looking back on the end of the summer

we are having one of the mildest winters that I can ever remember on the east coast....which is making New York City actually the best city in the world as of right now.  If winters were always like this, lets not forget last winter though, this would be the perfect seasonal climated place to live.

Friday night I layered up and headed to Kickstart Cycle's Pothole Social in Lodi, NJ.  We watched the screening of the EDR movie from last year's event and it definitely looked like fun.  Maybe next time I'll have to muster up the time off and join the crew.  ALSO, it was the magazine release part for Greasy Kulture's newest issue, so the party was a triple win for all! GK is one of my favorite biker mags right now.  Content is always great. 

The Social was at cool bar right of Rt. 80, only about 4 miles from the George Washington Bridge so I figured the ride wouldn't be too cold.  And it was right.  Sure, the thermometer read 38 degrees when I left Brooklyn, but with warm clothes, a nice leather jacket and the full face helmet, it was fine.  

Of course, I reminded myself of the day that Malcolm and I rode up to the Seaweed Yacht Club though a few months ago.  Same first half of the route, except instead of getting on 80, we headed up the Palisades.  OK, I'll admit, that time of year is much better.  Sweating through the manhattan traffic to be rewarded by the trees and the open road while riding along the Hudson River.  Yeah, that was nice.

Ride to Skate or Ride to Ride

it was a later start to the day than ideal, but at around 8pm, Walter and I hit the road to Philly. Our goal was to get down there, maybe catch one of the bands, say hi to the Dice Magazine guys, hand out some flyers for an upcoming event and ride back home.

We hauled ass down there. The best part about riding without speedometers is the conversation like this:

walter: "man, how fast do you think we were riding?"

me: "I dunno, maybe like 70?"

walter: "riiiiiight....."

all I had was my iphone camera so here's 3 crap pictures.

brian from HOTW panhead built by love cycles.

I haven't really found the love for trumpets, but this one was well done. plus my brother in law, Michael Thursby was fa-reaking out about it, so it must be good.

Philly knows how to ride 2-Up. I've never seen it like this in california. Definitely inspirational to have that back seat and a sissy bar.
After 8 hours and some great laughs, and some intense fog, our complete round trip voyage from Walter's shop back to Brooklyn was complete. i'm tired.

Kickstart Cycle Supply is saving Japan

There are two types of people that I have met through motorcycles. People that know Walter and people that don't. honestly, that's about it.....if you've gone on any of the bigger runs, or been to an event east coast or west, you've probably seen (heard) him. If he likes you, then you're all set. you are golden. if he doesn't like you, you're screwed. If he's not sure what to think of you, he will tell you, and then the ball is in your court.

He's doing the right thing and has made some limited t-shirts to help the global relief for Japan. As you know, they are in a state of ruin right now and honestly every little bit helps.

check out what you can do to help right here.

He just moved his Kickstart Cycle Supply shop to a new location in South Hackensack. Its a great location for him compared to the old barn especially since the new spot has indoor plumbing and a toilet! (even if Billy Joel isn't too keen on the town...) Saturday brought me over there to catch up with Walter and co. crap iphone pics to follow.

Walter is to shovel heads like the Japanese are to knuckle heads. He has more of those 70's and early 80's motors and bikes than I've seen at Moreland choppers. If you need work done on your bike and live in the NY/NJ area, give him a call. Oh, and in Walter's words...."don't be an asshole, buy one of the Japan t-shirts..."