The world really is a small place. Sure, if you pull back from the surface and look at a map, or take the globe off the shelf and give it a spin, it can look like a pretty large and daunting object. But seriously, how many times have you been miles away from home only to run into somebody you know? As random as it seems there is probably a logical explanation for that. For instance, like-minded people hang out or go to the same places, so it shouldn’t be out of the question that within the realm of travel that someone you know would also be there. Traveling on a motorcycle actually puts you in this position. As riders, we seek out the most scenic routes and the likelihood of running into familiar faces is probably high. Even if we are trying to find the solitude that riding a…
The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2014 annual report for this blog.
Here’s an excerpt:
The concert hall at the Sydney Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 9,000 times in 2014. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 3 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.
Everyone should experience that “first Harley-Davidson” feeling. I hate to utter the words but yes, it changed my life, but in my case it was for more than one reason. I’ve been riding motorcycles since the ’70s and at the tender and impressionable young age of 12 years old I got my first – a Harley-Davidson X90. This would be the very beginning of a boy and his machine; teaching me the basics of riding and giving me the hands-on understanding of simple mechanics. There are few things I remember about being 12 and the awkwardness in my teens, and there are a few things I’d like to forget. But not the part of riding my first motorcycle – which happened to be a Harley. So was my first Harley-Davidson that experience of a lifetime I speak of? Sort of. But the real experience would come much later in life. Like way after puberty.
1974 Harley-Davidson 90
For the next 32 years I went through a long list of motorcycles, many of which I wish I had back. I owned a little of everything (okay, a lot of everything totaling 30+) including many different makes and models, but it wasn’t until 2006 that I purchased my second Harley-Davidson – an 883 Custom. Was this Sportster the one that changed my life? Yes and no. This bike gave me my first taste of riding that traditional 45° V-twin engine that is so well-loved within the Harley-Davidson community. I liked riding this motorcycle to the point that I realized I needed a bike that would be the one that gave me that feeling. So my second Harley was good, but… By August of 2007 I found a used 2001 Heritage Softail in a beautiful Jade Pearl that just blew me away. This, my friends is the Harley-Davidson that gave me that “first Harley-Davidson” feeling. This motorcycle completely change my whole way of thinking when it came to riding bikes. I finally found a motorcycle that fit me like a good pair of boots. This bike was made for me. It’s like someone at the Harley Factory sat down a said, “we need to build a bike for this guy” and they did. Little did I know they had been building this bike for many years and I just didn’t know it. I do now. This is the bike that opened my eyes to the community around the brand and the motorcycle that Harley-Davidson has built.
As I’ve said before, I’ve ridden a lot of motorcycles and never before have I experienced someone walking over to me at the gas station and asking me “where are you headed?” As if I’m living on my Harley with a bed-roll, sleeping on picnic tables and writing my blog on brown paper bags. When actually I’m headed to Subway for lunch. It’s that mystique of the brand that is Harley-Davidson and it brings people – men, women and children – over to tell me what a beautiful bike I have. It’s almost as if they are missing something in their lives and want to live vicariously through me. I’ve never experienced that with any other motorcycle I’ve owned. I’m okay with that.
But more importantly, this bike allowed me to travel outside of that invisible 150 mile radius all the other bikes I’ve owned kept me within. Well, those bikes didn’t keep me there, but it’s all about wanting to ride further and being comfortable doing it. Like a boot, remember? It was on this Heritage I made my first trip to Sturgis. Good times with good people. So it was my third Harley-Davidson that gave me that “first Harley-Davidson” feeling. It’s this bike that put me smack-dab into a culture and lifestyle that I didn’t even know existed, and to think I prided myself for having my fingers on the pulse of all things motorcycle for over 30 years. At least as much as you can being from Kansas and all. I rode that Heritage Softail almost 80,000 miles. It was a tough day when I traded her in for a 2002 Road King. Tough. A lot of miles and a lot of memories behind that windshield. Wow, it’s difficult to even think about it, and it’s funny how I never felt that way about the others. But I quickly found out the Road King was more than capable, and after 3 more trips to Sturgis (among other places) and 45,000 miles in two years, I traded it for a 2006 Ultra Classic. I’m looking forward to the many miles and many more memories on this one. So I must say it isn’t always the first one that means the most; it’s finding the right one. And when you do, you’ll feel it.
It’s been a great ride and for a motorcycle guy like me, Harley-Davidson has pushed me to ride more miles than I ever thought I would. It’s amazing when two worlds and two wheels collide, and for that I thank The Motor Company.
And now I am editing this post with the latest, a 2007 Road King. Yes, I’m back on a Road King! 10/25/2016
Certain times of year require certain kinds of gear for those of us who ride motorcycles. As seasons change, we need to be ready for what comes our way. With a wide range of jackets available on the market today – both textile and leather, it’s not difficult to fill your closet up with a wardrobe of riding apparel. If you are like me, you want to get the most for your money and motorcycle gear can be quite the investment. It’s all about the bang for your buck.
Testing the VikingCycle Warrior Jacket was a pleasant surprise. When I first put it on, the weight and feel of the jacket seemed right. A quilted liner and a good fit overall told me the jacket would be great for its intended purpose; riding motorcycles! I must say based on the $79 price tag I wasn’t expecting what I got, but I think the VikingCycle Warrior Jacket could easily sell for twice the price. I’ve seen less quality in other jackets – even in the $150 range. The sleeves are the right length for my average 6′ height, the fit across the shoulders gave me plenty of room for a hoodie underneath and the zippers functioned well. All of this is important to me along with the overall feel of the leather. I like the feel of the leather and it’s a nice jacket for the price.
Another important feature is the tab collar and the zippered vents. The collar is important to me as some jackets can be a little tight around the neck when snapping it closed. This collar fit me when snapped. This I liked. Also, the vents in both the front and rear were large and easy to access. Large zipper pull tabs were easy to use even with a gloved hand. No complaints here. There is nothing worse than riding along and as the temperature warms up a little, needing to open a vent while wearing gloves. A plus in my book. Another feature the VikingCycle Warrior Jacket has that I have never used before is the laced sides for making the jacket fit around your waist. This provides a way of taking in any slack or letting the sides out for those who might need a little more room. I wasn’t sure what I would think about this feature but I liked it. When I put the VikingCycle Warrior Jacket on for the first time, I found it a little snug, but loosening the laces allowed for a better fit. It is recommended to order one size up as this is a fitted jacket.
Overall, this is a nice leather jacket for the price. Easily a bargain for someone looking for a leather jacket to add their wardrobe of ever-expanding motorcycle gear. And right now you can enjoy another 10% savings for the holidays by using the coupon code: XMASS14. I can see the VikingCycle Warrior Jacket providing years of service for any motorcycle enthusiast!
Viking Bags offers so much more for riders! Check out their line of quality tour packs and luggage racks for your motorcycle!
We’ve got ourselves a unique situation here. As it is with anything you’re passionate about, you tend to gravitate towards all things related to that passion, and whether or not you agree, it can either be a conscious thing or a subconscious thing depending on how aware you are of your surroundings.
Putting my t-shirt on this morning in a somewhat sleepy daze, something just didn’t feel right. Either I found a new training technique to build up my pectoral muscles overnight, (with a possibility of late-night infomercials lining my pockets with cash) or my t-shirt was on backwards. Yeah, I was disappointed too. On both counts.
And why can’t someone invent a t-shirt that has no rules or directions for installation? Damn that pesky tag and my average pec muscles.
So in a brief awkward moment of whether to flip it around or just wear it backwards, I looked down to see the printing on the back of the shirt which is now located in the front. I must admit I don’t pay much attention to what’s on the back of my t-shirts as 99% of them are somehow motorcycle related. Some are obviously from places I’ve been or events I’ve attended, while some were free and come from unknown whereabouts. There are even a few in the drawer that I’ve never worn. How many do I need and when will all this madness stop? And why can’t someone invent a t-shirt that has no rules or directions for installation? Damn that pesky tag and my average pec muscles.
So I took my t-shirt off and flipped it around as to not make a fool of myself in public. I’m also aware that there is no guarantee that me wearing my shirt the right way will keep me from making a fool of myself in public. But I do know I need to sort through my drawers and put some new shirts in the rotation. And next time I might just take a look to see what’s on the back before installation. Even I like to know where I’ve been once in a while.
Sometimes we need a little inspiration, and once in a while we might be that little inspiration someone else needs. This time I’m the one in need. We all have those days when it seems like nothing goes right. Even with a concentrated effort to fix what we think needs fixing, it only makes things worse. But what if we do nothing? Will it all come out in the wash as they say?
You would think for a guy who writes about riding his motorcycle – and all the so-called benefits that come with it – I would have a clear head, low heart-rate/cholesterol, and a charming personality. Well, most of the time I would say this is true. But let’s face it, that’s not always the case. As much as I want to believe me riding a motorcycle puts everything on this planet that affects me in a rosier light; it’s truly just how I cope. Yeah, that’s it.
There really is a point when some things are out of my control. All of the common sense and life-lessons I throw at what ails me just hasn’t sunk in yet. We all want things to go as planned. We want the happy endings. We get disappointed when things don’t go as we hoped, and then what? We keep trying. We love and support. We help when it’s appropriate. and we don’t give up. Ever. That’s the hardest part; the “not giving up” thing. To give up is when I fail. And quite honestly, I don’t like to fail. So for me I’ll continue to believe in myself and trust my gut and listen to my heart and hope it works itself out. It will I know, just not on my schedule, I’m sure.
Patience can be your best friend, but only if you let it. If you allow time to get the best of you, well I guess you’re in for a long and frustrating wait. But if you accept the fact that those things which are out of your control will certainly remain out of your control, then you have taken the first step in acknowledging you can’t control everything. We can strive to make all things better, and hope for the best. Right now I’m hoping for the best. And my whites have never been brighter, so it must be coming out in the wash.
So, where do we go from here? It’s easy when you have a plan and it’s all mapped out for you. But what about when you “freestyle” it? What does it mean to head out in any given direction with no plan or agenda and the ride still happens anyway? You have a good time, that’s what happens. Sometimes the best times are when you stand around, looking around, hands in your pockets taking it all in. Why do we have to plan it all out and feel rushed? There is nothing worse than making plans, having them fall apart and having the disappointment set in. If you freestyle, it doesn’t matter. Just going with the flow all loosey goosey, can be liberating. We ride motorcycles for crying-out-loud, and our reputation is built on the idea we are carefree Nomads of the open road. Let me get out my smart phone and show you what I mean…
We ride motorcycles for crying-out-loud, and our reputation is built on the idea we are carefree Nomads of the open road. Let me get out my smart phone and show you what I mean…
Are we just wired to have a plan? I don’t know about you, but there is a certain amount of achievement for those who can make it through the day without a schedule. It can be done. Of course eating a couple of times a day needs to be penciled in, and a general idea of where you want to go is helpful, otherwise we will be those Nomads I referenced earlier. Yeah, a general direction is helpful. And what about gas? Oh, we’ll have to stop for gas, and if you’re riding in a group you might want to make sure you are stopping at the right time for everyone. We wouldn’t want someone to cut it too close. And while we’re at it, I have lunch penciled in so can we stop for gas around that time? Sure.
The more you think about it, the days of packing up in the middle of the night and hitting the open road with nothing more than motorcycles and the clothes on our backs seems impossible. Not that sleeping on picnic tables under some trees, or waking up in the same blue jeans and t-shirt I’ve had on for 6 days wondering where the next gas station might be doesn’t sound appealing…
For me it comes down to being that semi-organized Nomad. Life on the edge with a dash of planning. Finding that happy medium of getting lost and still knowing where you’re at is a good feeling, and that’s a perfect combination for a guy like me. Freestyle.
We accept certain things when throwing a leg over our motorcycle. Just as we pull out on the road, we’ve signed a contract agreeing with the terms and conditions of our surroundings. We know that this sport of ours can be dangerous. Through our best efforts to enjoy the ride, there is always that chance – as slight as it may be – that something will happen. There are just too many cars, critters and construction (or lack thereof) to not have a close call or two. Or three. But we knew that before we started, didn’t we? What do you mean, you didn’t read the fine print?
Traffic varies depending on your geographical location. Let’s surmise that vehicle population is just average everywhere we go. Average would indicate a constant flow of pesky cars and trucks moving along at a steady pace, drivers checking mirrors and a lunch bag in the back seat. Hands at 10 and 2, the radio quietly playing elevator music through the speakers and cell phones left appropriately in the glove box. I think I just passed the sign that said “Welcome to Perfect World, population 0.” We bikers know that the defensive drivers course was meant for us. It states at the bottom of our Road Trip Contract to “Ride like nobody sees you. Press hard, there are 4 copies.
The weather, on the other hand, is somewhat predictable. At least from a short-range forecast we can see what’s going on in and around us. We prepare for those conditions either by taking the proper gear, or we stay home. Can you really prepare for something by not doing anything? I guess staying indoors is preparation. But the weather can change just as fast as that fast-moving Chevy cut you off, but we knew that was going to happen. It said so on page 3, paragraph 2 of the contract: “Under no certain terms will it be assumed you have the road to yourself. Furthermore, You WILL NOT have control of the weather nor the actions of those who drive vehicles with more than three wheels.”
Another obstacle we encounter are those four-legged friends that just don’t know any better. Or do they? Most are just trying to live out their lives in peace foraging among the fence-lines and babbling brooks. It’s all good until they see the greener grass on the other side of the road, then all bets are off. They will run, leap or fly across the road within inches of you, when quite frankly they’ve had all day to make their move. Why now and why me? Didn’t you see the deer crossing sign? I was prepared for you to cross there…
I know what you’re thinking; I signed up for this and that’s why I ride and I accept the risk, because the good outweighs the bad. And it does. Fortunately for us, it hasn’t come down to signing on the bottom line just to get your bike out of the garage. We already know the hazards of riding and we go about our day somehow finding the enjoyment in it despite it all. We didn’t need to read the fine print to know that.
It’s human nature for sure. When we see something out-of-the-ordinary, we turn our heads to see what happened or to watch whatever is happening to unfold. Like the proverbial train-wreck. We. Just. Can’t. Look. Away.
We motorcyclist are rubberneckers. We ride as if our head is on a swivel anyway, and because of that we see a lot of extraordinary things in the process. It’s almost as if we’re asking for it. Well, we are. In this particular case, I stopped to watch the fire off in the distance unfold. It’s not every day you have the opportunity – those few magical minutes – to rubberneck the sun coming up over the horizon. It’s all about timing.
But more importantly it’s about taking the time to stop, pause, and to not only see it but to feel it. To recognize the collision of your path and the extraordinary as it happens is key. When it happens, it happens quick. There are no rules here such as documenting it in a picture but it’s only here for those who are lucky enough to take it in. If you’re able to capture it, that’s okay too. It makes a great home-screen.
But please remember, rubbernecking beauty – good. Rubbernecking misfortune – bad. But you already knew that.
When you find yourself rolling down the highway looking at your surroundings and you see that rubberneck-worthy moment, take it in. But please remember, rubbernecking beauty – good. Rubbernecking misfortune – bad. But you already knew that.
Life is truly made up of extraordinary moments strung together by ability to put ourselves in the middle of it. To see, feel and appreciate our surroundings requires a bit of rubbernecking. Without taking it in, we risk passing it by.
If I can say one thing about riding motorcycles is that we are always looking for parts and accessories; not only for our bikes but for us as well. Between jackets and rain suits, helmets and gloves (for both winter and summer), we look for luggage, saddlebags, tires and all those things we need, want and can’t live without.
It really gives you the impression that our motorcycle is actually the least expensive piece to the puzzle and our bike is just the beginning to that long relationship with everything else that goes with it. Do we really want to add up all the money we’ve spent on gear and accessories? Not me.
Considering what we spend, all I know is if I can save a few bucks and still get the quality I expect and deserve, I’ll be happy. Riding bikes makes me happy. So does saving money.
I was contacted by Motorcycle House to do a few reviews on some products that we enthusiasts use every day. You know the kind; real world, from one biker to another, ride it like you own it kind of stuff. They also carry parts and accessories for UTV’s, ATV’s, dirt bikes and snowmobiles – but it’s motorcycles for me. For those of you who follow my blog, you know I ride year-round out here in the Midwest, and I put a lot of miles on my motorcycle. I also expect a lot from the gear I use and I want to make sure my money goes a long way. I’m looking forward to trying out items that we are all interested in, and Motorcycle House is willing to provide some of them for me. So stay tuned, and in the mean time check them out on social media and give them a follow!
![IMG_1065[1]](https://jmadog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/img_10651.jpg)
Jeff Maddox 