Heroes over hotdogs Riverside, Calif., May 28—Memorial Day is an American holiday that was started to pay respect and give honor to those men and women who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. It was originally known as Decoration Day, starting sometime after the Civil War then being made a federal holiday in 1971. However, it ...

All the cool things Silverado, Calif., June 23–24—Nestled in the Santa Ana mountains in a remote area of Orange County is Oak Canyon Ranch. Oak Canyon, approximately 20 acres of lush grass, complete with a lake, and perfectly framed with huge oak trees throughout, is home of the Born Free Motorcycle Show. Born Free was founded 10 years ago by ...

A rarified affair Carmel, Calif., May 5—I know, I know; $75 to get into a motorcycle show on a golf course green for six hours? Can it possibly be worth it? And it’s $95 if you walk up the day of the event, but it includes lunch and all the ice cream you can eat… ice cream, not beer; you ...

WITW invades Big Bear Big Bear, Calif., June 8–10—Ladies started arriving in Big Bear, California, on every kind of two- and three-wheeled motorcycle to the 5th annual Ride California event. Ride California is a regional event of Women in the Wind (WITW) that includes members from California, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, Oregon and Canada. The event was hosted by the Riverside ...

Desert extravaganza Laughlin, Nev., April 25–28—Laughlin is an inviting little boomtown clinging to the banks of the Colorado River that serves as a natural border dividing the states of Nevada and Arizona. There’s a variety of gambling casinos along the less than one mile stretch of Casino Drive’s hotels and resorts on the Nevada side and it’s a fun place ...

Pirate ships and hidden treasures Crescent City, Calif., Apr. 7—When it comes to sweet roads for riding motorcycles, southern Oregon is a treasure trove of riches. Fifteen minutes from home I can be on a delightful ribbon of asphalt cutting through an avenue of pines and madrones on my way to Hellgate Canyon, whose rugged scenery along the Rogue River ...

Keep it kickin’ Yuma, Ariz., Apr. 20–22—It’s not like back east with snow creating the “cabin fever” effect. Here in SoCal it’s more a result of the daily survival of the roads and freeways made even more dangerous with “intexticated” drivers. That this event is called the Yuma Prison Run contradicts the actual freedom gained by attending. My friend Esta ...

Double deuces in the desert Scottsdale, Ariz., Apr. 11–15—There are few things more inviting than watching the sun sink behind a saguaro after a warm spring ride through the desert and those of us who are jonesing for a little wind time that doesn’t include frostbite know to head for Arizona to celebrate a new riding season. The magic of ...

Hangin’ at the Hideaway Cave Creek, Ariz., Apr. 6–15—Back in the late ’90s a guy set up a little bar “somewhere in Cave Creek” and got busy selling suds to thirsty bikers who rode through town on their way to other biker destinations. Nowadays, two decades later, that same little bar has become a ride destination all its own and ...

Setting records in Sin City Las Vegas, Nev., Jan. 23–27—As bidders, sellers, tire kickers and gawkers prepared for the onslaught of an impressive 1,324 motorcycles to be sent across the stage at the South Point Hotel & Casino’s equestrian center, Mecum Auctions employees were busily preparing for what would prove to be their biggest motorcycle auction ever. With a record ...