Well, it’s been over eight months and 2,100 miles since I bought the Harley. I must say that it’s changed my life in some positive ways. I’ve gotten out of the house more, met some new friends and have had a lot more fun.
I really didn’t know what to expect when I bought the bike. Frankly, I didn’t really have any expectations at all. I just wanted a motorcycle and I got one.
One thing I know about me is that when I tackle something, I go at it 100%. The Harley is no different. Shortly after getting the bike, I bought a Harley-Davidson leather jacket. It’s awesome warm and I wore it all winter, even if I wasn’t riding. I did learn that I could ride when the temp is over 40 degrees – something that’s pretty common here in lower Delaware. So, I probably put 500 miles on the bike during December through February. A month ago, I got a leather Harley-Davidson vest. I’m officially a bad-ass biker dude now! I’ve had some engine work done too. You know that guy down the street whose motorcycle rattles your windows when he blasts by your house? That’s me now. Sorry, not sorry!
I’ve made some new friends too. Back in early April I did a group ride to the Timeless Tavern in Stockton Maryland. The Tavern has been described as an “Outstanding dive bar... …a must stop on the way down to Chincoteague VA.” The ride was about 35 miles and I rode with my friend Jim and new friends Wes, Mary and Kelly. It was the first time I ever rode in a group and it was a blast. The tavern was a neat place that’s a great hangout if you’re a local. One thing I never do is drink and ride, so the Diet Coke was very satisfying. A Yuengling Lager would have been much better though!
One of the first things I noticed when riding is that the entire world is opened up to you. There’s nothing quite like it. Even in a convertible, you’re still enclosed in a steel box – just one without a top. On a bike you’re completely exposed to the elements of sound, temperature and smell.
And the smells are a real pleasure. Most of my rides are on country roads. Of course, Sussex County Delaware is still mostly country with lots of farms and open land. There are so many wonderful aromas like wild roses and honeysuckle. With all the farmland there are also some not-so-wonderful aromas like manure and chicken s**t. And I gotta tell you, there are a LOT of chickens in southern Delaware! But the smells are another part of the ride that make it interesting.
My Harley has a windshield and it takes the brunt of all the bugs I encounter. Every ride I take has a rag and a bottle of Windex at the end of the trail. And, except for one time, I haven’t had and encounters with bees. On that one occasion I was zipping down Route One at 70 MPH. I looked down and a wasp was clinging to my jeans for dear life! A flick of the finger and it was “hasta la vista, baby!”
This Saturday some of my friends and I will be riding down to the Girdletree Volunteer Fire Company in Girdletree, Maryland for their 19th annual Girdletree Cash & Bike Bash. This fundraiser is an afternoon of raffles, silent auctions and all-you-can-eat junk food. Yum! It’s a nice way to meet some new people and experience the whole “bike thing.”
The Harley has made a positive impact on my life. I’ve had new experiences, made some new friends and get out of the house (and away from the bar at the VFW) a lot more. I try to ride safely and hope to tell you about some of my adventures in the future.
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Lack of money is the root of all evil.
- George Bernard Shaw.
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A Cute Story About Pip, The Guide Dog Trainee
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Your amazing, never thought I would see you on a bike, Enjoy and stay safe, I am jealous!