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Court
| | Posted on Thursday, September 02, 2004 - 05:47 am: | 
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Gary MAY be a beautfil city. I stayed neither long enough to look around, nor contact the chamber of commerce.
The scariest, of all things, was one day when I was at my house in Marina del Rey, left Bartel's and took a wrong turn. To this day, I am not sure what neighborhood I was in, but it made Compton (ask me about the "foreign" wedding I was in wearing a quilted yellow tux) look like 90201. I was ignoring red lights absent a police car.
After riding Buells in 44 states, Gary maintains it's spot at least near the bottom of potential return visits.
On the other end of the spectrum may be Portland. For a while, I was hitting Portland nearly once a month and ended up riding fairly regualrly with a group of dudes from Intel.
I'd say there are thousands of good cities from Solvang, CA (great pickled herring) to Ledgewood, NJ (hommade ice cream (see also Jerome, AZ) and close to the Stanhope House (Stanhope, NJ) for great jazz.
But, i do have 6 states left to ride in. I'll be spending 10 days in one of them in Oct.
Court |
Evil_twin
| | Posted on Thursday, September 02, 2004 - 08:43 pm: |
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I keep forgetting that you cannot read sarcasm on the net too easily.
I hate Gary. Blunt enough?
They don't take care of the roads, potholes big enough to swallow a Volkswagen, let alone a Buell. And a large majority of the Gary PD are a bunch of pricks, but you can have that anywhere.
I try to stay in my area unless I can't help it.
Rich  |
Daves
| | Posted on Thursday, September 02, 2004 - 09:44 pm: |
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Milwaukee made it because of the refried bean kringle.
Dave |
BadS1
| | Posted on Thursday, September 02, 2004 - 09:51 pm: |
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Roll that BEAUTIFUL bean footage!!! |
Court
| | Posted on Friday, September 03, 2004 - 04:45 am: |
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>>>Milwaukee made it because of the refried bean kringle.
Hey...don't start with me...I know what I like.
I keep that can of refried beans on proud display in the "Buell Basement" amongst Team Elves Trophies and some assorted rare Buell memorabilia.
Nor sure I am nearly as interested in eating them as I am recalling the wonderful hospitality of the folks in the MKE area who hosted us for the event. Likely one of the most moving, and impromtu, Buells events ever. Right up there with the 1996 Pocono "incident".
I'm hungry.
 |
Rek
| | Posted on Friday, September 03, 2004 - 07:29 am: |
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Sounds like Montana should rank right up there near the top of the list, except for the west side maybe (too dang many toruistas have moved in there). I'm still amazed at the respect fellow motorist show me on the road here, sometimes even pulling off to the side to let you go by, and everyone waves when they see you. I haven't taken the keys out of a vehicle for years, or locked my house.
The major disadvantage is the winter. I get a little stir-crazy along about Feb. or March and generally have to escape to Mexico for a couple or three weeks to recharge. Not actually a bad thing.
The other day I rode my S3T from Lambert to Jordan(~120 miles one way) and met a whopping total of five cars on the way, three of them w/in five miles of Jordan. Not too many places left on this planet where you can still do that.
The only time I have ever feared for my life was at my own device (and the result of a very thin rear tire), although the wife does sometimes try to instill a genuine fear of the almighty in me from time to time. |
Outrider
| | Posted on Friday, September 03, 2004 - 09:11 am: |
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Attributing Racine's Kringle to Milwaukee is like giving LA credit for Solvang's "Great Pickled Herring."
Thanks for trying to make Milwaukee look good, but we are best known for other things.  |
Court
| | Posted on Saturday, September 04, 2004 - 07:30 am: |
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Sir Out:
MKE, make no mistake, also has some of the best Mexican food in the USA.
One of their best kept secrets.
Court |
Firebolt020283
| | Posted on Saturday, September 04, 2004 - 07:43 am: |
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"MKE, make no mistake, also has some of the best Mexican food in the USA."
court im gonna have to disagree with you there texas has much better mexacan food. |
BadS1
| | Posted on Saturday, September 04, 2004 - 08:24 am: |
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Beer and kringle......YUK!!!! Beer and spicey bean kringle......Hmmmm maybe whata ya say Court?? |
Outrider
| | Posted on Saturday, September 04, 2004 - 09:44 am: |
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Court has made another "accurate statement."
MKE does have excellent Mexican Food. Believe it or not we have a very large Latino population, proportionate to that of Texas and California.
In fact, the HD's Museum will be right in the midst of it. So come prepared to check out that "South of the Border" (Canadian border) taste when you visit.
In reference to Beer and Kringle, even spicy bean Kringle...YUCK!!! |
BadS1
| | Posted on Saturday, September 04, 2004 - 03:32 pm: |
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Bill then you don't know Court cause I'll bet he ate that whole can of beans.LOL |
Outrider
| | Posted on Sunday, September 05, 2004 - 09:15 am: |
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Yes, but did he eat them on a Kringle?
I place high value on both ReFried's and Kringle in their respective environment, but not combined into one gastronomic delight. 
Then again, I may change my mind if I ever find myself stoned and experimenting in the kitchen.  |
Buckinfubba
| | Posted on Sunday, September 05, 2004 - 09:50 am: |
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well maybe I am an idiot(hold all yer comments) but........
I think all those citys suck as a motorcycle city.
why? you may ask...well maybe its just me hating most things involved with big cities, but motorcycling is about riding the ding dang bikes. not stop and go watch out theres a soccer mom in an SUV trying to plow me down....ooooh wait theres another hooters, with ugly over made up girls in tight shorts bull puckey....
I would have to say the best motorcycling city actually barely get a dot on the ol' rand mcnalley. I would venture to say that shady valley,TN is the best moto city in america and the others would be from north georgia to dang near NH along that mountain range.
then maybe someothers out in the rockies somewhere and a few in the cali mountain range.
but what the heck do I know....I am just an idiot |
Outrider
| | Posted on Sunday, September 05, 2004 - 12:01 pm: |
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Bubba...You're not an idiot. You are just addressing Great Riding Areas and not things to do with a bike in The Big City.
I share your opinion as, to me, bikes are the vehicle of choice to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.
Oh well, perhaps next year they will write about the best riding areas in the country and attract even more traffic and LEO's to them. Nothing like telling the world of your favorite Great Escape, eh? |
M2me
| | Posted on Sunday, September 05, 2004 - 02:55 pm: |
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I read the article at Barnes & Noble the other day. It was cool to read about the reasons they gave for Minneapolis. Bob's Java Hut (about 10 blocks from me), first Thursdays, roads by the Mississippi. I guess when you live here you don't about that stuff a lot. You just take it for granted. Yeah, Minneapolis is a pretty good motorcycle city. |
M2me
| | Posted on Sunday, September 05, 2004 - 03:00 pm: |
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The article was about the best motorcycle cities. If you don't like cities or urban areas then they all would suck. It wasn't about the best riding areas. They aren't saying that these cities are best for riding but if you live in a city and ride a motorcycle then these cities are some of the best. |
Charlieboy6649
| | Posted on Sunday, September 05, 2004 - 11:21 pm: |
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Yea, and San Diego rocks! Not only is it a great Motorcycling city; it's really close to some of those escapes you've all been mentioning. Not to mention the best apple pie in the nation along the route... Shhhhh! Don't tell anyone LOL! |
Ezblast
| | Posted on Monday, September 06, 2004 - 12:50 am: |
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I guess I'll suffer in SF where any road out of the city leads to a great ride - theres even a nice set of backroads to Sac to make the trip enjoyable (101 to 37 to 121 to 128) - and as quick as any freeway trip in the end;0) - A trip up or down the coast - then cut trough via any of the twisty (all of them are going through the coastal hills)to any of the legendary back roads found on Pashnit.com, or cruise up in the wine countries many twisty roads following rivers and lakes, boundless woodlands, and wineries - history and sites around every other corner and roads that will make you smile by the days end:0) - yeah - its kinda like that here - some days have drizzle, a few rain, alot of early morning fog and late evening fog, but still - riding here is much more a way of life - 24/7 - I've always said that the bikes from other states look alot nicer in person - just not ridden as much - every 5th vehicle is a bike here - there are even Buell riders here I don't know - lol - but great ridding is only a twist of the wrist away - and the trip home for work is always longer than the trip to work;0) - yeah - I guess I'll just suffer here in ole SF
Got Thump?! Just Blasting on the Dark side! EZ |
Outrider
| | Posted on Monday, September 06, 2004 - 01:27 am: |
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Charlieboy...Julian and the Banner Grade. Ahhh...What fond memories.  |
Charlieboy6649
| | Posted on Monday, September 06, 2004 - 01:43 am: |
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Outrider, BINGO! |
Outrider
| | Posted on Monday, September 06, 2004 - 02:24 am: |
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Julian was one of my favorite spots when I though I wanted a little taste of life back in Wisconsin. Plus one of my Ex's lived in Borrego Springs for a few childhood years.
Now that I am living back here, I realize that it was a false image. This place is as boring now as it was when I originally left. Not to mention the few fun spots are more populated on weekends than their equivalent out there. Ugh... |
Court
| | Posted on Monday, September 06, 2004 - 08:09 am: |
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Oakville Grade - North
Laureles Grade - South
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Court
| | Posted on Monday, September 06, 2004 - 08:22 am: |
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Julian = Mexican food |
Outrider
| | Posted on Monday, September 06, 2004 - 10:49 am: |
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Court...You got me on those two. Never heard the names before. Where are they?
Signed,
The Guy that will someday get to ride East of the Wabash. |
Racerx1
| | Posted on Monday, September 06, 2004 - 01:19 pm: |
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In defense of Milwaukee, I'll have to say its an awesome motorcycle city. Not necessaril;y for the roads, i agree, but you have the whole underground fuel cafe crowd, of course the H-D thing, the Buell thing, your within 4 hours of 4 road race tracks (Blackhawk, Road America, Gingerman, and Grattan), you have a strong supermotard presence, a hugely strong dirt track presence, 3 AMA superbike teams have been based out of here, Ice racing in the winter, about 3 million fab shops close by, and about every other person here owns a bike. Heaven! Now, if we only had the climate and roads of Tennessee! |
Outrider
| | Posted on Monday, September 06, 2004 - 07:41 pm: |
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RacerX1...Yep, Milwaukee is a nice place to ride and as you pointed out there are a lot of places to go, see and do. There are some good roads in SE Wisconsin, but the really great ones, from a surface prep and fun factor perspective, are in the western half of the State.
My comments have to do with the fact that I was spoiled rotten for 30 years when I lived and rode all over So Cal. You have to admit after living in year round riding heaven that long with the extreme range of MC sports both on and off road to participate in, returning to Wisconsin is a bit of a downer.
The outstanding benefit of riding in this area is the people. Pretty hard to find a rider you don't like around here. Heck, even the outlaw groups aren't that bad.
Another benefit is had I not moved to Wisconsin, I never would have bought another HDI product compliments of a really rotten experience with a 1980 Wide Glide (AMF version) and now I have both a 2000 Buell X1 and a 2003 Dyna Wide Glide. Both pretty much guarantee you social acceptance with even non-bikers in these parts. Especially with the Harley.
Other than a 12 month riding season, I just wish there were more off road areas open to motorcycles. ATV's get all the support here. Bet that would change in a heartbeat if Harley or Buell would make a Dual Purpose bike compliments of HDI's political clout.
On the personal side, I have heard that you and your Dad are/were with HDI. By any chance did you live in So Cal and your Dad was with the TriHawk operation around 1985? If yes, I have a surprise for you. |
Court
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 07, 2004 - 04:30 am: |
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Oakville Grade - North near Calistoga on Highway 129. Not for the faint hearted.
Laureles Grade - South near Carmel Valley and Sears Point. Just plain fun.
If you are at Laureles Grade, you can have one of my favorite days...eat Thai food in Carmel Valley, say howdy to my underground riding pals, head out Carmel Valley Road and head to the Madonna Inn for lunch.
Court
P.S. - don't leave your laptop under your chair. But if you do, they'll FedEx it to you.
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Outrider
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 07, 2004 - 06:00 pm: |
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Road the roads, didn't know the names. I played follow the leader a lot for safety reasons.
Would I be correct in assuming you mean Carmel Valley and Laguna Seca? Believe it or not, I used to run Laguna Seca quite a bit. Problem was, it was on foot as I was stationed at Ft Ord. LMAO Hunter-Ligget had some great riding as well if you could get past the security.
Madonna Inn...Heard that was the place to take your Bride for a wonderful weekend. Probably should have invested in a few weekends there. Might still be married to one of my Ex's. LOL |
M1combat
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 08, 2004 - 02:21 am: |
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Yeah, Julian was pretty good. As a matter of fact, the whole of 78 was good from what I could tell. Even heading through the desert at 100Mph. I still think that Prescott AZ is one of the best though... I can ride EVERY day of the year and there are some very nice roads around here (Including one that goes through Jerome AZ where they do indeed have some VERY good ice cream. Good Pizza too. |
Outrider
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 08, 2004 - 07:49 am: |
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Ice Cream? Pizza? Heck, I wouldn't know. The only time I ever got off the bike in AZ was either for gas or to sleep. The AZ roads are fantastic!!! |
Al_lighton
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 08, 2004 - 09:18 am: |
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When I came back from Wisconsin, I ended up on those roads back behind Prescott and Jerome, unfortunately in my pickup truck with the XB in the back. Those were some sweet twisties. I wanted to be riding, not caging it. I was worried about pitching the XB out of the back of the pickup there were so many tight corners.
I think next spring there needs to be an Arizona Rally of sorts, maybe centered out of Flagstaff or some such thing. Need to get a bunch of us SoCal Buellers over there.
Al |
Ezblast
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 08, 2004 - 09:51 am: |
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101, 37, 121, 12, Trinity, Dry Creek, Oakville Grade, 29 to 128 to Winters - a nice back road way to Sac, The other I haven't tried yet, but thanks for the tip!
GT - JBOTDS! EZ |
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