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My Blog

I'm 37! I'm not old!

Monday 7th Apr 2025
If there's anything I've learned about having an April 4th birthday it's that Mother Nature doesn't care much for that particular day. Maybe I slighted some elder God, or maybe the new grey hair that sprouted on my chin reminds them of theirs. At any rate, the grey weather is great for the melancholic, and my waxed canvas jacket is great in case they decide to get even with that 10% chance of rain.

My plan was simple: flowers. Nothing makes me feel like spring like fresh blooms in vibrant pastel colors, so what better way than swinging by Wooster Street to catch the cherry blossoms in bloom? The only problem is that they aren't blooming. Perhaps they're waiting for the festival on Sunday to really put on a show, but oh well, I digress. I could always get coffee.
After traffic and neverending red lights, I came across more traffic and neverending red lights before getting stuck behind a bus that needed to stop every 20 feet to let the next kid off, before they got stuck behind a mailman on their route. The bus driver realized the woes of the mile long line behind her and decided the absurdity had to stop, so she pulled over and waved us along.
Less than a mile later I pull up in front of Crossroads. Coffee only to realize I was about 25 minutes too late. My plans ruined, and with the 4 hours of sleep catching up to me I thought back to last year's ride and my trip to the blooming daffodils at Hubbard Park in Meriden. Surely they must be blooming again! In fact, the entire trip I've been seeing more and more clumps of daffodils blooming in garden boxes and near roadside signs, in front of businesses and just past the asphalt into the woods, so surely Hubbard Park must be close to full bloom!

A few miles later with my anticipation mounting, I pulled into Hubbard Park only to realize that Meriden had been lying to me. Oh there were plenty of daffodils, but they were far from the little flowers of yellow that come to mind. They were still sleeping; nothing more than green spears waiting for the signal from the general to go to war against the cruel dreary colors of winter. Deterred, I hopped off my bike anyway to stretch and snap a few pictures before I decided to set phase two into motion, lunch.

Where does one go for food on their birthday? How does one pick a meal to savor with a palette that has been developed over the past 37 years? Rich in flavor with fresh ingredients, yet sinful enough that it's a "once in a while" treat? Bear's Barbeque, conveniently located on the way, home was my answer. I pulled in and grabbed a Mac Attack (that's mac and cheese with your choice of meats for those unfortunate enough to never go), along with a side of baked beans and cornbread and a diet coke to wash it down. Hey, gotta watch those calories.

After eating I rode the rest of the way home to be met by a box of new DR650 parts waiting for me at my front door. The perfect bookend to another trip around the sun. Now to finish planning out all those long inter-state, back road motorcycle trips that I've been dreaming about since I locked the Bonnie in the shed.

Time to Get Started

Monday 24th Mar 2025

It's currently 2:19 in the morning and I'm sitting in front of my computer with a caffeine buzz that would kill a horse and make the average doctor audibly gulp and subconsiously pull their shirt collar in disbelief, as if they were out of an old timey Tex Avery cartoon.

When you work nightshift as I've been the past 15 years, time takes on a different meaning. It's not Monday, it's still Sunday. No matter what the bright screen that controls me says, the new day doesn't start for me until I wake up. This time is always spent thinking back on the weekend and thinking forward to the future.

Today (Sunday) was the first day of riding my trusty 2010 Triumph Bonneville SE. I dragged her out of the shed and threw in a freshly charged battery. After pulling out the fast idle and a brief prayer to the Triumph gods of ole, I thumbed the starter and she took the first breaths after 5 long months of hibernation.

I spent the day riding around the shore, stopping for coffee, taking whichever turn the bike wanted to go; not looking for anything in particular other than seeing what was around the next corner.

After 45 miles and a fresh gallon of gas mixing with the stabilized fuel of last year, I found myself at home with the Bonnie sitting next to my DR650, and with an ear to ear smile across my face, I gently pulled the cover over her and started to picture all of the adventures I was going to get to this year.

I'm Riding for Men's Health in The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride

Monday 24th Mar 2025

On Sunday the 18th of May 2025, I'll be riding in The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride with fellow men and women across the globe to raise funds and awareness for prostate cancer and men's mental health on behalf of Movember.

Men die on average 6 years earlier than women and for largely preventable reasons. The number of men that are suffering is growing, and we need to do something about that.

So, before I put on final coat of paint on my jacket and order one of those "formal suit t-shirts" (you know the one) off of Amazon, I'm asking you to join me in raising funds and awareness for these causes by donating what you can for this meaningful cause and to help the men we love, live happier and healthier lives.

My Team

CT Rockers

With 4 Riders

My Sponsors

Tammy J

happy birthday, Bill. here's a buck for every year. ride dapper.

$37 USD

Diane Gendreau

Happy Birthday Bill! XXOO

$26 USD

Huggie Fett

Happy birthday zaddy

$26 USD

Rachel, Brandon, Stella & Tessa

Good luck & have fun, Uncle Bill!

$21 USD

Al Green

Happy Birthday Man!

$21 USD

Serena Botelho

Happy Birthday Billiam

$21 USD

William Ellis

$21 USD

John /Laurie Powell

Rock on guys..I'm there in spirit..

$16 USD

Fernando Ramos

$10 USD

Local Ride Sponsors