But Darrell’s Bike Has an Engine!

As I hung up a new calendar to begin planning for 2023, I noticed a holiday celebrated this month: National Hobby Month. One of my hobbies may catch some people off guard, and it might be hard to believe I actually did this every day.

I used to ride a motorcycle! The reactions I got were priceless when telling people about my motorcycle. They would look shocked at first, then ask if I was joking. But I wasn’t! For those who know me, I may not expect to be whom you think would ride a bike, but I loved it. It seemed like a great way to clear my head and get an adrenaline rush. While I haven’t gotten on my motorcycle since 2012, I still have fond memories of my time riding, and I hope to start the engine and get back on the road again soon.

Growing up, I rode my BMX bicycle around the neighborhood and used it to deliver newspapers on my paper route. As you can tell, I loved being on two wheels from a young age. All my friends had bikes; then, as we got older, our love for bikes grew. We moved on to mountain bikes and then to motorcycles. Most of my friends began riding sports bikes — they loved the feeling of going fast and picking up speed in a little amount of time. A couple of the guys got into dirt bikes. But for me, I’ve always loved cruiser motorcycles — I wanted to cruise and relax.

My brother, my friends, and I decided to take the Motorcyclist Safety Training Course when we were older. The class was very beneficial. It taught me how to balance the bike, go through the gears properly, safely ride through a curve, and how to always keep myself and others safe on the road. I remember how we used to ride around the parking lot to get familiar with the bike’s weight. It took me a few tries to balance and shift through the gears. But after some practice, I became comfortable with the motorcycle. I guess you could say it was as easy as riding a bike!

After I got my M1 motorcycle license, I purchased my first bike. Once I got used to riding it, I rode everywhere. I loved feeling the wind hit my skin while I cruised, how my bike and I moved as one on the road, and the adrenaline rush and peace I felt when I would take a curve smoothly. The feeling I would get on my motorcycle is something I will never forget — I can still hear the sound of the engine in my head to this day.

Before my wife and I married, we would always go on rides. But a few years after starting our family and getting more involved with the lab, my love for riding motorcycles took a backseat. Other responsibilities had my focus, and motorcycles can be extremely dangerous. You have nothing besides a helmet protecting you. I didn’t want my family to worry about me if I decided to go for a ride. I wanted to ensure I would come home to my wife and girls every day. So, my motorcycle stays in the garage now.

However, my wife has been encouraging me to ride again. I’ve also realized that as I get older, the thought of getting on my bike again grows stronger. While I understand how dangerous it is, walking on the sidewalk, driving a car, flying in an airplane, and other modes of transportation also have risks. I can take all the preventative measures to ensure my safety for myself and others.

Maybe you’ll see me dropping off or picking up your cases on my motorcycle one day! I know you’ll hear me coming from the sounds of the exhaust and the roar of my engine down the road.