Desmopro News

Ducati.net

This time of year there are a lot of “2012 Top Ten” lists and that got us thinking,  what was the most significant thing that happened in the world of Ducati in 2012?  Was it Rossi leaving? Audi buying? New models? All important and going forward these things will have a big impact on 2013 and beyond. But standing here, in 2012, looking back, it had to be Cook’s Last Ride…

For all his accomplishments, Phil Schilling was inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame last year. Those that knew him thought it was truly overdue. After all, few had contributed more to motorcycling in so many diverse ways and for close to two decades he set the gold standard for motorcycle journalism during a time when magazines had the power and there was no internet, no blogging, no self appointed experts. In the process he, and his friend and co-worker, Cook Neilson put Ducati on the map in America with Cycle magazines Racer Road series and that famous perfect day when Cook, Phil and the California Hot Rod 750 Super Sport known as “Old Blue” kicked the competition to the curb and left Cook on the top step of the podium at Daytona in ’77.

Yep, Phil Schilling did a lot of great things for motorcycling and especially for Ducati, but for me the greatest thing he did was tell a story about a Ducati with a funny front brake and the effect it had on him. It was called “A Satisfied Mind” and it was (and remains so 40 years later) the best motorcycle story ever published.  To read the rest of this story and for the links to Phil Schilling's original story "A Satisfied Mind" click here