Motorcycle Authors Ed Milich and Photographer Christina Shook embark on week long Northern California book tour.
What do you do in January when it’s too wet or chilly to ride your motorcycle? How about heading out for a night of motorcycle related literature and photography? Christina Shook and Ed Milich will be touring motorcycle destinations in San Francisco and northern California beginning January 26 2010 to promote their recently released motorcycle books: Milich’s “Wrenched: Man and Machine” and Shook’s “Chicks on Bikes“. Milich recently completed a 10-day West Coast book tour in December of 2009 with Mark Gardiner (Roadracer X, Classic Bike), author of Riding Man. Shook shared the Werkstatt SF tour stop with Gardiner and Milich, and the idea for January’s “Wrenched Words and Chick Pics” Tour was born.
Christina Shook is a San Francisco East Bay based professional photographer. “Chicks On Bikes“, Shook’s first book, compiles her photographs of and writings on female motorcyclists drawn largely from the San Francisco Bay Area’s diverse population of female riders. The book depicts female racers, commuters, cruisers, and mechanics in their natural environments from San Fransicso’s streets to dirt bike trails, to the racetrack. The hard bound “Chicks On Bikes” is 154 pages and is $24.99 from chicksonbike.us.
Chicks on Bikes by Christina Shook
Wrenched: Man and Machine by Ed Milich
Ed Milich is a Los Angeles based writer and contributor to Motorcyclist Magazine, Café Racer Magazine Sports Car Market Magazine, a national roadracing champion (WSMC, AHRMA), proprietor of motorcycle websites Guzzitech.com, Ducpower.com, and Motobastard.com and a professional Mechanical Engineer. “Wrenched, Man and Machine“, the first book from the Los Angeles based Milich, documents his motorcycle racing, wrenching and riding experiences in largely unrhymed free verse. In March of 2009, Milich debuted “Wrenched” at the Daytona International Speedway Bike Week Vintage Races where he punctuated the book release by winning four out of four races. *Wrenched, Man and Machine* is 142 pages and is $15 postpaid at wrenchedbook.com.
If you live in the N. California area I highly recommend you go see these guys and show them your support!
Chicks on Bikes: a new book by author Christina Shook.
When you hear the phrase “chicks on a bike” it might conjure up one of two images: a dolled up, half-nekkid girl with butt floss & fake boobs draped across some guys motorcycle -or- a real, independent woman riding her own.
Christina Shook thankfully delves into the diverse world of the latter, using her photography to punctuate the alluring stories of the featured women riders in her book.
Chicks on Bikes by Christina Shook
Chicks on Bikes is the first book to visually chronicle the culture and lifestyle of real women motorcyclists. The photos and stories range from sassy young racer girls, wind-roughened seniors, leather-clad outlaws, chic corporate climbers, grease-covered mechanics to motorcycle fashion designers.
Women love to hear or read stories about female riders, especially if they don’t ride their own (yet). There is a lot of respect and inspiration (and maybe a little bit of envy mixed in) that motivates non-riding women, giving them that “if she can do it, I can do it” attitude.
"These women redefine what is beautiful."
Chicks on Bikes captures an intimacy that a lot of other books tend to miss the mark on. It’s a collection of stories as varied as the women who tell them, daring to dig a little deeper into the subject that most are unwilling to touch. Women riders are people, not just an idea or a great hook for marketing.
I enjoyed reading about all of the women, seeing some familiar faces along with some new ones. I was touched when reading about Samantha Morgan and Melinda Moore, chuckled while reading about Zan Sterling’s tale of outriding a desert thunderstorm and amused by the overall kookiness of Max Mosher’s style.
It’s the right balance of words and quality photos, in addition to the passion, attitudes, freedom, misnomers, truths and independence of women riding motorcycles, that keep you wanting to turn the pages and dream of being more like them.
Chicks on Bikes words and pix by Christina Shook
Chicks on Bikes words and pix by Christina Shook, $24.95
Order a signed copy online: chicksonbikes.us/order.html
Here’s Christina talking about women motorcyclists and her book Chicks on Bikes. I wish her the all the success in the world with the book, it’s great!
This mostly falls in the category “better late than never” but we did a quick run up to Laconia bike week last weekend. And when I say quick, boy, I mean quick. The weather around here in New England has been less than cooperative. In fact, if you follow me on Twitter then you’ve heard me complain daily about how rainy it’s been. In fact, there have been only four sunny days here during the entire month of June.
Four.
So that morning, my man and I waffled about whether or not we should go (ok, it was really me that was waffling. He was going to go regardless) and headed on up. The weather was so sucky, that even though we went up rather early in the morning and planned to make a day of it, we had to cut the time in half to avoid riding in too much rain.
About half way there I realized that I forgot my camera (*sigh*), so he was nice enough to let me use some of his.
Laconia 2009 Bike Week pins
I think I need a helmet like this!
me! Perusing all the vendors.
Sadly, I do not have a shirt like this one.
*chuckle*
These seemed very popular this year.
For additional POV’s of Laconia 2009, I highly suggest reading Joker’s blog over at the Harley-Davidson Mystique and for a different perspective (and additional photos), Mr. Forrest Frazier’s recently launched blog at FFPhoto.com.
The Legendary Buffalo Chip Announces Theme of 9th Annual Motorcycles as Art Exhibition presented by Michael Lichter
The theme of Michael Lichter’s 9th annual Motorcycles as Art Exhibition during the Sturgis Rally this year will focus on history and motorcycle icons. The exhibit will be presented at the new Lichter Exhibition Hall on the grounds of The Legendary Buffalo Chip. Although there are many “iconic” symbols that have defined motorcycle culture, this year’s exhibition entitled “Rebel Rousers – Motorcycle Icons that Inspired Us to Ride” will remind Sturgis rally-goers what motorcycle icons may have fueled their passion for ride through a stunning review of world-class motorcycles, art and movie memorabilia.
Rollie Free
While the word “icon” has come to mean “someone or something widely and uncritically admired” and is often used synonymously for “fame,” “renown” or “legend” in our celebrity-driven culture, this exhibition will attempt to recapture some of the original sense of the word “icon” as it refers to symbols and revered images. On display will be motorcycles, from Captain America and Billy bike to Dave Mann’s Ghostrider, and memorable images like Rollie Free flying down the salt, as well as posters and stills from films like The Wild One, On Any Sunday and Easy Rider. All of the objects in the show have in some way become sacred to bikers. They have inspired — and will continue to inspire — the devotion of enthusiasts. In addition to looking back, the exhibit will look at contemporary images and bikes that may be considered iconic to future generations of bikers, such as films from Biker Boyz to The Worlds Fastest Indian, and motorcycles like Jesse James’ “Camel Bike” and Indian Larry’s “Wild Child” BBO bike.
Easy Rider poster
The Legendary Buffalo Chip has built “The Lichter Exhibition Hall” which is a 7,000-square-foot facility designed to showcase art and motorcycle exhibits like this year’s “Rebel Rousers,” as well as future shows by Michael Lichter. The exhibition will be open to the public Saturday, August 1st through Friday, August 7, 2009, and admission is free. To see more about this year’s exhibition and Lichter’s past exhibits, visit www.motorcyclesasart.com
“Rebel Rousers – Motorcycle Icons that Inspired Us to Ride” would not be possible without the generous support of the National Motorcycle Museum in Anamosa, Iowa, the Wheels Through Time Museum in Maggie Valley, N.C., and many industry and private collectors. Conceptual help came from Professor Steven Alford, Professor Suzanne Ferriss and Dave Nichols. Presenting sponsors for this year’s exhibit include, Interstate Batteries, Metzeler Tires, Progressive Insurance, and Spectro Oil.
Now celebrating its 28th consecutive year as “The Best Party Anywhere,” The Legendary Buffalo Chip is the Sturgis Rally’s best-known hot spot. Since 1982, the Chip has become internationally famous for the performances on its 4 stages, hotbartenders and special events presented “by bikers, for bikers.” The Legendary Buffalo Chip has been featured on one 13-episode television series and five television specials, some of which remain in current broadcast rotation. Its 2009 schedule of events includes its 9-day concert series (free to campers) featuring favorites like Aerosmith, Toby Keith, Cheech and Chong, Hinder, Tesla, George Thorogood and Creedence Clearwater Revisited.
Captain America shot by Lichter
Michael Lichter began photographing custom bikes and the biker lifestyle after merging passions for photography and Harleys in 1977. In the years since, Easyriders Magazine and their sister publications have published over 900-articles with his photography. Michael continues to supply imagery for clients as diverse as Nikon Cameras, Rolling Stone magazine, Indian Motorcycles, S&S Cycle, Baker Drivetrain, Wiley X sunglasses and more than 20-motorcycle magazines internationally. Since 2001 he has exhibited his limited edition archive prints in galleries across America and abroad and is now finishing work on his 10th book.
Genuine Motorworks opened its new store in Brooklyn with great response from customers, motorcycle industry notables and both local and national motorcycle media. An invite-only soft grand opening was held on Thursday, April 16th and the public grand opening was held on Saturday, April 18th.
Elisa Seeger’s Genuine Motorworks is a ground-breaking, artistic lifestyle shop that caters to male motorcycle and hot rod enthusiasts that want to pay tribute to American heritage through their apparel choices. It features hip, rider-focused apparel, motorcycle art, helmets, accessories and more. They feature many admired brands including Indian Larry, Levis, Frye Boots, Salinas Boys, Johnson Motor Company, and Filson, to name a few. She successfully achieved a perfect mixture of the true spirit of motorcycling and an alternative to the standard bike shop. It is an experience, rather than simply a place to shop. “We wanted to invite all our supporters and friends in the media to celebrate our grand opening. We are grateful and excited to say it was a rousing success” says Elisa.
The Genuine Motorworks crew
The new space combines a contemporary feel with classic motorcycle style to create a fun and comfortable environment. The response from the press and attendees was overwhelmingly positive. Drinks and hot dogs were served and the crowd stayed well into the evening, despite the cold weather. The artist’s gallery was thoughtfully planned out and featured the photography of Bobby Seeger Jr. Displayed were shots he has taken of Indian Larry over the years and the Indian Larry “Wild Child” motorcycle. The “Grease Monkey” bike was also on display in the front window and shows passersby that Indian Larry’s inspiration is still alive and well. Genuine Motorworks will continue to feature inspired custom bikes and artwork from artists on a monthly basis.
Indian Larry building the "Wild Child"-photo by Bobby Seeger Jr. (I think)
The Genuine Motorworks store is located at 195 N. 14th Street in Williamsburg area of Brooklyn, N.Y., and is open every day 11 a.m.-7 p.m. For more information about Genuine Motorworks, please visit www.genuinemotorworks.com or call 718-486-6971.
I managed to get a ride or two in the past few weeks before the weather turns really cold (hey, I mentioned before that I’m a total wuss when it comes to riding in cold weather! If it’s under 70 degrees I start to whine and complain!). We stayed pretty local, but the great thing about where we live is that we don’t have to venture far for some really beautiful scenery.
This will be mainly a photographic post. I gathered some of the images that I think represent what autumn feels like in New England.
Salem Common, Salem MA
carved jack-o-lanterns
somewhere off the Kancamangas Highway in New Hampshire
in the mountains in NH
mountain view
colorful corn at the Topsfield Fair
gords
hubster checking out large, prize-winning pumpkins
KISS pumpkins! These RULE.
me freezing my butt off on a charity ride
Hubster & me enjoying a frosty beverage in a toasty Irish bar after a day of riding
The 85th annual Laconia Bike Week came one week late this year, but was still chocked with what we’ve come to expect of bike week; bikes, rain, heat, rain and more rain.
We could only spare time for day trip this year (my stinky new job is eating into all my fun “me” time) and it was just a tease. If we plan on spending the whole week (or even just a few days) up in NH we usually take a nice leisurely, back-roads ride up to the Lakes Region. However for day trips we just hit the highway and blast up 93N for 100 miles until we reach the Tilt’n Diner.
Once making it to the diner most people shed their leathers and helmets and prepare themselves for the 13 mile trek to the Weirs Beach. It’s a nice scenic ride that can take up to 3 hours on the busy weekends.
Our first stop was the Belknap Mill. This old mill has a gallery that houses motorcycle exhibits during the rally each year. This year the exhibit was of some sort of acrylic-type paintings with a water color feel by local artist John David O’Shaughnessy. It was like line drawing meets forced impressionist. The show paled in comparison to my friend Art Biker, who had a show a few years back. But I might be slightly biased.
From downtown we headed to the beach, finding parking spots near the very end. We did the typical stroll, down the entire beach up to the drive-in area to peruse all of the vendors. After buying some swag, we were on our way back to our bikes when the skies opened up and we were nailed by the first downpour. Seemed like the perfect time to duck into a local watering hole and wait it out.
As we were hanging out I noticed that there weren’t that many customized motorcycles that knocked my socks off this year, but there was an abundance of photographers. In addition to my favorite motorcycle photographer (again, I might be slightly biased) we saw Michale Lichter and probably 10 other photo crews running around desperately shooting whatever they could find.
When the skies cleared we took the opportunity to jump on the bikes and rode the loop up the the Antler, back down past the Fun Spot and finding our way to the highway. While we were gassing up we got caught in a tremendous downpour and, along with hundreds of our closest friends, decided to hang out and wait for it to pass. Forethought told me to bring my rain gear, but I wanted to travel light (because my rain gear weighs so much?) so I left it at home on the table (perfect place for it, huh?). An hour later it finally stopped and was a bright sunny day again.
Lately I’ve had a bit of an obsession with the Steampunk movement. What the heck is that? you may be wondering.
:Steampunk:
Definition: a genre of science fiction set in Victorian times when steam was the main source of machine power. (You can learn more at wikipedia.)
Artists have been experimenting with steampunk art for a while and it’s gaining in popularity. It incorporates a lot of brass, copper and the use of gears and cogs and has a high-tech, yet vintage look. One of the most recent creations that has spread online is the steampunk LCD monitor and keyboard modification (which can be found at the Steampunk Workshop if you’re interested in modifying your own set up).
steampunk laptop
I began to wonder if anyone had created steampunk-style motorcycles and with the help of Google, a blog called Dark Roasted Blend and The Kneeslider (both sites posted about steampunk style motorcycles back in July, you can read them by following the appropriate links) I found some examples.
While these motorcycles might not have specifically been created to reflect the steampunk sensibility, they come pretty close and I think they’re really fantastic.
This bike was initially created for a motorcycle comic and the artist’s brother decided to make it real.
You can see more images of this bike on this German site.
Now this bike, the Hubbard Steamcycle actually has a steam-powered engine. Read more about it.
Russell Mitchell, tattooed-bad-boy bike builder of Exile Cycles (and formerly of “Build or Bust” on Speed TV) wants us to help him get back on television.
From the Exile website:
“As many of you may know I love doing the bike shows and it seems I’m at a different one in a different State every weekend. I get so many people asking me when I’m shooting the next Build or Bust series and sadly I don’t know whether we will because we don’t actually have control over that. That set me thinking recently as we have so many good ideas for our own TV show. So here’s where you guys can help me out. I’m pitching some great new ideas to the networks right now and would really appreciate the Exile fans out there helping me out. Your comments about how you wanna see the Exile crew back on TV causing trouble would show the massive support we receive from you all. So why don’t you write a quick e mail to say just that and send it to media@exilecycles.com and with any luck you’ll see me and the crew back on TV, hopefully with our own show.
Cheers.
Russ”
It definitely seems that motorcycle programming has been phased out to almost extinction and the new trend is tattoo shows like LA Ink, Miami Ink and Tattoo Wars. With Jesse James without a show and Billy Lane trying to dig out of heaps of legal problems, Russell does seem like the next in the natural selection.
left to right: Russell Mitchell (the man himself), Mad Max (one of his creations) and one of the times I met Russell at the 2005 Myrtle Beach spring rally.
