Most of my riding, since 1969 and until 2001, had been weekend day rides or playing with motocross and enduro bikes. I had fun. My military career took me all over the world and there were years when I could not ride a motorcycle in the particular place I happened to be assigned. My riding became an on and off experience as the consequence and there was one extended period where I chose not to ride - preferring to explore other interests like sea kayaking, skiing, and back packing.

I genuinely enjoy the outdoors and still enjoy skiing and the other pursuits, but they don't compare to riding a motorcycle. Somewhere in 2000 Laurie and I were crossing South Dakota in our car and encountered an extraordinary number of Harley Davidson bikes. A lot being ridden and a lot on trailers. Initially, I wondered WTF? then it dawned on me that the Sturgis Rally must be happening and from that point on during our trip I saw each bike in a much different way. For example - how were they outfitted, did they carry camping gear, old school rat bike, or garage queen. I bought a bike when we got home.

I'd also retired from the Air Force and was intent on a stable (not move every year or two) lifestyle which meant I could enjoy motorcycles again and perhaps in ways that were new. Dirt riding in Washington state is nothing like it was in the early riding days. Motorcyclists and other power sports enthusiasts were confined to ORV parks and some Forest Service land, and getting there with a dirt bike wasn't particularly easy. Unfortunately this trend increases every year squeezing rides into smaller and smaller areas. Not for me. That leaves the open road.

Much of my life has been lived in overseas locations - some nice and some not so nice - and all of that has been a wonderful exposure to the world, different people, and the cultures that inhabit the planet. I don't regret it one bit and am quite grateful for the experience. The down side is I simply have had little time to explore my own country and it occurred to me that bigger road bikes would afford me a fun way to catch up. I note that many motorcyclists - the Adventure Touring types - are all about traveling overseas. I think that is very cool but as I lived in many of those places have no interest in going back, even if on a motorcycle. I'm focused on riding North America.

I selected a few trips to chronicle and attempted to have at least one a year for my family to read and they are available here for your reading pleasure. If you have the stomach for reading all of it you will note that each seems to have me riding a different motorcycle. As noted in the Bikes Section, I have owned a lot of different bikes and my riding interests have adjusted as a result of riding. I decided against a section covering the details of each bike I've owned however if you have an interest in a particular bike just shoot me an email and I'll answer your questions.