<please check back when photos are ready>... reprinted with the
permission of Mike 'Kiwi' Tomas
The group of 13 Australians just finished up a ride around part of the
western USA with Max Bubeck (our fearless leader), Jerry Hatfield and
myself. We left from Las Vegas 1 day late due to the wharfies striking on
the docks however the docks were open for a 4 hr period on the Sunday in
which the container containing all of the m/c's finally got on its way to
Las Vegas.
I was surprised to learn that the Aussies all took this in stride and
without worry at all. "No worries mate" was their motto. I later learnt that
the lack of beer is the only thing that upsets these guys. This delay put
the trip 1 day behind schedule but at least they were on their motorcycles.
We left Las Vegas in very nice weather and traveled North to a motel in NV
for the night. The next day we headed East to Zion National Park. After
leaving Zion and heading for Bryce Nat Park the weather started to
deteriorate and we encountered rain and a good rain storm at that. Due to
the heavy rain we bypassed Bryce and decided the motel was our best spot to
see it out and warm up. After unloading our stuff into our rooms Straw had
the communal Jacuzzi all cranked up and beer every 2 feet around the
perimeter of it. Hot chocolate would have been better but we're traveling
with Aussies and hot chocolate is never 1 of the choices. Upon rising the
next morning we saw snow and the snow line was only 200' above us. This made
the next days ride very cold. We did cover some good mileage though as we
just wanted to get to the next gas stop looking forward to a hot chocolate
or coffee. There was a 110 mile stretch of riding with no gas stops which
made for some guys not making it however the Uhaul back up rig was well
prepared in advance with gas. Our next stop was Arches Nat Park, absolutely
breath taking scenery. We arrived at our Motel (near Moab UT) in the dark
but could make out some silhouettes of some mountains. Upon waking in the
morning and looking out the window I have never ever seen such breath taking
scenery. Well worth the trip to this remote resort location.
The next days ride was in very heavy rain and it sure poured which then
turned to snow. Everyone was cold but we all seemed to stay dry. Some did
not have wet weather gear so we improvised and dressed them in plastic trash
bags and Ductape (the ductape is always part of my tool kit). Remarkably
they stayed very dry. The next leg was to be over to Durango Colo however
due to the weather being just as bad there we decided to blow off this
section. Since it was so cold Max had to be pretty much lifted off the seat
of his 39 Four. At this point he did the next leg in the Uhaul truck. This
was the 1st time in Max's career he has never completed a ride/race/event
with his m/c still running. At 85 yrs old he well deserves a warm ride.
Since we blew off Durango, this now put us back on the original schedule and
we figured heading South to Kayenta AZ was where it would be warmer. South =
warm was our motto or more like we were hoping like hell it was warmer and
dry. Gosh anywhere but where we were at just had to be warmer. We traveled
through Monument Valley Nat Park and visited the Wupatka Indian ruins which
dates back to 1100 AD.
We stayed near the Grand Canyon in Cameron. Our next days stop was the Grand
Canyon and onto Kingman AZ which we took a nice section of old Route 66.
From here we went through Oatman AZ which is a very twisty (15 mph turns)
and hilly leg of Rt 66. Many of us were hot dogging and I had just blown off
some guys on their modern bikes. I miss judged a corner and ran off the road
into a gravel pullout (view) area however I managed to keep it upright
narrowly going up a big bank made out of rocks. I did connect with some big
rocks that made a heck of a bashing noise under the bike and it bottomed out
the forks on the 48 several times (it was one hellava wild ride). We never
came to a stop and the bike and myself did not miss a beat and I rode right
back onto the road and continued on however at a slightly less of a pace. I
was hoping to go unnoticed but my mates had a great view of my exhibition.
The next stop was back to Las Vegas for everyone's servicing and a bit of a
rest up. The next leg was onto Death Valley for the next 4 days which I am
sure has been reported on. The group consisted of 16, of the group 3 were 4
cyl Indians and 3 Panhead Harley's.
Credit must be given where due and the Panheads ran flawlessly for the whole
trip. The 3 Fours were the nightmare of the group with 1 thing after
another. I learnt a ton about 4's which was a great education to get
especially not at my expense. The team mechanic was Les who was the number 1
person of the group. While everyone in the group was great, this guy can get
anything back on the road and I mean no matter what happens to it. He'll run
without sleep if need be (and he did several times) and overhaul anything
anywhere. He has that knack and I have never seen such a dynamic guy. A
dream come true for those needing things taken care of while on the road
trip. To give you 1 example, 1 of the 4's broke an exhaust valve stem. He
couldn't get one or find a Chevy valve anywhere in the stores (he just
needed a blank to machine 1 from) so along the way he spotted a Chevy engine
on the side of the road 4 sale. He bought it and pulled the heads off and
stripped out a valve. While at Jim and
Toni Coe's in Las Vegas he turned down the stem dia in Jim's lathe, machined
in new keeper grooves and cut the valve to length, threw it back into the
engine and she fired right up completing the Death Valley leg of the run.
While it is not the perfect valve, it did the trip so as he can do the job
properly back in Aussie. This was not his only job that evening, the other 2
4's needed serious attention too (plus one of the Chiefs) and all 3 were
running by morning. A pretty much impossible task to anyone except Les.
I was Max Bubeck's room mate and it sure was enjoyable. He's a guy who
has been around and he was a fantastic tour guide as some of his past jobs
have been traveling all over the western US. The stories about him on his
4our are way cool too.
Total mileage was just over 2400 miles for me which was a little greater
than the rest of the group as I left from Riverside to meet them in Las
Vegas. I'd guestimate the Aussies mileage at 2100. The guys were extremely
accommodating and friendly. Their bikes were very well prepared for the ride
and they ran extremely well, in fact some of the strongest 74" bikes I've
come across and a credit to them. The 74" Chiefs were extremely well tuned
and ran like heck. Many got abused and still ran good for the whole trip.
There was no babying of any bikes and all were set up to run hard and fast.
I don't recall running much less than 65 much of the time. Their riding
style was 1st class, at every turn the #2 rider in the group dropped out and
stayed on that turn and the last vehicle was always the Uhaul. No chance of
anyone getting left behind. I was very glad to be a part of their ride and
look forward to another. Hopefully they will get over all of their sheep
jokes involving Kiwi's. One day they will learn that us Kiwi's take our
sheep very seriously (or anyway we can get them).
A big thank you to Jim and Toni Coe (of Las Vegas) who opened their home
(and refrigerator) to the group. I don't think they knew what they were in
for especially when we returned for some maintenance. All of a sudden Jim's
tools and resources were going in all directions and so was he. Thank you
guys for a great time, fellowship and hospitality. I hope to see you at the
Australian Great Race in March. Thanks for the great memories Peter, Dave R,
Harry, Colin, John, Dave F, Straw, Warrick, Steve, Jeff, Wayne, Les, Dugal,
Jerry and Max. It was truly a pleasure to ride with you all.
Mike Kiwi Tomas
Kiwi Indian USA |
