Headed out on the
HIGHWAY
Patrick Kirby and
Dwight Coleman enjoy adventures of travel by motorcycle
By Monique Harrison Henderson Contributing Writer
Photos by Trenton Steele
Local motorcycle enthusiasts Patrick Kirby and Dwight Coleman can both easily rattle off a number of benefits of riding . There is the feeling of the wind in your hair . The freedom of the open road . The ability to park with ease . The ridiculously economical gas mileage . And the automatic camaraderie that exists wit motorcyclists and other people you meet along the way .
“ Motorcycling is like anything – such as hiking , running or boating – that gets you out of your day-to-day life and puts you where you wouldn ’ t normally be ,” Kirby said . “ It ’ s so liberating . You gain new insights and ideas , new experiences , new friends , and last but not least , new stories to regale ( everyone with ) when you get back home .”
Cycling from a young age
Kirby ’ s love affair with motorcycles started when he was a teenager . At one point , he was in foster care and a foster family agreed to allow him to have and ride a motorcycle .
“ I ’ m not sure the state of Texas really thought that was a great idea ,” the Corpus Christi , Texas , native said , laughing . “ But it happened , somehow .”
He had an accident at 17 , crushing his left foot between the frame of his bike and the rear bumper of a car . It was one of several accidents he has had through the years , including one in Meridian where he got a flat tire and collided with an exit sign , shattering his elbow .
“ To be honest , one thing about riding motorcycles is that it ’ s not a question of if you will wreck – it ’ s a question of when ,” the 60-year-old said . “ You just hope that you get a good story out of it , I guess .”
Kirby said he enjoys exploring less frequently traveled roads when he takes motorcycle trips .
“ Interstates are for cars ,” said Kirby , who has ridden other bikes but stuck to a Harley for years now . “ The back roads are for motorcycles .”
An international adventure
Kirby has ridden throughout the U . S . and also overseas . One of his favorite U . S . rides included Chesapeake Bay Bridge , located in Maryland and spanning the Chesapeake Bay . continued on page 10 www . meridianstar . com
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