bikerbill - On the Road

 bikerbill – on the road

or, on the web:  bikerbill@windermere.com

"I never found a companion that was so companionable as solitude."   ~  Thoreau

have you seen this guy in your neighborhood?

This page is a look at the non-Realtor side of me, which right now is somewhat consumed with planning a motorcycle trip for this summer.  I’m looking at an 11,000 mile ride, which will involve going coast-to-coast across the US and then back across Canada.

But first, let me share a little background about bikerbill.  Once upon a time (six years ago) the IRS owed me some money.  I told them to apply it toward my next year’s taxes.  Instead, an $800 check shows up in my mailbox… found money!  Simultaneously to this event, I happened to be browsing through a motorcycle magazine, something I’d never done before.  This particular issue had a comparison list of all the new makes and models for the coming year.  And I was surprised by my reactions… “Oooooo, that’s real sparkley”.  I felt like Dustin Hoffman in Rain Man.

So, when Mistake A met with Coincidence B, the result was a motorcycle being delivered to my home.  Delivered, because I didn’t have a motorcycle driver’s license, and also had no idea about how to make it go.  It was truly an impulse purchase.  I’d never owned a motorcycle before; never even rode on one; and was always convinced that if I ever tried to ride one, I’d end up dead.  And, since the Safe Rider Training Class was 6 weeks away, I was left to educate myself in “how to make it go.”   Lesson #1:  Do NOT wear cut-offs when trying to handle something that weighs more than you and has flaming hot chrome on it.

That was 6 years, 4 bikes and 70,000 miles ago.  Something I quickly discovered was that I love to ride.  It brings back a childhood excitement of exploration and a sense of freedom.  Other loves in my life: Having grown up in one little town, travel has been an enjoyable activity.  Another long-standing hobby of mine has been photography.  After the bike came to live at my house, gardening became a lost love.  However, eating still remains as an true pastime.

So, this cross-county trip becomes an opportunity to share in all the things I like.  New places to explore, new food to try, more photos to take.  As I develop this site over the next few months, I'll add some things that are hopefully of interest to you, including photos, my impressions of new sites, and food finds. 

As a technological test, here's a shot of the new bike I bought last fall...

2007 Kawasaki Vulcan Classic 2000

...and, my license plate.

To track this upcoming trip, go to Coast-to-Coast '07.

To see photos from last year's trip, click here.