July, 2005 

The Chip’s Run

Many thanks to Mike Lallier for all his time and effort in coordinating such a fantastic ride on Sunday, June 26th. Mike took us through some beautiful windy roads in Falmouth and along the shores of Cape Cod to end in Hyannis at the Chowderfest. Mike was also very instrumental in soliciting for donations from area businesses and getting Patriots tickets which were won by one of our members.

A Note from Andrew Hatch of the Chip’s House: We had 82 riders register and raised just over $1,000! Our residents were all talking about the ride past, they loved it, as well as getting to meet everyone at registration.

I know everyone at Chip's House is in awe of the generosity and big heartedness of the Manomet Mystery Riders and the rest of the motorcycle community. Please let everyone know that they are very welcome to visit anytime and we hope very much that we will have the chance to do this again next year.

In case anyone is interested, Molly's won the best chowder and Skippers was the best presentation and friendliest staff!

Huge thanks also to Mike for all his efforts and talents - I had so many people tell me what a great ride it was. I look forward to seeing you all next week at the meeting and Julie and I shall be coming to the cookout on 31st.  

Paulatics Restaurant Reviews           
by Paula McCallum

While in Laconia, we stayed in Meredith, N.H. which is just a hop, skip and a short train ride into Weirs Beach. There are a few good spots to dine here and one, I found, far under par.

It’s a good idea to begin the day by fueling up your ride and as equally important to fuel the biker. I’d recommend eating breakfast at Sunshine and Pa’s where you’ll always find a group of bikers milling outside waiting for a table. There’s a reason for this. The food is good, hot, abundant and the waitresses are friendly.

Avoid eating at places with an empty parking lot. That’s the first sign that a place isn’t a great breakfast joint. The next sign is in it’s name, for example, The Lakeshore Deli. After all, what does a “Deli” know about making pancakes? Our last tip off should have been its dirty empty tables or the fine plastic cutlery and styrofoam plates. Four of us ordered the “Bikers Special” which included 2 (cold) hotcakes, 2 (lukewarm) sausages, 2 eggs, toast and hash browns for $7.25. Ouch! Syrup, butter, filling the coffee urns and warm food had to be requested. I’d cut them some slack for their inefficiency, and large order confusion had the staff been at least cordial. Tina bordered on being hostile. What ever happened to the notion that “The customer is always right?” I don’t care if we just breezed into their town for the weekend. We are still paying customers who deserve the same respect which, I assume, is given to the locals.

On the brighter side, we also had a pleasant dinner at Mame’s Tavern that evening, next to Sunshine and Pa’s. It’s housed in a building that was built in 1825. The quaint rooms, antique décor and exposed bricks makes it a cozy place to unwind. The Mixed Grill and service were right on. Also, check out Karen and Barry’s Italian Bistro on Main St. They’re a little rough around the edges on service but the food is good and more importantly, they are biker friendly.  

Confidence In My Back Pocket            
by Sherri Palmer

I have ridden on motorcycles, tractors, garbage trucks, grass mowers, and bicycles in the past (you know those weird jobs as a teenager). Only motorcycles and bicycle riding remain now, thank God. Although, the bicycle takes a backseat these days, unfortunately. I have lived in Plymouth for 7 years now. Originally from the Cape, Plymouth is not much different.

About 4 years ago on a Friday night I walked to Woods Seafood just at closing time to buy some fresh fish for the grill. As I passed the Governor Bradford Motel on Water Street, I could see 10 bikers trying to park in two spots. (What I now know as a MMR Cluster “Jam”. As I walked by I heard “Mama Mias”, “No”, “Carmen Café Nicole”, “No”, “Woods Seafood”, “Yes”. I kept walking then watched as they drove past me once again. As I came out of Woods Seafood, I met face to face with a large biker dude. (Note how much time I had while they were dismantling themselves from their bikes.) He was a bit intimidating, but the “confidence in my back pocket” spoke aloud and said, “do you have room on your back seat?”, with a smile.

First, I had to get rid of the fish, and then suit up in leather. When I arrived back to jaws wide open in disbelief, it was time to round up a helmet for the newcomer. It is all history from there ...

I rode on the back for awhile, then got the idea that I should get my license “in case someone couldn’t get their bike home”. Almost a year later, I purchased a Honda Rebel 250, toted as the smallest Harley imitation complete with Harley stickers. Then, at Christmas, Santa brought me a Harley leather jacket. Now really, there are some things that just don’t go together. So about a year later, I went to Monty’s and looked at the only bike they had in their “showroom”. It was a Super Glide. A deposit was made and later transferred to a Softail Standard. Again this was a bike to get me by and gain my confidence in riding. I now have my eye on the new Softail Deluxe because of its classiness and nostalgic look.

I love the MMR because we are all made up of different shapes, sizes, genders, preferences, but we have one thing in common, and that is our enthusiasm towards riding for the fun of it.  

The Elusive Biscuit   
Anthony Andrade vs. Paula McCallum

On the first weekend of Laconia, we pigged out at the Yankee Smokehouse in W. Ossipee with Anthony and Amy. What went down was so funny that I asked Ant to relate his “version” of Strawberry-gate. (Note: He’s a pathological liar) And let me also preface this by saying that I personally witnessed the double-dipping phobia he exhibited prior to this incident in sharing his food with his wife!!! Really Ant man, you should seriously seek out therapy.

Hey, do you really want me to write and tell all how you’re not to be trusted to share anything with? And that you are by no means a cheap date, the way you can put it away!!! OK then, I'll be thinking all day and I'll try to keep it “short” as you put it! Talking about keeping it short, you mean to keep it short so as to limit telling everyone how you tricked me into ordering your most favorite dessert, which you talked about previously like all the way up there, then letting me believe that we would split it while Big Bill would order his own. Come to think of it, Big Bill finished his before I noticed that all the short cake was missing!!! You are good but you have met your match this time.

Since my return from that otherwise nice trip, this has been, excuse the pun, EATING at me. I feel cheated. In fact, I'm sorry Amy had to witness it. It was she who noticed and pointed it out to me in an innocent way (“Hey Ant isn't your side of that short cake leaning over a bit?”) BANG you were found out. That's when I realized that you had burrowed under the ice-cream and had eaten all of my short cake as well as yours!!! I was appalled and a glance over at Big Bill and what used to be his dessert confirmed that I had been a victim of a Laconia STING.

What hurts is that you laughed and could not stop laughing, then the waitress laughed too, everyone laughed. I laughed!!! The waitress felt so bad for me that she surprised me with a piece of short cake that I could call my own. Happy to say that our trip to Laconia continued on track and would turn out to be a good one, but I kept and will continue always to keep an EYE on Paula from that day on. I began writing this response to Paula but give her permission to print it and would welcome a response or maybe an apology! Anthony - The victim of the "Short" end of a Strawberry Shortcake.

“Whatever!” I respond to this absurd accusation (with biscuit residue still skirting my lips). Sucker.  

Disco Balls & Bikers                   
by Paula McCallum

On Saturday June 25th, I had the privilege of attending the nuptials of our MMR President, Hawk Hickman and our First Lady, Jane Callahan at the Fairview Inn in Marshfield. They seemed to have the whole affair choreographed; from the powder blue decorations, to a poem which Hawk read about Jane being his lovely butterfly, certificates of appreciation to the ladies who had a hand in making this happen, to a medley of dances which they performed for their guests. Fred & Ginger, I mean, Hawk and Jane then danced the night away at an after party they threw at the Elks Club.

As a surprise for Jane, Hawk had arranged to have some of the Manomet Mystery Riders come on their bikes after the reception to escort the newlyweds from the Fairview to the Elks.

Thanks to the more than 20 MMR who were able participate on this very hot June day. It was quite impressive to see the Model A riding down Rt. 139 with a huge bow on top and a sign on the spare announcing to everyone “Just Married” and then to see a stream of bikers in tow.

We kicked up our heals, to live blues music with “Than Smith” and to the rockin’ tunes from our very own DJ, “Crazy Eddie” Kelley, along with some of Hawk & Jane’s ballroom buddies. The night wouldn’t have been complete without a Cotton Eye Joe dance lesson from our President. Sad to say, I couldn’t keep up with his fast paced version of the Hustle!

I speak for all the Manomet Mystery Riders when I wish Hawk & Jane the very best in their marriage. May you both have many more happy years of waltzing and dancing the Rumba together.  

Become One with Your Bike               
by Sherri Palmer

There are a few different theories out there about choosing a ride. “Start on a little bike”, versus “Pick a bike and make it yours” are the two bits of advice I kept hearing. My vote is to start small, get your confidence, and then “practice” those techniques on a larger bike. After all, how can you pick a bike if you don’t know what you are looking for?

When picking a ride the rider has to be able to realize that the ride will always have greater capabilities than they have. “Ride within your limits” does not mean just with other riders but the bike you ride on. There are some dealers where you can have a Demo ride in the area if you are licensed like Bettencourt’s, Armanda’s, Dunbar’s. The best way to get a demo ride is at a bike rally like “Laconia” or at Demos Days at area dealers where the manufactures set them up.

If you really like riding for fun and appreciate safety, I would like to discuss 3 riding techniques that can enhance your enthusiasm for riding.

To become one with your bike the first skill is Throttle Control. After all, if you are in a forward motion it is less likely that gravity has a chance to take over. Practice “slow racing” in controlled environments (i.e., on a rider course or in an empty parking lot). When slow racing it is all clutch/throttle control, we avoid using the brake and are normally in first gear. The balance of the area of the clutch where the power starts to engage to the rear wheel (friction zone) and the balance of throttle will accomplish smoother skill development at lower speeds to prevent jerkiness in any low speed situation, as well as developing smoother take offs. Get to know how your bike responds. Have contests with your riding partner on who puts their foot down first.

The second skill is to look through the the turn. When approaching a curve, slow, then look through its furthest point while applying pressure to the handle grip in the direction of the turn. As the bike leans your body should lean with it. To assure full control, gradually increase the throttle all the way through the turn, your knees remain against the tank and always follow through with looking through the turn.

When riding with a partner, keep the two second rule in mind. Count the telephone poles on the side of the road. As they pass by your partner, count one-one thousand, two-one thousand. Your partner behind you is distant enough if you can see them in your mirror.

I can’t speak highly enough of Ride Safe of Plympton on Route 106 in learning these skills in the Basic Rider Course, and to continue developing these skills in the Experienced Rider Course. For more info: mike@ridesafeplympton.com