Sunday, January 11, 2009

Easy Rider

The ingredients of a perfect economic storm, expensive car notes, steep insurance, and rising gas prices, hovered above the Washington Convention Center. Inside, wheels were turning.

Visitors of the 2009 International Motorcycle Show pulled out childhood dreams and tweaked them into today's economy. "They get great gas mileage," said one hopeful owner to his spouse.

John C. Nauss of Elizabethtown, Pa, has been living out his dream for over 40 years. Nauss bought his first motorcycle, a Honda Scrambler, when he was 43 years old. He was a bit of a late bloomer.

Back then, Nauss did not fit the motorcycle image. Bikers were typically young, 'bad boys', and covered in tattoos and leather.

Today that image has evolved to include all walks of life. At 83 years young, you could argue Nauss continues to defy that image. He's pretty spry for a white-haired guy though.

Two years ago, Nauss still rode his motorcycle, now a Honda Shadow, to his full time job. He refused to retire.

Later that year, lying in his hospital bed, recovering from quadruple bypass surgery, he promised his family he would retire and sell his motorcycle.

Before long he was back on his feet and stubborn as ever. He was back at his job and the motorcycle was back in the driveway. "I'm just gonna start it up," he would say.

His daughter, Judy Flowers is an avid bicyclist. Worried that her 5'3" father might now be too weak to handle the motorcycle, she bought him a bicycle.

He hated it and soon went for rides on the motorcycle. Out on the road, however, he was lonely.

Even in the hospital, he refused to eat his dinner unless his wife Elsie joined him. John and Elsie will celebrate 60 years of marriage this fall. They used to travel everywhere by motorcycle.

Health issues have kept Elsie from climbing back on the back. John considered a side car so she could ride along. "Are you crazy!?" she shrieked.

Despite his daughter's and granddaughter's pleadings, John still has not sold the motorcycle. He has finally retired.

Last year he purchased a trike, a three wheel motorcycle bigger than some small cars. He has not had it out yet, but yes, Elsie said she would ride along.

John and Elsie will turn 84 and 76 on July 4th of this year. "Maybe, we will take the trike down to South Carolina," said Elsie.

John no longer claims he's Superman, but when his granddaughter asks, "Papa, how old are you?" he still counts on his fingers and declares, "38!"



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