A Nice Change of Scenery

Free time activities can happen at any time: on the weekends, in the evenings, and even on the way to work.

When you’re a motorcyclist in Minnesota, you have to take advantage of good weather whenever you can. Rob Laughlin, president of Sunburst Chemicals, a manufacturer of warewash and laundry detergents in Bloomington, Minn., rides his motorcycle to and from the office. “Let’s just say I take the long way to work,” Rob said.

In places like Minnesota, there’s a short season; motorcycle riding is limited to about six months of the year. “I store the bike in the garage during the off-season, and think about singing wistful ballads to it as I walk by it in the winter,” said Rob.

Rob has been riding motorcycles since he was 10 years old. Nine years ago, he ordered his first big bike, a Harley-Davidson Fat Boy®. At that time, there was a three-year waiting list for that model and it arrived in November. “I fantasized about that bike during the entire time I waited for it. Even though they offered to deliver it to me from the dealership in Wisconsin, I wanted to drive it home.” The ride, however, was pretty chilly.

“It was my first time on that motorcycle, and I absolutely froze,” said Rob.

Rob rides for an hour or so on the way to and from work. “I make the transition between the workplace and the family frame of mind when I’m on the bike. Mornings in particular are great,” he said. “Sometimes our quick pace in life doesn’t allow enough time to really transition between work and private life. My motorcycle is not just a means of physical transportation, it’s also a great mental transport,” said Rob.

Paul Wright used to have to store his motorcycle, but not any more. He moved from Minnesota to Naples, Fla., last fall, so now he can ride his bike year-round. Paul is the southeast territory manager for Golden Star, a manufacturer of mops and mats in Kansas City, Mo. Paul got his start on a motorcycle about 14 years ago from his brother, Jeff. (Jeff Wright works for Pacific Floor Machines in Minnesota.) According to Paul, “Way back when, Jeff showed up on a motorcycle. I jokingly said, ‘Who in the world would want a motorcycle?’ And then I ended up buying it from him.”

The obvious difference between motorcycling in Florida vs. Minnesota is that you can ride any time in Florida. “In Minnesota, you’re limited to a few months, and you always have to wear layers of clothing to keep warm. In Florida, the temperatures are constant and I can ride in short sleeves,” Paul said.

Rob talks about riding around the lakes and along the Mississippi River in Minnesota. Paul rides in the sunshine next to the blue ocean water and the swamps of the Everglades. “But,” Paul says, “in Minnesota, there is a greater variety of scenery, from river bluffs to lakes to prairies. Florida has more of a flat, cruising-type terrain.”

According to Paul, the other big contrast between motorcycle riding up north and in Florida is the wildlife. You might see deer in Minnesota, but in Florida, you’ll see herons and alligators.

I personally would love to have a motorcycle, but I worry about the dangerous aspects of the sport. Now I have to add alligators to my list of motorcycle-related perils.

Gretchen Roufs, a 15-year janitorial supply industry veteran, owns Auxiliary Marketing Services of San Antonio. To suggest someone you think should be featured in “freetime,” use email or contact her at (210) 601-4572.