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