The Legend of the Motorcycle

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On 1st May 2008 and without a moments hesitation we decided to head across the Atlantic to participate in a superb event that we had discovered via the internet the previous year. Back then information on events like this was not as widely available as it is now, so we didn't know exactly what to expect.

The 'Legend of the Motorcycle' was the most prestigious Concours d'Elegance show, unique in that it was dedicated to motorcycles of all types. Jared Zaugg and Brooke Roner conceived the idea several years previously.. In its third year, the event was staged at the Ritz Carlton at Half Moon Bay on the edge of the Pacific. For surfers this location situated in Northern California harbours the mythical and terrific Mavericks wave found in the Northern part of the bay.U

After a 24hr non-stop journey, we finally took possession of our hire van at San Francisco airport and headed off up the coast to catch the beginning of the show the next day. The weather was surprisingly cold and overcast, but the drive up Highway one and the views along the corniche more than compensated!

Eventually we arrived at the Ritz where we immediately sensed a bizarre atmosphere, this luxurious location normally reserved for a chic clientele, was completely overtaken by motorcycles and motorcyclists! All along the fairway huge trailers were unloading tens of motorcycles at a time, all of them absolutely amazing. Some celebrities were already there busy making preparations for the start of the show. In Europe we are not used to seeing such a quantity of classic machines all assembled in the same venue, included among them 200 motorcycles destined for the events auction. This first day ended with participants enjoying a drink together...

The following day was bitterly cold and covered by thick fog, but nothing could dampen our enthusiasm! 2008 was dedicated to MV Augusta and Norton. Former legend riders and mechanics of these two marques were also presents. There were just the right amount of spectators ensuring the event remained relaxed and enjoyable. The days programme unfolded and the judges judged before delivering their final decision mid afternoon.

I remember Vince Martinico's Indian taking most of the judges votes, and of course two young guys called Ian and Amaryllis, better known as Falcon and their custom machine of a different sort baptised 'The Bullet'. Since then Falcon has gone from strength to strength.

I covered several miles during the course of the day determined not to miss a single spectacle, then to the auction where the shear value of those motorcycles being sold was jaw dropping!

To finish the day an immense dinner was organised, we were all like kids around the table at Christmas struggling to hide our excitement. The day after our flight was waiting to carry us back to Europe, it had all passed too quickly and felt almost dreamlike...

Sadly this event is no longer held and I have never discovered the same ambience elsewhere. It will however remain a massive influence...

thanks to Brooke and Jared.

Garage Company racers

Amazing Americana by Jeff Decker

Before trucks, mails were delivered by motorcycle... cool job.

The Dream House,... inside the Ritz

COE Chevrolet

A few minutes of sun in the grey week-end, North Cal. effect...

OMG. Full of bikes

Yoshi and Kiyo from Garage company

Jesse's Low rider

millions dollars parking lot

Conrad a great artist for our next exhibition

Chillin'

Mr Kimura at 6am

The wave, Kiyo and the MV

One man show by Jesse James .

Red Fred Johansen

Paul Cox

Four Aces Cycles fine blue

The Legend himself "Ago"

Mr Decker

The judge,... Mr Vintagent

Starting time for Steve Huntzinger and the Dayton

Yes its a bicycle, and yes there's a propelled engine at rear...


More about the Aero Bike here

Mark Wilsmore Ace Café Boss

An Asymmetric perfect harmony

Young winners The Falcon family

The 1908 Indian Torpedo Tank

Vince Martinico winning one more trophy (4) of the day...gimme just one.

Red for Mv Agustas

this is not a chocolate medal

Handmade trophy by Hippodrome Studio

from Left Jared Zaugg , Michael Madsen (Mr Blonde in Reservoir Dogs), ..., Brooke Roner...,

Vince Martinico

Shad McQueen alive... after the big crash

Yellow for the Production racers

Time for Auction, a 750SS for 120.000$

one famous address

Paul Cox

Mr Kimura

Dr George Cohen and Paul D'Orléans

Pete and Kim's 30's singles

The Bullet

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Wheels and Waves

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WHEELS AND WAVES.COM

Following up on the huge success of the Southsiders evening at the ‘113’ in Toulouse, attended by friends from home and abroad, this year’s event will be staged in the prestigious surroundings of the Chateau de Brindos, a 5-Star Hotel located in Biarritz in the Basque country.

Our weekend begins on Friday 15 June morning With the exhibition
followed by an auction at 1.30 pm of motorcycles, classic and custom cars, automotive collectables and pieces of art. The auction has been initiated by Vincent Lassere of Bixente Moto with sales going under the hammer of local auctioneer Marie Francoise Carayol.
After the auction a small ride will be organised thru the french Basque country

the Southsiders evening commences at 7pm in magnificent surroundings, the stage of an exhibition «Waves & Wheels» featuring the work of twelve international artists sharing the Automotive and Surf theme, alongside a reunion of outstanding cars and motorcycles. Our friend and partner TBC Triumph, a Triumph dealership in Biarritz, will also be presenting a ‘special’ for the occasion. On Saturday after a ride and drive around the Basque country in France and Spain, a second party has been organised in partnership with BLITZKRIEG MACHINES




Fort du succès de la soirée Southsiders en 2011 au « 113 » à Toulouse et du relai international qu’elle a engendré, nous organisons cette année un évènement, au pays Basque à Biarritz, dans le cadre prestigieux du Château de Brindos, Hostellerie 5 étoiles.

Le vendredi matin l'exposition ouvrira ses portes à 10h,
suivie par une vente aux enchères de motos, voitures, classiques et custom, d’automobilia et d’œuvres d’art à l’initiative de Vincent Lassere (Bixente Moto) sous le marteau de Me Marie Françoise Carayol, commissaire priseur à Biarritz .
Suite à cette vente, un ride moto à travers le pays Basque Français nous permettra d'entrer en action...
la soirée Southsiders débutera à 19h dans l'univers décalé du chateau de Brindos, avec l’exposition “Waves & Wheels” d’une douzaine d’artistes internationaux autour du thème Auto/Moto/Surf, côtoyant une réunion de voitures et motos de collection et d’exception. Notre ami et partenaire TBC Triumph Biarritz présentera pour l’occasion une réalisation spéciale.
Le lendemain après une journée de randonnée auto, moto entre la France et l’Espagne, une deuxième soirée est organisée en partenariat avec BLITZKRIEG MACHINES.

WHEELS AND WAVES.COM

pasado en el «113» de Toulouse, a la cual asistieron amigos de distintas partes del globo, este año la cita se ha trasladado a las maravillosas costas de Biarritz y alrededores. La fiesta se llevará a cabo en el Chateau de Brindos, un magnífico Hotel de 5 estrellas en pleno País Vasco, en el que tendrá lugar una velada inolvidable.
El fin de semana comenzará el Viernes 15 de Junio por la mañana, con una subasta pública de obras de arte, motocicletas y automóviles clásicos, memorabilia y otros artículos de colección. La subasta será conducida por Vincent Lassere, cabeza visible de Bixente Moto, y el martillo será bajado por la subastera oficial Marie Francoise Carayol.
Después de la subasta, la velada de los Southsiders dará comienzo con las exposiciones de diez magníficos artistas venidos de distintos lugares de la vieja Europa, siempre sin abandonar la temática principal del evento; los viejos motores y el surf. A su vez, se podrá disfrutar de una fantástica colección de vehículos de gran interés histórico y cultural. Para terminar con el programa del Viernes, decir que nuestros amigos y socios de TBC Triumph, concesionaria de la marca de Hinckley en Biarritz, desvelarán una moto muy especial. El Sábado y tras cruzar el País Vasco por sus carreteras, hasta España y vuelta a Bayonne, en colaboración con nuestros amigos de BLITZKRIEG MACHINES, habrá una noche de carreras en moto y conciertos con Magnetix a la cabeza asi como varios DJs hasta el final de la noche.




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