Cliff Danger’s Bunny Teeth Ride

I write a lot about those that have adventure travel books available so that you can ingest even more than just one blog. But then there are riders like Cliff Danger who are not to be missed, those who pick unreliable bikes, projects filled with humor, and who take on world motorcycle travel as if they were born to do it.
 
In 2011 international photographer Cliff Danger decided to put together a motorcycle adventure based on the “bunny teeth movement.” The movement – 5,000 miles, a Minsk, and World Peace. What that is a lot to put into one movement, but as the website states, “guaranteed to bring smiles to nuns, bewilderment to engineers, and purrs to abandoned kittens. Bunny teeth photos make people laugh – and laughter might just be the gateway to something…”  Yes, he is talking about those little plastic buck teeth that you see around Easter, and with the holiday just around the corner why not celebrate with a story of travel, motorcycles, adventure and yes laughter.
 
“Lucy and I first met in Vietnam. We traveled together through Vietnam and Cambodia. Lucy was not always the most reliable travel companion, but we grew on each other, and at some point, a stupid plan developed. After SE Asia why no travel the rest of the world together?”
 
When Cliff first met with Lucy, his 1975 Minsk motorcycle built in Belarus and imported into Vietnam, he knew she was the one. Flying out to ride Vietnam and Cambodia, he was pulled to try and change his mind on the Minsk-many said a Honda was more reliable.  Cliff will be the first to tell you – his stubbornness is what made the ultimate decision, and in those 4000 miles, he says with love, “that old Minsk has been touched and reworked by a hundred different motorcycle mechanics.” She was an awful green with red stars, he took her out to breakfast and spray painted her black with white lettering – “Lucy.”
 
Why Lucy? Because Cliff thinks he looks like Charlie Brown.
 
Lucy and Cliff spent a good bit of time traveling through Cambodia and had a broad range of experiences – from the crowded Phnom Penh to the temples of Angkor Wat. He recommends riding through Cambodia and Vietnam. “Despite all the warnings, I never did have a problem with the police-I assumed it was because I was riding an old motorcycle and wearing a bright yellow suit.”
 
After completing his ride through South East Asia he put her on a boat that took about a month and a half to port in Boring, Oregon to start another leg of the round the world journey.
 
For more on Cliff and his photo from around the world – check out www.cliffdanger.com, -photo credits– Cliff Danger.
Written by Danell Lynn, Guinness World Record Rider – www.danelllynn.com, @danelllynn