Mike’s Typo

One of my favorite events each year is the Highest Mileage Contest.  This year was no exception.  I’m blown away by the miles that some people rack up.  Then I’m just plain jealous.  But, I only admit to being envious.  You get the idea.  Without further fan fare - 119,366 miles was enough for this year’s prize.  The winner was none other than Santa Cruz HOGster, Jose De La Torre, riding his 2002 Harley-Davidson Screamin’ Eagle Road King.  Aside from being his daily commuter, he and his steed have been to Sturgis a couple of times, the Colorado Rockies, Four Corners, and a few other choice spots.  Kuddos to Jose and his wife Terry.  Those are BIG miles.  Lots of stories must go with them miles.  Wouldn’t we all love to have click off that kinda saddle time.  Ride safe and enjoy the journey.

David Mann artistry set to a classic Bob Seger song, Roll Me Away - does it get any better?  This is a great slide show offered up by one of our readers.  Bob Seger has captured the essence of the road.  David Mann has put paint to canvas and created evocative images of life on the road.  The combination is inspiring.  Anyone for a road trip?

It’s this time of year that I always start thinking about “tunes” for my rides. Maybe it’s that whole Spring thing. Regardless, I’m always up for a “free” list of someone’s favorite road songs. Came across a great list of one person’s Top 100 Road Songs (of All Time). You can take issue with several, and no doubt would add a couple of your own favs, but this is a great list. Check it out. Then download what you don’t have from iTunes, power up that iPod, and head on over to Santa Cruz H-D and see what’s new. We’ve brought out lots of new, fresh faces and a whole bunch of kool stuff for Spring and Summer riding.

Got an email from a friend yesterday.  Great link to a video “test.”  It takes about 15 seconds to watch this video.  When it’s all done, it’s quite an eye opener for motorcyclist and bicyclists alike.  Highly recommend this.  Then pass it on to those folks who drive cages.  Can’t say anymore, I’ll give it all away.  Watch this.

Ever wonder what your credit score is, and why it is what it is? There’s a whole industry that has grown up around those two pivotal questions. Lots of folks out there waiting to take your money to satisfy our fear, uncertainty, and doubt about our credit. Wow, I wish I’d thought of that 10 years ago. But, alas, I didn’t and so I’m just like you. If my score is X, how’d it get that way, and how do I get it to be higher? Higher is better, right?

Well, thanks to a friend in the business, I read an article the other day that dispells some myths and was an eye opener. Here’s the link. It’s a short read. I’m betting when you’re done, you’ll say, “I didn’t know that.”

Once you’ve read that article (Credit Scores 101) and you want more - the same folks published Credit Scores 102 today.

The who was Eliot Spitzer & Kristen. The what was - well, you know what. The when was a very tack Valentine’s Eve. So, that leaves the where. Leave it to the NY Times to do a story on the where of Eliot’s transgressions. Seems this was Eliot’s “unlucky” 13th visit to the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC. The Mayflower is a mere stones throw from the White House. And, while it is one of “the places” to stay in Washington, the NY Times lends a different perspective on the why of the where. Read here.

Another seemingly intelligent politico is caught doing something certain to tumble his career.  “Eliot Ness” as he was often referred to in finance circles, who is currently the governor of New York, was reported yesterday to be Client #9 of a “stung” high-end prostitution ring.  Interesting news.  Not really from my perspective.  Same old, same old.

But, that said, isn’t it interesting to ask the question why we all do stupid things like this.  I say “we” because we all do (or have done) stupid stuff.  For us, we typically don’t end up on the front page of every paper in the world.  Yep, the world.  Everyone around the world is looking at this and in various languages and dialects saying, “those stupid Americans.”

Is it just Democrats?  Kennedy, Clinton, Spitzer?  No, of course not.  What’s his name from Idaho - that was truly stupid/sick.  So, why?

Short of being able to answer that question, it’s interesting (at least to this blobber/reporter) to stoop to the People mag sort of journalizm and ask for the details.  Alas, People hasn’t hit the streets yet.  So, I had to settle for a NY Times version of the whole sorted affair (pun intended).  Link over here if you want to read how it all came to be.  I’ll let you know in a week or so if the People story is better!

You’ve heard of, maybe even used, aluminum siding. Seems John Milkovisch, from Houston, in the country of Texas, figured out a new twist on that. Over the years, he recycled - so to speak - his Falstaff beer cans into siding. So, today, the NY Times reports that the City of Houston is opening the Beer Can House for tours. The project started in 1968 and took 20 years to complete. Well, maybe not complete, but that’s when the beer or the work at the Southern Pacific Railroad took it’s toll on ‘ole Mr. Milkovisch. Link over and check out the picture and story.

Details from the 10.5th are starting to leak out. I noted two events of interest for the big Milwaukee 10.5th celebration. HOG is sponsoring the Wall of Ink. You complete a registration form and provide an 8×10 of your tat and you are entered in the Wall of Ink. The photos will be displayed Thursday, August 28, at Miller Park. Another new event to this year’s 10.5th parte is the Ride-in Bike Show. With 18 categories, your bike should fit somewhere. This might change what I ride east. The show is also Thursday, August 28. Staging is 8:30-10am; judging is from 10-10:30a. Seems pretty painless. This is also a HOG deal sponsored by Dunlop tires.

Login to the HOG Members-Only to see more info.

Finally, I am going to get rich quick. And, for FREE I’m going to let my fav 4 in on this. (If you’ve just tuned in, you may be reader 005 - we’re building readership slooowly.)

So, my brilliant idea. First, you need a glass of wine or a beer. Then come back and read on.

Ok. So, I’m driving home tonight in my USV (Ultimate Stupid Vehicle) and I’m watching the gas gauge drop like time-lapse photography. On the radio is the news of the day: Dow closes down 200+ at 12,040, oil at $105/barrel, and gas at the pump close to $4. So, I’m thinking. Scary, I know. This USV takes 35-40 gallons of the good stuff (near $4 ethol). If I fill up, park this thing and just wait, I’m sitting on huge appreciation. Right there in my tank, in my driveway - this could be my retirement. Do the math. You can’t touch this kind of appreciation in stocks. The sub-prime kaboom has sent the whole house equity thing into the tank - not sense WWII have fewer people had less than 50% equity in their houses. This is gonna be BIG. Instead of equity in your house, it will be equity in your tank. Taking the vehicle out for a spin will be like writing a check on your home equity line. You with me here. Go tonight; go RIGHT NOW - fill up and park it.

Ok, so now what. Well, we’ve got a few Harley’s down at SC and Green Valley. Up to 57 MPG and fun as the day is long (Daylight Savings this weekend). So, what are you waiting for? Park your USV and ride!

When you make your first million off this scheme, please send me a check for $10. Thanks.