Columns

HARWINTON, CT – There comes a time of reflection when one reaches and passes the age where the hair turns gray. For some folks, realizing that time on earth is fast running out, that provides an incentive to compile a “bucket list” of goals yet to accomplish; of places to visit; …

WINSTED, CT – Sometimes moving forward in life requires a leap of faith, a belief in one’s abilities, and the guts to take a chance. And there’s no better time to move ahead than the start of a new year. Eric Pleil recently gave his employer

BRIDGEWATER, CT- A special something showed up in the mail to usher in the New Year – my Iron Butt Association Saddle Sore 1000 certification! From here forward, I shall be known as

If you’ve owned a motorcycle for any length of time, you’ve probably dropped it. Maybe you forgot to extend the kickstand upon coming to a stop. Maybe the bike has just lurched and fallen over at a stoplight. Regardless of the situation, there may soon be a solution to this …

CHESTER, VT – During the off-season, motorcyclists are free to dream about the perfect ride. My version of that ride involves clear, dry air; bright sunshine; and paved country roads through hilly country. I’ve been fortunate enough to live that fantasy many times up here in Vermont as well as …

HARWINTON – Finding suitable cars and owners to profile in the weekly “My Ride” feature that appears each Saturday in the “Republican-American” newspaper normally isn’t a problem. When managing editor Anne Karolyi proposed the feature late last summer, I admittedly wondered how difficult it might be to find interesting vehicles …

NEW YORK – As temperatures plummet and wintery weather limits opportunities to ride, many New England motorcyclists begin planning for spring. The Progressive International Motorcycle Show, held here every December, has traditionally whet the appetites of riders in

I really did give it some thought when I decided to call this column “Always Riding.” That’s a big part of who I am. I am always riding. But I must admit this last month I have logged minimal miles on two and/or three wheels. It hasn’t been because

HARWINTON, CT – There’s no disputing that Florence Henderson, who died yesterday of heart failure in Los Angeles at age 82, was best known for playing cheerful family matriarch Carol Brady on the ABC comedy “The Brady Bunch” between 1969 and 1974.

NORTH GRANBY, CT – One of the greatest things I enjoy about being a motorcyclist is the people I meet who share the same passion for riding. It is always so easy for me to just walk up and engage another rider in conversation. On several recent occasions, I have …

HARWINTON, CT – Charlotte the jersey cow who wandered into a swimming pool here on Sunday evening and had to be rescued by volunteer firefighters may be the most talked about cow in the country today. News of her unexpected plunge into the deep end of an in-ground pool in …

The life of any motorcyclist can be snuffed in an instant. All it takes is for a distracted, unobservant or impaired driver to cross the center line or make an improper turn across the path of an oncoming rider. In just seconds, a rider can go from enjoying the wind …

Every now and again the planets align to bring special people together to share an amazing autumn day in New England out riding. A couple weekends ago, I had the pleasure of joining Minna Case from West Dover, VT and Leslie Sofarelli from Bloomfield, CT for just such an experience …

NORTH GRANBY, CT – I am the type of rider that you will find on or at least near a motorcycle nearly every day of the year. This may sound like an exaggerated statement, but those close to me might argue that it is “every day” of the year. Yes, …

CHESTER, VT – In March 1992, a high school driver’s ed class in Windsor County, Vermont got invaded by half-dozen grizzled looking bikers in black leather jackets, chaps, and steel-toed boots. All of them were pretty much