[Zeke]

My dad had a motorcycle sales and service business in the late '60's as a side business. He sold Suzuki, Royal Enfield and Gilera during their short stay in the US. I think Sears took over Gilera sales for a short period before they disappeared altogether.

So, I rode back then. I had all 3 in my stable at age 19. Later on after selling the 3 I rode a Honda 90 Scrambler to college until it was stolen out of my driveway. I never rode again except on rare occasions when a bike was available for a couple hours. Found out I didn't enjoy it much on the street and was involved in kart racing so didn't really want to race.

I did race a little bit when the shop was open. A little short track and some scrambles, but nothing of note. I did build out my 125cc Gilera to a neat little cafe racer but scared myself more than once up on the Palos Verdes peninsula twisties. The result of an off there and I might not be writing here today. So, 50 years now, no bike, no regular riding.

But during those short years I was a foolish terror on the streets pulling wheelies in traffic daily. Had a cop catch me doing that one day and he said I was so ridiculous that he wasn't even going to write a ticket. That stuck. Kept the front wheel on the ground pretty much after that.

Doing Euro (long track on grass) speedway style racing out on the golf course at 3am was about as crazy as I have ever been.

And had so much fun. It took enduro kart racing to get to that level of adrenaline again.