Today in History: Evel Knievel Jumps the Fountains at Caesar's Palace December 31st 1967

While in Las Vegas, Nevada, to watch Dick Tiger fight a middleweight title fight, Knievel first saw the fountains at Caesar's Palace and decided to jump them. To get an audience with the casino's CEO Jay Sarno, Knievel created a fictitious corporation called Evel Knievel Enterprises and three fictitious lawyers to make phone calls to Sarno. Knievel also placed phone calls to Sarno claiming to be from ABC-TV and Sports Illustrated inquiring about the jump. Sarno finally agreed to meet Knievel and the deal was set for Knievel to jump the fountains on December 31, 1967. After the deal was set, Knievel tried to get ABC to air the event live on Wide World of Sports. ABC declined, but said that if Knievel had the jump filmed and it was as spectacular as he said it would be, they would consider using it later.

Knievel used his own money to have actor/director John Derek produce a film of the Caesar's jump. To keep costs low, Derek used his then-wife, Linda Evans, as one of the camera operators. It was Evans who filmed Knievel's famous landing. On the morning of the jump, Knievel stopped in the casino and placed a single $100 dollar bet on the blackjack table, which he lost, stopped by the bar and got a shot of Wild Turkey and then headed outside where he was joined by several members of the Caesar's staff, as well as two scantily clad showgirls. After doing his normal pre-jump show and a few warm up approaches, Knievel began his real approach. When he hit the takeoff ramp, he felt the motorcycle unexpectedly decelerate. The sudden loss of power on the takeoff caused Knievel to come up short and land on the safety ramp which was supported by a van. This caused the handlebars to be ripped out of his hands as he tumbled over them onto the pavement where he skidded into the Dunes parking lot. As a result of the crash, Knievel received a crushed pelvis and femur, fractures to his hip, wrist and both ankles and a concussion that kept him in a coma for 29 days.





Happy New Year!

Catalina GP, 2009

A short video, produced by OTW Vans, on Dimitri Coste's experience at the 2009 Catalina GP, the first running since 1958.



OTW Collection: Dimitri Coste from Off The Wall TV on Vimeo.

Wall of Death: the Ken Fox Family Legacy

A fantastic, artful look at the nomadic yet deeply intimate and connected lives of Ken Fox and his traveling family Wall of Death show. Courtesy of Benedict Campbell.


THE WALL OF DEATH from benedict campbell on Vimeo.

Historic Racing: a Retrospective Part II

The famed and fantastic Greenhorn Enduro, sponsored by the Pasadena M.C., and a true on road, off road, in traffic Enduro. They don't do them like this anymore. Enjoy:

Historic Racing, a retrospective

Been taken lately with the late great motorcycle racing venues of the 50s and 60s. There are many in the Great State of California, likely far more than anywhere else in the world. Enjoy this clip of the Big Bear Run, est. 1921.

Thank a Veteran

                                     Freedom ain't free. Thank someone who paid for yours today.

Nevada County Food and Toy Run 20th Anniversary!

Click link below for more info:

Nevada County Food and Toy Run 2011

Four motorcyclists wondered what could be done to help families in need during the upcoming holiday season.  They came up with an interesting idea and within a few weeks created an event.

The first event was the birth of the Nevada County Food & Toy Run and drew 90 bikers.  A responsive cord was struck with the Sierra Foothill communities of Nevada City and Grass Valley and today, the Food & Toy Run feeds hundreds of local families in need during the Christmas holiday.

Every second Saturday in December – rain, snow or shine – hundreds of spectators line the route to watch motorcyclists  (a record was set in 2009 with over 1,800!) rumble through the towns of Nevada City and Grass Valley on their way to the Nevada County Fairgrounds.   There,  hundreds of children and their families await in anticipation.

Every family in need receives a turkey or ham and donated foods to take home for the Holidays. Each child receives at least 3 toys and everyone celebrates with food vendors, raffle prizes and maybe a visit with Santa.

Each year the Nevada County Food & Toy Run feeds hundreds of local families and provides toys for kids who may otherwise receive none.

Benefactors

The Nevada County Food & Toy Run benefits many families and children directly during our annual bike run in December.

• Headstart
• Big Brothers & Big Sisters

The Nevada County Food & Toy Run is both a 501 (c) 3 non-profit charitable organization and an event.

All about a skateboard shoe...

Shared by Motorcycho:


Be A Manwolf Today from éS Skateboarding on Vimeo.

MattMachine's Video

A darn well made little flick. Hope you enjoy and it gets you out in your garage!


MACHINE from matt machine on Vimeo.

Throwbacks Thursday Season Closer, 2011 **Live Band**

**LIVE MUSIC by the Living Daylights!**

Throwbacks will be unveiling a new project that's sure to catch your fancy... drop by and see what everyone's buzzing about!

Paul D'Orleans: Interview with the Vintagent

Wonderfully conducted interview of the Vintagent by Pipeburn.

Throwbacks Thursday Season Closer, 2011

It's sooner than you think, this year's season closer will be one week earlier than normal:

Throwbacks Thursday September 2011

Check it out, you need to be here, This Thursday!!!

Team Sodium Distortion at Bonneville

This is what racing at Bonneville is all about. If this gets you, you need to be there in 2012.

Bonneville Report, BUB Speed Trials 2011

This tidbit from Paul D'Orlean's Blog, the Vintagent. There is no better report published on the Motorcycle Speed Trials.

The Vintagent's Report on Bonneville, 2011

Bonneville Report, BUB Speed Trials 2011

Got back Friday from a full week on the salt at Bonneville with the BUB Speed Trials, the world's premier all motorcycle Land Speed Event. Records were not broken, they were SMASHED as the surface conditions and weather were superb for record runs.

Two goofballs having too much fun in the sun:

How it's done, full time:

Denis Manning's Dual engined Norton Streamliner, the last salt rocket he raced in:

Brough Superior!

A tremendously fast flat-track Triumph:

Stuart Hooper's "World's Fastest Velocette" broke 145 mph!

Nice Record Setting BSA from Auburn before its record run:

Big Sid's "Lola"

Salty Sunrise:

The "World's Fastest Indian Trailer"

James "the Comet"'s James Comet, World Record Holder:

Team Sodium Distortion, featuring "Super Rat". Great guys, super fast bikes, good friends to have out there:

Troop getting schooled on how to go fast in a Land Speed La-Z-Boy:

Vincent Black Lightning at sunrise:

Bonneville Bound, BUB Speed Trials 2011

Pops and Troop are on their way for a week on the Salt, helping the crew from BUB Enterprises run the 8th Annual BUB Speed Trials, Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah. It's the world's premier venue for two-wheeled land speed records, as well as everyman's attempt at setting a record on their motorcycle, no matter the class. If you ride, this is YOUR event.

Your friendly neighborhood THROWBACKS will be there, lending a helping hand at facilitating the timely and safe running of over a thousand attempts at ultimate speed.

Stay tuned for a full report upon their return.

Art courtesy of fellow THROWBACK, Vorhese.

Throwback Thursdays: Reviewed

Click the link below to read the article.

A review of Throwbacks Thursday from back in June. Enjoy:


Local Event Report: Throwback Thursdays in Grass Valley



Photo Slideshow of the event:

Throwback Thursdays


The third Thursday of each month, the streets of Grass Valley thump and rumble to the tune of “throwbacks.” No, it’s not the name of a band, but refers to the “pipe music” produced by numerous vintage motorcycles of the bobber, chopper and club racer persuasion. They gather at Paco’s Tacos, 550 Mill Street, literally a stone’s throw off the intersection of Highway 49 and Empire Street/Highway 20 West.

Throwback Thursdays is the creation of Jared Wambaugh, a former US Army Infantry Captain and life long motorcycle rider. Part of his enthusiasm for motorcycles stems from the influence of his father David, owner of Paco’s Tacos and a life long rider and customizer. The Wambaugh’s tastes in motorcycling have tended toward the home-built customs that place function over form and constructed with hand built pieces instead of bolt-ons. When the idea arose of having a “meet” of some kind in the foothills, it was only natural that the bikes would be throwbacks and the place would be Paco’s.


Their July meet brought out about 35 throwbacks, a relatively low turnout owing to the 100 degree heat of the day. But the scoots were true to their billing: lots of hardtails, straight pipes and no-frills builds. A true bare-knuckled display of the metal and fire that motorcycles embody. Even though Harleys and Triumphs do constitute the bulk of the pack, throwbacks are not limited to brand names or countries of origin. Some of the bikes were vintage Japanese, such as a really cool hard tail Yamaha twin, a mildly bobbed early-80’s Kawasaki 4-banger and there was even a raked out chopper powered by an old Honda 750 single cam. Cool stuff.

The parking lot and restaurant make an ideal venue for an event of this size and the strong local “buy in” by the riders I spoke to make it clear that Throwback Thursdays is making a name for itself in the “Northern Mines” area (thanks for the history lesson Dave). Grass Valley may be a bit of a ride for some of you reading this, but stop whining and do it. Do it just once this summer. The ride is beautiful, the bikes are bitchin’ and you can grab some great Mexican food while you’re there.

Be sure to check out the slide show and captions for a better idea of what throwbacks are all about. Big thanks to Jared and Dave for their hospitality and to the Grass Valley locals who were friendly and engaging when talking about their bikes.

Until next time, stay tuned and upright,

Jack

the Philo Foothill Scramble

Here's a little video our friend Cris put together of the Philo Foothill Scramble. A killer 70 mile romp through the hills of Placer County in conjunction with Afterhours Choppers' Philo Beddoe Reunion 2011. Not to miss, it needs to be on your calendar for 2012.

Philo Beddoe Reunion 2011

Those who've heard need only show up to experience one of the chillest good times events in these gold studded foothills of Northern California. From near and far over a single weekend in August weary two-wheeled travelers converge on the little slice of roadside heaven known as the Afterhours Honkeytonk.

Not a public wellhouse, rather a private drinking Club, the Honkeytonk has fed and entertained many a thirsty vagabond of taste and intrigue. You see, Gabe and crew do not take friendly to your typical roadhouse clientele. Farbeit from him to serve up a drafty, frigid pint to a fringe wearing electric start land pirate, Gabe demands that his customers be friends first, and garage built vintage chopper freaks second. All other types (sportbikers, H.O.G. riders, and vespa drivers) won't even be able to find the place. That's right friends, the legendary Afterhours Honkeytonk, like those swanky speakeasys of almost a century ago, is not for everyone. It's only for the chosen few who know its locale, and can handle the weight of its myth.

If you're up for the time of your life, replete with the finest of spirits and the savoriest of meats (not to mention the most sumptuous baked goods this side of the Yuba), then head on out for the Philo, a family reunion where if you're friends, you're family. Throwbacks'll see you there!

Click here for The Philo on Chopcult

Flyin' Irons Bike Show/Horseshoe Tournament

A little event up here in nearby Nevada City thrown by some friends of Throwbacks. Saturday, 13 August, sign ups at 11, tournament starts at high noon. Two-man (term used loosely) teams, entry is $20, half price if you ride in. Half off that if you're two-up and same gender from what I hear! Click the picture or this LINK for more details:

Troop's Ride to Born Free -- Video

Courtesy of Cris. Enjoy:

Troop's Ride to Born Free -- Photos

Here's an assemblage of photos from my favorite Southbound Sidekicks. As you can see they're much more talented photographers than I!

First is Cris, who rides a killer chopped up Evo Sportster like a madman ninja.

Click any photo for a larger version, if you dare...

At the campsite in Big Sur, which we couldn't even see until the next morning. Who knew there was a river right there?!

And finally, at the show:

Billy's killer Triumph. Look at that paint!!!