Passion for riding
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
Passion for riding
I felt that I had an overgrown passion for riding until I read an article about Wendy Crockett in the Nov. issue of American Motorcyclist while warming up from a winter ride at the dealer.
At 40 here is a brief list of her accomplishments.
500,000+ miles (mostly solo)
Four 11 day 11K mile Iron Butt Rallies
Two 10 day 10K mile rallies
Two Iron Butt Rallies over 13K miles in 11 days
In 17 she rode 17K in three weeks
Coast to coast certificate for less than 50 hours
Certificate for Canada to Mexico in under 24 hours
Certificate for 48 states under 10 days (took me 10 years)
Certificate for the extreme corners of the US in under 10 days
There were many more accomplishment listed in the article. She is one amazing rider. Not only that she is a motorcycle mechanic with her own shop.
Read the full article about her as it is well worth it.
At 40 here is a brief list of her accomplishments.
500,000+ miles (mostly solo)
Four 11 day 11K mile Iron Butt Rallies
Two 10 day 10K mile rallies
Two Iron Butt Rallies over 13K miles in 11 days
In 17 she rode 17K in three weeks
Coast to coast certificate for less than 50 hours
Certificate for Canada to Mexico in under 24 hours
Certificate for 48 states under 10 days (took me 10 years)
Certificate for the extreme corners of the US in under 10 days
There were many more accomplishment listed in the article. She is one amazing rider. Not only that she is a motorcycle mechanic with her own shop.
Read the full article about her as it is well worth it.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 321
Likes: 78
From: Western PA
Passion for riding
I seen that also and for sure it is an amazing achievement or accomplishment however you want to describe it. I think that kind of commitment is a little beyond passion to absolute life style. I've also been riding since the late 60's and consider my own attitude as a passion, been in all 50 states and territory's, most of Canada and a few Caribbean Islands on two wheels mostly with my wife as a passenger and pulling a trailer a month at a time with a couple Iron Butt rides thrown in and more. But I also have had the time for a career, raised three girls who now have blessed us with 11 grandchildren among other hobbies and life's experiences. I enjoy hearing these great and somewhat extreme stories of the hobby and myself will never be able to dream of such commitment and dedication but in the same manor would never trade my own accomplishments in the other area's of my life that have brought me as much or more enjoyment and memories as motorcycling. At one point in my life it almost became a life style as I worked for a dealership back in the day but where money was involved it took it's toll on me and almost destroyed my passion so I backed off , found a good balance and has been a great ride since ! Find a good balance of life, love, and passion and never pass up the opportunity to wear a bike out !
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 9,605
Likes: 20,752
From: Globe AZ
While her list of accomplishments is impressive, I think it goes a bit beyond passion into obsession. I would not discount my own passion for riding (or doing anything else) just because someone has done more of it than me, or is better at it than I am. We all have our own lives to live, and we have to fit our passions in and around our survival necessities (such as a job/family/other hobbies, etc....)
Supporter
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 2,491
Likes: 3,713
From: Mid Con USA
I could estimate the number of miles of ridden if I wanted to, but I don't really care. Nor does anyone really care about my 1k mile days. I'm 61 and have been riding since I was 6. I don't understand those that have to have a plaque, or a piece of paper, or a license plate frame to show what they've accomplished. I doubt their passion is any greater than the rest of ours. I would say it's more of a "look what I did" thing. It's kinda like the time a friend who doesn't ride asked me if I take pictures of every trip. My response, "No, nobody but me really cares or wants to see them, and I was there."
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 1,129
Likes: 505
From: Illinois
While her list of accomplishments is impressive, I think it goes a bit beyond passion into obsession. I would not discount my own passion for riding (or doing anything else) just because someone has done more of it than me, or is better at it than I am. We all have our own lives to live, and we have to fit our passions in and around our survival necessities (such as a job/family/other hobbies, etc....)
I love riding and it is my therapy to days when I just want to get away. But to go from Canada to Mexico in 24 hours? Where is the fun in that?. Part of the joy of riding is to enjoy the scenery and places around you. Not to fly by obsessed to finish within a certain time. Not my cup of tea.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 16,013
Likes: 7,139
From: Sandy Eggo's North County
Just think of all the money she could have made as an O-O instead of riding a bike on the freeways. She could've retired by now and gone for a ride!
Burning (droning) for miles with no destination in mind is my own private hell. Now, if you need to be someplace on a timeline, that's a horse of a different color...
Burning (droning) for miles with no destination in mind is my own private hell. Now, if you need to be someplace on a timeline, that's a horse of a different color...
Club Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 4,549
Likes: 5,890
From: Syracuse NY
+1 on obsession. Maybe because I have so much more in my life that brings me joy and pleasure that just riding.
I love riding and it is my therapy to days when I just want to get away. But to go from Canada to Mexico in 24 hours? Where is the fun in that?. Part of the joy of riding is to enjoy the scenery and places around you. Not to fly by obsessed to finish within a certain time. Not my cup of tea.
I love riding and it is my therapy to days when I just want to get away. But to go from Canada to Mexico in 24 hours? Where is the fun in that?. Part of the joy of riding is to enjoy the scenery and places around you. Not to fly by obsessed to finish within a certain time. Not my cup of tea.
I did a run around the Great Lakes and other than a side trip to Chrystal Falls in the Yoop (Upper Michigan), we just ate up asphalt. I vowed not to ride like that ever again.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,593
Likes: 367
From: Northern MN
I felt that I had an overgrown passion for riding until I read an article about Wendy Crockett in the Nov. issue of American Motorcyclist while warming up from a winter ride at the dealer.
At 40 here is a brief list of her accomplishments.
500,000+ miles (mostly solo)
Four 11 day 11K mile Iron Butt Rallies
Two 10 day 10K mile rallies
Two Iron Butt Rallies over 13K miles in 11 days
In 17 she rode 17K in three weeks
Coast to coast certificate for less than 50 hours
Certificate for Canada to Mexico in under 24 hours
Certificate for 48 states under 10 days (took me 10 years)
Certificate for the extreme corners of the US in under 10 days
There were many more accomplishment listed in the article. She is one amazing rider. Not only that she is a motorcycle mechanic with her own shop.
Read the full article about her as it is well worth it.
At 40 here is a brief list of her accomplishments.
500,000+ miles (mostly solo)
Four 11 day 11K mile Iron Butt Rallies
Two 10 day 10K mile rallies
Two Iron Butt Rallies over 13K miles in 11 days
In 17 she rode 17K in three weeks
Coast to coast certificate for less than 50 hours
Certificate for Canada to Mexico in under 24 hours
Certificate for 48 states under 10 days (took me 10 years)
Certificate for the extreme corners of the US in under 10 days
There were many more accomplishment listed in the article. She is one amazing rider. Not only that she is a motorcycle mechanic with her own shop.
Read the full article about her as it is well worth it.
Two replies it took to start throwing shade. Can't just say "Good on her" or just STFU and leave the post alone, have to try to bring the accomplishments down.
Wow!
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Banned
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 17,008
Likes: 14,675
From: in a cave at the foothills
Wow! STFU Your username so fits you....
Last edited by nobodyknowsme; Dec 27, 2017 at 06:45 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 518
Likes: 244
From: Tucson Arizona
Lighten up guys...
Everyone has their own degree of "Passion for riding" and it is yours and yours alone. No, I did not do my Iron Butt {and post about it on this Forum} for the sake of patches, pins or certificates. For me it was a personal challenge to be attempted and hopefully met.
23 years ago I singlehanded my 34' sailboat from Cabo San Lucas to San Diego - 18 days and 850 of the nastiest sea miles in the world. I had to leave, get hammered by storms and return with my tail between my legs 4 times before I finally made it.
This completed 7 months of cruising Mexico {and yes, it was the trip of a lifetime in paradise but I digress}, 4 months of it alone and set me on the path to getting my Coast Guard 100 Ton Masters license and subsequent 15 year career as a professional boat captain.
The point being I have enjoyed sharing the experience here encouraging others to consider it but if this sort of ride is not your cup of Joe that's fine by me.
As always.... Opinions and YMMV.
23 years ago I singlehanded my 34' sailboat from Cabo San Lucas to San Diego - 18 days and 850 of the nastiest sea miles in the world. I had to leave, get hammered by storms and return with my tail between my legs 4 times before I finally made it.
This completed 7 months of cruising Mexico {and yes, it was the trip of a lifetime in paradise but I digress}, 4 months of it alone and set me on the path to getting my Coast Guard 100 Ton Masters license and subsequent 15 year career as a professional boat captain.
The point being I have enjoyed sharing the experience here encouraging others to consider it but if this sort of ride is not your cup of Joe that's fine by me.
As always.... Opinions and YMMV.