with her designer husband Charles created some of the most iconic objects in the fifties. Their hard work ethic relied on playful creativity to push the boundaries of design.
December 14, 2018
Miss Fuzzy Breeches
One Million Years – Chicagoan Raquel Welch stirred the hearts of many a red blooded male in the 60’s as Loana the Fair One dressed in a chamois bikini amidst a world of dinosaurs. She keeps the look on the right side of this triptych with s Vespa scooter. But the centerpiece is a smiling lass astride a Norton. Honest happiness of a smoldering brunette who swept away the submissive blond bombshell of previous sex symbols and led the way for stronger women in the limelight.
December 12, 2018
Goldstar
Seven Oh Three – sometimes a big thumper is all you need. Glorious BSA flat tracker with beastly single cylinder’d engine.
December 11, 2018
Chopper Youth
Attitude – a pair of British ‘ells angels give the photographer a surly glower in another image from the Café Royal Books publication.
December 10, 2018
Darkroom output
Photo Zine – limited edition photography books are available from Cafe Royal Books. Amongst their offering are some excellent photojournalistic publications. This one is filled with evocative images from the seventies of bikers attending the iconic races on the Isle of Man. You can smell the drips of Castrol on the deck of the Douglas ferry.
December 9, 2018
British Symbolism
Tower Bridge -stunning portrait of this iconic London landmark with a ’49 Triumph Tiger parked on south bank Butler’s Wharf near Shad Thames. The Tower of London’s White Tower can be seen in in the left background. The raised road deck bascules reach up like triumphant arms to the sky. I used to commute over this bridge when I lived in London. Most memorable moments were waiting for the spans to lower with other bikers at the front of the traffic queue.
December 4, 2018
Twisting Throttle
Pair of Tigers – sharp focus and narrow depth of field give these two a dynamic appearance as they rush towards the camera. The slight drift of the biting rear tire hurl the bike with gyroscopic forces across this field.
November 25, 2018
Shop
Eye Candy – the dealer here at Hotel Ignacio is a Triumph Ducati KTM outlet called Moto Europa. Their showroom floor has plenty to look at from the newest Bonnie’s and Monsters, to the Daytona’s and Scramblers.
November 20, 2018
Breakers
Life is a Beach – I’ve always enjoyed a trip to the seaside. Here in Illinois it’s the lakefront, which, though not as dramatic, can still have a changing mood. Next year I’ll look for a quiet stretch of sand to spin the Tiger on; whilst Lake Michigan rolls by.
November 19, 2018
Signage
Lean Left Lean Right Repeat – another photae from yesterday’s afternoon spin. Forest Way is a nice section of road that winds its way through the Forest Preserve that flanks the Skokie Lagoons.
November 18, 2018
In the Round
Fish-Eye: I grabbed a quick ride today as the sun was setting under a crisp autumnal sky. Roads were quiet and dry. A chill air numbed exposed cheeks and the occasional whiff of woodsmoke curled across my path from some warm hearth. I spied this convex mirror on the so took a fun selfie to memorialize the ride.
November 15, 2018
Mercury sinks
Snow Days – we had a brief flurry of winter weather today. A wee reminder that the coldest season will soon be upon us. This silver-grey ’52 Triumph Tiger T100 looks quite striking under a mantle of snow. Better get out the woolens!
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