Mike’s Typo

HOG has notified a group of its members that a laptop computer containing membership records is missing. The laptop was first reported missing Aug. 14. (Dealer advisory letter is dated Sept. 19.) The computer’s files contain personal information, including some with driver’s license and credit card numbers. As a precautionary measure, HOG is offering affected members free credit monitoring and identity theft services. Are you affected? The advisory states that if HOG or BRAG members had a credit card and/or driver’s license on the missing laptop they will be notified by mail at the address on file with their HOG or BRAG membership. Not all HOG members are affected. A driver’s license is only on file if the HOG member has rented a HOG Fly motorcycle. Credit card information is only on file if a member selected the Automatic Annual Renewal of their membership as an option and provided a credit card. Not sure whether to feel relieved or violated, call HOG at 1-800-258-2464.

Editorial comment: why is all this personal information roaming around on laptops? There ought to be a law against that!

As many of you know, I ride motorcycles and bicycles. On the bicycle side, I came across a product that’s for everyone who travels alone. The company, RoadID makes a bracelet that will identify you to emergency services if you are incapacitated in an accident. The id bracelet is imprinted with whatever you want. Typically, you’d put your name, drug allergies, medical insurance info, doctor’s name and number, and an emergency contact. What made me think about this was the story of the motorcyclist that was killed on Highway 17. In the crash, his bags came apart and personal stuff was scattered all over the road. It took two or three days before they figured out who the rider was. The story was tragic in so many ways, but it reminded me that making it easier on the emergency services folks could save your life. Last time I checked, the custom imprinted Velcro bracelet will set you back about $20. Visit the RoadID site and check it out: www.roadid.com.

Officials at the (yet again) new Indian Motorcycle Company say they plan to introduce a new Indian Chief in the second half of 2007. The company recently purchased a production facility in Kings Mountain, NC, and hired motorcycle industry veteran Geoffrey Burgess to head up its product development team. Before you shake your head and write this off as another blasphemy of a once-great brand, you should note the guy behind this. He’s English, so the electronics won’t work. Stephen Julius, is the guy who also bought and successfully re-launched Chris-Craft boats. Burgess has a pretty strong background too. He’s been in engineering and product development at Global Motorsports, S, Victory Motorcycles, General Motors, Bombardier, BSA-Triumph, and Norton-Villier.

Editorial comment: Unless he’s old as dirt, his resume would indicate that he can’t hold a job. Seems like they could have gotten a great deal on the still-vacant Excelsior-Henderson plant in Belle Plains, MN. Excelsior-Henderson burned through about $150 million and never established a toe-hold. The last effort to revive Indian vaporized $145 million trying to re-build the brand. These guys are going to have to have very deep pockets. Caveat emptor.

Source: Powersports Business, 8/14/06

From the mailbag (may she rest in peace) — Jordan Hubbard wrote,

“The pashnit site you directed us at is a good one (already signed up awhile back) but it tends to focus on “big ticket” rides, that is those that take a full day or so and involve very specific highways and stretches of road. What might be more apropos and less well-known, however, would be “local rides” submitted by people in the Santa Cruz area.”

I couldn’t agree more. So, with Jordan’s help, we’re going to give it a spin. This first one is from Jordan; he calls it:

The Alice’s Loop
Start from either Felton, Ben Lomond or Boulder Creek on Hwy 9 and proceed north, a scenic stretch of road with a lot of nice twists and turns and only one real hairpin. Proceed until you come to the junction of Hwy 9 and Hwy 35 (”Skyline”). Turn left towards San Francisco — this stretch of road features some spectacular views to the right, including a scenic stopping point overlooking Palo Alto and the rest of Silicon Valley. You will eventually come to the junction of Hwy 84 and 35, also known as “Skylonda 4 corners”. You’re probably getting a little saddle-sore at this point (or are hungry), so proceed through the junction and stop at Alice’s restaurant, which is just 50 yards past the junction on the left side (there are a number of parking areas in front). Once you’re ready to proceed, turn onto Hwy 84 in the direction of La Honda (west). Proceed through the town of La Honda (another possible stopping point: Applejacks, on the left side of the road right after the fire station) and all the way to the junction of Hwy 84 and Hwy 1. Turn left on Hwy 1 and proceed down the coast until you come to Pine Flat Road, which is the road to Bonny Doon. Turn left and proceed up the road, staying on Pine Flat all the way, until you come to Empire Grade. Turn left (north) onto Empire Grade — this will take you along the top of the ridge line and offer some occasional stunning views of the San Lorenzo valley to the right. You will pass Alba on the right, which descends to the town of Ben Lomond — take this turn if you started in Ben Lomond or Felton, otherwise continue on to Jamison Canyon road (the next right) and take a right, following it down the mountain until it meets Hwy 236 (Big Basin Rd). Take a right turn at the stop sign and follow 236 into the town of Boulder Creek. Total length of loop: 95 miles.

Thanks, Jordan. Many of you may be saying, “I’ve done that.” So, tell us your favorite route. Here’s my pledge. You send me some great local routes, and I’ll figure out how to map them and attach links to the maps. Deal.

Editorial comment/disclaimer: We didn’t check Jordan’s directions. So, if you end up in Petaluma, don’t blame us.

Into Music from “The Day”? — While I’m writing this, my computer is streamin’ Bob Marley’s No Woman, No Cry from his concert in Oakland, Nov. 30, 1979. From Pink Floyd, the Stones, Grateful Dead, Doors to the Eagles and Hendrix, Wolfgang’s Vault is a collection of free music and not-so-free vintage concert memorabilia. So far, I’ve kept my wallet in my pocket and just enjoyed the free stream of only once-before heard live recordings. I don’t know who puts the song lists together, but they’re pretty eclectic and fun. Give the site a whirl: www.wolfgangsvault.com. The San Francisco Business Times said, “Archives bring Bill Graham era back from the Dead.” That’s why they get the big bucks, and I’m writin’ a no-frills email newsletter.

Source: Reader, Ken Prager – thanks Ken!

Anthony Hopkins is terrific in The World’s Fastest Indian. It played in theatres early this year and quickly developed a huge cult following. It’s now in video/DVD. Rent it. It’s a great story-true, by the way. It’s fantastic acting. Very Steve McQueen-ish. I watched it three times-rented it twice. I guess I should have bought it. So, if you want to save a few bucks on rentals, check it out at Amazon.com. More. You need more. Ok. Academy award winner, Anthony Hopkins stars as Burt Munro, a man who never let the dream of youth fade. After a lifetime of perfecting his classic 1920 V-twin Scout, Burt sets off to clock his bike at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah (from New Zealand!) with all odds against him. Burt’s quest culminates in an unlikely conclusion and remains legendary within the motorcycle community to this day. Rent it. Buy it. Watch it. You won’t be sorry.

Harley-Davidson, Inc. got a new ticker symbol: HOG. The announcement was made officially in Sturgis this year. The symbol used to be HDI. Make a note — HDI might not be as good a “buy” as HOG!

Parting Note — A sign in the window of Goldstein’s Funeral Home in Philadelphia reads, “We would rather do business with 1,000 terrorists than with a single Jew.” God bless America!

Harley-Davidson and Rand McNally have collaborated on the Ride Atlas of North America, a 300+ page project that will become a standard part of every touring bike’s portfolio. All 50 states, Canada’s providences, Mexico and Puerto Rico are mapped, with associated local motorcycle laws, state touring resources, major city maps and a list of Harley-Davidson dealerships. Of those, 25 featured rides consist of a touring guide with insider tips and a list of “Pull Over” locations. The spiral bound atlas features a rubber-like touche cover that enables it to survive the rigors of touring.

Source: Robb Report Motorcycling, Sept/Oct 2006

Editorial comment: This is a GREAT piece – especially if received as a gift. The touring guide section is a reason to buy it. Available at Santa Cruz Harley.

A recently developed vehicle-to-vehicle communication system that warns motorcycle and automobile drivers of the possibility of a collision could be on bikes in 2008. Statistics of on-road accident fatalities in Japan indicate that motorcyclists account for 18% of the annual number of motor vehicle-related deaths there. Of that percentage, some 63% of fatalities result from a collision between an automobile and a motorcycle, and some 90% of that number occurred when an automobile failed to recognize a motorcyclist in traffic. Believing that mutual recognition between automobile drivers and motorcycle riders is a key to accident prevention, organizers of the Advanced Safety Vehicle (ASV) Project say the recently developed vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication system could result in a 30% drop in the number of accidents recorded in Japan annually.

Source: Powersports Business, 7/3/06

Editorial note: if you can follow the math, you’re a better man than I. Seems like the percentages are all going in the right direction.