The Sound of the Wind and the Hum of the Motor: A Solo Rider’s Philosophy
Finding Shangri-La: Ron Hernandez’s Journey
“The bike is just the start... the gear will help you finish.”“Being out on a long ride... slowly letting time, struggles, and life’s responsibilities drift away into the sounds of the wind.”
The Conversation
Q: What inspired you to start riding motorcycles?
Ron: What inspired me was when I watched the movie “On Any Sunday”. Some time after that my dad came home from his tour of duty from Japan and brought with him a Honda bike. My Dad, brother and myself went in the back yard and he taught me and my brother how to ride.
Ron: What inspired me was when I watched the movie “On Any Sunday”. Some time after that my dad came home from his tour of duty from Japan and brought with him a Honda bike. My Dad, brother and myself went in the back yard and he taught me and my brother how to ride.
Q: Describe your perfect ride — where do you go, who do you ride with, and how does it feel?
Ron: Honestly, my perfect ride(s) have always been “SoloCruz” ones, but group rides are fun too. But for me, being out on a long ride, anywhere, by myself slowly letting time, struggles and life’s responsibilities drift away into the sounds of the wind, the hum of the motor and the occasional thump of the shift into the next gear helps me refocus my mind, thoughts and heart attitude.
Ron: Honestly, my perfect ride(s) have always been “SoloCruz” ones, but group rides are fun too. But for me, being out on a long ride, anywhere, by myself slowly letting time, struggles and life’s responsibilities drift away into the sounds of the wind, the hum of the motor and the occasional thump of the shift into the next gear helps me refocus my mind, thoughts and heart attitude.
Q: What’s your go-to Beyond Riders gear and why?
Ron: The gear I use are the armored jackets. They meet my need of being flexible enough for multiple seasons and comfortable for any ride.
Ron: The gear I use are the armored jackets. They meet my need of being flexible enough for multiple seasons and comfortable for any ride.
Q: How has protective gear changed the way you ride?
Ron: Let’s be honest! No gear is totally protective—that’s the reality of riding a bike—but to ride without any protective gear is ludicrous. For me, riding with protective gear fits my need of being a wise rider in being able to cover all my bases just in case the unexpected happens.
Ron: Let’s be honest! No gear is totally protective—that’s the reality of riding a bike—but to ride without any protective gear is ludicrous. For me, riding with protective gear fits my need of being a wise rider in being able to cover all my bases just in case the unexpected happens.
Q: Most memorable story from your rides?
Ron: After some 40 years of riding there’s one moment I still remember. I was riding up into Canada… bike camping and looking for the best spot. I came around a bend and saw a lumber trail into the woods...
After some 40 years of riding there’s one moment I still remember. I was riding up into Canada… bike camping and after a full day of riding I was looking for the best spot to set up camp. I came around a bend and saw a lumber trail road into the woods. So of course I took it.After riding back into the wooded area it opened up into a clearing with a lake. I still remember seeing this un-named lake in the middle of nowhere tucked away and hidden by a forest with a mountainous back drop. As I got off my bike and looked across this lake, it seemed like with the reflection of the sky in the lake… there was no horizon! I found my Shangri-La!
Q: What advice would you give to a new rider?
Ron: Like I’ve told those over the years... the bike is just the start, the gear you use—boots, pants, jacket, gloves and helmet—will help you finish.
Ron: Like I’ve told those over the years... the bike is just the start, the gear you use—boots, pants, jacket, gloves and helmet—will help you finish.
Q: What does being part of the Beyond Riders community mean to you?
Ron: A community is based on supportive goals… for me, supportive goals are… ride safe, wear safe and teach safe! Riders are a unique community… let’s support our community!
Beyond Riders: Stories from the RoadRon: A community is based on supportive goals… for me, supportive goals are… ride safe, wear safe and teach safe! Riders are a unique community… let’s support our community!