Good buddy Marty (with whom I’ve been riding for a long time) sent this email and photo yesterday…
Joe,
That is me, about 1954, on a 1953 Triumph T100C. It had a 500cc alloy engine, and (fanfare) twin carburetors (thus earning the C for competition). I loved this bike, it handled well, and for its time, was a road-burner. I ran it so hard that I collapsed a valve, and instead of fixing it, traded it on a 1957 Triumph Tiger 110 (which wasn’t as fast!). Good times, good memories.
Marty
Very cool, Marty, and thanks very much.
Marty and I have traveled a lot of miles together, including trips through the US, Baja, and the Three Flags Classic covered here on the ExNotes blog. This is a more recent photo of Marty and his BMW…
You’ve heard it before: there are old motorcyclists and there are bold motorcyclists, but there are no old bold motorcyclists. Somehow in my dim-witted youth, it soaked in that being alert on a motorcycle is damn important. I look at you, Joe, and see you in front, leading the way. I’m not done yet, however; look in your rearview mirror and you’ll see a headlight far behind you. That’s me. Still rolling.
We’ve still got many miles in front of us, Marty!