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Bruce Springsteen's Motorcycle Broke Down So Some Jersey Bikers Helped Him Out
By
Jen Chung
Published Nov 13, 2016
Modified Nov 13, 2016
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By
Jen Chung
Published Nov 13, 2016
Modified Nov 13, 2016
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Yes, the two bald eagles stuck in a storm drain were a metaphor alert after the presidential election. But here's a more optimistic metaphor alert: Bruce Springsteen was stranded on a New Jersey roadside after his motorcycle broke down—and he was rescued by a trio of bikers from the Freehold American Legion.
The Boss's problems with his Moto Guzzi bike occurred near Allaire State Park in Wall Township on Friday afternoon. Dan Barkalow, 55, said, "I just pulled over and got off the bike and said 'Hey, I think I know you.'"
According to the Asbury Park Press, "Barkalow was returning from a Veterans Day event with two fellow members of the Freehold American Legion, Bob Grigs and Ryan Bailey... The three men tried to get Springsteen's bike running, but were unsuccessful. Springsteen — wearing a brown riding jacket and a red handkerchief — then hopped on the back of Ryan Bailey’s bike and they headed to the Original Mulligans Grill in Farmingdale. While the musician waited for his ride, he bought Barkalow and his friends a round of drinks, the Freehold man said."
"We sat there and shot the breeze for a half hour, 45 minutes till his ride showed up," said Barkalow. "Nice guy, real down to earth. Just talked about motorcycles and his old Freehold days."
He added, "Bikers gotta stick together."
Springsteen grew up in Freehold, which voted for Donald Trump. Springsteen, who now lives in Colts Neck, probably didn't.
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american legion
bruce springsteen
freehold
motorcycle
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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