January 26, 2013 "Naples Chalk Art Ride - Paradise HOG"

Hello ALL! Happy Saturday!

The day started with cool temps and bright sun but quickly warmed to a level that I could shed the leather jacket and get back into my vest and ride the way I like! COMFORTABLE! I was even able to go back to half gloves. (P.S. I ended up buying a new pair of HALF GLOVES from Amy at Naples H-D because the ones I had bled all over my hands. Harley gloves DO NOT bleed!). Thanks Amy! I saw a bike with Minnesota plates and thought "They would not be riding up there right now, I bet!". So, all is relative and I'm happy to be riding here in southwest Florida!

I had my very first ride with the Paradise HOG Chapter today, and even though it was short, it was NOT uneventful! I swear these guys must LIVE to EAT! We had three runs today (I was only able to ride in two of them) and FOOD was on the course for each one! I had SOS (Shit on a Shingle - a military staple - those of you who served remember well!) for breakfast at the CLOCK in Naples on highway 41, then I had a spinach roll at "La Villa on the 5th". In addition, the Ladies of Harley (LOH) had an OUTSTANDING Spaghetti lunch that was served at Harley-Davidson of Naples! Then on to the dinner ride! OH BOY! I figure I better come hungry next time! I'm glad I only had a boiled egg before I left the house! And believe it or not, before the ride even began today, coffee, donuts and bagels at the dealership were provided!

If my memory serves me right, 14 bikes left Naples Harley-Davidson on the first of the three rides, with kick stands up at 9:00am. We were treated to early views of the "Chalk Art on the 5th", a art festival in downtown Naples which featured a wonderful rendition of the Paradise HOG emblem done in chalk by a few very talented artists. What a great time I had and I thank the city of Naples for organizing this wonderful event to raise money for charity. We were able to purchase tickets to "vote" for our art and I believe ours did well. I am not too clear on where the money that was raised is going but I will post more as I find out. Our return trip to Naples Harley-Davidson found a busy time as the LOH served up the spaghetti, salad and rolls. 

The lunch ride had 15 bikes and we once again left the dealership en route to downtown Naples to get an update from our artist and enjoy our lunch #2, my third meal of the day! The weather was about perfect for this ride and I truly enjoyed being with this group of folks. 

Thank you all for the ride and thanks to Harley-Davidson of Naples for being such a gracious host for Paradise HOG. I look forward to many years of affiliation with both Paradise HOG and Harley Davidson of Naples!

January 20, 2013 "H.O.G.'s in Paradise! Harley Fun and Adventure!"

I must admit I am addicted to riding. I get on the back of my Harley and I soar down the road and I forget about life. Not living, but the burden of life. You know what I mean. The mundane things that make us crazy.  Bills, politics, jobs, schedules, maintenance that needs to be performed on the house, car, garage, and even the bike you are straddling. 

Yes, I am a biker addict. So what! Better then being committed to the druggie life style or being an alcoholic! Well, in my mind anyway. I love the wind in my face, the rumble under my ass. I even love the feeling the wind whisk my hair back in a bundle as I ride. I gotta get a haircut though I can hardly run my comb threw my wavy thick hair and remove the tangles that the ride makes.

So, what's the point? You, who know me, know I worked for years, traveling the world, working endless hours and days and weeks, protecting the ones who run our country and secure our freedom. For 25 years my goal was to contribute to the freedoms my forefathers gave their lives to secure. I believe I did my part, not without struggles, not without a price and not truly free. Freedom is not free! It comes with sacrifice. You know what I'm talking about. 

But on my Dyna, I'm close. I get to feel like I'm part of a lifestyle that secrets a piece of that freedom that people talk about. I roll down the road and I am there, the place I like most, secure in my freedom. If you don't understand, then, well, you have not yet experienced it.

My first time I felt this I was 9 years old. I was on a mini-bike. Remember? A Briggs and Stratton 3.0 Horse Power HOG! Running through the fields, doing a whopping 15 miles an hour, feeling like James Dean himself, tearing up the cotton fields and enjoying FREEDOM! 

Then it came in the form of a Honda 50 HP! Oh yeah! Power! Jumping, rolling, running and just having FUN! Then the Honda 90! The kind that had the switch that changed from low to high! You know, a "jeep" on two wheels! I could climb mountains with that one! What a ride!

Yamaha's, Honda's, then Harley's! Oh yes, Harley's! The mother of all bikes! I finally got my first "Sportster" and boy was I bad. Loved that bike. My son was instrumental in me getting that one, and I felt even more special because he was a Harley man.

I don't know what it is, I cannot even began to describe it, but I am a Harley man. Love the feel of it, the sound of it, the freedom it brings. No offense to the "metric" riders, they are great rides. But me, I am a Harley man. And it is NOT the technology. It's the heart. It's the way I feel when I press start. The rumble, the vibration, the wind and road. My wife knows I want to be a rider for life. If I meet my demise on this vehicle, rejoice. My peace comes from behind those handle bars. 

Thank you Paradise HOG for letting little ole me be a part of your great organization! 

My day was great, started with the HOG Chapter meeting and ending with good friends at the Outrigger on the beach! Enjoy and God Bless!