QUAIL RIDE, FRIDAY ~ Motorcycle Fashions

Ridden not hidden genuine '74 Ducati 750SS

While the Quail Motorcycle Gathering is one of the few prestige motorcycle-only Concours d'Elegance, organizer Gordon McCall is primarily a gearhead and not a trophy-hound, and considers it critical that the motorcycles we treasure are kept alive with regular use. While static displays have a certain charm, the sight and sound of 95 old and unusual motorcycles threading through the hills of northern California is simply unbeatable, and very sexy.

Laverda 750SF; an easy two-up ride

As I was fresh off the plane, Gordon was kind enough to loan his '72 Ducati 250 in orange livery, which had been prepared for the track, and lightly adapted for the street with the addition of lights and speedo. The matte-black megaphone was also lightly adapted, being the noisiest machine on the ride, but sounding terrific when wound out on the road. The handling was razor-sharp, and while of small capacity, it had no problem keeping up on the sinous roads of Carmel Valley, slicing up easy lines through the corners. I've owned many early Duc singles, and they're all great fun; light and agile, if a bit stiff for a long ride - but perhaps I'm not 23 anymore!

Freshly restored '48 Triumph Tiger 100

The lineup was as usual a crazy mix of old, collectible, innovative, freshly restored, seriously worn, and just plain odd machines. Craig Vetter arrived in his daily-ride orange trash-tadpole, a modified scooter which gets over 100miles per gallon due to its wind-cheating bodywork. He's created a challenge for similar fuel-efficient machines, several of which joined us, including an incredible home-made two-cylinder diesel bike created basically from scrap.

You meet the nicest people...

Highlight of the day, after the glorious road along creeks, under an arching canopy of oak trees, and out into the open rolling grasslands, was our traditional lap of Laguna Seca raceway, which my little Duc ate up and asked for more...wanting to be stripped of lights and allowed to run free again like a wild deer in its natural habitat.

...on a Honda Dream, at Laguna Seca's notorious Corkscrew

After 120 hard-charging miles, both the Duc and I were quite ready for the paddock...it to quietly dribble a spot of oil at rest, me to prepare my speech for the banquet!

Ducati Super Sport handles dangerous curves with aplomb

Best in Show 2010 winner, ridden again

The Harz two-cylinder diesel which was the basis of a Dnepr-framed special

Blue Steel, orange Laverda

Gordon McCall, master of ceremonies, generous host, amiable gentleman

No, this is an aluminum tank. Love the faux-painted fiberglass strip, complete with flies and a goldfish!

My loaner Duc 250; a sharp knife for carving canyons

Late 60s Triumph TR6 perfect for the hills

Take note, collectors: 'Loved and Ridden'. This 750SS is worth a small fortune, but the owner understands the reason the bike was valued in the first place - its exceptional qualities of speed, handling, beauty - are best experienced on the road, not the mantlepiece. Serious props.