My two wheel adventures, where they began.  

Some where around 1960-1962 my father bought me a little imported moped that I'd been talking/hinting, etc for for a very long time. I think partially it was to shut me up.  That's where this story begins. 

Wasn't much of a bike, but it ran, it was smokey (2-cycle motor) and loud, and fun !  Spent the whole Summer that year learning to ride it, and exploring my neighborhood. At that time we lived on the edge of Decatur, IL in a area that was not yet overly developed so there were lots of up and down twisty gravel farm roads to explore. I did.  

That started the journey I'm still on. Next bike was a little 50 cc Honda and then a 175, followed by a 350, and then a Kawasaki KZ-750 from 1978.  

Everything bike-related took a hiatus when I got into college and then moved to the suburbs of Chicago with my first job.  But the liking of motorcycles was still there, just a little buried for awhile.  And sure enough, once I got transferred with the job to Memphis in about 1975, it came back.  It was in Memphis one day I found a bike shop and just had to wander in and look.  I purchased a Honda 175 and shortly thereafter swapped it for a 350 seen above.  Went back to exploring Memphis country roads, rode it south to Sardis MS where there was a nice lake and generally had a great time.  But then it was time to get a larger "real' bike. 

Went shopping again and found a 1978 Kawasaki KZ-750.This was the bike that opened up the whole riding experience for me. It was as comfy on a county road as it was on the Interstate and  changed everything. It also taught me how to ride daylong and also ride in the rain. The one shown is similar to the one I owned. 

 Eventually I ended up in Springfield after a series of personal disasters, but managed to hang onto the bike for awhile longer.  But due to lots of mistakes and problems on my part, had to  finally dispose of the bike around the mid 1980's. That hurt. But so much other crap was going on in my life at the time, was too involved in other issues to worry about it. 

Took awhile, but eventually got my life back, settled into middle-age and pretty much forgot about motorcycles.  

One sunny weekend day a bunch of years later, probably around 2000 or so my step-son arrived at the door driving a nice 750 Yamaha he'd gotten from a friend.  They had ridden over from his home to show his mother and me his new acquisition.  He remembered I'd had a bike a lot of years ago and just off-handily asked if I wanted to take a ride.  Been a long time since I'd ridden and was a bit apprehensive, but  finally they coaxed me into it.  Damn ! 

 A jerky start-off, a missed shift, and I was off. Figured I'd just go around our block and be done. Nope, one block turned into a few more and eventually I got back to the house.  Eventually.  Never was back on that bike, nor any others, and a few years passed before I got back to even thinking more about it.  

Sometime about 2006 I was sitting in a nice office chair, eating lunch at the desk and surfing the 'net courtesy of my employer , the State.  Our computer department (BIP) had not yet totally locked down the 'net and I was still able to access youtube.  Just surfing while eating a sandwich and stumbled on a video that changed everything. 

  

In case you get the loading symbol on the video and it lasts, after about 10-15 seconds click it and it should start up ok. 

Watched that one a few times in the next week and looked at some more of the "suggested" videos it brought up. I have no idea who these folks are, but they changed my life !

Some weeks later I decided on my lunch hour to go look at a local motorcycle dealer not far from the office.  I had not set foot in a motorcycle shop since I'd bought that KZ in Memphis , probably about 20 years before.  As is said, the die was cast.  Did not go in looking to buy a bike, just wanted to look around. The salesman left me along to wander and told me to get him if any questions. So I was looking and this Honda 750 caught my eye, the color was good, and it just exuded attitude. 

A few weeks later, came home with that 750 Honda. 

My wife at the time had a love/hate relationship with this machine, and things started going bad very soon.  Hung on for a few more years, but eventually parted company with both of them . 

I had some good times with that bike, in spite of the arguments and associated BS.  But after a few years I figured out I wanted something with more power and size. But too much of my life was in the process of heading for the courts at that time. 

After all the personal stuff was behind me, I swapped the Honda for a life-changing 1998 Kawasaki 1500 Vulcan.  And with that I found VROC.  And I had also found someone who has changed my life in so many ways. Her name is Hang (pronounced Han).

So after about 60 years I discovered motorcycle road trips, VROC rally's, BBQ,  and plan on a few more of each..  

My very first "real " road trip was a River Road trip north along the Mississippi from Dubuque, IA to Red Wing, MN. That definitely whetted the appetite for more. Stayed in Lacrosse and enjoyed the river drives, both north and south, on both sides of the river.  This was my first week -long motorcycle journey. I did learn a lot that has come in handy since. One was how to pack ! Another was never pass on a opportunity to get gas. Almost found that out the hard way a few years later on a Crow reservation in Montana. Fumes in the tank. 

After retirement in 2010,  one day Hang and I decided to take a trip to my favorite bike shop in Litchfield, Niehaus Cycle for a look-around.  I found a 2000 Goldwing that she "convinced" me I should reward myself with as a retirement present !  I did and put a lot of miles on that bike and got to meet some great folks, and see some wonderful places. I'm still doing so. Just got back in July from a trip around Lake Superior into Canada. First out-of-the-country-bike-trip. Hopefully not the last. Found out I enjoy gravy on french fries the same way I like it with  biscuits ! Thank Jim "Skid" Robinson for that learning experience. 

I now have what I'm considering as my last big bike.  After this I may go with a trike or a scooter, but something. I'd put 100k on the first Goldwing and then found this 2001 that only had about 48k and could not pass up the opportunity.  Been very happy with it. It proved it self a great road bike on the Canada trip and zero issues. Comfortable, stable, rain or dry, and power to spare. 

I owe a great deal to both Hang for helping me get my life back on track and the support she has given me, and to a group of folks (VROC)  that in a very short time have become "family" to both of us. VROC provides friendships that surprised me initially and now mean a great deal to both of us. Truly are "family".  Hang has helped me recover some aspects of myself that I'd misplaced for too long.  Wasn't a journey I wish to ever repeat. 

Couple more bikes not mentioned above included a 1300 VTX and a 1300 Yamaha. These were owned  for such a short time as to be uneventful. They had one thing in common, they weren't Goldwings. No problems with either one, and they handled well, rode fine and no issues, but I have/had gotten used to the ride a Goldwing provides. 

It's 2019 and I have no plans to stop riding anytime soon. Matter of fact I'm already busy planning next years big trip to Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado. 

See ya all.

Trip Links:

Lake Superior Trip

Lake Superior Motorcycle Tour 2019

Day 1 of my Lake Superior Circle motorcycle tour July 2019

Packed up and out the garage about 7:00 AM Saturday, July 6th. On the way to Sparta, Wi. for the first day. Plan to limit myself to about 350 miles per day or less 'cause not in a hurry and want to have time to stop, take pictures, and relax. This is a solo trip although the plan is to meet Skid, and maybe Sandy as well, in Wawa, Ontario for the final Canadian leg of the trip. Got to get a picture with the goose ! The final day's route after getting back in the U.S. is not set in stone so may improvise coming home. It will not include interstates when possible. Prefer a less hurried ride this time.

This trip was originally planned for last year, but my little health issue changed those plans.

The drive started on I-55 North to Lincoln, then on I-155 to Davenport, and a little stretch of I-80 before switching over to US 61N for the final drive to the first days' stop in Sparta Wisconsin.  The route took me through some familiar areas and Route 61 around Fenimore, and Boscoblel and that area was a pleasure. Nice and smooth road and didn't have to dodge cracks and potholes. Should get into the motel about 3  with gas stops and a lunch break.

Bike ran perfectly, no problems and I got along with minimal Saturday traffic w/o a problem. Noticed some dark and heavy looking clouds after leaving  Dubuque, IA, and sure enough had about 5 minutes of rain, and a heck of a temp drop. Temperature reading on the panel went from 87 to 72 in about a mile. 

Staying at Best Western Plus in Sparta for the first night and this seems to be a very nice place. .Not only a full breakfast tomorrow but also has a Bar and Grill open from 4-9 and in looking at the menu I can stay here and not have to go hunt up a place to eat.  Taco salad sounds about right for tonight. 

Tomorrow is a rather leisurely drive to Superior Wisconsin. From there, the next day. the actual Lake Superior circle route starts.


Sunday, July 7

After some breakfast, packed the few remaining items on the bike and headed out about 8:30 AM on the way to Superior, Wi. Was a chilly 62 when I left. Warmed into the low 70's by about 10 AM. I had set the Garmin to "avoid highways" and it did it well. Enjoyed the drive on a less traveled road and got to see some small towns along the way. Also saw a considerable number of Amish buggies on the way to church when road construction re-routed me on a road less traveled. Not exactly sure where I was at that time, but they all waved and seemed surprised to see a motorcycle on "their" road.

Leaving in the morning for the drive to Thunder Bay, Ont., my next stop. Tomorrow's drive should have some pictures to share. Least I've heard of a certain light house on the Lake, and a waterfall out side Thunder Bay that is definitely on my list.


Monday, July 8


Checked out and on the way about 7:30 AM from Superior, Wi. Ran into a little "rush-hour" traffic through Duluth, but nothing of consequence. Taking Route 61 North today to another Best Western in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Little advice if you ever take this trip, dress for cold weather when you're next to the lake. The temp on the bike hovered between 55 and 62 from Duluth to Grand Portage, which is a little over 100 miles. Brisk it was. Once I got through Canadian Customs and the route turned inland to Thunder Bay the temp went up to 77.

Day started with a breakfast at Betty's Pies about 30 miles or so north of Duluth. Too early for pie, but none-the-less, it was a great breakfast.

From Betty's place, rode up the road to the famous Split Rock Lighthouse. This has been restored and maintained and is well worth the stop. Admission price was a total of $17.00.

Did not make any more stops until Grand Portage where I filled up with the last of the cheap US gas for a few days ! From Grand Portage to the border is only about a five minute drive and Customs was not a problem at all. Verified the passport, asked a couple of routine questions and wished me a good time.  About a five minute exercise, then it was time to stop at the visitor center.

Have to emphasize what a great ride along the lake this has been . The road is in very good condition, at least when I was traveling, there was very little traffic except in the little towns along the way. The scenery is great ! A undulating highway with sweeping curves and bordered by pines on one side and endless blue water on the other.

Ok, I'm officially in Canada, and tomorrow going to do a early visit to Kakabeka Falls before heading to Wawa to meet Skid.  The falls is only about a 15 minute drive from here and seems well worth the visit. More pictures tomorrow. One stop will be Young's General Store in Wawa. Sort of like from what I gather a Canadian Wall Drug. We will see.

Tuesday, July 9

Left the Thunder Bay Best Western about 7:45 to go to Kakabeka Falls and take some pictures after that going to proceed to Wawa for the day. Longer day today but worth it.

The falls were well worth the time. Arrived right at 8:00 AM when they open and no one there. Parked close and the walkways were empty of folks. Great scenic place. 

Arrived in Wawa about 3PM and found this guy wandering around. The drive from Thunder Bay to Wawa was scenic, and fun. The highway had some construction going on, but for the most part was simply a series of elevation changes and sweeping curves with the Lake on one side and green pines on the other. Fun ride.

Forecast is giving us a good shoot at rain and T storms tomorrow so we'll leave early on the way to Sault Ste Marie where Jim heads back home and I'll cross back into the US. Tomorrow night I'll be in Manistique, MI

Wednesday, July 10

This is probably going to be the last blog post for me. Tomorrow I'll be heading home with one more stop around Madison, WI then a short ride home on the 12th

Today Jim had looked at the weather forecast and thought that if we would get packed and ready to leave by about 6 or so we could beat the rain, so after a quick breakfast at the motel we were on the road before 7AM.  First absolutely mandatory stop was "the goose" that Wawa is famous for.

My life is now complete !  Probably not but wanted that experience and finally got it.

As said, we were on the road out of town about 7AM and did not miss the rain. Started out as wet drips and drizzle, then it began to actually rain. Hard in places. The rain, and the low-hanging clouds meant a lot of great photo's would have to want for another day. We stopped at Chippewa Falls just north of Sault Ste Marie (CA) and took some pictures since we'd run out of the rain by the time we arrived there.

We had a little time to spare, and being able to sit down and dry out a bit sounded good so we made a stop at Jim's brothers place in Sault Ste Marie. 

Then it was time to leave and head back to the US for me and Jim headed on to Sudbury. I'm not a big fan of high open bridges 'cause of my little thing about heights and the bridge from the Canadian side is a two lane design that goes up a good way to clear a shipping corridor. One time I kept a steady eye on the front tire. But luckily Customs was not crowded and after a very short wait, some questions, and I was back in the US. Stopped for some gas and headed on to Manistique for the evening. 

Thursday, July 11

Arrived in Mt Horeb, WI as the final place to stay before getting home tomorrow afternoon.  Short drive tomorrow of only a little over 200 miles so should be home about 1. Just a little suggestion for any thinking about this trip, take a coat/jacket and liner, and a pair of gloves. The air temp along the lake shore was between 55 to 62 with some gusty winds. Get inland and it warms up, but riding along the shoreline is going to require a jacket. Trust me on this. 

Thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed it. 

Friday July 12

Arrived back at the house about noon today. Had a great trip. Total driven was 2153 miles. 

Links :

The Beginning