Newsletter Stories
Newsletter Stories
7/31/02
"Then Came Bronson"
A couple of days ago I was reflecting back on our riding trip through California. I'm still trying to fully process all of the things we experienced in those 7 days of being out on the open road. Seeing all of the scenery was nice but meeting the people who were so intrigued by what we were doing has seemed to leave a lasting impression. Motorcycles seem to provide so much mystery for the non rider that they are captivated by the thought of taking off on 2 wheels with a bag on the back, the wind in your face and letting go of reality for a few days. The smiles on their faces as they ask you questions about your travels and the envy in their eyes made me recall an old TV show from 33 years ago. The short lived, but extremely popular show in 1969-70 was "Then Came Bronson". I was 13 years old and the proud owner of a 1967 Honda Trail 90. I would pop those mufflers off and ride around the block pretending I was Jim Bronson heading down the coast highway to nowhere. After all these years I can still remember the excitement of Wednesday nights at 9:00 PM to see what Bronson would run into next. That show must have planted the seed for my enthusiasm some 30 years later.
The beginning of the show really summed up what we experienced on
our trip. The Opening scene was a busy city street...a
harried businessman in a station wagon at a stoplight: He turns to his left, where a young man is revving
his motorcycle, and asks:
Businessman:
"Taking a trip?"
Bronson: "What's That?
Businessman: "Taking a Trip?"
Bronson: "Yeah".
Businessman: " Where To?"
Bronson: "Oh, I don't know...wherever I end up, I guess."
Businessman:
"Man, I wish I was you."
Bronson: "Really?...well,
hang in there".
The businessman smiles and nods. The light changes, and off goes Bronson,
riding out of the city, presumably toward open space and the next adventure. Click here to see video of this opening scene. If you have Real Video click here to see the
2 minute opening of the show that will bring back
some memories.
When you view this and see the look on the businessman's face, you can
tell that he wishes he could have a little of what Bronson has. The man knew exactly what the rest of his day was
to be, but Bronson was riding out to the unknown. The show would end with Bronson riding off to his next adventure
with the song "Long Lonesome Highway" playing in the background. He also sang the song. Here are the words:
Goin' down that long lonesome highway. Bound for the mountains and the
plains.
Sure ain't nothin' here gonna tie me, An' I got some friends I'd like to see again.
One of these days I'm gonna settle down, But til I do I won't be hangin' 'round.
Goin' down that long lonesome highway, Gonna live life my way.
Click Here To Play
The Song
There are a lot of different types of riders out there. Here are a few of the types
you may see:
The Poser: This is the guy that buys a bike so that in social settings he can say that he has
one. He rides it twice a month to a bar just to be seen, but only if the weather is perfect. This is the same
guy that has a $30,000-40,000 model year 2000 custom bike that is almost ready for its' 500 mile service.
The Bar Hopper: This is the guy with the rigid or custom softail that rides once a week on bike nights
but never leaves the city limits. This
rider would rarely see a speed limit 75 mph sign.
The Day Rider: These are the guys that will take off in a small group and ride around the state
for a 200-300 mile ride for the day. They experience the open road, but not the freedom of all out travel.
The Traveler:
These are the riders that will fill up the saddle bags, strap on a T-Bag and head for parts unknown. Usually the
Traveler will stay in hotels along the way. But they get the full experience of the road and the excitement of
parts unknown.
The Iron Butt:
This is the strap on a sleeping bag, live out of your motorcycle, ride across country all day rider. They
think nothing of laying down 700-800 miles per day and then sleeping on the ground. These guys are the ultimate
hard core riders.
None of the above ways of riding are right or wrong. It is just the spectrum of the way motorcycles are used.
The aura around motorcycle riding is almost indescribable. The old saying pretty much sums it up: "If I have to explain it...You wouldn't understand! The trip we took to California was one of the most exciting and liberating experiences in my riding career. Take the time to get out on the open road to experience the feeling of freedom, to get alone with God and nature, to meet new friends you didn't even know you had or to just have the opportunity to say you are going to "Live Life My Way" for a while. If you haven't had the chance to do it yet, as Bronson says, "Hang In There", and don't ever let yourself turn out to be the guy in the station wagon!
Here are some links that you can visit that give you the entire story of
the Then Came Bronson show.
http://tulsatvmemories.com/bronson.html
http://www.thencamebronson.tv/index.htm
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