THE DIAMOND RIDE

by Larry Schwartz

President, AMA District III

The time had finally arrived. I was about to take off on a jaunt I had been looking forward to for months. It was to be the grand re-opening of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum at AMA headquarters in Pickerington, Ohio. No one could have had more anticipation about this trip than I. There had been few opportunities for me to take a trip recently. What with lobbying at the legislature for months and other business, there just hadn’t been the time. But now, the time was here.

As I packed my T-bag, the night before, I was thinking about the last time I had been to the museum; it was at the grand opening of the original museum in Westerville. It was a blast and the trip had been wonderful. I was hoping it would be just as much fun, this time. Of course, sometimes expectations are expanded by fantasy and then the reality never equals what you thought would happen. Would it be that way this time? Could the reality be what I hoped.

The next morning, after kissing my wife goodbye for six days, I attached the T-bag to my passenger backrest and hopped on my ’95 Triumph Thunderbird for the first leg of the trip. I had been in touch with Rick Gray, AMA National treasurer and member of the Board of Trustees. He and his charming wife, Gail, had offered to put me up for the night and then we would ride together to Washington, Pennsylvania for the AMA reception, dinner and Diamond Ride the day after to the museum gala.

I left early that morning. The weather was cooperating. Sun and blue sky. You really couldn’t ask for anything better. The cool air washed over me in a refreshing wave as I entered Interstate 88 west. I was off and running and happy. As usual, I began to trance out halfway to Binghamton.

The rushing air, the whine of the tires, the beautiful panoramic vistas along I-88 were mesmerizing. I felt GOOD!

From I-88, it was onto I-81 into Pennsylvania and then route 501 into Lancaster. I had decided to make time instead of loping along, hence the interstates. Nevertheless they were totally enjoyable and that wonderful and pleasant travel itch coursed through me. Rick’s directions were solid and when I arrived, no one was home. An early arrival by me. Just a while later Rick and Gail came walking up the street and greeted me. My stay with them was terrific. I didn’t know, of course, that Rick was a trained cook in North Italian cuisine. That was corrected that night with a pesto that was truly heavenly. He made it from scratch, using a mortar and pestle and herbs grown in his own garden. Very impressive. Dinner was fine!

They’re fine too. Gracious folks with a penchant for reading. Rick always packs a few hard covers in his bags when taking a trip. So does Gail.

The next morning, we packed the bikes. They were riding BMW’s.

Now, Rick is one of those guys who knows how to drive a motorcycle and Gail has the same excellent skills. Better than mine! The trip to Washington, Pennsylvania was one I will not forget. No interstates for these folks! We left Lancaster and Rick had already planned the back roads we would take for the 200-mile trip. That was some trip! I learned a lot more about riding the twisties and not at 30 miles per hour, either. To me, Rick is the "Silver Bullet". It was an experience!

Once in Washington at the Ramada, we hooked up with all the other folks who had come from different parts of the country to take the Diamond Ride. That would be the next day; 200 miles to Pickerington on roads selected by veteran AMA touring rider, Eddie James. But first, there was the reception and dinner that night at the hotel. Lots of fun, lots of talk and camraderie. It’s what motorcycling was supposed to be. Like minds doing the things they like the most, together.

The next day was bright and clear. The weather all the way had been great. This was no exception. Rick Gray would lead one group and Greg Harrison, vice president of Communications for AMA would lead the other.

Greg explained that all the roads we would travel would be "real" back country roads; all would be very twisty. That would be the first 160 miles. The last forty would be on I-71 when the two groups would be re-connected as one for the trip to the museum.

So, we began. Twisty wasn’t the word. There were 14 bikes in Rick’s group and 10 in Greg’s. That’s where I was. Every road was the epitome of a motorcycling road. Up and down, around and about. Switchbacks, curves and winding courses. Up hills and down dales. It seemed to go on forever. Adrenaline flowed and all those lessons learned in the MSF course about looking where you’re going, not where you’re at were more valuable than you can imagine. It was exhilarating and sometimes spine tingling, leaning into some of those curves and switchbacks. Above all, it was incredibly satisfying. We stopped about every 60-miles for a break or to gas up and they were welcome rests when they came. After both groups lunched together, we grouped up and took on I-71 to Pickerington at a snappy pace.

Coming in to the headquarters in that group, you felt your spirits soar. Everyone waved, gave you thumbs up and just made you feel welcome, even before parking. There were, naturally, motorcycles everywhere. Other Diamond Rides had come in from other parts of the country. There was a reception set up for us and we had already gotten our package of goodies including a one-of-a-kind Diamond Ride shirt, pins, patches, a hat and so forth. You felt the family feeling of the event as everyone had smiles on their faces.

The headquarters property was as impressive and beautiful as the advance publicity on it had predicted. Set on a lovely campus, the place is perfect for the home of this Association. The museum is not only impressive, it’s inspiring. It was filled with racing bikes of old and history to go with it. It’s big! There is so much more space for exhibits than the old museum had. The outside is wood so that it fits so well into the atmosphere created on campus. The inside is bright and spotless and there are plenty of items to buy, as well. The Hall of Fame Museum is what we’ve needed to preserve the marvelous history and artifacts of our sport. Every AMA member should take the chance to visit this venue. Diamond Riders’ money contribution was going to the best of causes.

Later that afternoon, after visiting the general office on campus, there was an exciting induction ceremony for those who have made important and significant contributions to motorcycling. Many racers of old were honored and then there were others who have dedicated their lives to motorcycling. 72 in all were honored with special medals and plaques. Well deserved.

Since I was staying with Terry Lee Cook and his wife, Kathi, I hooked up with him early in Pickerington. Quite a guy. He was on one of his several motorcycles that day; an ’86 Honda Goldwing. Terry, like Rick Gray and other AMA officialsk, owns at least several bikes, riding whichever one strikes him, that day. After the celebrations, we took the ride to his home in Mt. Liberty, Ohio. That’s about an hour from the headquarters. Would we go by highway? Not! With all of the AMA folks, motorcycling is a country road affair. It was a pleasant ride to Terry’s home, even if the humidity was a "10" on the sweat scale. Those country roads, this time, were mostly long and straight..for miles and miles, but never boring. Talk about farm country! Lush green fields and one could wonder at the fertility of the American farm. I was in the heartland and it felt, somehow, majestic.

You know, there must be something in the blood of AMA officials. So many of them are cooks. Rick Gray, as I told you, was an expert in Northern Italian cooking. As a matter of fact, he took classes from the most important cook of that class there is in the world. Well, Terry Cook went to Cajun cooking school with the greatest of chefs in that art—Paul Prudhomme in New Orleans. Not once, but three times. You can forecast the rest. He and his wife, Kathi, cooked up some of the best bar-b-cue meals I’ve ever had. Not just pork chops and steak, but cabbage made in a way that melted in your mouth, a split onion that was sweet as sugar and a seven layer salad that I can still taste, it was so good. Suffice to say, my diet went to hell that two days. It was worth it.

To say that the Grays and the Cooks treated me royally wouldn’t be giving the description justice. They made me feel part of their family. You couldn’t ask for more from anyone.

The next day, we went to the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Race Course for AMA Vintage Days. Here was another experience that defies description for me. Basically, I’m a road rider and not usually a racing fan. But this was something that is changing that outlook. Vintage race bikes from the past, along with riders from the past took to the two mile track that is replete with all the curves and straightaways you see on televised superbike races. Yes, they have superbike racing there and Nascar and anything else that makes time with a motor. Those old riders and those old bikes screamed around that track. From the early 1900’s on up, roar of Vintage racing shook the air. It was wonderful. What a sight as they leaned into the turns and raced out into 100 mph and then some straightaways.

The property is really huge and besides the track, has so much room for vendors, exhibits and a very large swap meet at which you could have found just about anything you wanted if you had a vintage machine. And the Vintage bikes were everywhere…I mean, everywhere. Norton’s, BSA’s, Hondas, Harleys, Bultacos and on and on. There were bikes from every country in the world, it seemed. A Ural here and and Amazona there and over there an ancient Triumph while an old Excelsior-Henderson hung out in another place. The grounds were full! Somewhere, sometime, I’ll be back.

And then there was the 1992 World Champion in Observed Trials. Do you know what an observed trial is? I really didn’t until this day. It’s an obstacle course. Tommy Ahvala did three shows that day. The obstacles were unbelievable. The trial bike itself was a revelation. 165 pounds and no seat. He stood all the time. He climbed buildings..stood that bike on end; did things you simply cannot do with a motorcycle except that he did them. Instead of going to the trial competition, I went back to see all three shows because I could not believe the stuff he did with this bike. How I wished for a camcorder!

Finally, the day was over. The AMA tent was constantly busy with hundreds signing up. Terry’s wife, Kathi was an enthusiastic staff aide with unending energy. When we finally wrapped up about 5:30 pm, it was back to the house for more fantastic bar-b-cue and a good nights sleep.

Up again at 6am and packed the bike for the trip home. The humidity had vanished. The night before had been very cool and it was a perfect day for riding. When Terry and Kathi took off for the track, I took off for home and eleven and half hours later, after a tremendous ride through Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York, I pulled into my garage. I was full of memories and the satisfaction of having renewed my skill at fast riding.

It was a blast. A blast I’ll do again, providence willing.

My grateful thanks to Rick and Gail Gray, Terry Lee and Kathi Cook and all the wonderful folks at National AMA who helped make my trip a remembrance for a lifetime. And all those pictures I took on a throw-away camera I bought while there….well, I guess those pictures will have to remain in my head, because the camera disappeared somewhere between Mid Ohio race course and my finale at home. I’m still praying it shows up, but if not, the memories will never disappear.