|
solo1
|
 |
« on: November 23, 2011, 06:23:23 AM » |
|
Soliloguy
The Dead of Winter is approaching, a time for collecting of thoughts through the years. A time for looking back and a time for looking forward. Even a time for not looking at all, just a time for reflecting on the present. Much can be said for reflecting on all the happenings in my 83 years of life but today I will be exclusive. My thoughts are revolving around the exclusiveness of riding powered contraptions of only two wheels, or to be more explicit, motorcycling
The Summer of many years ago I enjoyed my first taste of powered two wheeling. A simple engine of 2 ½ horsepower mounted in the frame of a Schwinn bicycle, aptly named the Henderson. At the time, the name Henderson meant nothing to me. It wasn’t until I visited the Schwinn factory that I realized Henderson was a name associated with one of the first motorcycles ever made.
My brief sojourn into powered riding started with that modest Whizzer. I graduated from that into a series of motorcycles stepping up in cost and power each time. My riding skills , by necessity, also stepped up.
The culmination of motorcycling reached the peak for me with the purchase of a six cylinder motorcycle, a motorcycle that was designed by an enthusiast with me in mind.
After 13 years of ownership of this marvelous machine, the amazing Valkyrie, I found that my skills were on a downward slope which was accompanied by a corresponding decrease in strength and purpose of my knees. The bike was simply too heavy to maneuver any longer with my degrading knees. I found the bike a new home and a very deserving one.
The Past is now memories of the wonderful experiences of motorcycling, The joys of wind-in-my-face, the grumblings while riding in bad weather magically turned into a“wow, that was great” rush, the rhythm of the road, The long miles of almost boredom, punctuated by threats of damage to me and my machine. All these, are in my memory.
However, memory can be a bad thing. As I get older I must constantly remind myself that there is a difference between remembering the past and living it. Remembering the past and sharing thoughts is MUCH different than living it.
Living the past can result in a down spiraling attempt to interject my experiences into the words and activities of others that are living in the present. . I have my experiences, others are working on theirs and they must be allowed to do without interference from one who remembers the past but is relearning how to live for today. And that’s me. I must always try to live day by day..
Living for today, I am looking forward to riding my less inspiring motorcycle using my less inspiring body but still inspired by the RUSH of motorcycling! I must admit that I’m not setting any kind of new record for my personal satisfaction but the riding is all that’s necessary.
All the things that I’ve had to prove are behind me, I no longer need to prove myself to myself and I am more relaxed. I’ll ride when I want to, ride short or longer distances if I want to, and not ride at all if I want to. The joys of riding are still there for me if I choose to experience them. They closely match the joys in having a wonderful family in this Thanksgiving holiday.
Everyone have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Solo1
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005
Member
Posts: 13848
American by Birth, Southern by the Grace of God.
Beautiful east Tennessee ( GOD'S Country )
|
|
« Reply #1 on: November 23, 2011, 06:46:58 AM » |
|
Great read Wayne  Ride On |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
 I've seen alot of people that thought they were cool , but then again Lord I've seen alot of fools. |
|
|
|
hotglue #43
|
|
« Reply #2 on: November 23, 2011, 07:16:37 AM » |
|
Thanks Wayne!!!!!
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
 blue=3 times green=at least 4 times When they are all 'green'.. I'll stop counting. |
|
|
|
Dubsvalk
|
|
« Reply #3 on: November 23, 2011, 07:23:22 AM » |
|
I can still ride my Valk but I feel and know the time will come for me to step down or step away from one of the greatest pleasures of my life. Like you Solo1, I don't ride as hard as I used to. Other things are more important to me than seeing how fast each curve can be taken. I hope you and I, and our fellow riders have many pleasurable riding years ahead of us. We still have memories to make. Even if they aren't as exciting as those made years ago!
Dubs
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Vietnam Veteran 1968/69
MSF Instructor
PGR
|
|
|
|
HayHauler
|
|
« Reply #4 on: November 23, 2011, 07:30:36 AM » |
|
Thanks Wayne. I always enjoy your posts. I hope to be riding anything when and if I get to be your age. Happy Thanksgiving! Hay  Jimmyt |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
Daniel Meyer
Member
Posts: 5493
Author. Adventurer. Electrician.
The State of confusion.
|
|
« Reply #5 on: November 23, 2011, 08:17:07 AM » |
|
Happy Thanksgiving Wayne!
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
CUAgain, Daniel Meyer  |
|
|
|
|
|
..
|
|
« Reply #7 on: November 23, 2011, 08:46:51 AM » |
|
Good reading. Happy Thanksgiving Wayne! |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Popeye
|
|
« Reply #8 on: November 23, 2011, 10:49:11 AM » |
|
As always Wayne, a great post. Happy Thanksgiving.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
A man stands tallest when he stoops to help a child.
Heros wear dog tags, not capes
|
|
|
|
old2soon
|
|
« Reply #9 on: November 23, 2011, 11:35:28 AM » |
|
Thanks Wayne. You have a way of getting to the nub of it. I enjoyed your remebrance and i also know what i have to look forward to. Keep riding as long as you are able my friend. I would really like to meet you one day. Be well Wayne and RIDE SAFE.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Today is the tommorow you worried about yesterday. If at first you don't succeed screw it-save it for nite check. 1964 1968 U S Navy. Two cruises off Nam.
VRCCDS0240 2012 GL1800 Gold Wing Motor Trike conversion
|
|
|
|
Karen
|
|
« Reply #10 on: November 23, 2011, 12:03:59 PM » |
|
Once again, thanks for sharing, I always enjoy your remembrances. Have a great Thanksgiving, if you don't mind me telling you what to do... :^)
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
R J
Member
Posts: 13380
DS-0009 ...... # 173
Des Moines, IA
|
|
« Reply #11 on: November 23, 2011, 04:27:59 PM » |
|
Wayne, Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family...... Good read.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
44 Harley ServiCar   |
|
|
|
Valkahuna
|
|
« Reply #12 on: November 23, 2011, 06:55:05 PM » |
|
Wayne, Thank you for your insights. As always, a good read, but most importantly an inspiration. You remind me that even though some days I feel old, that I still have a long a productive time ahead of me.  I've got twenty years to go to just catch up to you. Hope to be riding anything then. God bless you and yours,  and have a Happy Thanksgiving! |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
The key thing is to wake up breathing! All the rest can be fixed. (Except Stupid - You can't fix that)
2014 Indian Chieftain
2001 Valkyrie I/S
Proud to be a Vietnam Vet (US Air Force - SAC, 1967-1972)
|
|
|
|
Thulsa Doom
|
|
« Reply #13 on: November 23, 2011, 07:06:02 PM » |
|
Happy thanksgiving.
That was a good read. Ride on.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
... and as I shifted into second I couldn't remember a thing she said.
|
|
|
MacDragon
Member
Posts: 1970
My first Valk VRCC# 32095
Middleton, Mass.
|
|
« Reply #14 on: November 23, 2011, 07:10:32 PM » |
|
I've only been riding for 36 years and remember them fondly... A hellyon at first but soon became a rider. BIG difference. Your words inspire me because I know they will be simular to mine in a few years... You have a Happy Thanksgiving Wayne...Ride safe and often...
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
 Ride fast and take chances... uh, I mean... ride safe folks. Patriot Guard Riders |
|
|
|
MartinT
|
|
« Reply #15 on: November 23, 2011, 08:23:15 PM » |
|
Happy Thanksgiving !
Martin
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
winghot
|
|
« Reply #16 on: November 23, 2011, 08:36:03 PM » |
|
Wayne good read. Thanks for sharing
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
RTaz
Member
Posts: 1319
Michigan...Home of InZane X -XI
Oscoda, Michigan
|
|
« Reply #17 on: November 24, 2011, 04:51:02 AM » |
|
Happy Thanksgiving Wayne.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
 RTaz |
|
|
|
Thunderbolt
|
|
« Reply #18 on: November 24, 2011, 02:51:15 PM » |
|
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
JimC
|
|
« Reply #19 on: November 24, 2011, 04:40:19 PM » |
|
Wayne,
Eventually most of will cross the road(s) that you have about riding. My hope is that when I cross it, I handle it with as much class as you have.
Happy Thanksgiving,
Jim
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Jim Callaghan SE Wisconsin
|
|
|
|
the inspector
|
|
« Reply #20 on: November 25, 2011, 08:11:44 AM » |
|
Wayne, great read you always speak the truth.....may you ride on forever where ever you may be.
Your Friend
"the inspector"
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
it's always easy if someone else is doing it.....
"the inspector"
|
|
|
|
