DDT (12)
Member
Posts: 4120
Sometimes ya just gotta go...
Winter Springs, FL - Occasionally...
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« on: January 25, 2016, 06:45:43 AM » |
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Happy Anniversary, Baby
Hard to believe that seventeen years ago January 7th, ALI and I became an item. So much has happened during those intervening years, so much ‘life’ has occurred, and so many changes in my life have unfolded and changed me as a person. Time now seems to have passed really quickly, but looking back I can remember a few spots along the way where time seemed to drag at a snail’s pace… Nothing truly unusual there, however, as I’m sure it is that way for all of us.
Back in ’98 I was toying with the idea of buying a ‘cruiser’ type bike for grins and giggles. I was then riding my third Gold Wing, a bike with which I was quite satisfied, but I couldn’t shake the idea of having two bikes, and I really thought I wanted my ‘other’ bike to be a cruiser… I looked at what the market offered, and I was very unsure what to do… Then I asked myself the ultimate question, “What if I really liked a cruiser and wanted to ride cross-country on it… which would I prefer to be on…?”
Well, Honda, of course, immediately leaped to the fore in my thinking. A good riding pal of mine had warned me not to ride a Valkyrie if I didn’t want to buy one… Turned out he was right! I test rode a ’99 Tourer… after about ten miles, I dismounted, lite a cigarette, and looked at the bike. The first thought that entered my mind was, “Now that is a proper motorcycle!!!”
My local dealer had a new, arrogant, hot-shot sales manager, and I instantly didn’t like him. The ‘deal’ he offered me was somewhat of an insult, too, so I decided to look elsewhere. I shopped around quite a bit, then finally contacted a dealer I’d used before, and one I’d originally learned about through a friend who’d bought his Wing through them… Schroeder’s Honda in Hendersonville, NC.
Terry Schroeder took my call and told me what he had available… and gave me prices much more to my liking! In fact, the difference between his prices and that of my local dealer pretty much paid for the leather Corbin seat and all the other extras I ended up buying with enough left over to cover the cost for the plane ticket up there and ride back to Florida! A no-brainer for sure.
Towards the end of the conversation, I asked Terry what amount needed to be on the Cashier’s Check when I arrived to ride off on my new Valk, and he gave me a figure. I got a check, booked a flight and made a reservation at a motel a couple of hundred yards from the dealership… then packed a bag… And that’s how it all started.
Terry had advised me that it had snowed recently and it was quite cold. He also told me that the roads were clear and dry, so the only real issue was to bring enough warm clothing… I did. This was long before my Gerbigs purchase, but I did have a Widder electric vest given to me by the same riding bud who’d warned me about riding a Valkyrie. I took my Tour Master cold weather riding suit plus the vest… and a sweatshirt for good measure.
ALI was sitting on the show-room floor the first time I ever laid eyes on her… and she was looking mighty fine! Love at first sight doesn’t fully describe my feelings at the time, but that’ll have to do, I guess. She was ready to roll, too. All that was needed was for me to load my gear then my derriere and twist the throttle!
Terry had changed out the saddle bag lids with those from a Honda Shadow… The bags were the same, but with different color schemes… I now had the only known Black & Silver Valk Tourer with silver bag lids… He offered to change them back if I wanted… Nope, I like being a bit different… and distinctive. The Corbin leather seat was also silver, so that added a bit to the distinction.
A small amount of paper work, then it was KSU and off on a bigger adventure than I ever could have imagined… My life would truly never be the same! We’ve now been together seventeen years and over half a million miles, we’ve seen together most of North America, and our journey together has coincided with my own journey of life to previously unimagined ‘places’. No regrets at all.
DDT
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« Last Edit: January 25, 2016, 06:51:09 AM by DDT »
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Don't just dream it... LIVE IT!
See ya down the road...
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f6gal
Administrator
Member
Posts: 6894
Surprise, AZ
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« Reply #1 on: January 25, 2016, 07:04:55 AM » |
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Wishing you both the best as you embark on your next half million miles!  |
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Rams
Member
Posts: 16684
So many colors to choose from yet so few stand out
Covington, TN
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« Reply #2 on: January 25, 2016, 07:16:40 AM » |
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Well, I'm not sure what a seventeenth anniversary gift is supposed to be (been way too long ago) but, you should treat her right tonight and see where it goes.  |
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VRCC# 29981
Learning the majority of life's lessons the hard way.
Every trip is an adventure, enjoy it while it lasts.
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Pappy!
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« Reply #3 on: January 25, 2016, 07:19:12 AM » |
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Like F6Gal says! I couldn't have said it better myself !
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Tailgate Tommy
Member
Posts: 1438
2000 Interstate, 2001 Interstate and 2003 Standard
Fort Collins, Colorado
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« Reply #4 on: January 25, 2016, 08:20:59 AM » |
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Congrats to you and Ali Bruce! Hope you don't mind me posting this picture to the board (again) from our Labor Day ride last year. Tom  |
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G-Man
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« Reply #5 on: January 25, 2016, 10:42:46 AM » |
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old2soon
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« Reply #6 on: January 25, 2016, 12:46:22 PM » |
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Bruce-I getz the very distinct impression you kinda sorta maybe like yer Valkyrie.  RIDE SAFE. |
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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
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Ken Tarver
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« Reply #7 on: January 25, 2016, 02:57:40 PM » |
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Bruce you are a good and faithful companion. Nice story, thanks for sharing.
Ken
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Misfit
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« Reply #8 on: January 25, 2016, 03:20:56 PM » |
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Proud to know you two! |
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If you're lucky enough to ride a Valkyrie, you're lucky enough.  |
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robin
Member
Posts: 2337
Get on it and RIDE!!
Hardwick NJ
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« Reply #9 on: January 25, 2016, 03:52:21 PM » |
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You are the man Bruce happy trails to ya both on many more miles, would be cool the take her back to the place she came from just to see the guy you bought her from and tell him some of your story. |
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3fan4life
Member
Posts: 6996
Any day that you ride is a good day!
Moneta, VA
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« Reply #10 on: January 25, 2016, 04:10:48 PM » |
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Happy Anniversary to one of the happiest couples that I know ! I always enjoy sharing the wind with the two of you. |
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1 Corinthians 1:18  |
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f6gal
Administrator
Member
Posts: 6894
Surprise, AZ
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« Reply #11 on: January 25, 2016, 04:16:02 PM » |
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You are the man Bruce happy trails to ya both on many more miles, would be cool the take her back to the place she came from just to see the guy you bought her from and tell him some of your story. Interesting... DDT's and Ali's reunion was in Asheville at IZXIV. Schroeder's was our official event dealer. Wish we have gotten them involved. I'm guessing DDT visited them while he was there. |
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« Reply #12 on: January 25, 2016, 04:29:24 PM » |
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Simple pleasures. |
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BCoy
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« Reply #13 on: January 25, 2016, 04:44:33 PM » |
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Great times, congrats to you both!
Bill
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1998 Valkyrie Tourer
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eric in md
Member
Posts: 2495
ride hard now we all can rest when were gone !!!
in the mountains .......cumberland md
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« Reply #14 on: January 25, 2016, 04:56:59 PM » |
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Bruce .. Love your story's and congrats.. Love ya buddy your still my hero.
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eric in md
Member
Posts: 2495
ride hard now we all can rest when were gone !!!
in the mountains .......cumberland md
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« Reply #15 on: January 25, 2016, 04:58:12 PM » |
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Terry, See what I as tryin to tell you about Ali..
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wiggydotcom
Member
Posts: 3387
Do Your Best and Miss the Rest!
Yorkville, Illinois
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« Reply #16 on: January 25, 2016, 05:43:22 PM » |
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Bruce, based on the mileage you just turned over with Ali, I'd say you made a heck of a pick with changing dealers and buying her! Sure you had a little blip a couple years back, but it just made the reunion all that much sweeter---and it allowed you to meet a LOT more friends along the way.
Good luck on the next 500k and Happy Anniversary!
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VRCC #10177 VRCCDS #239  |
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Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005
Member
Posts: 13846
American by Birth, Southern by the Grace of God.
Beautiful east Tennessee ( GOD'S Country )
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« Reply #17 on: January 25, 2016, 05:46:12 PM » |
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So proud to know you Bruce .... Did you piss in the bathroom floor ?
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 I've seen alot of people that thought they were cool , but then again Lord I've seen alot of fools. |
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