Summer (in San Francisco)

[mostrobelle]

I heard them before I saw them:  A couple of Harleys coming up behind me on the Embarcadero.  I generally don't have much company on my ride home, but tonight's weather afforded me some new faces on this stretch of pavement.  I had just left my parking spot and was taking my time warming up the motor on the aging Ducati as I tooled past The Fog City Diner in 2nd gear.  It was apparently too slow for them.

As I was looking in my mirror I saw the two of them strafe me on either side.  They made a little Italian sandwich out of me, going too fast and much too close.  I didn't care.  They gave a wave as they passed and that was good enough for me.  Besides, I was enjoying myself seeing how much they were enjoying themselves: pointing at the water, at Coit Tower, at the Bay Bridge, at the sunset, at the short skirts crossing the street in front of us as we all stopped for a red light. 

Obviously from out of town, they hadn't a clue where they were going, and they didn't seem to mind how or if they got there.  Their bikes were new and shiny with vintage paint jobs and tufted leather seats, chrome reflecting digital read-outs...a weird combination of history and technology.  The riders' acts and appearance echoed the same anathematic sentiments.  The two middle-aged men rode like a couple of teen-aged punks...you could see the years melt away as they covered ground.  They rode erratically, blipping the throttle and weaving, but without malice.  The cars they passed seemed to either fear swapping paint with them or respect their comarderie and made room for the two as they squeezed past side-by-side in the bicycle lane.

The three of us came upon another rider on a sportbike.  He had his girlfriend on back and she was carrying their tennis rackets.  The both of them were in shorts and tank tops.  He was gingerly making his way through traffic as she held on more tightly than was warranted.  He carefully made the turn to a nearby club and I could imagine him calling her on the phone 30 minutes ago, "C'mon...it's so close and it's nice out.  I'll pick you up on the bike. It'll be fun."   

I could smell sweet BBQ smoke coming from one of the many restaurants along the waterfront and I saw that the two Harleys in front of me did, too.  They somehow negotiated those 700 lb. beasts across four lanes of traffic in 50 feet to make the turn into the brew house on the corner.  The promise of an outdoor table with a view and laden with pints of cold beer and baskets of hot garlic fries can do that to a man.

On the bridge I was passed by another sport rider carrying a new tire around his shoulder.  It reminded me that it was time to another valve adjust, address my usual myriad of technical issues, and make sure that my official papers hadn't molded over the winter while under my seat.  I considered whether this would be a good weekend to give the Monster its semi-annual bath, since I don't waste the wax for rainy days. 

This evening's ride signaled the start of summer for me...more than the warm weather granted to us by a Mother Nature who has seemingly been hitting the snooze button on the coming of the Solstice, more than the smells of outdoor cooking and water evaporating off the Bay, more than hazy sunsets that seem to last half a day.

[AfroStar]

I love it! the Tale of a Rider..in every ride there is a story to tell.
Thanks   

[Kopfjäger]

nice. 

[Spidey]

I *always* get passed by Harleys on SF streets.







NSFW-->  Another

[causeofkaos]

that nsfw one is a dude right?

[sroberts152]

Are Moobs NSFW?

[EvilSteve]

Great writing, thanks.

[sfarchie]

I thought you were about to say they headed into Fisherman's wharf and got ticketed for the noise. 

Since the area described is my hood, it was easy to visualize every part of your story. Well done!

[maillotpois]

Captivating writing.  Thanks!   

[Gus Duc]

Good read.........thank you

I wonder if they headed up Columbus after the sunset for some entertainment

[Cuky_Monster]

Encore! Encore! I've read a couple of write ups you've done and they are truely capivating.

[Bun-bun]

Another in Mostrobelles long line of literary triumphs.
Lyrical and captivating. Worthy of print in some much higher class venue than our lowly forum.

I applaud you, dear lady, bravo!

[Howie]

 

[mostrobelle]

Good read.........thank you

I wonder if they headed up Columbus after the sunset for some entertainment

I work not too far from Broadway/Columbus...it's always interesting seeing who's going in and coming out of those places.     I don't really have much reason to ride by there at night, but the few times I have...well, they seem to think a gal in full leathers is part of the show... 

Thanks for the compliments, y'all.     Glad you enjoy.   [moto]

[zarn02]

Very nice.