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I began riding dirt bikes at the age 12 on an RM125. My father had a hard and fast rule: I was not allowed to ride a street bike until I turned 18. A month shy of my 18th birthday I bought myself a street bike, a KZ550LTD, much to my father’s disapproval. On the verge of being kicked out, I was able to smooth things over enough to get through the next month. I kept my room and the bike, but I was not allowed to ride it. The month-long wait to ride was excruciating (even though I managed to sneak in a few rides without his knowledge!). I have been riding ever since and have never looked back.

I currently live in Arizona and own a 2006 Honda VTX1300C. I began doing LDR’s in the summer of 2009. One of my most memorable moments occurred while on an LDR from Tempe (AZ) to Boise (ID). My route from Lake Powell (AZ) to Kanab (southern UT) was a crystal clear night that proved to be very cold. By 1 a.m. I was extremely tired. As I turned west, the full moon setting over the horizon filled my entire vision. There was no roof, no door jamb, or no rear view mirror to obstruct my view. For the next hour, the chill of the night air with its subtle but definite temperature changes enveloped me as the terrain rolled past. The solitary sound of my engine was accompanied by the fragrant aromas of juniper, cedar and sagebrush mixed with the occasional stench of decaying roadside remains. I was the only one around for miles, and I felt as if the road were truly mine. I hope that my love affair with two wheels and the open road never fades.

Next summer I would like to ride in Colorado. I want to take a week and cross the Continental Divide as many times as possible.

Type of Bike: 1997 Honda NTV650V

Favorite Ride: LDR 1610km Helsinki (Finland) to Nordkapp (Norway)

I have been on 2 wheels since the age of 16, as soon as I was able to obtain a provisional licence in the UK. My first machine was a Honda SS50, small in power, but definitely big on impact, as it started something that has been part of my life ever since. It pre dated the restrictions that were eventually put on mopeds, so would do a massive 45mph. 48mph down hill. I progressed to a Honda 250 Super Dream (Hawk in the U.S ?), when I was 17 and passed my test 2nd time round, after `approaching junctions too fast` on the first. Next bike in line was a Suzuki GS550, my only deviation away from the Honda brand. A lovely bike on which I completed my first UK End To End, (Lands End to John `o Groats), in 1980. I thought this ride would be a good way to run the bike in and the journey was completed within a month of purchase. I think I was starting to find myself being drawn to riding long distances. The Suzi was sold in 1985 and after a short break without a bike, for reasons I can’t remember, I purchased another Honda, this time a CB900F, a bike I had spent much time admiring in various showrooms, when it was one of Honda`s flagship machines. I contented myself with relatively `normal` recreational riding for some years and apart from a few visits to Northern Europe, these rides tended to be in the UK, although I was still being drawn to rides that promised a bit of adventure. In the mid nineties, I bought a bike that was to become my mainstay. Another Honda, this time an NTV650. I am now on my second, the first being sold after completing 132,000 very reliable miles. My current bike, will pass the 100,000 mile barrier this Summer. Many riders probably find a bike or brand they love and this is definitely mine. In 2001 I took the Advanced Test, with the Institute of Advanced Motorists. Although 23 years had passed since my initial test , I felt it wouldn’t do any harm to accept the challenge of taking another, more structured one, particularly as the one that existed in the 1970`s was observed by an examiner on foot! Having done it, I felt I had made up for the lack of formal training that existed when I started riding and even after riding for so long, I still found that I got a lot out of it. In 2002, I had the opportunity to join a group of riders who planned to circumnavigate the globe. This resulted in a 95 day, 32000 mile ride, through 15 countries, including Mexico, North America, Canada and up into Alaska. The route also took us through Australia, South East Asia and India. It was during this ride that I came to know about the long distance riding community. Since returning from that adventure I have completed 17 Iron Butt rides and the LDR designations outlined above. I would love to return to America and attempt the LDR coast to coast. Another aspiration would be to ride the Trans Siberian Highway.

Type of Bike: 2008 Harley Davidson FLHT (Eltra Glide Standard)

Occupation: Sr. Mechanical Designer UTC Carrier

Favorite Ride: A trip that included Sturgis, Bear Tooth Pass, Yellowstone Park, this trip also included Deals Gap (The Dragon) on the way home.

My long distance riding didn’t really get started until the fall of 2005. You see I’ve been riding on the street for about 40 years and for one reason or another just never got around to it. But after a terrible motorcycle accident in the fall of 2004 and 9 months of physical therapy I said to myself no more excuses. Since the fall of 2005 I’ve qualified for numerous rides for both the long distance riders and the Iron Butt Association. It’s been the best time of my life. I’ve traveled through every state in the lower 48 except North Dakota, and all but 3 Canadian Provinces. Along the way I managed to get too all 4 corners of the US and to places I probably would have never visited in a car and to do it on a motorcycle really made it special. Places like Yellowstone Park were we saw Old Faithful, rode on Bear Tooth Pass, Route 66, The Grand Canyon, and Sturgis. I rode the Blue Ridge for about 400 miles and a quick run on the Dragon (Deals Gap). These are just a few of the places and roads I have traveled to and with a little luck I hope many more are on the horizon.

Future Rides: In the future I hope to visit Alaska and those last 3 Canadian Provinces along with another trip to California.

Interesting Facts: Interesting Fact: I’ve been awarded 10 patents while working for Carrier over the past 19 years. I am life member of HOG, a member of Syracuse HOG for 10 years, a member of the Iron Butt Association and a member of the Long Distance Riders

Type of Bike: 2003 Harley Davidson VRSCA V-Rod

Occupation: United States Navy, currently stationed in Iraq

Favorite Ride: My favorite ride is the trip I took a little over 3 years ago to the Tail of the Dragon. The Smokies had some of the best scenery I have ever seen. All in all it was 4 days of the most enjoyable ride time I have ever spent and to do it with good friends put the icing on the cake.

Future Rides: Then number 1 ride on my bucket list is definitely Sturgis. With being in the Military I can never make it work with an unpredictable schedule that is always part of the job.

I have been in the Navy for 10 years and am currently a Fire Controlman First Class Petty Officer. I have been riding for about 6 years and still own and ride my first bike, a Harley Davidson V-Rod. I am stationed in Iraq right now, which through a giant wrench into my riding plans for this summer. I may have to be a war fighter right now but deep down in my heart I will always be a BIKER.

Type of Bike: 2001 Harley-Davidson Dyna Wide Glide

Occupation: Information Technology Engineer

Favorite Ride: America’s 9-11 Ride with a memorial at each of the crash sites

Future Rides: Las Vegas in September, 2011

I started riding around the age of 14. I rode on the back of my Dad’s Honda until he bought me my own Yamaha 125 Enduro which I rode on and off the road and through high school and college. Then I got married, sold the bike, had kids, and got divorced in 1989. In 2000, I was diagnosed with malignant melanoma and was given a 75% chance of survival over 5 years. When those 5 years were up and I knew my 2 boys would be OK on their own, I decided that it was time to get back in the saddle again and continue my passion of riding. The cancer experience also gave me a deeper appreciation of living life to the fullest! I bought a Harley-Davidson Sportster, but only had it a few months when I found my 2001 Dyna Wide Glide in April, 2005, with only 8,000 miles on it!

As a cancer survivor, I immediately joined the Chrome Divas, a ladies only motorcycle group which supports many charitable causes. I was Director of the Chrome Divas of Tallahassee from 2006-2008. I am also a proud member of the Patriot Guard Riders and Motor Maids and joined our local Harley Owners Group (HOG) in early 2006. I served for two years as Lead Road Captain for the HOG and am currently in my second year as Activities Director. I met Jack Powis and learned of his Long Distance Riders group in 2007 when I had the honor of riding my first Easy Rider 500 Mile Ride with Jack and other HOG members. I have completed many more Easy Rider 500 Mile Rides, but hope to complete some of the longer, more difficult long distance rides in the future.

I have ridden in 26 of the lower 48 U.S. states and Mexico and my odometer recently rolled over 90,000 miles … 82,000 of my own miles in 6 years! I truly love riding and enjoy “sharing my spark” for riding with others as well as participating in as many charity poker runs and riding events as I can!

Type of Bike: 2007 Harley Davidson Ultra

Occupation: Manager / Owner Demolition Contracting Company

Favorite Ride:

I remember the night in October 2007 before I embarked on my Coast-to-Coast – Born to be Wild ride. I was sitting in a little tavern in Neptune Beach, Florida with Jack Powis and Mike Scott and we talked about our ride, our excitement over what Long Distance Riders could become, and our Coast-to-Coast ride that we would be taking early the next morning. We toasted to the official launching of the Long Distance Riders web site and to our 2400-mile journey that lay ahead that we would talk about for years to come.

As we departed at 6 AM, we could not have anticipated the fun, excitement, encouragement and challenges we would face over the next 47 hours. Rain in Florida, heat in Louisiana, wildlife in Arizona and sub-freezing temperatures on the Kumeyaay Freeway as we descended into San Diego. This was the best by far of 4 cross-country rides that I have made. I rode my 2007 Harley Davidson Ultra on this ride and I still ride it today. I have ridden in 45 of the lower 48 U.S. states and Mexico and Canada. I ride every year to western North Carolina with the North Florida Peckerheads – 5 days 40 guys, riding the mountains all day.

I own and manage a demolition contracting company in Tallahassee, Florida. I started riding bikes when I was 12, getting my first real cruiser at 20. I am planning a trip from Alaska to Key West, Florida in the summer of 2012.

I am a member of the North Florida Peckerheads, the Tallahassee HOG Group, and the Long Distance Riders.

Type of Bike: 2001 BMW R1150GS

Occupation: Deputy Headteacher (Special School)

Favorite Ride: The Next One!

I started riding 26 years ago and first covered 1000 miles in a day while working as a motorcycle courier in the late ‘80s, but only got into long distance riding after I discovered LDR in early 2008 and completed my first Full Throttle ride. Since then I have completed a km Full throttle in Europe and two King of the Road rides in the UK, as well as several IBA rides up to an SS2000. I also got into long distance rallies, competing in several 24 hr and 36 hr rallies in the UK, Ireland and Norway in the past three years with some success. I have ridden on holiday to most of the countries in Europe and to Morocco in North Africa.

Following a bad bike accident in November 2008 which left me with a broken femur I decided to organize a ride to raise money to support the work of the Air Ambulance, which is not publicly funded in the UK. This has led me to run a number of rides and rallies through my website at www.thegrimrider.com – it also contains a number of reports on some of my rides. All of these rides have been completed on the same bike, a blue and white R1150GS which is coming up to 85000 miles on the clock. I have never been to America but would like to ride across the States one day, although the birth of my twins two days before Christmas 2010 means that this may have just become something of a more distant dream!

Type of Bike: 2008 BMW K1200 LT

Occupation: Manager, Survey Company “Inspectorate Klaipeda”

Favorite Ride: Coast to Coast in 2010

I was born in Far East Russia in 1961. Together with my parents in 1973, I moved to Lithuania. During the period of time from 1978-1991 I had the opportunity to see the real life of lambs, camels, etc., while living in Soviet Middle Asia. Due to the fact that I had no motorbike, I compensated the fact by riding horses which I still enjoy today.

My journey to Long Distance Riders was not so short and easy. I got my first motorbike in 2004 that I dreamed of my whole life. But now I’m here and thanks to Jack, I feel fine! Please always pay attention to Jack’s phrase: “Ride Safe.”

Interesting Fact: I was born near the Pacific Ocean and the last time I saw it was in 1973. During my Coast to Coast ride I was able to see it again in 2010.

Future Rides: Planning on visiting USA during spring 2011 and I would like to cross the country starting in San Francisco, California on Route 66 with a little turn to the Grand Canyon, Oklahoma City, Kansas City, Chicago, Nashville, Memphis, Tallahassee, Tampa, and Key West. Also plan some trips in Europe through Germany – BMW Motorrad Meet, Byelorussia – Brest Motoshow, and Estonia – Narva Bike Fest.

“I rode the inaugural Coast to Coast ride for LDR with Jack Powis and Red Barnes – Jacksonville, Florida to San Diego, California in 47 hours. To say this was the ride of a lifetime does not do that trip justice. It was more fun than riders should be allowed to have on two wheels. Rode my 2007 Harley CVO Ultra on that ride. Have since traded that bike for a 2010 Harley CVO Ultra. I also have a 2002 Harley Road King Classic. On those 3 bikes combined I have ridden well over 100,000 miles. I started riding when I was 15 and had several other bikes, starting with dirt bikes and then trading those in finally for street bikes. Currently am a Regional Manager for a food ingredient company and have been in this business for 33 years.

Over the past few years have ridden from coast to coast, from the Mexican border to Canada, and lots of states in between. I ride with a group of guys – the Peckerheads – each year in the Smoky Mountains and we always have a blast. My wife Lisa and I travel by bike and have been all over – including the Florida Keys a few times. Currently we are planning a trip from Florida to Texas that will include the Big Bend National Park and the surrounding mountains. My dream rides… travel by bike from Alaska to Florida and also take an extended trip on the Pacific Coast Highway with plenty of side trips.”