The roar of a restored motorcycle. The sound means a group of Bakersfield bikers is ever closer to their cross-country journey.
"There are five of us," Jose Lopez said. "We are going to take a trip cross-country on vintage motorcycles through the Midwest and East Coast to see all the Bakersfields."
All the Bakersfields? There are four across the country including ours.
There's Bakersfield, Texas.
"Bakersfield, Texas is a gas station and a couple of trailers," Lopez said.
There's also Bakersfield, Missouri and Bakersfield, Vermont. The 6,500 mile journey started as a joke between friends.
"I made a joke about the one in Vermont and I think we were sitting in a café and some guy chimed in and said, 'hey why don't you go to the one in Texas,' and I said 'what are you talking about?'" biker Ryan Smith said.
After some research, they put the wheels in motion - restoring a fleet of vintage BMW's with simple tools.
"There is something great about every bike but I think vintage bikes just have character," Smith said.
Character, just like the band of bikers who some say are also a little crazy.
"Motorcycle trips across the US have been done before," Lopez said. "We're doing this for fun. There is no politics and no religion."
"Bakersfield, Vermont; Bakersfield, Missouri; and Bakersfield, Texas. It's just a big excuse to go riding and experience Americana," mechanic Jorge Gonzalez said.
While their destinations are set, the guys are more excited about hitting the open road.
The group will take off from the Bakersfield sign on Buck Owens Boulevard at the end of June. For more information, visit
www.bakersfieldtobakersfield.com
