It’s hard to believe that I have owned Lucy, a 2024 Triumph Speed Twin 900, for almost a year now. I have clocked over 4,000 miles, completed many commutes to and from work, a few weekend rides, and spent time with Lucy in the my garage, customizing her, and doing maintenance. A bond with a motorcycle is such a unique experience. I can’t speak for all riders, but for me, my motorcycle is an extension of my personality, my riding style, and ultimately speaks to me on a spiritual level. I commuted to my office, on a cool Monday morning. I knew the route I was going to take. I have been commuting for over a year and yet, this Monday, it felt very new to me. This was because, I was the unveiling Lucy 2.0. I was very excited. Seeing Lucy in the driveway, in the early dawn light, that was hitting her just right, I knew this day was special. The World was about to see the number 278 fly by on the road. Having the side cases painted yellow, and the vinyl black number “278” attached, I was hopeful I could be as strong a rider as my hero Steve McQueen. Working with Lowell Hull, owner of Creative Colors Coatings, we spent about month figuring out the design, and once I delivered the side cases to Lowell, he finished the job quickly. The result was amazing!

My Customizing History: The Moto Morini

I guess the artist in me is always alive. Though I retired my art career two years ago, I still find inspiration to create in unique spaces. My first bike, a 2023 Moto Morini SCR 650, was my first step into the world of customizing a motorcycle. Once I started riding the Morini, I felt an inner pull to add my touch to my Morini. After each ride, sitting in a chair while looking at my parked Morini in my driveway, I thought, how could I make this mine? Meaning, where was my artist touch on my bike? Over the next few months of ownership, I started taking parts off, painting some, re-installing them, and then adding a radiator guard. Once completed, the Morini looked nothing like the showroom bike I purchase. I absolutely loved it! The last few months I owned the Morini were epic. The Morini was lighter, brighter in color, and fast, or so I thought LOL. Though the Morini is not with me anymore, learning to make my motorcycle my own, is a spirit I take with me from that experience. Maybe add a few hours of YouTube videos to encourage me to explore more of this art medium. In the end, I feel that customizing your motorcycle is just as important as riding your motorcycle.

Steve McQueen, the number 278, and 1964 ISDT

I have been a fan of Steve McQueen for a few years now. I only discovered Steve McQueen after researching for a quote to add to a painting I was working on when I lived in Los Angeles, California, over ten years ago. The Steve McQueen quote, which was the last thing I added to my painting, hit me so strongly that I began researching more about Steve McQueen during my time in Los Angeles. To be honest, I didn’t watch any of his legendary movies, but instead, studied the man, and how he lived his life. What really pulled me in, was his love of racing. Once I moved out of LA, my fascination with Steve McQueen diminished. Yet, once I purchased Lucy, I soon started looking at old photos of McQueen racing Triumphs in all types of conditions. I knew I had to incorporate McQueen on my bike. But where? I also knew that my paint techniques didn’t really feel up for this job. I knew I needed to hire a professional. A few months of riding Lucy, a few times washing her, installing parts and continuing my customization arc, I soon learned that the side cases on my Triumph would be a wonderful spot for a tribute to McQueen. Googling images of Steve McQueen, I kept seeing this number, 278, appear in many images. What I learned is that this was the racing number Steve McQueen mounted to his Triumph for the International Six Day Trial (ISDT) hosted in East Germany in 1964. A race he never finished but an important milestone in his racing career. I knew then, that the number 278, would be what I would add to the side cases. To show my love of McQueen’s racing heritage in the ISDT, I would paint the side cases yellow, and have the number 278 in black. But who would I turn to, to hire for this project? Lucky for me, I met Lowell Hull through his job at Charleston Triumph. Lowell and I got to know each other from his work with getting me parts and making service appointments for both of my bikes. On a trip to Charleston Triumph, I learned that he runs a business making creative color coatings for cars and motorcycles. I immediate contacted Lowell and after a month of communicating, my side cases were completed.

A Week Later….

Having spent a week with Lucy 2.0, I must admit I am as proud of Lowell’s work as the day I pickup the side cases from his shop. The vibe of Lucy is so unique. Lucy 2.0 carries a new appearance and one I am very proud of. Each time I see Lucy, I feel that the number 278 is striking. The side cases are a firm nod to McQueen’s legacy, and while I don’t expect everyone to know this, it does open up possible conversations. And that is the mark of great art. When it can provoke ideas and bring people together. I have some more ideas Lowell to create for me, but for now, the side cases are mint! See y’all on the road.

Rolf

The day I parked Urik, my Giant Contend road bike, in my Mom’s garage after purchasing Urik from a local bike shop, I asked myself, “When do I ride my bike to work?”. This question lingered for a few months, until I got serious about commuting with Urik over my holiday vacation. For two months I had been riding Urik to Folly Beach, did a few rides around James Island, and started to feel more comfortable riding with traffic. I developed a strong trust with Urik, knew how he behaved in certain road conditions, and most importantly, I felt strong enough physically, and emotionally, to ride to work. I decided to adapt my motorcycle route as my bicycle route. It was a ride that follow a long road through some amazing areas, with traffic light in the AM, and manageable in the PM. I even noticed a bike lane that stretched a majority of the route while I rode my motorcycle. But how would I start this commute with Urik?

I ask this because, I live with my mom on James Island and to reach my route, I would need to cross the James Island Connector while riding Urik. NOPE! I have seen people ride bicycles over the Connector, but it is not legal, and is very dangerous to ride especially before dawn. So, I developed an alternative to beginning my commute. I needed a launching point for my commute with Urik. Having lived in Charleston for over 20 years, I knew that parking garages would be a great base camp for the day. But which one? There where plenty to choose from. Then, I remembered my favorite parking garage in downtown Charleston, the Queen Street Parking Garage. Located near Board Street, a main access street to getting in and out of downtown Charleston. Plus, it wasn’t located in a very busy part of downtown. I had found my launching point.

On a mild, clear, and dark Wednesday morning in January, about 5am, I loaded Urik into the back of my Nissan Murano. I also packed my commuter backpack filled with my things for work, as well as my work clothes. Then I had packed a gym bag with my post ride change of clothes as well as my cycling gear. I was ready! Or was I? Nerves began to build as I drove over the Connector and made my way to the Queen Street Parking Garage. I got my garage ticket, and drove up to the empty level 9, the roof top deck. I parked my Murano and took a deep breath. It was time. I kept the Murano running, played some music and unload Urik and placed him against a wall. I dressed, turned off my Murano, locked her up, put on my commuter backpack, turned on the lights for Urik, and said a little prayer. Moments like these, before I attempt something new, dangerous, and exciting I speak to God to protect me and watch over me. Finishing my prayer, I let a a yell and said, “I AM ROLF, KING OF THE ROAD!”. LOL, I needed to boost my confidence. This was a great unknown route for me by bicycle, and letting out a yell is important to me. I highly recommend it yelling to get yourself motivated.

It might not have been the safest start, but descending the Queen Street Parking Garage with Urik settled my nerves, got me focused, and most importantly, got me ready. “Here we go!”, I said to myself, leaving downtown and riding past the large port of Charleston in the dark morning, I felt strong. I felt confident. My vibe was positive and as I pedaled past the Ravenel Bridge, I slowly started to feel at home on Urik. The past two months of riding Urik had lead me to this moment. Yet, looking down at the black road, I noticed, no bike lane. A quick rear check behind relaxed me as I saw no cars. “Keep pedaling Rolf!” I said to myself. Soon I was past downtown and a lovely bike lane appeared as I rode towards North Charleston. My mindset for this commute was not to treat this ride like a race. Instead, I wanted to pedal smoothly and allow my front headlight to guided me. The road soon changed to potholes and railroad tracks. I did my best to avoid the potholes but railroad tracks were new to me. I took my time, rolled over the tracks, and continued on my way. Once I reached Park Circle, about 2 miles from my office, I knew I would make it. And I did!

Arriving at my office, I felt electric. I just finished my first AM commute on Urik. “ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE,” I thought to myself. Parking Urik inside my office, right across from my cubicle, I felt like a proud dad. It was still early, and not too many coworkers had arrived yet. I took a moment, said my thanks to the Lord, and opened my commuter backpack for my work clothes. Throughout the day, I entertained my fellow coworkers who kept asking “did you ride your bike to work?” My achievement did not go unnoticed. As the workday continued, I began to notice how tried I was getting. “Well, should be an interesting ride home,” I said to myself. By the end of the workday, I was dressed in my cycling gear, the tired feeling from earlier had vanished, and I mounted Urik a few feet from my office front door. It was time to get back to the Queen Street Parking Garage.

Riding back to the Queen Street Parking Garage, I kept the same thought process, slow and steady. I followed my morning commute route, and welcomed the sunlight. “So much easier to see!” I said to myself. I navigated my way back downtown and quickly noticed the traffic building. I would need to mimic the bike messengers of New York City I had watched on YouTube. Just kidding! I did pick up the pace and limit my gear changes. Once the bike path ended and I knew I was back in downtown Charleston, I kept my speed fast and hugged the car land as best as possible. Soon though, the downtown traffic filtered out and I decided to pedal as fast as I could to Queen Street Garage. Once I arrived, I pedaled up the 9 levels, reached the top and yelled out, “ROLF, THE KING OF ROAD!” Parking Urik next to the wall like I did in the morning, I felt amazing. I had just completed my first ever bicycle commute with Urik. Anything is possible!

Rolf

I often make riding notes on my iPhone after I ride my 2024 Triumph Speed Twin 900, I call Lucy. I write about my experience and note things that occurred during my ride both mentally and physically. I also note how my training went and generally discuss things that I need to work on and, of course, my achievements. Usually my achievements are small but important victories. Like turning OFF my turn signals when completing a turn. Or, giving myself enough space cushion between me and the vehicle in front of me. Sometimes its completing a weaving exercise during training that results in not missing a single parking spot while weaving a long row of parking spaces. These are small but important achievements that build confidence for me before I start riding on the busy roads of Charleston. Yet, this past Saturday, while out on a ride towards the beautiful country roads in Ravenel, South Carolina, I hit the wall. Not physically speaking, thank goodness, but mentally. The past week leading up to my Saturday morning ride, was during Christmas week. A busy time for everyone. Aside from family stuff, I completed over 400 minutes of exercise which included, cycling, running, and, strength and conditioning workouts. Beginning in December, I started to build my fitness schedule for a triathlon I plan to participate in this coming Summer. So when I started riding Lucy on a beautiful Saturday morning in late December, the weather close to Spring like, I had pushed myself physically hard over the past few weeks. As I left my Mom’s house that morning, I felt good. I was thinking that this Saturday morning ride would be a nice reward for the hard work I had completed that past few weeks.

Riding down Highway 17, towards Ravenel, I began to feel the weight of my fitness journey. I started to feel a cold sweat running down my forehead. Panic began to rise. My old friend, fear, returned, that I had dealt with on so many rides this past year. This fear soon began to make me feel very uncomfortable. I started to loose focus. Though I had complete control of Lucy, was riding within the speed limit, my inner soul spoke to me and suggested I pull over to get a cup of coffee. Spotting a Circle K gas station a few lights ahead, I moved to the right lane, pushed the turn signal for right, and entered the parking lot with relief. I parked as far from the Circle K as possible and took a deep breath. “Let’s get that cup of coffee,” I said to myself. Removing my helmet, gloves, and mask, I entered the Circle K, and found the coffee station. Returning back to Lucy, I enjoyed a hot black cup of coffee, watched the cars and trucks fly by on Highway 17, and smiled. I was relaxed. I felt my confidence reborn and I knew it was time to head home.

“Live to ride another day,” I wrote in my riding notes. Sure, I was disappointed that I didn’t ride those wonderful country roads and let Lucy roar across the beautiful two lanes without many stoplights. Yet, I had to be honest with myself. Mentally, I had hit the wall. The weeks of training for the triathlon had caught up with me. I didn’t feel safe on the bike. Taking a coffee break at Circle K, grounding myself, working on my breathing exercises, had allowed me to realize I was not in the right headspace for a demanding motorcycle ride. And instead of pushing myself more, risking more, I knew that turning around, and riding home, would allow me to live to ride another day. Because at the end of the day, the roads aren’t going anywhere and I would rather enjoy the experience, instead of fighting the experience. I guess as the older I get, it’s more important to put myself in a position to succeed when I feel at my best. Sure, I immediately felt regret at not riding in Ravenel, but later the same day, I was very proud of myself for knowing my limits and saving the experience for another time.

As I close out 2025, and begin 2026, I seek more opportunities to see how my mental health and riding Lucy work out. It’s funny, I can be in the best shape of my life, have a beautiful day to ride Lucy, but if mentally I am not 100%, I know it’s best to return home or not ride at all. Maybe this acknowledgement comes from experience but ultimately, I want to have a long and successful motorcycle career. Returning home after a coffee break at Circle K is a step that will allow me to ride many more days ahead. Too many times in the past, I would “push through” which can create more risk. And riding a motorcycle is risky enough. For now, I will always listen to my inner voice and live to ride another day. Happy new year everyone! May 2026 bring you many wonderful experiences.

Rolf

For the past month, on Sunday mornings, I have made bicycle rides to Folly Beach, South Carolina, from my mother’s home on James Island. Maybe it’s the quiet early mornings that Sunday brings that makes me jump up from bed, dress in my bicycle gear, check the tire pressure on Urik as well as the chain, and start to pedal to the beach, that is so amazing. Each Sunday I have ridden to Folly, I have pushed myself further each time. Yesterday, on a foggy Sunday morning, I decided I would ride 20 miles on my new road bike. The Sunday before I had reached 19 miles round trip, so I knew I could do it. Before Sunday, I mapped out a route that would take me from one end of Ashley Avenue on Folly, to the other, and then back home. What I hadn’t expected was the dense early Sunday morning fog that would cover me completely on my ride to the beach. At one moment, my sunglasses were so foggy that I could barely see where I was going. I decided to pedal slowly at this point and just enjoy the experience.

There is something so magical but riding Urik to Folly Beach. Just this past week I rode to Folly after work, and while the rush hour traffic heading home was a bit dicey, I had an amazing experience. Yesterday was just as memorable, and being the first day of Winter, really made my heart sing. Riding towards Folly, the fog was so dense, that it wrapped me up like a blanket. All around me was fog. The bike path I was riding on, only allowed a few feet of viewing distance, and the passing cars on my left were a blur. Lucky for me, I knew the bike path well, and felt comfortable the entire time. By the time I reached Folly Beach, I let out a yell of relief and turned right onto Ashley Avenue. Ashley Avenue was clear. Maybe being a block away from the beach reduced the fog but in the surrounding marsh, as I made my way to the end of Ashley, visibility was still poor. But I was happy. It was a truly amazing experience.

Crossing Center Street, and heading to the opposite end of Ashley Avenue, my helmet had so much moisture on it from the fog, water started to fall onto my sunglasses. But I kept pumping hard, passing The Washout, a legendary Folly Beach surf spot, and rode all the way to the gate to the Morris Island Lighthouse. I just knew I had to pass the gate and see the beach. Riding on the graffiti road to the Morris Island Lighthouse, I had a flashback to the time I lived in Los Angeles and saw the LA River for the first time. Somehow that memory came back to me as I followed the graffiti road to the sand dune. I stopped, took a sip of water from my water bottle, and said, next time I will follow the sandy beach trial over the sand dune to the Morris Island Lighthouse. I had a bigger goal….20 miles. Leaving Ashley Avenue, I stopped at Circle K, the only gas station on Folly Beach, and got myself a hot cup of coffee, a Gatorade, and a bottle water. My legs were starting to talk and I knew the next ten miles would be a test.

Sipping my coffee outside Circle K, sunlight broke out and the fog disappeared. Crossing the last bridge out of Folly, I looked over at the water and it was perfect. So glassy. I could only imagine how amazing the waves would be at the Wash Out. Descending the bridge I geared down and pumped my legs hard. Yet, with each pump of the pedal, my legs spoke back angrier. I knew my body was hitting the wall. It was important to keep Urik steady on the road as more traffic flew by me on Folly Road. I turned onto Battery Island Drive, let out a yell of relief and kept pumping my legs. Yet each push of pedal, my legs got tighter and tighter. Making my way onto Sessionville Road, I decided to push as hard as I could and while the effort was there, my speed was not. I decided to gear up and cruise home. No need hurt myself. Reaching my Mom’s driveway I was very happy. I parked Urik, made sure he was steady, and opened my riding app to check the mileage, 23 MILES! I opened the garage door and yelled out, “I DID IT”. My mom opened the kitchen door to the garage and said “I thought you were dead”. Funny, I hadn’t noticed my time traveled until I looked at the stove clock. Almost two hours!

It was a remarkable ride. From the early morning fog, riding all of Ashley Avenue, stopping for hot cup of coffee at Circle K, riding Urik this day will be a memory I will not forget. And to think, I only just bought Urik a month ago. So many great miles ahead.

Rolf

After work yesterday, I was a bit of mess. It was cold outside but the sun was out. I just knew, I had to move. Yet rush hour had arrived on James Island, my home, and going for a relaxing motorcycle ride just wouldn’t happen. Instead, I laced up my running shoes, dress for the cold, selected dub techno music on Spotify, placed my earbuds in my ears, wore my reflective vest, and walked outside. The light play of dub techno fit my mood completely. It was only Monday evening, and the work week was well underway. I wanted to release the tension in my mind, body, and soul. I just knew, if I could start moving in the 40 degree weather, with the afternoon sunlight in my eyes, I would feel so much better.

I honestly have just started running in the PM this December. For the past four months, running for me was just an early morning activity. But after my first PM run, I soon realized how lovely running in the PM allowed me to reset my mind. I could let go of all my worries from the workday, all my worries of my financial mess I am currently in, and just go for a run. The simplest activity you can do is run. For me, a post run unlocks one of the best feeling you can have. PM runs are tough. Not only are you tired from the workday, the commute home, but your energy level is pretty low. That is why I am so thankful that since August I have started my fitness journey. Losing weight, building my endurance, allows me to tap into a reserve at the end of day to find enough mojo to fit a quick PM workout in. December is shaping up to be an important month in my fitness journey. Since the start of December, I have added cycling, and swimming to my routine. More on my swimming experience in a later post. As I left the neighborhood, and made my way onto Camp Rd, I felt the comfort of movement, the pacing of my breath, and that sweet spot where its just you and road, and rush hour traffic of course LOL.

It’s runs like these, after a long day, when the world seems to be working against you, that this type of run I call a “Therapeutic Run”. As someone who has been in therapy for a few years, what I can say is that running, in it’s purest form, is therapeutic for me. I can’t speak for other runners, but when I find a comfortable pace, I often open up a dialogue with myself and work through my troubles one step at a time. I developed this habit of speaking to myself during a run, when I first started running longer miles and had to keep myself for running too fast. Maybe you have heard of “Zone 2” running? The theory behind Zone 2 running is you are able to run, have a conversation with yourself, and keep your pace slow so, in theory, you can run longer, with less impact on your joints, and achieve greater success, while running slow. Please note I am NOT an expert on Zone 2 but I have seen the results of slow running and it is really amazing. I ran 12 miles the day before Thanksgiving following the Zone 2 practice. But therapeutic runs is what delivers me the best kind of feeling. A release of the stress from a hard day, and immediately brings a smile to my face.

Sitting down at my bedroom desk chair. Comfortable. Fresh from my therapeutic PM run, I couldn’t help but feel my success, deeply. Sure, it was only a 4 mile loop, but with the weather, the start of a work week, my inner stress, and knowing my bi-polar illness was playing it’s part, I smiled. I felt at ease, my world was ok, I took a sip of hot coffee, and knew my therapeutic run had saved this day.

Rolf

I often ride my 2024 Triumph Speed Twin 900, aka Lucy, to my local beach, Folly Beach, for a cup of coffee, gas if I need it, and a chance to decompress from life. Folly Beach, also know as, “The Edge of America”, is a wonderful little beach community that offers so much. From a vibrant bar scene, to wonderful foods and coffee, each corner of Folly reveals a hidden playground. The Folly Pier itself, recently renovated, is a great spot to cast a fishing line, walk the pier, and watch the local surfers catch waves. My trips to Folly Beach by motorcycle, are often my starting point for a longer ride. The Circle K, the only gas station on Folly, is my hub for setting the mood for my motorcycle tours of the Lowcountry. Yet, my last trip to Folly, I witness something wonderful that has pushed me into a new world of fitness. It was not the first time I had seen cyclists on Folly. On any Sunday morning, groups of cyclists appear and then quickly disappear from my view. I always enjoyed watching the flash of cyclists move by but about a month ago, I started to think, “maybe I should get me a road bike and join them”. In full disclosure, I had not ridden a bicycle in over 20 years. Why in the world would I want a road bike? As I saw a cyclist ride by on this particular Sunday morning, dressed in a full kit, gears echoing with changing, the cyclist lifting his body up to pump his legs harder, I knew right then….I must get a road bike.

My history with cycling is varied. I really began my cycling journey in college at Virginia Commonwealth University, with getting around campus made sense on a bicycle. This evolved into mountain bike adventures on the weekends in rural Virginia with my roommate. Living in Richmond at the time, offered a wild bicycle community, and trips to the James River allowed me to feel the rush of descending down hills that built my love of mountain biking. When I moved back to Charleston, and started living downtown, I bought a beach cruiser bike, reggae colors of course, and rode bar to bar every weekend. Living close to Hampton Park, allowed me to come home from work, hop on my bike, and escape for a few hours. Traveling by two wheels in Downtown Charleston is a great experience. When I moved to Los Angeles, I used the bicycle service provided my the City of LA, where you would rent e-bikes to cruise around Downtown LA. I would often get carried away, having so much fun, that I would find myself on Skid Row, on a bicycle, maybe not the smartest thing, but very memorable to say the least. Moving back to Charleston, right during Covid, I didn’t have much to do. Still in a bit of a culture shock after 4 years in LA, I would ride my Mom’s Giant bike and love every minute of it. Time passed on, I stopped riding my Mom’s bike, switching between jobs, and finally landing on my feet in 2021, I became my corporate career with my current employer. The Summer of 2024, I started my motorcycle career, and this blog was born. But owning a bicycle had not really crossed my mind.

Then this year, I decided to improve my lifestyle. I began a diet and by the summer started my fitness journey. Then about a month ago, I saw a cyclist, on a road bicycle, and knew my next step in my fitness journey had arrived. But reaching that moment, to want a road bike, was because I am thinking about competing in a local triathlon this coming summer. And part of a triathlon, is riding a bike. But not just any bike, but a road bike.

My first idea of buying a road bike was searching websites of local bike shops. Immediately, the price of a new road bike made me realize, this was NOT the way to go. Spending over a thousand dollars on a bicycle, that I didn’t know if I would like, was not the move I wanted to make. I then turned my attention on Craigslist and found some great deals, or so I thought. During my Thanksgiving holiday, I reached out to a few listings but came up short. No one replied back to me. I really didn’t want to wait because I knew my timing was just right. I was off from work for a few days, had a window, had the desire to ride, and just needed the bike. So where should I go? I returned to my Mom’s Giant bicycle and saw the bike shop sticker on the frame, “Mike’s Bikes”. “Let’s go there,” I thought. On Black Friday, I pulled into Mike’s Bikes hoping that maybe, just maybe, they had a used road bike for sale. The first thing I noticed about Mike’s Bikes is that the vibe is just my style. Part showroom, part shop, and helpful staff. “We have a few used road bikes for sale,” the Mike’s Bikes employee told me as I stood looking at a new model way out of my budget. Walking to the showroom, I immediately set my eyes on a large gray frame road bike. The employee let me know that it’s previous life was as a rental bike but all the components had been upgraded as well as the tires. I noticed the water bottle holder, beautiful gray color, white seat, funky grip tape color, and thought, “that is the one!”

My test ride at Mike’s Bikes was hilarious. For one, I had to figure out how to mount this road bike. Then, I had to understand how to change gears. Lucky for me, the pedals where traditional, and not clip-ins. Yet, a few minutes later, I was rolling about the parking lot, and it was like I had rediscovered and old friend. I did manage to switch the gears, use the drop down handlebars, and feel the rush, if only for a second, of the potential of what it is like riding a fast road bike. I walked back into Mike’s Bikes, bought the Giant Contend road bike, a few other items like a helmet, gloves, and lights, and drove my new road bike home. I was very excited. But what would I call this new bike of mine? It must be named because a strong relationship is built upon a shared connection. Then, the name came to me….“Urik”. A German name meaning “enduring leader”. This was perfect for my new road bike.

This past Sunday, I ate breakfast with mom, mounted Urik in all my new gear, and started pedaling. This being the second ride I had a great route planned and the possibility of riding to Folly Beach for the first time. I reached Folly Road, took a deep breath, and started heading to Folly. What occurred over the next hour was triumph and tragedy. Reaching Folly Pier while riding Urik was an amazing experience. I sat on a bench, looked out at the Atlantic Ocean, and felt a wave of emotions. It was as if all the years of riding bikes, those important experiences, came flooding back. I looked over at Urik, and knew I had made the right decision. And I knew my dream of competing in a triathlon had just begun. Yet, as quickly as the ride crested to a new height, Urik reminded me, that bicycling is a sport that can quickly fall apart. Heading home, I noticed Urik wouldn’t change gears. Then arriving back in my neighborhood, the right pedal had become loose and was about to fall off. I called this experience, “baptism by the road”. Allowing my emotions to settle, and eating some left over pizza, I headed back to Mike’s Bikes and immediately the staff did an amazing job. I left Urik overnight and the next day got the call that he was “good-to-go”. The front derailleur fixed, and a new crank installed. I rode Urik a few minutes in the neighborhood last night and honestly, Urik felt faster. Or I am just getting better?

What was really fun was the the next morning, I rode Lucy into work and found that my 2 days of cycling had improved my motorcycling. In a way, my form on Lucy was stronger, I cornered more confidently and I was more at peace on Lucy. It was as if I took my aggressive riding experience with Urik, which then allowed to me have a peaceful experience while motorcycling. More on this idea later. For now, Urik is fixed, resting in the garage next to Lucy, and I have rekindled my love of cycling again. My triathlon dreams are fully alive.

Rolf

Motorcycling is a romance of speed, line, technique, and refinement. And like a romance, there are ups and downs. Much of my blog, the Art of Motorcycling, stews in a romance of riding, yet, there was something important I needed to address. I love riding my 2024 Triumph Speed Twin 900, but, at the back of mind, I often think….what if I breakdown? What would I do? How would I get home? As a new rider, I overlooked solving a breakdown on my motorcycle, by focusing my energy on learning, practicing, and surviving my commute days and weekend rides. As far as putting in an effort to acknowledge that my motorcycle can and will, at some point, break down, I just looked at my triple A card and thought, “this will take care of that”. Lately though, I have been putting together plans for a motorcycle trip to Western North Carolina next year. Since August, I have invested in a luggage system, which includes a left side saddlebag, and mount. I visited my local Triumph dealership and spoken to an employee there who has made multiple motorcycle trips to Western North Carolina to learn about setting up a base camp and riding the amazing roads in this area. Research also included watching a few YouTube videos on motorcycle trips, but I knew one thing was missing; an emergency roadside kit. But where would I start? Sure, breaking down in a car sucks too. Yet, most of vehicles I have owned come with equipment to at least get you home or to a location for additional assistance. Heck, I have driven cross-country twice, and always packed an emergency roadside kit. But on a motorcycle, what do you take for a blown tire? What if your gear shift pedal gets bent and you can’t get out of second gear? What do you do? Questions like these and more got me thinking about addressing my need for a motorcycle emergency roadside kit for my Triumph.

The legendary fork bag has had a long and storied tradition in motorcycling. Though you don’t see many fork bags on the road in my area, I knew adding a fork bag to Lucy, my Triumph motorcycle would be the first step in having a resource to save my bacon. From my internet research, the fork bag made complete sense. Just enough space to carry essentials for solving multiple types of issues in the event of an unfortunate occurrence while riding. Attaching the fork bag would continue to keep a lovely retro vibe that my saddlebag does for Lucy. Appearance wise, it didn’t seem that it would create trouble while riding. Now finding a particular fork bag that meet my needs and looked that part, would be fun to find. The most important was not adding a big block of plastic to Lucy. The magic of Lucy is the iconic style this motorbike showcases and slapping on a big bulky piece of plastic was not going to work for me. Searching through various images of fork bags, I kept coming back to a fork bag made by Longride, out of Brussels, Belgium. The fork bag from Longride got my attention because of the overall appeal. A retro style made of robust materials like leather and cotton to really give their fork bag a proper look. Seeing the internet pictures of their fork bag on motorbikes like mine, I knew I had to pull the trigger. I placed my order on a Tuesday and by Friday, Leo, my fork bag arrived at my doorstep. “So what the heck do I put into Leo?”, I thought. Space was limited. I knew what to do. It was time to hit up ChatGPT for support and build my first motorcycle emergency roadside kit.

For me, I can honestly say, I have broken down on the side of road a few times. It is never a fun experience. Yet, I learned a lot. Through surviving the unexpected, I knew a few items would need to be included. But packing a spare tire on my motorcycle was definitely out of the question. To build my first motorcycle emergency roadside kit, I had to address the tires first. Lucky for me, the first item on ChatGPT’s roadside kit list, was a tire plug system. Fortunately, I had experience with a tire plug system when I repaired a hole in my rear tire on my first bike, the Moto Morini. I ended up riding three thousand miles on my first plug, probably not a great idea, but hey, tires ain’t cheap y’all! Finding my tire plug kit, I packed the tools, sealant, and tire ropes in a plastic baggie. Though ChatGPT didn’t recommend my next item on my list, I knew my 30 year-old Leatherman was next. Maybe not the most sexy tool in my tool box, but I wouldn’t be honest if I haven’t had my Leatherman by my side in all types of adventures. Add that to my kit. The third item I selected, and recommended by ChatGPT, was power related. My iPhone is wonderful, until it dies from loss of power. So packing my power brick with a 10 foot lightning cable was a no brainer. In theory, this would allow me to run my lightning cable from my power brick to my iPhone mounted to my handlebars. Thus, I could ride for hours with full bars, without worrying about Google Maps draining my battery life. Finishing off my kit, and with the help of ChatGPT, I added zip ties, electrical tape, rubber bands, nylon cords, a zip lock bag for emergency cash, a pair of scissors, and a microfiber rag. Not included in Leo, but will packed in my saddlebag, is my portable tire inflator, and a headlight I can wear. Expect the unexpected.

Sitting in my room writing this blog post, I feel confident as I prep for my Sunday ride, with Leo attached to my fork, and confidence knowing I am prepared as best I can be. Having no experience using Leo yet, I trust the process. Knowing I have tools to save my bacon makes me happy. Preparation is an essential part of life. Maybe tomorrow I will realize I need to add another component to my kit, or remove one, I don’t know yet. But today, I feel I have made an effort to believe I can make the journey north to Western North Carolina, or at least get to work if I have a flat tire. Addressing this need has been long overdue. But the pieces fell into place this week and seeing Leo attached to Lucy in my mom’s garage, makes me smile with confidence. It is amazing how an idea forms into reality. And as a new rider, evolving into the best motorcyclist I can be, is a must.

Rolf

Since I started my motorcycle career, I have had a fear of riding my motorcycle in the rain. Even when I drive my SUV during a rain storm, I find myself gripping the steering wheel tightly and my heart rate goes up. So when I started riding my 2024 Triumph Speed Twin 900 named Lucy, I made a point to avoid the rain as much as possible. Wet roads and poor visibility made me swear to never ever, ever, ride in the rain. This has changed over the past year since starting the Art of Motorcycling.

The first time I did ride in the rain, it was unexpected. A beautiful Summer Sunday morning gave way to a huge downpour and I was caught in the middle of it. What I remember most about raining in the rain was how scared I felt. Like at any moment my tires would slip and I would hit the asphalt…hard. I fondly remember being soaked and having a passing car’s puddle splash over me completely. It was such a huge splash that I was temporary blinded for a few seconds. Not the best way to start a relationship with riding in the rain.

Checking the weather yesterday morning, I noticed that rain was expected but not a monsoon. I was eager to ride, and I thought “how bad could it be?” I suited up early Monday morning. Prepped myself and Lucy for our AM commute ride to the office, and fired up the Bonneville engine on Lucy. As I sat on Lucy, pulling in the clutch and pushing the gear lever into first gear, rain started to come down. It was light but not heavy. “I can manage this,” I thought to myself. Riding to the local Circle K for gas I quickly realized this light rain was becoming a bit heavier and I had not reach top speed for commuting yet. Gassing up, I knew I would need to trust my training, my instincts, my experience, and above all, keep a positive attitude. Reading the book “Total Control” by Lee Parks, over the Summer, Mr. Parks says that riding in the rain is a GREAT opportunity to learn how your bike handles wet roads, and most importantly how your decision making must be in tune with the rain. For instance, allowing plenty of space in front of you for braking. Reducing lean angle on turns. Downshifting when coming to stops to reduce the need to hammer the brakes. And most importantly, riding at a safe speed. So, as I left the Circle K, rain falling harder, I smiled to myself and said, “I CAN HANDLE THIS”.

By the time I reached the office, I was soaked, and Lucy looked like she had been off-roading. Yet, a huge smile graced my face and I pulled a strong fist pump in the air that made me believe…I LOVE RIDING IN THE RAIN. I don’t plan to ride in every rain storm that passes Charleston, but weather changes so quickly. Putting in the effort to ride in the rain will only increase my confidence when dealing with Mother Nature.

One of the best aspects of this experience, was finding my inner strength in adversity. Because it can quickly become overwhelming, very quickly, on a motorcycle. But as I am learning, taking control of the situation, focusing on what is happening in front of you, and above all, believing in yourself, fear and panic will not take over. Some of my best moments of this commute was laughing out loud when rain splashed onto my riding goggles, creating a strange double vision for a few seconds. I learned so much about myself and Lucy while riding in the rain this day. Like how painted lines on the asphalt are super slippery or how puddles hide what could be a dangerous fall. It was the type of ride that I will remember for a long time and a turning point in my motorcycle career.

Rolf

Last weekend I attended “Scrambler Saturday” at my local Triumph Dealer and had an amazing experience. With a bit of light rain, I rode two different Triumph Scrambler motorcycles and had a blast. During my three-hour visit I met other motorcyclists who, like me, shared a love for all things two-wheels, especially Triumphs. We talked about motorcycle travels, life, and how much we all love riding motorcycles. It was fantastic. After a lunch break, I spoke with a fellow rider and described how I navigate the busy Charleston roads. During our conversation we discussed matters about how much traffic impacts our rides and how being aware while riding is so important to our safety. I soon revealed a philosophy of mine, I called it “The Box”. I described how I think of a box that surrounds me while I ride my Triumph on the busy Lowcountry roads. The Box is an imagery box that keeps me safe and aware at all times. Using this particular mindset, I know that any vehicle or animal that enters my box, I must take action. What surprised me is how well this resonated with the person I was speaking too.

To break it down The Box theory, it is an invisible boundary that surrounds me at all times while I travel on my Triumph. The box expands the slower I go and tightens up the faster I go. Thus, the box protects me from myself and makes me consider all that surrounds me while on the road. I must be patient. I must acknowledge that I am vulnerable, and above all, threats that enter my box, at any time, must be dealt with. This can mean either speeding up to create more space, which means my box tightens up, or slowing down and moving to a more open space on the road, if possible, which thus keeps the box wide and me safe.

I honestly don’t remember when I started applying The Box theory to my riding but lately, I have been using The Box while riding each time. The Box is a constant reminder to be ever on-guard against threats. Motorcycling is an amazing experience. But with such high risk, the out comes can be life-changing. By instituting The Box into my rides, I have quickly learned to always check my mirrors, every 5-10 seconds, watch my speed, be aware of traffic patterns in front and behind me, and always, always, prepare for the unexpected. The Box is a testament to understanding space and lane position on the road. This negotiation of position, especially on two lane roads, keeps me focused and ultimately as safe as I can be while riding. Of course, shit happens. But if I can improve my changes of being successful with The Box, I feel more confident each and every ride. Feel free to use The Box theory yourself while riding. It might just save your life.

Rolf

Four weeks ago, I woke up on a sunny and hot August day, noticed I didn’t have any K-Cups in the house, and thought, “let’s go to Starbucks”. Yet, I didn’t want to drive. My local Starbucks is a little over a mile from my Mom’s house and the James Island Sunday traffic was building up. So, I put on my running shoes, dressed in my active wear, loaded up my hip bag with my wallet and iPhone, and starting walking towards Starbucks. Soon I found myself running along Camp Road, an activity I had not done in many years. Lucky for me, I spent the month earlier working out doing strength training, so running was not too difficult. But man, my form was terrible, and my legs soon reminded me that I should stop running, like quit before my legs fall off. Yet, memories of running in Charleston 20 years ago flooded my mind and I remembered how much I enjoyed running as I made my way to Starbucks. Running is both a simple activity, and extremely difficult one the farther away from home you run. Once I reached Starbucks, I took a sit in the cool A/C and drank a cup of coffee. I was in heaven. Yet, as soon as I finished my coffee, I remembered…“shit! I have to run home now”.

This morning, about 2am, I dressed for a run. Put on my new running shoes from Fleet Feet, grabbed an energy gel, my iPhone, and placed them in hip bag. I put in my headphones, launched my SiriusXM app, tuned to the Chill channel, opened my mapmyrun app, hit start, and began running. Running under the moonlight is part of my fitness journey the past month. When I first started running under the moonlight, I was very nervous. The World is a much different place at 2am. Neighborhoods are sleepy, the roads are quite, and the wild life lets you know it’s their time. Running down Folly Road, I felt amazing. My pace was strong. My breathing steady and the music light to keep me occupied and focused. To consider my first mile of running in middle August, to the 10k I complete today, I am so proud of myself! And running is addictive y’all. I now have to plan my rest days between runs but don’t count on that LOL. There is also the mental toughness that is growing within me from my moonlight runs. As someone who battles a mental health disorder, running is transforming my life. I highly recommend trying a moonlight run at least once in your life.

So, how does moonlight runs support the Art of Motorcycling? My best evidence is when I commuted to work yesterday on Lucy, my 2024 Triumph Speed Twin 900. After three days of runs, equaling about 12 miles, with a strength and conditioning day as well, I felt awesome on my bike! Plenty of energy to prep for my AM commute. Beautiful focus on the AM commute ride. And the best part, the PM commute, when I head home from the office, I was alert, positive, and confident to handle the PM rush hour Charleston traffic. Please note, the PM commute is by far the most difficult for me. As I wrote a note to myself post ride yesterday, a commute day on a motorcycle is a FULL DAY. Meaning, you ride to work. Work a full day. Ride home. Surviving this is a beautiful gift from God! Running helps me so much with my mental attitude towards everything that this powerful mind enhancement, crosses over to motorcycling very naturally. I am able to relax myself with breathing exercises when nerves jump up with motorcycling. Also, I feel strong throughout the PM commute after a long day at the office, something a few months ago I did not experience. It is really interesting that these two movements, running and motorcycling, pair so well together. Aside from the physical improvements from running towards motorcycling, the mental toughness needed for motorcycling is developing very quickly through my moonlight runs.

So is it a run day or ride day Rolf? Funny, it is a decision I never thought I would have to make before work. By riding Lucy under the moonlight and running the twist single lane roads of James Island under the moonlight, I am so happy for achieving new adventures in my life. Because if you don’t push yourself, challenge yourself each day, you will be left wondering what have I done with my life? Trust me, the radical changes you make in your life will be the most rewarding of all. Ok, time to wait for the moonlight.

Rolf