OUR CHRISTMAS TREE (WHAT'S LEFT OF IT AFTER THE CAT DESTROYED IT...)
Between work, the holidays, icy mornings and the weather in general, I have not had much time to get some “wind-in-my-face” therapy over the past few weeks. And, I’m going nuts. OK, those who know me say I did that years ago, but you all know what I mean.
Not having any rides to write about, and no pictures of naked women to post, I thought I’d tell you about one of my Christmas presents. Yes, I did get a few lumps of coal this year.
Not having any rides to write about, and no pictures of naked women to post, I thought I’d tell you about one of my Christmas presents. Yes, I did get a few lumps of coal this year.
Erin’s brother had asked me what I wanted for Christmas, and I said I’d like a DVD of “Then Came Bronson”, since I had seen it for sale on Amazon a few months back. I’ve mentioned in some of my other stories that I have always wanted to travel the country, and when I discovered motorcycles, I knew that was how I wanted to travel. “Bronson” was probably the reason for it.
For those of you who (unlike me) are too young to remember, “Bronson” was a “Movie of the Week” on NBC starring Michael Parks as Jim Bronson, and aired March 24, 1969. The movie was actually produced before “Easy Rider”, and with the success of Easy Rider (released July of 1969), NBC adapted the movie to a one-hour TV show in 1969-70, hoping to cash in on the popularity of Easy Rider. The show was much the same as “Route 66”, but instead of two guys driving a Corvette, “Bronson” rode a red 1969 XLH900c Sportster, which he bought from his friend’s widow after his friend (a very young Martin Sheen)committed suicide. A young, ambitious journalist, Bronson realigns his priorities and trades the rat race for a life on the road. The show centered on his adventures and encounters as he rode across the country. The show aired 26 episodes before it was cancelled, but has become a cult favorite. Like all old TV shows, the plots are thin, the acting is bad and the stunts are pretty lame…but this show, like “Route 66”, is one I could watch over and over.
 MICHAEL PARKS AS JIM BRONSON |  BRONSON'S 1969 XLH900C SPORTSTER |
Michael Parks sang theme song of the show, “Long Lonesome Highway”; and performed the soundtrack song “Wayfaring Stranger” with (also very young) co-star Bonnie Bedelia (Die Hard, Heart Like a Wheel, and the TV show Parenthood).
The Sportster from the show has even on display at the Harley Davidson Museum in Milwaukee.
The Sportster from the show has even on display at the Harley Davidson Museum in Milwaukee.
 RIDIN' ON THE BEACH! |  SETTING UP AT THE HARLEY-DAVIDSON MUSEUM |
 BONNIE BEDELIA THEN...(see? I DID gert a naked lady pic in here!!!) |  ...AND NOW |
I know there are a ton of shows about bikers, being on the road, and crossing the country in search of some Holy Grail (and I don’t mean just the Monty Python movie); but this show is the one that gave me my love for Harleys and the open road.
Finally, thanks to all of you who have followed my website this past year---more posts and stories are coming next year, so stay tuned! Have a great New year, be safe, and always keep the wind in your face!
Finally, thanks to all of you who have followed my website this past year---more posts and stories are coming next year, so stay tuned! Have a great New year, be safe, and always keep the wind in your face!