When I fired up Lucy, Sunday morning, a little after 6am, I felt that time away from my love of Sunday rides would be replenished. Little did I know that 4 hours later, standing in my mom’s garage, staring at Lucy, I would quickly realize how much my Sunday rides improve my outlook for the week ahead. For two months, while NOT riding on Sundays because my 2023 Moto Morini was a complete mess, I so longed for travel on two-wheels. This past Sunday renewed my spirit, blessed me with gratitude, increased my energy, and overall created a specific time for myself that allowed me to understand how important motorcycling is to me. There is a balance to motorcycling that weighs the extreme fun you can have, with the dangerous envelop motorcycling opens. I always accept the risk, pray to God before I leave, and that living with this risk while riding a motorcycle makes me feel so alive. It is very addictive and I am absolutely in love with Lucy.

I began my Sunday ride with about eight minutes of slow speed maneuvers in a empty pizza shop parking lot. Warming up with practicing turns, quick stops, weaves and other exercises on the bike helps me prepare for my Sunday ride, or any ride actually. After this, I filled up the gas tank and headed to Folly Beach for the first time with Lucy. With the sun rising I crossed into Folly Beach surrounded by peaceful water and beautiful marshes. I decided to head to the Washout, a local surfing spot, and parked Lucy near the beach. I took a few minutes to enjoy the beautiful sun glistening down on the ocean water as surfers quickly rode waves in a beautiful, mesmerizing dance above water. I marveled at effortless motion of the surfers and remembered my time twenty years ago as I surfed Folly Beach. I breathed in the warm salted air, closed my eyes, and knew it was time for coffee.

I knew the perfect spot for a snack and a large cup of joe. Highfalutin Coffee Roasters off Harbor View Road on James Island might be my favorite coffee spot. One of the reasons is Highfalutin has a large outdoor patio to enjoy your beverage and eats. With my redeye in had, a slice of banana bread, and a bottle of Sam Pellegrino, I sat in the sun and loved every minute of it. Once my snack was finished, I quickly launched Google Maps to see were I would like to go next. Part of my Sunday Rides is to leave room for the unknow. Though I plan the start, I don’t necessarily dictate the entire ride. I love to leave it up to chance. Looking at a map of Downtown Charleston, I knew that is where I wanted to go.

Riding a motorcycle through Downtown Charleston is wonderful. So much of Charleston downtown is built upon post Civil War architectures. Mixing modern taste, and old southern charm, Downtown Charleston should be on very rider’s wish list. Cruising past old cobble stone roads and world class restaurants, I decided, while riding along East Bay, in the heart of Rainbow Row, that another coffee stop would be needed. My only issue with Downtown Charleston, is the parking. Or lack of it. Sure there is plenty of garage parking, yet maneuvering a motorcycle in a parking garage is something I have not done yet nor do I want too. Finding street parking is very limited, and for better or worst, parking my brand new motorcycle on the street is not ideal for my mentality. Quickly, I decided a visit to the Orange Spot, in Park Circle, would be perfect. I rolled the throttle down King Street, heading to North Charleston, feeling excited for the ride ahead. Leaving Downtown thru King Street offers a unique idea of urban growth quickly giving way to the industrial areas of upper King Street. Entering Rivers Avenue from King Street gives a motorcycle rider, depending on the time of day, a great chance to give your bike the beans and get some speed. Passing a few dormant buildings, fast food chains, and retail stores, I turned sharply onto Remount Road and headed to Park Circle.

Another wonderful patio spot, a small cup of coffee, and another bottle of Sam Pellegrino, I found a great 30 minute window to relax and check the time at the Orange Spot. 10am! I was shocked. Almost four hours riding my new Triumph Speed Twin 900. I had to walk a little bit to stretch out my legs and start to process how incredible my Sunday ride had been. The various landscapes from the beach of Folly, the revolutionary buildings of Downtown, the industrial spaces of North Charleston, to the charming slice of Park Circle, I was completely amazed at it all. Yet, I knew that heading home was a priority now. Playing some techno in my earbuds, hearing the exhaust rubble to life, I knew Lucy and I would get home safety. Until the next Sunday comes, I will cherish this ride for the week, maybe for life.

Rolf