Cycling

From my earliest memories, I’ve been on two wheels. I don’t recall when I first learned to ride, though I do remember teaching my kindergarten classmates when I first entered school.

Bicycling turned into my early form of escape, and when I took on photography at 14, my bicycle was the key to getting me out and exploring.

At the age of 16, when all my friends were getting their first cars, I made my natural transition to motorcycling, with a brand new, Triumph 650, followed about two years later by a Norton 750 (the red machine pictured below).

I became an accomplished rider and driver.

I credit my defensive-driving expertise to motorcycling …

“There’s no better way to learn defensive-driving than on a machine you know will never give you a second chance.”

During my senior year in high school, I had an after-school job at a grocery store. One day, a guy came in carrying a motorcycle helmet. In our brief discussion, I discovered he worked just down the street.

Little did I know that quick introduction would have such an impact on my life. In the photo above, far right, as well as the photo below, also far right, is that ‘guy’ … my long-time friend, Paul. We became instant friends due to our mutual interest in motorcycles, dogs, and women (not in that order).

One month after I graduated, Paul and I became roommates. That move began a friendship and house-sharing experience that lasted many years, and led both of us into motorcycle racing, sidecar racing, and other very challenging activities.

Although I had shared residences with others before I got married, Paul was more than just a roommate … he was like a brother. And for all we did — and we did a lot — we somehow managed to survive.

 
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