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

My experience with the Art of Motorcycling is about self discovery and exploring new places as well as rediscovering old places. Lately, a shift is happening for me both physically and emotionally. When I started my fitness journey about a month ago, it was grounded on getting fit to ride my motorcycle longer and feel stronger during rides. While that is happening, what I didn’t expect, is that my fitness journey is becoming much more than just getting fit for motorcycling. My fitness journey is transforming my life day by day. This past July I setup my first home gym in my mom’s backyard. It is perfect! I purchased some equipment and started working out for about 10 minutes until I had to stop. A few weeks later, I am now working out up to 30 minutes and I am using my entire body to help me get in the best shape of my life. Not each workout is 30 minutes but I am consistently working out multiple days during the week with durations well past 10 minutes. This feels amazing. My fitness journey is taking shape and getting me into shape as well.

Through this experience of pushing myself to the point where I feel I might pass out, I have discovered an inner strength I didn’t know I possessed. The past four weeks I have challenged myself to get up early, before dawn, and workout before I head to the office. I have even developed quick ten minute explosive workouts during office hours so I don’t have to wait until I get home to work up a sweat. Doing workouts in the Charleston heat and humidity is both difficult and painful. But through this experience I have developed a deep passion for working out in the outdoors. Maybe its reliving Rocky 4, when Rocky went to Russian and trained in a harsh environment, that I thrive on the environment awakening my spirit each day that has caused me to find my inner strength. Something I have always possessed but didn’t really tap into until now. Today, I am stronger physically and emotionally than I have been in years. There is a specific confidence that comes from training in the outdoors that leaves me feeling so at peace after a workout. I absolutely love it!

Early this morning, on a Friday, I cranked up Lucy, my Triumph Speed Twin 900, for the first time in over a week. And after a great week of working out. I wanted to see how my workouts have translated to my other passion, motorcycling. Within a few minutes of riding, a calm, magical feeling took over me. I felt relaxed, mind sharp, focus deep, and concentration strong. My body felt alive, and the few weeks of working out with kettlebells really allowed me to control Lucy in ways I had not felt before. “Who is riding this thing?”, I said myself with a laugh. The commute to work was sublime. Errors were few and I didn’t feel tried at all. I arrived at the office in one piece, as well as Lucy, and applauded myself at the cool, calm, collective demeanor I possessed throughout the ride. Definitely looking forward to the commute ride home and will tap into my inner strength again. Sure, I don’t motorcycle as much as I have earlier this year. For one, the weather is a bit crazy with extreme heat and humidity plus downpours in the afternoon. Yet, today was eye opening at how much working out is improving all aspects of my life. I am so proud of myself for taking this step and putting the work in. It is only the beginning of my fitness journey, but finding my inner strength now will keep me going for the rest of the year. So, listen to your inner voice when it stays take a walk outside and see what will happen for you. Maybe like me, you will buy a punching bag and let out all your frustrations and feel so much better about yourself afterwards.

Rolf

It is hard to believe that I have finished my first year of motorcycling! I am thrill to have reached this milestone in my motorcycling career. What started as a trip to Charleston Triumph last August, to purchase my first motorcycle, a Moto Morini SCR 650, has evolved to owning my first Triumph motorcycle, a Speed Twin 900, which I call “Lucy”. Learning to ride a motorcycle might be one of my biggest accomplishments in my life. As someone who never rode a motorcycle in my life prior August 2024, learning to ride is something I feel has changed my life. I still vividly remember taking my MSF Basic Rider Course at Trident Technical College in late July, in a hot and humid parking lot, riding a Yamaha 250 Duo Sport Motorcycle and absolutely loving every second. The MSF course was groundbreaking for me. It taught me the basics, got me to understand how to start a bike, turn a bike, and most importantly, STOP A BIKE LOL. The brakes on a motorcycle are your friend. Finishing the MSF course at Trident Technical College on a Sunday afternoon, with my certificate in hand, I was proud of myself. Yet was I ready for the public roads of the Lowcountry? NOPE.

The teaching drills that MSF taught me didn’t stop when I started up my first motorcycle on a hot day in August, outside my mom’s house in 2024. Since then, I have read a few books on motorcycling, developed a training plan each time I set out to ride, becoming very confident riding to work then home from work, navigating Lowcountry traffic in all types of weather, and exploring the beautiful landscape of the Lowcountry while on two wheels. Today on a ride to work, I had a moment where I said to myself, “Rolf, you are RIDING A MOTORCYCLE!”. It’s this child like euphoria that makes me want to ride as much as I can. Recently, I started a fitness program to benefit my riding so I can ride longer and feel stronger during rides. I am always looking for ways to improve and push myself while riding. Yet, I know my limits and do my best to ride my ride. This is why I am so happy I started motorcycling in my late 40’s and not in my early 20’s. Honestly, I don’t know if I would be here today if I started my motorcycle career earlier in my life. I am thankful for riding later in life.

And like any new adventure, there have been the ups and downs of learning something new. This I embrace completely. From my first crash, to having to trade in my first bike, this all makes me aware that that motorcycling is a lifetime pursuit. Nothing like a big slice of humble pie to know that the Art of Motorcycling is accepting your failures and learning from them so you can live to ride again. And knowing not to rush yourself when learning to ride a motorcycle is all too important. So much of my life is about getting things done as quickly as possible. Be it work, or things I do outside of work, I tend to rush myself. This is NOT what you want to do on a motorcycle. Instead, I take my time. Either when I put my gear on, to my pre-ride stretching routine, I pause, breathe, and let go of my negativity and embrace the moment. Because what I have learned in motorcycling, is that what is happening in front of you is the most important thing. Not what is behind you.

Another thing to respect while riding a motorcycle is speed. Because speed kills. And speed is one of most preventable things you can do during a motorcycle ride. Now, I can’t say I haven’t raced past the speed limit in my past year of motorcycling. But I highly respect speed. Speed does have it’s benefits though. This is especially important in traffic when you can be stuck in a pack of cars and must roll the throttle to free yourself. Blind spots, unexpected lane changes, are just a few things to note when riding on public roads. Applying speed to the equation will free you from dangerous spots in traffic but the faster you go, the more risk you have. Its a delicate balance. And the various videos I have see of motorcycle crashes where speed was the factor makes me very nervous exceeding the speed limit more than twenty miles per hour. For now, I will be happy just cruising and rolling the throttle at specific moments.

Looking forward, I will be looking to take a long ride on Lucy. Be it a camping trip or a visit to capital of South Carolina, Columbia, I feel the desire to leave the Lowcountry and take a road trip. I will also continue my training program and start riding on the highways before the end of year. One of my biggest fears is riding my motorcycle on the highway. It takes courage and discipline to ride at highway speeds. But I know I can do it. I am excited to see how the Art of Motorcycling progresses into year 2.

Rolf

Recently, I have started a fitness journey. It may not be the best time to start a fitness routine in the middle of July, in Charleston, South Carolina with the heat and humidity can be brutal. Yet, that is what I have done. Since losing over 20 pounds, I have noticed an increase in energy and a desire to be more physically active. Motorcycling is a very demanding physical sport. And to fully enjoy my motorcycle rides, I must start working out. If I look to my past physical activities, I think about the time when I played competitive youth tennis. Aside from tennis drills, emphasis was placed on cross-training to help improve my tennis game. This could be weight training to increase muscle strength or playing another sport like basketball to improve footwork. My tennis coach at the time always made sure we practiced non-tennis drills to develop endurance and improve reaction time which benefited my mental toughness on the tennis court. Because if you were fit on the tennis court, both mentality and physically, you would be a tough to beat during long rallies in tennis matches.

Remembering my youth tennis training, I decided to begin a fitness routine for motorcycling. Yet, I did not want to go to the local gym. Instead, I decided that training in the heat and humditiy of South Carolina would increase my ability to ride a motorcycle in these extreme conditions. Over the past few weeks while riding my motorcycle, I noticed that I would quickly lose energy, become fatigued, and would need to get home before my body temperature reached an unhealthy temperature. This would affect my riding both mentality and physically. I knew it was time to start training so I could ride longer and enjoy the experience more.

As of today, I have completed my first week of training. What I have developed as my training program is a bit of HIIT, High Intensity Interval Training, and Circuit Training. Both training experiences have quickly improved my strength, endurance, and increase my mental toughness. To see if this week of training had any impact on my motorcycling, I decide to ride to work on one of the hotter days of the week, with temperatures in the 90s and the heat index above 100 degrees. The AM ride to work was smooth. I was relaxed and focused. Got to work with energy for the day. Yet, the true test to see and feel if my training programs were working was the PM commute. The PM commute is when heat of the day is at its highest and riding during this time of day makes you feel like you are riding in an oven. My PM commute was a great measurement of performance. I felt strong on the bike. Mentally alert through the PM rush hour and most importantly, did not feel overwhelmed by the heat and humidity while waiting at stop lights.

Understanding this experience allowed me to realize how important my training is to my mental state, as well as physical state. My brief motorcycle training helped me reach a relaxed state during my ride that my mindfulness practices help me with. By being in a bit of better shape, I was able to isolate my riding state to the present moment throughout my ride which develops a clarity in my riding. I plan to continue my training program throughout the Summer and hope my results continue to improve. As Summer rolls on, I know I will be in a great place both mentality and physically to enjoy riding and not be limited by weather.

Rolf