RickkciR

No doubt more than just a few folks have been scratching their heads lately wondering what the hell I'm doing . CVMA? Thought you were in the IIRA?  And what about those IMRG folks that keep waiting for me to roll up and ride with them? Good questions. Combat Vets Motorcycle Association I've been a member of the Iron Indian Riders Association for the last 8 years or so.  It's become a passion of mine.  I've got time... mindset .. even money to a minimal degree .. tied up in it.  It's my main focus.  I've met awesome people within it's ranks....  Created a chapter.  Recently brought into the Tribal Council.  I'm not going anywhere. Iron Indian Riders Association Actually, I belong to many organizations. In the motorcycle world; IIRA, IMRG (lifetime member), AMA, AMCA,  CVMA.  In the military/vet world  ..   VFW ( lifetime member), American Legion (lifetime member), CVMA (all members are Vets).. and     even the NRA (Endowment member)

I'd just finished over 2500 miles of riding a few weeks prior to/in/from Colorado ...  . what the hell am I thinking?  Good question ..... Just a few months ago, I was patched in to the Combat Vets. Now what to do.  Well, folks are talking about "Nationals".  Huh?  Seemed a lil' early for me to be even worrying about it. Nobody was pushing me. It's to be held out in El Paso for 2018, and I'll have just done a run to the Durango area with the IIRA, so I'm questioning my sanity.  Still, my schedule is open. A buddy of mine, Ray Ralph is out there, and we haven't been able to connect in years.  It's 700 miles and I know I can easily do that in one day...   so .. WTF I decide.. I'm in!  I have no idea what I'm getting myself into, but I snag a room with Marriott (my go to hotel when doing business travel)  in El Paso, grease the trip with mama' and it's game on.   Looks like I'll be riding by myself so I'm prepared for a l

Purgatory 2018.  I've been waiting 12 months for this day to get here.   Last year we rode in, enjoyed it.. and ready for a redo.  Last year we left home with 3, met up several others in Santa Rosa NM, and headed in on the final leg with 1/2 dozen.  This time, lil' less of us. My bike this year is 100% prepped and ready to go. Last year I wore out the rear tire by the time I got there (I'd done a burnout as we got to Durango... not the smartest thing)... New front / rear tires, fresh oil, new flash on the ECU...  it's complete and ready. Krome As we did last year, Jim and I rally up at sunrise and head out of Greenville, west towards the Rocky Mountains.  However this year, we don't have a stop planned.  We're 99% sure we're going to stop at the 600 mile mark or so, but we're playing it by ear.  The lil twist is a day or two prior, Doug Washabaugh and I had a conversation via social media and make a decision to try and connect up on day one.  Tha

Year #3 in the Durango area. Last years' was over the top . Three years of great times .... great rides... great people.  As we all know, it's about the People, not the Place .. .but...  damned it's beautiful up in the Rockies..... Back in '16 we moved the event to Durango, officially severing ties with the previous location where it'd been held for well over a decade.   The first year was a blast, with us all meeting at the Iron Horse Inn.   Despite some shortcomings, they served us well that year.  So well, that we returned in '17 for the second a year.   During that twelve months, the ownership did a great job of fixing up their patio area so much so that for '18 we opted to head to this location for a third time.  The rooms still were not top notch (far from it), but the overall location and outside area, as well as the lower cost group pricing for all members, made it attractive.  But... this wasn't to be.  Short version; the Iron Horse 

What is a Long Ride?  I used to think it was several hundred miles a day.. hardcore stuff!   Back in 'mid 80s I'd rode from Omaha <> Maplewood, MN by myself.  Then with some buddies Omaha<>Sturgis.  Wow.. 400 miles in a day!  Never occurred to me guys would ride that ... or more.. a lot more.. often.  Of course, back then I was mainly bar hopping on my bike and riding it to work.  I never .. never.. just jumped on my bike and headed out for 50..75... 100+ mile rides .. for the sake of riding.  You know folks sometimes say something stupid like " I wish I could do that all over again!" ? .. Well...  there you have it.  I wish I had.  I wish I'd rode ... a LOT! I've touched on some of this over the years, but never specific to it.  I had to look and see (within this Blog) before I started rambling at the keyboard about it...    Long Distance Riding.   Most of us never really do it. Most of us .. don't see the value in it.  Yet here I am in my u