The weather was unusually awesome on New Year’s Day. It was more like spring than winter. My wife and I joined a group ride in Hendersonville, North Carolina, where friends and bikes of all types were aplenty. We were just entering that group rhythm, headed toward some of our favorite twisties, when it happened — and it happened quickly. My wife, Sheri, was ahead of me on her … [Read more...] about Improving the odds: A crash illustrates the importance of ATGATT
Basic Rider class is just the beginning
For almost a year, I thought about enrolling in the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s Basic Rider course taught at a local community college. A friend, who is exhilarated by the prospect of riding a motorcycle, asked me to join her. After little consideration and more of a sense of adventure, I told her I would. I knew this decision would please my husband, a long-time rider, … [Read more...] about Basic Rider class is just the beginning
Going back in Floyd time
Floyd is just different. You wouldn’t be able to tell from a Virginia map. Floyd looks much like any other small-town county seat in the southwest part of the state. And you likely wouldn’t be able to tell on a quick drive-through, passing through the main intersection of State Route 8 and U.S. 221, the corner of Main and Locust, where you’ll find the county’s sole traffic … [Read more...] about Going back in Floyd time
Finding serenity: A ride to boost your mental health
It’s dark and raining. Nearly 333 miles into this trip, I’m 12 miles east of Suches, Georgia. As elevation increases, the rainy drizzle intermixes with fog, diminishing the usually excellent head lamp and fog lights to less than what my tired eyes need. Adding to the challenge, earlier rain and wind has stripped most of the already waning fall color from the trees, creating a … [Read more...] about Finding serenity: A ride to boost your mental health
Going solo: A ride along the Blue Ridge
The road treated me well today, each corner unfolding knowingly into the next. There were some amazingly clean stretches of familiar asphalt that begged for just another few feet before brakes, a half-second sooner on the throttle. I rediscovered that perfect, mid-corner spot for my head a few times, just above the handgrip on either side of the tank — the place where I could … [Read more...] about Going solo: A ride along the Blue Ridge
