Randy with his 1977 Harley Davidson Sportster in the summer on 1981.
I’M NO BIKER CHICK or Motorcycle Mama.
But my husband, well, once a Harley guy, always a Harley guy. Randy hasn’t owned a bike, though, for 15 years. On a mid-June morning in 1997, a teen driver plowed his car into my spouse’s 1977 Sportster on a Northfield city street. Randy landed on his tailbone in the roadway and was transported by ambulance to the hospital. He experienced severe bruising, soreness and back pain for quite awhile, but suffered no other apparent injuries.
The insurance company totaled the Sportster.
Ever since then, Randy has longed for a replacement Harley. But finances and my worries have kept him bike-less. The 1997 accident marked his second bike incident. Previously Randy laid his Harley down on a Faribault highway to avoid a collision.
The June 14 Bike Night in the east parking lot of the Moorhead Center Mall.
Occasionally he’ll say, “I should get a bike.” Randy expressed that wish again recently when we attended Bike Night at the Moorhead Center Mall.
Bike Night wasn’t my choice of events to attend when we were in the Fargo-Moorhead area last week. I would have much rather strolled through downtown Fargo shops sipping wine and watching artists during the Corks & Canvas Art and Wine Walk than meander between motorcycles in a mall parking lot.
But, because marriage is about compromise and sometimes doing what the spouse wants, there we were, looking at bikes. I’ll admit to not being in the best of moods. I was hot, thirsty, tired, hungry and crabby upon our arrival.
Eventually, though, I figured out that I may as well make the best of it.
One of my favorite bikes at Bike Night because of the license plate, flags and message, “Riding for the son.”
One of the oldest of the estimated 350 bikes at Bike Night.
Biking through the Moorhead Center Mall east parking lot during the June 14 Bike Night.
So…if motorcycles are your thing and you’re in the Moorhead area, you have two more opportunities to attend Bike Night from 5:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. on July 12 and August 9. Non-bikers are supposed to park near Herberger’s, which we did not because we had a tough time even finding the Bike Night location. It’s in the east parking lot.
You’ll see plenty of bikes—an estimated 350 on the June evening we were there—and plenty of interesting characters. There’s food and beer, too, although we did not sample either.
If you’d rather sample wine and experience the art scene, do the Corks & Canvas Art and Wine Walk across the river in Fargo from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. on July 12, August 9 and/or September 13.
Perhaps if I’d mentioned that Turtle Shell Stained Glass Gallery was on the art walk, my husband may have opted for the arts event. He’s taken a class in stained glass and created several pieces. But, naw, I don’t think it would have mattered. Bikes trump art anytime for him.
© Copyright 2012 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Audrey…..Yay! You chose well!!!! (In my humble opinion!!!) Those bikes are the best….and great pics——for someone who was in “compromise mode”! Bikes do come with some inherent dangers, though. It’s not ‘if’ but ‘when’ that unpleasant accident/incident will occur. My/our whole family rides and have experienced those very unfortunate times. The local drive-in (Rudy’s Drive-In in LaCrosse,WI) held one last night. We haven’t gone in a while do to the fact that we end up coming home after dark and the 35 mile ride takes forever because there are so many deer and you can’t really go very fast! The hazards of the sport, unfortunately! Great post!!!!!! (I am sure you figured I would say that;-)
Ah, yes, I expected you would be excited that we chose Bike Night over the arts. I used to ride with my husband until we had kids.
Have several friends that have made that choice (either due to budget or feeling that the sport was a bit too dangerous at that point of their lives). Actually, I would be torn between the 2 events and would probably try to figure a way to do both (doing neither one justice!!!!).
I was hoping we could take in both events, too. But we ran out of time because we had to eat and none of us wanted to dine in the mall parking lot. I’ll be sharing a post soon about where we ate.
Good……we “travel on our stomachs”…Hehehe!
I think Randy should get his “bike”!!!! I want to have a ride and feel the freedom of the road. I understand the danger. Last year friends of mine lost their beautiful daughter. So Toni, happy riding in heaven, we all really miss you.
Oh, sister, a bike is not in the budget for your brother-in-law. Kid in college, kitchen to re-do, roof to reshingle…
I would miss my own funeral if there was a classic car show in the area. At my age I should be fully matured, but I still like to “light em up” at the stop light if challenged. My wife asks me in discuss, “Are you showing off”? You darn right I am, at almost 62 years old I still feel like I am 17 inside. Seeing an old gray haired balding man in a Corvette lighting em up, always makes the young guys laugh! Soon they will be old enough to have a Corvette, gray hair, and the heart of a 17 year old! So Randy, always stay a Harley Guy, age is only a number, but the heart is good for as long as you live! I think there is something profound in that last statement. No, I guess not, Just a guy talking to another guy. BUY A HARLEY, the roof will only leak when it rains, and the kitchen redo won’t make the food any tastier, and your Son will make so much money after he Graduates from College, that he can buy you the roof and new kitchen. I think I better go back to my room! lol Love your posts as always! Keep up the good work! Your photos are exceptional!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By my official order, you are forever banished to your room. 🙂
Thanks, as always, Allan, for your engaging conversation and your upbeat attitude/perspective.
And thank you for your photo praise. I particularly like that “vintage” photo I shot of my husband with his Harley. That was back in the day of still using my 35mm film camera. There’s something to be said for film. Love digital, but… That photo shows the one and only time my husband has been without a beard in the 31 years I’ve known him. I actually think he’s an even more handsome man now, even without hair atop his head.
I’m sure your hubby was in heaven around all those bikes! Nice of you to humor him and go along to the bike show. I’m an old ER nurse of 16 years so you can probably figure out what I think of motorcycles…seen a lot of bad stuff, glad your husband only sustained minor injuries in his two misfortunes.
Randy did enjoy the show, but wished more older bikes had been there. I can only imagine what you have seen in the ER. Randy always wore a helmet, which at least gives some protection, but still… Getting that call 15 years ago about about his cycle accident was difficult for me. He was, literally, almost into his work parking lot when this happened. Not sure he understands how it feels to get that call.
I’m not a fan of bikes, either. I get cross with a friend of ours who rides his without a helmet and my kids see him and I think it sets a bad example. I’m grumpy that way!
Ever since Randy’s accident, I’m not a fan either of motorcycles. I think my attitude initially began to change. though, even before that, when we had our first child. You go ahead and be grumpy about the no-helmet thing. I’m totally with you on that. Totally.
What a great photo of your husband with his bike! That is a terribly frightening accident to have had and Randy is so fortunate to have come away with so few injuries. I think if you’ve had a bike once, you’ll want one again but I agree with you Audrey, there’s no peace when you know they’re out riding, not until you see them come through the door. xx
Yes, I do so like that long-ago pic of my husband. And, yes, you understand exactly how I feel about him getting another bike. Thank you.