Easy Rider Revisted
I was digging through some old negative files and stumbled across this old photo from 1973. I’m on my friend Harry’s Yamaha 650 @ Short Beach Long Island. Harry died of a stroke just about two years ago. He and I rode our motorcycles from Long Island, NY to LA, California in 1974 after graduating college. (Click here for my post about his death) We had to do that “Easy Rider” experience before entering the “real world”. I went in the Army after that and Harry entered the job world as a salesman – he was good at that from what I’m told. We lost touch once I moved to North Carolina, but I will always remember that amazing trip cross country. It was a surreal experience to say the least. We were on the road for 2 months and I left home with $400 if I remember correctly. We got to LA broke and sunburned beyond recognition after riding the bikes through the Mojave Desert. Went to a Catholic rectory and painted rooms for food and a place to sleep. Father Finbare Divine (yes…a real priest) took us in and helped us regroup before heading back home. Now that is another story. More stories from that trip to come.
Harry Bichman and I, Short Beach, Smithtown Long Island 1973
6 comments on “Easy Rider Revisted”
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Patrick Keough
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KeO BLoG 
🙂 Wow!.. Great memories for you. I remember this story. Don’t we all wish to go back to the easier (or we thought) days. Hope all is well with you. Take Care and God Bless.
there are no words to decribe that photo….beers & bikes..i bet they are a couple of “Schmidts” ..i remember when u told mom and pop that u were going to calif…wow..that didnt go well…ter
…
Yes ter “Schmidts” it was! I was wild and crazy back in the day. No…that didn’t go well at all but I went anyway. I don’t know how they put up with mu antics back them. The folks were relieved when I went into the Army.
Good picture, I will always vouch for how well you behaved in the Army…….as long as I’m not under oath. We did have our fun while wearing the O.D. green uniforms. Keep in touch Spec 5 Keough. Later Niigii. Ozaawaakook
We had so much fun and learned so much during our time serving our country Gerry. Retirement is just around the corner and your old army buddy is going to plan a trip to the north country to visit. That’s a promise!
😀