Meet My Ride Buddy

Friends,

Meet Joseph Kleinmann, my bike mentor, ride buddy, and friend.  

Joseph has been riding for years and is a true enthusiast (his dog is named Chopper).  

I’ve known Joseph for several years.  His wife Jo-Ann Brody is an artist, and Laurel and I own some of her work.   Joanne and Laurel are also affiliated with the same New York gallery.  So I would see Joseph at art events and discuss motorcycling, even though I didn’t own a bike or ride at the time.

When I got my bike about 18 months ago, Joseph was a big supporter.  He directed me to a high-quality motorcycle safety school, and encouraged me as I got my license.  A year ago told him that I planned to ride to the Harley-Davidson 105th Anniversary, and he offered to ride with me.

As it happens, the calendar isn’t working in our favor.  Joseph teaches high school science in Westchester, and his first day of work for the fall semester is Tuesday, the 26th, the day I’ll be arriving in Milwaukee for the 105th.  So Joseph will accompany me as far as Oxford, Ohio, then head home alone. I’ll continue alone to Milwaukee and then home.

As we’ve been preparing for the trip, Joseph took this neophyte under his wing.  Since May we’ve ridden on whichever weekends we could.  Joseph taught me how to ride on interstate highways, at speed; how to ride in New York City, and how to weave in and out of traffic safely.

Our trip is now a week from tomorrow, and we’ve been preparing logistics and practicing for the ride. More about this in a later blog.

We’ll be leaving from near the Tappan Zee Bridge on Tuesday morning, August 19th, and go about 300 miles into Central Pennsylvania.  Wherever possible we’ll try to avoid the Interstate.

We’re counting down the days.

More to follow.

Vroom….

Fred