A week ago, I reached out to see if any of you were interested in contributing to Bike-urious so we could increase the breadth and depth of featured bikes. I was ecstatic to see how many readers answered the call, and over the new few weeks you’ll be meeting some of them. Let’s meet another new contributor, JG Nelson!
As a fresh contributor to Bike-urious Abhi has asked me to stand up in front of the class and “tell us a little about yourself.” And that’s okay, ’cause I know I’m amongst friends.
I’ve been at this motorbike thing for about four and a half decades, acquiring my first—and only new—bike as a young Marine stationed in Morocco; a 1971 Honda CB500 four. Through our adventures and mis-adventures that bike taught me (the hard way) to ride well and showed me how fun and life-affirming our sport can be. Over the years I’ve owned and wrenched on English, German, Italian and Asian motorcycles and have never had to turn one over to a shop for service—probably a lot of luck involved but something I’m proud of in any case.
In addition to the two-wheeled life, I’m also a pilot and retired Air Traffic Controller. My work life was spent in Madison, Wisconsin and Hawaii and my beautiful wife Patti and I now live in Illinois. We’ve spent many enjoyable hours on our Honda ST1300 all over the country, but I’ve always had a soft spot for the county roads of southwest Wisconsin’s hill country. I’ve ridden the Great Divide Ride off-road from Mexico to Canada, ridden up the PCH and down the Blue Ridge Parkway. I once spent an afternoon hangin’ with Peter Egan in his garage and had an entire day slip away in the Barber museum. Since retiring I’ve taken to finding, refurbishing and passing on classic Honda VFR Interceptors (V4Dreams.com). I just checked the garage and I currently have four personal bikes and four projects.
Aside from the occasional bizarre, unusual or just plain interesting, my posts will center on what I know best, late-century Asian models. I appreciate the variety in Bike-urious and hope I can help the cause. Stay tuned.
JG