Posts Tagged ‘motorcycle lifestyle’

Cartoon clip art of a brain riding a motorcycle, wearing a helmet, representing concussion recovery, mental health awareness, and getting back to riding after injury

A Personal Update

It has been a while since my last post, and for good reason. Last month, I had an accident that brought everything to a sudden stop. I slipped on black ice and hit my head—hard—on concrete. What followed was not just a bump or a scare, but a serious medical issue that forced me to slow down in a way I never expected

The Accident and Diagnosis

After the fall, I was diagnosed with a severe concussion accompanied by brain bleeding. Because of the seriousness of the injury, I was admitted to the hospital for observation. After being released, I was sent home with very strict medical instructions designed to give my brain the best possible chance to heal fully.  

Living Under Concussion Protocols

If you’ve never experienced concussion recovery, let me tell you—the protocols are no joke. To support healing and prevent further damage, I was instructed to avoid nearly all forms of stimulation:

  • No watching TV
  • No phone use
  • No computer screens
  • No reading
  • No music

In short: no distractions, no entertainment, and no mental escape. While these rules are necessary for recovery, they make for a long and incredibly boring stretch of time.

Why Rest Matters After a Head Injury

As frustrating as it was, these restrictions exist for a reason. Limiting screen time, visual input, and mental strain helps reduce symptoms and lowers the risk of prolonged or permanent effects. Concussion recovery isn’t about toughness—it’s about patience, discipline, and letting your brain do the work it needs to do.

This was not my first concussion.  During my time in the Army I suffered several more.  Back then the protocol was pain relievers, sunglasses and back to work.

Cleared and Back to Normal Ready to Ride Motorcycles

The good news? I’m now fully cleared to return to normal activities. That means riding, writing, riding, creating, and sharing again. I’m grateful for the care I received and for the reminder that even when you “just want to ride,” your health always comes first.

What’s Next for ijustwant2ride.com

With recovery behind me, it’s time to move forward. Be on the lookout for:

Thank you to everyone who checked in, reached out, or simply stuck around while things were quiet. Sometimes the ride pauses—but it always starts again.

And a very special thank you to my wife and riding partner for life. You took great care of me even when I was… you know!

Ride On Ride Safe

Motorcycle stored in a garage during winter with riding gear and trip planning tools nearby

For many of us, winter means one painful reality: the motorcycle is parked, the roads are cold, and riding season feels way too far away. But just because your motorcycle is in winter hibernation doesn’t mean you have to be.

The motorcycle offseason is actually the perfect time to get ahead—so when spring arrives, you’re ready to ride instead of scrambling. Here are 9 productive (and fun) things you can do while your motorcycle is in winter storage.

1. Revamp or Upgrade Your Motorcycle Riding Gear

Winter is ideal for giving your riding gear some attention.

  • Clean and condition your helmet liner, jacket, gloves, and boots
  • Inspect everything for undue wear and tear (we all have that “one piece” we keep ignoring)
  • Replace damaged or outdated gear
  • Research new gear—there’s always something you didn’t know existed

👉 Tip: New gear often goes on sale during the offseason.

2. Improve Your Motorcycle (Without the Rush)

No riding pressure means you can plan upgrades the right way.

  • Add or upgrade LED lighting
  • Research exhaust options
  • Plan comfort upgrades like seats, grips, or windscreens

Winter upgrades mean fewer delays when riding season returns.

3. Surf the Web (The Motorcycle Version)

Yes, this counts as productivity.

  • Subscribe to IJustWant2Ride.com (of course)
  • Join motorcycle forums and social media groups
  • Watch what other riders are building, fixing, and riding

You’ll pick up tips, inspiration, and maybe a few bad ideas too.

4. Watch Motorcycle-Themed Movies and Shows

Sometimes you just need a reminder of why you ride.

Motorcycle movies and shows can:

  • Keep the passion alive
  • Inspire future trips
  • Help pass the long winter nights

(I’ll be sharing a dedicated motorcycle movie list soon.)

5. Pick Out Your Next Motorcycle (Fantasy Allowed)

Let’s be honest—you’re already doing this.

  • Browse new and used bikes
  • Compare specs and reviews
  • Dream responsibly

Your current bike—and your significant other—don’t need to know.

6. Perform a Full T-CLOCS Inspection

If you weren’t consistent during riding season, winter is the time to catch up.

T‑CLOCS Checklist:
  • T – Tires and wheels
  • C – Controls
  • L – Lights and electrics
  • O – Oil and other fluids
  • C – Chassis
  • S – Stands

Catching issues now prevents delays (or breakdowns) later.

7. Get Back into Riding Shape

Motorcycles don’t care if you skipped leg day—but your body does.

  • Light strength training
  • Core work
  • Flexibility and balance exercises

Spring rides feel a lot better when your body is ready.

8. Plan and Research Your Next Rides

Winter is planning season.

Ask yourself:

  • Which rallies do I want to attend?
  • What destinations have I always wanted to ride to?
  • Which roads are still on my bucket list?

Good rides start with good planning.

9. Sit… and Wait (Unfortunately)

Eventually, you’ve done it all.

So you wait. You watch the weather. You sigh. And you remind yourself—it won’t be winter forever. Spring is coming.

Final Thoughts

Winter hibernation doesn’t have to mean wasted time. Use it wisely, and when the first warm day arrives, you won’t be catching up—you’ll already be rolling.

Until then…
WINTER SUCKS, I just want to ride.

Motorcycle racing poster art showcasing high‑speed action and modern graphic design. Ijustwant24ride

Every year, I put together a “Best Of” series here on I Just Want 2 Ride, and one of my favorite categories is motorcycle posters and motorcycle art. There’s something about great motorcycle themed design, event artwork, and creative moto‑inspired visuals that stops me scrolling every time.

Over the course of this year, I bookmarked 15 different motorcycle posters and pieces of motorcycle art that really stood out. These ranged from professionally designed event posters to creative, independent artwork—and yes, one even came from a local motorcycle event, which made it even better.

Narrowing that list down wasn’t easy. After spending a few minutes comparing styles, originality, and overall impact, I finally whittled it down to nine standout motorcycle posters that truly earned a spot in this year’s roundup.

Why only nine?

Simple.
Everyone does a “Top 10,” and honestly… 11 is too much work. 😄

What follows is my personal selection of the best motorcycle posters of the year—artwork that captures the spirit of riding, racing, events, and motorcycle culture as a whole.

BEST motorcycle memes of 2025  ijustwant2ride
How I Chose the 9 Best Motorcycle Memes of 2025: A Year-Long Ride in Curation

Every year, the world of motorcycle memes gets a little wilder, funnier, and more creative.

For 2025, I set out to find what I considered the best motorcycle-themed memes to share with the http://www.ijustwant2ride.com community. But picking just nine out of the dozens I set aside during the year wasn’t easy!

I drop many as they were cute motorcycle memes, but not really funny. Others were dropped because the quality was just not there. Still more were dropped because they were a bit off-color or not tasteful (as a vet I do have a somewhat sideways sense of humor).

Narrowing Down to the Best 9

At the end of the year, I reviewed my collection (dozens) and scored picked those that I liked the best.

The top nine memes were those that consistently excelled in at making me smile or laugh. I also made sure to include a mix of styles, some classic, some new, and all guaranteed to make riders smile.

Which one do you like best?