Ride Across America: Day Twelve

Today was a great day. I didn’t do a lot of miles (only 126 miles / 202 kms), but I spent most of the day riding and hanging out with bikers. It was exactly what I needed.

I headed out from San Jose and stopped at a Harley Dealership nearby. I wasn’t there very long, because, well, they really are all the same. I talked with a couple of the mechanics and asked what custom shops might be in the area. They mentioned that Ron Simms and Arlen Ness had shops within an hour of San Jose.

I decided instead to head into San Francisco. I had googled bike shops in the morning, and found one, California Choppers that looked interesting. So, I headed into San Francisco.

As I was cruising down the highway, a guy on an Ultra Glide passed me. Over the next few miles, we would pass each other, depending on the lane either of us was in. Finally we pulled up beside each other and he leaned over and asked me if it was legal to lane split. I told him it was, and he explained that he had just picked up his bike after it was flown here from Korea where he had been living. He had only been two weeks in San Francisco, and this was just his second day on the bike. Yesterday, he had ridden South, today he was headed to downtown S.F. We chatted for a good twenty minutes as we moved in and out of traffic. Finally, we agreed to ride together downtown and grab a drink. The only problem was we got separated in some traffic, and ended up taking different exits. Oh well, he seemed interesting.

I kept going to California Choppers, and when I pulled up outside, I knew I was at a very cool shop. I looked at some bikes they had built, and then wandered their shop for a bit. The owner was there, and soon we were chatting away. We talked for over an hour, as he told me about the history of his shop. Originally called Frisco Choppers, it was the home of the original Frisco bikes. Beautiful machines for sure! A couple of customers came in and out while I was there, and they would join in on the conversation each time. I was continually introduced, “This is my good Canadian friend. He travelled all this way just to meet me!” I didn’t bother correcting him on me being good, or on traveling just to meet him. He was a very cool dude.

He suggested I check out Ron Simms place and even Arlen Ness’ shop. However, he warned me not to mention the shops to each other, because I guess Simms and Ness do not get along at all.

I rode out to Hayward and pulled up at Simm’s shop. Again, a beautiful place (in my opinion). Just an old, warn down building in an industrial area. I loved it. He had a bunch of old classic bikes on display as well as some of his own creations. He was gone to Reno for a bike show, but the guy hanging out there was a blast. Again, we chatted for a good hour. An old biker came in a short time after I arrived and started going on about a part on his bike that had fallen off four or five times. I guess the two of them had been trying to get it fixed for a while. This guy looked exactly like you would picture an old Narley Harley rider. He was probably in his 60’s, and he had been riding his entire life. He was a hoot, and I had a blast chatting with him about the ‘old days’.

I finally took off and decided to get over to my hotel and check in. I really didn’t care to see Arlen Ness’ stuff. To be honest, I’m not a big fan. Besides, he’s opening a new shop next weekend in Vegas, so I can always check out his bikes then if I’m in the mood.

This was one of those days when I just felt like I connected with some guys. These were club guys, or at least were comfortable around that scene. Not that it matters at all to me, but I just like talking with some of those kinds of bikers from time to time.

This trip, so far, has allowed me to experience a variety of bikers. From racers to scooter trash and everything else. It’s part of the trip that I will treasure the most.

Okay, time to go eat!