Freedom...Happy Memorial Day to all! What'd did you do?

[bayoumanPIBE]

What an awesome day of freedom to ride a motorcycle... I've been through some things over the past few years...new things...new life...but, many times I feel lost. Even though each day gets better, I normally do not think of how I got to where I am. God...yeah...family and kids...sure...lots of things...mainly due to freedom in this country of the USA.

So, today I'm having one of those moments where if I'm going to do something, I'm going to have to force myself. Why the hell do I have to force myself to go for a ride, knowing damn good and well I'll enjoy it once my hands grip the throttle, turn the key and crank that bad girl up. So, I get ready and head out. Hate going somewhere with no destination, but I'm learning...it's not all about that...so, I head on a route I've never been on and an hour later I'm cruising through a little town and like a ADHD kid, bright colors caught my eyes.

Hundreds and hundreds of Red, White and Blue American flags flying in the wind lining this quaint cemetery. I decided WTH, so I started riding through slowly, and I noticed on each flag pole was a name of a fallen soldier from all years.

And it hit me...if I was in one of another area of the world, I could be bobbing-and-weaving from all the crazy...and all the sudden my nerves settled and a warmth came over me feeling so good I became almost teary-eyed realizing I would not be here riding this awesome machine on a sunny day in my life which is better than it has been in 20 years if not for these and a ton more of our boys and girls putting their lives on the line and/or fallen to keep us and our way of life free. Remembering this will help me lighten my so-called heavy loads in life realizing I should be more grateful. Yeah, we may bitch about politics which makes us feel they are threatening our freedom...but, hell...you better be grateful as well. There are those who did not bitch in order to keep your bitching free from tyranny.

God Bless Our Current and Fallen Troops and Their Families!

Sincerely,

Eric (aka bayoumanPIBE)
Playing it by ear...

centralia_mo_cemetery-MemorialDayWeekend.jpg

[Av8er]

Very well said!

[Bam Bam and Pebbles]

Very well said! Pebbles and I were riding yesterday and we were on a road that had flags on all the telephone poles. A nice breeze was blowing and I remarked how beautiful it was out, flags flying on a sunny day. She said she was thinking the same thing but we have to remember why those flags were there. Most people look at Memorial day as a long weekend, but we should never forget the people who have given their lives to ensure we are able to ride in this great country we live in. 🇺🇸

As far as riding with no destination in mind, I have found that those are the best rides. About 90% of the time, I just start out and start making turns. Love riding on roads I have never been on and seeing where they go. I know I will figure out how to get home at some point.

[Bob Denman]

Stuck at work this weekend...

Chained to My Desk.jpg
I had two or our customers call yesterday: they're buying cars in other States, and need us around to fax the necessary paperwork...
I've also got a client coming in to pay an overdue Bill: cancellation is imminent, and it needs to get to the Company..

[markyodo]

Continuing our quest to visit and photograph every county courthouse in Ohio has us on a week long ride on back roads of north west Ohio.
As a bonus we also get to visit all the war and military memorials which are either on premise of the courthouse or within walking distance of a courthouse.
We are staying in state parks each night and will enjoy the simple life while appreciating the freedom we have to do these kinds of adventures.
Happy Memorial Day to all.

[Bob Denman]

Continuing our quest to visit and photograph every county courthouse in Ohio has us on a week long ride on back roads of north west Ohio.
Happy Memorial Day to all.

It's much better to visit and photograph them; than to be hauled into them in handcuffs!
Happy Memorial Day to you too, and have a safe trip!

[wyliec]

As far as riding with no destination in mind, I have found that those are the best rides. About 90% of the time, I just start out and start making turns. Love riding on roads I have never been on and seeing where they go. I know I will figure out how to get home at some point.

Every time I ride without the gf, she asks where I rode. I just say, I don't know, because just like you, I just start out, and start making turns.

To all veterans, past and present: Thanks for the job you did, and do.

[Ron2andia]

Thanks to all who served and are serving our country!

[ARtraveler]

Happy Memorial Day.

[Fat Baxter]

I fired up the Spyder and wandered around Alabama and Georgia for almost 400 miles today!

And I carry around my own US flag -- one of TricLED's LED flag lights on the rear fender.

[bayoumanPIBE]

I fired up the Spyder and wandered around Alabama and Georgia for almost 400 miles today!

And I carry around my own US flag -- one of TricLED's LED flag lights on the rear fender.

Nice ride...all of ya'll have had nice rides...

I want one or two flag holders on my ST-S where I do not have to keep removing the license plate when not in use. Easy on/off...maybe some sort of RAM mount to go on my passenger bars (either side)...still looking.

[CA Railwhale]

If the May Grey stays away, tomorrow, I plan to ride up to Solvang, it's abut a 150 mile round trip with a break in Buellton for Andersen's Pea Soup for lunch. Today was beautiful, but the wife and I had plans.

[ruralgirl]

Yesterday, our local ABATE (American Bikers Aiming Toward Education) of Michigan group rode our bikes to a fund raiser for a 9 year old girl who's been battling brain cancer since she was 3. Tomorrow, we'll be in a Memorial Day Parade.

Happy Memorial Day, everyone. May we never forget.

[SPYD3R]

DANG, I WISH I COULD PUT INTO WORDS THE THINGS I FEEL AS YOU JUST DID.....
THANK YOU for your words, and God bless us all, for we do live in the finest country ever in the history of this world....
Dan P
SPYD3R

[rtotten]

I did a ride called the "Flags over the Dam". We had about 10 spyders in our group take part. There were about 1500 motorcycles in all participating after riding across Hover Dam, there was a short, but awesome ceremony at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City. All in all it was an eventful and touching day to be around these great people who cared for those who gave their lives so we may enjoy the freedoms that we do.