Meet Natalie and Gary. Two students on their way back to Indiana University of Pennsylvania. — just 90 miles to the west. They were on the last leg of a one week adventure that took them from Indiana to Niagra Falls, across New England to Acadia National Park in Maine and back home. Over 1500 miles of two-up riding, camping and constructing memories. I couldn’t help but think they were experiencing something that would gently haunt them for the rest of their lives.
Our paths crossed at the motorcycle parking spaces across from Schlow Library in State College, Pennsylvania as they secured their gear and made sure everything was ready for departure. Normally I wouldn’t say anything to strangers, riders or otherwise, but in this case, as I watched them while I was locking up the Vespa, their adventure mystic moved me to say hello and ask a few questions.
“After such a long trip are you ready for your own motorcycle?” I asked Natalie. Gary said he’s suggested that very thing but Natalie expressed her contentment as the pillion passenger. As they checked straps and cords it was obvious they had developed a working routine forged through miles and miles on the road together. And they were both still smiling.
The journey was made more impressive by their choice to sleep on the ground. Camping sounds romantic but my body’s incessant reminders of how hard the earth can be and the lack of hot showers would soon wear me out.
Still, I couldn’t help admire their pluck at undertaking such a trip.
A final inquiry about the motorcycle and it’s performance — a 1987 BMW K75 performing flawlessly — and they were ready to roll after I made a quick portrait and offered them my email address should they want to share a picture or two of their trip.
And off they went.
I can only assume they arrived home safe and their motorcycle adventure is shifting to memory. How many travelers do this same thing, traverse the world on two wheels, one behind the other, living, experiencing, squeezing the marrow from their time on the earth?
Here are two.
Ride safe…
What law requires you to camp every night? A hotel room every third or fourth night would be a perfectly reasonable plan. And REI has nice air mattresses and/or Space-Age Foam™ pads.
A few friends recently rode from to Seattle to Bend, OR, and there’s talk of riding from Seattle to Amerivespa 2013 in San Diego. I do think about how to make such a journey, even though in all likelihood if I do go, it will be in a Boeing 737…
__Orin
Scootin’ Old Skool
Steve:
as opposed to urban riding, imagine touring across the country seeing new sights whilst riding your scooter/motorcycle. Just you and your machine conquering the world. It’s addictive and you should try it. I am already dreaming of my next adventure
also, what Orin said. I find that I like camping. Too bad I am finding out now instead of when I was much younger. It makes you feel like you are more self reliant
bob
Riding the Wet Coast
My Flickr // My YouTube
I hope they do send you pictures of their ride….sounds like quite the adventure. Of course on a K75, they were already making sure mechanical issues were not part of said adventure! I am of course preempting Mr Riepe’s response.
dom
Redleg’s Rides
Colorado Motorcycle Travel Examiner
My house is next to what once was a “trailer park” populated with sedond hand 8ft wide trailers, which he rented out with “a purchase option.” Many years ago I was sitting in my back yard and could hear the couple from next door packing their Harley for a long trip. “Where are we going to put this.” “Tie it to the handle bar.” “Are you going to take your pistol?” “Hell, yes.” “where do you want it?” “Put it in the bag over the gas tank.” I got so curious, that when they left, I hopped onto my Honda 360 and road around the block to see them pull out of the park. It looked like your photo, except they piled stuff on the front fender up to the handle bar. Wished I had a picture of it. They returned 6 months later, with the bike in a rented U-Haul. It broke down 350 miles from home. Ah, nothing like adventure.
What a nice adventure! Nice way to finish the summer before heading back to school.
The check has cleared and the P200 is mine. Only thing is it’s in Iowa 1750 miles away. My boss said I could take the time off so blast off day is in late September for my fly and ride. Hotels for me, as camping is a chore when making miles. 5 days to cover almost two thousand miles on a 33 year old scooter? Hmm.
I hope I can encourage you to step outside your comfort zone and take a ride before too long.
Orin: Only the law of unreasonable fantasy has a rider sleeping outside every night. Even Jim Bronson from “Then Came Bronson” spent the night on a yacht or in an Amish barn from time to time. So I suppose one can adjust.
I think a Boeing 737 is clearly outside the fantasy…
bobskoot: Before I die I hope to take an unfettered trip to no where. Not sure what the circumstances would be and if it will ever happen. Some dreams are best left dreams.
Charlie6 (dom): So far no pictures from the adventurers. I’ll post an update if they so provide something.
Mr. Riepe no longer believes the K75 is the king of motorcycles. He is now on to the K1200. A fickle young man…
phil: Can’t imagine departing on a six month trip of any sort. Perhaps you are witness to the rare phenomenon that others aspire to. Trailering a bike home is just another badge of experience.
Sounds like you have a colorful neighborhood too.
RichardM: Back to school. It is definitely a strong sign of the end of summer.
Dear Scooter In The Sticks:
Please excuse the delay in leaving a comment here, but I have been distracted beyond belief by my current literary project.
The sight of a fully loaded K75 brought a huge smile to my face. I liked the look of all the camping impedimenta strapped to this rig. It is hard to rob a K75 of its dignity, but camping gear gives a party atmosphere to this so formal motorcycle.
And this couple couldn’t have picked a more reliable ride.
I have recently written a number of pieces involving camping. I miss those days, sometimes. I do miss my K75 too. But I have my sights on a BMW K1200 for April. And I intend to ride to the west coast next summer.
Fondest regards,
Jack/reep
Twisted Roads
Mr. Riepe: Something very attractive about the K75. Almost found myself wishing I had one. Spent a little time on eBay looking at available stock…
There is nothing thrilling than the idea of going for adventures with my machine. My machine and i. But when it comes to camping for 2 to 3 days, a friend would do no harm But i would never ride with a friend on my bike. take yours and i have mine. I still think they should have used 2 bikes.
They did make it home. They are still adventurers in spirit and action. I count them as friends and hope to soon have the K-bike parked next to my R.