Primal Memories
Do you remember where it all started for you, this two-wheel passion thing? Of course you remember that first motorcycle ride, as surely as you remember your first carnal experience. Odds are that you remember your first bike as clearly as your first lover. While those memories of that first ride and first bike are certainly strong, clear, and close to the surface of our awareness, I believe that for most of us, those memories are not truly the primal ones, the ones that really inspired our moto-selves.
Somewhere, perhaps deeply buried or simply unrecognized by our conscious minds, there lays a deeper memory. An experience or happening in our lives that came first in the sequence, which programmed us into the bikers we have grown to be. It is the first line of moto-code in our two-wheeled DNA. This often simple, maybe even innocuous experience became the first turn in our learning curve of self that ultimately brought the bike/s into our garages and landed this blog on your screen today. Ponder it for a moment or two. Can you trace it back past the obvious?
I think I may have traced mine back, but the pathway to awareness that I took today came not from an intended introspection but rather from telling my wife the history of one of the objects from my past that lives in my garage. Let me explain. My garage is equal to the size of my house; it is home to my motorcycles and, like yours probably is, is also filled with all those things that as a packrat I cannot bear to discard. I spent today working in the garage clearing an area for a workbench and reorganizing my assorted packrat stuff. It was near the end of this process that the awareness of my primal memory arrived.
Mary, my sweetheart, brought me a cold beverage, and while I took a short break from my work to talk with her, she asked about an unusual piece of furniture sitting in the pile of stuff I was rearranging. My father, who was a carpenter, made the item in question; it was designed to custom-fit in an apartment my parents and I lived in long ago. My father passed away when I was six and my mother kept it when we moved because it was one of the things he had made. However, it did not fit in any place my mom lived since I was ten. When my mother passed in 1990, it came to my garage, and it hasn’t found a purpose in any place that I have lived, either—that is, until today. It carried a memory revealing a purpose so much deeper than its function as a piece of custom furniture.
During the process of relating the idea and the origin of this object to my sweetheart, I described my childhood home to her. I told her of the floor plan of this railroad-style flat and where it was located in the South Bronx. When I described my room, I came across that primal memory. My bedroom was the last room in the back and its windows faced towards the middle of the city block. About three blocks from my bedroom windows was the Cross Bronx Expressway, a fifties-style, sunken highway that cut across the Bronx, connecting the northeastern suburbs and states with New York City and the George Washington Bridge.
That major artery, while not as crowded then as it is today, was busy all day and night with traffic. The canyon-like structure of the road made the sounds of engines and spinning wheels echo through the local streets and alleyways and into my bedroom. When I was describing that room and the sounds that inhabited it, I had one of those moments of clarity that is often accompanied by an expression of: Aha! Those first years of my life I slept to the lullaby of the road as it played its constant, almost unnoticed drone over the slumbering city. I realized that the music of engines and the road was ingrained into me from way before I even saw my first motorcycle. For me, that was the first line of code that programmed the wanderlust and moto-mania into my soul. Till this day, whenever I sometimes hear a motor roaring in the distance or the chorus of singing tires and honking horns, I feel a sense of comfort in those sounds. I reconnect with my Primal Memories.
Copyright Bill Hufnagle 2014
Biker Billy appearing at White Rose Thunder
I am proud to share with ya’ll that Biker Billy will be appearing at White Rose Thunder in York, PA. Yes, right in the great Pennsylvania city where Harley-Davidsons are assembled. This is a new event at a great location, which has a special place in the hearts of bikers and the proud folks of PA who make The American Motorcycle! With two shows on both Friday and Saturday there will be lots of good food, hot peppers and fun to share. I hope to see you there. Here is a link to the event page http://whiterosethunder.com/ or check it out on my site at www.bikerbilly.com
Revisiting Halcyon Days – Deja Vu was Never this Good
Biker Billy begins the show at the Crossroads Rally
Deja Vu is not exactly the experience I had but in a very generalized way the term fits the feelings I had. What the &@$¥ is this about Biker Billy you may ask? The Crossroads Rally of course. Recently, I had the pleasure of bringing my show to the Crossroads Rally in Waterbury Vermont, actually outside of town, in a great field surrounded by mountains.
From the moment I arrived I just got a great vibe; I was at home among friends. In short order I felt like I was “back in the day.” A time before, when things were free and the living was sweet. When we were the people and we didn’t even know it. A quarter century of bigger, badder, better, louder, faster and less real was stripped away. This was as close as I have felt to being in the good old days, since, well too long ago.
Nice Shovelhead – don’t these much anymore!
Before going further I want to set out two facts (or opinions), this rally is an example of a growing trend in regional events (one I am happy to see), you can’t manufacture this experience – it only comes from being real.
So, where do I start? Well I arrived the day before the event, kinda early in the day at that. Heck, let’s face it, the only way I could be sure of being there, bouncing from event to event in one long multi-state weekend was by flying on the first flights of the day. Wake up too early (1:30AM), drive a few hours, fly west to then fly east, sleep on the planes, hope the equipment baggage makes it, yada, yada, yada. Roll into the event site, in the usual anonymous rental car wishing I had my bike to ride on these sweet country roads. Then wham that feeling hit – “it’s déjà Vu all over again” (thank you Yogi Berra).
From the folks at the gate, to meeting my client Tonya, who booked me for the event, I just had that feeling like I was at a run back in NJ in the 1980’s hanging with my riding buddies. If you have been around this two-wheeled thing for some time, then you will know that what I mean by “back in NJ in the 1980’s” as it will equally apply to the late 1960’s or 1970’s in NJ, LA, or Ohio; when or where your MC roots where. Those times and places before our lifestyle was mainstreamed and we were popular fodder for Cable Network TV Shows. No actors or TV stars, just those who ride. Left to ourselves we were family. It was good to be home again.
Chef Ed
Then there was Chef Ed, my assistant for the event. Ed is the owner and grill master of Ed’s Barr-B-Q in Graniteville, Vermont. Chef Ed handled all the shopping, set up and clean up chores that are involved in presenting the shows. We had a great time shooting the breeze and working together. Ed made my day easier and more fun, which freed me up to explore the event scene. Thank you Ed!
Room for Field Games and Camping
Did I say we were in a field? It was 50 acres of land, which they used only about half, leaving room to grow for future years. Camping was at one end and a big beer tent at the other end with venders and room for biker games in the middle. Trees that concealed a river lined one side of the field where there was a sandy beach and a swimming hole. This is a great location to spend the weekend rallying, within a short ride of the crossroads of the two best roads in Vermont. Hey why do you think they call it the Crossroads Rally?
Beer Tent
The beer tent featured a stage for bands, and my show, with plenty of chairs and tables to relax and enjoy the cool shade. At night they had both music and various forms of biker entertainment, yes they had a wet t-shirt contest, sorry no pictures. The bands that played while I was there were quite good; there was a blues band that I particularly enjoyed on Saturday afternoon. I forgot their name, but maybe someone who was there can post it in the comments. The rally had everything including a kitchen sink (more on that in an earlier post.)
Slow Race
Slow Race
Plank Ride
More Plank Ride
Tire Toss
Food Vendors
During the day on Saturday they held classic biker field games including, the slow ride, tire toss, water balloon toss, keg races, plank rides, weenie bite, etc.; they even had Jello wrestling. I was able to video the wrestling, purely G rated, four brave ladies contended, after the eliminations in the first round the two winners faced off. The overall winner won a hundred bucks and the runner up got fifty, plus they got fresh new rally shirts. Yes that swimming hole was handy for a quick rinse off. To the politically correct it must sound horrible, but it was all good fun. Face it, bikers can entertain themselves with good old all American fun, they call it freedom!
Want a Habanero
Got Milk?
Have a Habanero
Have a Habanero
Taste Testing
It was a great event and the weather was perfect. If you can make it next year I highly recommend it; ride, party, camp, ride, play, party, camp, ride home – now that is an agenda!
Everything Including the Kitchen Sink
Recently I presented my cooking show at The Crossroads Rally in Waterbury, Vermont. The event is held in a large field in the middle of gorgeous mountains. Even though it is in the mountains, that field is actually a flood plain, so nothing can be built there. If this sounds confusing, let me explain, there is a river next to the field and this is all in a valley. Heavy rain or rapidly melting snow or both together overflows the river. While it guarantees the site won’t become condos or a shopping plaza next year, it also prevents installing event support buildings.
Part of the behind the scenes stuff that a cooking show requires is refrigeration and sanitary cleanup facilities. Often when working out in a field like this we have to use coolers and transport the equipment to a remote kitchen for clean up. Hand washing can be accomplished with something as simple as one of those 2.5-gallon water jugs from any supermarket, but equipment cleaning needs sinks. Three to be precise: wash, rinse and sanitizer; so what do you do?
Yankee ingenuity to the rescue; one of the rally volunteers Jim Bransfield had us covered. Like a magician pulls a rabbit out of his hat, out of his truck he pulled everything we needed. While I unpacked my gear I watched as he assembled a double stainless steel sink along with supporting countertop and cabinets.
Kitchen Sink
He then proceeded to plumb it into a long run of hose to a not so nearby well. Following that up with a drain setup and catch bucket for the grey water that handled two shows of clean up. In true biker style problem solving the main run of black hose used the sun’s heat to make continuous warm water. That beats Solyndra for solar power and was hundreds of millions cheaper too!
Plumbing
To finish it all off he the used extra PVC pipe to adjust the low rental table up to a perfect height for me to stand and cook. This seemingly small thing makes a huge difference in the show and for my back. Thank you Jim for hooking me up with everything including the kitchen sink!
Raising the Table
Raising the Table Detail
Liquid Sunshine
Liquid Sunshine
Summer season motorcycle events by nature tend to be outdoors affairs. It only makes sense; why be indoors during the riding season? This is especially true in the northern climes where winters are long, dark, dreary periods punctuated by snowstorms and ice. Friends and clients of mine in Wisconsin tell me they get something like 62 good days each year in the warm season. So it makes perfect sense that they pack a lot of outdoors fun, riding and rallies into that opportunity. This compressed reality applies to the whole Great Lakes region.
Recently I was blessed with the opportunity to be part of one of the fastest growing regional rallies in America – Roar on the Shore – in Erie, Pennsylvania. I was engaged to do two shows on the opening day, Thursday, July 19, 2012. I was pretty pumped about it since I always have a great time doing shows in that region, lots of good folks in western PA, western NY and Ohio. They know how to play and have fun, besides there are a lot of fiery food fanatics in that oft frozen area.
About a week to ten days out I made the final review with the rally planners and checked the weather forecast. All looked good. Their team was very professional and organized. Once all the bases were covered I felt I could move on and focus on other work. When my travel day arrived I headed out looking forward to a Great Lakes rally adventure.
Did you know that Erie, Pennsylvania is the third largest city in that state? I didn’t. But when I called it a nice small town while checking into the hotel, I got corrected. Since I arrived early the day before my shows I had a chance to visit the venue in advance. While nothing was setup for my stage, I got a good feel for where I was performing. I must say that I also got to watch the crews setting up a multiple block event venue in what looked like the center city green space or park. No doubt that the city of Erie was doing it right.
Come show day, I arrived early and got to meet almost all the city inspectors, except the Fire Marshal. I have grown accustomed to meeting Fire Marshals since I “Cook with Fire“, I can only guess that since I was electrifying and UL rated. I was not a fire hazard; tell that to the folks who ate the hot peppers! All was good after some tweaking of the stage and PA. They even had a nice popup tent to cover the stage, always nice to keep the hot summer sun off of us hot heads that are cooking.
Just before the 12:30 show the fickle summer weather turned from comfortably cool and overcast into a solid drizzle. By the start of the show it was just plain rain. Fortunately a short distance in front of my stage was a tent setup for bikini girls, who as fate had it were off somewhere else being exposed to the weather. Before the show was finished everything under my tent from stage floor to tabletop, even under the table was soaked. Damn good electrical setup, as not a single electrical shock coursed through me. Ahhh how nice to not be electrocuted! What was really great was the packed crowd under that other tent. They made the show for me.
After the show the rain slacked off for a while, but by 3:00 PM when I started the second show is was drizzling again. However now I not only had a full house under the tent but there was also folks standing under the open sky. We had a blast! We even had a group of what I guess were a summer school class and their teachers join the growing crowd.
The weather could not dampen the enthusiasm of the bikers or even the little children. Remember splashing in rain puddles as a child? It is that spirit of playfulness that comes naturally to children that motorcycling restores in adults. That is why seasoned riders don’t see rain; they see “Liquid Sunshine!”
Biker Billy goes for “Freedom and Unity”
Crossroads Rally
“Freedom and Unity” is the state motto of Vermont where Biker Billy will be going for the Crossroads Rally. Ain’t it the truth that “Freedom and Unity” is what bikers want? Freedom of the road and unity with our fellow riders, give me both and all is good. The Crossroads Rally will offer you that and so much more – good old time biker fun and entertainment. You can enjoy everything from Jello wrestling to a painted lady contest and a Miss Crossroads 2012 competition along with classic biker games and a tattoo contest. The list is as long as some of the pipes will be loud.
Adding to the hot fun in the sun this year will be two shows by yours truly, Biker Billy on Saturday July 21th. The rally officially starts on Friday June 20, 2012 for two days of biker fun in the gorgeous mountains of Vermont. Great riding roads and scenery that can’t be beat, plus fun places to stop and shop or eat surround the Rally. You have to get yourself some of the famous Vermont Maple syrup and bring it to my first show because I will be making you some killer biker breakfast. What you do with the extra syrup is all up to you and yours.
So pack up your scoot and your sweetie and ride over to the Crossroads Rally, I hope to see you there!
Biker Billy Roars to the Shore
Biker Billy at Roar on the Shore
Not the Jersey shore but the shores of Lake Erie for the sixth annual Roar on the Shore Rally. This is one of the fastest growing rallies in the United States with over 80,000 riders attending each July for this three-day extravaganza. Kicking off on Thursday July 19, 2012 Roar on the Shore promises something for everybody from rides to bands to bike contest and shows. To get the weekend off to a roaring start, Biker Billy will be setting the stage ablaze with two shows on Thursday the 19th. Just ride on down to the hub of the event venue and get a taste of the fire and a few good laughs as we Cook with Fire together.
This is more than just a rally that is fun to attend. It is a major fundraising event for local charities in the Erie, Pennsylvania region. It is also an area blessed with great riding and the beauty of the Great Lake Erie, so wherever you point your front wheel you will find adventure. I invite you to ride over and enjoy the shows and spend the weekend in the beauty of northwestern Pennsylvania and enjoy the hospitality of the greater Erie community. Till I see you there Eat Hot and Ride Safe!
Biker Billy’s Recap of Q and Chrome at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs
Biker Billy at Q and Chrome
This was one of those awesome June Saturdays when the sky is blue with just enough clouds to moderate the heat of the sun. It was actually not hot, just the kind of warm breezy weather that would be the perfect climate all year long. Simply a gorgeous day to be alive and in the outdoors, which made it perfect for an event that blends a classic car and motorcycle ride-in show with a food festival, and they had beer too. You know of course to never drink and drive. But if you are going to walk around all day enjoying some good food, music and kicking tires, a cold brew is nice. Especially if you get to sample a hot Biker Billy recipe, or hotter yet, get to be on stage with yours truly, Biker Billy.
Biker Billy Q and Chrome Car Show Panorama
This event has the potential to do some serious growing if the good folks at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs decide to make it a yearly affair. I could even see a weekend mini rally growing here. It is located in northeastern Pennsylvania, an area that offers some fine riding. I used to haunt some of those roads back in the days when I lived in New Jersey. It is a short ride from large population centers but far enough away to be out in the country. The venue has great amenities and I heard they are building a new hotel on site.
Biker Billy with Chef Meagan
Biker Billy Q with Chef Al
So, what was Q and Chrome? The Q stands for barbeque and there were several choices of Q to be had from various vendors as well as the Casino’s excellent kitchen. I should point out that the culinary team was wonderful to work with. I have posted pictures of me with the two chefs that helped with everything I need for the shows – Chef Meagan and Chef Al – Thank you both! There was even roasted corn on the cob, and as would be expected the traditional side dishes along with both beer and a whiskey and tequila bar to wet your whistle. They used a system of BBQ bucks that you purchased at central locations and then used to purchase your victuals where you choose.
Biker Billy with Rat Car Owner
Rat Car Inside
Rat Car Side Angle
The chrome was the bike and classic car show, which I have posted a few pictures from. More cars were present than bikes. Based on conversations I had with attendees I attribute that to the overwhelming success that they had with previous charity car shows.
Once the word spreads about this event among riders, I expect more parity in the chrome part of the show. It is not a competition between cars and bikes. As I see it the classic car folks and bikers share so much love of all things motor and a love for the open road. We are kin.
Biker Billy says Have a Habanero
Biker Billy and Volunteers feed a Taste Tester in a Red Dress
Biker Billy says Hold Still
Biker Billy and Show 1 Volunteers
I had a lot of fun with the shows and there are some pictures for you to enjoy. The first show would have benefited from a larger stage but we packed in and cooked up a storm.
Biker Billy Show 2 – Have an Onion
Biker Billy Show 2 – Look Out
The second show was over the top, even in my humble opinion. In so many ways the shows are a reflection of the audience and what a great crowd you were. Thank you for playing along with me!
Biker Billy Show 2 Rolling the Wrap
I would be most pleased to return to a future Q and Chrome at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs. They tell me that a similar event is several years old at the Connecticut Mohegan Sun venue.
Biker Billy on the Q and Chrome Megatron
If you see these events listed for next year, mark your calendars. I hope to see you there, till then Eat Hot & Ride Safe!
Biker Billy is headed for Thunder in the Valley
Biker Billy adds the Garlic while his helper enjoys a Jalapeno
It is that time of the year when the weather forecast will have a chance of thunderstorms almost everyday. That means it’s summertime riding and rallying season. While thunder may portend rain, when you are talking about the weather it has a whole other meaning when you talk about rallies – FIRE! Yes the kind of fire that happens when you mix a bunch of fun loving motorcyclists, good food and Biker Billy along with a good supply of hot peppers.
This weekend I will be bringing the unique Biker Billy style of fire to the Thunder in the Valley Rally in Johnston, Pennsylvania. I have shows on both Friday and Saturday, June 22 & 23, 2012. Check the rally brochure for the location. This has become one of my favorite rallies to perform at over the years. The folks are just so friendly that you feel right at home. It is a good example of the regional rallies that are growing all over the country and making win/win situations for both the host communities and the riders.
If you live in western Pennsylvania, eastern Ohio or West Virginia this rally is an easy ride to reach and there are some beautiful roads to ride. And of course there are the fiery Biker Billy shows and all the other fun stuff to do when you park the bike.
In the photo above, which is from last year’s Thunder in the Valley, check out the jalapeno my assistant is holding and the massive half empty garlic jar I am holding. Yeah, we cooked some smokin’ good food last year. So come to this year’s rally and the shows where you can get a taste of the wild side as only Biker Billy Cooks with Fire delivers!
Biker Billy at “Q and Chrome” at the Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs
Out of the frying pan and on to the grill, the summer is off to a scorching start. Fresh from the Gettysburg Festival with a short interlude at home to cool and tune my jets and I am off again to wild and wonderful Pennsylvania. This time it is to the greater Wilkes-Barre area for a first annual event called “Q and Chrome”, but rest assured that the Mohegan Sun folks are not new to shows or “Q”. They have been doing a “Q” event at their original venue in Connecticut (hint to my CT friends – ask them to bring me up there next year.)
For those of you who are not fluent in southern slang “Q” stands for BBQ or barbeque. As old Willy Shakespeare said a pork butt by any other name is still smokin’, or something like that. Enough of Olde English, I will be there cooking some deviously delicious dishes filled with the fire that only Biker Billy can create, including a vegetarian “Q” for those of us who don’t do the meat thing.
Along with great foods to eat, cooking shows to enjoy, and music both live and DJ’ed, also there will be the chrome. There will be a potentially massive custom and classic car show and of course a bike show big enough to fill the Pocono Downs Race Track. They tell me even though it is a first year event they expect upwards of 6000 attendees. Seems they got over 35,000 for their first Oktoberfest. Did I mention multiple beer tents, and a whiskey and Tequila bar? So if you made it to the Oktoberfest, then come on over again as the weather is forecast to be great. Need I say drink responsibly and don’t drink and drive!
Fiery foods, fun, music and cool rides; everything a summer weekend should have so please ride on over and check it out. Till then Eat Hot & Ride Safe!
Early Spring
In this the last week of calendar winter, the temps have been oh so spring-like. Not surprising considering the truly mild winter we have had. That mildness has been a blessing, at least to me, as I despise winter. But moving beyond my personal opinion of winter and my admitted disaffection towards the coldest season of the year – can you imagine how much more fuel our nation would have needed this winter if it had been as cold and harsh as the past few winters have been? Couple that with the current price of gas approaching four dollars a gallon after setting record highs during this winter, and you can easily imagine how much further fuel costs would have risen.
Of course I might just be rationalizing my ill disposition with old man winter. Then there is the fact that weather is truly the most local thing, even more so than politics. So your weather may have been different than mine but at least spring is about to be sprung from its frozen prison. That means just one thing to the soul of a biker – it is riding season again. So I took a little ride on the Blue Ridge Parkway and this time I remembered the camera (or three that is), so I made a little video for your enjoyment. Check out the link : PreSpring Ride Craven Gap to Bull Gap on the Blue Ridge Parkway
Midweek Ride in 70 Degree February
With temps reaching to almost 70 degrees this week, making it amazingly delightful for a late February it was time for some riding. So on Thursday afternoon I finished my work early, and performed a quick safety check on the Buell. Donning my leathers, closing all the vents first, I set out on a local errand in Weaverville. Within five miles of the house my errand completed, before remounting the bike I had to open the arm vents on my three-season jacket. I was actually a touch too warm, in February. With that last responsibility out of the way I slipped onto Interstate 26 to hustle quickly north and out of town while opening up the motor a little. I took the first exit, which allowed me to head across Jupiter Road through some nice twisty and well paved country roads. Just the thing needed to warm up the tires and the reflexes before assaulting my planned pavement objective. I had intended to ride up and down River Road along side the French Broad a couple of times before topping off the fuel tank and heading home to cook dinner. I am working on a new cookbook, so the kitchen calls my attention a lot these days.
But my front wheel stayed glued on a northward heading. When the road turned left at the Little Laurel River for the final ascent toward Hot Springs, I encountered the first pocket of cold air. Resolving in my mind to turn around at Hot Springs, I blasted up and over Fire Fly Mountain. When I arrived in Hot Springs I noted that a new building has been built where the old Paddlers Rest had been torn down last year. That was a favorite lunch stop in years gone by, but the old building left a lot to be desired. Hopefully they will return. I sure liked the mini eggrolls and the salad with Granny Smith apples, goat cheese and Vidalia onion dressing. I was so lost in my food thoughts that I just puttered through town and out onto Route 209. Once there I just pressed on.
I had not intended to ride this road; one of my favorite roads, since I just felt it would surely have too much sand or debris from the recent snows and rains to be enjoyable. Much to my surprise it was clean and clear. There were some damp areas where if the temps were below freezing it would have been pure black ice. I kept thinking that if this road was up north in New Jersey it would be impassable until early April most years. Ah the joys of Carolina living and riding. I stopped a couple of times to grab a few pictures to share. Having forgotten to take a camera, I relied on my iPhone. Check out the views and the curves on Route 209 and later along Route 63 heading back towards Leicester and Asheville.
In the end I had almost taken the exact route I would have taken on a midsummers evening as an after dinner ride. I just completely missed my target of riding River Road. Well that leaves something for tomorrow.
Biker Billy's Irons in the Fire 