Real world rides, real world riders

To taste the American dream

In the June issue, two pieces stood out; Damon I’Anson's article on ‘older bikers’ and Kevin and Julia Sanders ‘There’s more to America than Route 66.’ However, what eventually galvanised me to put fingers to keyboard was Alan Cathcart’s article ‘A Desmo wins on the Dirt’ in the July issue.

In April and May this year I took a long motorcycle tour of Southern California and Arizona with two American friends... not on board Harleys, but perfectly equipped Japanese bikes. Our combined age was 201 and yet we set a pace and covered distances that would have been a credit to riders half our age and in weather that ranged from 38C in the desert, to snow in Arizona!

As the Sanders point out, there are many spectacular roads in the US; California Highway 74 and Arizona Highway 89 are two further examples worthy of note. However, it is worth seeing what you can find of Route 66. Yes, most of the original road has disappeared but there are challenging and stunning sections worthy of any riders attention; in particular the ‘loop’ through to Oatman.

Bearing in mind all this, and the correspondence about Harleys and American motorcycle culture in the letters column of MSL over the last few months, I felt that we are in danger of stereotyping American bikers and riding in America. This was certainly not helped by the attack on Maynard Hershon which more than seemed to confirm some of our worst fears (and stereotypes).

This brings me to Alan Cathcart’s article. I was lucky enough to be at Yavapai Downs (near Prescott) for the Arizona Mile and witnessed Joe Kopps first national victory on the Ducati. Although the meeting attracted the usual collection of Harleys and Hell Angels (including the founder of the HA, an elderly Sonny Barger,) the wide range of bikers there was just as here in the UK and reflected a diverse motorcycle culture that embraced many different types of bikes and riders. The crowds response to Joe Kopps victory again challenged the view of a  narrow Harley-centric culture. In, as Cathcart points out, a stunning end to the race, the entire crowd were on their feet, the vast majority cheering Kopp for a stunning last bend pass and for seeing something other than a Harley win a National flat track race.

Riding in America is wonderful (whatever your age) and the best way to experience the landscape and the varied cultures. Therefore, lets embrace it all, listen to criticism, at least when it's informed, and keep riding and exploring as long as we can, free from any national stereotype.

Ian Ralston
Manchester

Couldn’t agree more Ian, I love riding in the States and have never had a negative experience there – in fact any time we’ve come across local bikers in the USA they’ve always been wonderfully helpful. If any MSL readers are thinking of going to America to ride then we wholeheartedly recommend it. TC