I never thought I would ride on the back of a motorcycle let alone learn to love traveling around the world on one. To say that I was a bit apprehensive at first would be an understatement. My fear was real – I had no control over this moving cycle and had little protection from the road. Thank goodness I have an understanding husband who loves adventure and challenged me to trust him and his riding skills. As we rode more and more, I started to relax taking in the sights, sounds and smells of the open road. A newfound love was growing for these two-wheel adventures.
For our first real trip, we decided to travel across Colorado. Gerald arranged the flights, rented the motorcycle, mapped out the routes, and booked the hotels. Packing was a lesson in minimalism. I was told I could bring anything I wanted as long as it fit in a tiny saddlebag. At first it seemed impossible, but I quickly learned the essentials: layers for warmth, comfortable boots, and a little extra room for souvenirs from the road.
What an adventure we had. I will never forget the brilliant yellow leaves of the Aspen trees, the majestic mountains set against sapphire skies, and the crisp clean air. I was hooked – I had fallen in love with the open road and the freedom it brings. Our next trips took us to Montana’s Glacier Park, Arizona’s Grand Canyon, Sturgis, South Dakota, where we visited Mount Rushmore, The Devil’s Tower and the Badlands.
Traveling alone was nice, but soon we learned the value of joining a guided tour. We booked a trip with Eagle Rider that would take us from Los Angeles to Cabo Mexico down the Baja Peninsula. In all there were eleven bikes going with riders from all over the world. The stress of planning the agenda and navigating the route was gone, leaving us time to just enjoy the scenery and explore the areas. Getting to know our fellow riders was one of the best parts of the tour. Each person brought his own style, sharing personal stories, perspectives and accents. They all loved Gerald’s southern drawl and by the end of the trip, we felt more like family than fellow riders.
Our next trips took us to Italy and Ireland. I’ll never forget the smell of the olive tree groves in Tuscany or the fresh sea air as we rode along the Mediterranean coast in Positano. In the Dolomite region of Italy, we layered up and relished the cool mountain air and breathtaking views. Ireland was a vista of every shade of GREEN! We had to stop often to let the sheep and cattle cross the back roads – such wonderful memories we will always cherish.
If you are interested, I have a few tips for being a back seat rider that might come in handy one day. I learned early to make sure my driver was braced and balanced and ready for me to mount and dismount the bike. This is a safety factor for us both. On the ride, I try not to lean around curves but stay behind the driver. The tight hairpin turns and curvy roads in Italy proved this to be invaluable.
One last thing I try to do is not talk too much to the driver. I want him to keep his focus on the road especially when we are in foreign countries or heavy traffic. That does not mean I don’t lean up and point out interesting sites occasionally – like unexpectedly passing Stonehenge while riding in England.
If you get the chance to ride on the back of a Harley, I highly encourage it. It is a wonderful way to travel and experience the world in a whole new way. With so many roads still waiting to be explored and destinations to be discovered, we are excited about the possibilities that the future holds.
The road as always is calling – and we are ready to answer.
