Ride Life
Stories From The Open Road
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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Scotland on Two Wheels
Back in the saddle of a motorcycle on Scottish roads for the first time in 25 years, my good friend Dennis Gage and his son Sam were joining me for the ride. Car buffs will know the flat-cap wearing, mustachioed Dennis from his hit television show, “My Classic Car.” As motorcyclists we enjoy a similar natural rhythm on the road, so riding together is always a pleasure. And, with two brand new Triumph Sprint STs, four days and a map of Scotland in front of us, it was with great spirits that we headed away from base camp, my sister’s house just outside Glasgow, to go exploring that summer.
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Then Came Bronson
In 1969, a man quit his job, threw a leg over his Harley, and rode away from everything- and an entire generation wanted to follow him. His name was Jim Bronson. And though he only existed on television screens for one brief, beautiful season, his spirit would outlive the show by decades.
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Rob’s Monthly Musings: Awake, Alert, Aware
I was out for a ride on a rare, warm winter day recently, and making a left-hand turn onto a side road, I found myself suddenly stopping behind a small transport van. There was a gas station entrance to the right, and opposite on the left was the entrance/exit for a restaurant. In the moment, I considered a quick skirt to the right around the van, so I could continue on my way. But further examination halted my impulse. I glimpsed a black pickup truck ahead, coming the opposite way, and a small silver sedan stopped at the restaurant exit. The transport van was waiting to make a left into the restaurant parking lot, while the black truck suddenly took its left into the gas station lot. Had I not paused before making an impulsive move, I would’ve been broadsided by the pickup truck. A little awareness and prudence quite possibly saved my life.
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Flow Rider
Descending off the high plains of panhandle Texas and into the desert and Mesa’s of New Mexico, the setting sun was splashing a kaleidoscope of color across the sky. Behind us, as darkness crapped over the canopy above, a full moon was rising behind our right shoulders. Mike was riding lead, his silhouette framed by the sinking sun, and I fell into a completely calm state, almost like a trance, and time seemed to stand still.
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Trippin’ On Two Wheels, Part 1
It all started in a seaside resort in Italy. Well, to be a bit more accurate it started at the Misano Circuit Sic 58 in the summer of 2002. June 14th to be precise. It was the first World Ducati Week and the festivities ran through to the weekend that the circuit hosted its round of the World Superbikes series. At that time American Ben Bostrom was flying high and Troy Baylis was the reigning world champion, both on Ducati 998s, while Colin Edwards was attempting to break the Ducati dominance on his Honda. Heady times. Well not as heady as ending up with a bedroom next to Ben Bostrom’s heartthrob girlfriend. But I digress.
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