Riding Naked Highlights and More

Steve is a good sport and took all my pranks with good humor (and a plan to pay me back) which he did. We called a truce for a while, but I have to admit I had one more up my sleeve for the ride home. You saved yourself by heading home early. Steve earned the nickname "Sundial" after riding without his helmet.
Leroy is a wild man. I never expected this from you, who earned two nic names: Stud and The Storyteller. I will share Tequilla Rose with you whenever you like. You decided at the last minute to join the ride, and brought so much warmth and laughter to the mix. My hero for saving my hat when it came flying off, and a dear friend. Even with the trailer on the bike, you gave me a run for my money on the long stretches. Our group elder, you never acted it. You led us through the cities using your knowledge from many years on the road. You rode the biggest coasters, knew the best places to eat, and provided hours of entertainment at the campgrounds and hotels in the evenings.
Jerry, what can I say. We've been friends for a few years , but now on a deeper level. We even discovered after a cold day in Yellowstone park, that we like our tomato soup the same way. You were my protector, my bunkmate at the hotels, and also my hero on several occassions. Helping me lift my bike off the kickstand when the lean angle and weight were too much for me. Keeping it upright in the gravel when I couldn't safely turn it around. Standing guard outside the bathrooms when sketchy characters where close at hand. You also acquired two nic names: Big Daddy, for always making me feel safe even when I didn't know I needed it and J. Bear because you do snore just a little!
It's a little hard to talk about myself here, but the guys did give me a couple of nic names, so in all fairness I will mention them here. Twistie, for my skill with the throttle and showing them that a stock Harley can do well over 100 mph (sorry Mom, but I had to prove them wrong), and because cremees are "twisted" w/ chocolate and vanilla, cremees are ice cream, and ice cream is made by good humor, something I had a lot of on this trip. I was also called "Sunshine" on several occassions.
Total miles were different for everyone, but Jerry held the record w/ 6665 for being a hero to more than one person along the way be it friend or stranger. A total of three close calls with animals or vehicles is not bad for the time and miles on the road. Bikes were dropped three times with hurt pride, mild scratches but no hurt people. Sunburns too multiple to count and one racing stripe across my forehead that took days to blend in. Pipe burns on one calf and one ankle for being silly and riding in shorts for maybe a total of 5 miles. Lessons learned! We rode only one day in the rain, and that was our second day out. Not bad for 20 days on the road, and while some days were over 500 miles there were only two days we didn't ride any significant distance and averaged 300+ miles per day.
I danced with a real cowboy in Belle Fourche. He had a handlebar mustache and a twinkle in his eye that made me laugh. A great dancer, and patient with my two left feet. We didn't sit down much. The guys made Lindsey from Colorado a happy girl and kept her on the dance floor as her boyfriend Pete didn't seem to care for dancing. As always, the band was better as the drinks and the night wore on. And yes we walked from the campgound.
And yes people, the title of this blog has real meaning in many ways. Riding naked as in riding free in spirit and without stress. Riding naked as in four people, in many ways strangers and yet friends sharing experiences good and bad, building trust and leaning on each others strengths and life experiences. Riding naked as in not having a real plan, only a destination and a desire to have the vacation of a lifetime. Riding naked as in faith that the best made motorcycle in America would get us there and back without incident or accident. Thank you Harley Davidson for the machine, and thank you Wilkins Harley Davidson for the best service, and being the best dealership in this country. And riding naked, as in riding wearing nothing but our boots in the badlands just before sunrise. Some of us did, and some of us didn't. No photos here just memories and maybe a custom patch or two. I can't say this enough....

WOW! WHAT A RIDE.