Epic Adventures One Day at a Time

Being new to MROs in general, everybody told me they’ll be there for me if I ever need anything, I can ask anything. But what happens when you don’t know what to ask? Former ABATE of SD Executive Director, Jiggs Cressy, reached out to me and gave me some really solid advice, repeatedly. What he told me exactly, I don’t remember as that was 3 years ago. It was mostly his own experience starting out. But I do know that what he said relaxed me. Go with the flow and everything will fall into place. Nobody knows what they’re doing when they first start anything. He’s been a mentor to me ever since. This man has been there for me, without me asking through every step of the way. When Rooster’s bike broke down on our way to Sturgis, Jiggs answered my call immediately and said, yes, we can bring the bike to his house to fix it and provided us with cold water, a place to nap, and great conversation. Today I saw him being inducted into the Sturgis Motorcycle Hall of Fame as a Freedom Fighter. Hall of Famer, ABATE of Iowa and MRF icon, Slider Gilmore introduced Jiggs; another great man I look up to. Jiggs is a very humble man, deep thinker with a heart of gold and has taught me more than anybody else. I want to formally thank him for everything he’s done so far for me, every biker in SD and the US. Thank you, Jiggs and congratulations, on your induction. You’re an inspiration.

As you read, yes, Rooster’s bike broke down again. It wasn’t all bad. We knew the problem, knew how to fix it, but needed a place to work on her in closer proximity to parts. Strangers at the time and lifelong friends now, Al and Edie from Ohio, stopped and offered to haul her to Rapid City (not too far). We were back on the road in a few hours. We made it to our camp before dark with plenty of gumption to start our vacation. You would think that a week would be enough, but it never could be. We saw so many friends but barely had time to see them, see the sites, ride the roads, it takes dozens of trips to experience the whole deal. And it’s still never enough. But I’ll take what I can get. Every year we add more people to our family. Stopping at my favorite Wisconsin dive bar in the middle of SD just to get my annual smiles and hugs is amazing! Shameless plug: Prairie Dust in Kennebec; Barb’s family lives in Green Bay and she and Todd vacation there.

My point is that no matter where you go, who you’re with, or what your agenda looks like, stop rushing, “smell the roses”, don’t just live, experience life. Make friends with random strangers. Find an equal type of weird in people, normal is boring. Nothing significantly bad happened on our trip, but that’s because we rolled with the punches and worked it out. It’s still memorable as heck! And don’t go thinking we’re made of money and travel all the time. We’re just regular people who make awesome stuff happen because life’s too short not to. You’re only young once and we’re only almost 50. It’s about time I start enjoying my life while doing what I love! Motorcycles and fighting for my right to ride are my entire world. This family we’ve built is the topping on the cake. I can’t imagine my life as boring as it was before. Fricken ride already! And defend that life and our culture like it’s your dying breath! If we don’t do it, who will?

Take that epic adventure like it’s the last opportunity you’ll ever get!

Ride free forever!

 Becky “Quiver” Zarling