What’s life without multiple passions?

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.  I am an accomplished rider and driver.  I’ve always credited my defensive-driving expertise to motorcycling.  As I’ve said many times, “there’s no better way to learn defensive driving than on a machine you know will never give you a second chance.”

In the photo above, far right, is very special individual. I met Paul while I was still a senior in high school.  In my after-school job, we worked just down the street from each other, and 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 (and evicting) experience that lasted many years, and lead both of us into motorcycle racing and other very challenging activities.

Although I had shared residences with others besides Paul before I got married, Paul is the only person I’ve ever called a roommate.  He was more like a brother.  And for all we did — and we did a lot — we survived. Others weren’t so lucky.

Paul, did I ever say “thanks”?   This is for you.