I’ve been riding for years, started in high school with my best friend Bobby, of course the parents didn’t know. Moved out to Oregon for college, and upon landing my first teaching job, bought a new Suzuki 250 Street bike in 1980. Got hit by a mindless driver when they pulled out of a lot without looking, totaled the bike and had me on crutches for a few months with a torn up ankle. 

So of course, I needed a bigger bike. Bought a Honda Sabre 750 Sport Touring bike new in 1983 – still have it, runs great, needs some polishing… Vintage now, been sitting on the sidelines until I retire and make it a project to get tuned and back on the road. Or, sell it and make room for another Harley 😉

In 2007, I finally bought the bike fantasy that was always pushing forward mind. Especially over the years, as I listened to the rumble and roar of Harley’s of all sorts on the highway up from my family’s place in the Wind River’s in Wyoming on their way to Sturgis, and Teton and Yellowstone National Parks.

The King: I bought a 2007 Road King Classic new, then customized it with Stage 1, Andrews cams, Barnett clutch, Progressive mono-tube front shocks, ThunderMax tuner, Vance and Hines true dual headers and 4″ slip-on exhaust with billet ends, Heritage Classic bars for a little more rise, and chromed the crap out of it. Black Cherry Pearl paint and lots chrome. Real beauty. Will always be in the stable.

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The Ultra Limited: Tish and I took the two older girls to Vegas in 2012 for Spring Break – used it as a launch point to The Grand Canyon, Bryce and Zion National Parks. I managed to convince Tish that I (and the girls, who love to ride) would have so much more fun if I rented a Harley to tag along with the “Cage” as we toured the parks, girls taking turns on the back of the Harley.

Long story short is I rented an Ultra Limited and fell in love with the Bagger Beast! That June, 2012, I bought a new Ultra Limited, and before taking delivery, customized it to meet my every touring need. Suffice to say, the Ultra will be making it’s 6th trip to Sturgis this year from Eugene.

Special about this trip is I’ll tag Tish to Tahoe – her in the car and me on the bike – then travel to Sturgis to ride the Black Hills, which I never tire of. But, the really special part is I’m going to check off another top ride on my list by coming back via “Going to the Sun”. Beartooth Pass between Cody, WY and Red Lodge, MT has always been special (and I’ll ride it again on my way to Stugis this year), but doing the “Going to the Sun” ride in Glacier National Park is something I’m really looking forward to. Look for blog posts and pics next month.

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