If there's any place better than this little corner of the world to ride motorcycles, I'd like to know where it is.

A friend is in the process of buying a new bike, but it's not just a matter of keeping up with the next guy. I've been thinking about it for some time now. Maybe it was that last viewing of "Easy Rider" that puched me over the edge; I don't know, but the idea of the open road, wind at my back and the tranquility of "the ride" is getting to me.

It's not a new yen. Instead, it's something I've wanted to do for years. Thing is, you don't have many good rides in southern California. It takes forever to get to open road and what's the use of a motorcycle if you're stuck in traffic?

I'm "working the numbers," as they say. Trying to come up with a buck or two here and there to kick-start my heart and get my motor runnin'.