Joy Ride

Auto show burns rubber

Comments (0) Wednesday, Nov 19 2003

DAILY 11/23-30

Jason Silverek

Check out the springs on John Catellano.

Chris Leschinsky

The master of crashing, treacherous waves enjoys a nice cuppa tea.

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Everyone loves a flashy car with a spiffy name. Where would the world be without an Autobahn full of Spyders, Mangustas, and Vipers? Cool cars will always be in vogue; a dashing sports sedan is more than a midlife-crisis medallion, it's a work of art -- and it deserves to be treated as such. So even though you might be struggling to get another 10,000 miles out of that '93 Geo, you can taste the good life at the San Francisco International Auto Show. Vehicle makers from around the globe show off extravagant toys in the "Exotic Vehicle Showcase," where Maserati, Lamborghini, and an array of other highbrow manufacturers parade their wares to an ooh-ing and ahh-ing public. Motor fetishists can satisfy their mechanized lust with exhibits of vintage, hybrid, concept, and prototype jalopies. Arlen Ness Motorcycles' exhibit will also exhilarate attendees, as will a special display commemorating a half-century of luscious Corvettes.

Come drool, dream, and curse the rich starting at 10 a.m. at the Moscone Center, 747 Howard (at Third Street), S.F. Admission is free-$7; call 974-4000 or visit www.sfautoshow.com.
-- Kevin ChanelTotally Tubular

SAT 11/22

Some guys are really into their bikes. Plenty of men in the Bay Area can be found hanging around in bicycle shops, tinkering with, cleaning, or even making their own two-wheeled steeds. (No doubt plenty of girlfriends out there are nodding their heads, rolling their eyes, or making their own bikes.) But ask yourself: How many of those guys are naked? If you answered, "Um, none, I hope," you'd be wrong. At least 12 biker dudes have posed in the buff with their creations from Ibis, Salsa, SyCip, and other Northern California cycling companies in the Top Tube 2004 Calendar. See the hunks in person at 2 p.m. at Gravy Wheels, 702 San Anselmo (at Bridge), San Anselmo. Admission is free; call 454-2949.
-- Hiya Swanhuyser

Breaking the Waves
Matt Warshaw's liquid launch

THURS 11/20

For centuries nervy folks have ridden surging waves on floating boards, pioneering a sport so thrilling that those who try it get hooked on the rush. Hawaii's Pacific breakers were surfing's wellspring, but it's here in California that the recreational diversion was transformed from pastime to near-cult.

Local waterboy Matt Warshaw, no stranger to the buzz as ex-editor of Surfermagazine, combined his love for tubes and swells with writing chops, producing two classic books, Maverick's (co-authored with Daniel Duane) and Surfriders: In Search of the Perfect Wave. Warshaw signs his latest, the comprehensive 752-page The Encyclopedia of Surfing, and talks shop with fans to the strains of live music from S.F.'s beachy instrumental darlings the Mermen starting at 8 p.m. at the Beach Chalet Brewery, 1000 Great Hwy. (at Fulton), S.F. Admission is free; call 387-2272.
-- Joyce Slaton