Timeless February/March 2021 | Page 9

“ When I started riding that day , I felt the wind on my face that guys always talk about . It hooked me and I ’ ve been riding ever since .”
Although he enjoys his association with his motorcycle club , the 62-year-old also enjoys solo rides . It ’ s not unusual for him to hop on his bike , ride to Tennessee and then turn around and come back . Other times , he will leave Meridian for Montgomery , Alabama , eat lunch and return home almost immediately .
He also enjoys longer rides . One of his favorite motorcycle trips was from Meridian to Albuquerque , New Mexico . He also has done rides in the Northeastern U . S .
Before the pandemic hit , he planned to spend part of 2020 riding to California to see the sites on bike and to visit family . “ That ’ s still on my bucket list ,” he said . Coleman said that after he started riding , his motorcycle came to represent both adrenaline and freedom . He said that for him , it ’ s a feeling like no other .
“ When you are in a car , you are in a cage ,” he said . “ I like the feeling of the wind in my face , being able to just live life and experience it all . When you are in a car , you don ’ t really see what ’ s going on or going past you . It ’ s a different experience on a bike . You can smell the grass being cut and you can smell the roadkill . To me , it ’ s about being one with life and nature and God .”
Building connections , community
Coleman said that in addition to connecting with other riders , his bike helps him to connect with almost everyone .
“ People like bikes ,” he said . “ They like to look at them and they like to ask questions – to talk about them . Kids like bikes , men like bikes and a lot of women like bikes , too . People see that you ride and they are interested . I think they are intrigued by the way they look , the way they sound – everything , really . It represents something intriguing and mysterious to a lot of people .”
Coleman said that people who know him are almost always surprised to learn about his hobby .
“ Because of my job , they are used to seeing me in a suit ,” he said . “ Some people have only seen me in a suit . Then to see me in a helmet and leathers and my vest , on a motorcycle – it ’ s not what they perceive me as doing . I think for some people , it ’ s because they have a stereotype of bikers as being maybe more edgy - rebellious . But a lot of bikers don ’ t fit the stereotype . They have a job and responsibilities and they ride for enjoyment – it ’ s recreation .”
Coleman said he doesn ’ t pay attention to people who worry his hobby is dangerous .
“ The hardest thing about it for most people is the fear ,” he said . “ People are so quick to talk about this wreck or that wreck on a motorcycle . But how many times do people have car wrecks ? How many times do people text while they are driving and then cause a wreck ? We all take risks . We need to make sure we are living , too .” T
“ When I started riding … I felt the wind on my face that guys always talk about . It hooked me and I ’ ve been riding ever since .”
Dwight Coleman www . meridianstar . com
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