Monkeywright's Motorcycle Diaries: Video experiment #1

Posted October 7th, 2008 by monkeywright

All right, so here's a ride down the coast to the bank. Exciting, huh? The bike in real life sounds nice, deep, rumbly, purrs like a tiger. In this video, it sounds like a fart.
Also, the video quality reminds me of low budget 70s horror films, so I have added titles accordingly. Feel free to skip around. The ending is kinda fun, and I get somewhat cut off by two bikers and their hoochie girl near the middle. Yeah. 10 minutes. It's like you're right there with me.

If you don't feel like watching video...here's some still photos of the ride back...

Manhattan Beach: there's hole in the sun!

My God, it's still there! Is this the end of the world? Ooh! The ocean!

A blonde in a wetsuit! If Derek were here, he'd be happy.

There's a lot of pollutey fun at the beach, as Chevron processes and refines your gasoline right at the water's edge! Come swim with us, won't you?

...and away we go...


Hopefully I'll have video of Rancho Palos Verdes and the Wayfarer's Chapel soon...it's a great ride...I'll try to keep future videos short and full of action.

Tonight, while splitting lanes, a lady decided to move closer to me, and crushed my left hadn with her side mirror. It was fantastically painful. I saw Neil Gaiman so it was worth it.

nathaniel parker
October 7th, 2008

i don't think i get the whole motorcycle culture thing.
it just looks like moderate traffic to me.


TheJudasCow
October 7th, 2008

Im renting my dad a Harley for his 50th birthday next week. And Im surprising him with a trip to Florida.

I dont think Id be able to enjoy a motorcycle unless I was the only person on the road. Otherwise its like... just a loud bike.


Smartazboy
October 7th, 2008

Nice. I liked the soundtrack.


monkeywright
October 7th, 2008

it just looks like moderate traffic to me.

It IS moderate traffic. I thought I prefaced it with a snarky "Exciting, Huh?" which in retrospect I should have wrapped in [sarcasm] tags. Anyway, riding is better because you can cut around people when moderate traffic turns to stalled traffic. Motorcycle commuting is more about saving time and money.

The actual joy of motorcycling is discovered on the open highway or in mountain roads that twist and turn. Coming off a stop, feeling the raw power of the bike, the instant response of the engine. Leaning low into curves, feeling the Gs in your stomach, accelerating out...

It's a horrible cliche, but unless you've done it, you won't understand. I heartily recommend everyone try it before they die.


nathaniel parker
October 8th, 2008
Quote:

but unless you've done it, you won't understand.

yeah, this is my problem.
I still think it would be cooler to just get a horse and take off riding. you don't need roads for them!