You’ve all gotten a glimpse into Connie’s alter life – her passion for riding motorcycles. Over the years I’ve come to know both Randy and Connie as devoted enthusiasts, and not only for the routed/planned rallies. They really do love just getting out there on the road and riding together. The Saturday jaunts down into Iowa, across Wisconsin and back home (yes, in one day) are the ones that give them the most pleasure. It’s the road less traveled that appeals to them, especially for Randy. I swear there isn’t a back road in the five state area (and Canada) that he hasn’t ridden on – and he’s got the pictures from the most interesting little towns to prove it. The two of them meet wonderful folks along the way and some of those friendships have lasted for years.
It takes a special kind of man to be comfortable and confident enough to support his wife doing these kind of rides by herself. And when she’s not completely on her own, she’s more than likely with…another man! More on this other guy later. Randy knows Connie is a safe and very capable rider, but still - I've seen the way he looks at her when she pulls out and he's not going with her. He wouldn’t be the man I’ve come to know and admire if he didn’t look worried and proud all at the same time. He’ll grumble now and then about the demands of keeping up with Connie’s bike maintenance. He’s had to get pretty inventive with some of the modifications and this is all done while balancing work, home and his own bike's maintenance. There are some creative uses of curse words that echo out of his garage in the days leading up to a rally. But in the end he’s bursting with pride and totally thrilled for her accomplishments. And in the end the first thing Connie says after completing a ride, regardless of her standings: “none of this happens without Randy in my corner.”
Another ‘Team Gabrick’ example, this one is my favorite:
Two years ago Connie was on the return trip of one of her extreme rides, coming out of Canada and back into Minnesota on a late Sunday afternoon. Her bike broke down and she found herself stranded in a small town ‘way up north, don’tcha know’. There’s never really a good time to break down but Sunday afternoon is a killer, with needing to be in the office bright and early the next morning. Randy hooked the trailer up to the truck and drove north without hesitation or sleep. Connie got a room at a motel so that she could shower, eat and sleep for a few hours. Randy arrived in the middle of the night, loaded the bike onto the trailer and then got back in the truck for the trip home. This time he was riding shotgun, with his eyes closed. Connie drove through the remains of the night so that Randy could sleep for a few hours in order to be functional at work later that morning. They arrived home as the sun was coming up. There was barely enough time to shower, change clothes and head to their jobs, like nothing happened. Just another in a long list of adventures they would share with friends and fellow riders.
I spoke with Connie by phone while she was at the motel, waiting for Randy to arrive. Her disappointment in not being able to finish the ride was palpable. More than that, she loathes having to rely on someone to come bail her out of a situation. Trying to lighten the mood a little, I remarked about what a great guy she had in Randy – driving through the night to rescue his damsel in distress. Connie didn’t hesitate, even for a nano second, before replying “I wouldn’t want to be rescued by anyone else, but him.” It didn’t come out sappy or silly and neither of us laughed over it. It simply defines their relationship - there isn’t any situation the two of them can’t get through as long as they rely on each other. Randy is her Knight In Shining Armor.
I've just come from next door, having let Bailey and Buddy out for a quick nature call. Yep, this means Randy and Connie are riding together once again. They're participating in a one day rally. The sunrise was still several hours away as they pulled out this morning. It will be after 10:00 p.m. tonight before the dogs will welcome them home excitedly. Madness, you say? No, Randy and Connie are simply taking advantage of what remains of the riding season. I understand their motivation completely. I'm happy to provide doggie daycare while they build another memory to take them through the approaching winter months.
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Their stuff is all over my iPod but this song hits it on the head:
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