A Man + His Bike

So, these days, whenever I check the weekend weather forecast and see a sunny, warm day on the horizon (warm meaning anything above 55 degrees), I get psyched up for yet another weekend excursion on my new motorcycle.

If someone had told me six months ago that I was going to buy a motorcycle, I’d tell them they’re crazy. It all started while tagging along with my 73-year-old father who was buying his first scooter (Go Dad!). While he was talking out the details with the salesperson, I began browsing around, looking at all the various motorcycles in the showroom. I saw lots of Harleys, huge touring bikes, racing bikes, Ninjas, etc. But none of these interested me. Then I saw it. A silver and black Suzuki TU250. Seventy-five miles per gallon. A comfortable cruising speed at 70–80 mph.

Forever attracted to all things retro, I’ve always liked the traditional or classic-styled motorcycles. This bike had a classic/retro look, and the price was just a little more than a scooter! After doing some research and thinking about it for a while, I was surprised one day to see that the price had just come down $800! That was it. Can you say early Christmas present?

So, my dad and I signed up for the motorcycle safety course together and after the two-day class, we were both certified to ride. I’ve had the Suzuki for about five months now and thanks to all of this unseasonably warm weather we’ve had, rarely a weekend goes by without me going on an excursion in the country with some of my riding pals. So far we’ve gone to Charlottesville, Staunton, Williamsburg, Skyline Drive, Blue Ridge Parkway, Scottsville, and all secondary roads in and around Richmond.

One of the great things I’m discovering about riding a motorcycle is that while navigating down old country roads and scenic byways, it gives the rider the opportunity to think, ponder, reflect, and really be in the moment. I’ve found that taking a trip on a motorcycle with nothing but the sound of the engine and the wind blasting your face, zig zagging on some nice twisty back roads, can be more therapeutic than a life-time of sessions with a shrink.