Love of the Iron Horse

Although some might say that the big bike passion for motorcyclists has lost its favor amongst the older generation, that might be an argument hard to win here on Marco Island. For years now recreational touring on the “Big Bikes” has been a great passion amongst the generations born between 1946 and 1954, known as the Boomer Generation and the Boomer II Generation born between 1955-1964.

Generation X, born between 1965 and 1980, also slip into this love of the “Big Bikes” and the allure of the open road.

You’ll find the Harley rider as a special breed. They love the open road and the gleam of the chrome which they will spend many hours during the week polishing until their arms hurt. It’s a passion for many that they won’t soon give up easily. Even after they’ve hung up their leathers and helmets you may find them visiting a Harley store or dropping by one of the few remaining biker bars to swap a story or two.

It is something that sticks with you, the same way that a 1956 Chevy two-door or 442-Olds love affair stays with the crowd who favors the shine of the big block or the early Mustang GT, except those are on four wheels, not two.

Here on Marco Island that love of the sound of the Harley rings like a good old rock-n-roll tune that our generation grew up on.  It will make a man turn his head to show his appreciation for the sound he once could only dream about owning as he grew up.

There are some that still cherish the dream they were lucky enough to own and still have it covered carefully in their garage and will venture out during a warm Saturday or Sunday for a breakfast ride on that rare weekend. If they’re lucky enough, they’ll take off on a long ride to nowhere with only the wind brushing against their face, cruising down U.S. 41, or going through the Keys and the Seven-Mile Bridge with the beautiful warm waters of the Gulf on either side of them for a long weekend.

On a Sunday here on Marco Island you can connect with some of these men and women who enjoy the open road the same as you and do a simple breakfast run. They gather starting at 8:30 AM and leave from the front of Joey ‘D’s at 9:00 AM when they fire up that great sound and go kickstands up to find a little of the Florida free air, share breakfast together and a few stories.

You don’t have to own a Harley - you just have to enjoy riding for the pleasure of it.