Plans changed, and in a hurry.

Monday Night RAW, the WWE’s flagship show (and a primary sponsor of these motorcycling adventures), was scheduled to broadcast from the Pepsi Arena in Denver. This convenient venue’s close proximity to some very good roads is the reason a lot of the crew planned to fly in early and ride. However, in a move that surprised everyone, even the team owner, the Denver Nuggets remained in the playoffs against the Lakers. And game four of their series was scheduled for… Monday night of course.

Everyone knew about this schedule conflict before leaving Oklahoma City, but the agreed on alternate plan was to tape RAW in Denver on Sunday. No problem, right?

Wrong.

Just to stir the pot a little, the Lakers offered the WWE use of the vacant Staples Center in Los Angeles. The WWE, always happy to stir the pot, accepted. Now, the show, still three days away, was suddenly being held a thousand miles to the west. The bigger problem for us, Fiona was already en route, scheduled to land in Denver in a few hours.

It seemed like a big problem, but really, it wasn’t that bad, at least for us. For the WWE travel department, it was a certified nightmare, having to locate then rebook over 100 technicians, countless talent and deal with all the rest of the logistical issues that are involved with a WWE event, all in a matter of days.

Abi and I booked round trip flights from Denver to LA and back. Problem solved. The poor crew guys had to cancel their rentals, but we were already so close to Denver, Sleeping beauty was on her way in, and Mike already had his bike, so what the hell? Let’s ride, and worry about the rest when it comes!

Fiona landed, we scooped her up and raced from the airport to Mike’s house for beer and BBQ. I have to give Fiona credit, she’s gotten very good, excellent in fact, at traveling with one little side case bag and her helmet – no easy accomplishment for most women I know. And, somehow, she still manages to have lots of fashion options for evenings out on the town.

My friend Mike is a very interesting guy. He is also a freelance television production dude, and oftenworks with Abi and I on various shows. As sometimes, but not too often happens, working with people like Mike leads to a friendship outside of work. For example, Mike and I spent a day Cheating Death not too long ago.

Among other things, Mike is a pilot, an avid four wheeling enthusiast, and used to be a motorcycling nut. Mike hadn’t ridden in a few years, but when I told him about this plan, he immediately found a guy that would rent him a VStrom for the weekend, including delivery and pickup.

Aside for rekindling his riding passion, Mike’s latest ongoing adventure, along with his lovely wife Ingrid, is parenthood. A little over a year ago, Mike and Ingrid welcomed their son Lucas into the world.

Why Do These Kind Of Pictures Make Me Nervous?

Realizing the beer supply was low, we took a walk to the store to restock.

Another problem solved, and we spent the night emptying the carriage and laughing.

The next morning, after a customary breakfast of Tylenol and a group shot, we geared up and headed out once again, the mountain town of Steamboat Springs in our sights.

On the way out, Mike made a quick detour to show us the fun toys in his airplane hanger, nicknamed Mike’s Man Cave.

An unassuming looking place, Mike’s Man Cave is probably the only place in the world you can find a working experimental airplane, a ready-to-destroy Toyota 4×4, a unicycle with a flat tire and a spray booth all under one roof.

Is This Foreshadowing More Fun For Another Day?

Outside the Man Cave, we mounted up. Before climbing on the back of Rain Cloud Follows, Sleeping Beauty cracked up, saying, “Look at you three on those big bikes! You guys look like… Team Tiptoe!”

Ha. Ha. Ha. Very funny!

Finally, Team Tiptoe was on its way to Steamboat.

We enjoyed swirling through some fine Colorado back roads, a welcome change after the curve-challenged straightness of the past two days. Any worries I might have had about Mike’s riding rust were quickly erased, as he led us on a fantastic tour of his home state. The relaxing mindset that can only come from tearing through sweeping corner after sweeping corner soon settled over Team Tiptoe.

And then, another tragedy struck. Who would think that on a motorcycle trip, the most grievous injury of the week would happen at, of all places, lunch?

Part III – HERE!

Author: frenchy