Sitting here at my computer while typing these words, I think about “What’s Next?” It’s January 2nd, 2024, and I find myself unemployed for the first time in almost 50 years. I recently decided to retire (at least for now), turning over the balance of my work to my business partner, Tristan Henry, whom I met at a bicycle shop here in Bend almost nine years ago.

For the first time in my life, I have found myself without direction or purpose! What the hell am I going to do with my time? I could annoy my wife a little more, but she would insist that I am already maxed out on that subject matter. I could begin writing the book I have been noodling over for nearly a decade or maybe travel a little more…

I never really thought that I would be “lost” in the thought of retirement. I thought retirement would be stress-free, and provide the time to do whatever my heart desires. I still have so many ideas for work that I find it hard to sleep at night. I guess retirement doesn’t mean you can quit thinking about work? For me, “work” hasn’t felt like work since I quit my job at the plastics factory in Alma where I grew up. When my dad and I started the motorcycle dealership in 1984, it was the beginning of the end for “work,” as I knew it.

Let me explain: it never feels like work when you love what you do. I have my dad to thank for that. I really enjoyed the challenges that business brought to the table. Working as a team to solve problems that increased sales and productivity was something that I looked forward to. I will forever be grateful for the opportunities the family business provided me. It set the tone for the coming years, all the way to these keystrokes. Thank you, Pops!

I’m going fishing, because, ya know…

MM