Hotshots

HOTSHOTS

An august August

For those of us who have lived a long time, your August issue was of special interest, beginning with Mark Hoyer’s tribute to the Trailblazers banquet, then Peter Egan’s “The Way of the Desert Sled” and interview with Roger White, followed by Allan Girdler’s excellent history of Max Bubeck’s Indian and Hodaka exploits. Thanks to Cycle World for always being appreciative of the past. Ken Newton

Checkers MC Ridgecrest, California

Just got around to reading the August issue after a few days away. Absolutely hands down the best motorcycle magazine issue I’ve ever seen. I’ve been a steady reader since 1971 (still have most issues) and read Cycle going all the way back to Clymer, Cycle Guide until its unfortunate demise, and still read all the other guys. Kudos to Hoyer, Egan, Cameron, Dean and just everybody involved. Terrific job. Mike Stephenson Bellingham, Washington

The way of the quarry sled

I really enjoyed the article on desert racing and the influence it had all across the country. Here in south central Pennsylvania in the early `70s, my "des ert" sled was a Honda 305 Scrambler, my desert was a sand quarry, andjust to make sure I was really going fast, my helmet bore "The Checkers" of desert racing fame. Attached is a photo of my desert racing days taken by my racing buddy, Lee Kaiser. The look of appre hension on my face in this one is due to the fact that I will land right next to Lee's head as he lies on his back to get the shot; his pant leg is visible in the lower left corner of the picture. Thanks for the great articles. Harold Johnson Blue Ridge Summit, Pennsylvania

Jonah Street, poster child

The article on Jonah Street and his Dakar bike (July) was fantastic! Even better was the lead photo by Jeff Allen. That picture says so many things that I don’t know where to start. My friends and I have ridden our bikes in the Oregon dunes for years, and it’s the most fun you can have with your clothes on. You need to make this photo available as a poster! Jonah had a somewhat grassroots fundraiser this year called “Riff Raff,” of which I was proud to be a part. Proceeds from a poster sale could be used as a starting point to next year’s funding of this great American privateer entry in the toughest motorcycle race on the planet. Rick Kasper Federal Way, Washington

Pack your bags

In your August issue, Rick Hansen bemoans the limited luggage capacity of BMW’s new K1600GTL compared to his Gold Wing and asks if divorce is the price of switching from what he has to what he wants. My wife and I are about to depart on a month-long tour on our R1200RT. In the top case will be everything we need to camp in comfort at three rallies along the way. We each

have a saddlebag into which we fit a variety of “normal” clothing for use off the bike. In the tankbag go sundry riding essentials. And in the fairing pocket and under the saddle go complete tool and tire repair kits, a tire pump, etc.

If you want the sporting qualities of the BMW, the key is to use compact and efficient gear and every cubic inch of space. If you want to just toss in what you have in the closet, stick with the Wing. As to the wife, no need to choose between her and the bike. Take her shopping for some lightweight but stylish travel clothing and she’ll be happy.

Terry Burnes Gardnerville, Nevada

Quail love

As I came across Kevin Cameron’s “The Quail Motorcycle Gathering” (August issue), my initial response was, “Boring!” as I skipped ahead to more modern and “familiar” bikes. To me, it’s like trying to mow your lawn with a mechanical rolling blade rather than using the exciting, new, overpowered, self-driven mower that I know will not only do the job more efficiently but also more viscerally. But then this morning, I came across the article again and in my ever-loving quest for the passion of motorcycling, decided it may be very well worth five minutes! This article delves into the explanation of simplicity and serenity of early motorcycles. I felt peaceful when I read how this event was not inundated with modern sponsors. I hate pressured sales pitches! Not only did I find an appreciation for what I once thought stuffy and boring, but also an understanding into a more pure form of art and history in the motorcycling world. You can believe I will be more open to learning in the future. Thanks, Kevin!

Philip D. Wiese Lakewood, Washington

Not lightly enough

Since Mr. Hoyer said I’m on the payroll now, I thought I would point out a teeny error in the August issue. I really like Bruno dePrato’s articles on cool Euro bikes. But in Roundup, he says the new MV F4 has the most extreme bore/ stroke ratio of modern 1 OOOcc fourcylinder bikes with its 79mm diameter. But in the “Electronic Warfare” literbike shootout, the BMW S1000RR has a bore of 80mm. I know, I know, a bit of nitpicking here. Alan Golightly

Azle, Texas

Looking for a raise already?!

Godspeed, Uncle Ernie

This past June, the online motorcycling community and the Cycle World forum lost one of its most beloved friends.

Paul St. Claire, aka Uncle Ernie, sadly passed away due to complications resulting from a minor motorcycle accident. Already in frail health, Paul rode his Royal Enfield right to the end. Rather fitting, though tragically unfortunate, for a man who devoted his life to motorcycling.

Paul spent much of his younger

years in San Francisco riding a BMW sidehack. More recently, he lived in Asheville, North Carolina, where he owned and rode numerous motorcycles including BMW, Indian, Moto Guzzi, Kawasaki and his alloy-tanked Royal Enfield Bullet. Paul also worked at the parts counter of an Ashland motorcycle dealership for several years.

But it was by his endearing Uncle Ernie Internet persona that many of us knew him best. Always ready to share a motorcycling anecdote, U.E. was both quick-witted on topic and irreverently philosophical. He befriended many and offended none. We are all the better for having known him. R.I.P. Uncle Ernie! Keith Robinson

Hamden, Connecticut