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That sort of put a cramp on my heading south on Friday, because I had to stay around to move the boxes. Mr. and Mrs. Lucky Devil, a.k.a. Kent and Holly Weeks also put in an appearance at this year’s event, but not before stopping on the way in to check out a customer’s bike. Another thing I will whine about just a little is that all the bikes coming through the door seem to have Big & GIANT motors in them, Ranging from 96″ all the way up to 131″. And while the Little Red Rigid will haul ass, there is just something about riding a bike that has so much torque and power you can pretty much start off in any gear! So if the fine folks at S&S want me to do a tech article for Bikernet.com on any engine that starts in the 100’s just send it my way! I also just left my Christmas wish list on Baker Drivetrain’s facebook page too, what can it hurt?
Upon my arrival on the island I made tracks over to Southern Metal Choppers, owner Bronson Willard is always kind enough to let me leave my extra camera stuff in his trailer. Bronson was once again located in a prime spot with folks like Paul Yaffe, Martin Brothers, Michael and Angie Ballard of Full Throttle Saloon down visiting from Sturgis along with the folks from Glencoe Campgrounds who had some very nice older bikes! And these was not the only Sturgis connections at the rally, Jay Allen, founder of the Broken Spoke Saloon, was the emcee for this year’s rally, will we see an LSR connection in Sturgis 2012?  |
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Bronson and SMC also happened to be right next door to my future father-in-law Rick Fairless and the Oh So Lovely Ms Lena. I won’t go much into that; however Bandit I am glad to see you are finally accepting the fact that Lena won’t be your 6th future ex-wife. Rick, Bronson and the boys were set up right across the street from Starbucks, which came in handy for those of us beginning to feel our age. What I want to know is when did I make the transition from beer and tequila shots or my good friend Jack Daniels, to coffee? Guess I am getting older, good thing I am aging so well!
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Also on hand this year were Tommy “Chibs” Flanagan and Ryan “Opie” Hurst from the Sons of Anarchy television show, who were hanging out with the folks and signing autographs. The night time musical fun was provided by Marshall Tucker and Fuel on Friday night, and the Fabulous Thunderbirds and Buck Cherry on Saturday.
I did have a first this year, one young lady stopped me while I was out on the Strand and took my picture, which was quite flattering until she told me see just liked my cameras! I did meet another, slightly younger lady in Starbucks who was much more, straightforward about liking my cameras; hopefully she will keep that no BS attitude as she gets older?
I did notice that it was much more difficult to make my way around checking out the vendors this year due to the growth of the rally, it may be time to expand it another couple of streets? But still a great time and you for sure cannot beat the price!
Till next time, —RFR
