Kevin Aslop with the cast of “Sons of Anarchy” in 2010.
Last years “Ride the Mountain” event hosted by Big Bear Choppers was so much fun with the cast of the “Sons of Anarchy”
in attendance, that when Big Bear Choppers owners, Mona and Kevin Aslop asked if Bean’re and I could lead the ride up the
mountain this year from Quaid Harley Davidson, I was most honored.
I had however just recently moved my rusty old chopper to our new Colorado Chateau, so I was without a bike at short notice
for the event. Mona hooked me up with a former customer of theirs, who had a classy custom Big Bear Chopper built, but then
was never able to consumate the relationship! So I got to be the recipient of this awesome virgin sled, to give it it’s first real ride
on that winding road up to Big Bear, and it was a whole new experience for me as well! Like a virgin, only different.
Me on the bad ass Big Bear Chopper.
Me, Bean’re and Qian arrived at Quaid Harley Davidson in Loma Linda bright and early so I could try out the new bike, and
know that our day would go smoothly, and it’s a good thing we did. Me and the flamed pearl white chopper got along just fine.
It was both Qian and Bean’re that had tire challenges early that morning. Qian decided to ride hers back home to deal with
her problem at a later date, and Bean’re………….well it’s a good thing one of the riders that day noticed this small problem
before it became any larger!
Bean’res small tire issue.
Qian & Bean’re deciding what to do about their tire dilemas.
Getting Bean’s back tire off was a little more time & work than one might guess!
The staff at Quaid Harley Davidson were very accommodating helping me with my chopper, and getting Bean’re back on the
road as swiftly as possible! And the riders that came out to “Ride the Mountain” with us that day were very understanding.
A lot of them decided to go on ahead of us, but there were a few patient new friends that knew it was all part of the sport of
riding……….especially if you’re Bean’re, and you ride from state to state just to enjoy a day ride with friends! Bean rode in
from Arizona, and then had to head off to the east coast as soon as we were done!
Our new rider friends patiently waiting!
Qian making friends before she decided to head on home.
Bean’re putting his bike back together!
As soon as we got Bean’re the best new used tire in the pile, we hit the road. I leaned that big old big chopper thru those
turns a little leary at first, but by the time we got there, it felt like silk. The bike has SO much power, and it just glided thru
those turns. The bike’s owner, Nate is a big 6’6″ man, so with my legs extended to their full capacity, my toes pointed, and
my arms fully stretched, I fell in love with that beautiful bike! The open belt and chain were things to be aware of, and I did
learn that making a u-turn is something you need to plan well in advance! Other than that, easy as 1-2-3! If I could afford it,
it would already be sitting in my garage! With a rattle can of flat black and a bucket of Morton Salt I could rust that puppy
out in no time! If YOU can afford it, that bike is for sale for less than what it cost to build. Anyone interested can look at all of
the details on Facebook under F’nClassy BbcSled, on the info page under basic information. The person to contact for more info on the bike is Micheal Forbes at BBC: 909-878-4340. Thanks a mountain for the awesome loan Nate!
Me on the BBC at Big Bear Lake.
Big Bear Choppers makes one fine machine.
Me & Bean’re at the BBC tent next to Kevin Aslops cool chopper. He’s says next year I can ride that one!
Once in Big Bear, the whole town is buzzing with bikes. The event actually takes place at the base of Snow Summit ski
area, which is a scenically beautiful location for any event. The Chalets are open with picnic tables everywhere, the chair
lifts are operating so you can ride to the top and enjoy the veiws, and the parking lot is full of vendors, bikes, and there’s
a big grassy knoll for the band stand and bike show. Big Bear Choppers keeps their high class shop open for visits, and
is only a few blocks away from the event and well worth the visit. The thing I like the most about this great run
is that the ride in itself is spectacular. The ride up, the ride around the lake, the cozy mountain town full of quaint
antique shops, and options on ways to come down the mountain so that your ride down is totally different but
every bit as beautiful as the ride up!
Inside the Big Bear Chopper show room.
Crowd enjoying the sunshine at the base Chalet of Snow Summit.
Group shot having fun at the top of the mountain.
The first person I ran into at the event was Grace McKean, who is a 77 year old Motorcycle enthusiast who is still riding
the 51′ Harley Davidson 45 Flathead she bought when she was 17 years old. Grace’s full story is so amazing, that it cannot
be contained in a paragraph, or even one long column. You can find my full story on the Amazing Grace at:
www.womenridersnow.com this month! It was a special treat as always to get to spend time with Grace. Her stories have
been a true source of inspiration to me. Both Kevin Aslop and my longtime friend Kiwi Mike keep Grace’s four bikes safely
on the road.
Me, Bean’re, and my special friend Grace McKean.
Bean’re, me, Grace & Mona enjoying a Subway sandwich feast in the VIP room.
Kiwi Mike & family at their booth. Their son Ross, me, Kiwi Mike, his wife Carolyn & Bean’re.
We talked Grace into taking a ride up the chair lift to enjoy the summit veiws. “I’m not going to look down!” was her only
comment while getting on the lift, and Bean’re kept her so entertained I don’t think she even thought about it again! It was a
perfect southern California day, so the veiws from the chair lift and the top of the mountain were spectacular! The lift remains
open in the summertime so that mountain bikers and day hikers can enjoy the mountain as well. Mountain bikers can pay an
all day fee of $20 and take their bikes up the lift as well, and ride down the steep mountain trails as many times as they want.
Me, Grace & Bean’re taking the chair lift up the mountain.
The veiw of Big Bear Lake from the chair lift.
Group shot from the Chalet at the top of the lift.
We hung out up on top of the mountain a little too long, and missed the announcements of the winners of the bike show,
which had several categories to accommodate all of the different styles of bikes. Grace’s bike took first in Classic Class, and
she missed them calling out her name. So we found Kevin back in the VIP room, and he presented her with her trophy there.
Some of the bikes in the bike show.
Grace on her 51′ Harley Davidson 45 Flathead in front of the Big Bear Choppers shop.
Kevin giving Grace her trophy for best in Classic Class.
My cheeky Chap girlfriends hung out by the stage and showed off their tatoos and their other best work. A slew of really hip
local kids hung out backstage with Kevin and Mona. I’m not exactly sure how many of those kids actually belong to them,
but I know at least one of them does! And it was apparent to see that a lot of families and kids really look up to and enjoy
hanging out around the Big Bear Choppers scene. It appeared that everybody, even the guy being hauled away in the cop
car seemed to be having a great time!
My Cheeky Chap girlfriends watching the band.
Kevin & Mona Aslop with the hip local kids.
Mona & all the kids! The pretty little girl in the middle is definitely theirs, but they kind of all look like they could be sibblings!
Even this guy seems to be enjoying the ride!
The bands played into the late afternoon, and everyone enjoyed kicking back in the sun and listening. Bean’re lost his heart,
AND his hat to yet another beautiful singer! Rosie of “Rosie and the Cobra’s” rocked the stage. Bean’re and I stayed until the sun
was almost setting. We said our thank you and goodbyes to our gracious hosts, and headed out. On our way out of town Bean’re
saw his ultimate fantasy. No, not Rosie. It was a purple Gremlin almost as unique as his………….pink? chopper! Okay, technically
it’s purple, but in the setting sun, it sure does come alive with………fushia! On the way back down that mountain side, I rode that
Big Bear Chopper like I owned it, and I really didn’t want to give it back!
Rosie of “Rosie & the Cobra’s” looking picture perfect in Bean’res trademark hat!
Bean’re packing up the bike for the trip back home.
Saying thak you & goodbye to our gracious BBC hosts.
Bean’re spotted this object of his dreams! A classic car to match his already classic act!
I want to thank all of my friends who make it possible for me to still ride in California since I’ve moved to Colorado! The very next
day Gevin borrowed me her pink? Suzuki Intruder 1400 so that I could ride the Malibu Hills with her and my friends Claudia & Jake
in from New York City! And I rode that pink Suzuki like I owned that too! And I parked it in front of Neptunes Net with pride! It’s
awesome to ride a $50,000 chopper, but what really matters is spending the day in the wind with the friends you love, right?
Jake, Gevin, Claudia, me & Kyle.
Me owning my pink Suzuki!
Thank you Kevin & Mona for your hospitality and generousity!
You can learn more about Big Bear Choppers and their bikes at: www.Bigbearchoppers.com
or me at: www.BetsyHuelskamp.com
