Sturgis 70th Anniversary

Among the many people who helped me shoot and assemble the Sturgis 70th Anniversary book, is Colleen Swartz from Milwaukee. A serious motorcycle nut and talented photographer, Colleen is also involved in the Chicago Swap Meet and Bike Show, scheduled for February 5th of this year.

When Colleen called a few months back and asked if I would be willing to attend the show as a judge, I was only too happy to say yes. Her offer of a lavish hotel suite with a fridge filled with expensive champagne, and a sizable cash stipend, was really only the icing on the cake – I woulda done it anyway.

If you live anywhere near Chicago, consider attending the one-day Swap Meet and Bike Show scheduled for February 5th.

Billed as the world’s biggest one-day swap meet and bike show, the Chicago extravaganza is somewhat similar to our local Donnie Smith show, at least in the sense that a huge swap meet combined with a high quality bike show is guaranteed to provide something for everyone. The show itself is sponsored by Cycle Source magazine, what owner Chris Callen calls a “grass roots motorcycle magazine.”

Now, I’ve photographed a lot of bikes, and I’ve certainly admired even more, but I admit I’m a judging virgin. When I told Colleen this, she said not to worry, “all you have to do is follow the check list for each bike, it’s pretty straightforward.” We shall see.

Show organizer and fellow judge, Colleen Swartz is the one who convinced me to give up my virginity.

It’s amazing what people can accomplish when they don’t know they can’t do it. With nothing more than enthusiasm for all things two-wheeled, Chris Callen built Cycle Source from a tiny little biker rag to one of the most successful motorcycle magazines out there. All at a time when even the biggest magazines are dying on the vine at an alarming rate.

So the afternoon of February 4th will find me behind the wheel of the mighty Ford Ranger, bound east from Stillwater down the super-slab highway 94. Chicago is a great city. It’s just about far enough that I feel like I’ve traveled someplace. Far enough away to make the trip a real trip and maybe a small adventure as well. The other good thing about Chicago is the large number of incredible music venues. Halsted Avenue is reminiscent of Beale Street in Memphis, with a blues joint on almost every corner. How can a guy not love Chicago.

Anyone within driving range of Chicago should take a look at the web site (http://www.chicagomotorcycleswap.com/BikeShow.php) and think about attending the WORLD’S BIGGEST ONE-DAY SWAP MEET AND BIKE SHOW. Follow my example and arrive the night before so you have time to carouse through downtown and check out a few of those famous waterin’ holes.

http://cyclesource.com/home.htm

Hey, the blog is on time this week, actually posted on Monday, instead of Tuesday or even Wednesday. And we have BOOKS IN STOCK. Two new titles in particular came in on Friday: Sturgis 70th Anniversary and Pro Pinstripe. I’m pleased to report that both books look great, and our crack shipping department is busy labeling envelopes as I write this blog. All the pre-orders will go out today, we’re hoping that means most of you get them before Christmas.

And just to make sure no one gets left out, we are leaving the pre-order on-line coupons active for both books until December 26th, so don’t be afraid to make a last minute order or two, get ‘em now while they’re still on sale.

I have to close this week’s blog with another thank you – to all the people who helped with both books, but especially the Sturgis 70th book. Without the help of Mikey and Scooter and Ernie and Colleen and Jay and Ken and the staffs from both Broken Spoke and Buffalo Chip, it never would have been completed. And thanks to all the customers who had enough faith in us to place an order before we had books – especially some painter named Tex who bought the first book when it was really only a twinkle in my eye.

Finally, a Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday to one and all. Remember to slow down and spend some time with family and friends. It sounds corny, but remember to be extra nice to each other. If you can’t do it all year long, at least do it on this one weekend.

Peace

They’re finally here. Both the Sturgis 70th and Pro Pinstripe books are in stock NOW.

We did it, we shipped two books: Pro Pintripe and Sturgis 70th Anniversary, to the printer. We should have finished books ready to send to our anxious readers in about 30 days. I will keep everyone posted through this blog.

We always contribute mightily to the Fed Ex bank account at this time. It ain’t cheap but they get it there tomorrow and there’s never a problem.

And we got our first real snowfall of the season on Friday night and Saturday. Which means riding season is officially over. Oh, I know there are some hard-core bikers out there who ride all winter, but for most of us it’s time to get after all the maintenance we put off at the end of the season. For me, the Bagger doesn’t need much work, but there is this other machine in the same garage just dying for a little attention. With any luck, the onset of winter will also mean the start of Henry J repair season. The steering column is lying there just waiting to be bolted in, and then there’s the intermediate link, and the wiring and a hundred other tasks. All of which look pretty intimidating right now, but once I get started it all feels pretty good.

So rather than grouse and bitch about the cold weather, I prefer to find a silver lining. Or in this case, a black-primered lining. Opportunity comes in many forms.

There’s no point in bitching about the snow, it’s part of living in the Great White North, and it’s really pretty – at least in November!

The Shipping News

Some time ago we began offering Free Shipping on US orders. Of course there turns out to be an exception to every rule, and that exception is calendars. The only way to ensure they show up at you address in good condition is to put them in a US Postal Service Priority Mail box. And of course that costs more than shipping a book by Media Mail. So from this point forward, we will be charging $6.00 S&H, per order, for all calendar orders. Sorry for any confusion.

You have to be careful about leaving a project untended for too long – otherwise the creeping-crap machine seems to take over. Pretty soon the project is lost amongst the bikes of junk.