June 12, 2009 by ronman1
From time to time while we are out on our travels we see things that reach right inside our chest and grab hold of our hearts. Last Sunday I had one such experience. You see I get to thinking that I’m calloused from all the bad and even horrific things that I’ve seen in my life. Honestly I’m grateful to know that sometimes something still moves me.
I was out on Doll Baby pre-ridding the route for a chapter ride that I will be leading when I saw something that just got hold of me. Often times I see things and get my camera out to take some photographs to share with everyone. On occasion I will be selfish and just keep the things I see etched into my memory. Even still there is the rare sight that I just don’t think would be respectful to photograph. Today was such a day.
You see I was travelling down one of our scenic back roads and stopped to take a break near an old cemetery. While I sat there and soaked in the beauty of all that was around me I heard the rumble of a large V-twin slow and then stop. I turned and spotted an older biker getting off his wide glide. This man with his long beard and ragged clothing made his way over to one of the markers in the cemetery. You could tell from his broken and labored gait that he had seen and done some painful things in his life. I couldn’t help but think of Steph and her “O D B” (old dirty biker) line of shirts.
Reaching the grave marker the biker knelt down and bowed his head. I have no idea what he was saying but I could tell this was hallowed ground. I could see this old guy take his bandana from his hip pocket and wipe tears from his eyes. My first instinct was to grab my camera and capture this moment to share. Then almost instantly I thought better of the idea. I knew I needed to only capture this image in my mind and hopefully find the words to convey what it was that I saw to you.
I was touched in my heart by this man’s sorrow. Often I think that nothing gets to me anymore. Today I was greatful that it still moves me when I see such a sight. What better honor than to have someone pay there respects to a friend or loved one that has passed on before us.
I Salute this Man,
Ronman
Tags: back roads, Friends, Motorcycle Touring, Rides Roads and Ronman, Ronman, Tennessee
Posted in Tennessee | 5 Comments »
June 5, 2009 by ronman1
For those who haven’t figured it out Spydie is short for Spyderman. My good friend Spydie recently acquired his first tattoo. What would be more fitting for Spydie but a Spyderman tattoo. Here are a couple of photographs that I snapped over the weekend of the new art.
Ride Safe,
Ronman
Tags: Friends, Harley Davidson, Ink, Rides Roads and Ronman, Ronman, Spyderman, Spydie, tattoo
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June 3, 2009 by ronman1
Several times a year my good friend Spydie and myself enjoy meeting in Russelville, Kentucky for breakfast. Russelville is pretty much the half way point between Owensboro, Kentucky where he lives and Smyrna, Tennessee where I live. This wasn’t going to be any big deal just a little ride to eat and visit.
I have recently run across a dear friend from my past. When I found out that Dana also has a passion for riding we knew what must be done. With temperatures in the 80’s forecast for the weekend this seemed like a prime opportunity for us to get together and ride. What better way to spend a day then having two of your friends meet one another. So the plan was hatched.
I haven’t had a chance to ride with another dear friend in some time so I asked Miss Velma if she’d like to join us. Let me tell ya, don’t ask her to ride if you don’t want her to go because she’s always ready to ride. This wonderful lady has ridden her Street Glide from the top of Maine all the way down to the tip of Key West. Twenty thousand plus miles a year is the norm for her. Yep, she has a passion for riding as well.
Those of you who have followed my blog for a while know that I haven’t been very active. Well I guess I didn’t realize how much I was missed by the folks I ride with during this slack time. Before I know it there were some more people wanting to join this little ride. Our quaint little group of four began to grow. On the Kentucky end Spydie asked his sister Lena to join us as well as our good friend and tire man Garrett along with his wife Anna.
Soon on the Tennessee end of this little gathering we had Billy and Paulette coming along. Well it seems a few more folks heard about the trip and soon Mo and Jo were in as well. Next we add to the fray David and Brenda. Now not wanting anyone to feel left out there were a couple more phone calls made and invitations extended. But there were no other replies. I think the early hour in which we were leaving came into play. In fact this was the reason for not asking a big group in the first place.
We had a wonderful ride up through some of the vast farmland of northern middle Tennessee and southern Kentucky via highways 41 and 431. Our timing was damn near perfect. We had only been at the restaurant for less than five minutes when Spydie and his group rode up. After some introductions we ambled inside and enjoyed the breakfast buffet.
Tags: Friends, Motorcycle Touring, Rides Roads and Ronman, Ronman, Russelville Kentucky
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June 3, 2009 by ronman1
Tags: FLHR ROAD KING
Posted in Uncategorized | 5 Comments »
June 2, 2009 by ronman1
Last year Biker Chic posted several great shots of old barns out in Washington. Well here in the South we have our fair share of barns. I happen to have a fondness for them. Barns have soul. One of the main things I look for when I’m out on a “Soul Ride” are old barns. Well here is a fabulous barn that a friend of mine led me to. I hope you enjoy this peek into the depths of my soul………………
Ride Safe
Ronman
Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments »
June 1, 2009 by ronman1
Ok folks get ready to take in some new posts and lots of pictures. That’s right I’ve finally gotten back at it. Just wanted to put out this little teaser for those faithful followers of the website.
Ronman
Tags: Photographs from Tennessee.........New Posts
Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »
May 24, 2009 by ronman1
For the first time in my life most of the periods have come together. You see I have always been able to quickly know when or where someone knew me by what they called me. Over the years I’ve had many nicknames. Now with the advent of the internet and modern technology they have finally converged. The irony comes in the venue in which this is all happening.
Just to bring everyone up to speed I’ll recap some of the nicknames that I’m know by. Obviously my current nickname is Ronman. That name came about around 2004. We can thank my good friend from the upper left for putting that one on me. If you look around at some of the online places I hang out you will see some of the other names.
Hambone is one of the prominent names that I’ve been known by. I would have to say that one has been around the longest. Back in my school days is when this name was placed on me. I used this name for many years as a CB handle. Well it seems that there are many many many other folks out there with the same nickname. I couldn’t have this now could I?
Here is where my most unique nickname comes to play. You may see some folks calling me by the name Turnip. Yes that’s right just like the vegetable. In reality this is short for Barefooted Turnip. I can safely say that thus far whenever I’ve heard someone calling that name that they were directing it toward me. For many years I wouldn’t ever tell anyone how this name came to be. I loved the reactions when I would simply say “I’d rather not talk about it”. Oh how a mystery causes the mind to wonder.
I’m telling you all of this to bring up this point. Recently, thanks to modern technology, many of the people from all phases of my life have come together in one place on- line. Most all of these people have some special meaning to me. Whether they be a newer acquaintance or a dear life long friend. There are people who have written something in a way in which I deeply respect. There are people who have helped me through some dark times in my life. Most of which don’t have any idea what they’ve done. There are folks who I consider close friends whom I’ve never met in person. There are folks whom I haven’t seen in years. My what fun it’s been getting caught up on things.
The vortex is spinning with all these people in the mix. Will some of them become friends as well? Only time will tell. Will these people learn things about me from one another? Perhaps. Where the mix will be flung from the vortex is yet to be seen. I hope you enjoy the ride.
Ride Safe
Ronman
Tags: Friends, Life, Ronman, Vortex
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May 4, 2009 by ronman1
We travel this earth on a journey that we call life. In that life we meet many many folks. Sometimes those folks leave an everlasting mark on us. All of us know tons of people, but only a few of them are considered friends. Today I’m going to tell you about one of my good friends.
I met Shack on I-75 several years ago. In case you didn’t already know, I’m a truck driver and have been for the better part of the past quarter century. When you are fortunate enough to have a dedicated run you start getting to know the other drivers that run the same roads every night with you. This is how I came to befriend Shack, or as I like to call him “Shack-a-baby”. In those days I was without a ride unless of course you count my four wheeler.
You see there was a somewhat large group of drivers that would get together back in those days and ride four wheelers. We had a blast to say the least. In the course of these rides we came to know one another’s families and such. Shack has three kids. One of which is a beautiful young lady named Sierra. Sierra was always just a happy little girl. She always has a smile on her face. In fact I always told her that there weren’t any smiles allowed. To which she just grinned even bigger.
This past weekend it was time for Sierra to attend her prom. Shocked as I was that she had grown up I told Shack I’d come down and take some photographs of her big day. I also was wanting to have a bit of a talk so to speak with the young man who would be her date for the evening. Not wanting to give the wrong impression Shack made certain there were a couple of shotguns sitting out when this young man arrived. In fact there may have been a side arm or two handy as well. You’ve got to get their attention ya know.
We had fun visiting and catching up while Sierra prepared for the big evening. Not to mention Shack cooked us an amazing meal. Nothing like some fine steaks cooked over an open flame. The evening was a success. I can’t wait until next year. Sierra is going to take non other than Shack himself to the prom. How awesome is that? I’ve volunteered to drive them and take photographs again next year.
Enjoy your friends and family while you can because life doesn’t slow down on this spinning rock called earth.
Ronman
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April 25, 2009 by ronman1
Here it was my 41st birthday and what was I going to do to celebrate? Well ride Doll Baby with my trusty side kick Spydie. We left my house in Smyrna en route to Louisville, Kentucky to visit MATS. What on earth is MATS do you say? Why that would be the Mid America Truck Show.
You see both Spydie and Myself are truck drivers. Yes we do both drive pickup trucks but I’m talking about big trucks. Tractor trailers or tractor trailer trailers. Here I’ve been trucking going on twenty three years and had never made it to MATS. Well two double naught nine was gonna be the year.
We had no particular thing in mind for the day other than to see the truck show, get some riding in, and visit one of the Harley shops in Louisville. Now even though it was a bright sunny day it was a bit brisk so to speak. (insert photo here) Hahaha I thought I would make a note to myself here. We all remember the lowers incident a few months back.
In the interest of time we took I-65. Now last year I was on a daytime schedule to Indy so we made a stop at one of my old haunts just to pick at the locals. Nothing like catching up with the fine folks that slave away at the little fuel stops. We did some picking with “pretty little mean girl” . Told a few jokes. Enjoyed some peanut butter and crackers and a diet Mt. Dew and off we rode to Louisville.
I always enjoy spending a day on the scooters with Spydie. Today was the first time I’d really ventured off with Spydie since he stole his new ride. Honestly I didn’t care too much for the color of the bike until today. That blue is really easy to spot in the mirrors as you fly along at asphalt altitude as Dave would say.
I can’t think of a better way to spend my birthday than with such a great friend and enjoying our scooters.
Ride Safe,
Ronman
Tags: Harley Davidson, Kentucky, Louisville Kentucky, Mid America Truck Show, Ronman, Spydie, Tennessee
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April 22, 2009 by ronman1
L ast night I had the great pleasure of enjoying some amazing live music here in Nashville. If you’ve never heard of James Intveld you need to look him up and give his tunes a try. What an artist. This singer songwriter director actor is also a biker. I’ll just tempt your taste buds on James right now. You assignment class is to go online and listen to his tunes. Hint, www.myspace.com/jamesintveld . I’ll be posting more on James Intveld in the near future.
Rosie Flores was also at the 5 Spot and let me tell you she knows how to put on a show. This was the first time I’ve been able to catch Rosie live and what a pleasure it was. The atmosphere of this little bar on the east side of Nashville was just what the doctor ordered for me. What better way to start the next chapter in this journey called life.
The crowd last night was very entertaining as well. It seems that there is this microculture that dresses in the 50’s and 60’s era clothing. The gals in there little outfits and period hairstyles were a sight to behold. Some of these ladies had me thinking of the Nose Art from the bomber planes of World War II. How could you not love this?
The ladies were accompanied by their equally dressed men. Hair slicked back straight from the 50’s. These men had their chain drive bill folds tucked safely away in the back pockets of their jeans. Speaking of which they had the cuffs rolled up on both their jeans and their shirts. I’m not certain but I believe they were even smoking good ole’ non filter camels and lucky strikes. This sub culture has peaked an interrest in me. I’m going to find out more about all this. Fun stuff I tell ya.
James and Rosie weren’t the only two stars at the 5 Spot last night. Ever heard of the famous rhinestone suites that the country start wear? Think Porter Wagoner or Marty Stuart. Manuel is the man that creates these sparkling outfits. He was out there getting the wicked foot last night with all the beautiful ladies dancing the night away.
Speaking of dancing and famous folks. There was also another country singer at the 5 Spot. Now you may not have heard of Tracey K. Houston but if you love classic country music you need to know her. You can find Tracey on myspace as well, www.myspace.com/traceykhouston . I’ll be posting more on Tracey K. Houston in the future so stay tuned.
Now Tracey organized a benefit show that I attended back around the 1st of April in Nashville. This was the first time I heard her sing and I instantly became a fan. Here I am sitting with my friends and this country singer enjoying some great tunes when Tracey leans over and says “would you like to dance with me?”. Now I have to tell this beautiful women that I don’t know how to dance. Talk about needing a good swift kick in the ass.
Tracey talks one of her friends into dancing with her so all is not lost on my lack of dancing skills. Later on a slow songs starts up and Tracey once again asks her friend to join her for a dance. This is where I tell her “hey I can slow dance”. She smiles and tells me I should have spoke up sooner. Then she says the next one is mine. Hey things are looking up for ol’ Ronman. Sure enough, when another slow song starts up later in the night Tracey gives me that look and it’s time. We get out there and enjoy our nice slow dance. I told Tracey that she was a brave woman to dance with me. There were only a couple of times that she asked me what that move was. To which I replied with a resounding ” I have no idea”.
I tell ya after the roller coaster ride I’ve been on the past few months last night was exactly what I needed. I’d like to also encourage everyone to get out and find a small venue such as this to support some great musicians. I know times are hard for many folks these days. But the cover charge was only $5. Now tell me where else you can hear an entire evening full of great music for such a small price.
Ride Safe,
Ronman
Tags: 5 Spot, Classic Country Music, Dancing, James Intveld, Rosie Flores, Tracey K. Houston (classic country singer)
Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments »
