My Two Wheel Life
Two wheels have come to mean so much to me since I first experienced the freedom of mobility as a child riding a bicycle. They are the source of new discovery, problem solving, design, camaraderie, fun, competition, challenge, adventure; a 360 degree experience that has kept my interest ever since. But today they play a role in society now more than ever. How we move through modern landscapes, the effect that has on the environment and who has access to what are key topics in the world of mobility.
I am a self proclaimed motorcycle “lifer”. Still my motorcycle-ness is converting these days. I am passionate about the world of zero emissions and what it can bring to our experience in both function and fun. I love the technology that has emerged and I really like the promise of the environmental benefits of carbon free transportation. We are not there yet and I am not there yet. I still have gas powered bikes in my garage. But I embrace the promise and am passionate to take part in the conversion. It begins with my personal passion for the fun I have on two wheels; my mobilitude.
My Two Wheel Ethos
Ride, Race, Build. Dirt, Road, Track.
My self inflicted motorcycle life took flight when I ran into a group of like-minded enthusiasts; a mix of people I knew from university and the sports industry. The nucleus of the group were designers who shared a passion for velocity sports, adventure, making things and aesthetics. Motorcycles were not just objects or transportation, they were a full tilt experience. Together we had a way of attracting other motorcyclists many of whom where professionals in the industry. They helped to fortify our passion with both the tools and know-how to advance our pursuits.
It was never spoken but the ethos for this band spoke to a holistic commitment to motorcycling. We road old and new bikes. We bought brand new ones and revived ones we found behind barns. We had both the fastest and the slowest of engines in our garages. We road single tracks through the woods, long stretches of highway, twisties in the mountains and chicanes on the track. We carefully planned and engineered but also had our share of MacGyver moments making fixes in the woods or on the road. We called ourselves the Flying Circus, a name that paid hommage to the Red Baron’s fleet of colourful World War I fighter planes, a colorful aesthetic we would adopt for our race bikes. Our mantra: Ride, Race, Build on Dirt, Road and Track.
With this bunch and some on my own, I have ridden or raced on three continents, 14 countries and 15 of the United States; most multiple times. Motorcycling might just be the non-professional thing that I have most mastered; that based on Malcolm Gladwell’s 10,000 hours rule. But mastery isn’t the point. It’s the fun factor that keeps me in the saddle. What you’ve heard is true; a unique connection to the outside, passing world while riding a motorcycle is one that you can’t get from other motorised vehicles. That is balanced with the feeling of being “inside your helmet” and connected with your thoughts. It is, all in, a good time.
Ride,
Race,
Build.
Dirt,
Road,
Track.
Ride.
I realised pretty quickly that having a motorcycle in New York City only got me so far. I didn’t need the bike to get around. Rather it was an excellent way to escape the city; to get out and see something different. It was a way to see the woods, the hills and the water. It provided a great excuse to visit friends in other nearby states. But it was and is also so much about the riding; making your bike do what you want it to do; making the road underneath you do what you want it to do. Road-tripping on a motorcycle is about freedom and control at the same time. And that is what I love about it.
I have never had a problem spending a lot of time on a motorcycle. So trips that cover lots of miles do not trouble me. The issue is always time. This past summer I managed a three week journey from Germany to Norway and back. I rode with a friend and we covered between 400 and 600 kilometres a day (some days more) for a total of 7,000 kilometres. I really enjoy being on the road, having with me only what can be loaded and secured onto my bike, traveling to a different location every day and seeing different things along the way. I get satisfaction out of planning a trip and shaping an itinerary. But I get equal satisfaction knowing that things change which often lead to unexpected experiences and adventures. That’s what makes things fun.
I do not think it is wise or safe to do on the street what should be done on a racetrack.
Still I sometimes ride with a certain enthusiasm that is not appreciated by everyone.
Race.
“I would say the most important thing in all of this is that you have fun. You might come in last, you might win, who cares really. We like to hang out at the track, play with our bikes and pretend we are Ago or Hailwood. This is serious Walter Mitty shit, and nothing more.”
— Paul Gaudio
Build.
My passion for motorcycling is holistic. It is the opportunity to live design - To design something, build it and use it in extreme conditions.
Make or Die.
I get a charge out of using my hands and creating something new. It’s the lifeblood of a designer. Also exciting to me is building something that I know needs to work…or else. Embedded in the experience of shaping a purpose-built tool like a motorcycle is making finite decisions around both functionality and aesthetics. Most of what I have done in that space is converting something old into something new; that is the nature of building vintage race motorcycles. It is an opportunity to solve problems and make improvements which, after all, is what much of design is about.
^ 1966 Honda CB160 Street Tracker
Dirt.
Portland makes it easy not only to race motorcycles on a track but also on trails in the woods. I quickly added a dirt bike to my garage and started riding off road. A day trip meant loading the bike into the van and driving 45 minutes to a trail head. Along with other Flying Circus members I did long term trips to Bend, Oregon where we spent days camping and riding or to Mowab in Utah. Trail riding is fantastic for skill development. Riding at a fast pace on the narrow trails of the forest through extreme terrain, changes in inclination over and around obstacles is excellent training for reaction time and bike control. These skills are directly applicable to both the street and the track.
Road.
If there is one thing that I miss from living in the United States it is the open road expanse that makes for great motorcycle adventures. This is particularly true in the Pacific Northwest which offers great roads through national forests, mountain passes, dessert highways and coastal routes. A trip North, East or South from Portland promises some or all of the above.
Track.
A track makes for a great riding environment. There are no potholes, you can ride at whatever pace you like and there is no oncoming traffic. The repetition of riding through the same corners and straightaways promotes muscle memory and skill improvement. Whether one intends to race or not it is a great way to get to know your bike and how best to control it. Riding on different tracks is also great. As each one is different riding more of them can further improve skills because the variety of tracks and weather conditions mimic the variety of road conditions. The more you experience the better you are prepared for what exists “out there”. As a race fan I get a kick out of racing on tracks that I see professional racers race on television. It makes the watching experience even more exciting because I can relate to what they are doing on the track.
Circuits
I am thrilled to have raced on some of the worlds most exotic and challenging racetracks both in the United States and Europe.
UNITED STATES
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Loudon
New Hampshire
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Laguna Seca
California
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Sears Point
Sonoma, California
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Portland Raceway
Oregon
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Barber Motorsports Park
Alabama
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Miller Motorsports Park
Utah
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Watkins Glen
New York
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Pacific Raceway
Washington
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Thunderhill
California
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Spokane
Washington
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High Plains
Colorado
EUROPE
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Automotodrom Brno
Czech Republic
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Sachsenring
Germany
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Red Bull Ring
Austria
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Nurburgring
Germany
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Hockenheim
Germany
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Lausitzring
Germany
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Oschersleben
German
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Schleiz Dreieck
Germany
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Autodrom Most
Czech Republic
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Pannoniaring
Hungary
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Slovakiaring
Slovakia
What drives my logo.
When I set out to express my persona visually I was keen on communicating not only my professional side but also a bit of my personal side. The logo that was created represents me faithfully including my passion for motorcycles and music.
