| Author | Message | ||
     Mrbear |
Oz, The Cheese Curd Rocket, and the Harley on the Half Shell Before I tell this story, let me explain about Oz. Those of you on the forum know him as Doerman, or possibly Ozzy. Most people don’t call him Oz, and I’m not even sure he likes it. However, I’ve known him longer than most, and it fits. He got me into motorcycling, among many other unlikely feats. In the early 90s, he was in a different existential period of his life, and very Zen like. Today he is more grounded, but mysterious and magical none the less. I never peek behind the curtain. Oz. So let’s get back to the point here. Last Saturday, Oz and I were riding down Glendora Mountain Road, Oz in the lead. I lived here in SoCal before Oz, and I used to own this road. I’ve been away 5 years, and he has been here nearly 6. Now he owns the road, and owns it more than I ever did. Consequently, there was a pretty large gap between he and I descending the mountain. He was on Elbie (2003 XB9R), and I was on his 2008 1125R-CCR (the CCR a product of this story, and to be explained later). Before we started down the road, we had noticed a guy start down it on a Harley. He seemed a little tentative, but we didn’t think much of it; just someone out for a leisurely tour. Well, I round a corner, and there’s the Harley on the ground, looking very much like an oyster on the half shell, and the rider starting to get up behind it. He was on the outside of the turn in a pull-off area, and my first thought was that he had crashed and slid to the outside of the turn. Fortunately, what had happened is that he had pulled off onto the overlook and then dropped the bike. He explained to me that he had just pulled off when someone blasted by on a “Rice Rocket”, startling him, and then he dropped the bike. I think he had misjudged the slope of the pull off, which was low to the right, as well. It was pretty deserted up there, leaving only one realistic possibility for the “Rice Rocket”; Oz and Elbie. I helped him up, and then helped him get the bike up. He was okay, and the bike had surprisingly little damage; a day less than perfect, but not totally ruined. Once I was sure he was okay, I took off and continued down the mountain. I passed Oz as he was coming back up. I rode to the bottom turned around, and went back up. At the overlook at the intersection of Glendora Ridge and Glendora Mountain roads, where we stop every single time for a bull session (something that merits examination sometime in its own right), Oz was parked and waiting. He asked me what had happened to me. “I was cleaning up the destruction in your wake” I said. He was shocked, and explained that he had held back and given the Harley rider a lot of room, because he seemed tentative. The Harley rider pulled across the road to the overlook on the left side at a blind right-hand turn. If someone had been coming the other way, it could have been bad for him. Oz did not believe that he did anything that should have startled him, and I agree. This was a person who needs a refresher course, and we both hope he gets it. He was a nice guy. Oz and I solve many of the world’s problems up on the overlook, and we were now faced with the daunting question of what to do about the “Rice Rocket” situation. I am aware of no rice paddies in Wisconsin (although that could be ignorance, and someone on this list could set me straight). I do know that Wisconsin is very well known for Dairy, and nothing stands out in my mind more than Cheese Curds. If you’ve never stopped by a dairy in Wisconsin and picked up fresh cheese curds, do yourself a favor. I seriously doubt you will regret it any time prior to stepping on the scale. So we’re left with the Buell 1125R-CCR, or “Cheese Curd Rocket” – a moniker uniquely identifying those sport bikes that we love from Wisconsin. I assume that Oz and I have the approval of Erik in this. If so, all free stuff will be greatly appreciated. That particular Harley rider has no love for those “Rice Rocket” riders, but the notion that “Cheese Curd Rockets” are ridden by gentlemen is now firmly entrenched. No thanks necessary, just doing my duty. Well, if you’ve made it this far, you know about Oz, the Cheese Curd Rocket, and the Harley on the Half Shell. You are probably still wondering about “Elbie”. Sorry. I can’t give it all away. Maybe Oz will cough that one up some day. Or, you could try and peek behind the curtain. It's a semi-true story Believe it or not I made up a few things And there's some I forgot But the life and the telling Are both real to me… (Jimmy Buffett, “It’s a semi-true story”) MrBear (Message edited by mrbear on August 23, 2009) | ||
| Doerman |
I've either been serenaded or ratted out, I don't know which. I'm sticking to my story! I was no menace to the half shell Harley dude. I was a full two - count them 2 car length being him when he decided to veer off to the left on a blind right hander. Of course, I was quite busy negotiating the curves ahead of me and not looking in the mirror. So, yeah, MrBear is correct in the respect that he felt obliged to "clean" up after me. I feel a lot better being characterized as a CCR than a Rice Rocket. At least I got that going for me! | ||
| Geforce |
One of the things that home coming introduced me to were those fabulous little chunks of fried cheese that you spoke of. I loved them so much that after the first night if an eatery didn't have them...I left and went to find one that did. With that in mind, I am all for the CCR! Ozzie is a one of a kind, kinda guy. I met him at home coming and never thought twice about running into him again. Sure enough I had to take a trip to LA on behalf of the Army and I posted up on quick board to try and stir some Bueller's out of the wood works and he responded. My memory is horrible as it is so I wasn't quite sure who it was at first. But after a few minutes it started to click and we had a great time that evening drinking a great brew, sharing stories and talking about Buell and motorcycles. I just regret that I wasn't able to stay for the weekend and take him up on his offer to ride through the countryside and enjoy the scenery. So, here's to Ozzie! CCR! Harley on the Half Shell, and Buell for bringing us together and being able to share such fine stories! | ||
| Zac4mac |
Awesome short story Mrbear!! Asbjorn is one of my favorite people, even tho we've never met F2F. someday... You just made my morning, THANKS.  Zack | ||
| Junkyrddog780 |
Ive always wondered what our bikes were called. Now I know. Lol, thanks for the early morning wake up | ||
| Carbonbigfoot |
Awesome. I think that makes mine a...what? 1125CRCCR? I love it! | ||
| Blake |
Good story. But its not the cheese, it's okra. ![: ]](http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/clipart/proud.gif) Most folks don't know quite what it is or where it comes from. | ||
| Zac4mac |
Okra is what make gumbo what it is. Nothing like a jar or three of Texas Hot Pickled Okra!!!!  Z | ||
| Mrbear |
Hmm. So is Okra more strongly associated with where it comes from (I'm assuming that this means Wisconsin), or where it is apparently more commonly influencing the cuisine (the south)? Okra Rocket. That's okay too. For the few of you who know me, you are probably aware that I'm between Buells at the moment. In fact, I last had a 1995 S2. I hadn't been riding very long back then, and I just had to go try everything. My recent aim has been to get an 1125. However, on today's ride with Oz, I switched back to Elbie (03 XB9R), after riding the 1125R-CCR all week. And you know? I really love it. I'm really thinking XB at the moment. We will see how this all plays out, and I'll let you know. Cheers, MrBear | ||
| Lemonchili_x1 |
Great story telling Mrbear  | ||
| Geforce |
Little did we know our sweet beloved vegetable is an acronym of disaster... OKRA = Over Kill Rocket Attack OKRA = On Korner Road Assault | ||
| Socalbuellriders |
Now I'm hungry. Fortunately, I'll be in the heart of deep fried cheese curd country later this week! | ||
| Zac4mac |
I admit, I don't understand Okra in the context of BadWeB. I suspect it's something akin to a pair of Bass and a fairing... But I love the little things, sliced, rolled in corn meal and deep fried; pickled; in gumbo. Sorry for participating in this diversion. I must try cheese-curds.... Z | ||
| Bertman |
Ozzy doesn't just have to be on that overlook to help solve the worlds problems you know. Why last year he even stopped at Santa Maria Harley/Buell to help this gentleman out with some pre-production ideas. Good people.  | ||
| Blake |
Which gentleman is Mr. Roehrich? | ||
| Doerman |
Center... white T-shirt Walter is a heck of a nice guy, by the way. It really was a pleasure speaking with him that day. It is interesting hearing the story and choices made along the way to get this fine product to see daylight. The product is pricey, but there's no part on that bike that isn't top notch. | ||
| Socalbuellriders |
It IS nice to see companies still trying to break into production with uber-engineered bikes. I wish MotoCzysz had made it work with their Counter-Revolution engine. |
