More Gratuitous Bike Pictures

The Blue Ridge Parkway, near Cherokee, NC (August, 2005)

Shenadoah Skyway- (Northern Entrance-Near Washington, DC,) Front Royal, VA (August 05)

Signal Mountain, near Chattanooga, TN
(Memorial Day, 2005)

Near Lovelaceville, KY beside a beautiful blooming spring field.
(May, 2006)

Elizabethtown, IL on the banks of the Ohio River. (April 06)

Falls Creek Falls State Park, TN

The Blue Bridges Below Barkley Dam, Lake City, KY


Riding the Dragon (Hwy 129 -Deals Gap- TN-NC)



Windsor Ruins - Natchez Trace, Near Natchez, MS 04-07-07

The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who can't read them. ~Samuel Clemens a.k.a (Mark Twain)~

Once you have traveled, the voyage never ends, but is played out over and over again in the quietest chambers, that the mind can never break off from the
journey. ~Pat Conroy~

Bikes - Present and Past

Along about age fifty-five I reached a restless point in my life. It was time for me to get busy doing some of the many things I had wanted to do but had long put off for a variety of reasons. A return to riding motorcycles was one of them.

Click any picture to enlarge.

The first bike I bought in 2002 to relearn how to ride was a barely/rarely used 2001 Honda Shadow 750cc ACE (American Classic Edition)

It wasn't long before I outgrew the Honda Shadow and moved up to a new, much larger, 2005 Honda VTX 1300.

I soon discovered I loved long distance touring, which led to the purchase of a even larger, new, 2005 Honda GL1800A Gold Wing touring bike.

Photo's by killboy.com (Riding the Dragon Tail- Hwy 129-Deals Gap, NC. 05-06)

I also bought a new 2006 Suzuki V Strom DL 1000. This is the Dual Sport touring bike I have outfitted for my June 2007 trip to Alaska. As you can see, it didn't take me long to commit to ATGATT.
(All the Gear, All The Time.)

My V Strom was sold September 2008. It was a great ride and I miss it!

Sacred cows make the best hamburger!
~Samuel Clemens, AKA- Mark Twain~


Most men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with the song still in them. ~Henry David Thoreau~

Introduction

Photo by killboy.com (Riding the Dragon Tail- Hwy 129 -Deals Gap, NC. May/06)

"WANDERLUST" - Commonly defined as a burning desire to travel and see the world.

I will be retiring in early 2007. Borrowing a line from Mark Twain, "It's time to throw off the bowlines." My primary retirement goal will be to satisfy an overwhelming case of "wanderlust". I have planned numerous solo bike adventures in addition to extensive travel plans with my wife.

I will also be spending considerable time spoiling our long awaited grandson. (Grandson Update) Keaton James Stepp made his debut Dec. 7th. 2006 at 9:13 am, 8lbs 15oz, 20.5 inches long.
I am 59 years old and live in Paducah, KY. After a long absence, I returned to riding a motorcycle four years ago. I quickly progressed through four bikes to the point I am today. It didn't take me long to realize I enjoyed long distance rides. I rode my first Iron Butt Saddle Sore 1,000 in July 06, and had a great time. At this point, I'd like to ride a BB1500 and then reevaluate. At my "advanced" ;^) age I doubt I will ever get into the "extreme" category. I'm also very interested in the Iron Butt National Parks Tour.

This is my first attempt at posting my own blog. I hope to chronicle a trip to Alaska in June of 07. This web page will provide on the road, up-to date pictures, and personal safety information for my family and friends. I will record other motorcycle trips including Iron Butt rides, and National Park stamp hunting adventures. Additionally, I will also use this format to post eclectic tidbits of trivia I find interesting.

Regarding my writing, I claim " bikers license" for style and grammar. No doubt I will blithely switch between past and present tense. I will always "attempt" to correct grammar and spelling, but I won't always succeed. I will also try to provide proper credit and reference links when possible.

This blog is a work in progress with constant updates, so, if interested, check back when you can. Comments and suggestions are important to me and always welcome. Click on the "Post a comment" button at the bottom of any page, and tell me whats on your mind. Naturally I reserve the right to delete anything offensive. I also welcome email at mcb285@gmail.com.

Note: Click any picture to enlarge.

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I have used long-time favorite quotes at the bottom of each page. I hope you enjoy the wisdom in them as I do.

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the live you've imagined. ~Henry David Thoreau~

Don't tell me how educated you are, tell me how much you traveled. ~Mohammed~