3 posts tagged “moto melee”
I really love this story in today's paper about how a Zen meditation center is preparing to fight one of the hundreds of wildfires raging throughout the state.
"Fire is not a stranger," said Stücky. "It's telling us to be here in accord with the reality of fire ... we're not really fighting the fire. We're meeting the fire, letting the fire come to us - make friends with it and tame it as it reaches our boundaries."
Schommer said the fire had strengthened his spiritual practice. Clearing the brush meant creating places where fire could not burn. He called it a parable to the mental practice of Zen meditation, where you clear the mind from external thoughts burning through.
I experienced a bit of these fires twice over the past three weeks as I have been all over the state of Northern California. Three weeks ago, I was on the Moto Melee riding through the area where the fires were just when they started. In fact, I saw one of the main thunderstorms kicking down lightening while I was riding through the valley near Red Bluff. Then on the ride home, I rode through area that were so thick with smoke that the visibility was only about 50 yards, and my eyes burned. Last weekend I was up in the Sierras and experienced the thick smoke again. It is pretty scary to be in the woods when the smoke is that thick and there are that many fires around...
I have been on vacation for the past week, and am getting ready for more... but I wanted to post a few pictures of the Moto Melee while it was still fresh in my mind. The Moto Melee is a three day 1000 mile vintage motorcycle ride through the state of Northern California. It goes through the back roads, and covering some territory which the average person never sees. The roads are chosen for their twistiness and for the beauty of the landscape. This has got to be the best vintage ride in the country, and it is certainly an unbelievable experience. There is nothing like challenging yourself and your riding skills on crazy mountain roads astride a 50 year old machine. It is exhilarating, that's for sure. Add to that the bonus of seeing some seriously amazing motorcycles the way they were meant to be - on the road - and you have the ingredients of a great weekend. See more pictures by clicking the photo/folder below which will take you to my photo collection.
This was posted on the Moto Melee list today... and I think it really sums up what this ride is all about. I'll be riding my '62 BMW this weekend on a 1000 mile ride through the nether regions of the state of Northern California. I've done it before several times on the bike, and once in my Alfa Romeo for the car version of this rally. This is, by far, the best motorcycle ride I have ever done, and is something that I will continue to do as long as I can. It is both fun and grueling, and covers some of the most beautiful areas of California. Tomorrow is the day for my last minute preparations, I can't wait!
June 22-25 MotoMelee.
This weekend is the infamous MotoMelee, the 700 mile, two and a half
day ride for vintage motorcycles held in Northern California. Now in
its tenth year, quite an accomplishment for the organizers Harley
Welch and Jeff Guzaitis, and still on a shoe string budget of break-even.What started as a secret ride for vintage motorcycle enthusiasts, the
brain child of Harley and Jeff as a way to get some of their buddies
on the road and spur more business for Harley's "Secret Lab" vintage
motorcycle shop, has turned in to a famous bay area vintage motorcycle
event.This event, over the years, has had participants from around the world
and has achieved the cult status of such other legendary rides like
the Iron Butt. People from all over the world, who ride vintage, have
heard tales of this ride.
There are tall tails of hooligan type activities and speeds previous
thought to be unachievable. Of parties that last all night and
motorcycle shenanigans. Wild nights of wine women/men and song.
Motorcycle contests of skill and frivolity, attempts that would make
Evil Kenivel proud, trashed motel rooms, ala Rock Stars, burn outs and
crashes, even a motorcycle hung in effigy.
All of which, at some point during the past ten years, are most likely
true; but the genuine heart of the ride is what it brings to the
forefront. Motorcycles of antique stature, legendary makes, rare and
restored models and some just thrown to together hodgepodge just
nights before.
It also brings together a group of extraordinary people who by being
so dedicated to the true purpose of the machines are willing to put on
the line their blood, sweat and rolls of cash to see this event
through. The true purpose, which is to use these motorcycle as they
were designed to be ridden.The route is hard and long, the weather is harsh and at times
uncooperative, extreme is the word that comes to mind. From 115-degree
siring heat to snow at higher elevations to 44 degrees and wet damp
fog in a matter of hours, or mild temperatures to torrential down
pours within 100 miles. The Melee carries with it the element of
uncertainty and anticipation.Every participant knows the risks, knows the challenges and knows the
spoils.
Each participant is a kith and kin to each other, bound by the Melee
stickers on their helmets or on their bikes. It's camaraderie at its
highest point, a buddy system with no written rules or guidelines. All
the participants care about every rider and everyone does what they
can to ensure everyone finishes.The truest of tales of the Melee are those of riders working all night
on another's bike to help them make the morning call, barrowing parts
from a disabled bike in the chase truck to help another rider
continue. The towing of a participants bike the last 30 miles to make
sure he was not left alone on the side of the road. The sharing of
gas, those last 12 miles to the gas stop can be the longest miles of
the whole trip.
The MotoMelee is more than just another vintage ride, or test of man
and machine. It's human to human, it's a shared love of vintage bikes
and hard long rides.I look forward to this ride all year; it's hard on my machines and me.
I look forward to the start, to see old friends, make new ones, to see
what machines are brought out to test on this ride, but most of all,
it's the most damn fun I've had on a motorcycle in years.
