Ride With Norman Reedus – The Keys with Peter Fonda

By starrymag | July 19, 2016

By: Jennifer Vintzileos

 

With five great episodes under his belt, Norman has saved the best for last: a ride with the original Easy Rider Peter Fonda. Their ride this week was one for the books, as they started on the West coast of Florida in Naples, through the Everglades to Miami, heading all the way down to Mile Marker 0 in Key West. Here’s to hoping Norman films a second season of this show, so let’s get to it!

 

Day 1:

 

Norman is in Naples, Florida to meet with Peter Fonda, best known for his work in Easy Rider. While they did work together in Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day, it is Fonda’s penchant for the motorcycle that leaves Reedus filled with glee about this ride. Because Fonda is, after all, one of Norman’s idols, going so far as to say “if it weren’t for Peter Fonda, I might have never gotten on a bike in the first place.”

 

Starting off by meeting up at Joe’s Diner in Naples, Fonda shares stories of living in Key West during the 70s and 80s, mentioning how he had hoped they would meet up with Benjamin “Dink” Bruce, a friend of Fonda whose father was friends with author Ernest Hemingway.

 

When finished at Joe’s, Norman and Fonda head off to their bikes, Norman on his Triumph Tiger 800 XC and Fonda on his Thunderbird Storm. Getting on the bikes, the first stop on their trip is to visit the Tamiami Tyrants in Naples, known for their work on rare vintage Harleys. The guys at Tamiami Tyrants recommend that Norman and Fonda head to Joanie’s to eat on their way across the state, even going so far as going on a ride to lead the way before heading back to the shop.

 

At Joanie’s Blue Crab Café in Ochopee, the guys try out the local fare. Both Norman and Fonda requesting the “Swamp Combo,” we watch Norman try frog’s legs and gator nuggets, a first for him. And yes, the frog’s legs do taste just like chicken. After their meal, due to a recommendation of something to see along their roadtrip through the Everglades, is a stop to see Mr. Lucky Cole.

 

Lucky Cole is better known for his photography of women, which Norman and Fonda cannot turn down. Once there, Lucky and his wife Maureen take the guys on a tour of the compound, explaining how many come to Lucky to get their pictures taken, especially women.

 

Day 2:

 

With the Everglades behind them, Norman and Fonda make their way into Miami, Florida for the second day. And find themselves at Moto Studio run by Bruce McQuiston. McQuiston’s bikes are known for being “one of a kind,” pulled together from the classic bikes of Italy such as Ducati and Moto Guzzi.

 

Deciding to try out the goods, Bruce and his “frontman” Maximiliano Medina take the guys out for a spin around Miami and, ultimately, to Bruce’s home for some fresh stone crab. As they discuss how Bruce got into the business, Norman requests a custom bike before they head back out to their final destination: Key West.

 

Heading down US 1 and into Key West at night, the guys decide to go check out Rodriguez Cigar Factory. With Cuba only 90 miles away, it is a must. Rodriguez Cigar Factory was opened in Key West in 1971, and is the oldest cigar company in the Keys. It has also remained a family business. And while there, Norman and Fonda got a lesson in the process by hand-rolling cigars for the pressed. Once they are rolled though, it takes about a year before they can be smoked.

 

But the guys did partake in some of the goods before taking to the streets in Key West and, of course, running into fans during their walk. It’s hard for Norman not to encounter a fan or twenty.

 

Day 3:

 

For their last day, the guys start off with lunch at Hogfish and running into some fellow riders before heading to Mile Marker 0 to meet with Benjamin “Dink” Bruce for some fishing. During fishing, “Dink” shares some family history about how his father was Hemingway’s “right hand man.”

 

Later, as the three sit down to rum & ginger ale cocktails in Salute!, Fonda shares how he got into bikes. And it’s as simple as the fact that his father was against them, therefore he gravitated towards them. Listening to his idol, Norman shares how while he loves riding, hearing the rumble of a fellow rider friend makes that experience even better. And especially being with Fonda, this trip has been special, because growing up, Norman admits he “wanted to be Peter Fonda.”

 

In his final thoughts, after riding with his idol to end Season One of “Ride with Norman Reedus,” he puts it best: “Life is a journey. It’s not about where you end up. It’s how you get there and who you choose to ride with. That’s what matters.”

 

Joe’s Diner: http://www.joesdiners.com/

Tamiami Tyrants: http://www.tamiamityrants.com/index.html

Joanie’s Blue Crab Café: http://joaniesbluecrabcafe.com/

Lucky Cole’s Photo Gallery: www.pbase.com/luckycole/profile

Moto Studio: http://www.moto-studio.com/

Rodriguez Cigar Factory: http://www.rodriguezcigarskeywest.com/

Salute!: http://saluteonthebeach.com/