JOURNEY TO THE LIZARD

The Blind Lizard is a high point of the Nobody Ride Schedule. Since the ride is in late June, there is a good possibility that the temperature will be bearable, if not pleasant. On this Lizard Ride June 20, 2010 the weather was fantastic. The early part of our ride (we headed out at 5:20 am.) was a little cool with some ground fog, but as the day progressed the temperature was in the high 70's with a partly cloudy sky.

PICTURED ABOVE: Lizard is coffeed up and ready to get on the road. Last year the Blind Lizard was the longest ride he had ever done. The conditions were tough, but he was tougher, thus he earned his Nobody name "The Lizard". Riding a Yamaha 400 through wind, rain and cold temperatures for 320 miles, without a complaint was impressive.

Flashback Gordon (above left) the driving force behind this ride is ready to organize all the riders and get us on the road.

After riding down State Highway 23 for 15 miles we hooked up with the newest member of the Nobodies, Bonneville. He is the center fellow in the photo. He was riding his 1981 Gold
Wing.

Foreground to background: Bonneville, Flashback, Lizard

We stoped at the restaurant in Banning Junction for our second breakfast. Flashback actually had his first and second breakfast there. We are always hoping to entertain our waitress with our biker savvy. This time we accomplished it with our wit and our ineptitude using cell phones.

Back on the road, ready for whatever comes our way, born to be mild.

Lizard in singing a song and dancing for his "new" ride a 1980's Honda 750. He has found along with some carburetor work singing and dancing for his bike improves it's performance.

We took plenty of breaks on our ride. We are all getting older.......our bladders aren't quite as elastic as they were in our younger days. We also like snacks!

Above: Kickstand and The Blind Lizard

The Blind Lizard is an interesting happening. Bikers just start congregating in a residential area on Nicolette Island in Minneapolis Minnesota. The variety of bikes is amazing. The atmosphere is friendly and fun loving. There is chili, root beer and the lizard pin and t-shirt. This was the 34 year of the Lizard.

There were a lot of Honda Super 6's this year.

I really don't know much about all the different motorcycle makes and models. I just enjoy looking at them and occasionally I am willing to listen and learn about a particular bike. Sad thing is I will usually forget most of what I have heard by the end of the day!

This event draws an interesting crowd. Above you see a photo of a fellow with his home made aerodynamic shell for his bicycle. I think it is also a sauna on wheels.

It is hard to say how many bikes are at the Lizard. My guess is between 250 and 300. Next year a promise to count, but since people are always coming and going the number is rather fluid.

I've been told that every metric bike company has made at least one turbo. Sounds like this was the thing to tryout in the late 70's and early 80"s.
http://www.turbomotorcycles.org/TMIOA/Bikes.html

I would like to have a Moto Guzzi.

What a beautiful bike. Looks fast too. But remember speed kills, especially if one has slow reflexes!

Nice Ride!

The old, new, nice, junky, you name it. The red bike is a Moto Guzzi. http://guzzista.wetpaint.com/page/Moto+Guzzi+-+A+History+Part1

This is the Lizard Pin Lady and her amazing bike.



Next year you will need to ride with us. You may say "It's Father's Day, I can't leave the family". Well if you are a father.....it is your day! If you are a son or daughter, what better gift can you give your dad than a day at the Blind Lizard! If you are a wife......well give the guy a day to himself leaving him at home while you go to the LIZARD.