I love to laugh. A point I made clear to my handsome man years back on a trip to Myrtle Beach Bike Week. Out for late-night beverages, he teased that I had fallen for him because he was such a smooth operator. I said no, explaining that good-looking guys with cheesy pick-up lines are a dime a dozen and I fell for him because he makes me laugh. He instantly turned to a young lady walking by and asked, “Hey! You want some cheese?!” With a giggle, she said no and continued past us in the direction of the bathroom. As we laughed over his cheesy-line failure, a friend came up and asked what was so funny. We told him, and as fate would have it, the same young lady was approaching on her way back to her friends. Not even knowing this, he turned and asked the poor girl if she wanted some cheese. “NO! No I don’t!” With that she was gone, probably with a story about encountering a bunch of dairy-infatuated freaks while at a motorcycle rally. As for us, the tale is still told whenever bad pick-up lines come up in conversation.

These past few months, keeping a sense of humor has served as a huge coping mechanism throughout all the changes in life this global pandemic has caused. Riding itself is important therapy even with a much different start to this spring season. Usually there are dozens of rides and rallies to look forward to, but so many have been cancelled or postponed. I pick up pins or patches as souvenirs from these events, so I had to buy one I saw online to cover what I’ll miss in person. It says “COVID-19 STOLE MY RALLIES, 2020,” and I laughed at this subtle flipping off of the virus. It came from Big Gurl Designs in Tennessee and when I received my order I was touched to find a sweet hand-written thank you note from owner Tonya. As you’re able to, please support these small and local businesses. While the cancellation of some of these gatherings rob us of a good time, they could be much worse financially for the vendors.

Since a lot of the functions hosted and attended in the motorcycle community are designed to benefit a charity or good cause, remember to find ways to support those groups as well. Bigfoot…The Social Distancing Champion’s Solo Motorcycle Ride challenge to benefit food banks provided an amusing concept to deal with adhering to separation guidelines. As well as a funny t-shirt logo featuring Bigfoot riding a motorcycle with a roll of toilet paper in his hand. I know at one point not long ago, I would have been more surprised to see fully stocked TP shelves than Sasquatch himself! In any case, hang in there as virus-related restrictions ease. Hopefully we’ll be able to get together soon to share fun, hugs, laughs, and of course…pick-up line stories!