Gophers and Cheese

I haven't forgotten about the hundreds of Mama Tried photos I took (I'll get back to them) but wanted to knock out a few more recent and upcoming things first.  The 50th Annual Spring Flood Run was just over a week ago.  Not only was it a beautiful day, but I got to spend it with my wife on the bike as we had our babysitter booked all day.  This was my 12th Flood Run (7 Spring & 5 Fall). We started our day at Bob's Java Hut in Minneapolis. After enjoying some coffee, we headed to the Beach Bar for the start of the run.  However, we didn't stop because I got yelled at for attempting to park where I wasn't supposed to.  I know he was probably a volunteer and I was probably the hundredth person he had to tell not to park there but I just rolled up and I've parked in that same spot nearly every year without issue and his tone just pissed me off.  We headed south and through the large crowd in Prescott and stopped in Maiden Rock. While I nor...

The 2013 Demon's Death Ride was this past Saturday night.  It was very cold and below normal for this time of year at about 40°F.  In spite of the cold, about 25 bikes showed up for the start of the run at Bob's Java Hut .  I rode my Sportster. Bikes lined the streets around Bob's.  Most were cafe racers and were a mix of Japanese, British, and Italian makes and models.  It makes sense given the fact the event was sponsored by Ton-Up Minneapolis .  Mine was one of only 2 Harleys that showed up. The bike at the front of this shot is 1976 Triumph Bonneville, same year as my dad's. Some people decorated their bikes.  The plastic pumpkin was awesome lit up. Severed foot in the forks: Skeleton on a Ducati: Some people had demon-appropriate helmets. Most people just wore a mask or some face paint as you really needed heavy leather gear, not a thin costume, for riding in such temperatures.  It woul...

I took yesterday off and spent about 9 hours on my Road King covering nearly 350 miles and hitting some roads I've never ridden before.  Before leaving, I decided to use motorcycleroads.com to find some new places to ride and I printed off some maps.  I got on the road about 8:30am and the morning commute traffic was still heavy so I jumped off the interstate and stopped at Bob's Java Hut for a light breakfast.  The blueberry muffin and gigantic glass of cappuccino were excellent. My route would take me down US-52 to my first destination road, MN-60E, which I would ride all the way to Wisconsin.  Once in Wisconsin, I would continue down WI-35S to my second destination road, WI-95N to Arcadia, WI.  Then I would turn around and head north up WI-35, ride County Road O and OO before rejoining WI-35 just south of Diamond Bluff.  Then I hit my favorite curves between there and Prescott before heading home and hitting a bunch of traffic due to rush hour and ...

This past Saturday, I headed downtown for a cold press at Bob's and then headed over to Rusty Quarters to drop $5.00 worth of quarters into some classic arcade games.

I left the Chopper Art Show and headed over to Bob's Java Hut for an iced coffee. When I returned to Ton-Up Minneapolis ' Rockers Spring Social at Club Jäger , it was much busier. It wasn't all European and Japanese bikes as you can tell by the Sporty above this classic Indian. There was even a rusty old rat rod parked outside. I grabbed a snack at the taco truck.  The Rusty Tacos (pork & pineapple) were tasty. Super-clean Honda: Velocette: I thought this was a neat trick.  I think the tank effect on this Triumph was achieved with gold, silver, and copper leaf rubbed over coins.  I wonder whether the owner is a numismatist. Speaking of Triumphs, this one has the emblem painted black and gold, just like my father's bike. Lots o' Triumphs: I have two more photo-filled posts to go from the show including some of my favorites.  Check back this weekend.