About a week after dropping the Triumph Bonneville Street Cup rim off with Howard at Metro Wheels, they gave me a call to inform me the rim was ready. Howard and crew had it trued within a millimeter, with minimal damage to the paint and finish. To say I was pleased and relieved is an understatement.
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I first met Jake Gagne at the opening round of the 2019 MotoAmerica road racing season at Road Atlanta. I already had birthed an idea about a story on Jake, but had yet to make contact with him. While photographing Junior Cup racers out by the “Esses” section of the track, Jake slowly pedaled by me on a black mountain bike, a grin on his face and his trademark ponytail pulled through a baseball cap. I called out, “Jake Gagne, I presume!” He stopped, extended a handshake, and we struck up a conversation…
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Road Dirt contributing photographer Brandon Johnson attended the Bristol, Tennessee round of the NHRA Drag Racing Series last weekend. The races included a category known as the Mickey Thompson Top Fuel Harley, a 10-race schedule of the fastest motorcycle drag races in the country. Brandon got some outstanding shots, and we just had to share some of our faves from his amazing weekend in the hills of Tennessee.
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Nestled deep in the North Georgia foothills, outside of a town called Homer no less, down a winding country road, lies the hidden gem of a classic and race bike collection, owned by a retired racer and team owner in vintage motorcycle racing. Keith Campbell has not only amassed an outstanding assortment of timeless motorcycles, he has preserved many of the bikes he and his son Kyle once raced. Humbly referring to himself as simply an “enthusiast,” Keith nevertheless has achieved much in the sport, both in riding and racing.
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About two weeks ago, I rode the Triumph Bonney to work at Phoenix Roasters, a coffee company I do a bit of work for. While returning home, I took a few side roads with sweeping curves and thrilling corners. Diving into a right hand turn, I took it at a deep lean, looking up and through the corner. Suddenly, I was jarred by a violent “Ba-BAM!” mid-corner, shocking me with an unexpected impact. I never lost control of the bike, but it shook me up. I was close to home, within 2 miles, so I cautiously limped the bike to the house…
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The Lexington Red Mile in Kentucky saw the return of native son Roger Hayden over the weekend, of the famed Hayden racing family. Roger retired from MotoAmerica at the end of the 2018 season, after stellar years in the road racing world. Estenson Racing offered Hayden the opportunity to fill in for JD Beach, the reigning MotoAmerica Supersport champion, who raced at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin over the weekend.
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I was swinging on our front porch with my wife the other night, the sun having set behind the tree line, and the woods around our North Georgia home were awash in the glow of dozens of fireflies. It’s late spring, and I suddenly found myself reflecting on a treasured friendship with an old adolescent pal named Aaron Smith. I’m not sure what triggered the memories, but I lingered there in the gathering dusk, even as Lisa excused herself and stepped inside. I bid welcome to the images, conversations, and shared experiences with my old friend, allowing them to fill my consciousness. I sat and savored, like watching a great old movie I’d seen before, but worth the viewing again and again.
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Apparently, the rumors of Rolling Thunder’s demise have been greatly exaggerated. And a bit premature.
Over the Memorial Day weekend, it has been reported by Fox News and other outlets that Rolling Thunder had received a substantial donation of $200,000 from another nonprofit organization, Wreaths Across America, to cover operating costs for the 2020 event. Now President Trump has thrown in his support for the event as well.
It was March 2002 when I first laid eyes on this big cruiser. I had dreamed of a bike like this for several years, but events of the previous two had cast serious doubts on whether this dream would ever be realized.
Rewind to April 27, 2000…
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