Why I Ride (or Why We Ride)

[jfheilman]

I was watching a TV Show the other night and they were talking about “sights to see”. And then I started thinking about us, Motorcycle Riders. We enjoy life on two wheels. For me it has always been an adventure. An adventurer I have loved and enjoyed. As I was thinking of what I have enjoyed for these many years, I decided I would sort of "document" my experiences so I can share them with family and friends.

So, if it is ok with the members here, I like to use this tread to share, with others, what I have enjoyed these last 24 years. But, first we have to look at how it all started.

How It Started - 1975
It started in 1975 with a Yamaha 175 Enduro. A co-worker had a 250cc Yamaha and was there when I picked it up and rode it home for my first ride (I had taken a motorcycle safety course a few moths before). I rode the bike, mostly, back and forth to work. Since I worked at Crystal River Nuclear, we would sometimes ride back along the power lines. That’s where I had my first “event”.

Don’t know what I hit or how it happened but I was thrown off the bike and was unconscious for a few minutes. I was with friends and they helped me up and I got back on the bike, but my full face helmet was cracked at the top, just above the visor. Some impact it would seem.

Sold it when we moved from Crystal River, Florida to St. Joseph and then Hope, Michigan in 1977.

 

[Esti1300]

Riding is the purest escape, where the journey is the only destination.

 

[jfheilman]

Twenty ThreeYears Later - The Return

I did not get another bike until 2000 (yes just after the Y2K event ). There are many reasons why but, when those things dwindled and had less of an impact on my life (and my family), I made a decision.

At that time we were living in South Carolina. That bike was a 2000 Honda Shadow ACE Tourer. It was ok for riding and had hard saddle bags and that allowed me to take the wife along on trips to the Myrtle Beach and other places in the area.

I believe this a picture of the ACE Tourer



In 2003, the Shadow had a mechanical issue and when I took it to a dealer to see about fixing it, I heard the price and decided it was time for a change.

I traded the 2000 Shadow for a new (at least to me, don’t remember the mileage) 2003 Honda Valkyrie Standard, which I still have and ride.

That is when my motorcycle riding really started. Yes we did ride the Shadow to Bike Week at the Beach a couple of time and did ride a few more places on the Shadow, but it was not until 2004 that my journeys on two wheels truly started.

You see people or hear people talking about places to see or places they have seen. That is what I wanted to do. I was not really into “wandering”. Most of my rides were planned. As I said, I had goals or “places” in mind. I knew two things. Where I was starting out from and where I was going to end up. The rest was open for change.

This is my 2003 Valkyrie Standard (GL-1500) -Picture was taken on the Natchez Trace, October 2, 2004.



I initially used a hard copy map and a Magellan GPS that showed where I was and the road on which I was traveling.



Later, when Garmin GPS’s (like the StreePilot 2820) were available and mapping programs, like Microsoft Streets and Trips were available, I could plan a route to ride and ride it. Deviations were allowed because the GPS would recalculate the route as needed.

Shown here on the ST1300


Between 2004 and 2013 I visited all 48 Continental US States and four Canadian Provinces. All on two wheels. While I did ride a shipmate’s motorcycle for about 50 feet when we were stationed at Pearl Harbor, I don’t count Hawaii as a “state traveled”. Total miles traveled? I don’t keep track.

My next posts will be about the rides I took in 2004. My first real year on the road on my motorcycle. The start of what I believe was an epic journey. A journey of both riding and the journey of experience and wonder. Things happen sometimes that you cannot explain. They just happen and 99% of the time I smile.

 

[St-Gerard]

Liking your thread, you have my vote for sharing your story, Gerard

 

[jfheilman]

Key West - February - March 2004

My first real motorcycle trip was with a person I worked with and two riders that he knew. We traveled from Irmo, SC to Key West, FL, February-March 2004 What a trip and it was an experience I shall never forget. It was a 1,600 plus miles road trip. I am not sure how many days we spent on this trip. But we left in late February and were in Key West February 26 - 29. (Based on photograph time stamps).

Not just the ride, but the things we saw, the things we did, it was my first notion of what an “adventure” on two wheels was like. And while the stops were planned, it was “Freedom”. We traveled as a group but were on our own on the bikes. It was FREEDOM! It was True Freedom.

I don't have a route for the trip. I think we just headed south and followed the signs until we got to Key West, FL.
Here is a picture of me and my riding companions.



We found a place called "Hog's Breath Salon".


And we found the end of US 1


And I am not sure why its black and white but......

And this is us, at the end of our (my first) adventure.

 

[St-Gerard]

Okay I give up, which one is you?

 

[Andrew Shadow]

Okay I give up, which one is you?

The one standing beside the Valkerie would be my guess.

 

[jfheilman]

Ok.... me, in the first picture I am standing behind the two seated to the left.

In the second picture I am the one standing on the right side of the picture wearing that "interesting leather jacket with my right hand on the sign.

In the third picture I am on the far right, as noted above, beside my Valkyrie.

 

[jfheilman]

My second trip on 2004 was to the Vallyrei Owners "InZane II". As part of being a Valkyrie rider and owner, I also joined the Valkyrie Owners Forum. (or Valkyrie Riders Club)

The group has annual get togethers that are identified as "InZanes" InZane II was held in Paduka, KY in July of 2024. I decided it was something I would like to experience.

The trip up was mostly interstate and I don't have a map or route in my archives. But, based on the route I think I would have taken back then, it was a 1,200 mile round trip.

The meeting is held over a weekend, typically. I don't have a lot of "interesting" pictures but here are some from the trip and event.

A picture of the attendees (or some of them)


A picture of one of the “competitive” events



One of the customized bikes on display


This is a picture of one of the scenic views if you travelled around the area. Since Paducka is on the Ohio River, I assume that is the river in the background in the picture below.



And the view from my room in the hotel in which I stayed.


And why Magellan GPS got me there and back with no issues.


And next is the Bluz Cruz.

 

[jfheilman]

My next trip was to follow the Blues Legend Route. I called it the “Bluz Cruz”.

There were four goals for this trip.
1 Stop in Tupelo, MS
2. Visit the Crossroads in Clarksdale, MS
3. Visit Elvis’s home in Memphis
4. A stop in Knowville was desired.

A map of the probable route I took for this trip.


It was about 1,600 in six or seven days.

I was not aware of the "Natural Bridge" in Alabama so, when I saw the signs, I paid the Natural Bridge a visit.



The stop in Tupelo, MS was planned. What I cannot remember is if I visited Elvis birthplace while there. I know I did in a later trip.

From Tupelo, I followed part of the Natchez Trace south and then turned west toward the Mississippi River. I cannot remember the movie that inspired the visit to the Trace but... it was a wonder for me to actually see the "real" Trace.

Here is a short video I took while riding there Trace.

Riding the Natchez Trace South of Tupelo
.
And then I found the Old Trace







I then turned West toward Greenville, MS and to ride along the Mississippi River. You cannot see the river from MS 1 but what you can see is a lot cotton and other corps. There is also a sort of built up area along the river. I suspect it is there ti minimize flooding.

MS 1 headed North


I followed MS 1 North to Clarksdale, MS. And then I got to the Crossroads.



I had heard stories about Robert Johnson and the Crossroads. And, I wanted to visit the place that made him "famous".

From the link below:

"Robert Johnson was born and raised in the Mississippi Delta and began playing guitar in the 1920's.

Then Robert disappeared for a season. Legend recounts that he found himself at a dark and deserted crossroads around midnight where he was met by a strange man. The man tuned his guitar and played a few songs and returned it to Johnson."

The Crossroads Clarksdale, MS

Leaving the Crossroads I traveled East toward Memphis and a visit to Elvis's Home.


I stated to head home but I did an overnight stop in Knoxville. I wanted to visit Cotton Eyed Joe's


And I took some time to relax and reflect on what I had seen and where I traveled.

 

[Mellow]

I was part of the Texas Valhalla Six Guns Valkyrie club for a while. It fell apart but many still remained friends.



They all laughed at me when I got the new Goldwing... a couple years later about half of them had one LOL

 

[jfheilman]

The year 2005 was a good year for riding, at least for me.

The first ride of 2005 (we are only talking about multi day rides) was to New Orleans.

The ride was about 1,550 miles, round trip. I believe we took only two days to get there and two days on the trip back. I believe we spent three days in New Orleans.

The were seven riders with me on this trip. My first "Large" ride. Things went fairly well. No real issues. And we did not have any issues with weather during this trip.

Here is the route I believe we took.



Dinner on the road



Our group of travelers



Breakfast on the road



Some night life in New Orleans



Lunch somewhere near New Orleans, Boutte, LA



The Menu


Somewhere in New Orleans


There are many more pictures I have of our "experiences" during our stay in New Orleans. However many of them might be considered inappropriate for public display.

This group of riders and I made one more trip in 2005. We added a new rider and may have lost one of the riders shown here but.....

For me, this was not the way I wanted to ride. It was a ride from Point A to Point B, and yes, along the way there were many sights to see but....., the next group ride in 2005 was more of what I wanted.

 

[jfheilman]

I made two more trips in 2005 before the ride I will call "From the Mountains to the Sea".

The first of these two trips a trip to Myrtle Beach, SC to see what "Bike Week" was like. I sort of grew up in Myrtle Beach and, for many summers after my family moved away from Myrtle Beach, we would spend a week in Garden City or Murrelles Inlet. Just looked it up and the information says that Bike Week in Myrtle Beach started in the 1940's.

I date the Bike Week trip to be in May of 2005 since the date on a couple of photos I say May, 2005.

A photo of what I think is Suck Bang and Blow just off US 17 in Murrels Inlet.


If you travel down US 17 there is a road off to the left (as you travel south on US 17). That road (which I think is US 17 Business) takes you near the coast. As you made the left turn you will see a "place on your left" that is motorcycle related. Lots of bikes are there during bike week and other times as well. I cannot remember the name but this is a picture of that area during bike week, 2005.


The Second trip in 2005 was to Minnesota. My wife's mother lived in Southern Minnesota and she needed some help. So, the wife and I rode up there in a couple of days, we rented a car for her use while there and then, when she was settled in, I headed back home. Only so much time off from work for me.

Oh, and yes, I did not rush the trip up or back just stayed on the road and enjoyed the ride.

 

[jfheilman]

Just for the record, a couple of weeks ago, maybe three or four, I started working on documenting my motorcycle trips. It was something to do and it also would allow me to relive the adventures.

In 2006 my riding companions became a "group". There were four of us. Two working with me at V. C. Summer Nuclear Station in Jenkinsville, SC. The fourth was a friend of one of my friends. We rode together for many trips over the next four or five years. We had experiences. We had untold fun. We had surprises and we had some exceptional times together.

Leo, is no longer with us. Billie, is no longer an active rider but does a lot of "motorhome" travels with his wife. And Henry has had some health issues but he has stabilized and we stay in touch. Both Billie and Henry live nearby.

You see, when you go on the road with a group of riders, one of the things that is foremost on your (well my) mind is "trust". I would trust Billie, Leo, and Henry with my life. They were there if I needed them, I was there if they needed me. And this was built on the companionship and things/events we experienced on the road together.

And the best is yet to come.

 

[St-Gerard]

A Man that you can trust with your life is a wonderful thing and if he rides even better. Enjoying this thread,G

 

[jfheilman]

My last ride in 2005 was the one that I used to build the rest of the rides traveled. The trip was to ride the Blue Ridge Parkway North. Then head East toward the ocean and then ride down the "Outer Banks" along the North Carolina coast. Of course we had to travel through Virgina and Maryland to get there. Well not really. But for some reason this is the route we planned and took


The route was about 1,550 miles and I believe we took Seven days to complete the ride. I think there might have been on two night stay along the coastal area.

One of the riders had a place in the mountains or near the mountains so we all meet there to start the trip.


After a good nights sleep we headed out on the road. But first was a stop for breakfast.


I think this is a picture of use getting ready to leave after breakfast.


Ands we headed for the BRP.



Round Medaow Creek BRP MM 179.2

After we finished riding the BRP we headed East. I don't remember where we spent the night but this was an "establishment" within easy night time riding distance.


And since we had several "Harley" riders in the group we had to make a stop at Nags Head Harley Davison


And official on the Outer Banks

And a stop on the Chesapeake Bay.

And to get back the "land" we had to take two ferries.

And of course there was a wait for each ferry.


But there are some nice views from the ferry as you leave



One interesting thing is the way I timed this trip. I don't think we took account the time the ferry took to cross the bay. So, we ended up returning to land after dark.


But it was all good and everyone enjoyed the trip. But there was one minor issue.

On the way back, I traveled back through Myrtle Beach to head home. Some where just a few miles west of Conway, my Valkyrie had a rear tire failure.
Called AAA and they can and took the bike to a local Honda dealer on US 501. Then called the wife to come down and pick me up. It was a sort of long drive for her but she did not seem to mind.

I made, and I don't really remember why, two different videos of photos and some team made videos from this trip. They are on Rumble and linked below

Mountains to the Sea Sept 2005 Video One

Mountains to the Seat Sept. 2005, Video Two

 

[tnbill]

Your breakfast stop was knights on main in blowing rock, now long gone.

 

[Pop-Pop]

Riding is the purest escape, where the journey is the only destination.

I never stuck to the planned route once.

 

[jfheilman]

Your breakfast stop was knights on main in blowing rock, now long gone.

That sort of crossed my mind (I mean was it still there given the time). But now I know where we were. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[jfheilman]

In March of 2006, we, the gentlemen I had been riding with the last few years, returned to Key West.

the trip was about 1,630 miles round trip. I believe we took two days to go down and two days to go back home. I think we spent three nights in Key West.

Here is a map showing the route we took. I was using Microsoft Streets and Trips, 2006, to do the routing. I carried a lap top with me on this trip so I could, if needed, modify the route.

And of course we stopped for gas on the way down





And we stopped at Alabama Jacks on the way down and the way back. Actually found the place by accident, as I remember. On the first trip down to Key West, we took US 1. We were told, later, that if you just take US 1 you miss one of the keys.

But, if you take Card Sound Road, you travel through the upper part of Key Largo and you will find Alabama Jacks, just before you cross the bridge on Little Card Sound.









The trip down Card Sound Road to reconnect with US 1 South to Key West.


Our lodging in Key West was Budget Key West”. Not really cheap but actually pretty good for Key West lodging prices this time of year. It was located about five or six blocks from the “main drag” in Key West





And of course we visited Sloppy Joe’s. We did not go there on our first trip, if I remember correctly, but the second and third trips we did. Not a bad place to spend the evening.



And one of our riding buddies got a Tattoo.


On way back home, we stopped to spend some time at "Bike Week" in Dayton Beach, FL



The T-Shirt has to do with an error made on the trip down to Key West.

We explored some of the bikes.


Billie, after all the trips he had taken with us, decided it might be time for a real touring bike.

So, he checked out a Honda Goldwing.


A 2006 Honda Goldwing. Billie purchased the bike shortly after we returned home. He used in on our ride to Oklahoma in August of 2006

That was the trip.