Saturday started out bright with a little chill to the air as I climbed aboard my motorcycle and headed out. I was bound for Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, and the AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days. The trip would take me just about two hours through some back roads, towns I never knew existed (Nashville, OH?), and Amish Country. By the time I reached the venue, the day was starting to warm up.
The route started with some pretty main state roads, but ended with some surface roads that were not well marked (or at least well marked with the route numbers, as I was expecting). I did make one wrong turn, which actually proved fortuitous. I sensed the error almost immediately and pulled over to check the map on my phone. Yes, I should have turned left, but I also looked ahead and found the route (303) that was the next turn. Except it wasn't. There was actually a turn before it, onto 603 for about 100 yards before it intersected with 303. Had I not gotten lost and checked the map, I would have blown right by it.
The rest of the trip was uneventful and I pulled into Mid-Ohio pretty much on schedule. I laughed at the hundreds of motorcycles parked on the grass next to the "No Parking on Grass" signs, and pulled mine into line and shut down the engine. Slathering on the sunscreen I made my way toward the paddock area, noting how good it was to be back. (I hadn't been there since Ellen's brother Jim moved from Ohio and stopped racing cars.)
The 20th Anniversary Vintage Motorcycle Days featured Indian as its "Marque of the Year". The Indian tent was full of some classic bikes that I really wished I could take out for a spin. I grabbed a picture of a 1929 Indian Scout that is owned by a guy not very far from where I live.
I also entered to win a 1949 Indian, but I didn't win. :-(
One of the features of the show is the "world's largest motorcycle swap meet". I spent about an hour wandering around that, but think I only saw maybe half of it. If you're looking for motorcyle parts or an old, used, beat-up (or not so beat-up) bike, that's the place to be. I'd love to get a hold of a 1983 Honda Nighthawk - my first bike - and I'm thinking that might be a place to look for it. Next year.
In the swap meet area were a couple of motorcycle enthusiast clubs. I was pretty taken by the Ariel bikes. I think I had seen a couple at the International Motorcycle Show over the winter, but for some reason the ones I saw here intrigued me. I don't know much about the bikes, but I think it might be fun to learn more.
The route started with some pretty main state roads, but ended with some surface roads that were not well marked (or at least well marked with the route numbers, as I was expecting). I did make one wrong turn, which actually proved fortuitous. I sensed the error almost immediately and pulled over to check the map on my phone. Yes, I should have turned left, but I also looked ahead and found the route (303) that was the next turn. Except it wasn't. There was actually a turn before it, onto 603 for about 100 yards before it intersected with 303. Had I not gotten lost and checked the map, I would have blown right by it.
The rest of the trip was uneventful and I pulled into Mid-Ohio pretty much on schedule. I laughed at the hundreds of motorcycles parked on the grass next to the "No Parking on Grass" signs, and pulled mine into line and shut down the engine. Slathering on the sunscreen I made my way toward the paddock area, noting how good it was to be back. (I hadn't been there since Ellen's brother Jim moved from Ohio and stopped racing cars.)
The 20th Anniversary Vintage Motorcycle Days featured Indian as its "Marque of the Year". The Indian tent was full of some classic bikes that I really wished I could take out for a spin. I grabbed a picture of a 1929 Indian Scout that is owned by a guy not very far from where I live.
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| Although his was probably closer to 1920, when I imagine the Indian that my grandfather rode, this is what I picture. |
One of the features of the show is the "world's largest motorcycle swap meet". I spent about an hour wandering around that, but think I only saw maybe half of it. If you're looking for motorcyle parts or an old, used, beat-up (or not so beat-up) bike, that's the place to be. I'd love to get a hold of a 1983 Honda Nighthawk - my first bike - and I'm thinking that might be a place to look for it. Next year.
In the swap meet area were a couple of motorcycle enthusiast clubs. I was pretty taken by the Ariel bikes. I think I had seen a couple at the International Motorcycle Show over the winter, but for some reason the ones I saw here intrigued me. I don't know much about the bikes, but I think it might be fun to learn more.
I did find a couple of clubs online where I can probably get more information - one in the UK, and one in North America.
After heading back past the paddock and over the bridge to the infield, I came across the Wall of Death. It's the daredevil show where they ride motorcycles sideways around the inside of a big barrel. The show was being hawked carnival-style, and of course, I had to go see.
The first guy in rode a bicycle around the barrel, which was mighty impressive. Next came a go-kart, then a motorcycle, then "Charlie Ransom" climbed aboard the 1928 Indian and took to the barrel. After a couple of passes he took one hand off the handlebar, then the other, then both! Then, he switched to sidesaddle!! He was totally amazing. They finished up with a motorcycle and the go-kart in the barrel at the same time chasing each other, and weaving and bobbing! They also took up a collection for their self-insurance, but one way you could donate was to hold your bill out over the top of the barrel and Charlie would ride around and pluck the money out of your hand.
Here's Charlie Ransom doing that ride I described.
After a quick bite to eat, I settled in on the infield hill just at the end of the back straightaway where they go into the S-curves, and watched some of the races they were running. Eventually I made my way back to my bike by way of the vendor area where I bought a rainsuit and a cargo net for a good price. And, of course, I had to stop off for one of those fresh-squeezed lemonades that are over-sugared, but oh, so tasty! My excuse was that it had gotten really hot during the day, but between the lemonade and the air rushing past on the way home, it was a good day.
