Ups And Downs

UPS AND DOWNS

ROUNDUP

UP: To Minnesota Congressman James Oberstar and West Virginia Senator Jay Rockefeller, both of whom want to make sure that America’s riders and drivers have attractive alternatives to interstate-highway travel. Both men, an American Motorcyclist Association report says, are in support of a nation-wide system of “Scenic Byways.” The proposed plan of designated backroads came about as a result of a 1986 study for the President’s Commission on Americans, which showed that nearly half of all American adults enjoy driving as a favorite recreational pastime. Among the report’s findings was, “Scenic country roads should be collected and treasured . . . they lead to places that soothe the cares of increasingly hectic lifestyles.”

Kind of restores your faith in government, doesn’t it?

UP: To Englishman Chris Reed, who, after graduating from high school, didn’t want to begin a lifetime of work and didn’t want to attend university. So he toiled for two years as a dispatch rider in London, saved about $ 14,000, bought a Elonda XL500, fitted it with a ninegallon fuel tank, loaded the bike with the things he thought he’d need and set off around the world.

That was in 1984. Since then Reed, of Hullbridge, Essex, has measured his travels not by miles, but by birthdays: He turned 21 at Africa’s Victoria Falls; 22 on China’s Great Wall; 23 in Sydney, Australia; 24 in Brazil and 25 in Canada. He’s eaten iguana, been shot at, suffered countless flat tires and had his bike totally rebuilt four times. “I’ve been having a great time,” he says, “the rest of life will seem tame.”

UP: To Lois Wageck, who has started an organization called Motorcycle Bed and Breakfast for riders who would like to wind up a day of traveling with a stay at an establishment that welcomes motorcyclists. The group’s $ 15 yearly membership fee includes the Motorcycle Bed and Breakfast Directory, a by-state list of motels and hotels, bed-and-breakfast inns and “homestays” (lodging in the homes of other riders) that is updated three times a year. Wageck, who started the organization because, “After a day of riding, I wanted to end the day with the camaraderie of motorcycle people,” envisions a whole network of such stopping places across the USA. Those interested in joining can contact the group at (303) 671-6927.

DOWN: To Maurice Cohen, a beauty salon operator, who, reported the San Francisco Chronicle recently, was appointed the official hairdresser of the Virginia Slims tennis tournament. Among Cohen’s hair recommendations was a gem about sweatbands, which, he said, “can be very attractive, as long as the women don’t look like motorcycle riders.”

Maurice, stick to tress-tending instead of passing judgment on America’s female motorcyclists.

UP: To the hundreds of Cycle World readers who responded to the “What’s wrong?” Up Front column in the May issue calling for solutions to the hurdles that face the sport of motorcycling today. The results are in the process of being tallied; look for an update in the August’s Up Front.