I’ve been riding with good buddy Marty since the early 2000s (it’s been close to 20 years now), and we’ve covered miles all over the US, Mexico, and Canada. Marty has owned the BMW K1200RS you see in the above photo since it was new. He owns and has owned a bunch of exotic bikes (Ducatis, Aprilias, Triumphs, other BMWs, and more), but he prefers the K1200RS and he told me he’s keeping it forever.
I’ve got a bunch of good friends I ride and socialize with, and I know all of them through Marty. We all get together for coffee at the Brown’s BMW dealership on Saturday morning. That’s followed by lunch, and maybe we’ll talk about the next big ride. We frequently talk about rides we’ve done in the past. Sometimes the conversation turns to politics, and we all have strong opinions. Some of the guys are right (the ones who agree with me), and some of them are wrong (the ones who don’t), but it doesn’t matter. Every once in a while I inject the thought that the problem in America is that the guys who really know how to run the country are screwing around drinking coffee at Brown’s and riding their motorcycles. It usually gets a laugh, even though the guys have heard that line about 800 times.
I like the get-togethers at Brown’s, although sometimes I’ll go months without getting over there. I don’t know why, because I always enjoy it when I go. And I like riding my RX3 to our Saturday morning meetings. It’s an excuse to get out on my favorite motorcycle (not that anyone needs an excuse to go for a motorcycle ride). Sometimes folks ask about my motorcycle; more than a few motorcycle riders have never seen an RX3. Some folks think it’s a BMW, even though BMW has their own competitor in the small adventure touring motorcycle category (that’s the BMW G 310 GS and you can read our road test of it here). Whatever. My RX3 is slathered with decals denoting some of the big rides I’ve done, and I guess that gets it some credibility in a crowd known for high mileage.
While I’m at the Brown BMW dealership, I like to check out the vintage and new motorcycles. The old bikes are beautiful, and some of the new ones are, too…
So that’s it for today, folks, except to ask a quick question: Do you have a riding buddy like Marty in your life? Hey, we’d love to hear about it, so drop us a comment or two and let us know!
Joe my riding buddy is in a Mt . Fighting dirt and cement so he can’t come and play jaja
I met you and Marty on the same day at Browns, around 04 or 05. I threw “literally” you the keys to my Subi STI. You and Marty took it for a joy ride. I think we then we rode to the side car rally at Griffith Park. Is my memory correct, you were on a Harley???
Your memory is good, Tom! That ride in your WRX STi convinced me I needed a WRX in my life, too, and a year or two later I bought my blue Subie. Love those cars.
My riding buddy is Scott; he’s also my blacksmithing buddy. Every year we ride to the blacksmithing conference in Carbondale, Colorado, from Berthoud, Colorado, and back, by way of Fall River Road/Trail Ridge in Rocky Mountain National Park. The trip also includes Gore Pass (one of my favorites), Colorado River Road, and Glenwood Canyon. Many more blacksmithing workshops and work days plus moto trips throughout the year, including a New Year’s Day ride.
We have a Saturday morning “Un-club” at the patio (enclosed) of Whole Foods, Fort Collins. By the time I get there at 8 or 8:30 there are eight of more riders. By 9:30 there are 20 to 30. About 10 it is outside for tire kicking. Regulars plus irregulars probable number in the 50s.
That sounds pretty cool, Dan. Sue and I visited Fort Collins a year or two ago and we liked it a lot. You live in a state with some great riding.
Ahh,,, a good riding buddy. If one has one one they are completely blessed.
My riding buddy was Mitch. Once a year we would take a one week ride and shove as many states as we could in a six day time.
From Missouri we rode to Winslow just to stand on a corner. Rode to the top of Pikes Peak to catch a peek. Rode through the badlands and reservations of South Dakota where we found the Lakota Indians are still pissed off at Wasi’chu. Can’t say as I blame them.
We rode to the U.P. for some Lake trout and for some cherry wheat brew at Tahquamenon Falls, the only state park with a microbrewery in it.
Rode to Memphis for a Jerry Lee concert and ribs. To Tennessee for some whiskey. Covered Arkansas and Oklahoma just for fun and to Maine for a lobster.
Unfortunately on our last adventure he had a wreck on a twisty backroad in Pennsylvania. After a stop at a dealer for a clutch perch and some bungee straps to wrap things up he was able to limp the bike back home. Where he had it fixed and then sold it to buy a boat. Said he was done.
I have not been able to find another riding buddy since. So many have given up two wheeling and many others are not into covering eight states in a week.
A couple months ago I was out on the boat with Mitch talking about old times and trips. He mentioned that he would like to ride The Big Sur before he leaves this rock.
I don’t think he’s done with the two wheels.
A great input and great rides. Thanks for your input!
Joe, it’s been a pleasure sharing the road with you. We had some great rides. What I liked about riding with you is your willingness to take the unplanned road. And the fact that adversity never dampened your spirits. May there be many two-wheeled miles ahead of you.
Good times, Marty, with more in the future.