“Oh, the places you’ll go.”

When it comes to motorcycles and touring, those five words from a poem by Theodor Seuss Geisel, aka “Dr. Seuss,” ring in my ears. Using words and drawings, Geisel created changing worlds of imagination, of discovery and adventure. I like to think that motorcycles do the same thing for me, taking me to places I’ve never been, meeting people I otherwise never would have known.

Toward the end of college I took my first motorcycle tour, riding my metalflake-blue Yamaha XS1100, the “excessive 11” — think Nigel Tufnel in This is Spinal Tap: “These go to 11; it’s one louder.” My riding gear consisted of an open-faced Bell helmet, a pair of sunglasses and a heavy leather jacket. In case of rain, I had a bright yellow rain jacket, a pair of blue nylon pants, and trash bags to cover my feet. Ten miles into my trip, as the skies opened up and rain lashed my face, I discovered a few Essential Truths: One, if you’re going to tour, get a full-face helmet; Two, if you use trash bags to keep your feet dry, don’t buy the cheap ones — they shred to ribbons in less than a mile.

Somewhere between Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio, the rain gave way to oppressive heat. Stopping at a rest area to escape the 105 F temps (Essential Truth Number Three: don’t tour with a winter-weight jacket in the summer), I was resting on my bike when a Kawasaki KZ900 blasted into the parking area. Roaring right up to me, the rider screeched to a halt and jumped off his Kawi, words flying out of his mouth before he even had his helmet off. “Hi! I’m Ernie G. Witt! You like that bike?! I love this Kawi!”

And he was Ernie G. Witt. It said so right there on his belt buckle, an enormous brass casting the size of Texas proudly displaying his name. It also said so on his chain guard, an impossibly bright chrome cover with “Ernie G. Witt” etched into the metal. Ernie, in his late 70s, short and wiry but full of pluck, wasn’t giving in to the heat.

Originally from Pennsylvania, Ernie had been riding his entire life, “since about 12,” he said. His first bike was a Henderson, and he claimed he used to run whiskey from Canada into the U.S. riding the Henderson and an old Indian.

We talked for a few more minutes, but with a self-enforced deadline in front of me (Essential Truth Number Four: tight schedules and discovery don’t mix) I decided it was time to head back into the heat. I bid Ernie goodbye and took off, but a few miles down the road I saw Ernie again, as he blasted past me on his KZ, burning down the road like there was no tomorrow.

Some years later, I found myself riding my Norton through the small town of Nipton, a stone’s throw from the Nevada border in California’s Mojave Desert. Most famous as a stopping point for 1920s film star Clara Bow — “The It Girl” — who bought a ranch nearby, Nipton is an otherwise unknown spot on the desert floor.

Ducking into the general store, I met ex-Brooklynite and self-proclaimed exorcist Vinnie. Eschewing the clamor and confusion of the city, Vinnie had escaped to the desert to pursue a calmer life. And he had discovered his calling; driving out spirits who remained in limbo in the ramshackle cabins that haphazardly littered the area, making the structures fit for the next inhabitants. He attended to his duties seriously, an unlit cigar always in his mouth, slowly disappearing as he chewed the tobacco down to a stub.

People like Ernie and Vinnie are everywhere, but you won’t meet them staying home. You find them by accident, by the happy coincidence of discovery and adventure that motorcycling brings. — Richard Backus 

The LeMay - America's Car Museum, has teamed up with Ace Cafe London for what's sure to be a knockout vintage motorcycle event, Meet at the Ace - Summer Shakedown 2012, scheduled for August 24-26 at the new LeMay museum just nearing completion at Haub Family Field in Tacoma, Wash., and set for a June 2 opening.

The show, co-promoted by the museum and Ace Cafe London, will be one of the signature events to debut at the four-level, 165,000-square-foot Tacoma museum following its June 2 grand opening and will feature an array of vintage motorcycles and scooters including Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Indian, Lambretta, Moto Guzzi, Norton, Royal Enfield, Triumph, Vespa, and others.  

“This show will exemplify America’s love affair with the motorcycle just as ACM puts a spotlight on America’s love affair with the automobile,” said David Madeira, ACM president and CEO. “I’ve been a vintage motorcycle aficionado since the 1970s, so my focus is to create an unrivaled vintage bike show in the Pacific Northwest.”  

In addition to judged classes, the event will include motorcycle-related movies, a swap meet, motorcycle demonstrations, live music and a Sunday “Ride to Rainier” overseen by the Vintage Motorcycle Enthusiasts Club (VME). Attendees can also enjoy panel discussions centered on the film “On Any Sunday” and a slideshow retrospective with Ace Cafe London Managing Director Mark Wilsmore.   

“Our vision centers on creating a multifaceted event that draws motorcycle enthusiasts from all over the region to memorialize and celebrate motorcycle culture,” said Burt Richmond, vintage motorcycle & scooter collector and member of the ACM board of directors. “The Pacific Northwest has a vibrant motorcycle community, which puts Ace in position to become a staple of ACM for years to come. The Motorcycle Concours is open to all makes manufactured prior to 1980. This is a judged vintage motorcycle & scooter exhibition that will present awards for various classes.”  

MEET AT THE ACE A Summer Shakedown is co-sponsored by Ace Cafe, a London-based transport cafe with a prominent motorcycle & scooter following, which re-opened in 1997 after originally operating from 1938 until 1969. The August event will mark the first time Ace Cafe London has produced a vintage motorcycle event in America.  

Booth space is also available and can be purchased by contacting LeAna Reising, ACM sales manager (leana.reising@lemaymuseum.org; 253-683-3955 direct). For more information, visit www.lemaymuseum.org.  

ABOUT America’s Car Museum (www.lemaymuseum.org)  
State Farm Presents LeMay – America’s Car Museum, set for a June 2012 opening in downtown Tacoma, Wash., explores how the automobile has fulfilled a distinctive role at the core of the American experience and shaped our society. The spacious Museum with rotating exhibits is designed to be the centerpiece for automotive history as well as an educational center and library. The campus, located adjacent to the Tacoma Dome, also contains a 3.5-acre show field, theatre, café, banquet hall and meeting facilities. To become an ACM member, volunteer or make a donation, visit www.lemaymuseum.org. 

ABOUT Mark Wilsmore & Ace Cafe London ( www.ace-cafe-london.com )    
Injected at a young age, petrol and motorcycles flow through Mark Wilsmore’s veins in equal measure.  Early influences of revving bikes and rock n’ roll music began a lifelong love affair with the culture, clothes, music and the myths that surround them, making his knowledge and attention to detail legendary. 

Time passed, as did the glory days of the British Motorcycle Industry and the rock n’ roll scene, but the dream lived on and in 1994, driven by his passion, he staged an event to mark the Ace Cafe’s closure in 1969.  12,000 people attended this first Ace Cafe Reunion, which has since been held every year, attracting over 150,000 visitors.  

It was Mark’s vision that brought the iconic cafe, back from dereliction, to the point where today it is the world’s most famous and charismatic destination and pitstop for the global “petrolhead” community.  Visit www.ace-cafe-london.com.  

The American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation (AMHF) is proud to announce the 2012 nominees for induction into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. The names of 26 individuals, each highly accomplished in the sport, business and lifestyle of motorcycling, compose the ballot from which the class of 2012 will be selected for induction into the Hall of Fame.

"It's an exciting time for everyone involved in the process of selecting Hall of Fame inductees," said AMHF Board of Directors Chairman Jeff Heininger. "We are so proud of our nominees and their accomplishments, each of whom embodies the passion, spirit and dedication to excellence that exemplifies the Hall of Fame members already honored at the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame."

Located on the campus of the AMA in Pickerington, Ohio, the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame tells the stories of motorcycling's heroes and legends, and preserves the history of motorcycling. Hall of Fame nominees are selected from a number of specialties within two main categories. The non-competition category includes ambassadors/industry, design/engineering and leadership/motorcyclist rights advocates, and the competition category includes flat track, motocross/Supercross, off-road, roadracing, and specialty competition.

The 2012 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame nominees are (alphabetically):
Mark Buckner - National/international motorcycling rights advocate, past state coordinator for ABATE of Colorado, past board member/president/chairman of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation.
Rod Bush (d. 2005) - Industry leader as former president of KTM North America and member of KTM worldwide board of directors, former member of AMA Board of Directors.
Derek "Nobby" Clark -- Factory mechanic and tuner for numerous World Grand Prix roadracing championships and Daytona 200 and Imola 200 victories from the 1960-80s.
Ty Davis - Multiple championships in AMA Grand National Enduro, AMA National Hare & Hound and Baja 1000, 1990 125cc Supercross champion, multitime ISDE gold medalist and top American.
Skip Eaken - Tuner/builder for riders who finished first in dozens of AMA Grand National Dirt Track competitions, crew chief for three AMA Grand National Championships and an AMA Superbike Championship.
Jimmy Ellis - First AMA Supercross Series champion and multitime motocross champion.
Sue Fish - A pioneer of professional women's motocross racing in the 1970s and '80s, multitime Women's World Champion and two-time Superbowl of Motocross champion.
Louis Gerencer - Multitime National Hillclimb champion and past president of the Hillclimbers Association.
Charles Gustafson Sr. (d. 1951) - Indian chief engineer who developed the first side-valve engine that debuted in 1916, and is also credited with developing the first kickstarter.
Tommy Hays - (d. 1941) The dominant TT rider of the pre-Grand National Championship era who won numerous AMA National Championships in four years.
Jack Johnson - Multitime desert racing champion with numerous Baja 1000 wins, silver and gold International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) medalist.
Ron Lechien - 1983 AMA Rookie of the Year, 1985 125 Motocross National Champion, multitime USGP winner, numerous outdoor national motocross wins and Supercross wins.
Bob Leppan - World's fastest motorcyclist 1966-1970 who directed the team that set the 2007 land speed record for production motorcycles.
John Long - Bonneville Land Speed record holder, five-time U.S. Team member for Anglo-American Match Races, numerous starts in AMA national roadraces and Daytona 200s.
Dennis Mahan - Mechanic for numerous dirt-track, motocross and roadracing champions, first U.S Motocross des Nations team manager, industry racing manager and product specialist.
Rob Muzzy - Engine builder/tuner, crew chief, team owner and businessman with numerous AMA roadracing, drag racing, dirt-track and motocross titles and Daytona 200 wins, a World Superbike Championship and a Suzuka 8-hour endurance championship.
Don Pink - (d. 1984) Dominant 1940s competitor in numerous disciplines, AMA congressman, founder of the New York State Dealers Association and the NY/NJ Metropolitan Sports Committee.
Randy Renfrow - (d. 2002) Multitime AMA National road racing champion, winner of numerous AMA national races, and a consistent winner in 250 GP racing.
Jarno Saarinen - (d. 1973) Finnish roadracing world champion and the first European to win the Daytona 200.
Brian Slark - England-born motocross organizer in the 1960s, imported/built Rickman, Metisse and Cheney motocrossers and helped establish the Mungenast and Barber motorcycle museums.
Rodney Smith - Multiple championships in AMA Grand National Cross Country, AMA National Hare Scrambles and AMA National Reliability Enduro, multitime ISDE gold medalist and top American, third in 1988 FIM 125cc World Motocross Championship.
Gloria Struck - North American and European world traveler and motorcycling ambassador, Motor Maids member since 1946.
Charlie Vincent - Top 1960s off-road racing competitor in the eastern United States, ISDT gold medalist and AMA congress delegate.
Lance Weil - (d. 2006) Roadracer, mechanic, designer, fabricator and businessman, competed in Europe and the Isle of Man, and the founder of Rickey Racer.
Al Wilcox (d. 2011) - Life member of the AMA and the Mid-Atlantic Road Racing Club who flagged AMA races for 50 years (and WERA for 30), including 15 years at Daytona.
Gene Wirwahn - Credited with building the foundation for the AMA's government relations advocacy efforts, championed numerous legislative victories and actively promoted responsible riding on behalf of the AMA and the FIM.

In the coming weeks, six new members representing the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Class of 2012 will be elected from these nominees -- three from non-competition categories and three from competition categories. The Hall of Fame class of 2012 will be announced this summer, and the new members will be formally inducted into the Hall of Fame at a gala ceremony on Nov. 16 at the Red Rock Casino, Resort & Spa in Las Vegas, Nev., during the AMA Legends Weekend. Ticket information will be announced soon at MotorcycleMuseum.org.

For more information about the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame and the induction process, please visit MotorcycleMuseum.org > Induction.

Marty Dickerson on his 1948 Vincent Rapide, the "Blue Bike," at Bonneville, 1953. 

Two iconic motorcycles, Marty Dickerson’s 1948 Vincent Rapide, aka the “Blue Bike,” and Dan Gurney’s “Alligator Bike,” will be on display at the fourth annual The Quail Motorcycle Gathering , taking place on Saturday, May 5, 2012, at Quail Lodge Golf Club in Carmel, Calif. This year, the day-long event will pay tribute to the Evolution of the Motorcycle, featuring Indian Motorcycles, while also showcasing legendary motorcycles from the past, present and concepts for the future. 

The Quail Motorcycle Gathering , a celebration of motorcycling heritage and performance, will offer attendees a rare opportunity to view the world’s finest pre- and post-war sports and racing bikes as well as the latest products from leading motorcycle manufacturers, dealerships, accessories and lifestyle brands. For the first time, The Quail Motorcycle Gathering will feature a Superbike Class that will highlight famous GP racers of the past and present, paying tribute to the history of the motorcycle and celebrating innovative designs. Theevent will also feature bikes in classic Concours Class es . Complementing the extensive showcase of bikes will be an All-American barbeque picnic lunch and live musical entertainment that’s fun for the entire family.  

“ We are thrilled to continue our tradition of bringing collectors and enthusiasts from around the world together in Carmel for a day-long celebration of some of the most iconic and innovative motorcycles in history,” said Gordon McCall, cofounder of The Quail. “ With The Quail Motorcycle Gathering, we’re able to not only showcase legendary motorcycles of the past, but also spotlight new motorcycle designs and engineering innovations. For motorcycle lovers, it will be a feast for the eyes.”  

Featured motorcycles include: Marty Dickerson’s 1948 Vincent Rapide Racer (known asThe Blue Bike) – An integral part of a lengthy chapter of Speed Week history at the Bonneville Salt Flats, this iconic Bonneville record-breaker is a stunning piece of motorcycling history that is claimed to be in “as last raced” condition, with all timekeepers’ seals intact. 
Dan Gurney’sAll American RacersGurney Alligator Motorcycle – The legendary race car driver and builder’s revolutionary Alligator design is a highly innovative concept that features a low center of gravity and feet-forward design for more than conventional stability.  

 
The "Alligator Bike." 

To kick off The Quail Motorcycle Gathering, guests are invited to hit the road with their fellow enthusiasts and join in The Quail Ride on Friday, May 4, 2012. Limited to 70 participants, the one-day ride will wind through 100 miles of Carmel and Salinas Valley back roads and conclude with a private dinner. The fee to participate in The Quail Ride is $295 per rider, and includes a gift bag, lunch, parade laps at the legendary Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, and admission to an intimate dinner reception featuring special guest speakers. Ride participants will also receive a ticket to The Quail Motorcycle Gathering and an invitation to display their motorcycle as an entrant. 

Tickets to The Quail Motorcycle Gathering are $65 per person, $15 for children 12 and under, and include lunch and live musical entertainment. To purchase event tickets, please visit www.quaillodgetickets.com .