Wednesday, June 20, 2012

The eve, technically morn, of the rally tour part deux

LACONIA TO THUNDER IN THE VALLEY, JOHNSTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA


     It's nearly two in the morning and we've finished set-up for Thunder in the Valley in Johnstown, PA. It's a 4-day event so we have to crush it hard to make the nut. We were off the wires with y'all after breaking camp in Laconia and getting here so here's some more info.
     Back in Laconia, a few final details linger. A group of patch wearers came through and needed tires - great customers and even better PR for the biz. Certain clubs or groups, ahem, if you will, can bring a WHOLE lotta biz your way. Hope to see some more of those folks at Thunder this week.
     Ding and I had a great lobster roll in Laconia - best 14 dollar sandwich you could have. Our new friends Dennie and Dragon (Dennie may be heading here this week and we will meet Dragon in Reno - we are hauling beads for him - think Mardi Gras boob-showing enterprise) debated their route home in picture below.
     We met up after Laconia with the Old Farts on Pieces of Shit (OFOPOS) gathering in Clarion, PA. I think they knew it would be a hundred degrees and a damn hilly ride because they plied us with moonshine and stories for hours. It was worth ever second hanging with those folks.
     It was a beautiful but hilly ride into this valley. I smile at all the roadside signs that show a horse and buggy crossing - not to mention the fresh produce and ice cream spots. There are Morgan horses and old farms everywhere.
     When we reached Johnstown area and stopped to ask a Five-0 some directional help, he did us one better and fired up the flashing lights and gave us a personal police escort. Our location here is good, jammed in with folks selling LEDS (lights), dyno dudes and others. I have a box of great tomatoes from a New Hampshire farm I will set out tomorrow, along with a bowl of biscuits the customers can give Bob and Thumper.
     Don't be fooled folks, while it's GREAT not working for 'da man' anymore, life as a high-end carnie is no cake walk. It's laborious and constant. As we drive down the road - loving the journey, off course - we are oft reminded (usually by smoking brakes or failing A/C) of the perils and pain. As we say in biker world,  Ride Safe.


(Ten pictures from top to bottom):
A motorcycle at Laconia outfitted with glowing red and green lights; a Ridley 'mini' bike; a nice group of 'patch' folk who needed tires; Dennie, right, and Dragon discussing the route home from Laconia; a frigging killer lobster roll sandwich - worth all 14 bucks; the dining area for the Old Farts on Pieces Of Shit - OFOPOS - gathering at Super 8 in Clarion, PA; the OFOPOS crew during gathering hour (think moonshine); the Pennsylvania countryside where everything is hilly and green; full lights on our offered-and-acccepted police escort to Thunder in the Valley site in Johnstown, PA; our very welcomed police escort!














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