Etc.
ETC.
PONY EXPRESS RIDES AGAIN
With a cloud of dust and pounding hooves, the Pony Express delivered the mail in the early 1860s. Although the route has since been forgotten, the Pony Express Preservation Ride may remedy that. On October 1, motorcyclists Paul Golde and Joe Nardone will travel the 1999-mile trail aboard dual-purpose bikes. The pair will carry limited-edition envelopes bearing Pony Express postmarks that they’ll sell for a minimum donation of a penny per mile ($19.99). All proceeds go toward marking the route and station sites. To make a donation, contact the Pony Express Preservation Ride, 27858 Emerald, Mission Viejo, CA 92691;714/364-6117.
BIKERS, LITTLE OLD LADIES UNITE
In one of the oddest, uh, couplings ever reported, a group of leather-clad bikers and little old ladies in sunbonnets united this summer to show their support for Congressman Jim Longley (R-Majne). As union picketers protested House of Representatives Majority Leader Dick Armey’s visit to Longley’s headquarters in Portland, Maine, a group of elderly female supporters began protesting the protesters. Then, to make matters even more interesting, the United Bikers of Maine rode up on their Harley-Davidsons and helped the old ladies shoo the union picketers away.
Reflecting on the unusual scene during a subsequent speech, Armey said, “What I believe, and what I think I saw in Maine, is that the politics of fear and misinformation will always give up and go away, if those who believe in freedom have the courage and the energy to stand up for what they believe in.”
ROUNDUP
RIDE THE RAILS
Daytona Biketoberfest bound? Then you may want to consider a new service from Amtrak. Last February, just in time for Bike Week ’96, the railroad added motorcycle capability to its daily Auto Train service. Passengers depart Lorton, Virginia, with their bikes safely secured inside, roll non-stop through the night and arrive the next morning in Sanford, Florida, 25 miles from Daytona. Tickets for bike and rider range from $400 to $1030, including two meals and a movie. Amtrak officials say that if the Virginia-Florida route is a hit with motorcyclists, more Auto Train destinations may be added. For information, phone 800/USA-RAIL.
SIN CITY SUPERBIKES
The 1996 AMA Superbike Championship will conclude at the brand-new Las Vegas Motor Speedway on October 4-6. After an inaugural test, Yamaha’s Tom Kipp proclaimed the 2.48-mile circuit “fun to ride and very safe,” adding that it “should set a new standard on how to build road courses inside superspeedways.” As well it should, since track designer Alan Wilson had motorcycles in mind. “The intent was to create a design in which motorcycle racing was a prime consideration, not an afterthought,” explained the AMA’s Ron Barrick. For ticket information, call 702/644-4443.
ALARMING BLACKBIRDS
Forget about Honda’s new CBR1100XX, here’s a blackbird story that’ll really ruffle your feathers. A flock of the critters in the northern English town of Guisborough have reportedly learned to imitate a wailing bike alarm that keeps being triggered in error. Pretty neat, except that their dawn chorus has failed to endear the owner of the Honda CBR900RR in question to his neighbors. If the bike ever really does get stolen, we’d advise him to start looking close to home.
