Harley Davidson and My Mid-life Crisis

Harley Davidson Motorcycle: loud, rumbling, a beauty, one of a kind, a classic. Leather jackets, chaps, screaming eagle patch, the cool, fresh air in your face. Freedom, anti-establishment, cool, tough, dangerous, rebel and lastly, mid-life crisis.


These thoughts and more come to mind when I think of the Harley Davidson Motorcycle. Maybe the last one, mid-life crisis, best describes me at this time but I definitely have the itch. More than the itch, I want one. More than just wanting though, in my feeble mind, I feel I deserve one. I feel it's justified for me to have one.


Not quite at that half century mark in my life but not so far from it. I retired from the United States Border Patrol after putting in more than 25 years, almost 13 of those in Texas and the rest here in Washington. Only about 7 out of the original 50 agents that started with me made it to the retirement age but I made it; this far at least. I won't deny that I am proud of myself for my efforts.


I am financially okay but definitely not plump with money coming out my ears. Can I afford a Harley? Maybe.

Motorcycles, whether a Harley or a Honda, are inherent with danger and, in the area I live, useless for at least six months out of the year, which makes it more difficult to justify.


Now, on to my passions!


I write. I always have. But to make it into a worthwhile and somewhat profitable experience is not that easy. Online writing, such as this, is fun and satisfying but definitely not a flood of money when you start out.


One of three top items on my bucket list which helped to convince me to retire was to write. I needed to concentrate, hone my skills, get noticed, get published.


Wait, what does writing have to do with owning and riding a Harley Davidson Motorcycle?


A friend of mine asked me, "Bob, how does getting a Harley help you to write and concentrate on your desire to write?" It doesn't or at least didn't, then.


When I explained my reservations (financial and priority wise) to another friend, who owns a Harley, I was told, "Buy one, travel to towns all over the Northwest and write about your adventures.


So the seed was planted; my mind began to work, because, like I mentioned a few paragraphs above, I feel like I deserve a Harley. Could I begin writing articles about this new adventure? Could I justify me giving into this impulse and write about my rides, about the people I meet, and about the view from the wild side? Maybe.


As I write this article, I have spoken with Hollie at Lone Wolf Harley Davidson in Spokane on more than one occasion. I told her I would be there today, June 01, 2011, to decide if I was going to make the leap. Too late today, it is well past closing now as I finish this piece. Wonder if she knew I wouldn't show up? Wonder if she even realized I didn't?


Do I go tomorrow and indulge this mid-life crisis desire? If I do, should I buy a smaller easier to ride version or should I go with what I thought was gorgeous, a Heritage Softtail Classic with saddle bags, a windshield and tons of chrome? A smaller version would be easier to ride and easier on my finances, but the bigger one is tugging at me, tomorrow maybe this desire will be gone. I thought that a couple of weeks ago.


Maybe tomorrow will find me risking life and limb to pursue this desire. Hopefully if I do, it isn't just a mid-life crisis!