I’ve
said it before and I’ll repeat it here, you can learn something new every time
you throw a leg over a bike and take off. The ride to The Rock Inn located in
Lake Hughes (CA) was sure to be full of opportunities if I kept my senses alert
for them; eyes open, ears tuned, mind alert to aromas, tastes, and the feel of
the wind and sun. Writing has helped hone my senses to unique experiences of
various encounters while on the road. This day’s ride was no different but
required patience and an open heart.
David
Hintz opened up the opportunity to ride with the Indian Motorcycle Riders Group
(IMRG) of OC (Orange County). David and I have ridden together one other time
(MAMBA Encounter, 8/28/15 post) and hung out with on one other occasion when we
met up at The Ride to the Flags, posted 9/15/15. I’m just getting familiar with
David and haven’t ridden or met any of the other 13 riders. Plenty to learn
there but that requires me to stretch beyond my basic instinct to fade into the
backdrop when with people I don’t know. I road back in the pack from David on
this ride and had the opportunity to see how well he fit in and relaxed his
riding style is, two important things when riding in tight formations.
The
meet point for our 12 bikes and 15 riders was just down Foothill Boulevard from
me at the Shell Station on Angeles Crest Highway (2). On any given weekend or
holiday off work this service station is the meet point for hundreds of bikes, pushing
the estimate to a thousand and on these days is no stretch and you can almost
count on and should plan for someone being carted out of the forest in an
ambulance or flown out by helicopter. Sport bikes rule the rode by a large
margin with riders testing their abilities and bikes and pushing the limits of
physics. With the Angeles National Forest nearby I tend to avoid weekends and ride
it evenings or weekdays if the opportunity presents itself.
Ride
Leader Kerry along with Ride Managers Denis and Jeff took us up the Crest
Highway and then across the Angeles Forest Highway which gave me a nice view of
the backside of the mountain I live on; the Mount Lukens communications towers
are fully visible from both my home and the highway. It was an excellent day
for riding, about 70 degrees at KSU and down into the mid-sixties as our
elevation increased and we got more into the back country. I love riding this
stretch with my visor up and the cool fresh air splashing my face. It takes the
lethargy right out of me. Our group was blessed with a traffic bubble and we
were able to take the ride at our own pace only accommodating four sport bikers
who turned off the highway with a few hundred yards of passing us. No helicopters
and no ambulances, just good riders on great bikes that made it for an
exceptional day on the road.
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| Photo by ride leasder Kerry of the group in front of The Rock Inn |
Arriving
at our destination we found ample confirmation that The Rock Inn is a
bike-friendly establishment with parking at a premium. We had a long table
waiting for us and the attentive staff and management was excellent as was the
food. All at the table got what they ordered and liked it. Live entertainment
was provided by guitarist/singer Natalie Walter (my search for her online came
up empty so I’m not confident that I have her name right). The place was built
in 1929, first as a wood structure then of steel, concrete, and stone following
a destructive fire. The old Gulf gas pumps are still on the property, rooms are
still available at $80/night. This place gets an Iron Side Up thumbs up – a great
place to get together for good food, atmosphere, and hanging out. See below for
links to The Rock Inn.
Throughout
the ride I’d been admiring the various Indian Motorcycles especially the black
on black Roadmaster with the signature brown leather seats. There were other
Roadmasters along with several Vintage Classics including nearly twin Willow
Green on Ivory Cream models. Three Victory XCs and a Harley rounded out the
ride group. What tied it all together is a passion for good riding and looking
out for each other.
The
black Roadmaster stood out and held what turned out to be the signature moment
for me. I’d briefly met Angelina prior to rolling out of the Shell station and
had the pleasure of sitting near her and husband Sidney “Rev” Long. The two other couples on the ride with us sat nearby. I
enjoyed the easy way the group had with each other, the couples included. I
sampled the ongoing conversations along the table in the way a hummingbird
samples flowers. It’s a simile that I use from time to time and the way I like
to conduct myself when in groups like this. I overrode my reticence and
approached Angelina and Sidney to introduce myself and to complement them on
the bike.
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| Angelina, Sidney, and their Roadmaster |
As
it turns out, Angelina has a beautiful hummingbird patch sewn on her mesh
riding jacket. Hummingbirds have been a favorite of mine for as long as I can
remember dating back to visits to my grandparents who had feeders around their
house at Bass Lake. The feeders hung from the eaves and dozens of them whirled
around all day long. After my compliments on their bike were received along
with a gleam in Sidney’s eyes about upcoming customizing I commented on
Angelina’s patch and it was then that I was treated to the day’s golden nugget.
She and Sidney shared the special meaning that is attached to the hummingbird.
After the tragic loss of their 15-year old daughter Mindy hummingbirds began
making appearances, whereas in the past the tiny birds had remained in the background,
scarcely noticed by the aggrieved pair. Now one roosts on their porch and
others whir around Angelina’s Zumba classes in the park where she teaches. The
hummers have become reminders to the couple that Mindy is always close by and
they are a comfort to the two of them.
I
then related my own story of how as my Grandpa Matt lay dying in the hospital a
hummingbird appeared at the high window in his hospital room. The little bird
hovered there and turned to look at each of us before zipping up and away. It
was only moments later that my grandfather passed away and hummingbirds have
come to serve as a reminder to me of my grandpa and the special bond that we
share. In searching my Christian beliefs I have concluded that God uses various
emissaries to remind us of those we’ve lost and still hold dear and with those
ambassadors provides the promise of uniting with them again as His Kingdom is
fully established. He uses even the smallest of birds for the biggest of tasks.
Ride
with heart, keep the iron side up, and keep an eye out the emissary and the
special moment of every day.
jerry
The Rock Inn links:
PS: Sidney is the President of the LA Chapter (CA XXV) of the Blue
Knights, the Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club. For more on this honorable club
check out their site at: http://blueknights.org/
. Very impressive organization. Huge.
Two raw footage helmet cam videos:
Pan shot of the group in final prep to head out for the ride:
Ready to roll out from The Rock Inn: https://youtu.be/u1nd95SCZN0
Facebook comment from David Hintz: Well written. Ride second Sunday of every month
ReplyDeleteThanks David. I'll keep that in mind as I lay out my Sundays. Have a most excellent day.
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