Eons ago, in a different lifetime before motorcycles, I attended a film festival. One of the films was a documentary that still standouts in my mind to do this day. The subject was base jumping—a risky sport where dauntless people jump, with a parachute, not out of a plane but from mountain sides or buildings. During an interview one of the women base jumpers, when explaining … [Read more...] about Coming back from the crash
Rider Profile
Okinawa Joe’s: A dream of classic Japanese motorcycles fulfilled
"That gleaming grey Honda CBX, the inline six cylinder model from 1981 basically transformed the latter half of my life,” claimed John Garasimowicz, owner of Okinawa Joe’s Vintage Motorcycle Sales, pointing to the bike in the featured location in the showroom of his motorcycle restoration company in Harrisonburg, Virginia. The company is housed in an old downtown building, in … [Read more...] about Okinawa Joe’s: A dream of classic Japanese motorcycles fulfilled
Going the distance: Dr. Jay Grosse sees riding as the best medicine
Well, I just went to my new doctor for my yearly check-up. Thankfully there was no bend over and cough and to my great surprise as he took care of the medical things, we talked MOTORCYCLES. Yeah, that’s right, my doctor rides. Not only does he ride, he is a card-carrying member of the Iron Butt Association. After the examination, he took me into his office to show me photos of … [Read more...] about Going the distance: Dr. Jay Grosse sees riding as the best medicine
Asheville’s first female motor officer goes above and beyond
Senior Officer Meg Donahue fastens her 20-pound belt, stocked with her gun in a holster, a baton, and other trimmings around her small frame after pulling her light brown hair into a messy bun so it’ll fit into her helmet. Her uniform, which only comes in men’s sizes, bunches near her knees before being neatly tucked into her black leather boots, a small reminder of her … [Read more...] about Asheville’s first female motor officer goes above and beyond
Gene Bell: Here to help, here to ride
Clearly, Gene Bell does not know how to retire. At 73, he still works part-time for the organization he headed for the past 14 years, the Housing Authority of the City of Asheville. And he’s heavily involved in founding a new charter school in Asheville, PEAK Academy, which will focus on low-income, African-American students. The acronym stands for Prepare and Empower to … [Read more...] about Gene Bell: Here to help, here to ride
