San Francisco Bay Area Community

[Ukin]

Speaking of the weather between California and the UK, I remembered how ready I was to up and move there a year ago when my Ex left for school. After spending all of September and part of October in London and making some trips to Brighton, I liked London more than any other big city I've ever been in.


A few things I noticed about the bikers there vs. the bikers here. Not too many Harleys, I only saw a dozen or so when I was there. There are, however, far more bikers. Many of which ride rain or shine, None of which seem to be RUBs who trailer their bikes to shows. I'd feel safer riding there than I do here, because drivers in the UK are used to having bikers all over the roads. Motorists know that at every stop, there's going to be a line of bikes splitting the lanes and flanking their cage on either side. Nobody there owns a bike because they're having a midlife crisis, Saw Arnold on a Fat-Boy in T2 and decided they had to have one to be the wildman they wished they could have been in their youth. The poser factor is far lower there.

British motorcycle magazines are, for the most part, better than ours, too.

Their cars, on the other hand...Well, don't get me started!

I used to live in Brighton..a nice town it was too. The actual setting for the Quadrophenia (sp?) film...the fight between the Rockers (bikers) and the Mods (Scooter boys) took place right on that beach front.

Yes, in the UK we bike in all weathers and I agree with the motorists..they do allow bikers room. No, we don't have too many Harleys over there, the rumours of breaking down is still rife over there..plus we do have, or DID have the best made bikes at one time, Triumphs, BSA, Nortons (my favorite bike) etc. Now it's all Hondas, Suzi's, Yams. I said on another thread, might have been this one..I wish we had your weather over there..or even better..bring our roads over here! The times I have hit bloody potholes!

 

[Ukin]

Re: Re: Hiya, Folks!

I think more than one of us are all for an after-party

I hope so..I hate partying on my own hahahaha..damn it..I have sex on my own...and that is enough

 

[Ukin]

Re: Bikes

I know that here versus the midwest, bikes are way more acceptable here. There you can't lane split....legally, and I have had a few cars try and run me off the road for trying to go around them. I have never had that here, had them try and cut me of when trying to lane split, but never actually try and hit me. There is this whole helmet thing but I am getting used to it. Also there is no real drag racing here, once I get the GSXR done I could clean up at street racing (if I still did that sort of thing) I mean I am a professional now and older......Aren't I? Besides it isn't the same here, I was a part of a film that is in post production now that revolves around motorcycle street racing here and it is way different than back east. It was a bone of contention....ahhh well what are you going to do? I grew up where speed was king...I mean speed may have been born somewhere else but it damn sure grew up in Indy. as to cars....they are what you use when it rains or to get groceries.....owend a few I wish I never had gotten rid of, but they are just cars. Here is a bike we built I wish I hadn't had to let go.

Nice bike mate....
Nice bike mate

 

[chromefreak]

CF...it's my next one....But I will think I will keep the Ninja too..I went on the Geyser Road area on Sunday...threw the bike all ocer the twisty, bending roads ..did 260 miles..and I will miss that, certainly can't throw a Harley around like a Ninja..well, you can try lol

You sound like a man who needs a Buell. Love the new perimeter brake!

 

[chromefreak]

I used to live in Brighton..a nice town it was too. The actual setting for the Quadrophenia (sp?) film...the fight between the Rockers (bikers) and the Mods (Scooter boys) took place right on that beach front.

The Stray Cats have a song called "Rumble in Brighton" Great Tune.

plus we do have, or DID have the best made bikes at one time, Triumphs, BSA, Nortons (my favorite bike) etc.

I'm all about the Vincents.

 

[Ukin]

You sound like a man who needs a Buell. Love the new perimeter brake!

I was looking at one of those..but to be honest..I do like the XL1200C Harley..even better, the new VRod

 

[chromefreak]

Bump!

So I'm wondering something...

How long have we all lived in the bay area and how did we come to settle here?

I'll start. We moved to Davis CA when I was 2. Pops had just finished Grad School at Johns Hopkins, and got a Job at UC Davis. His pay was off grant money for research he was doing, which expired 4 years later. Gave him just enough time to get a job as a professor here in the bay area at another school.

With both the parents being teachers, we travelled a lot during the summers when I was younger. I've been in 27 states and a few countries.

When I was finished with high school I moved to Arcata to go to Humboldt State Univ. Arcata/Eureka was a bit much for me to handle. I needed the freedom that came with moving out, but I always missed Sonoma county/the Bay Area. 2.5 years later I moved back here to finish school. I've considered moving to LA a few times, as the hot-rod industry down there is huge, but I think I'd miss this place too much. Every time I've left I've ended up back here. I was trying to find a way to legally move to London and work there during my long distance relationship. The thought of spending 6 years there didn't frighten me very much because we both planned on moving back here, eventually. She still does, and I am still here.

I feel like this is my home. I know so many cool people here, I love the weather, the geography, the population, everything. 45 mins. to the coast or 3 hours to the mountains, Etc.

My only complaints are pretty generic

1. The cost of housing

2. The Traffic

3. The lack of BART running from the Northbay to the East and South.

 

[chromefreak]

Re: Re: Ooo, Verge, how frank!

Please, couples..don't worry about laying anything on the line in my room..I will TRY to avert my eyes.

Avert your eyes? why should you? hehehe...Turnabout is fair play, and they've already all seen YOU naked. If its their turn to be the exhibitionists, relax and enjoy being the voyeur

 

[Ukin]

Re: Re: Re: Ooo, Verge, how frank!

Avert your eyes? why should you? hehehe...Turnabout is fair play, and they've already all seen YOU naked. If its their turn to be the exhibitionists, relax and enjoy being the voyeur

Never said I WOULD..just TRY *chuckling*

 

[Ukin]

Bump!

So I'm wondering something...

How long have we all lived in the bay area and how did we come to settle here?

Well, I moved here from across The Pond. I have spent 25 years (age 15 to 40) in the British Army, travelled the world, palyed both Rugby and Soccer in most countries, then 10 years with a High Street Bank as a Business and Financial Advisor. I am now an accountant with a Wine Compliance Firm, and loving it. The lady boss is English, so that helps!

Houses are dear..but hell, everything else is cheap compared to the UK. Gas over there, $6 a gallon, a pair of Levi's $60, CD's $30...

I love CA, the sunshine....

 

[Orwell84]

Bump!

So I'm wondering something...

How long have we all lived in the bay area and how did we come to settle here?

I was born in San Francisco, and then travelled hither and yond over the next 16 years, living in San Francisco intermittently during those years. I finally settled down here in 1974, and enjoy the Bay Area so much that I have no plans of leaving.

 

[Ukin]

Does tha know..people ask me why the hell I moved to CA..I look up at the sky..and smile. Another thing they ask me..do I miss the UK. Well, I do on some things..I miss the English pubs..so more female friendly than the pool bars you have over here, far more comfortable and more 'homely'..and I do miss the Sky Sports Channel...the soccer and the rugby. I do NOT miss the weather, the cold rain, the snow, the frosts, the fog..no Sir.I do like it here..all I need now is a blonde, with money and a house..who likes golf, sex and golf and sex. Is that too much to ask for? lolol

 

[Ukin]

Just thought I would give this a friendly nudge...where the hell is everyone?

 

[sufi]

California Native?

Not me.
I was born in Ann Arbor, Mich.
I spent childhood in Rockville, Md.
Went to Jr Hi thru college in New Brunswick, NJ.
I moved to CA in 1980.
I lived in Berkeley, Oakland, Hayward, Palo Alto, Oakland, and now Berkeley for 6 years.

Is there any interest in another get together?

 

[naughtycpl]

YES

We are interested, but we are moving this weekend, so if it is next weekend we can make it... if not, please tell us all the nnnneeeeeat details.

Later

 

[Ukin]

Re: California Native?

Is there any interest in another get together?

But of course my friend..but not this weekend...collecting my Harley and golfing on Saturday..but any other weekend this month..or next (except the 8th and 22nd-golfing again lol)

 

[Ukin]

Needing to get this back to the top page..lest we all forget

 

[on_the_verge]

Descry!

 

[naughtycpl]

keep us in the loop

We are here and all moved now so...let the trumpets wail and the party begin....or mabe just a nice little dinner gathering. LOL

Later

 

[Ukin]

Re: keep us in the loop

We are here and all moved now so...let the trumpets wail and the party begin....or mabe just a nice little dinner gathering. LOL

Later

Why not both? lol...dinner & the party sounds nice...all quaffing some of the falling down juice..then...well...I have no idea what comes next

 

[naughtycpl]

Cartoons

I was quoting, a cartoon character who said...I'm here I'm here Let bells ring out and the trumpets wail. (if I am remembering correctly it was a genie out of a lamp.....oooollld cartoon.) Anyway...why not both indeed. Mazola, visqueen (to protect the furniture), and pizza & beer. he he he.

Later

 

[Ukin]

Re: Cartoons

I was quoting, a cartoon character who said...I'm here I'm here Let bells ring out and the trumpets wail. (if I am remembering correctly it was a genie out of a lamp.....oooollld cartoon.) Anyway...why not both indeed. Mazola, visqueen (to protect the furniture), and pizza & beer. he he he.

Later

Damn. I hate being English at times..I know not your cartoons..or jokes..nor things like Visqueen!

 

[naughtycpl]

Visqueen

I may not have it spelled right but it is a clear plastic tarp, used on construction sites to keep materials dry from the elements...or furniture safe from the vegetable oil. LOL

 

[Ukin]

Re: Visqueen

I may not have it spelled right but it is a clear plastic tarp, used on construction sites to keep materials dry from the elements...or furniture safe from the vegetable oil. LOL

Ahhhh...know what you mean..but who cares if it's a hotel bedroom

 

[naughtycpl]

Let me tall you a story

About black cake icing and a hotel room carpet....naah, I'll let your mind wonder on that one. LOL

Later
More organizing to do