When were you happiest?

[cookiemech]

That would be June 19, 2014, which was the last day I had to go to the job I held for nearly 36 years. I hated every single day I worked at that place. On June 19th, I rode my KLR 650 in a drizzling rain to turn in my picture badge and leave. Then I went out to lunch at a diner with my best friend. That day meant that at age 58, I was done with pointless schedules and silly rules and the soul-destroying bureaucracy of a large government contractor. The KLR is by no means my favorite bike, but I do remember riding it that day.

Why work somewhere you hate? They paid me enough that I can buy pretty much anything I want now. If I wanted 20 bikes, I could have them! They would just take too much space . . .

[Stretch]

July 14th, 2013. Great, wonderful ride on the Rocket III Touring. Picked up my new girlfriend early in the morning,
and set off for a state park. Found out the lady was a gourmet cook, and lunch was fantastic. Ran into an
old friend I hadn't seen in years. Beastly hot, dry day in western Maine - but beautiful. Lots of back road 3rd
and 4th gear work. Over Height of Lands at just before sunset in that beautiful late afternoon light. Dinner
was leftovers from lunch sitting on a gas pump island. The kid manning the pumps was a gear head - loved the
bike and was happy to have someone to talk to. I didn't get home until very, very late - with a whole bag of homemade
chocolate chip and walnut cookies, too! A fantastic day on the bike. It still makes me smile!!!   

                                                                                         -Stretch

[Aaron D.]

Pretty darned happy every day, really.

Most excited about a bike? The day I bought my V7 Sport, followed by the day I bought the Laverda.

Best rides? Still waiting.

[bodine99]

At 67 and retired in 2015. Wife and I sold our house of 20 years and all in it. I parted with 14 vintage bikes and we bought a TT and moved out of Fl. I am so stoked to jump on my 03 Bonny I bought new  and just go for rides with no agenda. No pressure at all now and I am just thrilled and happy at this point in my life. My Bonny is set up like a Euro roadster and just a ball to ride around at a my pace with no BS 

[ozarquebus]

First year in the Coast Guard with a brand new BMW 1985 K100RT in San Diego with a brand new Puerto Rican girlfriend.

[GeorgiaGuzzi]

Actually, I need to change my answer. Today was most excellent! I had an unexpected day off due to equipment failure. So I worked outside, got a little square tilled in the garden for snow peas, made a compost bin for mom, and took the Quota out for a spin. She’s running great! I’m loving the exhaust. It now has a unique Guzzi sound. So chalk today up as having a Guzzi shit eating grin that rivals an illegal smile!

However.

I did remember a watershed day for me. I was maybe 19 (before motorcycles) had a red Chevy cavalier Z24 convertible, and asked out the most beautiful girl around and she said yes. It was kind of a validating moment for me. I’m not much to look at, but I always figured if I didn’t try to put on an act, and was just myself, I could have a chance with anyone. After making plans for a date, I rolled out. Tom Petty “running down a dream” came on the stereo and the weather was perfect. Top down going for broke. That’s a vivid memory, but my best? No. Still making memories and getting better! That beautiful girl? Her personality sucked! She was physically a solid 10. But once you got to know her she was about a 5. Learned real quick if the inside is not beautiful the outside will quickly fade.

[Luap McKeever]

Probably when I was 12 years old. I had a 1975 Honda CT70 that I rode the wheels off of. No job. No bills. No responsibilities. No worries. No problems. Ride, fish, eat, sleep, repeat.

[bobrebos]

Right now. Just celebrated 9 years sober. Made my peace with “just” having a simple job, left ambition by the wayside. Love my Guzzi for commuting/daily riding. Also looking forward to having the triumph as a change of pace bike. Great wife, healthy new nephew. House is warm even tho it’s cold out. Life is quite nice!

Congratulations on the 9 years!  Im at about 17 years myself!  Life is good.

[nick949]

First ride around the block, far too soon after triple bypass surgery.
The world was in 3D, the sounds, sights and smells were all exquisite.
Life is good. It continues to be.

Nick

[GeorgiaGuzzi]

Congratulations on the 9 years!  Im at about 17 years myself!  Life is good.

That is outstanding Bob! Thanks for setting a great example. Hope to see you in March at TWO.

[Testarossa]

2018 onward. Married to Gail, retired, secure. Finishing the Triumph and 850T restorations. The skiing's been great, my kid is happy, and we got to do some traveling.  I'd be just as happy now if it weren't for - isolation.

In my youth I had some incredible highs: skiing all over the world, adventures on bikes and in airplanes, love affairs, career accomplishments. But to get to the happy times there was a lot of day-to-day drudgery, office politics and financial anxiety.

Now it's all good, every day.