Riding the roads: Browns take flight on Gold Wing

Even though he's been retired for more than eight years now, Larry Brown has never been one to just sit around. Before moving to Tennessee from Michigan, he would spend his free time in the frozen north zipping across the landscape on his snowmobile.

Now, he does it on his Honda Gold Wing 1500.

"I just got cabin fever," he said. "My cousin and her husband came to visit. They've been riding Gold Wings for 30 years. They were in Nashville for the 'Wing Ding' and rode down to see us."

Brown said he and his wife, Shirley, were impressed with how quiet and smooth the powerful motorcycles were.

"My wife said, 'I might consider one of those,'" said Brown.

It wasn't too long after that that "Goldie," their first motorcycle, was parked in the driveway. A Honda Gold Wing 1200, it was converted to a three-wheeler with a "Voyager" kit.

"All you have to do is unfasten two bolts and it's a two-wheeler again," he said. "I've thought about going two-wheeling, but don't think my wife would be too happy."

Others join adventure

Together, on the three-wheeler, they've been very happy. So much so, in fact, that they want to share the fun. Talking to members of their church and friends at the Lions' Club, they found other enthusiasts and began an informal riding club called The Tennessee Road Riders.

"We enjoy riding with each other," said Brown, adding that he and Shirley have a two-way radio in their helmets so they can chat while he drives and she admires the landscape. "But it's always more fun to ride with others."

He sees the Road Riders as more than an opportunity to take road trips with company, though.

"We want to project an image that not all motorcycle clubs are Hell's Angels or Devil's Disciples," he said. "We're all types, We come from all kinds of backgrounds, all kinds of professions."

While most of the members ride Gold Wings, Brown said that is by no means a requirement. His own daughter and son-in-law have Harleys and ride with them often. And while there may be some teasing at the motorcycle rallies and rides from Harley riders, he said "It's just friendly rivalry."

"We've never had a problem with other riders. Have you ever noticed that riders always wave at each other?" he asked. "They're a friendly bunch. They'll always stop and help if you need it."

Many motorcycle clubs sponsor charity events, such as toy drives and poker runs, event she would like to see the Road Riders take on as well.

Hitting the road

So far, he's taken some long trips -- one as far as Minnesota. Last year, he rode in the Tennessee segment of the annual Trail of Tears ride and would like to go the whole way next year, finishing up in Oklahoma.

Seeing the country and meeting people are two of the benefits of his hobby.

"When you have a motorcycle, especially a three-wheeler, when you park it, eventually someone is going to come over and look at it and strike up a conversation," said Brown. "We've made a lot of friends."

One trip he's tried to complete several times and hasn't been able to is the Natchez Trace.

"It seems like the weather gets us every time," said Brown. "It's just not safe."

Keeping it safe

Even with the windscreen to keep the wind and some of the rain off, there are hazards.

"There's no windshield wiper," he said. "A rider's vision is obscured enough by the helmet."

Safety is a key issue, both with Brown and with his fellow Road Riders.

"I always wear a helmet," he said. "Even in the states that don't require them. A $200 helmet is easier to replace than your head.

"Our goal is to tell people this is a fun and safe hobby, if you exercise common sense and obey the rules of the road.".

He recommends anyone interested in motorcycles take the motorcycle safety course that is offered around the state.

"It teaches you the tricks of collision avoidance, how to look ahead, how to ride in staggered patterns."

One key to motorcycle safety is defensive driving, he said. Even when the rider is being careful, those in cars may not always see him.

On the other hand, the one on the motorcycle gets to see more than the driver.

"You see more, you hear more. There's nothing like it," he said.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

For more information about Road Riders, call (931) 205-6318, e-mail roadrider@tnroadriders.org or go to tnroadriders.org..