Recently, I presented this project for my Documentary Photography final. Printed as diptychs, with text on one side and the portrait on the other, the layout was originally intended to be grid-like. However, after putting up my 16″x12″ prints, I realized that this was not the best decision. Arranged in multiple rows, not all the photos were at eye-level, making some more difficult to read. Ideally, as my professor and peer(s) suggested, a book format would be best. Being able to take in each photo and the individual’s story is such a wonderful experience. Yet it was also really neat to be able to view all the bikers at once as you could really notice the character variation.
Since 1993 – I was 16. I was always interested in bikes, and I’m a part-time auto mechanic. Also like doing lots of off-roading.
I think the adrenaline is great, off and on road. We’ll go on a hike, to the end of Silverado sometimes, or Lake Elsinore.
I rebuilt my first engine on a Mazda B2100, on a Fiat too. This is my friend’s bike. I like the design of Ninjas. I have a Thunderbird now – no bike – and I’m going crazy without one! My son wants a Harley though. My little girl already knows she wants a purple Harley too.
I ride horses too; just going by the saying “Ride to live, live to ride.”
I haven’t been going to bike shows ’cause I do more truck shows. I make custom truck beds.
I was 61, and I never owned a Harley. Got lost in Modesto, couldn’t find where I was supposed to go, and saw Hog Shop. I went in, saw this bike, and said, “God, that’s a Road King!” I asked the guy how much and said, “I’ll buy it!”
I rode small Hondas before, but Harleys are heavy. I had a bit of trouble when I first started riding it down to Modesto – wasn’t used to the weight and was swerving a bit – but by the time I got down here, I got the hang of it.
I wanted to put a skull and crossbones on there, but I ended up just liking the cross. I’m not a dead man yet.
Just the freedom of it – when you have lots of stuff on your mind, you have to concentrate on the bike, so you let things go for a while. It’s kind of a Zen thing.
I’m having a guy make the fender with Marilyn Monroe on it, and purple and pink flames along the side.
About 20 years ago, a buddy of mine got an Indian. He helped me, trained me.
Then I liked the Japanese bikes. They don’t break down like Harleys and Indians.
I used to do a lot of detailing – this bike I’ve had since ’07.
I’m retired now. Farthest I’ve been was San Francisco.
I like to stay away from the main crowds. Bikes have such a dependable, feeling of freedom. It’s an addiction once you get into it.
I’ve been riding, biking since 1965. When I was younger, I rode mini bikes. I like the way they ride.
I’m going on Ride to the Flag. It’s commemorating 9-11, ends up at Pepperdine. On the East side of the school, they have a big flag with all the names of those who died at 9-11.
In April, I’m doing the Yuma Run. It started about 25 years ago by Hell’s Angels. It’s a big run that ends at a prison. Of course, the prison isn’t running now.
Yeah, I was (in the military) in the Vietnam Era.
A lot of the American legions have a bike division – I’m a part of Los Alamitos, joined Post 716. I’m in Chapter 716. We do a lot of benefits.
I got this (bike) at Lifestyle cycles in Anaheim. I had a Kawasaki and got this – it’s what I ride most of the time. Usually nothing too bad happens while riding unless I’m screwing around being an idiot.
I’ve been biking since I was 8 years old. I started riding dirt bikes out in a farm in Michigan. The farm was my grandfather’s. I guess my father taught me.
My first street bike was when I was 18. I like the freedom, just being out in the open air. I like touring bikes. Ride mostly on weekends.
My longest ride was the Grand Canyon.
Harleys vibrated too much. My wife usually rides with me so she likes the comfort of the BMW.
The sensation is like a rollercoaster. I actually find myself liking going up by PCH (to ride).
Since I didn’t know about bikes, I wanted a classic. They made some in ’69; started making them again in ’03. I went to the dealer, got a press bike – which means someone from the press rode it around, beat it up – and that’s how I got it cheap.
I’ve always been into biking as a kid. I taught myself the hard way – falling down.
I’m a weekend warrior. My last trip was to Mexico – 550 miles. It’s like riding a bareback horse, but it’s fun.
I got this bike in 2001. I wanted to be different, try a new concept. I had a Triumph and a Yamaha. This is my 3rd engine. Wherever I go, the girls come.
My degree was in photo, mass media at Fullerton. Then I got into the Fire Department.
(My bike’s)a Honda, done the paint and stuff. Otherwise it’s all factory. It’s good quality; better buy for the money.
I took a friend’s bike from New York to here – I went for the 10th year 9-11 ride. We did 300-400 miles in a day. He had a Triumph.
I ride 2-3 days a week, whenever it’s nice.
Going to Miami for a bike festival. Actually going to Panama on Tuesday.
I got my first bike before my driver’s license.
I think this is bike number 13. Number 14, number 15 are at home. Number 12 is at a friend’s house.
This place is like a bike show on weekends, a destination to ride to and have fun. I usually ride to work past here every day. I’ve been coming out here for – since 2002, since I got my dual-sport.
I’m doing Isle of Man. If you don’t know what that is, Google it. I have a 1998 VTR, but I’m probably renting one out there.
The fastest I’ve ridden was 178 (miles per hour). At this point, (the Ducati) is my favorite bike ever, but I’m not going to say it’s my all-time favorite forever.
Riding is pretty much a last dash effort: if you don’t break a law or two here and there, you aren’t really living.
I started riding in high school, when I was 15 and a half. Back in 1978, my dad (taught me).
My wife, or kids, go on rides together. I use it as a daily driver, ride about 50-80k miles per year. I bought it May 20th of last year. This is my number 2.
I also had a GL12 Honda back in ’85. It was a limited edition, one out of 2000 made. This is a cruiser version. Always have ridden Hondas – all Goldwings. Goldwings don’t break in until about 100k. This thing’s happy at 85 (miles per hour).
Next week, I’m going to Daytona Bike Week, starting from Napa.
I was in the Army in 1984. I also do this ride every year, on Memorial Day to Riverside’s National Cemetery – only about ten miles. It’s sponsored by Skip Fordyce (Harley-Davidson).
Also going to do a poker run over by HD in Victorville to Vegas. I take my camera, go to Death Valley, and take lots of pictures. If there’s a lot of rain, soon as it’s gone, I’ll hit Death Valley, and it’s all color. Some flowers are rare; only bloom once every 4, 5 years. You have to go hiking to see those. I like that.
Quite honestly, I started this project with some presumptions and plenty of ignorance about bikes in general. Twenty-three bikers or so later, I have had gratifyingly eye-opening experiences, and I cannot wait to see where this project takes me next.