Guest column: Two-wheels that changed my life

October 20, 9:58 AMMotorcycle ExaminerKen Bingenheimer

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Tom Bachur and his Honda Super Magna

Tom Bachur is the Baltimore Motorcycle Travel Examiner, and he and I have agreed to exchange guest columns on the general theme of what riding motorcycles means to us. Here is Tom's piece. You'll need to visit his Examiner page to read mine.

‘Two-wheels’ that changed my life

I’ve been on two-wheels since I was 6 years old. As a kid, I rode my bicycle everywhere. To me, my bicycle meant freedom. On my bike, the world was mine to explore!

In life, there are only a handful of moments where we experience a sense of perfect harmony with the world. These moments are striking when they occur, and they create a vivid and lasting memory.

The earliest moment that I remember occurred when I was 10 years old. I was riding my bicycle on a gorgeous summer afternoon. At that moment, the thought struck me of how fantastic it was that I could get on my bicycle, and ride anywhere. I was free; I didn’t have to rely on anyone else for transportation. This thought, at that instant, with the wind in my face and my “David Cassidy” long hair flying, was truly a magical moment for me!

In the many years that have passed since that moment, I’ve never forgotten that day and that feeling. It’s the same feeling I get when I swing my leg over my motorcycle. Twenty years in the police department shortened my long hair. Age, maturity, and wisdom put a full-faced helmet in front of the wind-in-my-face, but the feeling of freedom is still very much alive.

Riding is one of my greatest joys. Sharing my passion with others has been a unique blessing. I can’t describe the pride I felt when first my wife, and then my son learned to ride. As we began riding as a family, my teenage daughter rode as my passenger. She clearly understands riding as I do – she brought tears to my eyes when she wrote a “Guest Columnist” article for me that was picked-up and published by American Motorcyclist magazine.

Camaraderie among riders is a universally shared feeling. Becoming involved in the Super Magna Owner’s Group, I found a camaraderie that I could have never imaged. Having a passion for the same unique and somewhat rare motorcycle, my “internet buddies” (as my daughter refers to them) are as diverse a group as you can imagine. Through this group, I’ve become friends with people all over the country and the world. Once a year, we get together for five days of riding, joking, laughing, and story telling. Waiting for those five days every year makes me feel like a kid at Christmas time!

My passion for riding took me in yet another direction when I became a RiderCoach for Maryland’s Motorcycle Safety program. Having a positive impact on a new rider’s first riding experience has been one of the most rewarding, and fulfilling experiences of my life.

In May, I became the Baltimore Motorcycle Travel Examiner. Writing about motorcycling has only intensified my passion for riding, especially when I hear back from readers who have enjoyed and learned through my articles.

Two-wheels really have helped to shape my life and define who I am. I can only hope that riding brings the same pleasure and joy to the lives of my readers that it does to me. Now go ride, and be safe!

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