Mark left at 7AM for Ontario

[solo1]

to meet with Adrian (Chrome) and Sue. He's trailering his Valkyrie after detailing it. They're going to a bike show.  Mark has his girl friend with him.

For some reason, I finally realize that maybe the torch is passed.  It started with me selling my Valkyrie, continued with driving the Miata to VRCC rallies, and kept going with my riding a smaller Nighthawk.   All these years of riding and all those years of giving this disease to my three sons.

Actually it all started some years ago when I owned a Seca 550.  I came home from work one day having driven the car that day.  I opened the garage door and the 550 was resting peacefully on its center stand and 'ticking'  "Ticking?" I thought. H'mmmm. I touched the cylinders and they were warm. A closer look noted that the head light was pointed in one direction and the handlebars were pointed a different direction. The triple trees were out of alignment. Now I noticed that the tires had fresh grass on them. Walking into the back yard, fresh skid marks ending in torn up grass were there pointing to one event, Mark had ridden my Seca in the backyard, when he got home from school.

I went into the house. "Mark come out wherever you are!"   He came out fully expecting an arse chewing and he wasn't disappointed!  The Seca, it turned out, wasn't damaged.  About an hour was spent riding and stopping to readjust the triple tree mounting bolts to realign the front end and everything was OK.

Now, today, Mark can turn his Valk around in our narrow street without paddling and at low speed.  That's something I now have a hard time with.  He can push his Valk around with no problem while I have trouble with my knees even on the Nighthawk.

Indeed, the torch is passed and now I get the enjoyment in watching my sons partake in the same joys of riding that I did.

Wayne

[Lil D]

Solo1 - it is a beautiful thing that you've passed to your sons. A clear love and respect of family... continued support of family through their lives, and a love of the outdoors.

There is little that gives the sense of freedom that riding does....

The closeness that you have to your children is an amazing thing - god bless....

The VRCC family is also an amazing thing....we all have friends throughout the country...folks to visit, chat with, and ride with....

The torch continues to burn with you....whether on the nighthawk or in the miata.....
 

(I consider myself lucky to ride a machine - with such a rich history.......)   

[Black Dog]

Good story Wayne...  Really, how can ya get pi$$ed at a kid for wanting to ride?

I started my boys out on 4Wheelers (a compromise, with mom), and would come home to the back yard looking like an 1/8th mile dirt track...  The boys would be all  , and all I'd ask them is 'Where you wearing the gear?'

You should be proud 

Black Dog

[Daniel Meyer]

And so it begins again.

Rock on Solo1!

[RTaz]

yep ...I kinda know what your talking about there Wayne...one of my best pleasures in this world is when I'm riding with my son's...memories I'll always have...

[R J]

I passed the riding on to 4 of my 5 kids.   The one never really got converted too good, he rides a Chopper now......   Dummy anyway.    Not really, he is in to S&S & Harley motors.   His latest 113 ci will move out.....    Gives MGM a good run up to about 85 or 90, then I start slowly walking away from him.

1st girl rode for several months, then got a big burn off the exhaust, she has not been on a motor since.  Her kids have rode with grandpa a few times, so she isn't totally against it.

The last 2 are my current holders of the candle.

They are even fighting over who gets MGM & the Trike.

Told wife so as to keep peace in the family after I'm gone, I think I'll auction off the Trike to save her grief,  and the one with the most guts will get it before I'm gone.     Told her it would be more $$$$$ in the coffer for her..    Well that got me a welt on the side of the head with the iron skillet........

Mark & Twila..

Good luck in the show, ya need to bring that 1st place trophy down to Indy-an-ner.    Hope ya both took passports with ya to get back in........

[Willow]

Indeed, the torch is passed and now ... 

lol!  I get this mental image of Mark coming home to find his Valkyrie ticking and skid marks in the back yard grass.    

[solo1]

  . Too bad he took it with him ,Carl.  I'm going to file that thought away until...................

Lessee, I think Aerostitch has some fake oil spots. 

Thanks for the idea!

[MAD6Gun]

 OK in my defense I was used to riding bikecycles, the rear brake is on the right handle bar. So when I wanted to stop in a hurry I grabbed that and down I went.

 We got into Toronto about four. Got the bikes into the show hall. I had my LEDs running. This guy comes up and says he wants to tape my bike for the local TV Station. Cool. So my bike might be on the news.

Oh BTW RJ. Her name is Twila. You got me in trouble now. I showed her your post and she says "who's Sheila" Thanks a lot...LOL........

[fudgie]

OK in my defense I was used to riding bikecycles, the rear brake is on the right handle bar. So when I wanted to stop in a hurry I grabbed that and down I went.

 We got into Toronto about four. Got the bikes into the show hall. I had my LEDs running. This guy comes up and says he wants to tape my bike for the local TV Station. Cool. So my bike might be on the news.

Oh BTW RJ. Her name is Twila. You got me in trouble now. I showed her your post and she says "who's Sheila" Thanks a lot...LOL........

Lol I heard hanging with RJ could get a guy in trouble!  Glad you made it alright and in good time. Good luck in the class and show us some pix.

[R J]

OK in my defense I was used to riding bikecycles, the rear brake is on the right handle bar. So when I wanted to stop in a hurry I grabbed that and down I went.

 We got into Toronto about four. Got the bikes into the show hall. I had my LEDs running. This guy comes up and says he wants to tape my bike for the local TV Station. Cool. So my bike might be on the news.

Oh BTW RJ. Her name is Twila. You got me in trouble now. I showed her your post and she says "who's Sheila" Thanks a lot...LOL........

It is funny that you should mention that.

I had Twila in there first, set and looked at it for several minutes and said, naw it is Sheila, changed it, posted it and now I got to look out for a skillet from her also...Damn glad I got a hard head....        Mark, tell her I'm sorry I'll never call he Twila again, it will always be Sheila...........    LOL........   Sorry Twila, after my 1st hug I'll remember your name, I promise..........

[Psychotic Bovine]

Ok, since it doesn't appear anyone else (Dad or Mark) as posted it, I will.
Mark's Valk got 1st place in it's class at the Toronto Show.  Congrats to my brother!
Ok, this is an old pic, but oh well, you get the idea!

[Black Dog]

 

Way to go Mark!

Black Dog

[Lil D]

there they are...

[fudgie]

Sweet! congrats Mark!

[MAD6Gun]

 Was a great weekend. Got to Adrian's home in London around 2 Friday afternoon. Talked for a bit and left for Toronto.  Got there and met up with Derrell and Deb (Big and Lil Ds) from NY. Got the booth set up and then went to dinner. Had a wonderful dinner with Deb,Derrell,Adrian,his son Jacob and my girl Twila.
 Got up Saturday,had a nice breakfast and then onto the show. Spent to day at the show. Met a lot of people,answered a bunch of questions on the Valks. I brought a secondary battery so I was able to run my LEDs all day. Left the show a little after 9 pm. Me and Twila went back to the hotel. The others went to a late dinner.
 On Sunday we got up. Went to breakfast and then Twila and I went to Niagara Falls. I have been there twice but Twila had not. She had a good time. Left the Falls and went back to Toronto and to he show. Spent the rest of the afternoon there. Around 4 the awards were given out. Adrian got third place in Asian Tourer. The big supprise was I won First Place in street class, beating out a custom Harley V-Rod by the custom bike builder that won almost every other class he was in. Feels good that my bike to beat a custom bike builder. COOL. Got a nice plaque and $100 cash. VERY COOL.

 I want to thank Adrian and Sue for being great hosts. Had a great weekend with great friends....

[fudgie]

Good to hear! Was is canadian cash? 

[doubletee]

Congratulations, Mark!   

[MAD6Gun]

 Yea Brian is was Canadian cash. But the exchange is like a penny off. Adrian was kind enough to exchange it for me. What I am trying to figure out is why he has so much American cash. HMMM....Just kidding Adrian...LOL..

[Pat S.]

Um, Mark did I here it right.  You trailered the bike.
Oh man what is that woman doing to you? I have lost all my faith.

Really Mark, congrats to you. I always told you that was a great looking bike.
Carolyn and I look forward to meeting Twila.

[solo1]

Blame it on me, Pat.  I'm the one that bought the trailer