Shoutout to Rocky Mountain Motorsports

Ron 0:05

While this episode is dedicated to motorcycling , of course , and to the support of our local community , I want to give a quick shout out to the motorcycle shop where I've gotten my bikes serviced for I think 20 years . That's my friend John at Rocky Mountain Motorsports here in Loveland , colorado . That's my friend John at Rocky Mountain Motorsports here in Loveland , colorado . What a gift it is to find expert mechanics who charge a fair price and , in my experience , go over and above for customer service . John , to you and Mitch , both thank you very much for the support for me and my bikes and , most importantly , for your kindness . I really appreciate

Financial Advice and Coffee Shops

Ron 0:54

you guys . Thanks .

Ron 0:56

Your financial advisor will typically give you two pieces of advice when it comes to saving money . First , stop spending $6 or more for a fancy coffee at a local coffee shop when you can make your own coffee at home for just pennies . Secondly , tax laws have changed , so reduce your donations to non-profits . You typically don't save that much off your income tax anyway by making a generous donation . Instead , put what you would be spending at those coffee shops and what you would give to the non-profits into a high-yield savings account . Yeah , that's what you typically hear from most financial advisors , but not my financial advisor . His name is Scott and Scott knows how I think and he agrees with my approach . I ride my motorcycle to local coffee shops and I buy a $6 fancy coffee because that makes me feel good , it makes me happy , I like the people who work there and I like to support them by going over the top with a really good tip . It also makes me feel happy sometimes riding my motorcycle 75 miles one way just to reach a small little coffee shop that I really like to have a conversation with a barista who knows my name and who tells me that she appreciates me . Yes , I get a wonderful vanilla latte there and I go over the top with a tip every time because those who run that business have a good heart . They demonstrate that to me over and over again . To me , that is money and time and miles Very well invested .

Ron 2:47

As for nonprofits that my wife and I freely give our money to , not really considering at all what the tax write-off might be , we give it because these are good people who run these nonprofits , who risk their livelihood in support of others in support of total strangers most of the time or to support animals or to support the environment , simply because they believe that's the right thing to do . Who are these people ? I personally believe that these are heroes , just like school teachers , just like firefighters . They're heroes . That's why this podcast supports them . So where am I going with all this ? I don't know , but I'm fired up today to share with you some things that make me happy Riding a motorcycle for one , of course , but also visiting little small coffee shops and supporting those whose hearts , whose kindness and hard work , I'm convinced , make this world a better place . Let's talk about it , stay tuned . Recorded in beautiful Loveland , colorado . Welcome to Peace , love Moto . The podcast for motorcyclists seeking that peaceful , easy feeling as we cruise through this life together . Are you ready ? Let's go .

Misconceptions About Motorcycle Riders

Ron 4:35

I'll never forget what that lady said to me . It was at church , just before the church service started , an elderly lady sitting behind me and she tapped me on the shoulder and I turned around and she said I heard that you're a biker . You don't look like a biker . I don't know what I said exactly , but I think I said something like well , thank you . I think maybe I should take that as a compliment .

Ron 5:01

There's a common misconception , isn't there , about motorcycle riders . Sometimes people see the leather and the helmets or the lack of a helmet and maybe a bit of a gruff exterior , and they jump to conclusions . But those of us who live and breathe the moto life , those of us who put on the serious mileage and willing to ride in any weather , we know the truth . Beneath all that gear beats a heart , usually a pretty big one , with a deep appreciation for the community and other riders , a feeling of freedom that we all experience together . And , let's be honest , for many of us motorcycle riders , I love for a good cup of coffee at a coffee shop . That's right , I said it Coffee . I honestly can't think of anyone who I ride with currently who doesn't drink coffee . Not that I have anything against anyone who doesn't like coffee at all , but I just can't think of anyone that I ride with who doesn't like it .

Ron 6:02

For so many of us , too , local coffee they aren't just a place to grab a caffeine fix . It's a meeting point for many of us , a place to plan routes , to share stories and to connect with fellow writers . Now , as you know , if you've listened to this podcast for a while , you probably know I typically write alone , and when I go to a coffee shop , my joy is when I start a conversation with a total stranger R . Any non-profit too , for that matter is really , really important . Think about it .

Ron 6:53

When you buy a latte or a regular coffee , whatever you get from a quirky little coffee shop with a mixed match of chairs and the barista who remembers your order and your name . Where does that money go ? Well , it goes directly into the hands of your neighbors . Essentially , it supports their families , it helps them pay their rent , it keeps the doors open , it stays right there in your community circulating and strengthening the local economy . So you carry your helmet and your motorcycle jacket into the coffee shop , you place your order , you sit down at a table and next thing you know , someone comes up and asks you hey , tell me about your motorcycle . Then the magic happens . Right , that conversation you've been hoping for all this time begins . Next thing , you know , you've got a new friend . That's beautiful , and as for me , that's joy , that is true joy , connecting with someone who , because of my bike , decided to say something to me . I love that .

Supporting Local Coffee Shops

Ron 8:09

When I was taking a multi-day ride a couple of months ago , riding through California , I saw a Starbucks sign and then started thinking to myself how good a caramel macchiato would taste after hours out on the road , so I exited off the highway in search of the mermaid , or whatever that symbol is . Before I got there , though , I stumbled across a tiny little coffee shop with flowers and peace signs painted on the windows . Aha , I thought these are my kind of people . The husband and wife who owned the little shop welcomed me in , took my order and began a conversation with me that lasted an hour , I believe . That's reason number whatever you want to give it 109 , for why I love to travel by motorcycle Chance encounters , instant conversations about the bike , about where you're going about , where you've been . I love it , just love it .

Ron 9:15

Just last weekend , I was riding with my buddy , brian , who I do ride with occasionally he's a great guy . We were riding through Winter Park here in Colorado , riding the back roads of Colorado as we do . Yes , that's the famous ski area , winter Park , you may have heard of . I love ski towns , especially in the summer . Well , anyway , we passed a small coffee shop that I'd noticed to my left . I'd not seen it there before , so I signaled to Brian , who was right behind me . I said let's turn around and check it out . I signaled to Brian , who was right behind me . I said let's turn around and check it out . I'm so glad we did . It was called Moon Frog Moon Frog Coffee Shop and Roaster . It's on US Highway 40 in Winter Park . It's right on the main drag that goes through town . You can't miss it .

Ron 10:02

After I fell in love with the cool hippie name of that place , moon Frog , we noticed the beautiful flowers that were hanging in the baskets just right outside the windows of the shop and inside we were met with a very nice fellow named Andres who I could tell he owned the place and he confirmed that yes , he did . It's not only a cozy and welcoming atmosphere making it a great spot to relax , or there was people studying there or just grabbing a coffee to relax . But you know what I appreciated most ? Andrus spent time to talk to me While he made the coffee for me and Brian . We just had the most wonderful conversation . I told him about the podcast . I told him about my hopes and dreams for maybe a tour that associates with the podcast . He was just so encouraging . I learned that he , through his small business , through that little coffee shop , supports skiing programs through Winter Park for folks who have physical and mental challenges , disabled folks who still want to ski . He cares enough first to recognize a need , then , second , he does something about it and he contributes to that cause every year .

Ron 11:21

My friends , these are my favorite people . Friends , these are my favorite people . These are the people I meet on motorcycle rides and these are the type of people who I love to talk to , to hear a spirit of joy , a spirit of love coming from them . I can see it in their eyes and that makes me really , really happy . It does

Moon Frog Coffee and Community Impact

Ron 11:52

. I should have mentioned it earlier , but if you're wondering , that coffee shop that I ride 75 miles from my home here in Loveland just to have a latte and a nice conversation , that's called Grounds Internet and Coffee Lounge . It's at 171 North 3rd Street in Laramie , wyoming . Yes , I ride all the way to Laramie , wyoming just to have a cup of coffee there . It's a great cup of coffee served by people who really care . They also show that they care about you as a person , because the person at that shop remembers who I am and makes it a point to wish me a nice day when I leave . That's a demonstration of heart and I appreciate that . In my many years of riding a motorcycle pretty much for a lifetime . I believe that our compassion as riders extends beyond just enjoying ourselves . That same heart that feels the surge of joy from the open road also feels a sense of empathy for those less fortunate , both humans and animals , mother Nature .

Ron 13:11

Just last evening , speaking of supporting the local community , my wife and I went over to our local favorite car hop here in Loveland , colorado . It's called Dairy Delight . The owner , mike , started Dairy Delight at this location way back in the 1970s . He's been there ever since and his family runs it now as well . In a van parked next to Karen and I was a dog and a man . The man was in the driver's seat , as you might expect , but anyway the van was decorated with photos of dogs all of them rescue dogs that he took care of on his property . All of those dogs still needed a home .

Ron 13:55

The non-profit was called Buddy's House . The owner , the driver , introduced me to Buddy , who was sitting right next to him in the passenger seat . Interestingly enough , I asked him Is Buddy a rescue ? And this is what he said . He said yes , ten years ago Buddy rescued me . Hmm , looking into that man's eyes I could tell what he meant , and I could tell what that dog meant to him

The Gift of Motorcycling Freedom

Ron 14:29

, his heart extended out to other dogs who just need a home . That , again , is an example of people I love to meet , whether out on a motorcycle ride or just casually . These are good people who have a real big heart . These people remind me that there's joy in this world . There is .

Ron 14:53

In closing , let me share this with you , my motorcycling friends I believe that we're uniquely positioned to understand the impact of community and resilience .

Ron 15:06

We know what it means to rely on others on the road to help a fellow rider in need .

Ron 15:13

That same spirit of camaraderie can , I think , should , extend to those who need it most , regardless of their place in the world , or where they are in the world , for that matter , or whether it's a human or a dog , regardless of their place in the world , or where they are in the world for that matter , or whether it's a human or a dog , or if it's our mom , mother Nature .

Ron 15:45

My friends , I'll close with this I believe that those of us who have been able to afford a motorcycle and to have both the mental and the physical capabilities to ride it , I believe we've been given a gift , a gift of freedom that we feel when we ride and sometimes if we're really really lucky , a feeling of peace of mind that I believe the whole world is seeking . I also believe that the motorcycling community is one of the most generous and giving groups out there , so we have been given a gift , and I think maybe we've been given a gift for a reason , and I think maybe we've been given a gift for a reason . Maybe there's a purpose behind it , whether it's supporting the local community or giving to charity or helping someone on the side of the road who needs some help . Let's just keep doing that , really focus on doing that , because the world , especially today , needs evidence of love and kindness , showing them , maybe , that we have found peace as a motorcycle rider and we also have the capability to demonstrate that . Let's try it , as always .

Ron 17:20

Thank you so much for listening . Until we visit again , I wish you peace and I wish you love . I know things are gonna be just fine If you only feel what I'd like to do to you . Shall we be people you love with love . Show them the way you feel . Things are gonna be much better If you only will .