Now that we’ve all survived the mania of the holidaze and are safely ensconced in the New Year, the ho-hum of winter weather has begun to seep deep into the psyche of us saddle tramps. Riding is down to a minimum for most of us, at least if we wanna stay anywhere near dry, and we start finding ways to divert our attention from the dreary, rain soaked roads. Instead, we seek indoor activities and take time to tend to our bikes in anticipation of bluer skies. As a means of diversion, folks turn to their hobbies and fervent sports junkies sit huddled around the television slinging about such verbiage as holding, off sides, and horse collaring.

My nephew Nolan proudly sports a signed jersey from one of his pigskin heroes and spews stats with bright, glassy eyes as he paws through his coveted players cards. The kid knows all the details, strengths and weaknesses of every member of his favorite team, and he is not alone. While spreads are discussed, bets are made and the Super Bowl is debated all across our great nation, and I realize that I am an anomaly. I know nothing about football, or baseball, or sports of any kind for that matter. In the area of sports, I always felt like an interloper. I was the skinny, clumsy, asthmatic kid with two left feet who wasn’t allowed to participate in athletics, lest I collapse in a heap unable to breathe, so I sought out other hobbies. Since I couldn’t run, I found interest in things that went fast. First it was horses then motorcycles, and now, long after other friends have retired their cleats, I’m still flying down the road on the back of my steel steed.

Consequentially, as we hunker down and layer up for the month of January, it’s time to look for indoor entertainment. Entertainment like motorcycle shows. For me, this month means an opportunity to check out the Easyriders  Bike Show here in California, the absolute Super Bowl of bike shows, and to see whose exotic creation might be the next dazzler in the bike building industry. Unlike my game addicted nephew, my idols are not necessarily the brawny type and don’t need to change their shoes in order to participate. My heroes are the folks who take an idea, a mere image in their heads, and turn it into a sculpture that becomes ride able art. While there are a variety of shows where one can see these works during the year-including Arlen Ness’ second annual in San Jose, CA later this month- the Easyriders show is the crème de la crème of builder’s showcases. With 16 versions scattered across the States, there is ample opportunity for most folks to take a stroll among the up-and-comers in the two-wheeled world. Innovation is the key here and, for me, an opportunity to meet such artistic and creative folks right there on the ground floor is priceless. Getting to watch as careers unfold is comparable to what sports fans go through with rookie players. Ya get familiar with and invested in their competitions as they climb the ladder of success and, in some cases, get famous.

Last year I was lucky enough to meet a young man who had entered a couple of shows with his first-ever build and he made big splashes everywhere he went with his very unique bike, the Slingshot. Christian Dotson, a fellow Texan, managed to make it all the way to the coveted Easyriders Invitational for the 2008 tour and will be making appearances on the circuit all year. I’m looking forward to scoping out his amazing ride up close again and maybe being able to talk to him once more before he gets swept away on the wave of fame and fortune.

The list of builders from my NorCal neck o’ the woods who’ve strutted their stuff at the Easyriders Show is long and impressive, and includes such artistic souls as Mark Bachman from Woodland with his basketball themed bike, Overtime, Carl Brouhard from the foothills above Sacramento, Scott Long, the surfer-builder from San Jose, and Kirk Taylor. And there’s a plethora of hopefuls yet to be discovered. Satya Kraus, from the coastal town of Cazaderro who produces amazing rides from a tiny 600 square foot shop and has other builders awed, is coming into his own. I’m anxious to see if he’ll be at the Sacramento Easyriders Show with his gnarly Panhead that took first place in the Radical Custom class at the Bay Area Grand National Show this past fall.  With the patented throttle/brake combo he’s manufactured, the nasty little scoot is steeped in attitude and originality. Brent Davis from Brentwood, CA has an amazing story to tell about his custom trike and I hope he’ll be in Sacramento to share it with his growing flock of fans. And the list goes on. As for me, well, I’ll be wandering the huge arenas full of motorcycles, collecting cards and autographs, and paying my respects to the greats in the bike building world. We all have our heroes.

To check the Easyriders Bike Show schedule of appearances, go to www.easyridersbikeshow.com or info@easyridersevents.com For the 2nd Annual Arlen Ness Bike Show & Parts Expo go to www.arlennessbikeshow.com or amthunder@integraonline.com For other events and shows, check out the calendar section in Thunder Press Magazine.