Fall Rides to see leaves are cool - if you can see the leaves!

Last summer, I met a young lady who rode a fuel injected Sportster. She loved the bike, and got so enthralled with the riding culture, she needed something a bit bigger and more comfortable for the many miles she started to put on.  She came in to see us at the shop with her brother- a long time parts customer who eventually became my SWAP meet buddy.
  Their entire family rides- Mom, Dad, Brother, Sister.. every week on Thursday they go get ice cream at the local Dairy Queen and catch up with each other.. it sounds like a fucking episode of Leave it to Beaver- but they didn't start out as a riding family.  The riding brought them together, and helped some of them through tough times in life- Alcohol addiction, drugs, adolescence... you name it. So in reality, it is the essence of why we all ride.  To find your tribe, and get away from the shit that brings you down.
One summer day this beautiful lady comes in and is looking for an upgrade in motor size. (Because we all know you can't upgrade above a sporty,  its the best bike ever built... but anyway)
We had a sexy little red softail custom.  It had been chromed to the hilt, and been very well taken care of.  She commented at it's sex appeal, from the stretched headlight to the sleek chrome struts- WOW she said.  Taking a seat on it to see how the bars felt, it fit perfect.  "Take it for a test ride" her brother said. Her face went pale, it was the moment her brain left her body and she went into auto pilot.  Having never ridden anything 'bigger' than her Sporty, she was a little scared, like we all were our first time.

Brittany and Axle, our shop dog on the once red softail

I went over the riding route, telling her shes following me, so no worries woman- you got this! And she just nodded- putting her trust in me and this bike.. when it should have been in her all along.  Helmets down- leave the lot- we took off down the road and shes right behind me, after a few miles, the distance gets bigger, so I slow down- I can see her face stricken with determination... You got this girl, I sped up to 55- she starts to get a bit closer, and kept up on the curves. Perfect.  When we got back to the shop, you could tell by her expression her heart was racing and her cheeks were flush- PURE excitement.

She grooms the bike again with her eyes, taking it all in- It's so beautiful- is all you can hear. Then her brother steps in.. 'so- if she likes it, can we get the turn signals installed so it's street safe? '
DAMN. THIS THING DOESN'T HAVE TURN SIGNALS AND I TOOK IT ON THE ROAD!!!
If she would've had that in her head before we took off, she was POSITIVE the bike would've fallen over!  So we agree the signals will be put on, no problem!
I have the privilege of meeting babes who ride all summer every summer- and it is such a great feeling to get them on the RIGHT bike.  The bike that makes them feel like they are in control of the road, themselves, the fucking WORLD.  When I sell you a bike- I'm selling you freedom, independence, self assurance and an ASS LOAD of confidence!!  Not to mention- a BLANK CANVAS.  This bike was already beautiful, and of course like anything, making it your own adds flair, adds personality, adds YOU.

Marilyn after her makeover, model: Andrew

The most recent ride we went on was to see the leaves. The leaves are a big part of Fall in the midwest, and when you have one that doesnt bring too much rain or wind - you get to enjoy the scenery a bit longer.  This year we have been blessed with beautiful weather and TONS of leaves!
The morning of our ride comes, Im stoked! It's like Christmas for adults, or that feeling when your amazon box arrives at your doorstep!  I go out to find the weather somewhat... foggy.

Toxie breathing in the Fog

The visibility was ... half mile. At best.  The humidity was intense, beading up on my windshield about 2 miles on my trip- I have 40 minutes to ride to our rendezvous point, I'm clenched.  At one point a minivan had pulled over to allow a WIDE LOAD to pass, but I couldn't see it.  The moments leading up to me realizing it was there, and me stopping are better left to the imagination, but I handled it with poise and grace, and NO I did NOT flip them off.. That was fun... 

I pulled off a few miles down the road to wipe the humidity from my glasses and windshield, check in with the woman and see if she had made it safe, it was after all 20 minutes past our meeting time.

I have a text from her stating it was so foggy she pulled over, and would continue in a bit- So I trudged on.  We can do this! - instant flash back to ME encouraging HER to make it through that test ride a summer previous, and now shes riding in half mile visibility encouraging me to keep going.  I WAS SO PROUD!

We both stuck it out like champs, arrived at the orchard, and had some hard cider while we walked, pet the goats and had some great conversation while we warmed up and wait for the fog to clear.  It didn't clear.

as featured on Insta @babeswhoride

We went anyway- along the river, looking at the half miles closest leaves and scenery- bobbing and weaving the corners and turns- and had a blast.  The restaurant we found was an adorable drive in theater as well- Grab a blanket or a lawn chair and sit down- it said, everyone welcome.  Next summer we HAVE to roll up a blanket, and roll out to catch a flick!  The special was killer- and we both had to resist a piece of home made pie! 

The day turned into a sunny and 70* day once we finished our meal, and we turned North, headed home the long way- We made plans to ride the next day our schedules line up- sometimes it can be a moon cycle.. but I'm hoping the Midwest stays kind, and we have WAY MORE time to ride this year!

My friend Dawn isn't a shy gal- nor is she scared of what people think, on top of her being incredible insightful, honest and beautiful- this is why we have become friends over the months since she got her beautiful Marilyn home, and more importantly, riding partners.  When she found her wings, she soared- and NOW I get to fly next to her.

sunny happy babes and their bikes!