Dec04

Scooter Tramp Scotty

by Rob Campbell on December 4, 2011 at 10:06 pm

Somewhere in the process of wasting time today between comic panels, I came across this guy’s stuff.  He has, currently nine videos on YouTube.  It captured my attention and my imagination like nothing else.  There was a time years ago when I fancied this guy’s lifestyle, and part of me still does.

I’ll let you find his YouTube channel on your own, but I will say that this guy loves live and lives it well.  He’s been on his bike living for 18 years wherever he feels led to go.  His videos are about his life on the road, his loves, his travels, and his ways.  I think some of the things that daunted me when this way would have been a possibility for me had to do with loneliness, privacy, and being able to survive.  Scotty has figured the whole thing out, and includes some of those ways in his videos.

My path has led me to where I am now, and Scotty’s way can’t be mine, but it sure is a kick to see how he lives and survives. It tells me that the biker way is still alive for guys like this, that you can still be a pretty successful scooter tramp even in the 21st century.  I’m not about to sell everything and ditch my family to hit the road, but I’m inspired at the way this guy lives.

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Dec01

Tempered Steel

by Rob Campbell on December 1, 2011 at 2:00 am

I came across the Tempered Steel website around Veteran’s Day 2011 and was immediately impressed and inspired.

Tempered Steel does a great job leading our wounded warriors to heal and move on, “improving lives through living”.  The powerful message they send is that yes, these young men and women have sacrificed a great deal in service of our country; and no, they don’t need our pity.  But they do need our support, respect, and acceptance in rejoining society after time on the battlefield and in the hospital.

Part of how they do that is by providing speakers in our schools and communities.  This educates our public about the effects the physical and emotional scars have on the men and women who serve our country. It also engages these veterans in a healing process by serving and creating a bridge between  the community and their brothers and sisters in arms.  Our wars have often become the job of a warrior class, and we manage to be pretty removed from the reality they contain.  Tempered Steel reminds us of the cost, and the need to create compassionate communities.

From the Tempered Steel Website:

“Tempered Steel’s Wounded Warriors are experienced soldiers and military members left with disfiguring and/or disabling injuries. They have not only survived, but each made a conscious decision to improve their lives through sharing their experiences and offering life changing education that may just change our world. By telling their stories of survival in an open and honest manner, by sharing the beauty behind their scars and injuries, our wounded military members convey knowledge and a sense of unity and understanding within our communities and our country.”

The examples of veterans at Tempered Steel asks, I think, that we look these folks in the eyes, thank them for their service, and remind ourselves that they are our brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers, sons and daughters.  For me they are also my students, many of whom have gone into the armed services and a fair number of whom have been in harm’s way in the service of our country.

While I”m on the topic, I’ll point out that a great way to support a wounded soldier this Holiday Season is to send a card.  There’s, of course, a program for that.  Holiday Mail for Heroes needs your mail by December 9 to get it in the hands of one of our heroes.  You can click the link, click the gadget at right, or just mail a card or more to the address below:

Holiday Mail For Heroes
P.O. Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456


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Oct18

Bridge run 2011

by Bobcat on October 18, 2011 at 3:45 pm

Hiya, Bobcat here.

We had a fantastic time on the Bridge run a couple weeks ago. Here is the recap of our ride.

 

We met at Gilroy Motorcycle Center at 9am http://www.gilroymotorcyclecenter.com/

KSU at 9:30am to Hwy 101 north. It was a sunny mildly warm day, a perfect day for a ride. I was wearing my light leather jacket and full face shoei helmet. We rode 101 to Hwy 85 to Hwy 280 north. Hwy 280 is one of the nicest highways in California, we rode past Crystal Springs reservoir the Skyline Blvd in Daly City. Our first stop was to top off the gas tanks at the Chevron Station located on John Daly Blvd. We then left and rode partway around Lake Merced. Wow, after all these years I still love that lake. Lake Merced brings back many happy memories of boating and fishing.I have caught hundreds of trout there.

After riding around Lake Merced we turned left onto the Great Highway. We rode north on the Great Highway past the windmills,


and GG Park to the Cliff House. http://cliffhouse.com/home/index.html

The world-famous Cliff House is part of the Sutro Historic Landscape District and is also the crown jewel of the largest urban national park in the United States. Our website is filled with fun and helpful information about the Cliff House, its history, the surrounding area, and the fascinating people — past and present — who created its rich history.

Whether you are in the mood for a casual fun afternoon, an elegant evening out, or a play day with the family, there is always something to enjoy at the Cliff House.

Hike the amazing Lands End trails or take a stroll along Ocean Beach. Explore the famous Sutro Bath ruins or visit historic Sutro Heights Park where Adolph Sutro once lived. Be sure to stop in at the Camera Obscura where ancient technology gives you a close-up view of Seal Rocks. Then dine in one of our restaurants or stop in to enjoy appetizers and drinks in the Zinc Bar or Sutro’s Bar & Lounge. Visit our gift shop where historic memorabilia, unusual gifts, and travel books abound.

On days like this I really miss living in this part of the SF area. The weather today is as good as it gets!

From the Cliff House we rode through Lincoln Golf Coarse past the Legion Of Honor to the Presidio and Sea Cliff and finally to the northbound entrance of the GG Bridge toll plaza (free direction). We rode across the bridge to the Marin side and stopped at the first bridge exit (Vista Point) We then rested and took picture in front of the bridge. I had a chance to meet a family from Argentina when they asked to take a picture on my Motorcycle. I let them take several pictures sitting on my bike. Boy oh boy I bet you they don’t forget that for a while.

We then continued our ride north on Hwy 101 to  The Village at  Corta Madera (1618 Redwood Hwy
Corte Madera, CA 94925 ). We had lunch at Boudens resterant. http://www.boudinbakery.com/ I had lunch there and can tell you once again I was very pleased with the quality and the service of the meal. I have eaten here a half dozen times and every time it was excellent. I give this restaurant a 5 out of five rating for quality, quantity and service.

We then left Corta Madera and turned onto Hwy 580 east to the San Rafael Bridge (Free direction). We took the first exit on the east side of the bridge (Richmond Pkwy) to Hwy 80 East.

We then rode Hwy 80 East to the Carquinez Bridge east bound ($5 toll)

We then rode across the bridge to the Hwy 780/680 turn off to the Benicia Martinez bridge. We rode across the bridge south bound in the free direction.

We then stopped For Ice Cream at Loard’s Ice Cream http://www.loards.com/ in the Alamo Plaza Shopping center Alamo Plaza Shopping Center ( Danville Blvd. and Stone Valley Road Alamo, CA 94507) This ice cream parlor is not you typical chain store variety http://www.loards.com/index_files/flavorlist.htm I give Loard’s a 5 for five overall Bobcat rating. This was the perfect end to a fantastic ride. Alamo is aprox. an hour from San Jose and so our ride home to the south bay was not difficult.

This is one of the Bobcats favorite rides and if you are really motivated you can ride through Livermore over Hwy 84 to the Dumbarton bridge west bound and do five bridges in one day.

Stay tuned for my next post.

Meow!


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GGBridge
Sep20

4-Bridge Ride

by Bobcat on September 20, 2011 at 10:43 pm

Hiya All,

I hope you are all doing well out there in cyberland. I am doing what I do best, planning a group motorcycle ride.

I am planning to take the group on my 4-Bridge run which we have rode before but not for a couple years.

The general route is Gilroy up to Hwy. 85 to Hwy 280 N. to Hwy. 1 N. to the Golden Gate Bridge. Stop in Corta Madera for lunch then across the Richmond/San Rafeal Bridge to Hwy. 80 N. across the Carquinez Bridge South across the Benicia Bridge and then home.

It is an easy 196 mile round trip from Gilroy with many places to pull off and enjoy the view or take pictures.

Stay tuned for a recap of the ride.

Meow……

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Sep19

Outlaws of the Amish kind

by Rob Campbell on September 19, 2011 at 6:41 am

This just in:

Nine Amish men from Kentucky have been arrested for refusing to put required orange triangles on their buggies. Their modesty rules forbid the use of bright colors.  They suggested reflective grey tape or lanterns, but were refused and fined instead.  Upon refusing to pay the fine, they were arrested.

They were not forced to wear traditional orange jail suits, but given grey instead.

The mug shot pictures look like a bunch of hardened outlaws.  While there’s some humor in all this, proponents of bikers rights may see the connection.

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