Oops, wrong super-hero. Read on….
Motor Man and I have met some interesting folks through our involvement with racing.
One of those is Larry “Spiderman” McBride. Larry races a top fuel bike (motorcycle), and is known as “the fastest man on two wheels”. He was the “first in the fives”, meaning he was the first person to drive a bike down a quarter mile track in the five second bracket.
This is an image I found online of Larry on his bike.
I never knew until recently how he got the nickname “Spiderman”. It began in 1980 when a race announcer commented that the way Larry crawled around on the bike reminded him of Spiderman.
Larry operates a motorcycle performance shop about a half hour from us, so we drop in to see him occasionally. Sometimes he needs my advice when he’s working on his bike.
Two motor men: Larry builds motorcycle engines, and my Motor Man builds race car and race boat engines. If either of them needs help from the other, that help is just a phone call away.
And you can bet that when my nephew, Connor, is in town, a stop at Spiderman’s shop is a must. Larry always has time to visit with us and autograph something for Connor. This is the back of the Spiderman hauler. If you come up behind this on the highway, you know there’s a very fast bike inside.
I cannot imagine riding a motorcycle that fast. And I really cannot imagine dealing with this.
Larry experienced a fire at a race in Valdosta, Georgia in November, 2008, but thanks to all his safety equipment, he wasn’t injured. He sent this picture to me soon after that race.
Yes, Larry McBride is one of the more interesting people we’ve met through racing. He’s also one of the nicest.
You can read more about Spiderman on his web-site, which can be found here. And tell him if he needs any help with the bike, just give me a call.
these days of mine 
Dianna, Wow you have an interesting friend there. I think that racers are a breed unto themselves — a very special and often bizarre type of person. Imagine going that fast on two wheels! Thanks for sharing your pix and your friend.
I’m so glad to hear that Spiderman is still racing. I remember meeting him at Langley several years ago…you’re right…he’s a very nice man. He’d have to be to take your advice about working on bikes!! LOL!! Love you, Sis.
What an absolute thrill for your nephew! I do hope your generosity in giving bike advice won’t interfere too much with your blogging – we’d miss ya!
That final picture gave me chills! What an interesting journey you walk and so many fascinating people you meet. Thanks for giving me a glimpse into a world that is foreign to me.
Oh this was fun! Thanks for educating us a bit more about the world of speed! Nice to know a man that flies stays grounded too.
Faster than a speeding …. spider ??? It definitely fits – I can’t imagine riding a bike that fast, either. But then again, I don’t usually ride a slow one 🙂 Spiderman’s a cool dude!
OMG those pictures of him are amazing…but I have to admit that I’m glad Ethan sold his bike. I think they are much safer on a track than on the streets of New Orleans!
Great pictures and story. He is incredible and a really nice guy to go with it!
Wow – that fire picture is very scary. How fun for your nephew!
Wow… that is all I can say on the fire photo!! I am afraid of motorcycles and have only been on one once and that was enough for me… it doesn’t help when you are afraid of them to have your first experience in another country where there are literally no traffic rules…
What a cool person to know.
But I can say for sure I would never ride on one of those bikes.
Larry is supercool ! the fire at the race was kind of scary. great photos. great blog. thanks for sharing.
So thankful they have the safety attire and equipment. What an interesting life you lead!
Oh, wow! Trevor (great-nephew) would probably love to meet him!