Longtime Dream Comes True as 93-Year Old Takes a Harley-Davidson Ride
Recently in Reidsville, North Carolina a lifelong dream was made real by way of a cherry-apple red Harley-Davidson.
1. Longtime bike fan
Mildred Garrison, a resident at Brookdale Senior Living Community finally got a chance to enter the fast lane on two wheels. Her request to ride a motorcycle was made possible when the center she lives at partnered with Wish of a Lifetime. It is just one with out of 100 granted to seniors so far.
>>Join the conversation about Mildred's Harley ride right here in the Harley-Davidson Forum!
2. More speed
When the Brookdale Senior Living Center and Wish of a Lifetime first approached Mildred with the motorcycle ride they tried to relegate her to riding alongside the bike in a sidecar. However, Garrison wanted none of that, “they offered that or the trike with three wheels, but I didn’t want to go in that either. They look funny,” she said. “They don’t look like a motorcycle to me.”
>>Join the conversation about Mildred's Harley ride right here in the Harley-Davidson Forum!
3. A fan is born
Garrison's escort for her motorcycle adventure was local Harley-Davidson enthusiast Richard Jarrett who simply said he was glad to be able to participate in this. “The most exciting part was listening to her say how much she enjoyed it, with her arms out in the wind and listening to the sound of the bikes behind her,” said Jarrett, 57, whose been riding since he was 10 years old, “She gave me a hug and then a little later gave me another hug and that’s what it’s all about.”
>>Join the conversation about Mildred's Harley ride right here in the Harley-Davidson Forum!
4. Watch out everybody
After her ride, Mildred remarked, “I still haven’t gotten over the excitement yet,” she said of her 20-minute ride. “I could have gone some more. I’ve always wanted to ride a motorcycle, especially a Harley-Davidson. They’re always beautiful and clean. That was a wonderful thing. A lot of people took time out to come and celebrate.”
>>Join the conversation about Mildred's Harley ride right here in the Harley-Davidson Forum!
5. A good ride
Richard, the Harley owner, thought that Garrison would be nervous about taking her first ride but said she wasn't scared at all. “I thought I’d have to hold onto something,” she recalled. “We were sitting so close and I could put my arms out and I did several times. It was a good ride. I would encourage anyone to do it.”
>>Join the conversation about Mildred's Harley ride right here in the Harley-Davidson Forum!
6. More rides to come
Mildred loved her Harley ride so much that she already is making plans for her next two-wheel excursion. Where to you ask? That All-American Road, the Blue Ridge Parkway, which is noted for its year-round scenic beauty and for being America's longest linear park. To hear from Mildred herself and see some of her Harley-Davidson ride, check out the ABC News video.
>>Join the conversation about Mildred's Harley ride right here in the Harley-Davidson Forum!
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