I've had a lot of time to think about riding. If there is one thing the Midwest off-season gives you, it is time away from riding. I have pondered a question now for a while and still have not come up with an answer. When you have a passion for something, how do you let that passion add to your life, not take from it?

I have two loves in my life; family and riding. It seems that these two loves are destined to be in constant conflict. I am lucky to have a wife as understanding as babydoll at least portrays herself to be. I know she has had to sacrifice for me to pursue this passion that is riding. I don't want riding to be a hobby, I want it to be my lifestyle. I want to plan vacations around riding. I want to ride everyday and everywhere. I spend my free time looking for roads on maps that might be fun to explore and when they turn into more than 3 miles of gravel and dirt, I don't regret the experience. All this means I have my own sacrifices to make because I know that all of that just is not possible, if I am also to keep this family I love. I understand that while my wife does love me, she doesn't share this love with me. I really do appreciate how much she has accepted something she not only has to compete so much with, but something that understandably really scares her.

I have only ridden for one season so this is pretty new in our life. Over time, I'm sure a good pattern or "rhythm" will show itself. We will have our family trips with no bike involved, family trips with the bike in tow. I am sure I'll have my own adventures on my bike when my family either doesn't want to go, or simply can't. If I'm really lucky, we'll one day have some nice get-a-ways just me and my babydoll, her arms wrapped around me as we are scooting along a sweeping two lane highway atop a two wheeled mount taking our own little slice of heaven. I'm just not sure if one man could ever be so lucky.