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| A Note from the MTF Board
- By Bill Neese - (Just Bill)
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I started to learn to ride again. I rode as much as I could and soon remembered why I loved it as I hit some of the same beautiful twisty roads in Middle Tennessee that I had ridden so many years ago. My interest has always been in touring, sight-seeing and swooping through curves and we have great roads in this area for the latter two. As time went on, I realized that I would never be comfortable on long trips on the K75S with its sporty riding position (I have a sport bike mind and a cruiser body). So I made my second mistake and bought a new Honda 1100 Aero and fitted it out for touring. From that I moved to a Voyager (bought with the help of MTFer Pat McGhie and later sold to Pat), a Venture (bought with the help of MTFer Blue Moon and sold to MTFer Badd Bob), and in December 2007 I bought a 2005 ABS Gold Wing from MTFer Bob Fisher, even though that same Wing had brutally attacked my Wee Strom on last year’s Summer Mountain Ride. I bought the Wee Strom new in 2005 and it is my favorite one-up bike. I love it!!! In 2001, I found MTF and, as you can see, this bunch of enablers is the best thing that has happened to me as far as motorcycling and making new friends is concerned. The MTF really broadened my horizons and gave me the courage and insight to turn my thoughts from local trips to the Smokies and Ozarks to longer trips to the Rockies, Canada, the coasts, and beyond. I made my first RTE in Baton Rouge and took the long way down there. I took the fast way home and realized how ill prepared I was for a multiday trip when I nearly froze to death in an unexpected cold front (does anyone remember what year that was?). After that, I learned all I could (most of it on MTF) about touring – bikes, gear, clothing, maintenance, etc. The MTF means a lot to us. We enjoy the forum, the RTE’s, the official rides and unofficial get-togethers and the friendship. MTF has taught me a lot and made me a safer rider. The MTF is unique in its culture and I like that. People who insist on making mean spirited comments, bashing and making personal attacks on others just do not stay around here long. Recently, business demands have caused me to be a less frequent forum participant and to miss some rides, but this too shall pass. I plan to keep riding and riding with MTF as long as I am able. I think my handle, “Just Bill” speaks for itself. Actually, I am known better on the forum for being a wino (I prefer the term “wine aficionado” thank you) than for being a motorcyclist. So be it. We do manage to visit some really good restaurants with memorable wine lists on our tours. But, and here is the big BUT, the wine is only opened after the bike has been parked for the night because that is the only policy you can live with. Get active in the forum and its events. I guarantee you will get back more than you give. I have had forum members help me out more times than I can remember. Life is good. Just Bill
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I have loved motorcycles since I was in the sixth grade. My parents, however, did not love them. Other than off road riding I was forbidden to ride, though I was blatantly disobedient on this point. I rode some in college and then a lot beginning in 1973 after I graduated from law school. I stopped riding and sold my bike when the children came along as so many of us did. Sometime around 1999 or 2000 (I cannot remember dates) after I felt I had everyone raised or taken care of, I saw an older BMW K75S for sale locally and could not resist. My urge was compounded when my old college buddy bought an ST 1100 and my cousin bought a Road King. The fact that my brother-in-law, Memphis Joe of the MTF, had a Voyager didn’t help either.