This fella has the right idea: get the motorhome packed, hand a ‘sled on the back, and head into the back of beyond until this all blows over. As Thoreau said: “I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.”
Boda Boda Madness | Dutch artist Jan Hoek and Ugandan-Kenyan fashion designer Bobbin Case captured the madcap Nairobi taxi drivers who elaborately design their bikes to attract customers.
The motorcycles are all Indian made Bajaj 125’s.
Traveling | hit the road; lean into a corner; look for a horizon; pack your bags; scour maps; read up on destinations; and put mikes under your tires. There is so much to see out there: places to go and people to meet. GO!
Iceland | we’re on vacation on the edge of the Arctic this week. This isn’t me on my Tiger, but I sure wish it was! A rugged landscape abounds.
Bookish | A perfect week in Wigtown Scotland running a second hand bookshop. Some lads Triumph Tiger parking along the High Street reminded me that the hills and coast of Galloway would be stunning riding country.
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.
Signs | It’s good to know where you’re going; especially when the signage depicts an interesting journey ahead. My favorite is the Pacific Coast Highway with an added plaque stating “74 Miles ahead”.
Black Bike | I managed to buy a fairly genuine Cornish pastie in Mineral Point WI. It was established in the 1830’s by miners from Cornwall looking for galena -lead ore. A grand spot to act as a base for future rides around this area.
Birds of a Feather | interesting colonial imagery of some tribal leader with his feathered headdress astride the diminutive but useful 125cc BSA Bantam. Not quite in the vein of an Edward Curtis portrait but early National Geographic nonetheless.
Rocky Mountain High | One year ago today we were enjoying our summer vacation in Colorado. I managed to rent a BMW GS 800 for a day in the high alpine meadows between Ouray and Durango. The Million Dollar Highway. Fantastic riding and a ride that sowed the seed for the Tiger.
The View from the Bridge | Another snapshot from a fortnight ago. Waiting for the gang to fill up at the Mount Carroll gas station. I always thought the windscreen had cat ears atop it…
Leadville | The prime destination last weekend was the old mining town of Galena. Historical seat of Joe Daviess Country and home of Ulysses S Grant. In the early C19th it rivaled Chicago in population and was the busiest steamboat hub north of St Louis.
Tiger Trail | the days riding around north east Illinois was enlightening. A good 150 miles of rural gravel roads crisscrossing Jo Daviess County. I learned to finally use the back brake on the loose surface; and to power through the looser gravel. The new tires performed exceptionally. The day (and weekend) were cut short… but we’ll get into that tomorrow…
Tramping | That stands for Triumph camping. Here’s the tent set up at Blandings Landing on the Illinois side of the Mississippi. Rolling farmland interspersed with shady woodland connected by clean gravel roads. Good ride across the Northern part of the state along Stagecoach Road.
‘Zines | Whatever your interest there is a magazine for it. And, in the specialist topic of motorcycling, there are sub genres covering everything from custom, classic/vintage, off road, on road, Day-to-day riding, travel & adventure. We have a great magazine store in Evanston with a great selection.
