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

As we welcome Summer, I wanted to express how important it is to take care of yourself during the extreme temperatures that occur this time of year. As someone who lives in the Southeast, the heat and humidity during this time of year have a great impact on your physical and mental well-being. For someone who enjoys motorcycling year round, Summer requires a bit more work in terms of preparing yourself for the extreme heat that you will experience while riding. To better serve the motorcycling community this Summer season, I have developed a game plan to help you prepare and enjoy your riding experience this Summer. Below is my personal steps for improvement of mind and body during these hot and steamy days.

Hydration

The importance of hydrating to prepare and replenish your body before and after a ride can not be stress enough. Personally, I drink almost a gallon of water a day. I have been doing this for a few years and the results are amazing. Not only do I feel good, but my body can regulate itself, and my mental state is strong throughout a rigorous activity like motorcycling. During long rides in the Summer, I make a point to stop a few times and buy a bottle water and a electrolyte drink to help with replenishment and keep my mind alert. Making a habit of drinking water throughout your day goes a long way. My key advice is to start hydrating for a ride the day before with water and electrolytes giving yourself plenty of time to allow the benefits of hydrating go into effect. Post ride, I make it priority to begin my hydrating process immediately which includes water and electrolytes as part of my recovery process. Fun fact, I recently began using a powdered form of electrolytes that I mixed with water that provides me great benefits without sugar or caffeine. The key is to start as soon as you know you are going to ride, and after your ride, to reduce cramping and mental fatigue.

Rest

Rest might be as important as hydrating before and after a motorcycle ride. The heat and humidity of Summer not only take a toll on you physically, but your mental state can be affected by the elements. That is why I do my best to rest the day before a ride and honestly, after a hot day in the saddle, I will take two or more days off from riding to recharge my batteries. This break from riding helps me relax my mind and refocus my thoughts towards my next ride. If you are a daily commuter on a bike, you might want to find moments to relax your body and mind prior to jumping back on the bike. Often, I find that getting a good night’s sleep and relaxing in the AC are amazing ways to recharge. Fatigue is one of the evils of riding as it can play havoc on your mental state and ability to operate a motorcycle successfully. If you can, break up your riding schedule so you have a day or two between rides so you can operate your two-wheeled machine at your best. I often will take a nap after finishing a hot day in the sun while riding and afterwards I feel so much better. Rest is your friend. Invite them over when you need too.

Gear

This might be a controversial point, but I strongly believe in full gear during the peak Summer heat. From my research, and own experience, sweating provides a great cooling layer while wearing gear. What I mean is, if you sweat with full gear on, your sweat is trapped against your skin and a barrier is formed against the heat. This allows for you to remain cool, calm, and in control while sitting in traffic, at a stoplight, cooking in the Summer heat. Sure, t-shirts, and shorts seem like a great idea for riding gear, but, not only does this invite severe road rash, the lack of heat protection will create a unhealthy experience for yourself on your bike. Remember your motorcycle engine beneath you gets super hot during the Summer. The clothing I wear during rides is made up of wicking fabrics. This material pulls the sweat away from my skin which leaves me dry in all the right places, and provides that heat barrier I need. Stay away from cotton fabrics, as cotton tends to become a bit of wet towel when sweat builds. Invest in the best gear possible, and you will ride like a champ.

Diet

A diet is important throughout the year, but I find that I make small changes to my diet in the Summer that greatly impact my riding health throughout the Summer months. Diets rich in fiber, fruits, and vitamins will go a long way to increase your ability to perform on your bike, as well as feel fantastic throughout the day when you are not riding. Let’s be honest. Sure a fast food stop will be quick, cheap, and fill your belly, but what are the lasting impacts? For me, when I started my weight loss journey in February, I made small changes that developed into full meal changes. I quit drinking soda, drank more water, and removed my McDonald’s lunch break which resulted in losing weight and feeling so much better. I promise you that watching your diet, making small changes that grow into better food choices will set you up for a fantastic Summer riding season. And who doesn’t want to lose weight?

Exercise

It is really that simple folks. A ten-minute workout on a non-riding day will increase your performance greatly on your bike. That is what I do. About ten-minutes of high impact training which helps me perform better on my motorcycle. I am not only more alert during my ride, but I have the physical strength to operate my motorcycle successfully. While gyms are great. Indoors, lots of machines to use, inspiration watching others workout, a community aspect, but you don’t ride a motorcycle indoors. I highly recommend exercising in the elements that you will be riding in. That means outdoors. My workout consists of a run, spirit, walk for 5 minutes. I follow this up with 3-5 minutes of a wall squat, planking, and what the internet calls a “superman pull up”. The idea is to workout continuously for about 10 minutes with no breaks. You want to keep the heart rate up. Adding a weekly workout schedule will tremendously improve your motorcycle journey and make you fit in Summer and the rest of the year.

As with any advice, it is up to you to make it your own. I just wanted to express some of my own personal strategies towards preparing to ride a motorcycle during the Summer. You can always store your bike during the Summer, but who wants to do that LOL.

Rolf

Keith Code is one of the foremost motorcycle educators for the past three decades. He operators his legendary motorcycle school; California Superbike School throughout United States and I have a dream of attending this school in the future. For now though, Keith Code’s book “A Twist of the Wrist Volume 2” is my gateway drug to high-performance motorcycle riding. Summarizing the book is to think of motorcycling in a varied of aspects. Keith writes about throttle control, vision, cornering, braking, and ends with a quick chapter on racing. Not street racing but racing in a controlled environment like a track. This is where I desire to be in a few years, racing my motorcycle around a track. Again, another dream but I feel to fully evolve into the best motorcyclist I can be, I must try the track at least once in my life.

Each chapter within A Twist of the Wrist builds upon the previous. Concepts and exercises are written in a way that didn’t really go over my head. I did re-read a few ideas related to throttle control and vision just to fully grasp the point while reading and taking notes. What is so fun about reading a wonderful motorcycle book like Keith’s is that you get to take the knowledge you learn and apply it directly to your riding experience. A few hours of practicing turning points, I began to feel much more confident in taking corners quicker, smoother, and safer. This I tribute to a great teacher like Keith. I will be honest, that by the end of the book, I had experience brain overload LOL. If there is one short coming of the book, is the graphics. The graphics in the book are a bit dated, but if you can get past the cosmetic shortcomings, the ideas Keith teaches you are very paramount to successfully operating a motorcycle.

One of the things I was a bit unsure about before reading A Twist of the Wrist, was if the racing techniques Keith teaches would help me, a street rider. After the introduction, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that the racing techniques apply brilliantly to the street. Of course high speed turns are not something I am comfortable with doing on public roads, but the understanding of how to approach a turn, identify turning points, lean the bike over, and complete a turn smoothly with effective throttle control are very important. One of my favorite sections within the book is $10 attention. Within this idea of $10 attention, Keith writes how you start with $10 of attention while riding, and distractions either physical of mental, begin to deduct from your $10. You don’t want to go bankrupted while riding, so it’s important to stay focused on the road, what is happening in front of you, and keeping your bank full.

I really enjoyed the chapter on Vision. I didn’t really understand how important “seeing” your environment physically, and subconsciously, was while riding. I tend to have the habit of looking at everything while riding. This is not effective or safe while riding. Allowing my mind to “see” and my eyes to stay focus on the road ahead is a wonderful method Keith teaches about. Oddly enough, putting Keith’s vision technique to test the last few of my rides, I soon became more relaxed, and focused. Mental fatigue was greatly reduced and I enjoyed my ride even more. It really comes down to trusting yourself on your bike.

A Twist of the Wrist Volume 2 is wonderful! I highly recommended it to all riders. There is something so satisfying with seating down to read a motorcycle book and learning new techniques to help you grow as a motorcyclist. Get your copy today and maybe one day, I will see you at California Superbike School.

Rolf

Sitting on my 2024 Triumph Speed Twin 900, that I call “Lucy”, at Parker’s gas station in West Ashley, I decided to check my mileage before I shut down my bike and hunted down a hot cup of coffee. Pressing the info button, I reached the odometer and to my surprise, it read 1004 miles. “Wow!” I thought, one thousand miles on Lucy. To give this some context, I am a new rider and Lucy is my second bike after owning a 2023 Moto Morini scrambler that later died. Being so early in my motorcycle career, reaching a thousand miles on a bike is huge for me. As a new rider you are faced with so many new challenges and situations that you must learn quickly how to survive on a motorcycle before shit goes south. Seeing over a thousand miles on my new bike made me sing my praises but also is a reminder, I have so much more to learn and do on my motorcycle.

What has transpired over the past few weeks while riding Lucy throughout the Lowcountry is amazing. I have commuted to work, completed a round trip of 70 miles, made the effort to practice motorcycle technics each morning, and swallowed my prided and let the professional motorcycle mechanics at Charleston Triumph work on Lucy. I also took part in my first Distinguish Gentleman’s group ride and ultimately discovered the joy of owning a modern retro motorcycle made by Triumph. Riding a Bonneville engine is truly an exciting experience. It has changed my life.

As my confidence grows with each ride, I am at my heart, a student. I love to study and learn from others who have great knowledge in motorcycling who share their passion either with YouTube videos or the books I read. Recently I have connected with a few motorcycle instructors who have help shape my thinking towards motorcycling and how to overcome my fears and struggles with this sport. I am mapping out a way to keep me safe and alert on the public roads as well as enjoy each ride to the fullest. Finally, my motorcycle career is about taking the next step. I am hoping to attend an advance motorcycle class in the fall and in four years, or sooner, I plan to purchase my second motorcycle that will introduce me to track racing as well as riding throughout the Lowcountry. As a former artist, I always looked to improved and use different materials in my artwork. Adding a second motorcycle that focuses on performance is a long term goal of mine. Wonder what will happen in the next thousand miles with Lucy.

I spend a fair amount of my time trying to get things done as quickly as possible. From the work I do, to cooking dinner, I have noticed that I am in a bit of a rush throughout my day. While working to complete tasks in a efficient manner, getting dinner cooked and served before “The Wheel of Fortune” is delightful, this process of speeding throughout the day will create mental fatigue and decrease positivity if rest is not activated. As much as I try to slow day during my day, I always feel I need to go faster and get more shit done.

Last Friday during my commute to work while riding Lucy, my 2024 Triumph Speed Twin 900, I felt aggressive and ready to attack each turn as fast as possible. While exciting as the ride was, the next day I wondered if I was really having fun on the bike? Or was I just trying to get to ride as fast as possible and ultimately ride my motorcycle like working my job. I honestly felt that it was more about getting to work as quick as possible and not about enjoying the ride. Taking in the sights, the smells, and the experience of being on two-wheels. It was almost as if I had a deadline I needed to meet. Like if I didn’t go as fast as I could on my new motorcycle, my reward would be lost. This was silly and dangerous mentality to have while riding a bike. I want to enjoy my ride, not create a “rushed” experience.

This past Sunday, after having a phone conversation with a fellow motorcyclist, who is supporting me on my motorcycle journey, he emphasized a few important ideas for me to apply to during my ride. Once I had finished the call, I looked at my notes and in large red letters, and underlined, the words “HAVE FUN” and “taking your time” were written at the top of my steno pad paper. I knew I had to employ this understanding into my next ride. It is true that you need to be aggressive on the bike in certain situations but this does not mean for the entire ride.

Waking up Sunday, I finished cleaning Lucy, and went back to bed for an hour to rest. I was going to ride this day but wanted to set the mood for my ride by instilling the idea of “having fun” and “taking my time”. During my rest period, I practiced meditation, listened to positive affirmations, and worked on slowing my breathing down. I deliberately went slow with my pre-ride routine after an hour of rest. Making sure I had everything I needed. I opened the garage door, played some chill music and took inventory of everything around me. I got dressed slowly, checked the pressure in my tires, and rolled Lucy out onto the street. After suiting up, I started Lucy, did my pre-ride check, and mounted her. Slowly I closed my eyes, visualized a epic ride, and opened my eyes. I was ready.

Arriving back home, safely and in one piece, me and Lucy, I checked my watch. I was gone for 5 hours! Please note I did not ride for 5 hours but about 3 hours. Throughout my Sunday ride, I made stops, took mental breaks which my friend had encouraged, ate at each stop to keep sharp and focused on the road, and really had fun. It was one of favorite rides yet. Slowing down helped me to focus better, have more fun, enjoy the experience of riding Lucy, and really be more safe on the road. Looking back at this riding experience on Sunday, I have applied what I learned throughout the week without riding my motorcycle. The small bits I focused on this past Sunday really allowed me to progress through my work week in a better state of mind. Now the goal is to be consistent. And practice this each time I ride.

Rolf

Monday morning, Memorial Day 2025. I had started the day with a bit of negativity and feeling a little low. After a day of rain, I was not sure if I was mentally up for a long ride; a road trip. Saturday I did a sunset ride throughout James Island and North Charleston clocking about 40 miles. For my Memorial Day ride, my plan was to go as far as I could and beat my 40 mile trip record. I loosely put a route together in my head. I wanted to ride to Ravenel, South Carolina. Ravenel, South Carolina is a beautiful country community that is home to some stunning country roads and the last gas stop before Beaufort, South Carolina. Riding out to Ravenel is amazing. I had done it before on my Moto Morini, my first motorbike. But now, armed with a 900cc’ed Bonneville engine, I wanted to take Lucy, my new 2024 Triumph Speed Twin 900, out of her comfort zone of Charleston. Honestly, I have only completed commute and sunrise/sunset rides with her. It was time to put Lucy to the test, as well as me, on the big open country roads of the Lowcountry.

Arriving at Folly Beach early Memorial Day, I knew this was the perfect place to start my road trip. After a coffee and a bottled water, I quickly opened Google Maps on my iPhone and typed in Ravenel. To my surprise Google Maps suggested a time of about 45 minutes covering about 30 miles to Ravenel. “Perfect!” I said to myself. Smashing the started button on Lucy, knocking her into first gear, I rolled the throttle and was on my way to Ravenel. I will admit a bit of nerves hit me hard as I was riding. I hadn’t ridden to Ravenel since I had my Moto Morini. Back then, it had been another Monday holiday, and winds where strong that day. I experienced strong wind blasts that day that made for a very demanding ride, both mentally and physical. A 650cc’ed engine which the Moto Morini was, had a terrible time in those conditions. Would it be the same this day? On Lucy, a 900cc’ed Bonneville engine? I was going to fine out.

Passing 526 overpass, Highway 17 towards Ravenel really opens up. Stoplights are few and riding through the Lowcountry with the surrounding beauty of marshes was a treat. But this being my first big ride on Lucy, my brain had to adjust, as well as me. I quickly found out of much time slows down on the open road. Your inner thoughts start to pepper your imagination and I briefly had to tighten my grips on the handlebars to get focused. I recalled memories of driving cross country but unlike driving a car, your hands don’t have the luxury to play with the dashboard giving yourself a few moments to take your mind of driving. With motorcycling, your hands must remain in contact with the handlebars and your focus must always be in front of you. I had to get present. Be in the moment. I decided to take in the sites and cruise about 50-60 mph allowing myself to see the beauty that was all round me. The views from a motorcycle are very impressive. Quickly I started to relax and soon found myself holding my own on the open road. Sure cars and trucks passed me by and the wind blasts hit me hard but Lucy was steady as a rock. Maybe it’s the low center of gravity or design of Lucy, but not once did I fear loosing control of her. Reaching the Blue Water gas station off Highway 17 while passing the sign for the town of Ravenel, I was euphoric. Parking Lucy at Blue Water, I checked my watch and to my surprise I had arrived 10 minutes early. Now it was time get a Payday candy bar, another coffee and bottled water. “Let’s celebrate,” I said to myself. I also took note that Lucy reached about 50 miles to the gallon. Incredible! I didn’t need to fill up and could start my way home.

Heading home I decided to take a detour and ride through Hollywood, South Carolina along Route 162. Hollywood is another country town in the Lowcountry that provides a very scenic ride. Also, no stoplights on Route 162, so I could really let Lucy rip. On my way home, I was filled with so much confidence from reaching Ravenel, that leaving Hollywood, I merged back onto Highway 17 and the nerves I felt heading to Ravenel disappeared. I felt at peace. I felt in control and above all, I accomplished a important goal in my motorcycle career; I had just finished my first road trip with Lucy. Clocking over 60 miles, I pulled into my Mom’s driveway in one piece, me and my bike. “Thank you Lord!” I called out looking up at the sky. Quickly I open Google Maps again, and began plotting my next road trip. “Let’s hit 100 miles Mr. Young,” I said to myself. Long live the open road!

Rolf

It was only a matter of time until I started dreaming of another Triumph motorbike to add to my collection. Now, don’t get me wrong, Lucy, the Triumph Speed Twin 900 that I currently own, checks all the boxes for me. It handles beautifully. The power is intoxicating, and the look of the Lucy is lovely. Yet, I looked around my mother’s garage the other day, and thought, “I could move those two bicycles my mom has to the backyard, tarp them, and there would be space for another motorcycle.” Thus, the seed was planted, and I began searching Charleston Triumph’s website for ideas. I played around with the thought of owning another Bonneville, the classic P-Twin engine, but then I thought, how about a sports bike? I would be in my 50’s by the time I would be purchasing another bike, and the idea of owning a sports bike, in my middle 50’s seemed like a good idea, briefly. Yet, I soon realized a 50-year-old on a sports bike is kind of a bad idea. Plus, if I wanted to tour, say travel to California and back, a sports bike or Lucy might not be the ideal situation for me. So, I decided to take a hard look at the Tiger model of motorcycles by Triumph. The Tiger is Triumph’s adventure motorbike that Triumph has been making for over 20 years. If you are unfamiliar with the adventure class of motorcycles, it is a premium bike featuring all types of designs and capabilities to suit a rider who wants to travel far, on and off the road. This felt like the next step in my motorcycle career.

The thing about the Tiger models, especially the 900 and 1200, is that they are BIG BIKES. My first time seeing a Triumph Tiger 1200 I couldn’t get near the thing. I was scared to death. Yet, having a few months of motorcycle experience, owning a Triumph, and feeling more confident, I visited Charleston Triumph the other day and immediately hopped on a used Tiger 1200. I was extremely proud of myself for not hesitating and just diving into the moment. To see such a big bike, and then think you could ride this beautiful machine, I give myself a high-five for showing no fear. Impressive was my first thought. Not only did the 1200 feel amazing, but the suspension relaxed a bit as I mounted the 1200. Now mounting a big bike takes a skill. I had to readjust my tradition of just throwing a leg over a motorcycle, and gently angle my approach. But I did it!

The size and scope of this adventure bike is not for the weary type. You MUST want to ride this baby. Quickly I realized how large the fuel tank was and found out it was just over 7 gallons. 7 gallons of gas! On a motorcycle! Man, the mileage I could go on a Tiger 1200 got my heart singing. Quickly, I moved the handlebars around and the 1200, which weighs just about 600 pounds, felt light and nimble. So surprised was I. I took note of all the creature comforts. Cruise control, heated grips, heated seats, electronic suspension, various riding modes, large windscreen, and that is the just a small part of what is available on both the 900 and 1200 Tiger models. As one YouTube reviewer put it, “The Tiger 900 is the small SUV of the motorbike world.”

On my visit to Charleston Triumph, after sitting on the used Tiger 1200, I walked into the shop and made my way other to both the new the ’24 and ’25 900/1200 Tiger Models. Each model stood out. Each provided a window into a brighter future filled with long travels, twisty roads, dirt adventures, and seeing America from the comfort of a lovely Triumph. But what caught my eye was the incredible bright red paint job on the Tiger 900. This is where I really smiled. Seeing the bright red finish on the ’25 900, I felt my soul bounce with excitment. Now the ’24 Tiger 1200 was beautiful as well in matte green. Looking like a military convey, I definitely felt the tactical nature of this beautiful machine. But, man, there is something about a bright red paint color on a motorbike. Thank Ducati for that LOL.

Sitting on the 900 for the first time I found how much slimmer it was compared 1200. The fuel tank is about 5 gallons. The front wheel is a 19″ over the 21″ front of the 1200 and there is a chain compared to the shaft drive of the 1200. The ideal of having to care for the chain every 300 miles while doing a long tour feel short for me. But honestly how hard is it to carry a can of chain lube in my luggage and just stop and tend to the chain on the 900. Yet, a shaft drive on the 1200 really makes more sense for the distance rider at heart. Just ride baby! No chain maintenance.

Comparing the 900 to 1200 it’s really about what I would like to do honestly as a rider. Though I was attracted to the 900 is terms of visual appeal, the bright red paint job is so nice! But the 1200 is a pure bliss. And the price difference is about $4k between the 900 and 1200. My idea to tour the United States of American in the next few years by motorcycle, means riding backroads and highways in all weather conditions. Having a big meaty 1200 under me might be the way to go. And that 1200 sure is nice…as well as the 900 too. Just going to have to test ride them both to find out which one to go with.

I started my Sunday ride with a bit of nervous energy. I quickly rode over to a local pizza shop parking lot, and practiced a few slow speed maneuvers. Slow speed maneuvers always allows me to settle into my ride, relax and, focus. I had a big day in front of me. I would be riding in my first group ride, the 2025 Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride (DGR) hosted by Charleston Triumph. With this known to me, I had to settle down and get in my bubble. I reference “bubble” as a metaphor for focusing on what is happening in front of me during a ride, and letting go of distractions. Seeing some lovely flowers along the road or an animal digging a hole, can all lead to a few moments of lost focus, which is dangerous. Failure to obey the present moment, getting lost in the surroundings, can create a troubling experience on two-wheels. I would need to be in my bubble the next few hours.

Arriving at Charleston Triumph a few minutes after 10am, I quickly realized how many other motorcyclists had arrived before me because the parking lot was full of motorbikes. This was an amazing sight to see. I was directed to a parking spot, near the front, and dismounted from Lucy, my 2024 Triumph Speed Twin 900. Listening to a live DJ playing some tunes made the vibe just right. As soon as I unlatched my helmet, got my motorcycle gloves off, I felt the sun and the heat beginning to intensify. It was going to be a hot one today. I checked in, grabbed a sticker, and walked swiftly over to the food truck for a much need bottled water. Still in my black motorcycle jacket, I knew I would need to hydrate as much as possible.

Mingling with the crowd, I introduced myself to a few other DGR riders and we spoke about our bikes. As much as I love riding, meeting fellow riders and speaking to them about their bikes really makes my heart sing. I was definitely in my element. “2 minutes everyone,” the announcer call out, and a strong wave of adrenaline filled my spirit. It was time to gear up, shut up, and ride. I hastily got myself ready, turned the ignition key, and pressed down on the starter button. Lucy fired up quickly. “Now what do I do?” I asked myself. Having never ridden in a group ride, I was completely unsure of when to leave my parking spot. I noticed other riders leaving the parking lot of Charleston Triumph forming a tight group and stopping. “Do I join them?” I asked myself. Remembering a few words from the MC of the event, the older bikes would be the first to leave. Then I heard the police escort arrive and quickly I joined the group exiting the parking lot. This was going to be very cool.

Departing Charleston Triumph, I slowly gained confidence with my abilities and played follow-the-leader with the motorcyclist in front of me. A few riders had been chosen before departing Charleston Triumph as our designated road blockers. This would mean, as the Police escorted the DGR down the road, a few riders would block cross traffic and allow all the DGR riders to safely ignored redlights and ride unstopped towards our first designation, the U.S. Customs House in Downtown Charleston. “Wow”, I thought, how cool is that. What was so impressive about the DGR is the sound of all the motorbikes riding down the road as one group, supporting men’s health, and forming a bond with each other. It would be an experience I would never forget.

Making our way to the U.S. Custom’s House in Downtown Charleston was very eventful. During a pre-ride check-in, our MC made it clear our route, and encouraged us to wave, honk our horns, and smile to the on-lookers. I did not expect the reaction of the folks on the streets who cheered us on as we made our way down King Street towards the battery. I must have showed the peace sign a few dozen times and pushed the button for my horn a few hundred times. It was grand. Parking outside the U.S. Custom’s House, on the sidewalk no less, the scope of the DGR was in full effect. We riders, ascended the steps of the Custom House for a group pic and I smiled the biggest smile in a long time. I felt the heat and humidity of the day, but the power of the DGR kept me cool and I looked forward to our final designation, the Royal American. An ice cold water, a bit of shade, a fan, maybe some AC, would be perfect to complete my first group ride ever. I was really looking forward to some shade 8)

Finishing up the DGR at the Royal American, I was able to thank the organizers, the other riders who did the road blocks, and speak with new friends about their bikes just as I had when we started. To be honest, it was magical and I have already bookmarked next year’s DGR. I will be looking forward to a new route and making new friends. Below are a few pics of classic motorbikes that rode in this year’s DGR in Charleston, South Carolina. Enjoy!