D. Brent Miller

November 8, 2011

What the …? Did I really see that?

It was a fleeting moment that passed only a few feet from me, so there was absolutely no time for a photo. Let me draw you a picture.

It’s a beautiful November day. The 70 degrees is unusual, but perfect for running errands on the motorcycle. Color is still on the trees, but fading. The sky is a gorgeous blue, the kind of sky that begs outside activities.

I motorcycle through Loveland, and decide to go straight east on Obannonville Road, which turns into Dallasburg Road so that I can catch one of my favorite two laners, Grog Run Road. Generally, there is little traffic, the road is narrow with quick twists and turns and hills—perfect for the motorcycle.

Just after running down the hill, and crossing the creek and roughest set of railroad tracks in the area, the road narrows just a little. There is no centerline and the twists prevent you from looking down the road very far.

Suddenly, around the curve, heading in the opposite direction, comes another motorcyclist. He’s riding a Harley, not wearing a helmet, and he has his left hand up to the side of his face.

OH MY GOD! He’s talking on the phone! This guy is speeding through the twists with one hand on the throttle and one hand on his phone! I can’t believe it! How stupid is that?

We could spend time talking about riding with or without helmets. We could also discuss ATGATT (All The Gear All The Time). But, I don’t think we should really have to have a serious discussion about riding a motorcycle while talking on the phone.

I wonder if this guy complains about stupid cagers talking on the phone when he’s near them on his motorcycle? I bet he does.

See you on the highway.

Brent

October 24, 2011

Kicking some more motorcycle tires

I think it might be unreasonable to own two adventure motorcycles. Which one would I ride? No, I think something completely different is in order.

I have looked at the Triumph Bonnevilles and Scramblers for a long time. Perhaps they remind me of my youth. Maybe it’s just the old school nostalgia. For some reason, I keep coming back to them as a potential second bike. So I went to Joe’s Cycle in Dayton to throw a leg over a classic motorcycle.

There was one Bonneville T100 on the floor in a black and grey paint scheme. The other Bonnevilles were an SE and a standard—these do not have quite the appointments of the T100. They have cast wheels with a 17” wheel on the front. The T100 has a lot more chrome and wire-spoke wheels with a 19” wheel in front. The T100 looks nice, and there is also a cranberry and white paint scheme.

Also available is the Jet Black T100, and it’s not quite as much chrome. If you have not used the Create My Triumph feature on the Triumph Motorcycles web site, you are in for a treat. You can change the colors and add options or accessories to see exactly what your motorcycle will look like. Here is my fantasy:

Bonneville T100 Black

I know. You’re looking at that Triumph Bonneville T100 with a solo seat and asking, “Where is the passenger gonna sit?” My response is, “What passenger?” Smile Does that look cool or what? I can dream, can’t I?

See you on the highway.

Brent

October 23, 2011

The highway next to the Interstate

Fifty-five years ago, as the Cold War escalated and the nation needed a faster highway system for commerce and defense, President Eisenhower enacted the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956, and the Interstate system was born. Interstate highways have allowed faster travel and created opportunities for businesses at or near those exits. But, there have been some unintended consequences. The Interstates have also bypassed some small towns, replaced historic highways like US 66, and drawn travelers away from town centers.

The Interstate highways are convenient and time saving. But, as Charles Kuralt said, you can now travel from one coast to the other on the interstate system without seeing anything.

I-74_Indiana-1

Every time I drive between Cincinnati and Indianapolis on I-74, the highway next to the Interstate in southeastern Indiana has beckoned me. What is it? Where does it go? How do you get on it? Granted, an interstate drive between my home and downtown Indianapolis is a consistent two-hour drive. Add a few minutes for coffee and rest breaks, maybe 15 additional minutes.

Driving home from Indianapolis, with plenty of time on my hands and no schedule to keep, I pulled off the Interstate at exit 123 to buy gas and coffee at the Love’s Travel Center. When I pulled out, instead of turning right to get back on I-74, I turned left, determined to explore the highway next to the Interstate.

The county road was in great shape, maybe even resurfaced recently. It was smooth as … well smooth as fresh asphalt and rolled out to a hard firm roadway. I kept looking for a highway sign that would tell me what road I was on, but none appeared. Referring to a highway map, I believed I was looking for Indiana SR 46. I cruised past the new Honda plant and in the town of Greensburg, I wandered through the downtown to connect with SR 46 and a joy of a highway. Curves and hills abound. Pavement as smooth as that county road that passed the Honda plant.

SR46_Indiana-10

I thought to myself, “Why have I not been on this highway before? It’s an excellent highway for motorcycling. Little traffic. Great road. An alternative to the boring interstate. Clearly, I was not the only one with thoughts of motorcycling on this road.

SR46_Indiana-12

My body was in the car. My mind was on the motorcycle, enjoying a wonderful highway next to the interstate. And then, it came to an end. But then, the end was also a new beginning.

SR46_Indiana-16

I decided not to get back on the interstate, but to wander through the back roads through Harrison, Ohio, before getting back onto the interstate that would take me home.

The views along the highway next to the interstate were mind-absorbing—homes decorated for the autumn, farmers harvesting crops, architecture of small town centers, cemeteries neatly groomed and rural churches beckoning “Come in and find some rest.”

At home, I poured over maps and atlases and even a Delorme Gazetteer Atlas to find a route that would take me home without getting on the interstate. I believe I was successful. I’ll let you know after I test the route … on the motorcycle.

I came to a conclusion after finally traveling the highway next to the interstate. The interstates serve our convenience. The back roads, and two-lane highways serve our souls and remind us we are travelers as well as part of a community.

See you on the highway… the one next to the interstate.

Brent