Clarksville, TN – I usually find the ideas for my blog while riding. I’m notorious for riding alone, and between the music and the roar of the engine, I get the perfect “symphony” of sounds that inspire me and my next article.
It’s easy to write about an event, or to cover a rally or a poker run, but it’s quite another challenge to try and put my feelings into words about this incredible journey I’m on and the connections I make along the way.
It hit me the other day as I was thinking about an upcoming trip, that in just the three years I’ve been doing this, I’ve made some amazing connections. Just the new friends, brothers and sisters, and the people I meet on my travels and I quickly realized that I’ve made some incredible connections.
The man they call “Chainsaw” who I met at an event in Arkansas last year. He was battling cancer and didn’t have long to live, but here he was, with his brothers, on his bike, where he wanted to be. I’m sure he’s passed away now, but we had a great visit and we had a prayer. I will always remember Chainsaw.
CONNECTIONS!
The people I met this year when I traveled to the annual Blessing of the Bikes at the Bald Knob Cross of Peace. The volunteers, the Christian Motorcycle Association members and all the bikers who made their way to this amazing cross on a hill.
CONNECTIONS!
When I decided to blog this journey, I did it for me. I didn’t want this journey to go without leaving something behind for my family. After years of “connecting” with my listeners on the radio, I wanted to document the connections I made as a result of my motorcycle.
I’ve made so many friends through this blog, it warms my heart. Your response to my journey has been incredible. I’ve met some of you and there are others I hope I meet.
CONNECTIONS!
The many times I’ve been traveling and join up with other bikers headed in my direction. No words necessary. Just fall in and throttle up. And when they take their exit, and leave me rumbling down the highway, it’s a bittersweet goodbye. We didn’t even have a chance to introduce ourselves.
CONNECTIONS!
The brothers I’ve found who travel with me, who ride with me, who care for me. It’s such a beautiful thing and I can’t wait to connect with others. They want nothing from me but my friendship. Connected by a motorcycle.
I met a great couple early in my travels when I traveled to Eminence Missouri. Alan and Lynet Peters. They own the Rivers Edge that sits along Jacks Fork of the Current River. Spectacular place for camping, canoeing, fishing and more.
There’s been a flood there since I visited and I want to go back and see how they’ve recovered. There was some beautiful roads to ride and I took full advantage, but most of all, the Peters were some of the nicest people I had ever met.
CONNECTIONS!
We’re all connected by our motorcycle and the people we meet. When you take the time to remember all of them along the way, you suddenly realize that you’ve had an incredible journey yourself.
You pass another biker, flip the respect sign; CONNECTION!
You pull into a gas station, other bikers are there, and you have an immediate CONNECTION!
At our work or school, we have connections, but on the back of a Harley, those connections are special. Everybody is drawn to a motorcycle, but other bikers are drawn to each other.
My blog is filled with those connections and the people who make it happen. Those of you who have reached out to me about my journey are special to me. I love the connection that this blog enables me to have.
What connections have you made? Who are the brothers and sisters you’re closest to? Would they do anything for you, and you for them?
CONNECTIONS!
It’s a beautiful thing. Ride safe my friends.
