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Sept. 2015The Magazine With A Map

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SOMETIMES THE JOURNEY IS THE DESTINATION.

Go For A Ride Magazine14907 W. Hardy Drive, Tampa, FL 33613(813) 505-5119info@gofarmag.com

PUBLISHER & EDITOR: Mike SavidgeCO-PUBLISHER: C.M. StrubleART DIRECTION: DANG-designs.comDIRECTOR OF SALES, MARKETING & PROMOTIONS: KruisinWithKatiCARTOGRAPHER: Mary RostadFEATURE CONTRIBUTORSM.W. Simpson, Hyway RebelMcGreggor, Lowell AndersonKruisinWithKati, Rikki, Deborah Speicher

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Cover Image: Dave Barr in Safety Harbor. Read his story on page 4.

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Features4 Conversation with Dave Barr

7 Riding Under the Influence

8 Biker With A Badge

11 Word Puzzle

12 Blog

15 Scenic Ride Map

16 Sturgis Women’s Ride

18 Off Road Riding

20 Road Trippin’

22 Event Calendar

24 KruisinWithKati

27 Word Puzzle Answer Grid

www.gofarmag.com

Vol. 9, Issue 9 - September 2015

2

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A Conversation with Dave Barr Read the Rest at gofarmag.com

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By Mike SavidgeSo you’ve spent more than eleven

hours in extreme pain from the injuries caused when a land mine blew up the vehicle you were riding in. Your body is badly burned and both your legs are severely injured. The only reason you’re not dead is because a maverick chopper pilot took a chance that he wouldn’t run out of fuel by making an unauthorized pickup to get you to a hospital. For most humans, that would be enough for them to question their faith and ask “Why me, God?”

Dave Barr is not like most humans. Despite having parts of both of his legs amputated as a result of that war incident back in 1982, he has gone on to set two Guinness World records for long distance motorcycle riding and is a staunch supporter of causes for veterans and the disabled. He didn’t ask, “Why me, God?” but he did ask, “What now, God?”

Dave was recently in the Tampa Bay area to participate in a Poker Run and Rally that was put on by the Patriot Express to raise funds for Operation Military Embrace, a Texas-based organization whose mission is to assist America’s seriously injured and ill Warriors and their families. The ride was sponsored and hosted by Garry Dodds of Precision Motorsports of America in Safety Harbor.

Speaking about the Patriot Express and the other support groups, Dave explained, “We support the veteran’s families. The families send somebody off one way and they get him back another. There’s a lot of stress put on marriages, the veteran comes back and they can’t hold a job and have a disability and the families suffer as well, both financially and other ways. The Patriot Express is a

money collecting organization, no one is paid, state captains, myself, we’re not paid. We do this out of a sense of patriotism. We’re all a part of this war effort and this is our way of being a part. We then support Operation Military Embrace, they meet the physical needs of the families when they get a loved one back that is in need. Then there’s the Service for Humanity Foundation which works at keeping marriages together. They counsel the entire family - children, wife, and veteran. When there’s PTSD involved, there’s an 86% chance the marriage will end. When there’s a disability on top of the PTSD it’s pretty much over. This is why we’re having so many suicides. The families need to know that we stand with them. We won’t let happen to them what happened to us when we came home from Vietnam. We’re there to say we care and we help. We’re going to do our best with a lot of other great organizations to make sure your life is what it should be for your services.”

Dave told me his return from fighting in Vietnam wasn’t at all what he expected. There was no hero’s welcome for the returning troops (Dave earned 57 air medals while there as a crew member on a helicopter gunship) and even his girlfriend, who he intended to marry, dumped him upon his return. “I fought the war and it was right. I got home and just got smacked around. My mother and father were only too happy to see me go back to camp at the end of my leave. I really had a hard time with the Marine Corp with everything that was going on in the early 70’s. There were a lot of racial problems. The thing is I just got out bitter and angry. They took a victory and turned it into defeat such as our leadership has done now. Like many, I was very bitter. I could not stand living in the U.S.”

One thing Dave did know was that he still wanted to be a soldier. His father fought in World War II in the Navy and was at Pearl Harbor, he also had uncles who had served in the military. With them as role models and after reading the book, Battle Cry by Leon Uris, when he was about twelve years old, Dave set out on a military path that he has never regretted taking. “Life is about decisions,

serving things and being a part of things. And sometimes those decisions we make as a very young kid will see us straight through to the end of our lives. And that’s been the natural progression for me.”

After the USMC tour, that path led Dave to Israel. Though he wasn’t Jewish, he managed to become an Israeli citizen so he could join the Army. But things didn’t quite work out as planned. “I wanted to be in tanks, I like machines. And a tank is a big machine with a big gun. But I got transferred to the paratroopers; I didn’t really want to go. They took me because they said they didn’t have anyone who had been in the Marines go through their training which is absolutely the most brutal training. It doesn’t end in a few months, it goes on for 14 months. Just the selection course to get in is two weeks. It’s nothing but two weeks of being punished. No sleep. Even the SEAL selection here has five days they call Hell Week, this was two weeks. I’ve done three selections in my life. I didn’t want to go. I wanted to go into tanks. But I went and actually graduated as the Honor Man for Battalion 890.” It wasn’t until 2011 when Dave returned to Israel for a television profile about his life that he divulged his illegal immigrant status.

After Israel, Dave joined military forces in Zimbabwe/Rhodesia and then South Africa where he was involved in the land mine accident. That was when he started asking “What now”? “Because I’d been a soldier and I’ve been serving something all my life. I’d been in four Armies, and fighting communism or Islamic terrorism. My life had a purpose and a direction, Freedom.

The idea of freedom, to propagate it, not only for Americans, but elsewhere in the world, so people can live free of tyranny. So I acted on that. So what now? And I knew, just as everything has a beginning, it has an end. I spent 9 1/2 months in a hospital and then I went back to finish out my time. Never took a day off for rehabilitation or nothing. I trained machine gunners and my specialty was heavy machine guns and light LMG’s. I repaired machine guns, and when we were up in Angola I did on the spot training but I also did repairs in the field. I brought a bag of parts and I’d cannibalize

4Continued On Page 28

Sept2015

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Even though motorcycles account for only about 3

percent of registered vehicles on the road, motorcycle

riders are dramatically overrepresented in fatal

crashes, especially those involving alcohol.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety

Administration (NHTSA), 4,399 motorcycle riders

were killed in 2013 and 1,232 (28%) were alcohol

impaired (BAC of .08 or higher).

In fatal crashes in 2013, motorcycle riders involved

in fatal crashes had higher percentages of alcohol

impairment than any other type of motor vehicle

driver (27% for motorcycle riders, 23% for passenger

car drivers, 21% for light-truck drivers, and 2% for

drivers of large trucks).

The highest percentages of fatally injured, alcohol-

impaired motorcycle riders were in the 40-to-44

and 45-to-49 age groups (40%), followed by the

35-to-39 age group (33%).

Forty percent of the 1,897 motorcycle riders who

died in single-vehicle crashes in 2013 were alcohol-

impaired. Sixty-three percent of those killed in

single-vehicle crashes on weekend nights were

alcohol-impaired.

Before you put that key in the ignition and swing your leg

over the bike, please remember that you are not the only

one who can suffer the consequences from drinking and

riding…your family and friends are unwilling victims

of your actions.

RIDING UNDER THE INFLUENCE: Something to think about before you ride

www.RideSmartFlorida.com

Think Twice. Save Your Life!

I hit the highway for a lone ride north. It was to attend a funeral for a good friend and former cop buddy who retired to North Alabama. I try to go through life adding something positive to the negative and turned my trip into an adventure. Assignment; Reach my destination via back roads.

The worst part of any out of state trip is the ride out of Florida. Don’t get me wrong, I love my home state, but the ride up I-75 is brutal between the construction, non-attentive drivers, and boring scenery…well, it sucks. I did have a little bit of a time schedule to keep so I chose the interstate to get out of Florida. Near Gainesville, I pass Payne’s Prairie. From I-75 this just looks like a marsh land, but you are just seeing a small part of 21,000 acres of the first Florida preserve that includes hiking, camping, fishing, horseback riding and more. Google it for more info.

Exit 467 is the last service exit before

you leave the state and is a good stopping point to put on your helmet if you don’t have it on already. I rode to Valdosta (exit 16) and got off the highway. I reset my GPS for my destination in Alabama and entered the “avoid highways” feature. A note here; later in the trip I used the “scenic route” feature…DON’T DO IT! Not unless you have lots of time and are very good at maneuvering your bike. This feature will take you on some of the more

out of the way places including one lane or dirt roads just to show you something scenic…like a corn field. So I’m now on U.S. 221 heading west. In map reading 101, you need to be familiar with the idea that roads have different identities. They can have a name like Dixie Highway, which can also be a U.S. Highway (221) and a state road number (84) and even a county road number (38).

I continued on to Thomasville staying on SR 84. Be careful in little towns because your GPS will at times route you around in a useless circle. I have learned that if I’m heading north on a highway and I get this strange GPS detour, look at your GPS map. Most likely you will see to ignore the detour and continue on. In this case I did and 84 turned into GA 3 up to a spot where I veered over to SR 19. This was a great highway with a divided 4 lane road and very light traffic. In Camilla, GA, I picked up on 37 (2 lane) and took it to Leary. If you are low on gas you might want to top off in Leary. There I picked up 55 (Herod Highway) and into Dawson where I got onto 520, (Columbus Highway). Through the little burg of Parrott, where I was tempted to stop for BBQ, but I pressed on and then I spotted Merritt Pecan Company which was a cool stop. Picture a country story with lots of goodies and old signage. There was a display of John Deere tractor toys, jars of jams and jellies, and most importantly, clean bathrooms. Onward past Cusseta (There is a Chevron gas mart there) Most of the signage is now reading US 27, 280 or GA 1, but you’re still on 520 and approaching Ft. Benning. A very cool surprise was when I looked to the right side of the highway and saw formations of soldiers standing in front of battle tanks. I rode through but, if you’re needing to stop, you would find anything you need here in this military town.

You will cross the state line into Alabama here continuing on 280. (Prepare to start seeing 431 signs) Passing

Continued On Page 8

Opelika, and to Roanoke AL. It was here I finally stopped for some lunch at a little Mom & Pop called Gedneys Restaurant & Grill. Good country food buffet and sweet talk’n Alabama girls. Back on the road and I went through Wedowee. From here you are kind of on your own because the end leg of my trip took me to Centre, Alabama. I crossed under I-20 and come to a “T” intersection. I went to the right onto 78 east (GA-1). If you go left on 431, you come to Oxford, AL where there is a Harley shop. It’s just a little way and I came to county road 9. There is a little gas mart on the corner and I made the left turn onto a newly paved two-lane. I went past Big Daddy’s Café in White Plains. I stopped there coming home and had some pretty good catfish. If you google that place, there is a picture of my bike in front. The jewel of this ride was I literally “GPS stumbled” onto an entrance to the Alabama Mountain Skyway. After a command to turn left…turn right at the next turn followed by another right turn…. I ended up on a newly paved two-lane road that was going up. I took it a little easy on a continuous set of S-curves, especially after a turkey flew up in front of me. It was like being on the Dragon but more open and not as many curves. I came to an overlook and sure enough I had a beautiful vista of the mountains. Parked in the lot was a police car, the only vehicle I saw on the road. After snapping a few pics, I spoke with the young road warrior who told me that it is quiet now, but the weekends are a biker’s haven up here. This is a destination for a future ride for sure. Google it.

The ride was fantastic. Going home was the same. I got to stop and take in the views and talk with friendly locals who were always ready to wave. Only ate at homemade eateries and just relaxed and listen to my tunes. I rode highways where I didn’t see another vehicle for a 30 mile stretch. I can’t wait to get out there again. Try it…you’ll like it! B-safe.

www.gofarmag.com8

Sept2015 Biker with a Badge

By M.W. Simpson

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Across2. Slugging teammate of Maris6. Tim “The Toolman” Taylor’s TV show co-host7. Fred Flinstone’s neighbor9. Hung out with Cheetah in the jungle12. Magicians - Penn and ______13. Mavericks’ wingman15. Cheech and _____16. Johnny Carson’s announcer, first name19. Donkey was the green guy’s best friend21. Laurel and _____25. Green Hornet’s chaueffeur26. Wizard known to Frodo and Bilbo27. Mr Roark’s assistant on Fantasy Island28. Jay and Silent ___29. Pat Sajak’s co-host _____ White30. Bert and _____

Down1. Wayne’s World co-host2. 50’s movie partners, ______ and Lewis3. Deputy to Sheriff Andy Griffith4. Early explorers, ______ and Clark5. Toy Story’s Woody and ____ Lightyear8. Lucy’s best bud on 50’s TV10. ______ or Mary Ann?11. Serena and _____12. Peter Pan’s star ______ Bell14. Jimmy Olsen’s super strong friend17. Married to Blondie18. Scooby-Doo’s van driver20. Tom Sawyer’s pal22. He always had the Lone Ranger’s back23. Robin’s mentor24. Bogies’ piano man in Casablanca

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EclipseCrossword.com

11

Sept2015

By Deborah Speicher

I attended the recent Sturgis Motorcycle Rally and, other than the increase in attendance compared to prior rallies, I noticed another substantial change -- that a good number of women attending were riding their own motorcycles. I hadn’t been to Sturgis since 2004. At that time, I would guestimate that maybe 10% of the women at the rally were riding their own. This year, it would be closer to 40%. From my own observations at Sturgis, approximately 70% of the women riders were riding large cruiser motorcycles.

During the rally, I had the opportunity to attend the 7th Annual Biker Belles Celebration. Although this event was geared towards women, several men showed up to either support their women or meet some of the women speakers.

Hosted by the Lodge at Deadwood and organized by the Buffalo Chip, this was a day to meet some well-known ladies who paved the way for today’s riders.

Upon arriving at the Lodge, we were treated to shopping as well as the “Team Diva Comfort Zone” which featured manicures, massages, hair braiding and more. The women I met had literally ridden in from the four corners of this country. In addition to ladies I consider the superstars of women motorcyclists – Laura Klock, Cat (the One Legged Blonde) Hammes, Betsy Huelskamp, Gloria Tramontin Struck and Diva Amy – I got to meet actress Kristy Swanson who is also an avid rider. Her ride for this event was a 2015 Indian Scout which she was enjoying and handled excellent in the Black Hills.

Around noon, we were treated to lunch and our speakers. Vicki Roberts-Sanfelipo spoke about riding safe at the rally. Vicki is a long time rider and I have attended several of her accident scene management classes which are geared towards motorcyclists. She was followed by the keynote speaker, Gloria Tramontin Struck. Gloria is a motorcycle matriarch who has been riding since 1941! You are reading that correctly. Gloria had recently turned 90 years of age and rode her own H-D Heritage Softtail to Sturgis from New Jersey for the rally. A few weeks prior to Sturgis, she rode with her daughter Lori and granddaughter Kathy to Canada for a Motor Maids Conference. Gloria did a Power Point demonstration and talked about her early days. Being a lady rider

was not easy back then; she was refused gas service and rooms on the road. In 1999 (she was 74 years old!), Gloria and her son took their motorcycles to Europe and rode some of the most treacherous passes in the Alps. She actually went back two years later for more mountain riding! According to Gloria, three wheels and trailers are not part of her future as she plans

to ride till she is 100 or more! Clearly, motorcycles have kept this woman young and vivacious.

I thoroughly enjoyed this event and proceeds benefitted two local charities -- the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame and Helping with Horsepower. Kudos to the Buffalo Chip and everyone who helped organize a great day celebrating women and motorcycling!

Ladies, if you are not already riding your own motorcycle, consider taking life by the handlebars. The view from the front seat is way better!

www.gofarmag.com12

Sept2015 Sturgis 2015: Women and Motorcycling7th Annual Biker Belles Celebration

Key West Ride

Key West is a unique place and this month’s annual Peterson’s Poker Run gives you another reason to ride South. The waterfront setting, the open-minded and laid back attitude, and party mindset make it an ideal destination whether you want to kick back or have some fun. Your route choices are fairly limited, there’s one highway to and from, but the small towns along the way make it anything but boring. A couple of days hanging here and you might just toss the map and stay forever.

www.gofarmag.com

Starts in Tamiami – Intersection of US 41 & SR 997SR 997/Krome Ave South 22.4US 1 Right 0.2 22.6Old Card Sound Road Left 16.7 39.3($1 toll along this route) SR 905 Right 9.2 48.5US 1/Overseas Hwy Left 102 150.2Arrive in Key West. Enjoy!

Road Name Direction Miles Total

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Motorcycle Road Guard Program

The state of Minnesota recently put into effect the Motorcycle Road Guard Law which gives a trained and certified road guard the authority to stop and control traffic for a motorcycle group ride. The program was designed allow motorcyclists to perform road guard duties that would normally be done by a law enforcement person. The flaggers must pay for and pass a certification course and when flagging are required to wear high visibility gear along with using large retro-reflective Stop/Slow paddles to control traffic. In addition to their certification, they must also carry a cell phone or some type of wireless device to allow them to contact emergency services if needed and liability insurance is required. News reports indicate that more than 400 Minnesota riders have already passed the $30 training course at five sites around the state. Along with the fee, riders must also have good driving records or they won’t qualify. The certifications are good for four years.

The right to control traffic does not apply to just any old group ride. The ride must have at least 20 riders and must follow a predetermined route. Any cities or towns along the route must receive advance notification of the ride and grant their permission. Road Guards may only operate during daylight hours and are not allowed to hold traffic for more than ten minutes. The state has published a Motorcycle Road Guard Field Guide which details all of the procedures.

The Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety explained why the role of the Road Guard is important. “The lives of individuals participating in the ride, as well as the traveling public, depend on road guards to alert them to slow down and stop when a group ride is approaching. Motorcyclists depend on the road guard to give the “all clear” when it’s safe for the ride to proceed through the intersection.”

Should this program be considered for Florida? The state has millions of dollars in federal motorcycle safety grant funds

Harley Vintage Vest Recall

So this guy walks into a biker bar wearing a vest with a 3-piece patch on the no, no, no, I’m not even going to try and make this into a joke, someone could have gotten hurt.

I recently came across a Facebook post from a biker in Michigan. There was a photo of a lineup of vests for sale at a Harley-Davidson dealership. The vests were made of denim and the photo showed the backsides where the Harley brand was represented by a 3-piece patch with “Harley-” on the top rocker and “Davidson” on the bottom with a skull patch in the middle. There was also one other small square patch that read “MC”. The patches were made of cloth and designed to look crude. On the front of the vest were two Harley patches. The sleeve openings were frayed, and the vest had several distressed marks on it. Put it on and you certainly might look the part. You might also get in trouble if you were to wear that vest into the wrong place.

Bikers have a love affair with patches to show off our brand loyalty, political standing, places we’ve been to, and club affiliation. That last part is important. Motorcycle clubs use patches to identify who they are and where they’re from. These patches are known as a club’s “colors”. Motorcycle Clubs are different from riding organizations such as H.O.G. and others in that they have a qualification process to join called prospecting where the other club members decide if that person should be invited to join. Earning your patch is a time honored tradition. Those who have earned their patches might not look favorably on someone wearing a store bought version.

Somehow this well-known piece of biker tradition was overlooked by the marketing folks in the apparel department in Milwaukee and they put out the article of clothing described above calling it the “Men’s Vintage

Denim Vest” with an official part number 96476-15VM.

I sent an inquiry to Harley HQ asking if they had received any feedback on the vest. They had and it’s no longer available for sale. According to the response I received from Kristen Cunningham, Corporate Communication Manager, there is a process for reviewing and approving graphics but there is also “some amount of subjectivity involved in the interpretation of designs and combination of graphic elements, as was the case here. The intent of the graphic on the vest was to evoke the feeling of raw, customized and worn-in look.” She continued, “We did receive feedback from some of our consumers and dealers that this graphic may be unintentionally mistaken for a club patch and that’s feedback that we took seriously. Due to the potential for misinterpretation surrounding the meaning of the graphics on this garment, we discontinued this item from our apparel line. Customers who purchased the vest will receive a full refund at the original point of sale no questions asked, and we apologize to our customers for any inconvenience.”

A tip of the helmet to the Motor Company for recognizing they made a mistake and taking steps to correct it. But I’m also thinking they might have created a new item for the collectibles market.

www.gofarmag.com16

Continued On Page 20

Sept2015 From the Blog @gofarmag.com

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By Lowell Anderson and for racing. They were seeing so much success in the offroad segment of racing, the issue had to be anything but the bike. Over the years US technicians went to great lengths to explain some of the downsides to the design of the bike, but often these recommendations would fall on deaf ears.

The first issue to overcome was the WP PDS suspension. It worked great for offroad, but made the bike difficult to ride in Supercross. The landings were harsh and the handling was “odd” compared to all the other Japanese brands. Straight-line stability through the whoops was difficult to maintain. KTM invented the PDS suspension, so it was very difficult to convince them that it was not superior to a bike equipped with linkage. US technicians worked for years with KTM engineers redesigning the swingarm and every other part of the bike to try to accommodate the PDS set-up. Pretty ridiculous when you think about it, but that is what pride can do sometimes. It blinds your vision and makes some of the most obvious solutions difficult to see.

The second issue was finding a race team manager that the Austrians at KTM would actually listen to. KTM needed someone who understood racing in the USA and how to win here, but more importantly, they needed someone they respected enough to actually listen to. Who was that guy??Rodger DeCoster.

In 2011 KTM hired Rodger to run the race team. When he was hired, things really started to change. He was able to convince KTM to give him control of the team and the budget was provided

This past weekend Ryan Dungey wrapped-up the 2015 450 championship for KTM and set himself apart as one of the greatest motocross riders of all time.

It’s great to see that KTM is finally experiencing success in a sport where they struggled terribly to compete in for so many years. As I have mentioned many times before, I started my motorcycle career at KTM in 1999. KTM has always had a very strong presence in the offroad circuit, but could never get to the top of the podium in motocross events, especially when it came to supercross. Back then, KTM went through a plethora of riders trying to find someone that could even qualify. Guys like Shayne King, former F.I.M. motocross World Champion, were sent over to compete. Despite all his efforts he couldn’t even qualify for the mains. KTM tried to compete on a shoestring budget for years, but simply could not find any success.

So people always ask me, “What changed?” Why is KTM now dominating the segment of the sport that they struggled so hard to even compete in? The answer is really simple. KTM started to listen.

For years KTM in Europe would not listen to KTM North America when it came to recommendations for the bikes

so he could succeed. This was something every other team manager previously signed with KTM was not able to get. Simply put, KTM Austria always knew better that the racing teams here in the USA. That same year the first bikes with linkage suspension were released, and KTM started hiring some talented riders from the USA. That combination of events is what lead to the great run of victories KTM is now experiencing.

It is great to see a story like this unfold. It’s not uncommon to see pride get in the way of success. Unfortunately it is something I see in all aspects of life. KTM finally overcame some of those obstacles and it is great to see the people that put so much into that company succeed. I think if KTM continues to make good decisions, they are going to be tough to beat for many years to come!

18

Sept2015 Off Road Riding: KTM Racing

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from the NHTSA to be used to promote motorcycle safety. This is a program that fits those parameters and could prevent some of the problems that occur when large, organized group rides take place. Most of us have been on rides where self-appointed road guards will set up to block other vehicular traffic while our ride passes. To the best of my knowledge, this hasn’t yet resulted in any accidents or injuries. But it could. Many drivers don’t like the idea of being delayed, especially by bikers. This program gives legitimacy to the road guards and also makes sure they are trained, certified, and insured. There would also be less demand on law enforcement resources to support these rides.

We welcome any feedback on this program from FDOT, FL Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, ABATE, riding clubs, anyone involved in large group rides, or anyone who rides. Send your comments to gofarmagazine@gmail.com.

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I guess the country is just too big, too diversified and a lifetime is just way too short.

One of the hardest parts of taking a road trip is decidin’ where to go! Just about the time I have my mind made up and my trip planned, there’ll be a T.V. documentary about a place or thing or I’ll hear ‘bout a trip some one has took… “Man that’s REALLY cool!”, BINGO, in an instant all my long hours of research, planning and preparation are vaporized, vanished, history! Try as I may, I guess I’m just gonna have to come to terms with the fact, I’m just not gonna be able to see and do it all in this lifetime.

I really am a “Natural World” type of guy. There just seems to be a draw or mystic that lures me to the natural wonders of this great nation. Nature, in its natural raw form has a magic that just doesn’t need any help from us. Nature’s majestic beauty stands on it own without having to be improved on by humans. Sadly a lotta God’s creative grandeur and beauty will never be experienced by the vast majority because of the remoteness; however there are some fantastic exceptions of human interacting with nature that make it possible to have our cake and eat it too.

One outstanding exception is the Pacific Coast, O’ YEA, this is a “Gotta Do” ride. U.S. Highway 101 beginning in northwest Washington pretty much runs right along the Pacific Ocean, with a few stretches that cut inland. Unlike the Eastern Coast with its zillion little towns, villages and seaside cities and sandy beaches, the Pacific Coast is a lot more natural. Yea it is for sure is dotted with some little villages and seaside towns but nothing like the over crowded east coast. The landscape of the Pacific is really rugged the beaches are loaded with giant rock out cropping

and huge rock formations in the ocean. Sometimes you are riding high above the Pacific and other time you’re almost on the beach. There are huge sections of the northwestern coast set aside as national and federal forests. This is an easy relaxing ride, no white knuckle switch backs or hair pin turns just a super clear your head ride. At every turn along 101 there’s something new to see. The Washington and Oregon coasts are defiantly two places to see. But the real jewel of the west coast is California’s Highway 1.

California 1 meets up with U.S.101 in Leggett California. Katie bar the door, you are about to experience the ride of a lifetime! This, my friends is the mother load of rides. The jewel of all rides! The 656 mile ride along CA1 is beyond my ability to explain as it takes you along the coast some times hundreds of feet above the ocean and then down again and across the Golden Gate Bridge through San Francisco. There are tons of places to pull off for picture taking, this by any standard is a once in a lifetime ride but the real Crown Jewel of CA 1 begins around Monterey south to Harmony which takes in Big Sur. Make sure you got tight fittin’ boots, because this is a knock your socks off ride. This take your breath away roller coaster ride is laced with plenty of twists and tight turns to keep your undivided attention. O’ YEA this section is not for the faint hearted and will for sure test your skills, but OMG! What a ride. This “All American Road” has it all, from heart stopping thrills to breath taking scenery. I gotta tell yea, I’ve been on several of the “All American Roads” and they’re all super rides, but for the most part once ya rode ‘em there isn’t really a calling to go back. I can’t say that about CA 1. I think you could ride CA1 a hundred times and still only scratch the surface of what it has to offer. That is the most amazing 656 miles of road I’ve ever experienced, hands down.

After riding CA1, if I could only take or recommend one road trip it would be CA1, it is that fantastic. If there is any possible way for you to ride CA1, I highly recommend it. To really take in all it has to offer, I would suggest you plan on 7 to 10 days. There is plenty of choices for lodging, along the way including ample camping, but be warned regardless of what type of lodging you choose be sure to stop fairly early because everything fills up fast.

Hey folks if you like the high quality of this magazine, let our sponsors know, drop your cash at their shop.

Keep the wind in your face and the sun to your back. Catch ya at the next gas stop.

Have a question or comment?Drop me a line at: hywayrebel@gmail.com

By Hyway

Florida’s favorite motorcycle

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Sept2015

Continued From Page 16

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SAT - Sep 12 - Tampa - 8TH ANNUAL 9-11 PATRIOT DAY REMEMBRANCE RIDE 3 starting points. Ends at Veterans Memorial Park on US 301. $10 Donation in advance. $15 Day of event. Includes food and raffle ticket. Info: www.amvetspost44.org.

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FRI-SUN - Oct 2-4 - Avon Park - AUTUMN BIKE FEST Biker & Family Activties. Music, Food, Beer Garden, Vendors. Info: 904-591-4100

SAT - Oct 3 - Cape Coral - HALLOWHEELS Pat Travers band and more. Costume contest. Gates open 3pm. Admission: $15 www.Hallowheelsevent.com

www.gofarmag.com22

Sept2015 Motorcycle Events

The magazine with the map is now

the website with the maps!

www.gofarmag.comGo For A Ride Magazine has

been publishing a Scenic Ride Map in every issue since 2007 and now we’re selecting the best rides and sharing them with you online.Want to know where the most scenic motorcycle roads are in Florida? Want to take your friends on a ride that shows them a part of Florida they’ve never imagined? Those rides, and more, await you on our website. Click on the Ride Maps button to begin your journey

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Kruisin With Kati

Leaving me again? As I’m getting ready to head out for

a breakfast ride my girl Bella sits and pouts. Her favorite thing to do is ride in the car with her head hanging out the window and trust me she gets to do a lot

of that. Today it was my turn to get out in the wind with hubby and a beautiful day it was. Headed up to Lake Placid to the Main Street America Restaurant for breakfast. We’ve been going there a couple times a year since I first got in the saddle back in 2002, the service and food are still just as good now as they’ve ever been. After we got our bellies full we loaded up to head for the caladium fields over on Hwy 621. Such a pretty site with rows of various colors in bloom this was definitely the right time of year to make the run. We took a little detour off the main road to get a few photos of one of the fields and ended up riding through a little piece of paradise. Beautiful houses on a lake hidden away behind a private road sign. Eagles Nest is awesome, if you like looking at homes tucked away from the everyday hustle and business. Farmland on one side of the shell packed road and beautifully landscaped homes on the other side with a lake for the

backyard. Loved riding through there.

Hwy 621 is a nice little scenic road with very little traffic that comes out on 98. From there you either have to go right toward Okeechobee or left toward Sebring. We took a left then another left a few miles up the road getting on to 17. Hwy 17 is a cool road to ride just about any place you should happen to hop on it at. Taking it from 98 to 27 gives you the scenic view through some of the remaining citrus groves. I can remember when citrus groves were all we’d see along 27 from Sebring to Leesburg, a beautiful site gone forever.

I do want to report that today was another great day out on my “Big Guy” No issues with the clutch or anything. My confidence is starting to come back in being able to get out and ride without bike issues… happy dance time.

Sept is here and fall is soon to follow. This means events and more events. Please if you are a coordinator of an event get with us so that we can get you listed. An advertised event is the best attended event.

One note on safety if I may… when you are out riding and are going to make

By Kruisin With Kati

Florida’s Favorite Motorcycle Monthly

a left hand turn, check your rear view mirror to be sure there is not a vehicle passing while you are going to make your turn. There have been a lot of accidents in this situation with too many lives lost lately. Be aware!

Well until next month, keep it upright and between the ditches. See ya on the road… hugs, Kruisin With Kati

www.gofarmag.com24

Sept2015

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parts and I’d have my tools and I’d get up there and find a broke down machine gun and instead of that gun coming out of service and that fire power being lost, I would fix it on the spot.”

After finishing his enlistment in 1982, Dave headed home again where he faced more discrimination as a disabled Vietnam veteran. But he had his 1972 Harley-Davidson Wide Glide in the garage and he and his dad put it back together and had the dealer install an electric start. Dave says the first few moments were a bit shaky but any fear was overtaken by the joy of riding and it was then that his vision of riding that bike around the world first came into view. That was when he knew, what now. “I know that there’s nothing by chance. There were other vehicles that rolled over that land mine but it was set by a ratchet number and boom. I knew why it was the left rear wheel. I knew why it was me. God said to me you’re finished with this now, I have other plans for you. Follow my will; He doesn’t care if it causes us pain to put us on the right path. What He cares about is us doing His will. He’s the Master of the Universe.”

Of course everyone told Dave that his idea was foolish and impossible and it took him another seven years and nine months from that point to actually get on the road but once he started there was

no doubt in his mind that he would finish. After all, good things come to good people.

During Dave’s first journey around the world in 1990 he started out at the southern tip of Africa and headed north crossing the Sahara Desert during winter so the temps were only about 100 degrees. During a layover in London, where he worked in a small motorcycle shop, he made the acquaintance of Lord Leonard Chesire. Lord Chesire was a British war hero who founded a charity to provide homes and assistance for disabled persons. Lord Chesire was impressed with Dave’s journey and asked him to stop in China and Russia at two homes for disabled soldiers. The friendship proved fortuitous to Dave as a year later when he was broke and broken down in Brazil he called home to let his mom know he was ok and she told him about a $5000 check that had just arrived from Lord Chesire. As Dave recalls, “The whole journey was like that and I just kept faith in it. Every time I’d be about to run out of money, it would just appear out of nowhere.”

With all the obstacles he faced, I asked Dave if he ever considered quitting. “No, no one asked me to do it and for years people told me you’ll break yourself financially and maybe kill yourself out there. Maybe maim yourself worse. Believe me it almost came to pass several times. The thing is, no one asked me, but I knew that was what I was supposed to do the first time I rode the motorcycle. It took me seven years and nine months to get on the road from the time I conceived it. But once I started it I never ever thought of throwing in the towel no matter how grim, broke down in the snow, the mud, the heat, the sand, wherever it was in the world, 26 flat tires, I never thought about quitting. “

Well, Dave, did you ever think about riding something besides a Harley on this trip?

“I could have picked a better motorcycle, but it never would have drawn the attention. I was in the Amazon and people knew what a Harley Davidson was. I went into one place and the guy had a big Easy Rider poster on the wall. I was in a petrol station in Brazil and getting ready to leave when all of sudden a crowd got in front of the motorcycle. I didn’t feel any malevolence from them; they just didn’t want me to go. I said what’s the problem? Problema? No. TV. They had called a television station and they came out to do an interview. Afterwards, we were all shaking hands and off I went.”

Though Dave gets credit for making his record setting rides alone, he’s quick to point out that on many occasions he wouldn’t have accomplished his goals without the help of others. I’d like to believe that’s good karma coming back to Dave for all that he’s done and all he will continue to do. In his own words, “Life is not just about us. God didn’t put us here just to be comfortable and have a good time. There’s more to it than that. For me, being a Vietnam veteran, and what we came home to, guys like me will not allow our veterans to come home to that again.”

Check out our website for additional excerpts from my conversation with Dave and you can find out more about Dave’s adventures through his website at www.davebarr.com.

28

Sept2015 Dave Barr - Cont’d

Continued From Page 4

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