From a young age I have always liked things that go fast.
My older brother as a teenager loved to build things including go carts,
motorcycles and ATV's. My other 3 brothers and I were his test pilots. He
affectionately gave us nicknames for my brother Matt "Matias", for
myself Sparky, and for Mitch "Mitch the Stitch" and for Chad it was
just "big bad Chad". He was constantly taking things apart
around the house to use on his next project. I remember watching one of
my fellow test pilot brothers on the lawn mower go cart trying to
mow the lawn when the throttle stuck. Of course there was no kill switch
so just before running into a brick retaining wall in the backyard he reached
back and pulled the spark plug wire off the spark plug as he slammed into the
wall. I remember the day my older brother brought home two very old,
broken, not running motorcycles. I asked him what are you going to do
with those? He said build one that works. He worked for months in
the shed and then finally emerged one day with a beautiful big blue motorcycle
that we affectionally called "Big Blue".
When about 14 years old two of my brothers and I convinced a
teenage friend to sell us his Honda 120 endure. This began the love affair with
two wheels. It became a great way to get around until someone told us you
have to be 16 and have a license to ride motorcycles. I have a 94' soft
tail that belonged to my brother Mitch. After he very unexpectedly passed
away in his sleep about 4 years ago I bought the bike from his wife. I
now ride his motorcycle as a way to remember him. Every July near the day
he passed I go for a ride on his motorcycle and remember him. It is just a
motorcycle and has no eternal significance but it helps me to think of the
things that do have significance as I remember my good brothers life, his
example, where he may be and what he might be doing.
I have always enjoyed anything that goes fast and connects
you to the outdoors. I also enjoy a good challenge and the excitement of
gearing up for a challenge. This is what intrigued me when a friend Andy
came to pay a special visit at my home. Several months ago Andy comes to
my house and says " Marc I need to talk to you privately in the living
room" immediately I new that this might be something big.
As I sat and listened to him roll out and pitch the 48/10 and tell
me that he just bought a Goldwing. I thought to myself "he's gone
nuts, poor Nikki, and A GOLDWING! why would you ever want a Goldwing, actually
that sounds kind of fun, when do we go". I still at that point
walked Andy to the door not thinking that I would ever attempt a ride like the
one he was explaining. However in the days and weeks to come I
found myself dreaming of the bike and route and the adventure. After my
wife agreed to the trip I had no choice but to buy the bike and make the trip.
I'm excited to see the sights, meet the people along the way
and learn something new. I'm grateful to be along for the ride with
Steve, Andy, and Jared and trust there preparation and judgement. (especially
Steve's) I look forward to getting to know them well, hear them snore,
whine, and laugh. There are many life lessons to be learned on the road
I hope to learn many of them on this adventure. If in doubt ride it out.
Ride on my friends!
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