Posts Tagged ‘history’

Veterans Day 2025: Riding with Gratitude

Posted: November 11, 2025 in Motorcycle, Motorcycle advocacy, vintage motorcycle
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Every November 11th, the rumble of motorcycles across America takes on a deeper meaning. Veterans Day isn’t just another date on the calendar — it’s a chance to pause, reflect, and honor the men and women who’ve worn the uniform, stood the watch, and carried the weight of freedom on their shoulders.

For those of us in the riding community, the connection runs especially deep. Motorcycles have been part of military history for over a century — from Harley-Davidsons roaring across Europe in World War I, to Indian Scouts and WLA “Liberators” serving in World War II, to modern-day veterans who find healing and camaraderie on two wheels. The bond between motorcycles and the military is more than mechanical; it’s cultural, emotional, and enduring.

Why Riders Remember
  • Shared Brotherhood: Just like serving in the military, riding is about trust, loyalty, and watching each other’s back.
  • Freedom on Two Wheels: Veterans know better than most that freedom isn’t free. Every ride is a reminder of the sacrifices made to protect it.
  • Healing Journeys: For many veterans, motorcycles are more than machines — they’re therapy. The open road offers peace, clarity, and a sense of control.
Veterans Day 2025: What It Means

This year, as we gather at parades, memorials, and local rides, let’s remember that Veterans Day isn’t about politics or division. It’s about gratitude. It’s about shaking a veteran’s hand, listening to their story, and making sure they know their service mattered.

Across the country, motorcycle clubs and veteran riding groups will roll out in force — from the Patriot Guard Riders to local American Legion & VFW posts organizing commemorative rides. These events aren’t just about chrome and horsepower; they’re about respect.

How You Can Honor Veterans Today
  • Ride with Purpose: Join a Veterans Day ride or organize one in your community.
  • Support Veteran Causes: Donate to organizations that help veterans transition back to civilian life.
  • Simply Say Thank You: Sometimes the most powerful gesture is the simplest.
Final Thoughts

So today, whether you’re polishing your bike, heading out for a ride, or standing quietly at a memorial, take a moment to honor our veterans.

Because every mile we ride in freedom is a mile they earned for us.

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Day 3 West Virginia Cryptid & Paranormal Motorcycle Ride

Posted: July 26, 2024 in Motorcycle, Motorcycle Rides, motorcycle touring, motorcycle tourism
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It was already a warm day when we pulled the motorcycle out of the garage at 7:30AM.  The weather forecast called for a heat advisory and temperatures reaching 98.  That is 98 Fahrenheit which would, for us, not include the extra degrees of pavement heat!  But we had more of West Virginia paranormal to explore!

Ohio River Scenic Byway

We were soon on the Ohio River Scenic Byway headed north to Moundsville, WV home of the Indian Burial Mound and the WV State Penitentiary.  The Ohio River Scenic Byway runs 452 miles alongside the Ohio side of the river. 

The road, for the entire distance we traveled, was in great shape.  As far as “river scenic” I would have to say NOPE!  The trees and brush have grown to the point that you only get a short glimpse of the river and that is mostly around the areas that have a bridge.

However, if you are like me and consider industrial views as scenic you are in for a treat.  This part of Ohio and West Virginia are heavily dotted with industry. Electrical plants with cooling towers rising, to what looks like a thousand feet. Miles of stainless-steel pipes and trestles moving “stuff” back and forth between the plants and the river.  It is quite spectacular.

West Virginia Penitentiary

Crossing the river back to West Virginia we were soon at our first destination, the WV Penitentiary.  From its start and up until it was closed this was always one of the most dangerous prisons in America. Until capital punishment was ended 94 men met their end at the end of a rope or in the electric chair. Many more died at the hands of fellow inmates.

Closed in 1995, it is now not only a tourist destination it is also a training center, and a film location.  Because of all the death and violence many people claim that the prison has a large and heavy paranormal presence.

The penitentiary has been on many paranormal TV shows as well as movies.  Movies were filmed here as far back as 1955 with stars like Robert Mitchem, Jimmy Stewart, Kurt Russel and others.  One of my favorite TV shows, Netflix’s Mindhunter also filmed in this prison.

Well, this day we did not see any ghosts, although I have not checked all the footage, but maybe if we do the overnight tour?

Indian Burial Mound

Directly across the street from the Penitentiary is the Grave Creek Mound Archaeological Complex. It is the site of one of the most famous and the largest of the Adena Burial mounds.

Unfortunately, the complex was closed that day.  The mound has been here since about 250 BC, so I imagine that I have some time to stop by in the future!  It is quite a bit larger than one would imagine so I am looking forward to checking it out.

The Trip Home

Boy was it a hot day!  We rode for a bit and then stopped a Quaker Steak and Lube in Wheeling, WV.  As always, never had a bad meal at one of these restaurants.  Before we got back on the bike, we put our cool vests on.  These vests are the water evaporation type, you soak them then put them on. Today they lasted about 150 miles before they were dry!

Normally we would wet them down again but today we were only an hour or so away from home we just packed them away in the tour pak. 

This 3-day adventure was well worth the time and was an enjoyable ride!

Click Here for Day 1                                                Click here for Day 2

Ole Sparky
Ghost Hall

Day 2 West Virginia Cryptid & Paranormal Motorcycle Ride: Mothman We Are Coming

Posted: July 16, 2024 in Motorcycle, Motorcycle Rides, motorcycle touring
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After a very busy 1st day on the motorcycle visiting a bunch of West Virginia paranormal sites, we were ready to mount up and head out on day 2.  The weather folks said this day was going to be hot a one, but we could take an early start as our first stop, “The Mystery Hole”, was not scheduled to open until 10AM.

Unfortunately, it turns out that the Mystery Hole has an issue with getting good help and was closed.  So, we rode on to our next stop, the Mothman Museum.

I have visited the Mystery Hole many times, as it is only a couple miles from my childhood home. However my wife never has and I wanted to share it with her.

A great bonus to trying to visit the Mystery Hole is it resides alongside one of the most fun roads in West Virginia, US 60 also called “The Talon”.  If you are ever in this area, you must ride this road.  While a couple miles shorter, it does rival the Tail of the Dragon for fun.

The Talon is a wonderful package of twisty roads and switchbacks all through forest and cliffside landscapes.  Low traffic levels allow you to ride at your pace and comfort but will challenge you if you want to step it up.

The downside of The Talon is that you can no longer see the New River Gorge and all its natural beauty. The state has allowed the undergrowth to get to a level where there are only a few small “blink and you will miss it spots” where the gorge is visible. Sad very sad, a great opportunity for increasing tourism missed again.

Stay Tuned for a video of the Talon/US 60.

Once we got to the bottom of the mountain, we rode alongside the Kanawha River to and through the state capital Charleston.  This day the morning sun was glistening off the gold gilded dome of the Capital Building making it pop like a gold jewel in a cityscape setting. Unfortunately, I forgot to turn the camera on.

Not that much later we were getting off the motorcycle across the street from Mothman HQ.  There was a large crowd at the museum.  By large I mean there were at least 20 people in the gift shop and about that many in the museum proper.  There were another 10-12 more hovering, in the afternoon heat, around the Mothman statue waiting their turn for photos.

By now it was early afternoon, and the weather folks were right it was HOT.  We made the decision to make a direct ride to our new, unfinished but finished enough, Ohio home. We were off the road early and with a shower and air conditioning.

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The Men in Black are aways watching the Mothman!

Click here for Day One of the West Virginia Cryptid and Paranormal Ride! 

Women in Motorcycling on International Women’s Day

Posted: March 8, 2021 in Motorcycle, Motorcycle advocacy
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Women have been riding motorcycles from the start.  While men my dominate the motorbike culture, women have always been there having fun and enjoying the two wheel life.

I am not here to give you a play by play of the women who have sent motorcycle records, but I thought you might enjoy some pics from times past and the women who were there…. On their motorcycles.

Still bored at home? How about a Royal Enfield motorcycle quiz?

Posted: April 6, 2020 in Motorcycle
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CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE QUIZ!

Bored, can’t go for a motorcycle ride because of the stupid COVAD-krap?  Already colored in the Yamaha motorcycle coloring book?

The folks over at Royal Enfield have put up a 10 question quiz to challenge your motorcycle history skills.  Some were easy like “When did Royal Enfield first make a motorcycle?”, and some were not easy but you will need to take the quiz to find out.

I scored 8 out of 10.  Not to bad.

Let us know how well you scored (but no cheating)!