I thought I would use this thread is to discuss riding and learning and what makes us who we are. Why we do what we do. But, as I got going, I just started talking about my rides and who and when and what.
My first motorcycle was a 1973 (or 74) 175 Yamaha Enduro. I did not know it only had 14HP. Rode it for a couple of years and sold it to a friend when we left Crystal River, FL for Michigan.
Next was in 2001, when I got back on two wheels with a 2001 Honda Shadow Ace Tourer. Just some trips to Myrtle Beach, SC. We lived near Columbia, SC and I sort of grew up in Myrtle Beach.
And then........ I got a real motorcycle, June 2003.
2003 Valkyrie Standard and my first real "road trip". In March 2004, four of us (one co-worker) decided to go to Key West (still have the jacket in the picture
). We were all sort of newbies. A true learning experience.
The two gentlemen on the left in the first picture are no longer with us. One just left a few days ago.
Life goes on.
I love my Valkyrie (still with me). Next trip, New Orleans, March 2005. There were eight of us. That was interesting. Two of the gentlemen from the first trip were with me as well as five newbies.
Next..... my first trip to the Outer Banks. Again some new riders and two from the New Orleans ride as well. I think there were six of us. First ferry ride on the Valkyrie.
Now for a repeat (one of several to happen the coming years) - 2006 a trip to Key West again. The image below was taken at Alabama Jacks. We found this bar on our first trip to Key West in 2004 when I wanted to make sure we rode through all of the keys. You have to turn left off US 1 to get here. Billie, the gentlemen in the white T-shirt, was the only repeat rider for all of the trips I have done except the first one. This is also the trip that convinced him to get his first and only wing (still has it, 2006).
In 2007, after a friend got a BWM Tourer and I tired one, I purchased my 2007 Honda ST1300 (which I still have but its only got 106,000 miles on it). We took another trip. This time to Maine. This group is the group that I have ridden with unitl about four years ago. One of the members is no longer with us and one of them is physically limited from riding. But the Gentlemen that bought the wing in 2006 is still riding with me when we can make it happen. And yes we (well me) like Waffle House.
And we found Watkins Glenn. Truly we did not plan to visit just saw the signs as we headed North in New York State. Funny how things happen.
And then, in the spring of 2015 I purchased my Goldwing and I took it (with my friend Billie) on a trip out west again.
Sometimes things happen on a trip that just happen. Henry, one of the four horseman that rode with me/us on many of our trips, had an issue on our 2013 West, Northern Route Trip. Henry ride's a Harley.
Henry's Harley developed an issue and we had to change our route to get him back to Cheyenne. Why Cheyenne you might ask. Well the issue was such that he could not continue all the way back to SC on his bike. So, he called his cousin in SC and his cousin drove up to Cheyenne and picked Henry and his bike up. Called on day one, met him on day two. they were back home on day four.
As of today, I don't really know how many miles I have on two wheels. I know there were 60,000 plus on the Ace Tourer. I know there are 85,000 miles on my Valkyrie. I have 106,000 miles on the ST and about 78,000 miles on the Wing. So, thats about 330,000 miles on two wheels. Maybe a lot, maybe not.
Right now, its my wife, Lynn, and I. Billie and his wife have joined us over the last four years on several trips.
We have made two trips to Nova Scotia. I love Nova Scotia. I cannot tell you why but it has always held a special place in my heart. Maybe it was the song by the Canadian group, Ian & Sylvia, Nova Scotia Farewell. They also did a song "Four Rode By". But I digress.
Also I love BBQ. Nice to find some on the road. This one is somewhere in New York. We found another one by accident on one trip through New York State in a really rural area. Don't remember the name but they did not have much Que left.
And Bilies wife has a thing for light houses so each trip to Nova Scotia we stop at Peggy's.
And then there is the ferry ride.
And of course, since Billies wife likes wine we stopped that Magnetic Hill Winery in New Brunswick and yes the Magnetic Hill really works. You do go up hill.
On our 2017 trip to Nova Scotia, it was very rainy (normal really but....) so we decided not to take our planed ride to Cape Breton and instead decided to take a tour of a coal mine. I had no idea there were coal mines in Nova Scotia (have been since the 18th century). Anyway, its underground of course but its also under the sea.
l
And yes if you have read this far, this is what, to me, motorcycling is all about. Its about adventure. Its about discovery. Its about being out in the wind (and rain) seeing things first hand, flying along.....
Not being confined. Not being fettered. Discovering new things each day, each hour.
Yes I plan my trips in advance. I know where I will start and where I will end. But the in-between is unknown. Most times never traveled. An adventure.
