HD Open Road

Dreams – A Father Son Ride to Biketoberfest

Posted on 22. Oct, 2009 by admin in Guest Articles

Story by Julie Crowe

DREAMS

In a world where people don’t believe that dreams come true I am here to tell you that they do.  My boyfriend, Martin had a dream that one day he would be able to ride his Harley down the highway with his son Ryan, side by side.  I watched that dream come true going to Daytona Beach Biketoberfest 09.

Martin and Ryan talked for months about him coming to Charleston to go to Biketoberfest with us.  At first, I think Martin thought this was a day that would never come.  As the weeks got closer, he got to counting weeks and then days, he was so excited for Ryan to come and go on this adventure with him.  When Ryan and Anabel arrived in Charleston it was like a kid in a candy factory, Martin could see that his dream was going to come true.  He wanted Ryan to understand the freedom that you have when you are riding and the sheer joy of the journey.  That it’s not about how long it takes you to get there, but the people you meet along the way.

First order before even getting ready was Martin wanted Ryan to have the same tattoo on his arm.  We had it arranged for him to go to see Jason to get his done at 3 pm that afternoon.  Martin’s is in color, and Ryan said he didn’t do color, so Martin said do it however you want.  The first part of this trip Martin had to work, but he knew that on Thursday they would be able to spend the next 4 days together.

On Thursday morning, Martin and Ryan got up early so Martin could teach Ryan how to ride.  Ryan had not ever been taught how to ride, and Martin was not going to take any chances with him on the interstate.  It truly was amazing to watch them from the balcony; the patience that Martin had making sure that Ryan understood how to work the big Road King.  Martin took his time to teach him how to stop, start, take off on a hill, all the basics of riding.

When they got back Ryan drove around the parking lot for a little while as we got everything down from the house to pack on the bikes.  It was about 47 degrees outside at that time, so the next part of the instruction was how to wear layers, and of course how to pack their bike.  All I could see was this huge smile on Martins face, and Ryan with a look of a little concern.  Not many people take their first ride on a Harley for a 6 hour trip across 3 states, but no matter what he was going to do it.

As we pulled out it was gray skies, cold and looked like it might rain.  Ryan may as well face all the elements on the first day.  We took the back road of South Carolina for about 25 miles to get Ryan accustomed to the feel of the bike, and then we got on I-95 South.  It is the first time I have ever seen Martin do the speed limit or a little below.  It was like watching someone so protective over their child.

We stopped at HD in Savannah, GA for Ryan to get his first break.  It was funny because he said he almost forgot how to stop the big cruiser after being on the interstate for about 60 miles.  We laughed and told him not to worry, that by the time the weekend was done he would be a pro.  We had lunch at Hooter’s and let the kids catch their bearings, and then off to Florida we rode.

A couple of times the rain spit on us but nothing that was enough to get you wet.  After about 2 1/2 hours Ryan needed a break, a cigarette, and just to get off and stretch for a few minutes. And Anabel said her legs were numb from the cold and vibration.  Martin and I forget that not everyone rides like we do, on a Saturday afternoon we may ride for 8 or 9 hours.  We told them the next stop would be in Florida and time to take the helmets off.

Welcome to Florida! As we stopped at the rest area to take our helmets off it was time to get rid of a few layers of clothes off also.  It was now about 78 and sunny.  It took us another 2 1/2 hours to arrive at Bruce Rossmeyers, before Ryan could start to experience Daytona Beach.  As usual there were bikes everywhere, it didn’t matter where you looked there were bikes.  We decided to take US1 down to the beach to our room and let Ryan see everything that is set up for a bike event.  When we arrived at our rooms the kids decided that they would walk to Main Street, and Martin and I would ride and meet them there.

We met them at Main Street and walked down to a couple of the bars that have second floor balconies so they could watch from above.  It was just Thursday and we told them what it would be like by Saturday, but I guess you just have to experience it to understand it.

Each and every morning Ryan wanted to take practice runs before dealing with all the traffic that Daytona Beach has to offer.  So he and Martin would go for a couple blocks, and them come back and get Anabel and I. Martin took a lot of pride in showing his son how to maneuver the big Road King around.

On Friday, we decided to take them up the coast to Saint Augustine, it is a beautiful ride.  It’s funny them both being from Los Angeles, because they would compare Florida to different parts of California.  I always just laugh at them.  Ryan was starting to relax on the bike now and Martin was just in heaven.  When you have waited probably 20 years not only for him to be old enough, but also for this image you have in your head to become a reality it is amazing to watch.  Coming back into Daytona Beach, we decided to meet some friends of ours for drinks at a place called Mai Tais on the Beach.  It truly was a relaxing evening for everyone, and then off to the rooms for some much needed sleep.

Saturday morning we went to Beach Drive. Beach Drive is a biker’s heaven.  Bikes lined up everywhere on both sides of the roads, in parking lots, and every inch of every alley around.  This was shopping day, they all got “Cali” patches, and “I rode to Biketoberfest” patches, and Anabel got a vest.  It was an afternoon going from Beach Drive out to the Speedway to see all that is part of a Bike Rally.  Then it was off to Main Street for Saturday night, and what would be Main Street without Froggy’s?  It was packed like sardines and it probably holds 1500 people. Next we were off to Boot Hill Saloon to hear Highway to Hell.  Martin and I love to go and see them because they are at every bike event we have been to.  Everyone had a great time that night. Especially Martin and Ryan, as they got to just be Father and son together sharing an experience that will never be duplicated.  There is only one “first ride”!

Sunday morning it was cold, and I mean cold, it was 50 degrees with a 20 mile per hour wind coming off of the beach, and going north was just going to get colder as the day went.  The ride home was long and cold, but it is in cold temperatures that Martin always decides it’s time to ride and get home as fast as possible.  Ryan loved that part of riding and as he got more comfortable, you could tell by how he rode.  We got home about ten o’clock that night after stopping close to the house for dinner, and to unthaw!

When we got home Martin told Ryan to come to the living room, and I told Anabel to come also.  I knew what Martin was getting ready to do and I wanted her to be there with him.  Martin handed Ryan an envelope and said Happy Birthday, as Ryan opened the envelope, his first words were “No Way”.  Martin had given Ryan his Road King for Ryan’s 26th birthday present.  I am not sure who enjoyed it more, Ryan getting a bike or Martin watching his face and being able to give it to him.  I can say one thing about this trip, if there is any man out there who dreams one day of riding with his son on the open road don’t wait too long, because you just might miss the best time of your life.

Tags: biker rally, Biketoberfest, Daytona Beach, Father/Son Ride, Harley Davidson