2006 ALL-BRITISH RIDE

The 150 bikes attending the 13th annual All-British Ride ranged in age from Pete Young's 1914 Premier to brand-new Triumph Rocket 3's. The BSA club has taken over management of this event from Don Danmeier, and volunteers staffed the sign-up table at our meeting point in downtown Novato. The ride cost $15, which included a back-up vehicle and lunch stop at the ride's end, the Cheese Factory. (Mike Shiro on his Matchless G12 CSR below)

The ride moves quickly out of Novato and into the wonderfully hilly, sinous roads of West Marin county. Some of the roads are very poorly maintained, with bumps and potholes making for a rough ride - but as there is absolutely no automobile traffic in these areas, there is some consolation; plus, it's a beautiful, rural part of our state, worth investigating. (Norton Commando special)

We moved north through town and cross the Russian River, then wind our way out to the coast itself via the small town of Occidental. Highway 1 isn't well travelled here, so the bikes can stretch their legs and riders can enjoy 'getting down to it' on the well-banked corners. Hwy 1, at least, is fairly well paved, and some stretches, as along Bolinas Lagoon or just south of Tomales, can be taken very quickly indeed! (1934 Morgan with JAP JTOS engine - one of two Mogs this year)

This year's event was light on prewar machines, but this was compensated by serveral tasty specials from the 1960's. It was a beautiful autumn day, and the bikes sounded great. (Jerry Kaplan looking stylish)

2006 49 MILE RIDE, Part 3

49-Mile Ride; bikes coming down Lombard St ('crookedest street in the world', but not the twistiest in SF!), Reggie with dyed beard and Knucklehead, awesome homemade custom moped! Note serious lack of brakes.

49 MILE RIDE, 2006, pt 2

49-Mile Ride; Kim Young rode The Mule as her '30 KSS Velo is broken, and she didn't flinch at how filthy the KTT has become, even in her white leather jacket. Lower pic shows some of the variety of machinery; tasty purple/white Knucklehead chop with Kawasaki H3 in the background.

2006 49 MILE RIDE, Part 4

More pix from the 49 Mile Ride; Jeff Wu on his incredibly oily and scruffy '40-ish BMW - an interesting bike, with an ex-military R75M engine (750cc) in a civilian chassis. As-found! Your scribe on his 'Beam, wearing a WW1 pilot's leather jerkin.

2006 49 MILE RIDE, Part 1

49 Mile Ride! Almost 160 bikes arrived at Cafe Trieste this morning, of all varieties. Top photo shows a fellow (sorry no name) who rode a Ural with sidecar, who said his outfit was inspired by his great-grandfather. It's hard to see but he's got pinstripe slacks under chaps - something I've never seen before, which gave him a real old-west air. Lower pic shows James and Kumi on their Royal Enfield and Ariel, as always looking stylish.

Don't Break Down

This is what REALLY happens at an old bike rally... some unfortunate sod has a difficulty with his motorbike, and is anxiously attending his 1915 Harley, while several of his friends stand around and make jokes at his expense, and jibes at his improvised solutions. And he takes it all in stride. Note the doctor's bag on the rack, which was full of tools and spares, which he used! Pre-16 Rally, Atascadero, May 2006.