Ups And Downs

UPS AND DOWNS

ROUNDUP

DOWN: To Oregon Congressman Wes Cooley Sr., for getting carried away with his benchracing. According to an Associated Press report, the father of two-time U.S. Superbike Champion Wes Cooley Jr. maintains that he finished ninth in the world on a Manx Norton in 1962. Unfortunately, the record books don’t agree. Although he once finished fifth in an FIM-sanctioned race at Daytona (in 1963), the event only paid world championship points from 1964-65. An aide claims Cooley erroneously believed his Daytona finish “earned him points in the FIM’s ratings, which at the time would have ranked him ninth in the world.”

UP: To actor Laurence Fishburne, for sharing a positive motorcycling experience. Appearing on “The Late Show with David Letterman,” Fishburne credited co-star Stephen Baldwin with teaching him to ride for his role in the action-adventure picture Fled. “We have a lot of motorcycle riding stuff that happens in the movie,” Fishburne said. “Stephen and I had a great time filming it.” Asked how fast he went in the movie, Fishburne replied, “Maybe like 100 mph-on the track, you know, with the gear on, with a helmet.” Fast learner, Fishburne.

UP: To cartoonist Pat Brady, creator of “Rose is Rose,” for recognizing that motorcycles are fun.

A recent comic strip depicted Rose’s husband proclaiming, “The changes of springtime are all around,” while behind him, Rose transforms from a modest housewife into a boot-wearing biker babe. In the final frame, Rose announces, “I’ll be gone for a few days...”