Beginnings
Where did it begin, this lifelong fascination with motorcycles? As a kid I dreamt of go-karts and mini-bikes. By the time I got to high school I was riding motorcycles owned by friends and relatives — my parents forbid such dangerous nonsense. My friend Randy bought a new Harley-Davidson in 1973 (I think) which he graciously allowed me to ride. It was my first big motorcycle. I was just a beginning rider.
Steve McQueen’s motorcycle riding in The Great Escape is the first memory of a riding persona I have with it’s urgent sense of potential freedom though perhaps lost on my nine-year-old mind. And then the possibility of romantic adventure in Then Came Bronson and Easy Rider. Those stories and imagery took root and have stayed with me even though it would be another 32 years until I bought a Vespa scooter.
Photo by Gordon Harkins
Motorcycles and Scooters
I’ve ridden a lot of different motorcycles and have enjoyed most. But at the end of the day I remain steadfastly connected to my Vespa GTS 250ie scooter. It’s as close to the perfect ride I’ve found. But there have been motorcycles I’ve thought about.
I’ve coveted the Triumph Scrambler despite my feelings that it’s not practical. Pure lust at work.
The BMW F650 was a delightful ride that I could well imagine owning.
Photo by Stephen DiRado; Part of his Dinner Series, 2004
Family Support
I don’t remember the details that led to the purchase of my first Vespa scooter. Whatever they were my wife Kim played a role. Partner, lover, friend — she’s supported first the ride and has been patient with the blogging that followed. Her support has fertilized my creative ability and confidence. She knows how and when a boot in the ass is necessary.
And the rest of the family has supported, or at least tolerated, my riding adventures.
Photo by Gordon Harkins
I think a lot about riding and all its attendant rituals. I’ve always felt I’ve been searching for something and riding has helped the investigation. Even when I come to a dead end the ride makes it all ok.
It’s a wonderful life.
Great post Steve and really great picks to match:)
It’s very good that all your family supported you with your journey….this is a key aid to making it enjoyable to your self.
Really like the family picture…..I see a lot of love there.
Wonderful stuff.
P.s I am more a scooter man but that Harley looks bloody great!
Thanks Len. Kim and I were lucky to have Stephen photograph us. I’ve been in three other images that are part of that body of work.
I remember the Harley being loud and vibrated terribly. But I loved it.
Nicely done. You always have the best images in your posts. That first one is a real gem.
I really enjoy your writing, too. It makes me want to be a better blogger. My blog is more like a newsletter or collection of trip reports. Your blog is more like a journal, where you skillfully reveal thoughts and feelings, and make readers like me think.
“Even when I come to a dead end, the ride makes it all okay.” So true, in so many ways.
I’m going to have to ride a scooter one of these days.
I was fortunate to have that picture. When you are hiding behavior from your parents you don’t collect a lot of evidence like that!
Thanks for your kind words about the posts. I just keep trying to practice and see what happens. The next month of posts will be like one puzzle after another.
Steve, I love your post. It mirrors my original movie and childhood images and fantasies and they have never stopped. In my case we wanted a mini bike but since the parents had never ridden anything like it we saved for a go cart and got it with their help. It wasn’t till 2006 that I first learned to ride and I have been in love ever since. Brent
You and I started riding as adults around the same time. Wish I had started earlier. Still in love with it.
Steve,
A great recounting of your dealing with “the disease.” You were lucky to have Kim along as your care giver. Support helps.
“the disease” Love that!
I am a lifelong motorcyclist. My Dad was riding before I was born and the snippets of memory from my toddlerhood are of motorcycle events. I didn’t just ride bicycles at age 5, I was riding an engine-less motorcycle until age 10 when I got on the first one. In the last 54 years I’ve mostly ridden Kawasakis for the same reason you ride a Vespa. The crude nature, and less refinement than a Honda, appeals to my flawed human side. Who wants a motorcycle that’s better than you are?
I bought scooters as an experiment and they are docile, easy going creatures that do the job. The only thing they lack is that visceral passion and involvement you get from a bike. Even a Honda Rebel, which the folks at MV deride, has the goods but in smaller doses.
What did you say? ” I feel like a bird on the scooter, on the motorcycle I feel like a pilot.” Same here, but I feel like Robert L. Scott of the Flying Tigers on a motorcycle. With my wife’s passing I’ve unleashed the biker side and now have two flawed motorcycles to decide upon. The lusty power of a 1983 Kawasaki 750cc Spectre and a formerly non-running 1991 250 Nighthawk that I have revived. It still needs some tending to but we have adventures ahead.
I will ride until I can no longer walk and will feel the wind in my soul. “Going isn’t why I ride, Riding is why I go.”
My first motorcycle riding was in the late 60s on a Kawasaki dirt bike. It was so much fun but was never allowed to own one. Would ride my cousin’s through old strip mines in Western Pennsylvania.
“Riding is why I go.” Exactly. And at the end of the day it is the ride that’s magic.
the last two pictures are great Steve….
Always nice to have photographer friends!
Nice post.
Isn’t it great to have at least one enabler in the family? ;o)
Yes it is. She’s great.
This January/February Thaw has me back on my red Stella—mindful that it is still winter, and the roads are not as forgiving as when they are warmed by the summer sun and cleaned of loose gravel by the spring street sweeper. Great pictures.
There is a lot of gunk on the road. Rode to work today and while warm there was gravel everywhere. So be careful out there!
Cool pics and great stories 🙂
Thanks for the kind words Jessie.