ALI's Home

[DDT (12)]

                                                          ALI'S HOME

I stuck my head into the garage to say goodnight to my baby... and she seemed to be pouting! I asked what might be the problem, and she communicated back to me in that frank, unspoken language we use with each other, “Did you bring me back here just to be put into storage?”

“No, darlin', I most definitely did not!” I responded in my most sincere, sympathetic voice... “How's about a breakfast run in the morning...?” That seemed to perk her right up, so a plan had just been formed.

Seven months out of the year, I truly feel sorry for my Yankee brethren due to their weather... Five months out of the year I'm green with envy! It's one of those five right now, so care must be taken regarding when and for how long we ride... Early is the best time, ergo the 'breakfast' thought...

We made the twenty-six miles to the Huddle House in Tallassee in wonderful comfort at an easy pace... too nice to miss due to hard riding... Besides, riding moderately makes it easier to have a conversation with my darlin'... even stroke her tank and marvel at her 'feel'. There are a couple of different routes to that eatery, some a bit shorter, some a bit longer... The one I chose was in the middle somewhere...

She waited outside patiently while I took care of business, then she seemed to sigh with relief when I reappeared, as if to say... “OK big boy, now let's get after it!” We did...

Now just for the record, I do like the VTX 1800 – I call her CALI. She's a good bike, she handles quite well, and she's very well suited for distance riding. I have no complaints with her at all, and if I couldn't have ALI, I'd be quite content to ride her from here on out... But...

ALI and I have some history... fifteen years of history. And, those years included some of the most tumultuous, challenging, difficult, eye-opening, amazing and wonderful of my life. She was always there to transport me to a 'higher plane', to lift my spirits and get me through whatever might lie ahead. I owe her so much... Life thereafter for me would have been very different, had she not entered it... when she did, and had she not remained.

Few, I suspect, can fully appreciate the low, empty feeling I had in the pit of my stomach ten months ago when we said our 'last' farewell... The feeling of loss was huge, the sadness was more than I could have anticipated... One last glimpse over my shoulder as I walked away, and a swarm of gnats suddenly surrounded my head...

Terry Nickel changed all of that. We'd made a hand-shake deal for him to purchase her, and I was bound by that and would not have reneged, even though the temptation would have been enormous! He, however, 'counter-offered' later, and the rest is history...

An amazing year, this last one... I introduced a good riding bud of mine to the Canadian Rockies, thereby making a major road trip in the process; and, I felt the agony of defeat then the thrill of victory over the ensuing months. Plus, I made a friend who is one of those truly stand-up folks you only come across now and then... again, I have been richly blessed! But there is even more...

Another amazing and deeply gratifying aspect to his story is the way it caught on with my brothers and sisters. You, my dear friends, played a most important role in this wonderful saga as it unfolded... Your financial contributions were much appreciated, as were the gifts of parts and other products by vendors and individuals alike. The moral support, though, and the enthusiasm you contributed was almost overwhelming... Those cursed gnats just won't go away...

DDT

[Jess Tolbirt]

  

[CaribouHunter]

Glad you got Ali back, and home, Sweet Alabama.  Also feel blessed to have met you at InZane, and witnessed the transfer first hand, wonderful event.  You are surely my hero - 441,000 miles on a Valkyrie, and glad to be in the club. Take care buddy.  CaribouHunter

[RainMaker]

Damn gnats are everywhere!

Thanks for keeping us posted on Ali - part of her belongs to all of us now, if you will permit it.  Can't agree more about Terry - a fine man indeed.

It was one of the top highlights of my Inzane trip to watch you climb back on Ali in Asheville.  Hope you and she find the million mile mark in your travels.

RainMaker

[Oss]

If you know...........

Was Terry able to get his bike shipped to Wetumpka or has he settled on a u haul
rental car or other combination to get himself and his friend home to Calgary?

Damn governments keep getting in the way of good folks trying to do right

wonderful to hear you are enjoying time back in Ali's saddle Bruce

[..]

 

[G-Man]

Was my absolute pleasure meeting you DDT!.  Many wonderful things transpired during that too short of a week in Asheville, but witnessing the love and selflessness displayed by Terry and this club was heartwarming to say the least.

I wish you 400,000 more blessed miles with ALI and look forward to seeing the two of you again!

 

[eric in md]

well bruce ..  im so happy for you and ali..  please what ever happens again just call some of us we will all pitch in and get her under you again,, i so glad to be part of it kinda. now then that terry.. i call him forest gump .. what a guy. and his sidekick troy he tried to steal my wife humm? what a story its been ..   bruce your my hero .. need to stroll up here sometime .. your always welcome at my home .. the vrcc rocks baby .. enjoy ali  ride on ddt  .. im out eric

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

 

[Big Al of Tennessee]

Bruce, you are not my hero. LOL

Although you are one Helluva Man, that I am proud to know.

Any body that has 441,000 miles on anything, is dedicated to riding.

What a feller, and have a good time on your new again to you motorcycle.

You make that bike look good.

[BonS]

Cool! 

[Black Dog]

Glad you two were reunited, and that I got to witness the 'handoff'... 

Black Dog

[DDT (12)]

Thanks, folks, for all the comments... Yes, ALI is part of all y'all now as surely as she is part of me... I don't even feel jealous either, as your part in all of this is heart-warming... good feelings right down to the marrow of my bones... ALI is grateful, too, for all the TLC rendered by Terry, and all the support provided by all of y'all...

Terry was not able to get his bike shipped down... I'd offered even before he attempted that for him to just ride CALI back to Calgary... He seemed reluctant to take me up on that, though, that is... until he made the epic ride down to Asheville... I think he discovered what some of us have also discovered... and now the magic of distance riding is not just in his blood, it's become part of his DNA make-up!

After InZane, he and Troy rode down to Wetumpka and visited with me... where they were exposed to two nights and one full day of cultural education... They both had their very first 'grits experience', for example, and they both got to visit the grave-site of Hank Williams, Sr.

I think they also gained a firsthand appreciation for why a small nearby community is called 'Slap Out'. At the oyster bar and grill we visited on their first night here they were 'slap out' of oysters on the half shell... The second night at the BBQ place we visited... they were 'slap out' of ribs... Oh well, timing, as they say, is...

Terry decided to take me up on my offer after all and ride CALI back to Calgary... Now I still have a bike up yonder, and I still need to get it back to Sweet Home Alabama... Not to worry, though, a couple of buds of mine and I are scheming as I write this to remedy this geographic conundrum... a major road trip is looking more and more likely... anybody else want in on this? Stay tuned!

Terry, by the way, sent me a text night before last saying they had visited Graceland in Memphis after leaving here... They are having a for real adventure... He called me this morning from Oklahoma City, where they were waiting for a huge thunderstorm to pass so they could head out. The updates are nice, but what I'm enjoying most is the obvious excitement in his voice! I'm afraid we've influenced those boys considerable... know what I mean?

DDT

[HayHauler]

Glad you got her back home where she belongs....   

Hay 
Jimmyt

[trout dude]

Thanks, folks, for all the comments... Yes, ALI is part of all y'all now as surely as she is part of me... I don't even feel jealous either, as your part in all of this is heart-warming... good feelings right down to the marrow of my bones... ALI is grateful, too, for all the TLC rendered by Terry, and all the support provided by all of y'all...

Terry was not able to get his bike shipped down... I'd offered even before he attempted that for him to just ride CALI back to Calgary... He seemed reluctant to take me up on that, though, that is... until he made the epic ride down to Asheville... I think he discovered what some of us have also discovered... and now the magic of distance riding is not just in his blood, it's become part of his DNA make-up!
After InZane, he and Troy rode down to Wetumpka and visited with me... where they were exposed two nights and one full day of cultural education... They both had their very first 'grits experience', for example, and they both got to visit the grave-site of Hank Williams, Sr.

I think they also gained a firsthand appreciation for why a small nearby community is called 'Slap Out'. At the oyster bar and grill we visited on their first night here they were 'slap out' of oysters on the half shell... The second night at the BBQ place we visited... they were 'slap out' of ribs... Oh well, timing, as they say, is...

Terry decided to take me up on my offer after all and ride CALI back to Calgary... Now I still have a bike up yonder, and I still need to get it back to Sweet Home Alabama... Not to worry, though, a couple of buds of mine and I are scheming as I write this to remedy this geographic conundrum... a major road trip is looking more and more likely... anybody else want in on this? Stay tuned!

Terry, by the way, sent me a text night before last saying they had visited Graceland in Memphis after leaving here... They are having a for real adventure... He called me this morning from Oklahoma City, where they were waiting for a huge thunderstorm to pass so they could head out. The updates are nice, but what I'm enjoying most is the obvious excitement in his voice! I'm afraid we've influenced those boys considerable... know what I mean?

DDT

No tell us what you mean Bruce    Happy for you buddy it was a great time for all.
  Dennis

[wiggydotcom]

I'm so glad it worked out so well for all parties involved. It was a pleasure meeting you and Terry and witnessing the Ali handoff.

[LandElephant]

Bruce,

Glad you got your Ali back and Terry is a stand up guy. We created another long distance rider last week. Tristen asked me as I dropped him off at his mothers "we will be doing this again Papa"?

Charlie Morse
Land Elephant

[eric in md]

Bruce,

Glad you got your Ali back and Terry is a stand up guy. We created another long distance rider last week. Tristen asked me as I dropped him off at his mothers "we will be doing this again Papa"?

Charlie Morse
Land Elephant

  cool lil feller

[Pappy!]

I met and talked to Terry, before I put 2 and 2 together. Knew just by talking to him that he is a good guy. A stand up guy!
Also met and talked to you a couple times. Like Terry, you are also a stand up guy. Man of your word. These days that is not as easy to come by as it used to be.
Was a lot of fun having you at the end of the table talking and cutting up with us. Enjoyed the Hell out of that. Hope to see you again and enjoy Ali to the max!

[paulmull ( Wimp )]

Makes me feel good to see you so happy Bruce :

[James III]

  Congrats Bruce! Always a pleasure crossing paths!

See ya down the road!

James

[Thunderbolt]

Well there you go.  People were curious Bruce.  And I have used your expression several times  "good on you" Bruce and Terry.

[Daniel Meyer]

One of the stories that tells what kind of mettle (and metal) Valkyrie riders are made of.

[Rams]