Passin' the Torch...
Hey Muthuh,
It has been a while since I've emailed you. Just dropped by your site and saw your latest article about "Passing the Torch." Got to tell you it was a really nice article but, for those of us who have come to know you through your ride stories, a bit sad also. I've said to the misses several times that if I couldn't have a bike then I'd want to get a convertible so I understand why you would go that route. I say more power to you if that's what you want and I hope you make as many memories with your new "ragtop" as you have with the bikes.
I hope you don't give up your website though. You have a nice writing style, it's still a way of keeping track of where you've been and sharing what you've seen, and you could adapt your present sites main menu to have two sections, one for biker stories and one for all other travel (Ragtop, RV, plane, ship, etc.) and the reader could take his/her pick.
My site isn't up right now but I'm in the middle of trying to upgrade it with something similar. My wife and I went out on the road for 11 months in a 5th wheel and saw all kinds of stuff and took loads of pictures. Unfortunately we couldn't take the bikes but we had a wonderful time anyway. Not as exciting as being on the bike but far more comfortable.
Even though I haven't been on any long trips on the bike for awhile, I still want to share some of the beautiful and historic places we've seen and people we've met while we were in the RV. This really is a beautiful and interesting country and I think other people, who may never ride a motorcycle, would enjoy reading about some of the places they might want to visit, and they might actually want to see what's out there. We've found it's not always what the brochures say they'll see. Also, I'm planning on adding a "Navy" section for some of my old shipmates, with stories about life aboard the U.S.S. Walton (DE361). Lot's to do, so little time. I'm going to have a main menu with about four different sections, Motorcycle, Boating, RVing, and Navy.
At any rate, I've really enjoyed your site, your articles, and your help. When I get my site back up, you'll still be thanked on the motorcycle page for your help and I'll have a link to you as long as you want to keep your site going.
In the meantime, you've still got some nice rides ahead of you before you hang it up. I still hope to bump into you sometime as we both continue to follow the "road less traveled." We've moved back to CA from WA since I need to be near my medical benefits. We've moved into one of those "retirement" communities (God forbid) near the Sierras. I still have two bikes if you're in my neighborhood (Lincoln, CA) and you want to go for a ride. We can explore some of the Sierras. Of course, neither one's a Harley but they both have two wheels.
I'm planning a couple of longer rides sometime this year, but I'm not sure when. I have to bring the Beemer down from WA since I've only got the Goldwing available right now. I plan to take a week and bring it down the coast. Other than that, I'm not sure of when or where I'll end up. Who knows, maybe we'll see each other in Sturgis.
Best wishes to you and your family. It has truly been a pleasure.
- Ed Whitehead (Ed's Travel Stories)
Ed - I've had a few emails from people indicating my link to your stories was dead...I suppose I should get off my ass and remove it someday.
I, too, have considered opening up a section on my old backpacking trips... used to take some serious hikes in the late 80's early 90's ... lots of pics and a couple journals I kept for them can be quite interesting to someone out there...or to me in my old age.
My big ride this year Is my farewell ride to Sturgis... have wondered if I will indeed sell the bike, but looks that way - or if not, the "Muthuh" character will stop riding... lemme know if you ever ride this way in the future...would enjoy swapping stories over a couple beers.
Muthuh
