Author: switchinggears302003389

It’s been a while since I’ve written. Life has a funny way of getting hectic. Even so, I do my best to manage my free time the best I can. Business, pleasure and responsibilities. Of course one may say that it’s a bit more complex and diverse that this and I agree. You can debate for hours on end what falls into what. It comes down to priorities and the choices you make.

If riding is your priority, then you will choose what is necessary to make that a reality. Saying goes for anything else. So…how cold, is cold?

I’d rather be somewhere warmer to ride all year long comfortably. I can take the cold with the proper gear as long as the roads are ride worthy and safe. I’ve done rain and always make it through, thank God. I did the beginning of winter 30 years ago in the Tri-State area and didn’t calculate proper gear and wind chill factors and came down with something awful. I was out of commission for 2 weeks. Not good but I learned.

Proper gear is always key to fighting the elements but that’s only part of the things to take into consideration. Riding experience and training, weather watching, planning as best as you can and knowing that if it’s just too dangerous(road conditions) then just don’t risk it.

No one ever wants the riding season to end. Even if you enjoy wrenching, like I do, you’d rather be in the wind.

Shiny side up. Rubber side down.

The old saying, ” If I have to explain it, you wouldn’t understand.” speaks to me in volumes but at the same time can be summed up in a few words. Longing, freedom, exhilaration, desire are just a few words that come to mind when describing the ride and when I’m not riding. Truth be told, it can be down right depressing. The ride is a sure cure for all ailments.

The past few weeks have been a blast on my 1999 Softail Custom. Just a couple of days out of the saddle and I’m feeling the longing for the open road. In my heart is “I’d rather be riding.”

I’m more relaxed after a ride. I’m more alert when I ride but am more content while doing my riding. I could be, and have been, in the saddle all day. Can you?

Starts with a thought. It then grows into a vision. With this vision, a plan is formulated with all the steps. Execution of each step brings the dream alive. Now you’re living the plan. Following through is key as well as remaining flexible. Never lose enthusiasm no matter how difficult the journey. Remember with each step it’s progress. Enjoy as it all comes together.

I’ve always contemplated many interests throughout the course of my life. I’ve always been a dreamer, imagining the various outcomes of effort on my part and how true I stuck to my attractions. I kept track of the changes of my interests brought about by experiences and maturity. There was plenty that I lacked in knowledge and set out to educate myself with literature, hands on trial and error and networking with those in the know. I found that a balance of all three works well for me, especially taking my own pace with literature and hands on. The best is the extra hands and minds of great brothers and sisters with so much to offer. Learning from and wrenching with great company just makes the experience that much better. This is part of what it is all about.

Being around like minded talent helps me to live the dream. We all have something to bring to the table even if it is just the dream itself.

So dream, learn, do and do it with others. Live the dream.

Sitting here contemplating what it’s meant to me over the years and what changed throughout the course of many years and what it means to me today. It wasn’t too long ago that I felt that I wasn’t sure where to begin with expressing how I felt about freedom nor things in life in general. It came down to what I’d be willing to do to maintain freedom and how simple yet complex it could be all at once.

Could I define it in simple pleasures or acts of kindness. Maybe exercising my God given abilities. Perhaps being creative. Maybe in maintaining the fact that I’m able to do these things in honor of the men and women who served our country, my family and friends who are part of or have been part of our armed forces, who protect and help grant us these liberties.

Freedom to appreciate them and understand the cost and sacrifice. So, I am able to design and build and ride without being told no because my rights have been fought for by these brave individuals.

So I ride, because I want to. I ride because I can. God Bless Freedom. God Bless America.

Thank you for serving. Happy 4TH of July!