Ride Life
Stories From The Open Road
Through The Lens: Remembering Mert Lawwill
It began Wednesday night, after dinner here on the West Coast. The phone was ringing and both cell phones were pinging from texts and emails. “Did you hear that Mert Lawwill passed away?” were the messages. Stories from industry friends and old riders began to be shared about what a pleasure it was to have known Mert. As we have been reconnecting and reminiscing with our motorcycle family these past few days, our memories of Mert are pleasant ones. We thought we would share some of these through our photography of him over the decades.
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Thunder Beach Motorcycle Rally 2026
Celebrating its 26th year, the Thunder Beach rally has been held annually since 1999. Originally called the “Bike & Beach Bash”, the event was first organized by the HOG chapter of Macon, Georgia, along with local PCB organizers. By year two, the name was changed to Thunder Beach Motorcycle Rally, and has since become a twice yearly event, in April-May and the fall rally in October. The week-long event has grown into one of the largest free motorcycle rallies in America, with its own flavor of vendors, stunt shows, custom bike contests, concerts and scenic day rides.
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Cycle Gear Ride Day Experience
Cycle Gear, as part of the Comoto network, has come up with a simple avenue and an easy on-ramp for many to check out what motorcycle riding is all about. Begun last year, several CG stores across America are devoting a weekend to giving non-riders a chance to throw a leg over and get a feel for motorcycling, in a controlled environment and with certified riding coaches. Called the “Ride With Us Ride Day Experience”, selected Cycle Gear stores will be providing small displacement motorcycles for a free opportunity to check out the ride we love so much, with instruction and encouragement, this coming Saturday and Sunday, April 11-12, 10am to 6pm both days.
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DGR Turns 15
The annual worldwide distinguished gentleman‘s ride celebrates 15 years this May. This yearly charity ride raises awareness and support for men’s prostate cancer research and treatment, as well as men’s mental healthcare. Benefiting the Movember Foundation, this ride is near and to our hearts here at Road Dirt, as several of us have found ourselves dealing with those issues in our own lives.
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Higher Calling- A Ride Life Story
Exploration, real exploration, comes with an appetite for uncertainty and discomfort. Adventure is personal for each of us, as we come with different experiences, risk appetites, and perspectives. Yet what connects us isn’t the type of road we choose, it’s the willingness to leave our comfort zone without knowing if it will work out, how it all will go, or if it was even a good idea.
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Indian’s New CEO Mike Kennedy: A True Biker
Following Indian Motorcycle’s recent split with Polaris, becoming a completely standalone motorcycle manufacturer again, the 125 year old legacy brand brought on Mike Kennedy as CEO to oversee operations. It’s refreshing to see a true motorcycle guy take the helm at Indian, especially given other manufacturer’s hiring of European shoe guys and pizza guys to run their operations. Kennedy is a true biker, a lifelong motorcycle rider, and a veteran in the powersports industry.
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Wet Winters, Appreciation & Reflection
As social media traffic and online ads for Daytona Bike Week ramp up, as I write this, we’re all sitting here on a rainy Saturday morning in North Georgia, yearning to ride. This follows a “Chamber of Commerce” Friday in the south with V-Twin friendly low 70’s and sunshine. Brutal times for us riders who have booked our spring/summer rally lodging and patiently wait for riding weather. Fortunately for us in the south, riding season starts earlier than those in the frozen northern states, so we aren’t complaining that much.
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The Passing of a Motorsports Icon
This morning during breakfast, I got a text from my friend Neale Bayly, simply stating, “Mr. Barber passed away”. I was stunned, and quickly found an American Motorcyclist Association press release in my inbox with a bit more information.
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If You Don’t Feel Like An Imposter, Your Dream Isn’t Big Enough
Have you ever experienced “imposter syndrome”? It’s that moment when you finally arrive somewhere you’ve dreamed of, and instead of certainty, it feels unreal. Your nerves are up, your heart’s racing, and anticipation sits heavy in your chest— the kind that only shows up when you’re stepping past what’s comfortable. It’s the same feeling as sweaty palms right before you throw a leg over a motorcycle you’ve never ridden. There’s an inner tension that holds two truths at once: I’m not sure I’m supposed to be here, and this is exactly where I’m supposed to be. You wonder if everyone else can tell you’re new, if you belong at all. Then, after a few conversations, a couple weeks of just doing the thing, it hits you— I am definitely supposed to be here.
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