Waxahachie Journal

A LONG AND WINDING ROAD
THE BEST KIND, ON A HARLEY DAVIDSON
BY Kathryn E, Eriksen

"You want me to take a group motorcycle trip for 3,000 miles?" I asked my husband incredulously.

"Sure - we'll be traveling in a pack of bikes with a chase truck full of parts. Besides - these people are fun."

I mulled it over for the next month. What an adventure - to ride from Texas, through New Mexico, Colorado and Wyoming to our final destination - Sturgis, South Dakota. God, that sounded like a long way.  My heart said to “Just do it” while my "posterior" urged extreme caution.

Fortunately, I listened to my heart, and had the time of my life. Despite the old Harley saying "If I have to explain it, you wouldn't understand", I will brave censor and criticism to provide the uninitiated a glimpse of "Harley Heaven".

THE NIGHT BEFORE - DOUBTS CREEP IN

The night before we left was very hectic - we were not used to packing enough clothes for an eight-day trip that would only fit into two saddlebags and two small duffel bags. Only the essentials could be taken, which meant two pairs of blue jeans, two pairs of shoes, two shirts, underwear, socks and a bathing suit. It was definitely a lesson in frugality. The bike was repacked many times, with enough cussing to make us honorary members of any motorcycle club.
We finally got all of our things together - including the motorcycle. First time Harley riders on our first Harley. The first service on the motorcycle was due after 500 miles. Because we didn’t want that to happen on the trip, we spent every evening driving it as much as possible. I felt like we were training for an endurance event - both we and the motorcycle had to get in shape!