Club Arnage

I have just booked a trip to the USA for 5 weeks in July / August.

My US Moto GP tickets are booked for the Sunday and my Harley Road King is reserved for a week from San Francisco to San Diego via Highway 1.

A huge thanks to MAtt HArper and John Evans for your advise, South West flights are working out cheaper than an Amtrack Season Ticket.

Hurrah.

All i need now is to work out how long i'll be in each part of the world.

Oh and Virgin were the cheapest carrier to the USA.

Now - Accomodation......

Exactly how many weeks holiday do you get when you should be protecting us from "evil terrorists"?

You're probably already aware of this, but the ALMS is racing at the brand spanking new Miller Motorsports Park in Utah the weekend of July 15th. 

Nice scenery for a ride between San Francisco and Salt Lake City, too. 

Don't panic Robspot, we'll all have compulsory ID cards soon and that's going to stop all terrorism  ::) :-\

  5 weeks? is it gonna take you that long to get over Le Mans Robbo?  :o

5 weeks in the summer is a bloody nice break I only get 20 days for a whole year, but there again I don't have to put up with the sh*t that you guys in the emergency services have to. What is it then, touch down at Heathrow then straight up to Donington for the LMES? ;D

Its worth checking out www.broadwaytravel.com for self catering accomadation.

3 weeks of the time off i have to "re-work" before i go....

which means lots of work, and not much time off now.


As for protecting people...................

IAn - cheers for the link

And Bob. I get back on 10th Aug, then turning round at HEathrow and off to Rome for a wedding  ;D

Now all i need is a few more hundred quid.....

Robbo,
Have a great time over here, the USGP at Laguna should be quite a show.  Remember to pack a tool kit for the Harley.  Your girlfriend will love it though, they vibrate like a bastard. ;)
Fax

I'm flying solo for the trip ( split up a while back ) but if it  breaks they can come fix the sucker

Ooops sorry Robo, hope I didn't touch on a sore subject.  I'm just having some fun with you regarding the Harley, their reliability has actually gotten a lot better in recent years.  They are big, heavy and as I said, vibrate like a SOB though.  The reliability jokes about Harley's mostly come from people who owned or own a mid seventies through mid ninties model.  My neighbor has a early ninties Softail that spends more time in pieces in the garage than it does on the road.
Fax

Sounds like a fantastic trip Robbo  ;D

San Fran to San Diego is a long way but there is some really neat stuff to see along the way.  Take a quick trip north to Muir Woods then back down to Big Sir and Monterey, don't for Hearst Castle, down the coast to Venice Beach, L.A. and Newport, then on down to San Diego.  What a nice trip.  That's a long week just by itself and somebody from California could fill you in on more stuff to see than just what I listed.
I'm glad you checked out SW Airlines that should save you a lot of time rather than going by train. 
Where else are you planning to go while over here????

Apaprt from riding under redwood trees, staying in montery for 2 nights, for the Moto Gp, i am going to "wing " it.

As for keeping it quiet.....


Nothing of the sort.

Just finished sorting the last details out. Denver for 3 days of climbing ( maybe some snow boarding... )

3 days in Vegas getting skint...

5 days of tourist rubbish in NY and DC

oh and 4 days in and around vancover..

"5 days of tourist rubbish in NY and DC”!
NY is great, so full of energy and buzz, I can recommend the Edison Hotel on 47th St, its only 50 yards from Times Square (out of the hotel turn right) and about $70 a night, Scruffy Duffeys Irish bar on 8th (turn left out of the Hotel), great chicken wings and Guinness (http://www.murphguide.com/irish.htm#14-59).
Its worth doing the open top bus tour (with commentary), downtown to China town and Ground zero and uptown to Central Park, night time tour, Statue of Liberty and the Empire state see (http://www.allnewyorktours.com/Body.asp?tour=NYC-B0002&page=TourDetails) advance ticket was about $67, well worth it. The 15 min Helicopter ride was great, but a bit steep at $115, it takes you around the Statue of Liberty, but is mostly along the Hudson and then up to the Yankees stadium and over Harlem.
I guarantee you’ll want to go back!
Washington is a lot quieter, but interesting, be careful of where you stay – I went on business and then stayed on for a couple of days so had pay my own accommodation – booked into a $67 Ramarda on New York Boulevard – even the Taxi driver said “How the F**k did you get out here (about 2 miles from the centre), This is a bad area,  don’t go out walking, don’t wait out side for your Taxi! I think all the other rooms were rented by the hour!
The Smithsonian museums are good, the National Art museum is worth going just to see Da Vinci’s Ginevra de' Benci and the East Wing for the Piccaso’s (awesome in real life). The White House is very small, the Senate building very big!

Interesting tread here.  If your coming to the US and want to really see the US, New York is like going to London or Paris and thinking that's what England or France is like, just not it.  As IRW said, NY is full of energy but not a lot of normal Americans.  Same for California, the coast is hell of a lot different than 99% of the rest of Cal, go to dumps like Fresno or Bakersfield if you want to see what most of California is really like.
If you really want to go to a huge metropolitan city with all the sh**ts & giggles but get a real feel for the US, go to Chicago, my favorite city in the world by far.  Failing that St. Louis, Indy, Phoenix, Austin, are better bets than the usual tourist traps.  DC is one third government, one third tourist trap and one third crack alley gun & knife club. Philly & Baltimore are sh**tholes of biblical proportions.
Fax

Hi Robbo,
               For Washington i recommend hotel/motel in Arlington. across the river and just a short subway ride to the tourist parts. Nice and quiet being next to the cemetery ;D
Georgetown for the restuarants and night life.
Annapolis is close by and one of my favourites but then I am a sailor (not new ;D)
Can not comment on California beyond envy for hwy 1 on a bike which is on my wish list too.
Chicago is indeed a great american city.
Vancouver ofcourse leads to Whistler which is still worth visiting even though it is a winter resort. The ferry ride out to Vancouver island is very picturesque.
Champ Car (CART) are in Toronto 9 July if you want to come and see that along with lots to see and do here too.
F1 at Indianapolis 2 July, just buy a ticket at the gate for face value (or less)
NASCAR Nextel Cup Chicago 9 July
Tourist Just another Damn Tourist.
Canada Phil

Rough plans still being hatched.

Plane arrives 8th July 1215 at JFK, then going to so a slow mooch upto Toronto, niagra to watch water fall, then Chicago and the great lakes.

4 days in Rocky Mountains, then off to stay at the chefs in-laws in vancover ( he's a ferry pilot to the island ) then bike, and after careful advise, i am going to ditch Philly, and add an extra day or 2 in mexico, just to stay in a coastal fishing village and drink local beers.....

The only FIRM plans i want to make are Moto GP - DONE, and the final flights from Vegas to DC. The rest i really feel like winging it. Car hire seems cheap, food too and the places i've booked into are good cost to.

Just waiting for a reply from the International Police Federation, they maybe able to offer more help and advise ( and good rates )

I may try and see if i can have a look round an american Police station.. ( bus mans holiday ) but should be good.


---------


I have now been told that i DONT need anything more than my UK driving license and passport for vehcile rentals ??

I was going to get a International Driving Permit ?

Been to vegas a few times, going back on the 28th march  ;D, i got married at the red rock canyon just outside of vegas (no Elvis was not there !!!)

you can get some really cheap hotels but i would advise you to get a hotel in the main part of the strip, she that must be and i are staying at the imperial palace this time round as it was cheap $800 for the week but it is within easy walking distance of all the major hotels.

there are loads of cheap buffets where you can eat all you want for about $10, the drinks are free when gambling but depending on the machines you are playing (the amount you pay for a go) will dictate how long it takes to get a drink and how often they come round again.

if you want anymore info just shout

Andy

We rented a big Ford van last year and all i took was my UK licence, passport, you do need a credit card rather than a debit card though.

Hi Robbo,
               For Toronto it may be cheaper to fly into Buffalo New York and drive across the border at Niagara Falls. Let me know your dates closer to the time and I can arrange a visit to a Toronto Police station. UK drivers licence is indeed all you need to rent a car. We can read English over here ::) and a Credit card ofcourse.
Canada Phil

If he drives into Canada himself he'll probably get a visit to a Toronto Police station anyway. Seems to "invite" trouble in a car  ::)

A fantastic city, I can recommend the Gospel Sunday Brunch at "The House Of Blues" All you can eat buffet and  gospel choir with a fire and brimstone preaching singer all for $8 (price 4 years ago) great value, great atmosphere. And of coures being in the States the buffet is enormous. 
What other city could you go to and sit in the bars listening to live bands playing the blues as in house entertainment.

When you get to Vancouver Robbo you gotta ride the Sea to Sky highway between Vancouver and Whistler, it has to be one of the most picturesque drives in the world.
Mind you when I was ther last year they were "improving" the road ready for the 2010 olympics so it may well have spoilt the views.

I've spent a lot of time in Chi-town over the years.  Have close friends who live out in the Lincoln Park area near DePaul University.  El Jardin out by Wrigley Field on Clark Street, best Tex-Mex you'll find anywhere.  Same for steaks at Charmichaels near the United Center. Robbo, by all means, if the the Cubbies are in town when your there, take in a game at lovely Wrigley Field.  We make a trip up every year when the Reds and Cubs have a weekend series at "The Friendly Confines".  Late night drunk grub?  Lou Mitchells.
Fax

Hmmm Chicago, Love the town, off there in 6 weeks.

There is a great bar & grill in Millenium Park, usually showing ESPN all day (I spent best part of a week there 2 summers ago) Goose is a decent local beer.

Ed's does a decent brunch (on Jackson I believe - will check tonight)

Hello,

Keep in mind that the 40th anniversary of Can-Am is
July 13-16 at Road America.  Look at:

http://www.roadamerica.com/2006/races_bric.htm

I read that they are expecting 70 cars, and that Jim
Hall and the Chaparrals will be there.  I went last
year on Thursday and Friday (so I missed the major
pile-up) and it was awesome.  I was standing near the
start/finish line and heard a thunder in the distance.
Over the rise came an orance McLaren M8B with a red
Lola T70 coupe up it's rear.  The ground was shaking!
I've been to LeMans when a couple of Panoz were
near a couple of Corvettes, and it's great, but when
vintage 7-8 liter equipment goes by...  WOW!

Hope you enjoy your trip,

Brad

Robbo,

A few years ago I had to attend a divisional meeting in Dallas, one of the girls from the UK also brought her boyfriend along, he was at the time working within Hants Constabulary and contacted the Dallas Police they organised for him to spend a morning out with them on patrol and see how things are done over there...

Don't know if this is the sort of thing you are looking to do as a busmans holiday, but thought it might help.

Anyway have a great time.

Abs

Robbo,
Since your a biker you might enjoy the AMA Vintage Bike weekend at Mid-Ohio July 28-30.  Largest vintage & historic bike meeting of the year in North America every year.  This year Giacomo Agostini is the honored guest.  This meeting caused a bit of headache with the Road America Can-Am guys several years ago when the Can-Am reunion and the Vintage Bike days were the same weekend.  John Surtees was supposed to be at Mid-Ohio on Saturday and then fly up to Elkhart Lake on Sunday (he was the inaugural Can-Am Champion) but was having so much fun at Mid-Ohio he decided to stay there for Sunday as well, needless to say this didn't go down well with the Road America organizers.
Fax

Robbo, you are gonna need a whole lot longer than 5 weeks away if you take up all the reccomendations your getting. You'll need another to get over it.

On  my return on 10th Aug, i get coach to GAtwick from Heathrow and go back with mates to Rome on stag do ( does that count as a recouperation ? )


Thanks everyone else for the ideas, i'm open for everything and keep them coming

Fax - I am trying to research college football to see if i cabn catrch a game and i'd love to see some ball, where ever it maybe.

I maybe wrong, but the NHL will be done until October, NHL isnt my thing, World Series is on from ??? and the indoor basket ball ?? ( but tickets like rocking horse poo poo i think )

Robbo,
If your returning on August 10th you'll be here just barely too soon for college or pro football. (they'll still be in training camp, getting ready to start the pre-season)  Basketball and Hockey don't start till autumn.  However you'll be here right smack in the middle of baseball season.  Should definitely try to catch a MLB game, even if it makes no sense.  Lovely, laid-back but enthusiastic atmosphere.  Nothing better than a baseball game and a few cold beers on a warm, sultry summer night.  If your going to be in Chicago, they have two teams, the Cubs on the North side and the White Sox (defending World Series Champs) on the South side.  The Sox are the better team but the Cubbies play at one of the great old ballparks in America, Wrigley Field.
Fax

How about a bit of NHRA drag racing action?

There's the NHRA Northwest Nationals at Seattle on July 21-23
http://nhra.com/apcm/templates/preview.asp?articleid=2438&zoneid=90&navsource=14

NHRA Fram Autolite Nationals at Sonoma, California (north of San Fran) on July 28-30
http://www.nhra.com/apcm/templates/preview.asp?articleid=2439&zoneid=90&navsource=15

Just a quick update for those interested..

Fly to JFk, staying in NY for a night, just off Times Square, then off to Toronto for a few days, then to chicago, via an afternoon at Niagra Falls.

After Chicago, its a few days wondering in the rockies via Denver, then off to Seattle and Vancover for 5 days.

San Francisco to collect my HArley Road King, with an over night and day stop at the Red Bull Moto GP in Leguna Seca, before chilling for a week on my hog on Highway 1, Pacific Coast Highway.
Trying to catch the LA Raiders ( i think ) MLB on a Friday in LA.

Ditch the bike a week later for a whistle stop tour of a Mexican bar and Tuana, before vegas for a few more days, fly to DC a tourist trip of the white house etc, then NY for last few days, flight home and... then back out to Berlin for a stag trip.


Quick advance thanks to John and MAtt for the invaluable advise on flights etc and not AMTRACK - i am trying a little trip in there.


I managed to book a circumnavigation of the USA for less than a stuident rail card using jet travel. Only slight snag was getting over the yellow line on my map between the US and Canada !!! Blomin Heck, no cheap flights, hence a trip to seattle the 3 hour bus ride.

Thanks for that Robbo. Obviously we all hope it is a great trip and wish you have a fantastic time but please spare us the details until you get back cos some of us mere mortals only get 20 days holiday a year.
 After 3 skiing trips, Le Mans and a stag weekend it has left me completely bolloxed for a summer holiday.

And don't forget some of us mere mortals who can only just barely afford to go to Le Mans, never mind even entertaining the idea of THREE ski trips. My main holiday this year is in a cottage in Wales  :'(

Sorry, Ive already done 2 snow boarding trips,  and have 2 stag weekends, 24 hour bikes to get through and a few days in the Swiss Alps to get in before end of April.

Trust me i am working lots to up my time off chart....

Thank god i'm single ( well sometimes its great )

Hey Robbo, glad to hear things are coming together for your big trip over this way.  What are the dates you plan to get into Denver and be in the mountains.  I will be in Vail (100 miles west of Denver on Interstate Highway 70) on July 1-7 on vacation with my wife and another couple.   Maybe there is a chance we could link up for day and take you sight seeing in the Colorado Rockies.  We go into the back country go for a picnik and look for deer and elk.  Let me know.
John

All I can say is, have a fantastic time, and blimey, the job must be paying well these days!

Take care on that HOG. Remember, the brakes may well not be what you're used to. Caught me out before.

Have a great time.

Another questions for those over the pond.

I am looking at a Greyhound trip, as i should really, so will do the LA to Vegas trip.

I was told that even by booking in advance i still will have to que and maynot get on my bus of choise ??

Seems wierd.

I live and LA and NOBODY but bums and old ladies take Greyhound. How much is the bus trip? You can normally fly from LAX to Vegas for $40-60 (each way). The flight will be 45 minutes – bus ride 6 hours.

Los Angeles airports you can search for low cost tickets

LAX
Burbank
Long Beach

http://www.southwest.com

has tickets for $49.00 USD

I think the whole idea of Robbo wanting to take the Greyhound is to experience the journey by Greyhound.
Sure, anyone can step on a flight and be there in 45 minutes, having stared at the back of the head of the person in front for that time.
The alternative is a drive east along I-15, shadowing the old Route66 to San Bernardino and Barstow and then into the Mojave Desert and the border with Nevada.

I've driven from Barstow to Vegas and, although it's an interstate, found the journey quite scenic.

Definately another 'experience' for Robbo's trip.

Does Robbo qualify??

Del

Grey hound travel would be cool if it was closer to non-stop.However they stop at every ho-boakin town between your two point of travel.Cool for a liitle while.but it gets old quick.

I did not see any plans for Florida,cant blame you everyone goes to Florida.
If you do get this way I would love to show you around.

Nothing,I mean nothing beats VEGAS.  OOOHHHH YYYEEEAAAAHHHH !

Always remember what happens in Vegas stays in Sebring !

Have a great vacation !

I would either fly to Vegas or (my preference, if you have never seen that part of the US) DRIVE.   I would rent the car, make sure you know how to drive on the RIGHT side of the highway and enjoy the trip to Vegas.  You will probably want to drive around the city any way to find your particular sin.  If the Mustang Ranch or several other pleasure houses are your interest, you would want a car to get there since they are out of town.  Just take some condoms with you.  You could spend a week in that city just taking in all the naughty things and some pretty nice things as well. 
Enjoy yourself and don't let the "Oil get low so your engine won't start"!!!

That would be the LA Dodgers.

The Raiders have moved from Los Angeles, plus thats an American football team.

Yep - in Vegas we saw our first person getting a kicking off the police and had the first experience of being told to f off back to England !!! But other than that it was quite interesting.......esp the eat all you can buffet - unheard of in England at that time!  :P

Although we didnt have time for a Greyhound trip while out there, I am a big fan of travelling by bus, even with all the small town detours.... they are all part of the fun and I have done some endurance bussing in South America, Asia and Oz - always seem to sit next  to the nutter tho... one lady knitted me a pair of green slippers!    ;D

Fran

Like Fran, we've had some 'interesting' bus rides, mosly in the hinterland of Mexico.
Mexican buses stop in the back of beyond, have no facilities, are prone to breaking down, but have some very eclectic travelling companions and travel through places and scenery you would never see on a plane or via the sanitised tourist route.
We always try to 'go local' when in a foreign land and never act like typical Brit tourists that stand out a mile - works for us.

I'm with Dirtyboy on this one, mostly the bottom feeders of society hanging around in Greyhound stations.  Taking a metro bus around town is one thing but long distance travelling on a bus?  A little too roughing it for me.  You'll spend a lot of time staring out the window wishing you were somewhere else.  Have fun in Vegas, it is the adult Disneyland ;)
Fax

Yes i was hoping for another experience and Greyhound Buses seem very "American".
 I have one bus trip aranged from Seattle to Vancover, so maybe i take johns idea and rent a car.

It would have to be a soft top and ....... ( anything they will let me have )


Sithis correct though ?

There was a time (50's & 60's) where Greyhound line was a straightforward, inexpensive way of getting around the country. But today there are so many cheap, regional commuter airlines that the only people who use Greyhound are the folks who can't afford fifty or sixty bucks for a flight, in other words bums and the occasional broke college kid.  As Nobby said, look out for the brakes (or should I say lack of brakes) on the Harley, lest you find yourself in a ravine getting cuddly with a bear.
Fax

See you all later

Nights working tonight, then off to Airport after.

Thanks to those who have helped and advise on my trip of a lifetime

Virgin to JFK here i come  ;D


Canada Phil - Flight number is AC705. See you about 1000 hrs ish on Sunday

Hey Robbo,
Have fun over here, give Nicky a wave for me at Laguna Seca ;)
Fax

ok

Found an internet cafe in seattle after a whirl wind few days.

Really have to say quickly - the beans are counting - MAny thanks to Canada Phil and his daughter Diana. Their hospitality was over whelming and i was taken by Phil to see a race with very good tickets, that were FOC. He provided me with a lift 70 miles down the road to Buffalo and even let me loose on his boat.

Phil - MAny thanks


Chicago was a little poor, but got a VIP trip of the White SOX stadium, as i was English and " we dont usually do this, but youve come along way"

Denver and the Rockies - WOW. Pikes peak nearly killed my hire car - well it boiled the brake fluid.

Picked a fight with 2 fat american bikes all because  i over took them in my Dodge Caravan - Arseho:es .

I 'll post up a picky when i return , its probably what stopped me getting a fat lip. Also his birds arsenal was huuuuuge.
Anyway off to vancover now so maybe i'll check in again some time

You lucky bugger, you'll have to tell me how you managed that, been following the Sox for a few years, would love to get a tour of US Cellular Park

Heretic!!  ;D

It will always be Comiskey Park to the faithful.

I'm with you Chop, so tired of this corporate bullshit naming rights.  Went to the original Comiskey Park a few times, and have friends who were there for Disco Demolition Night. ;D
Remember when they re-named Riverfront Stadium, Cinergy Field?  f**k those greedy SOB's at Duke Cinergy!
They kept raising my gas & electric bills so they could put their shitty name on a ballpark?!
Mazda Raceway & Infineon Raceway? What a bunch of BS!  Its Laguna Seca & Sears Point, always has been, always will be.
Fax

Sounds like this ought to be in the "Grumpy Old Men" thread

There are days when maybe Fax should live in the Grumpy Old Men Thread!  But he always makes me giggle.
ECA

A lot of days it depends on how my morning at work is going...You can tell how this day's started ;D
Fax

Yes, but this is not funny. These bastards are selling our heritage from under our feet. Okay, I know these places need money for the upkeep etc. But I've yet to visit the Vodaphone Royal Opera House in Covent Garden.

Mark my words, next we'll be having some bloody faceless American corporation, oh I dunno, say a massive chewing gum company or something, despoiling that other great Chicago landmark, Wrigley Field.

I do take the point.  Audi 24 hours anybody (or is that what it is already?)

I will add that corporate naming is completely out of control over here.  Its only a matter of time before we have the Acme Underpants Daytona 500 presented by Tampax at Iams Pet Foods Speedway at Daytona.
fax

Playstation Chicane.  What the f**k is that?  Didn't even need the bloody thing!

Andy, you can make fun the Chicago Cubs, and Cubs fans till your hearts content, they're the most obnoxious a-holes in all of sports (but I suppose if I cheered for a team that hasn't won anything in a century I'd be drunk & obnoxious too).
Fax

My apologies, I justly stand corrected. I just couldn't call it Cominsky Park as the true home of the Sox was demolished when they moved over the road.

Hi Robbo,
               You are welcome. Our pleasure. Looking forward to hearing more of your adventure.
Phil

I've downloaded some American comedy and there is a joke about exactly that - tickets were hard to come by but he managed to get some - he pulled a few strings...  ;D

Ok .

Finally arrived just outside  leguna seca on my Harley Doing Some, and fax - those brakes are a little worrying, but the rear skids nicely....

The american bike scene is here in its full.... and my union jack shorts are ready for the morning.

Phil - Managed to book a car for Vegas $62 one way for the day - and its a sebring. I spoke to Budget and they only rent out the V6 Mustangs, so couldnt be bothered with the hassle.

So far i must add that the best women i have met are from Seattle, Vancover, toronto, Denver and New York, San Fransisco and a few in chicargo,

A few nice meetings but nothing more than coffee, but they all love tbhe accent, so if you have it, flaunt it, all the time.

Today was the hottest day on record for Napa Valley, and it was today i chose to goi get a bottle of wine..... 115 degrees F, whixh is basicaly like a sauna. Even the wind blast at 80 mph did nothing..

Oh - Mr Harley your Road King goes 110mph flat out for quite a while :-)

Anyway, off to chill with a cold one. Will post in later folks.

Bye.

Good to hear from you again Robbo. I have also found that the american girls like the English accent!

You've got that right.  The fishing's good for you guys over here.  ;D


It's a longshot, but you could try to find one of these if you're really interested:

http://media.ford.com/newsroom/feature_display.cfm?release=22890

Hertz at Orlando Airport (Semoran Dr) had one on their forecourt yesterday afternoon - a little bit of a slog from Napa Valley - but it looked very purposeful.

Maybe we should put a block booking in for a few for Sebring next year.
Shame your not allowed to run rentals at Orlando drag strip (worth a visit if your doing the family trip to Disney etc), although probably get tramped by a rice burner  ::)

Orlando Airport and Miami Airport has already sold out of these during Sebring week!!!!

Also $128 a DAY plus tax etc etc!!!!

Rather worryingly all the cars that Hertz class as fun are Automatics!! Even the MX5 is auto!!!

It can be controlled - i've only ever been drunk and obnoxious celebrating having finally won something after 135 years

Reading FC - 106 pts - Coca Cola Championship Winners 05/06 - record points total

COME ON YOU ROYALS!!!

I can't recall ever seeing a US rental car with a manual.   I've never rented anything close to exotic, but even the smallest putt-putt cars are autos.  The manual shift minivan doesn't even exist here.

The Hertz website Key had a image for whether the car is manual or auto. But i couldn't find a car that was manual.

What is the point in the key then???

Hi Rick,
           Probably a world wide site maual just does not apply in North America.
Canada Phil

Rick you could try telling them that you have to have stick shift as it is all your licence will allow you to drive. Or perhaps you could try telling them you have a disability and will sue their asses for discrimination if no stick shift is available. This sort of thing normally frightens the crap out of big corporations.

I'm just curious as to which disability would necessitate a stick shift.  ;D

Physiotherapy for w**k*rs cramp? ;D

Oi!! Careful!!!

No offence meant

yeah you just watch it arseonist, the young'n is sensitive about those things, the bed sheets make him sore from they're stiffness. ;)

I hope the way you have spelled arsonist is not a reflection on me  ;D ;D

of course not, its a funny spelling :D

Went to see the LA Dodgers play and they got spanked but a good game, then got a free ride out with the LAPD along Hollywood Bvld wher they were preparing for the Tallegeda Nights premiere. Also got to see how different they do things and have a quick ride on a boat out of Willinton Harbour PAtrol area.

Now if anyone has ever thought of buyinh a Harly - DONT. I'm getting shaken apart from the vibes in this thing. I am soon looking forward on Friday afternoon to returning it.....


Off back to Venice beach to watch the wierd and the strange and probably join in.

Au Reviour.

Robbo, you're getting shaken to bits on a rubber mounted engine model!
I used to ride a hard tailed rigid mount engine. Thats vibration!
Enjoy the rest of your holiday.

Robbo,
I tried to warn you about Harley's ;)  As far as I'm concerned they're the most over-priced, over-rated crap ever built.  You pay a hell of a lot of money for a persona or lifestyle.  Harley's are mostly ridden by two types of people.  First are moneyed, frustrated yuppies who think that by riding a Harley they instantly have some kind of street cred (they spend most of their time in huge SUV's shuttling kids to baseball and soccer games).  They mostly just look stupid. Their wives get big fake tits and they get a Hog to try to help them forget how pathetic their lives usually are.  Second types are the truly scarey Mo-Fo's who the Harley stereotype really belongs with. The Mongols', Hell Angels, Pagans, Outlaws, etc.  These are f**cking terrifying people who you give a wide berth to, anywhere, anytime.
Fax

Well, now zooming towards the end of my trip. Just sitting in Union Station - Washington DC waiting for my 3 hour train ride to the big apple.

I've finally been worried about the place i'm in, just last night. It all went dark outside, i looked like a proper tourist and there were police stopping everyone in the area i was walking in. I even took my flip flops off and walked bare feet, just incase i needed to run, and grabbed a handful of coins to throw as a distraction.....

But eventually all was ok, maybe i just got  spooked......

Vegas - LA LA land that place. But i managed to jump from a plane and that was the best buzz i've ever had. Only lost $11 in the casino's after a small bit of throwing dosh about.

If anyone every wants to chill on a beach with lovely surroundings - Try Sn Diego's Ocean Beach or La Jolla. Both top places and lovely people always turn up.

Trains here, catch you all lateer

Hello all. Or those of you who look in the post LM summer.

I'm back....... I never got to Berlin for the weekend as BA cancelled all the flights and lots of attention was made at JFK to my persoanl MP3 player.

To all those who helped me , John Evans, Matt and Dave Harper, Chop456, but especially Canada Phil.

The advise about flights and Not going to Phiili was good, especially Mid West Airlines, who seat you in luxury for virtually nothing.

Too many highlights, but in motorsport terms, my Triumph sponsored CalMoto Shirt handed over by Dave from the AMA was great.

Lovely to be home with English beer, tetley tea and a home coming blonde :P

I'll hopefully turn up at Donny next week.