New Harley Davidson Museum

The new Harley Davidson museum opened in July in Milwaukee – birthplace of the Harley.

HD Museum

Inside the steel-framed compound, you’ll find plenty of antique bikes and memorabilia, including the original outlaw: Serial Number One. There’s also a “family tree” that shows how engineers modernized the distinctive two-cylinder engine without sacrificing its signature raw rumble.

I hope to find a replica of my first Harley…. a 1965 M-50 (below) when I visit there in three weeks.  Quite a difference between this and Charlotte.

M50

Wired Magazine has a nice feature on the HD Museum.

God was not his bitch on this ride

Pastors like to think that God is their co-pilot on their missions to bring His message to the masses.  But God was smart enough not to go along on this ride.

 KOKOMO, Ind. – A pastor brought out a dirt bike during a church service to demonstrate the concept of unity. Now he’s demonstrating the concept of healing.

Jeff Harlow, the senior pastor at Crossroads Community Church, broke his wrist when he lost control of the motorcycle at the start of Sunday’s second service, driving off a 5-foot platform and into the vacant first row of seats. He underwent surgery on the wrist Monday.

From  via

Surprise for an old man!

Jon60We went for a ride today. The forecast was for hot and humid weather in the upper 90’s.  We met some friends for breakfast at a neighborhood bar and grill, then off on our motorcycle trip.  First stop was Greensfelder County Park in west St. Louis County, not far from Six Flags.  The park has facilities for horseback riding, hiking, biking, camping, hayrides, picnicking and a learning center just for starters.  We just rode around the tree covered roads throughout the park. A very nice, naturistic park.

 Then we rode over to Babler State Park, located in Wildwood MO.  It’s another beautiful nature park that has similar facilities as Greensfelder.  We enjoyed riding it’s tree-lined roads which provided plenty of shade… at least while we were in there.  The temperature reached 99°F this afternoon, and we felt every degree when we were in the sun.

Then we headed out to the Sugar Creek Winery in Defiance MO, where a friend of one of my riding buddy’s was supposed to be playing in a band.

When we got there, to my surprise were a couple dozen of my friends and family….. sweltering in the heat for a surprise 60th birthday party for me (damn, that’s old).  My birthday isn’t until this coming Thursday, but they were all there.  My brother and sister-in-law even came in from Kansas City.  It was a very nice surprise.

Some skipped out early because of the heat but some stayed for several hours.  There were a few places where there was a nice breeze, but it was hot.  I was telling everyone that in my next life I’ll be born in January so it’s not so hot.  It was too hot to drink any wine, which is just as well, since we were riding motorcycles, so I stuck to water and soda. 

It was good to get back on the bike for the ride home since there was a constant breeze.  Highway 94 out that way is a great ride. It was a nice day with a nice surprise.  Thanks to those who bore the heat to help me celebrate.