Anniversary...

[DDT (12)]

Anniversary…

We all have those commemorating special dates and events in our lives. I've made a few myself, of course, but few truly significant milestones like this one with such incredibly deep meaning. Without trying to 'rank order' or name them all, let me just assure any readers viewing this that the one today is but one of those life defining observances marking dramatic change in the entire course of one’s existence.

It was a cold day in Hendersonville, NC, when I first laid eyes on her (1/7/99). She was resting impatiently on her side stand on the showroom floor of Schroader's Honda, and in that instant, I fell hopelessly in love. I couldn't know then the extent of our relationship to come, but I did immediately realize it would be profound... We were on the verge of something monumental!

Several inches of snow a day or so before had blanketed the area with a lush carpet of white, and piles of it were everywhere. Lanes had been cleared throughout the dealership parking lot and the highways were also clear and dry: So, with adequate/proper apparel, a ride was very doable... The paperwork was completed consummating the deal made in advance via phone, the few articles I'd brought along on the flight up there were loaded into her saddlebags… then, the anxious wait was finally ended!

I’d test-ridden an exact duplicate of her already at a dealership in Florida. Still, I was not fully prepared for the thrill of pressing my back against the Corbin backrest as the throttle was enthusiastically twisted and small objects at a distance in front of us soon became fully life-sized! “WOW! This thing really is a hotrod!” Better tone-down my zest a wee bit, I told myself, so not to attract unwanted attention from the folks in blue…

By the time we’d reached her new ‘home’, I’d already realized this was no ordinary event taking place, and that we were headed in a direction that would fulfill all my daydreams about living on the road exploring North America ‘behind bars’. I informed my spouse at the time that my new mistress and I needed much more of a ‘shakedown’ ride to attempt to fathom possibilities. Within two days (I was already retired), it was KSU and a ride to Arizona was begun…

Many things were learned on that ride… all good, and all baiting me to increase it all! We did… Among the first things I explored was the speed readings on her speedometer. It said she’d do 145 mph! Hmmm, let’s find out, I mused, as we came to a many-miles-long straightaway on I-10 with light traffic and no LEOs in sight… I cranked the throttle all the way to the ‘stop’, and like a rocket we were off zooming by whatever blur happened to be in or near the roadway!

Two facts soon became apparent. At 125 mph, the rider decided that was too much, so the experiment was gracefully ended by an easing of the throttle and cruising speed returned to a saner pace. She still had more left in her, though, and perhaps could have made the 145-mph reading. The rider, alas, could not. OK, I then knew she could do anything I might muster the imagination and courage to attempt, so… From there onward, it was all on me…

I also quickly realized she would need a couple more accessories added, like: A tank bib and pouch, windshield pouches, and possibly a bit more bling… Other than that, however, it was obvious I’d discovered my ‘legacy machine’ and we’d be together as long we could; that we’d ride until one of us simply could go no further… After 764K miles and twenty-five years together, the jury is still out on that…

DDT (12)

[Valker]

Beautifully said, as always, Bruce. Our 25th anniversary will be April 1 this year. My 'miles' on my Valk is minuscule in comparison, but I'm still in love. I hope we get to meet on the road somewhere this year. I have another Alaska trip planned in June. If it pans out, this will be my fourth. I'd love to accumulate y'all's miles, but I'd have to live to 130 to do it.

[Valkorado]

What a great bunch of memories, Bruce!  I'm glad you found your gal, and glad she's eagerly whisked you around on a whirlwind romance that still continues on.  I hope it does for many years to come. 

Your stories are the "glue" that binds our little dysfunctional family together, and reminds us of the joys that await us on the open road.

So, to both you and your beloved ALI, I bow with a full 45° of respect.



Ouch! My back!

[RainMaker]

You and Ali have been through many miles together, the relationship saved by T-Man just a few years ago.  You remain an inspiration to the spirit of sharing the wind in all of us who ride. 

RainMaker

[Serk]

“WOW! This thing really is a hotrod!” Better tone-down my zest a wee bit, I told myself, so not to attract unwanted attention from the folks in blue…

Heh, I had the exact same thought on my maiden ride home from the dealership on my Valk, back on 12/23/2000...

Haven't had my Valk quite as long or NEARLY as far (Only a measly 135ish thousand, and unlikely to go a lot higher as I don't have the patience to give her the preventative maintenance she needs for it) but a lot of the same feelings all around. Still love my Valk... And she's definitely aged a lot more gracefully than I have!

[The emperor has no clothes]

Oh man ! I thought your story was going to be a personal story of my misgiving. Brenda’s and my anniversary is tomorrow. I have been known to forget it in the past. Thanks for the reminder. 


You have had an amazing history with Ali. The random meeting of Terry in Canada just adds more depth to it. May you have many more miles and anniversaries. 

[RNFWP]

Happy Anniversary!

One of many great memories well worth pondering on. Thanks for sharing it with us.

[thedon]

Bruce, you and "her" were made for each other.
Many more miles and years to you.
Happy Anniversary.

Don & Barb

[Oss]

love at first sight is a beautfiful thing.

Keep the magic alive

[Farside]

  Nice Bruce. A relationship made for each other. Let's see 25 years isn't that a "Silver" Anniversary gift? Well I bet Chrome will do just fine  

[Rams]

Anniversary…

After 764K miles and twenty-five years together, the jury is still out on that…

DDT (12)

Blessed you are!

Rams

[MotoRod]

 

[Mooskee]

Bruce, we love hearing of your adventures, as we vicariously ride along with you. You are our inspiration. The man, the myth, the legend. :-)

I hope you are blessed with many many more miles and adventures.

I remember the first time I rode my first Valk. I remember thinking this is like sex on wheels.

Ride safely.
Dave

[Hook#3287]

What a great inspiration you are to us

I was wondering, how many miles did that VTX steal from Ali?

[3fan4life]

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to you and Ali!

Here's to another 700,000 plus miles! 

[LadyDraco]

Awesome Bruce! Congrats...

[Thunderbolt]

Another good un Bruce.  I too would like to know the answer to Hook's question.

[trout dude]

Happy Anniversary to you two my friend. Hope to see y’all soon

[DDT (12)]

All,

Thanks very much for all the kind comments and remarks! We're still living the dream, and no end is in sight... yet. That day will eventually come, of course, but I'll have no justification to shed even a single tear... Our journey together has been... well, 'extraordinary' seems such a gross oversimplification!

Yes, I did have a significant part to play in all of that, but many others have as well... T-Man has been mentioned, and certainly there would be much less of a story without his contribution. Others like Trout Dude, MitchO, Lucky13, and Hard6 also played an indispensable role in the amazing romp around the continent... Since I'm totally inept at wrenching, my skilled and talented friends have had to keep us in the wind... And they've done an absolutely splendid job!

To the question of how many miles were placed on CALI (the VTX bought in Calgary), the answer is about 27K. Once my separation from ALI ended in Asheville, however, that total plateaued, and she was eventually sold to my good friend in Montgomery, Sam. Again, thanks for commenting and making us feel extra good about the last quarter century!

DDT (12)