Backroads With Betsy: What It Means To Be An Easy Rider

Its barely a week since we rang in the New Year, and the annual Easyriders Bike Show came back to the L.A. Fairplex in Southern California. With the shaky economy and everyone still mending their debts from the holidays, I expected to find a near empty venue. But I like to visit my many friends who are builders and vendors, riders, entertainers and writers, and show whatever support I can offer in these lean times. The good news is riding a motorcycle is an economical mode of transportation these days. More good news is that meeting up with friends is absolutely free. OK, parking was a ridiculous $9, and the door was $15, but riding on a perfectly sunny 75-degree day in January, is about as amazing as it gets.

With the worries that everyone has to face on a daily basis, just getting out in the fresh air and sunshine is a much needed relief. I was glad to see that I was not the only one feeling that way, and the Easyriders show had a great turnout. My friend Carlana Stone joined me on the ride for her first Easyrider show, and even though its just a freeway ride away, the route skirted the snow capped mountains the whole way, and the landscape was fresh and green from recent rains.

When I left my yard the aloe vera plants were all blooming bright orange, and ruby throated hummingbirds were darting from flower to flower. When I got to Carlanas house, the smell of the orange trees blooming in her yard was thick and sweet. My whole family is back in the Midwest fighting the sleet and record low temps; I almost feel guilty that this is my backyard.

My forever friend Qian (pronounced Chin) and a group of her friends met up with us at the event. And my friend Christina, who is a recent cancer survivor, rode over with her Orange County crew. My Cheeky Chap girlfriends came up from San Diego with their sexy apparel, and shamelessly flirted about. And my “Parts-Whore Customs” pal was abducted by my Cheeky Chap girlfriends, and I never saw her again!

There were loads of hot bikes, Hooter girls, rock and roll bands, and of course cool stuff to buy. The word from most of my vendor friends was that there was not much money being spent, but the good news for us is great sale prices! I bought a really beautiful Indian print wool and leather Easyrider jacket for $40. Wheeeeeeee! And found some of the best headbands ever, called Noginz. Finding the perfect hair bands is a never-ending search, so check out Noginz.com I want one in every color.

The biker club the Mongols were there in full force, and I was scolded for pointing my camera in their direction. Sorry, point taken. Carlana and I tried to go out on the patio to get a bite to eat, but stopped at the staircase. In her innocent southern glory accent she said to the boys behind me, “Would any of you nice Irish boys be so kind as to help me down these stairs?” And a group of Vagos scooped her up without hesitation. She enjoyed the ride, and joked around with the boys.

We bumped into my pal Gilby Clarke from Guns N Roses fame, hanging with his rockin musician pals. I also did my own subconscious inventory and scoped out the cutest guy at the event. His name was Jeffrey. It doesnt get more adorable than him. See photo below.

The Soldiers for Jesus were also present as they are at most events. One of them was the ex- husband of my friend Kathy who was there. I asked how she could let a sweet guy like that go, and boy did I open a can of worms! Apparently he wasnt always so sweet. An old helmet of mine has a sticker on it that reads, “You have to sin to be saved.” And when you walk past the Soldiers booth, you know they are representing exactly that. It would seem that it is human nature for us to appreciate the light a little more when we have known a little darkness. And the good news is that every day is a new opportunity to start again. Life is a journey.