Riding Into The Sunset

In this episode of RITS, Ed continues to ponder the risks and rewards of riding following the motorcycle death of his friend Tom Moffat. He raises valid concerns about the safety of riding and offers the views of prominent motorcyclists on the subject. Among them is Mark Barnes, author of Why We Ride and host of the MOA podcast The Ride Inside.

Riding Into The Sunset is brought to you by the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America and hosted by journalist & author Ed Housewright. Reach us by email at podcast@bmwmoa.org.

Motorcycle riding can bring great joy and great sorrow. A close friend of mine, Tom Moffat, recently died from injuries suffered in a motorcycle accident. I'm mourning his loss and examining why we decide to ride with the inherent danger.

Riding Into The Sunset is brought to you by the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America and hosted by journalist & author Ed Housewright. Reach us by email at podcast@bmwmoa.org.

KELLY VALDEZ likes long distance rides. She's ridden cross country seven times—five times solo—and has also traveled extensively in Canada and Europe. She prefers speedy sport bikes over more upright models. "I have a high need for speed," Kelly says.

Riding Into The Sunset is brought to you by the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America and hosted by journalist & author Ed Housewright. Reach us by email at podcast@bmwmoa.org.

Rick Kallmayer has ridden motorcycles for more than 50 years and owned more than 50 bikes. But his latest is a departure from all the rest – it's his first with an automatic transmission. Rick talks about why he bought a Honda NT1100, how he likes it, and why he thinks automatics will grow in popularity.

Riding Into The Sunset is brought to you by the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America and hosted by journalist & author Ed Housewright. Reach us by email at podcast@bmwmoa.org.

Maher Maso spent almost a decade as mayor of Frisco, Texas, one of the country's fastest-growing cities. During that tenure, he brought the Dallas Cowboys headquarters and practice facility to Frisco. Despite his busy civic schedule, he always found time for motorcycle riding and even cross country racing.

Riding Into The Sunset is brought to you by the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America and hosted by journalist & author Ed Housewright. Reach us by email at podcast@bmwmoa.org.

Some riders like bigger and bigger bikes. Not Mike Welch. The biggest bike he's ever owned was a BMW F 850 GS, but he much prefers his G 310 GS. For Mike and some other motorcyclists, maneuverability and handling outweigh raw power.

Riding Into The Sunset is brought to you by the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America and hosted by journalist & author Ed Housewright. Reach us by email at podcast@bmwmoa.org.

Aaron Stevenson wanted to forge a closer bond with his teenage son, Micah, so they hit the road. Aaron rode his adventure bike cross country for almost a month, traveling 6,600 miles through 18 states, with Micah on the back. The memories they shared will last a lifetime, both say.

Riding Into The Sunset is brought to you by the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America and hosted by journalist & author Ed Housewright. Reach us by email at podcast@bmwmoa.org.

In just a few years, Bobby Haas and Stacey Mayfield assembled one of the most acclaimed motorcycle collections in the world. The Haas Moto Museum outside of Dallas, Texas, features 230 motorcycles dating from 1899 to the present. Most are vintage bikes but some are custom, one-of-a-kind creations that have been called rolling sculptures. Stacey discusses Bobby's legacy and the museum's collection.

Riding Into The Sunset is brought to you by the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America and hosted by journalist & author Ed Housewright. Reach us by email at podcast@bmwmoa.org.

At 86, Tom Moffat is the oldest member of his Dallas, Texas, riding club. He's also one of the fastest and most active riders. Tom frequently leads local and long distance rides and has no plans to stop riding.

Riding Into The Sunset is brought to you by the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America and hosted by journalist & author Ed Housewright. Reach us by email at podcast@bmwmoa.org.

Steve Ritchey was a motorcycle officer for the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department for 25 years. Since retiring, he's been an instructor for the Yamaha Champions Riding School. He loves riding and has some good advice for motorcyclists of all skill levels.

Riding Into The Sunset is brought to you by the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America and hosted by journalist & author Ed Housewright. Reach us by email at podcast@bmwmoa.org.

Dan Bryant has a passion for off road riding, and he's sharing his enthusiasm with others. He formed North Texas Adventure Riders two years ago; its membership has swelled to 4,500. The group plans day rides as well as overnight trips to other states.

Riding Into The Sunset is brought to you by the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America and hosted by journalist & author Ed Housewright. Reach us by email at podcast@bmwmoa.org.

AJ Meisel started riding motorcycles at age 10 and has never stopped. Her love of riding led her into the motorcycle industry, and she's been general manager of a dealership for more than 25 years. She still rides often on a speedy sport bike and nimble Vespa.

Riding Into The Sunset is brought to you by the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America and hosted by journalist & author Ed Housewright. Reach us by email at podcast@bmwmoa.org.

BLAYNE REGAN is a hardcore Harley rider. His 2017 Ultra Glide has 320,000 miles, and he's previously owned four other Harleys. Blayne rides more than 50,000 miles a year and says he wouldn't consider another brand.

Riding Into The Sunset is brought to you by the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America and hosted by journalist & author Ed Housewright. Reach us by email at podcast@bmwmoa.org.

MIKE CRENSHAW loves old bikes—specifically BMW Airheads. He owns five of the classic models from the 1970s through the '90s and rides them often. Mike is so old school he favors paper maps and leisurely solo rides.

Riding Into The Sunset is brought to you by the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America and hosted by journalist & author Ed Housewright. Reach us by email at podcast@bmwmoa.org.

STEVE GOODE: Many of us dream of taking cross country motorcycle trips but struggle to find the time. Steve stopped dreaming and started riding. In the past decade, he's crisscrossed the country five times, each trip totaling more than 10,000 miles and lasting about two months. Steve shares his adventures and offers advice for long trips.

Riding Into The Sunset is brought to you by the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America and hosted by journalist & author Ed Housewright. Reach us by email at podcast@bmwmoa.org.

BEN and NANCY LANGLEY just celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary -- and have spent many of those years riding motorcycles together. Riding has allowed them to share a passion and see the country. With Valentine's Day approaching, they share some of their favorite riding stories.

Riding Into The Sunset is brought to you by the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America and hosted by journalist & author Ed Housewright. Reach us by email at podcast@bmwmoa.org.

Ray Harrelson knows motorcyclists face many potential dangers. One of the scariest is hitting a deer; Ray did just that on a recent ride in Arkansas. He talks about the moment of impact and the aftermath.

Riding Into The Sunset is brought to you by the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America and hosted by journalist & author Ed Housewright. Reach us by email at podcast@bmwmoa.org.

SISTER ROSANNE POPP likes motorcycles. She doesn't own one, but she's organized a fundraiser called the Nun Run that has raised close to $1 million for church work over the past 20 years. She and other nuns in her order ride on the back of motorcycles driven by donors.

Riding Into The Sunset is brought to you by the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America and hosted by journalist & author Ed Housewright. Reach us by email at podcast@bmwmoa.org.

JON SECREST: Taking up motorcycling at age 64 is an interesting way to discover a passion. Along the way, Jon has relished the rides he's taken and friends he's met. His advice to other seniors:  It's not too late to get on two wheels.

Riding Into The Sunset is brought to you by the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America and hosted by journalist & author Ed Housewright. Reach us by email at podcast@bmwmoa.org.

JUNGLE BOB MUGELE: Bob's motorcycle journey began 50 years ago on a Honda Trail 90 while serving as a missionary in the remote jungles of southern Mexico. Hence, the nickname Jungle Bob. Since then, he's owned several bikes and logged 400,000 miles. At the urging of his family, he recently decided—somewhat reluctantly—to stop riding at age 86.

Riding Into The Sunset is brought to you by the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America and hosted by journalist & author Ed Housewright. Reach us by email at podcast@bmwmoa.org.

REBECCA MCKINNON: Rebecca didn't let a devastating motorcycle injury keep her from riding. Three years ago, a motorist T-boned her in an intersection, crushing Rebecca's left leg and leading to amputation at the knee. Today, fitted with a prosthetic leg, she rides more than ever and shares her inspiring recovery with others.

Riding Into The Sunset is brought to you by the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America and hosted by journalist & author Ed Housewright. Reach us by email at podcast@bmwmoa.org.

JIM BRANT: Many of us dream of riding a motorcycle in scenic Alaska. Jim just did. He talks about the sites he saw and experiences he had on a guided group tour through Alaska and the Yukon Territory in Canada.

Riding Into The Sunset is brought to you by the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America and hosted by journalist & author Ed Housewright. Reach us by email at podcast@bmwmoa.org.

STEPHEN SLISZ: Stephen is the most passionate motorcycle rider Ed has ever met. He rides almost every day and is approaching 500,000 miles on BMWs. He spent a decade as tourmeister for the Dallas/Fort Worth BMW group, planning unique rides around the southwest.

Riding Into The Sunset is brought to you by the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America and hosted by journalist & author Ed Housewright. Reach us by email at podcast@bmwmoa.org.

JON DELVECCHIO: You probably aren't as good a rider as you think—that's Jon's message as a motorcycle skills instructor. He believes riders can become complacent after years on the bike. His book, Cornering Confidence, and his courses challenge even veteran riders to push themselves to sharpen their skills.

Riding Into The Sunset is brought to you by the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America and hosted by journalist & author Ed Housewright. Reach us by email at podcast@bmwmoa.org.

LISA DALTON:  Lisa has ridden motorcycles for 45 years, traveling to every state in the country and nine Canadian provinces. She's also done motorcycle stunts in blockbuster movies, earning a reputation as one of the top stuntwomen in Hollywood in the 1980s and '90s. She still works as an actor today!

Riding Into The Sunset is brought to you by the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America and hosted by journalist & author Ed Housewright. Reach us by email at podcast@bmwmoa.org.

ROBERT FARR: With his passion for the ministry—and motorcycles—Robert rides a Harley around his native Missouri and elsewhere, taking in the sights and sharing the gospel. Bishop Farr heads the Missouri Conference of the United Methodist Church, overseeing 580 churches and 400 clergy.

Riding Into The Sunset is brought to you by the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America and hosted by journalist & author Ed Housewright. Reach us by email at podcast@bmwmoa.org.

RICK BUTLER: Rick and his late wife, Linda, logged more than 500,000 miles together on motorcycles, touring the United States, Canada and Mexico. Rick reflects on their adventures and how riding two-up drew them closer together.

 Riding Into The Sunset is brought to you by the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America and hosted by journalist & author Ed Housewright. Reach us by email at podcast@bmwmoa.org.

DR. MARK BARNES - Mark has been an avid motorcyclist and practicing psychologist for decades. In this episode, he discusses the reaction non-riders often have to riders. Why do they insist on bringing up stories of motorcyclists who were seriously hurt or killed? Mark has some ideas and suggests how riders should react.

Riding Into The Sunset is brought to you by the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America and hosted by journalist & author Ed Housewright. Reach us by email at podcast@bmwmoa.org.

MARILYN VERSHURE: Marilyn is a lifelong motorcyclist and president of Women on Wheels, a nationwide riding group. She co-founded the Atlanta chapter in 1986 and has ridden almost 500,000 miles over five decades. The American Motorcyclist Association named Marilyn Road Rider of the Year in 1992 for her contributions to motorcycling.

Riding Into The Sunset is brought to you by the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America and hosted by journalist & author Ed Housewright. Reach us by email at podcast@bmwmoa.org.

MARK ZWEIG:  Mark made his mark in the business world, buying and selling businesses and serving as Entrepreneur in Residence at the Sam Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas. He's also passionate about motorcycles. Over the past 50 years, he's owned more than 300 bikes. He discusses the bikes and his investment in Janus Motorcycles, a small Indiana-based manufacturer.

Riding Into The Sunset is brought to you by the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America and hosted by journalist & author Ed Housewright. Reach us by email at podcast@bmwmoa.org.

JOHN DAVIS:  John has ridden motorcycles most of his life, but two recent close calls on the road shook his confidence. He enrolled in the BMW Rider Academy in Greer, SC, to improve his skills and try to regain his passion. He describes the course and tells whether it persuaded him to keep riding.

Riding Into The Sunset is brought to you by the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America and hosted by journalist & author Ed Housewright. Reach us by email at podcast@bmwmoa.org.

AL LAMB:  Al has owned Dallas Honda for 47 years. It's the oldest Honda dealership in Dallas. At 70, he still rides and races motorcycles regularly. He's passionate about the industry and discusses current trends and the future. His son (and sales manager) Cody joins the discussion.

Riding Into The Sunset is brought to you by the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America and hosted by journalist & author Ed Housewright. Reach us by email at podcast@bmwmoa.org.

KEVIN CAVE:  Kevin started a Facebook page called Senior Off Road/ADV Motorcycle Riders a year ago, unsure how it would be received. Today, he has more than 17,000 members worldwide. Its explosive growth shows the passion that seniors have for getting off the pavement.

Riding Into The Sunset is brought to you by the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America and hosted by journalist & author Ed Housewright. Reach us by email at podcast@bmwmoa.org.

MIKE VALENTIN:  Mike is a hard-core motorcyclist who routinely wins the high mileage away in his BMW club in Dallas. He started riding at 50 and by March 2024, at 69, has logged more than 300,000 miles.

Riding Into The Sunset is brought to you by the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America and hosted by journalist & author Ed Housewright. Reach us by email at podcast@bmwmoa.org.

PAT JACQUES:  Pat used to be a champion motocross rider. Today, she teaches women how to ride motorcycles off road as a form of empowerment. Her motto:  "Get your bad ass on."

Riding Into The Sunset is brought to you by the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America and hosted by journalist & author Ed Housewright. Reach us by email at podcast@bmwmoa.org.

DAVID MIXSON:  David brings a unique perspective to motorcycling. He's a retired NASA engineer who took up riding in his 40s and became intent on understanding motorcycles. He's written two instructional books and one travel book on his ride from Alabama to Alaska.

Riding Into The Sunset is brought to you by the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America and hosted by journalist & author Ed Housewright. Reach us by email at podcast@bmwmoa.org.

JAMES OWEN:  James is a legend in the long distance riding community. He's won the grueling Iron Butt Rally three times, including the most recent one last year. He rode 14,138 miles in 11 days. Preparation and strategy are the keys to his success.

Riding Into The Sunset is brought to you by the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America and hosted by journalist & author Ed Housewright. Reach us by email at podcast@bmwmoa.org.

VONI GLAVES:  Voni has ridden more than 1 million miles on BMW motorcycles -- and she's still going strong at age 77. She proudly says she's never had a wreck or injury as she's toured all 50 states and parts of Canada, South Africa, and New Zealand.

Riding Into The Sunset is brought to you by the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America and hosted by journalist & author Ed Housewright. Reach us by email at podcast@bmwmoa.org.