Jeff Maddox

July 9, 2015July 5, 2016

Next Stop – Clarityville

I often wonder what really rolls around in this head of mine when I’m on my motorcycle. I do quite a bit of thinking behind my handlebars but to pinpoint one single thing would be difficult. My thoughts bounce around to many different things and sometimes even come back to the beginning of when the ride started. I’ve said I do my best thinking inside my helmet and this still holds true, but some days it’s hard to find clarity even on a perfect ride.

I need to get beyond the familiar 22 mile ride to work. Although this daily ride is good, it has become the source of a mental block that I’m finding hard to get around. Even an additional 10 miles added to the trip or an alternate route might suffice, but I still need to head in a different direction – maybe taking the long way to Clarityville. Fresh scenery and different smells would do my noggin some good. I’ve been to Clarityville before and its a nice place to visit on your motorcycle.

Fresh scenery and different smells would do my noggin some good. I’ve been to Clarityville before and its a nice place to visit on your motorcycle.

With Sturgis right around the corner, plans are being made. As always, I leave the “Last Minute” clause open in case I need to pull the plug. Things can change right up until the night before I leave and you have to be mentally prepared to throw in the towel and admit you’re not going. Fortunately for me, I haven’t had to exercise this clause but that’s not to say I haven’t stood there at the 11th hour (or was it 11 o’clock at night?) the night before staring at the bike loaded down patiently waiting to hit the road thinking I would have to cancel the trip. Bummer.

As it stands now, Sturgis looks like it’s a go. I need a vacation for sure, but I also need to put some miles under me and clean out some cobwebs in my head. What better way than to see some new countryside through these tired old eyes of mine?

June 8, 2015February 13, 2016

Brake Time

It’s not often I ride after dark but for the last month or so I have been riding the roads of rural Kansas just before the sun has set completely. For all of those obvious reasons that riding at this hour presents, it is kind of nice to roll down the road with my headlight bouncing of the tarmac as my eyes dance side-to-side looking for those pesky critters that also enjoy coming out at night.

Keeping my speed a little below the posted limit on one particular night, I was soon passed by a car. This isn’t a bad thing as I don’t mind a vehicle running interference for me when I’m unsure if I will be greeted by one of nature’s finest. As I followed along behind my new best friend, I allowed myself to relax a little and let myself look around at the clouds as the moonlight reflected off the edges. A beautiful night for sure, and a guy could easily get used o this.

A couple of miles later I noticed the car in front of me tap his brakes. His brake lights caught my attention and I immediately knew based on my familiarity of the road, he was braking for a deer. But this is what I find most interesting about the driver in front of me; he not only tapped his brakes, but he did so multiple times letting me know that there was not only a deer in the road but a couple more waiting to cross. All of this information came through his brake lights. I thought to myself the person driving the car in front of me is surely a biker. I too have flashed my brake lights letting those behind me know of any dangers ahead. I’m sure this isn’t uncommon, but on this given night on this particular road the driver gave me a gift. Three more deer just stepping onto the road, no big hurry and not surprised of the motorcyclist coming up on them.

I’m also known for my moves, but that is a completely different subject and besides it was the ’80’s.

Whether or not my friend in the car actually rides motorcycles or not, it’s nice to know that someone still thinks about the safety of others on the road. I had plenty of time to slow down and be prepared for any sudden moves that deer are known for. I’m also known for my moves, but that is a completely different subject and besides it was the ’80’s.

There are so many unwritten rules of the road. Some of these rules need to be written down and this is one of them. It’s the little things that can be so beneficial to the safety and well-being of others – especially motorcyclists.

April 28, 2015April 29, 2015

Northwest California Motorcycle Routes for a Scenic Road Trip

A good read from my friend Ania. Enjoy!

Riding your motorcycle is a great way to experience the scenic beauty of just about

anywhere. Your bike not only takes you from point A to point B, it lets you enjoy a

nice breeze while doing so. Some of the most picturesque routes are found in the

American Northwest, particularly in California. This means that whenever you are

ready to pack your bags and head on a California adventure, you will have many

routes to choose from. This is just as true if you plan to focus your trip along

Northwest California as it is for routes that take you to other areas of the state.

Pacific Coast Highway

The Pacific Coast Highway, or Highway 1, runs along the Pacific Coast of the state,

letting you either begin or end your journey in Northwest California. The route

covers about 127 miles, so you will need to have enough luggage with you for a few

nights. It is an incredibly easy route to follow, where you either start in Monterey

or Morro Bay and then end in the other. The simplicity of the route allows you to sit

back and enjoy the beautiful sights, including rock outcroppings, rolling hills,

majestic mountains, and coastal views. You will find lighthouses, 18th century

buildings, and plenty of animals, including monarch butterflies, sharks, gray whales,

sea otters, and sea lions.

California Highway 58

Although not completely in Northwest California, State Highway 58 still makes for

an excellent motorcycle route when you are in the area. This is sometimes considered

to be “The Lost Highway,” because so few are aware of its natural beauty. The route

covers 90 miles and starts around 12miles to the west of Bakersfield, California.

From there, you just follow Highway 58 west until you reach the coastline. Along the

way, you can enjoy farmland, canyons, and more mixed along both relaxing roads

and tight turns to keep you on your toes and guarantee your trip is filled with adventure.

Angeles Crest Highway

Another great, easy-to follow route for motorcyclists looking for a road trip adventure near

Northwest California is the Angeles Crest Highway. This highway includes a portion

of State Route 2 and will take you on an adventure covering 66 miles, including

spectacular views and excellent riding. Along the way through the San Gabriel Mountains,

stop to see the Mount Wilson Observatory, which is perfect for those who enjoy

astronomy or simply want an excellent view of the nearby mountains and valleys.

As you continue, you find sweeping curves and generous lanes. Consider stopping at

Newcomb’s Ranch Restaurant & Bar along the way.

Los Angeles

If you happen to be in Los Angeles instead of Northwest California, you will still

have plenty of routes to choose from. You can ride along Mulholland Highway until

you reach The Rock Store, which is a restaurant and shop. Taking the Pacific Coast

Highway can lead you to Neptune’s Net, a popular seafood restaurant. Other options

for afternoon rides that don’t require a large saddlebag include taking Little Tujunga

Road all the way to Route 66 Classic Grill or the Malibu Highlands until you reach the

Rustic Canyon General Store & Grill.

No matter your preference, packing your motorcycle bags and heading to

California can give you an adventure-filled but relaxing road trip you won’t forget.

March 31, 2015April 1, 2015

Work to Ride, Ride to Work

Can you hear it? Can you hear the sound of the clock ticking in the background or more accurately, in the back of your mind? I look around and I see the shadows of the day moving as the sun tells me I haven’t accomplished a thing – when the to-do list is long and rarely completed. Good intentions for sure, but they are mostly used to pave the road I’m riding my motorcycle on right now. All work and no play? Not so much.

Good intentions for sure, but they are mostly used to pave the road I’m riding my motorcycle on right now. All work and no play? Not so much.

It’s possible to have a balanced life with equal parts work and play. Downtime is important but for whatever reason there is always something to do and it needs to get done. I’m looking around but I don’t see any volunteers and the way I see it mopping the floor is my reward for going riding today. Yippee!

I don’t have to ability to spend my days behind the windshield of my motorcycle looking for the perfect road or taking a month off to find myself – I think I already know where I’m at. Real life gets in the way of many things, but does it really? Real life is just that and it includes dirty dishes and a lawn that needs cutting, and I’m completely fine with that. The “ride to live, live to ride” mantra is true but for me its more like “work to ride, ride to work.”

Every day when that urge to ride is stronger than the desire to do laundry, I realize that I’m fortunate enough to ride to work on a regular basis. Not everyone is that lucky, but for me it controls that craving to ride when the voice inside my head is telling me that my jeans will wash themselves. It’s tough being a responsible adult when all I want to do is chase a sunset or see if I can actually see the curve of the earth from some random hilltop. It isn’t always about the road, but more of our surroundings. I don’t have to be rolling down the highway on my bike to appreciate the scenery. Once in a while its okay to pull over, shut the engine off and take it all in. Hey, you need to check your cell phone anyway, right?

Find your balance. Find a way to get your chores done AND ride your motorcycle. It’s not only possible, but necessary too. Work to ride, ride to work. Kinda has a ring to it.

March 21, 2015February 13, 2016

Beyond a Tank of Gas

Officially I’m not old. Let’s get this out there right now. Although what little hair I have is quite gray, I’m really not that old. So why do I ride an “old man’s” bike? Well it has so much more to do with being wiser, not older. You see when you ride a lot of miles, you quickly find out it’s not about looking cool but rather feeling comfortable.

There surely was a time when cool was important to me. In fact cool was only something a weird guy like me could hope to be at some point in my life. I know I wowed friends with my sense of humor, but at no time did I hear anyone say to me “you’re cool.” Funny yes, but never cool. But I digress.

Why is the bike I ride considered an old man’s bike anyway? Big seat, cruise control, stereo, CB radio, plenty of wind protection (to keep my flowing locks free from tangles) and storage – lots of storage. Oh, and a trailer hitch. Now I know what you’re thinking; a young man wouldn’t need these things. He would set off on a ride with little or no suspension, a flannel shirt, Chuck Taylors on his feet, and his Ray Bans acting as his windshield. Trust me, he isn’t riding far. Oh, I know he’s cool and the envy of some, but that’s only cool for a tank of gas or so. I’ve seen everything within a tank of gas from where I live. In fact you have to pass the same old scenery just to get anywhere. It’s beyond the 5 gallons of gas or so that I long for. Hell, I would rather be 5 tanks of gas away from anywhere on my motorcycle.

It’s beyond the 5 gallons of gas or so that I long for.

It takes at least a couple of fill-ups to see the unfamiliar landscape we desire and for those of us “old bastards” who like to travel on our motorcycles, we’re just getting warmed up. I’m not trying to take away anything from being young and adventurous. Living on a shoestring, willing to sacrifice your comfort for the sake of it all and to set off completely unprepared for whatever mother nature throws at you is a choice, and who am I to argue? Just because I can’t leave the house without lip balm might tell you something about me. I was young once and that’s all I’m going to say about that. With youth comes learning and with age comes learned. I’ve learned the hard way to not set off on a ride without a pair of gloves if there is any chance the temperature could drop along the way. And I’ve learned my ass needs a soft seat for any ride longer than 20 minutes.

So I don’t want to hear my motorcycle referred to as an “old man’s” bike anymore. It is more of a “dues paid” motorcycle.

March 1, 2015February 15, 2016

An Amazing Machine for a Simple Guy

The long old road of truth awaits those who ride motorcycles. We somehow find our way to places we think we’ve been only to find this time it’s different. It isn’t always about what we see, but more of what we find. Finding the truth about myself and giving validation to everything that goes on inside this pretty little head of mine is exactly what I need when the moment is right. Sure, sometimes those moments are few and oh, so far between. Winter can be longer and harder for a motorcyclist as we need the constant motion and the tilting of horizons to be plumb again. The less vertical we get our bikes, the more true we feel. It’s all about calibration.

“The less vertical we get our bikes, the more true we feel. It’s all about calibration.”

When we finally find answers to questions we never asked, it becomes apparent there is more to us than meets the eye. We ride to not only lose ourselves, but also to get an understanding of why we desire to get lost in the first place. Having ridden motorcycles for so many years it has proven itself as a vehicle for answers. What’s over the next hill and around the next curve? My motorcycle will answer that question. How cold is it and how hard is it raining two miles down the road? Yep, you got it. How far is the next gas station and will I make it? I’m confident my motorcycle will let me know the answer to that one. Not every answer is something we want to hear or see for that matter.

Those answers to life’s questions come to me in the form of reflection and contemplation. I’ve often said my motorcycle is where I do my best thinking and this remains true. The longer the ride, the further I reflect. Reflection seems to put me on the road to find what I search for internally. I don’t know if we are designed to find all the answers to life’s questions as I think it is the search for these answers that keeps us moving. As long as I’m moving, I’m good.

You have your own reasons for riding as I do. Our motorcycles provide us with the stimulation for all our senses and it’s hard to give just one reason. Transportation, recreation, motion and emotion is a lot to expect from our bikes but they handle it well. I can do my best thinking when I’m not thinking about much at all, and I often see more of my surroundings without even looking. An amazing machine for such a simple guy like me.

February 11, 2015February 13, 2016

The Choices We Didn’t Make

This morning as I stood upon the steps trying to decide on whether or not to ride my motorcycle to work on this cold, cloudy and windy day, the only thing I could think about was my weatherman Collin missing the mark the two previous days. Not that he was that far off, but it surely wasn’t in my favor. So today I decided to not ride because of it. I thought to myself “I’ll teach him.”

So my drive in was one of deep thought. Just like on my motorcycle, I spend a good portion just thinking about stuff that I don’t get a chance to think about otherwise. This decision on whether or not to ride is something that comes up a lot during the fall and winter months so it really isn’t that surprising. But this morning it occurred to me that I spent so much time trying to decide on something so trivial. Is riding that important to me? It is, but why make such a big deal about whether I’m going to or not? There are way more important life decisions and choices to make that all of a sudden this seemed insignificant. So what’s the problem?

Looking back over a lifetime there are many choices and decisions we make that can literally change the course of who we are and what we do. Fundamentally we are going to be the person we truly are, but I think you know what I mean. Some of the great mysteries of life are a direct result of decisions and choices we didn’t make.

“Some of the great mysteries in life are a direct result of decisions and choices we didn’t make.”

I’ve been riding motorcycles enough to know that the decision to ride or not affects my whole day. It is who I am and what I do so when I don’t ride I’m usually kicking myself for whatever reason. That little voice in my head says many things through the course of a day and when he’s right I can’t argue. You do hear those voices too, don’t you?

I’m not trying to trivialize the choices we make here. But we are faced with big and small decisions every day and depending on the outcome of those decisions it can alter how our day goes. Put it on a larger scale and we’ve all made life decisions that resulted in where we are standing today. Call it fate, chance or destiny – even luck, but life is full of choices. I know I’ve made several calls to not ride when I should have and vice-versa, but in the end it didn’t do any more than irritate me.

I often think about the road that led me to where I am today. I think about those crossroads where a choice was made and things changed, and how it would be different if that life intersection had been just a mile or two further down the road. I think about those future crossroads that I’ve yet to meet and how nobody knows how it will really turn out. That’s the beauty of it – and that’s where those great mysteries of life come from.

February 4, 2015February 13, 2016

Indian Motorcycles – Every Story Needs A Hero

I love a great story, one that takes me back to a world before my time. And as you know every great story has a beginning, a middle and some even have an end. But this story hasn’t ended yet. In fact, I think this may be just the beginning.

Indian Motorcycles is a great story, and as the story goes right now, it has me sitting on the edge of my chair. I’ve been a motorcycle guy for over 40 years. Growing up, my world revolved around everything I could get my hands on that could give me any information to what was going on out in the world of motorcycling. Living in the Midwest in the ’70s, information was a little slow to arrive, but when it did I hung onto each picture and every word. Yes, as in the printed word. We didn’t live in some futuristic world of instant information, video on a whim or hand-held telecommunication devices that kept us current with the media…you know, like socially. Magazines told us of what in the world was going on, and we liked it so much we saved them in stacks. For you folks living in the future, that means we didn’t “delete” them.

We are living in a period where we can witness the Indian Motorcycle story as it unfolds. We already know how the story began, and much like those folks living around 1901 when George Hendee and Carl Hedstrom put their collective heads together and started it all, those who followed it through the local newspapers watched it unfold in real-time. They were living through the era of racing board track, the beginning of the Isle of Man TT, World War I, and “Cannonball” Baker as the Indian story progressed through the ’20s. I’m sure around 1915 they weren’t sitting on the edge of their seats, but as news goes people will follow. No one thought they would ever see the end of the story in their lifetime. We often live our lives not thinking like this, but it’s still true today. What has happened in your lifetime that we take for granted, not thinking how many more chapters there will be?

Like any good book there are chapters where the reading gets a little dry. Around 1953 all production was halted and the company went bankrupt. With several attempts over the years to revive the Indian brand it was discovered to be harder than one would think. Deep pockets and big dreams can get you far but it takes more than that. It takes a hero to come in and save the day and that hero is Polaris Industries. A company with the know-how and the wherewithal to make it happen. The secret ingredient? I believe it’s the people. Just as George and Carl were the guys to kick it off, the people behind Polaris Industries have the passion and desire and more importantly – a track record to make it happen. The Indian Motorcycle brand is a story within itself, but the real story is its success. Polaris, quietly building Victory Motorcycles for years, shakes the industry up with the new Indian Brand. Not only did it garner worldwide attention, but as a side benefit, it pulls Victory Motorcycles into an even brighter spotlight. This story can only get better.

The Indian Motorcycle Brand has found a good, permanent home with Polaris. A rough and rocky road for many years, Indian can now be the Brand it so deserves to be. When you are passionate about something it’s easy to get excited about it. I’ve been a passionate motorcyclist for many years and it isn’t hard to spot the kind of enthusiasm building behind Indian Motorcycles. I know there is so much more to come and it’s happening in real-time for us.

January 8, 2015January 8, 2015

Embrace the Uphill

We’re a few days into a new year and I’m sure many of you have already broken free of those pesky restrictions of your New Year’s resolutions. This year I have convinced myself to set some lofty goals, and some “not so” lofty goals. Things I should be doing; taking better care of myself with exercise, drinking more water and eating less. It’s difficult to do the right things even though we know its best for us. Damn the slippery slope and the path of least resistance. Why does it have to be so hard to be better? Oh, that’s right – we have to want to.

I’ve always had a pretty positive attitude and a good outlook on life, so for me setting goals isn’t that hard. I automatically assume when I set my mind to something I’m going to make it happen. Again, it comes down to how bad you want it and what you’re willing to do to make it happen. Sometimes it’s just making your mind up and taking that first step, and I’m sure for many it can seem to be uphill both ways. Hey, no one said it would be easy, but more often than not it’s not as hard as we thought it would be. Go figure.

I’ve set a couple of personal goals this year. One is to get a little deeper into this motorcycle industry than I have ever been before. Making my living selling motorcycles is fine but I want to be involved in this industry on a much larger scale. Global? Can a small town boy from Kansas be global? Sure. Is that one of my goals? Lofty, but no. When you’re passionate about something it should come natural, and if you know me you know I’m passionate about motorcycles. Right now I’m not sure if this particular goal can be measured. Further into the industry can mean a lot of things I guess, but everything is measured in steps. So any step forward is one step closer to a goal – wherever that goal is.

I wish I had more definition on what this goal is. To give such a broad statement with expectations of hitting a goal without clear objectives can be difficult. I think when it happens (not if it happens) I will know that my goal has been achieved. Part of making and achieving goals is to push yourself to do something more than you would normally. Just as in exercising, if you don’t take that first step…I think you know where I’m going with this. A goal is the same thing no matter what it is. By just proclaiming your goals you’ve made that first step of recognizing you want more. But as in all things worth achieving, it takes work and determination, focus and a willingness to accept those “two steps back” moments and turn them into one step forward.

I have challenged myself and I challenge you to do the same. Embrace the uphill in whatever it is you want to achieve and the rewards will be worth it. I’m looking forward to it.

January 6, 2015

The Things Postcards and Calendars are Made Of

“From the seat of my motorcycle…”

No matter your mode of transportation, you must admit this world is a beautiful place. And if you happen to be in the right place at the right time, you will be gifted with something way bigger than we are. The power of the weather makes things seem small in comparison, and if we’re lucky, we can appreciate it without all the fuss. Even a bright sunny day with little or no wind (insert your favorite type of clouds here) can put a smile on your face. We motorcyclists know that if we ride long enough we will get to see some pretty cool things. Oh, and you folks that drive will see them too.

Often in my travels it seems my path and these brief seconds of beauty collide. The world around me is a constant changing thing and the fact that a mere moment or two can be the difference of seeing something camera worthy, or a minor inconvenience. We know our days can be punctuated with these small wonders, but if you’re not looking for them, they will never be seen.

It isn’t always about sunrises or sunsets. There can be beauty in anything when you take the time to look. It’s all around us for crying out loud. Today with the frigid temps you wouldn’t expect to find anything that makes you smile, but with the clear blue sky and snow on the ground I find it to my liking. The crispness in the air is just right. Cold? Yes. Groovy? Of course..

No matter the season or your state of mind, we can look around us and appreciate what makes those postcards and calendars so cool. There is nothing like seeing it and feeling it in person and as bikers we take the good with the bad. In this case; the cold with the view. No, I didn’t ride today, but it’s not because I didn’t want to. But I can still take in the scenery from wherever I am and wish that I had ridden. It will warm up soon enough and when it does…it will be from the seat of my motorcycle.