What I Give Thanks For This Thanksgiving

It’s Thanksgiving – a time to take a moment to reflect, not dwell, about how fortunate we are to be motorcyclists.

Looking back 55 years this is quite bittersweet for me. My father never liked or had any use for motorcycles and I’m quite sure had he lived I probably never would have ever gotten one. After he passed, when I was 11 years old, I built my mini bike (see photo, I’m the one on the right). While I had that mini bike my buddy Robbie got a Suzuki M-12 (if I remember correctly) motorcycle and taught me how to ride it. This started me on a life of wrenching and riding.

So here is my list of top 10 things I’m thankful for this year:

1. Thank you for Robbie teaching me to ride.
2. Thank you for selling me that Suzuki.
3. Thank you for Dick Anderson for taking me trail riding at 16 at Rampart Range Road, SW of Denver.
4. Thank you for  Charlene and George at the Sprucewood Inn for taking us trail riders in as family.
5. Thank you for all the guys I raced and rode with. The best.
6. Thank you for Ron, the guy I rode trails and border to border and Canada with.
7. Thank you for my wife, 33 years now and although she doesn’t ride, she always supported this nonsense.
8. Thank you for having a career that funded all this.
9. Thank you for my children and nephews I live to ride with.
10. Thank you for all the years (55) riding and people that have enriched my life.

So as you read this, count your blessings and take a moment to give thanks for God, country, and all we are so fortunate to have.

All this being said, (outside of family and friends) I would would still trade this life of motorcycling to have my father here by my side.

Thanks for reading and Happy Thanksgiving.