The Bostonian Abroad

This being my fourth consecutive fall season since moving from Hawaii, I think I am fully in synchronization with the changes that come with this time of year. I feel the coming cold as a natural step, and I look forward to the changing of the leaves, the grey skies, and the early sunsets. I also find myself wanting to drink hot beverages and curl up with a good book. I've been very interested in stories of motorcycle riding these past few years, and my interest has progressed from the history of Harley Davidson to the stories of riders' adventures across the country and around the world. One good book I finished not long ago was written by Clement Salvadori. "One Hundred and One Road Tales" is good ol' Clem, native of Massachusetts, Harvard grad, and motorcycle freelance writer, yarning on about the places he's gone, the things he's done, and the vistas he'll always remember. Reading his stories made me feel like I was out there with him, an

A real "Mike" video if ever there was one!

Two years ago, I was a very new rider, and I was eager to get as much experience as I could on the road. At least, that is how I justified to myself the fact that I was riding in weather that is too cold to stand in, let alone ride a motorcycle! I have no such out this time around - two years later, 18,000 miles more experienced, and having no excuses to turn to. I simply have to admit to some form of mental dysfunction, or the simple incapacity to utilize rational thought. Perhaps it is just my base desire to affect some sort of macho posture: "I can ride in weather so cold, penguins step back and say, 'DAMN!'" I don't know what it is that has motivated me recently. All I know is that, the colder it has gotten, the more I've wanted to ride in it - and without a windshield!!! So the temperature dips down to the lowest level it has been in years. It's 18 degrees, and the meteorologist is warning everyone to stay inside lest their flesh freeze solid.