Paul Elledge, Paul Elledge Photography

It all started in ‘94 or ‘95 I think when I was doing a photo shoot with the band MINISTRY and Paul Barker arrived to the shoot on a 1969 Ducati single.   I’d never seen or noticed an Italian motorcycle.   I grew up with folks on HD, so this was a very enlightening, eye-opening experience.  Of course, one of the key band members was late, so Paul gave me a brief history of the brand.   He could tell I was extremely interested, and he told me that I needed to meet Fred Cousins to learn more.  My interest with all things Italian and motorsports perked my interest, so that conversation started the moto madness in me.

I met the master of all Italian machines Fred, and Paul and Fred went to a swap meet in Iowa two weeks later and found my first bike, a 1975 Ducati 860GT.  It landed at Fred’s shop and Fred told me promptly there was no way he was going to allow me to ride the bike.   While I was pondering that curious concept, Fred introduced me to a very old BMW (edit: Fred has since confirmed it was a ‘65 R27, single cylinder 250 (pictured)).   It was a very slow vintage bike that he said would be perfect to learn on.  It functioned in slow motion, the brakes, the engine, everything was very mellow, and perfect for my first ride.  We went outside the “OOO” shop on Goose Island back when it was a Chicago waste land, perfect to learn to ride.  Wide streets, no traffic, no people, and me with no moto certification on my drivers.  

Fred did a demo ride, starting, shifting, and stopping bike while I watched.  Then, my virgin moto ride arrived under Fred’s supervision.  I slowly got on and took off very slowly riding the little BMW.   It took me a while to get the feel for riding, but the excitement was undeniable.   It was very hard for me to calm the excitement so that I could ride the bike in a measured manner.   It was a combination of optimism and fear that took over my body.  I felt empowered riding that slow BMW, not aware of how after that moment my life would never be the same.

I went over to Fred’s shop many times to practice in the empty streets before I ever was allowed to venture into the streets of Chicago.   After a period of time, I graduated to the more powerful, but yet mild “Green Lightning” Ducati single.   That bike had the ability to go faster, and stop at a quicker pace.   Once I got comfortable with “Green Lightning”, I was taken out into the streets of Chicago with Fred in front and Paul in back, boxing me into the safe bubble of my friends.   We went in the neighborhoods of Chicago for a long ride.   During the ride, Paul and Fred would change positions and we would stop every once and awhile so they could give me a critique of my rookie skills.   Much insight, kindness and wisdom was passed to me from Paul and Fred during those rides.  Some of which, I am sure, has saved me from injury through the years.   Slow but sure, they finally allowed me to go to the front of the group.

I never saw the city in this manner, I never felt so alive in the street.   This moment riding together opened an entire new world to me.  It has produced deep friendships, shared travel experiences, and a still evolving education of motorcycle mechanics.  Since those formative moments, I have traveled on a motorcycle Route 66 solo, toured Italy with friends, and explored the backroads all over the Midwest.  I have raced in the woods, Baja, on Ice, and won 5 National Championships with AHRMA.   

More importantly than the rides or the races is how riding has changed my body and state of mind.   I realized how my fitness is so important.  I lost 75 pounds, I started working out 5 days a week, and most importantly I have viewed the world differently.  “Where you look is where you go” has become a life mantra for me.   I see differently, I am more aware of touch and feel, I am more aware of my body, and also everyone and every object around me.  I am a better person on every level because of riding, and I have developed the deepest friendships.

For me the world is a better place now, I think if everyone rode. People would be kinder and more appropriate to others.   When you put yourself out in the world at large, you gain a certain understanding of your responsibilities and how other’s choices can affect your world.  It is a very powerful insight that is hard to place in words.   It really puts a focus on your choices, and the choices of others.  A lesson we can learn from.