Epilogue

Posted on September 30, 2025 by slip60

Here I sit, back home after more than 2500 miles logged on my first solo motorcycle trip. Not as planned but still an adventure that was well worth taking.

When ever I ride my motorcycle, my head fills with all kinds of thoughts. Most of the time I think about what’s currently going on in my life. Being alone on the bike allows for plenty of time to self reflect, beat yourself up or think through some issue in your life. The quiet time alone in the saddle invites thoughts. It just can’t be helped.

On this trip I spent a lot of time thinking about surviving the ride. I know that is not what anyone would think is the first thing I would mention and its not what I would have thought if you asked me prior to the ride. I should also add that it was an usually large amount of time that those thoughts raced through my mind. As I write this, I’m trying to reflect back on the things I was feeling during the trip.

Excitement: This was the most exciting thing I have ever done on my own. If you don’t ride a motorcycle it may sound silly to you but it truly was the most exciting thing I have ever done. At first the anticipation I experienced while planning and waiting for the day I would leave was at times overwhelming. I played over and over in my mind how the trip could go, both good and bad and counted the days until I could set out.

I watched so many video’s of motorcyclists traveling across the country. Many videos of group riding but I tried to watch the solo riders as much as possible to try to get some insight on what they experienced. Watching those bikers ride solo made me challenge myself to do it. If they can I can. I was especially taken back and inspired by how many young women ride, by themselves, across this country. I couldn’t help but feel excitement for what I was about to take on.

Boring: Although I gained a lot of insight from those who ride, here’s the one negative thing I learned about solo riding that no one ever talked about. How absolutely boring it can be at times. Piling up miles and miles on highway roads just to reach your destination can be boring. The problem too is you will spend the majority of your time trying to get from point a to point b just to get to where you think you want to be. I can tell you that most places you spend your nights are nothing to talk about. They are usually just a hotel on the side of the highway or some small town where nothing happens. Unless you know exactly where you will stop and what kind of town it is, your just on pot luck for what you will find. Its not like every stay over is Manhattan or Palm Beach and traveling long distances, there are far more nothing burgers than Whoppers.

None of the videos I watched ever mentioned the mundane. My time spent riding was rarely as exciting as the thought of doing it. Sure there were some absolutely spectacular views and great roads to ride but overall they are outweighed by all the rides behind a semi on a two lane road in the middle of nowhere. Or mile upon mile of openness with little to see along stretches of road between towns. My guess is that talking about that might give others second thoughts about riding long distances and besides, it wouldn’t make for good video content! I just wish someone would have addressed it and how they dealt with it.

Being scared: yes that’s right “being scared.” If I am going to be honest about my experience riding solo for such long distances, then being scared is one major feeling I had. I believe it is impossible to ride a motorcycle and never once think about dying on the bike. I do not know one person I have ridden with that has never shared that thought. I will say that on this trip it was on my mind daily. I compensated the thoughts by praying to God and my mom to watch over me. To get me safely to my next destination.

Yeah, being scared. Its part of the experience of riding. If your not at least a tiny bit scared your probably a fool because you think nothing can ever happen to you and you probably ride in a way that reflects that thought. I will say that it did keep me more alert of all things around me and also made me slow down which in the long run, allowed me to enjoy the ride more.

Riding solo: I don’t recall worrying so much about dying ten years ago during a motorcycle trip with friends. I am sure the thought of dying occurred to me at one point but I do not recall it being in my head the whole trip. I think it was because I had other’s with me. Riding with others gives you a sense of security that is missing when riding solo. The idea of something unexpected happening with no one along to help you or assist others by telling them who you are or even for getting aide if you break down while you wait with your bike, plays over in your head. My worst fear would be to crash and have no one with me that knew who to call or to take care of my belongings. I did however, take precaution by placing an “in case of emergency” note in my wallet and also on my bike but its not the same as having a friend with you.

Riding solo also has its positives. I stopped when I wanted to as many times as I wanted to. I rerouted my course several times without having to discuss it with someone else. I ate everything I wanted while not having to check in on what someone else wanted that evening. I slept better than I have in a long time not having to deal with snoring friends. I woke each morning, took my time and left when I felt ready.

The Challenge: Being scared went through my mind before I even put my leg over the seat the very first day. I just kept thinking I can be scared enough that it would keep me from trying this and then I would regret it the rest of my life or I can face the fear and go out and live my life, take a risk and feel the emotion of the reward for doing it. The later prevailed and I am ever so grateful I took the chance. I remember challenging myself to do this, especially the first day when I was rained on. I kept thinking I should be safe and turn back instead of pushing through to my first stopover. It would have been so easy and probably the smart thing to do, just turn back and try again the next day. But I just kept thinking I needed to challenge myself to do this. Ride through the rain and not be a wimp about it. Most of life can be hard and so can motorcycling. But just like life, it can be very rewarding when getting through the tough times.

Lesson: One of the dangers of riding is what can happen to you if you look in the wrong direction while handling a curve or a u-turn. I practiced for weeks prior to going out, on keeping my eyes focused on where I wanted the bike to go. The worst possible thing a biker can do in a state of panic is look at the place he thinks hes going to crash into. The bike will ALWAYS go where you look. If you want to avoid a crash you must look where you want the bike to go not at the area where the danger lies. Easy to say but without practicing you will look where you do not want to go. Its just a natural response to look at what you don’t want to hit but you can train yourself to look away. During my ride I focused on points ahead of me especially while in tight turns and switchbacks. I found that focusing on the vehicle in front of me made me naturally follow the road and safety navigate the curve. The same can be done by watching the lines on the road up ahead of you not directly in front of your tire. It worked flawlessly for me throughout my trip. I can remember thinking to myself “trust your training, look ahead and the bike will follow your eyes.” The lesson here is to practice technique every time you ride.

Blessed: A sense of calm came over me several times during my time riding. The beauty of nature coupled with the feeling of freedom that comes from motorcycles can be a really wonderful experience. At times I found myself almost in a trace, so much so, that I had to snap myself out of it and remind myself I was on a motorcycle.

The beauty of the open road, the mountains, the sunshine, the aromas that surround you, can take you to places of serenity that you will never experience any other way. Motorcycling is a terrific way to travel albeit other than for the reasons that it sucks! Put all those other things aside and being on a bike gives you a sense of being one with your surroundings.

The aroma of funnel cakes made me smile as I remembered going to fairs and smelling the same wafting from the food court. The flowers in bloom or the scent of the pine trees filled with morning dew as you tear through a curvy mountain road. The smell of burning firewood that precedes the evening when you pull into a town at the end of a long ride.

I am blessed to have had the opportunity to experience these things since I was 17 years old. It had become a passion of mine and I didn’t even know it. It sneaks up on you as the years roll by like the miles on your odometer. You get motorcycling in your blood and every time you pull out on your bike you are reminded of how much you love riding.

I am blessed that for almost 50 years I have had an angel on my shoulder watching over me while I experience what few others do. I am blessed for having a life that affords me the opportunity to ride a motorcycle. I am blessed and I thank God every time I get off my motorcycle for him bringing me safely back home.

I learned a lot about myself on this trip. I realized more than ever how the people in my life that shared their homes and hearts with me along the way, mean more to me than I can put in words. My time on the road would have never been as memorable if they weren’t part of my journey.

I learned that I can push myself when I’m feeling like I can’t ride any longer. My body aches more now as I age out but I still have it in me to do the long trips. I wasn’t sure if I could still hold up to it but in the end, I did.

And last but not least, I witnessed again how beautiful this country is. A glorious mountain range that makes you feel insignificant when you stand by the rim of an overlook. That these mountains have been here for millions of years and will remain so for perhaps a million more, and I will be gone. That people everywhere just want to share a smile and a story with me and that we are a curious species, forever looking to connect with others to experience what being human is.

There is so much natural beauty in this country that we all take for granted. Most of which, many of us will never experience first hand, but in the end, I did…. once again from the seat of my motorcycle.

Just one mans opinion

The Regular Guy

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Last stop North Port!

Posted on September 21, 2025 by slip60

Before I left for this trip I reached out to close friends and mentioned that I would be near them on the last leg of my ride, and that I hoped to stop to see them if the timing was right.

The ride to North Port is only about 180 miles and mostly highway which means that although I’ll be fighting trucks again, I won’t be in the saddle for as long as usual. Good and bad news but it is the last day before I return home so I’ll just deal with it.

As with most days the ride begins early and on a two lane road. This road is completely empty for miles and it reminds me somewhat in part of yesterday’s trip. The Florida heat is cooking today and I wear less and less under my jacket as with each passing day I return to warmer weather.

With songs playing in my helmet, I rumble along at a modest speed and enjoy the last long day of riding. I begin playing back in my mind my trip and all its highlights. I’m still a day and a half from home and I remind myself that anything can still happen but I am grateful that so far the bike has run perfectly and I didn’t have any issues with weather or close calls on the road. I think about how blessed I am to be able to make this trip. I remember how nervous I felt thinking about riding alone and how difficult a trip like this might be. All these things that run through your mind when your alone on the road. Just you and the bike. The sound of the exhaust as I lay in and out of the throttle makes me think about how the hell a motor can run for so long and not just die. Its quite an amazing piece of machinery.

Approaching Tampa I spot the Tampa Bay Rays stadium coming up on my left. I reach out to my handlebar and quickly turn on my camera so I can film the bright blue roofed arena as I pass by. The road then opens up to a causeway that traverses over the bay and again I reach to the camera to capture the scene.

As I pull into my friends driveway, I breathe out and feel a sense of relief as another days ride ends without incident. I’m grateful to be able to see my dear friends and share what I expect to be many laughs, as we usually do.

Gerrie and Rich have been friends of mine for close to 35 years. We met because we all shared a common interest. Rich and I were both going thru a divorce which lead us to a meeting of a group that formed for protecting the rights of fathers, and since that day we have never lost touch. Our girls are adults now and although it was a hard time in both of our lives, in the end it made us better parents to our children. Although the three of us met under horrible circumstances, we remained friends all these years later and now can look back on most of those times and laugh about it. They have always been there for me and I truly appreciate that God found a way to bring us all together.

We spent the day reminiscing about the past and catching up on the present. We exchanged stories about our daughters and grandchildren and as we did, I couldn’t help think about how many years have passed and how lucky I am to still have them in my life. They prepared dinner and although Rich and I forgot to watch the grill, the steaks and chops turn out edible enough regardless! I spend the night and sleep better than I did my entire trip as I wake an hour later than I usually do.

After breakfast, I loaded up the bike and headed out but not before we talk about seeing each other later next month while they area over in my area of the state. I thank them once more, share some hugs and kisses, then I hit the throttle and make my way towards home.

The Regular Guy

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Poppy’s Coffee, Havana Florida

Posted on September 19, 2025 by slip60

I found this gitchy, boutique style coffee shop while on my way back to Florida from a long motorcycle trip. Eager for a short break off the bike and looking for a caffeine boost, I searched for a local shop while making my planned stop in Havana Florida.

I don’t know about you but I am over Starbucks. Really, I’ve been over Starbucks for years now. I’m sick of all the weirdos who now work there. You have to look real hard for a normal looking girl or guy serving up your “grande Frappucino”. It was fun years ago but now it just seems passe’ and kinda annoying.

These days, I search out mom and pop type places for my coffee business. First off I love to support small business and secondly, I rarely have to learn a new language just to pronounce the servers name. But really, the big box stores and the fancy corporate cafes are hurting the small guy so I make an effort to support them whenever possible.

I walked into this establishment all disheveled from riding over 6 hours and needing a hot cup of coffee it was the perfect rest stop. I am immediately greeted by a young woman barista who asked me if I had “muscles”. Hey what kind of guy would I be if I didn’t? Maybe one serving up drinks at Starbucks. Oooops another shot. Anyway, I flex my biceps and quickly make short work of the lid on the cinnamon container and I am instantly a hero!

After a little banter back and forth and a recommendation from a second woman behind the counter, I opt for a coffee with some steamed milk. The conversation at some point turned to me and if I was passing thru or staying awhile. I shared my story about how I was returning home from New Jersey and that I searched out the best small towns outside Tallahassee for a place to stay overnight. I mentioned that I wanted to get past Tallahassee and she offered some insight on two towns, Perry and Monticello.

While sipping my hot coffee, I searched out both towns and chose Perry because of the wide variety of places to stay. After concluding our conversation, I made my way out for the next hour ride to Perry.

I chose to write a little piece on Poppy’s because it was not only a part of my journey but also what I love most about traveling, especially by motorcycle. I was made welcome with the terrific coffee and the warm and friendly conversation. The ladies there took a real interest in my trip and going out of their way to talk to me about places to stay. This is a huge difference to how I am treated in the corporate type cafes and I wanted to do my part in promoting this fine establishment and the good people who work there.

Next time you want to stop by a small Florida town on the west side of the state just north of Tallahassee why not give Havana a shot and while your there, stop into Poppy’s and tell them I sent you!

Just one man’s opinion

The Regular Guy

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Road to Perry, Florida

Posted on September 19, 2025 by slip60
Poppy's coffee, havana Fl

I’m up early this Saturday morning and more than ready to leave Georgia in the rear view mirrors. I head to the lobby for a hot cup of coffee and then to the bike to load her back up for what should be the next to last time.

Today’s plan is to get to Florida by 5pm this evening. I really would like to wind up at least an hour past Tallahassee so Sundays ride will be about four and a half hours.

The map shows a route which looks like a nice easy ride off the interstate, down through Georgia, past the last big town of Columbia and into Florida near Tallahassee.

Last night while planning today’s ride I took some time to look for small towns along the route where I could spend the night. I came up with Havana and Perry, both listed in a Google search as “best small towns near Tallahassee “.

The weather is again perfect for riding. A little warmer today due to being out of the mountains, so I switch over to lighter gloves and less layers which makes for a more enjoyable ride. The roads are totally empty and I am overjoyed by that fact! I hit the cruise when I reach 65 mph and ride for an hour and a half, mostly alone, along this two lane road. Not much to see here as its mostly low land and farms dotted with old bungalows and small shacks. Some of the road is tree lined on both sides so my Spidey sense triggers and I watch for deer. Tunes playing in the helmet, flat road and sunshine as I motor along sweeping in and out of both lanes to hit the curves like I am on a race track. It feels great to have the road to myself, lay into the throttle and have some fun for a change.

As I head out of Georgia just past Columbia, I begin thinking about where I should pull in for the night. Earlier I mentioned two towns and I make the decision to stop for coffee in Havana since its before Tallahassee and check out google for the town of Perry.

As I am riding into town I see the sign for Poppy’s Coffee shop and I remember that as one of the places to get a coffee in Havana. The staff at Poppy’s were very friendly and helpful with providing insight on the neighboring towns, offering Perry and Monticello as a couple of places I could stay the night. After a quick search on Google I opt for Perry since it looks to have a few more choices of hotels and restaurants then Monticello offered.

With Havana behind me and Perry about an hour and a half in front of me, I hit the Interstate once more for a quick 25 miles before I am off the highway and into the back roads again. Riding into Perry I see the hotel choices all seem to be right along the main two lane road that runs outside of downtown which seems to be the norm. I’m guessing mostly Airbnb’s and BnB’s line up inside the town itself.

Picking out a Hampton Inn was easy since it was the only place set back enough off the road that looked to give me some cover for my motorcycle. That’s always part of my decision making process when finding a place to stay overnight. Better to be worried and nothing happens then just park it anywhere in the open.

As I usually do most evenings I shower up and hit internet to look for a place to eat. Not much open or exciting so I head into the downtown area and find a brick oven pizza joint which turns out to be very good. The staff is friendly and the pie is just the right size that I make a meal of it and don’t have to worry about putting leftover pizza in my saddle bag.

Back at the hotel I hang with a few guys and talk some football and share some motorcycle tales with them, since they ask how its been going for me. As I’m chatting it up I grab a rag, some cleaner and hit the bike to remove all the dead bugs that hitched a ride with me today.

With one more day left on the road I plan to stop to see some friends tomorrow in North Port Florida before heading back to Jensen Beach where my journey ends.

The Regular Guy

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Rainy night in Georgia…well not really

Posted on September 18, 2025 by slip60

Not much happens in this town on a Friday nite.

Originally I plan to take the highway thru Knoxville and Chattanooga then make it to Birmingham Al for the evening. I rethink my idea and at Chattanooga I decide to head south east down into Ga.

Today’s ride starts as a white knuckle event as I race along side the semi’s again and jockey for a safe position along the rail! I try to stay in the far right lane but the damn trucks just push you so hard. You can’t do 65 mph in the right lane on Rte 75. This will continue all day as I head south east at Chattanooga and make my way down into Georgia.

My hotel in Calhoun is right off the highway which leaves not much to do within walking distance of the hotel. When I arrive, I decide to continue past it because the parking lot is open to the road which makes my bike exposed while parked overnight. I always try to stay in a place where I can park the bike right outside my door or under the portico at the entrance where the front lobby is. I find another Quality Inn down the road and the front desk clerk allows me to park under the canopy out front( which houses cameras too). NICE!

When I pull in there are three guys out front on their phones walking around the entrance. It kinda makes me uneasy at first. I don’t like anyone around me when I’m unloading the bike. I am very cautious and wary of people and their intentions. I know its not right to just assume someone is going to do you wrong but I think its part of being alone and traveling that it raises your sensitivity to these things. After all, no one wants to come out the next day to a vandalized or missing motorcycle. Anyway I get past my reservations about these guys, unload the bike, head to the room and shower up.

When I return to my bike to go grab a bite, two guys are still sitting near it and doing something on their phones. I say hello, hop on and go find tonight’s restaurant.

I’m “jonesing” for wings and do a search for a local place that is known for such. A quick look at the reviews brings me to Dukes. I believe its a family business as I get that impression when looking around during the dinner rush. I can’t believe the low prices for the majority of items on the menu compared to other wing places I have eaten at. I order up a dozen, a side salad and a fresh squeezed lemonade. The wings are delicious and the salad serving is huge and filled with cold crisp greens and veggies. Definitely glad I found this place.

When I arrive back at the hotel, the same two guys are still there. I make some small talk with them and we wind up yapping it up about the football game they are listening to. They ask me where I’m coming from and talk a little about traveling on motorcycles. I continue talking with them while I pull a rag and cleaner from my saddle bag to remove all the dead bugs from the front of the bike. All cleaned, I cover the bike for the night and head back to my room.

My usual course of action at night is to grab a cup of decaf and go thru my computer for the next days ride plan so off I go to the lobby. Turns out one of the guys is there so we sit and watch some boxing for awhile as I sip on a fresh brewed decaf.

I’m sitting there all the while thinking how first impressions of people are seldom right. These guys turned out to be nice fellas and actually helped pass the time with some good conversation. I give myself credit though for breaking the ice and approaching them instead of fearing some bad shits gonna happen to my bike. After all, part of my reason for traveling was to get off the couch and meet people. Turned out to be a good day!

Next stop Florida!

Just one mans opinion

The Regular Guy

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Ride to Bristol Va.

Posted on September 17, 2025 by slip60

The distance to Bristol Va is 265 miles. The roads are filled with twists and turns along with stretches of long inclines to the mountain tops. For the majority of the trip, I get in a great deal of true bike riding along the smoothly paved, tree lined roads.

The morning brings with it plenty of wildlife sightings with deer roaming fields along the sides of the two lane roads. It also raises caution for those deer may find their way out of the bush to attempt a road crossing as there is proof along the highway of instances where the deer met their demise.

As careful as possible I move on but I am tempted to ride the bike harder through the curves because its such a great feeling leaning into and coming out of them. I press through a few now and then just for a small rush!

The air today is crisp. Its another clear day and I am dressed appropriately, very comfortable and warm. Its been an experience being up in the mountains this week and feeling cold air for the first time in years. Even the cold in Florida is still moderate. I remember thinking how happy I was with the choices of clothing I made for the cooler weather.

Today’s ride was an enjoyable one. I didn’t feel pressed to get to my destination and the scenery at times was spectacular. The overlooks on the mountain tops are stunning.

I pull into a Quality Inn and luckily get a room. There are NASCAR events being held at Bristol Speedway this weekend and the rooms here are filling rapidly. Bikes are spewed throughout the parking lot next to all the raised pickup trucks.

I meet up with two bikers staying the night at the hotel. They are traveling from Massachusetts and heading down thru Tennessee then back home. They tell me how the two of them take a few trips a year. The one guy said they did 550 miles today which makes me cringe. I remember thinking they didn’t seem that much younger than me but on second glance probably a good fifteen or more years my juniors. God bless them!

It’s basically still early in the evening and I don’t feel like riding to dinner so I walk over to a Perkins and order a hamburger. I’ve had Perkins burgers before and as I recall, it was very good. They revamped their burger menu with Angus beef and better toppings and I have to say the second time was as good as the first. I make some small talk with the waitress and mention that I used to manage a Perkins when I was much younger but although friendly, she seems unimpressed. Still left her a good tip regardless.

I get back to my room, pick up my laptop and head for the lobby to plan the next days route and have a cup of decaf. I meet up with the same guys and we chat it up some more before they head out for dinner. I wish them well and never see them again during my stay.

The morning starts early for me as I’m packed up before six o’clock and raring to go. I grab a coffee and take care of business( I’m guessing you can figure out the business) then hit the road. Day two should land me in Calhoun Ga by three this afternoon.

Just one mans opinion

The Regular Guy

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Oh well

Posted on September 16, 2025 by slip60

I spent the better part of three months planning out my road trip. What clothes to pack, tools to bring, roads to travel, places to stay over, friends to see along the way etc. It took me all of one day to realize I screwed up.

After the long ride to West Virginia I sat every night, rerouted and rethought my trip and the possibilities of carrying out such a long distance over a period of roughly four weeks. No matter what combinations I chose my time on the bike would far outweigh my time off it, which was not what I envisioned for this adventure ride.

I found out that I could comfortably ride six hours in a day IF conditions were optimal, but even with great conditions, I would only cover about 300 miles. When I ran the math on the distance I needed to cover and added time for incidentals like weather and time off the bike, I would have needed closer to six weeks time to make this the trip I imagined it to be.

I thought about just riding up to Minnesota and back but that wasn’t the reason I chose to do this. I tried to reroute the ride going southwest to South Dakota and the miles still added up to more than I could be comfortable doing. Turning this trip into an Iron Butt ride was not an option for me.

My thoughts then turned to planning a ride back home over the course of the next week.

I map out a route that will take me through the Appalachian mountains down into Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia then finally end up back in Florida. I planned the rides to be no more than six hours and which worked out well in the end.

So as I head out for home Thursday morning, I’m both upset that my plans didn’t work out but also anxious to get back home. First stop, Bristol Va.

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Maybe a better plan?

Posted on September 15, 2025 by slip60

This journey started as an idea to get my friends back together after 10 years, to ride again. Great idea but a lack of participation on behalf of the old friends led me to venture out on my own.

From the day I began heading west from New Jersey, this trip seemed doomed. A couple of glitches and a rainy start made me second guess my thinking that I could do this on my own and more so, with such a small window of time.

I got past the rain and the initial scare of riding through it basically because I wouldn’t give into the fear and turn back on the very first day. I just kept thinking I hope my mom was watching over me from above and helped me find a way to get through the rain safely. Well I am here to write this so I’m going to believe she was the angel on my shoulder during that ride.

The start of the second leg from Philadelphia to Buckhannon started off great. The weather was clear and cool and the path I chose to ride was off the main highways so my odds for a easy ride was looking pretty good. Boy, that didn’t last too long.

The ride by Googles estimate should take me just around 6 hours. That means at least one more by bike. My initial thoughts are to just get in 4-5 hours and stay somewhere midway between the two towns thinking it might be too much to do all in one day.

As I get into Amish country, the pace slows to a crawl. My years away from the North East eroded my memory about Amish country and the road through it. Two lanes with a solid yellow line for miles and miles filled with eighteen wheeler’s as far as you can see. This was only one of the two areas I would ride through that the road was like this. All in all I’m guessing it set me back an hour.

The second part of the ride took me to the Interstate and more eighteen wheeler’s. Other than rain, the next biggest fear I have on a bike is riding with semi’s. They don’t care about you being this tiny little vehicle that gets wind blown every time one sides by in the next lane. That and the fact that they ride in ALL lanes at 75 mph makes it difficult to avoid them. I spend the majority of the time racing to jockey for a position ahead of them. It can wear a person out quickly.

At the five hour mark I decided to take my chances and see it through to the end rather than call it a day. I am about three hours out and the last leg of the ride will take me to mostly one and two lane roads off the Interstate. My initial thought was that it would be a welcome change to not have to race semi’s any longer.

As I hit the back roads I quickly realize that I will now have to deal with inclines and declines with twisties and switchbacks that will test my abilities. Not usually a big deal but after five hours on the bike, riding those roads takes a lot of energy, which I am lacking at this point. Although I deal with the roads pretty good, the semi’s reared their ugly heads again and I find myself behind them again on roads where it’s near impossible to pass even where the broken lines allow. Again, despite tough conditions, and over eight hours on the bike, I make it safely to Buckhannon.

Getting off the bike is difficult. I am spent. Sore, achy and with a headache from the combination of the helmet, wind and pipe noise for 8 hours. Although I am glad to see my friends, I can’t get the thoughts out of my head about seriously rethinking my ability to take this long trip in the allotted time I set aside.

During my three days in West Virginia, I spend a good part of the time retooling and calculating my plan for the trip out west. It doesn’t go well.

I used to believe this but now… not so sure.

Just one man’s opinion

The Regular Guy

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The people you meet

Posted on September 13, 2025 by slip60

Like with any trip a person takes, you always meet new people. When I take a motorcycle trip, this is the one thing I really look forward to.

My latest stay over is in West Virginia where close friends of mine, John and Linda, live while not snow birding down in Florida. We met about 12 years ago in Jensen Beach and now I consider them my second family. They are gracious in offering me unlimited time to stay with them and although tempting, I have only three days. My time spent at their home makes me feel as though I am on vacation at a resort.

The views of the mountains along with the cool, crisp air reminds me of times spent on previous bike trips up state New York. During our early morning walks, John and I would pass open fields that connected homes to each other. Fields filled with turkeys and deer, a far cry from what I see every morning when I walk my neighborhood. I don’t know if its because I’m older now but I appreciated it so much more now than I can remember when I was younger.

The homes here are spread out over acres of land without fences between each lot, which gives the deer and other wildlife the freedom to stroll freely between the wooded areas that surround the plots and the homeowners yards.

Sitting in a rocking chair on their large back porch, with coffee in hand, I watch as a few hummingbirds hover and work their way to the feeder that hangs off the roof edge. Watching those tiny birds feed becomes my daily activity as I am fascinated by their movement. Again, simply nature on display but yet so captivating to me.

I am the worst at selfies!

Definitely the highlight of my trip was with John when we visited a working farm owned by his friend Donnie. What started as a 25 minute ride to pick up some beans for dinner turned into an hour visit and tour of the farm. I have always had an interest in what it takes to operate and work a farm so this was a golden opportunity to get a first hand learning experience.

My first impression was how friendly and inviting Donnie was in allowing us to walk the farm and answer my many questions ranging from watering systems to Monsanto’s reign over our farmers and the products they use. I remain grateful to Donnie for his openness and willingness to show patience with me. Being from the suburbs of New York and then later the shores of New Jersey, I have not had much exposure to working farms so I had lots of questions.

Off in the near distance I hear goats baaahing. I love goats and especially the kids. The adult ones can sometimes look pretty scary and satanic, which is probably why they are used for rituals. Still, baby goats are just too damn cute and funny too. Very playful and they chew on anything in front of them.

The visit with my friends is short but sweet as I take to the road early Thursday morning. I throw a couple of West Virginia apples in my bag and load up the bike. Unfortunately my plans to travel out west to South Dakota have changed and I will be heading back to Florida (more on this later), so today I head south east toward Bristol Va.

Just on mans opinion

The Regular guy

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Anxious to go

Posted on September 13, 2025 by slip60

I can’t sleep anymore.

It’s 4am and I am anxious to get on the bike. I try to go back to sleep and to some extent I guess I did because next time I look at the clock its 530am. I get up, get dressed and quietly head downstairs to begin my next day.

I set the coffee pot for the largest setting, use the strongest grounds I can find in my buddies collection of coffees and head to the garage to prep the bike.

Yesterday’s rain left the motorcycle looking pretty shitty, so I break out the clean rags and some bike cleaner I packed and go to work. An hour later, she’s looking fine, packed up and ready to go.

Today I am heading to West Virginia to visit some friends. The weather looks good and being that it will be in the low 70’s most of the day, I put on some layers to keep me toasty. The ride is roughly 280 miles which in a car is about 5 hours. For me, I am planning on at least 7 hours in the saddle, which will probably destroy me.

Today’s aromas are as follows; hay, freshly fried funnel cakes, burning wood, corn and horse manure. Yes, all experienced from the seat of my motorcycle while traversing 4 states. The Amish are responsible for pretty much all of those as I experienced them during my ride through and around Lancaster Pa. This is one of my top 5 reasons I love motorcycling. You just can’t experience aromas whether good or bad, from a car like you can from a bike. You’re out there in the middle of it all. No air conditioner to cleanse the air inside the vehicle. The best was the funnel cakes. Wow!

I get 5 hours into my trip and I’m feeling pretty good so I decided to ride through the next 3 hours the GPS says I have left. Big mistake. After an hour or so of riding behind a tractor trailer on a one lane road with no passing lines, I start feeling tired and sore. Now it’s too late since I have already committed to making this one-day ride. Another lesson learned.

I’m going to rethink my routes from this point on and plan to ride no more than 5 hours a day unless I get a significant break in between. I guess my age has caught up to my ability to ride excessively.

My high points today; Beautiful weather. Terrific mountain vistas. A wind farm set atop a mountain where the more I climbed the bigger the windmills became. Great curvy roads with twists and switchbacks. The aromas!!

The low lights; way too long a ride. Getting stuck three separate times behind semis on a one lane road (probably added an hour to my day). Wind noise inside my helmet. Soreness EVERYWHERE.

All things considered, I’ll always remember this day because of the good and the bad. Ride on!

Just one mans opinion..

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