By Wayne Doenges

Here’s a little story about driving my rig before I quit riding after 60-some years.

It is a nice Indiana spring day. So, I decide to take advantage of it by riding my motorcycle equipped with a sidecar.

I push the rig out of the garage, thumb the starter, and the Honda Valkyrie comes eagerly to life. I point the Valk at the interstate and accelerate up the ramp onto I-469. Taking full advantage of this motorcycle’s power, I blend into the traffic as I head north on I-69.

Bringing the Valk’s speed down to a more reasonable level and getting into a relaxed state of mind, I start to “meander.”

I’m approaching the Auburn, Ind., exit and decide to ride off the beaten path. Meandering on I-69 is not quite my usual thing.

Meandering through Leo then Grabil, (I’m getting the hang of this meandering!) I wind my way past Amish farms with horses out to pasture, and past the wash—mostly blue and black—hanging on the clotheslines on this bright, sunny, breezy Monday. The Hoosier air is so crisp it must’ve been washed too.

On to Milan Center, just a spot in the road, then across the Maumee River and, after a few rare, challenging right and left curves, on to Woodburn.

Nuttin’ happening in the sleepy town of Woodburn.

I resume my blistering 40 mph pace to the Ohio/Indiana state line road. Turning south, I shift to fifth gear and head south at an easy pace. It is really relaxing… nothing but the sound of the breeze, with an occasional bird chirping, and the spring sun warming these birthday bones.

The Valkyrie is cruising along nicely with the throttle set at “peaceful.”

A little interruption crossing U.S. 30, and then I settle back down with nothing to do except relax and look at Ohio license plates on the left side of the road and Indiana license plates on the right side.

Weaving from one side of the lane to the other, I visualize meandering from Ohio to Indiana in a motorcycle heartbeat. I cross the railroad tracks, turn right, blink my eyes, and I’m through the town of Dixon Indiana/Ohio.

I up the ante a bit, doing 45 mph on Hoagland Road. But Hoagland will be disappointed—I’m not going there.

Instead, I turn and rumble through Monroeville, another small Hoosier town, resisting the temptation of stopping at Whippy Dip for some dreamy soft ice cream. Another typical relaxing small town.

Making a few easy jogs out of town and heading back to New Haven, I decide to stop at an old brick 1870s-era country church and eat my small lunch. I find a just-made-for-sittin’ rock just off the main entrance to the church, a good place to sit, stretch, eat and admire my transportation.

I must’ve sat on that little old rock for the better part of 45 minutes, and only two cars went past on this pastoral road. I love Northeast Indiana!

Reluctantly, I decide to go.

An interesting old gravel road comes into view, so, what the hey, I decide to take it.

Lots of dust, but also lots of quiet.

Since there’s not a house on this road, I bring the Valkyrie to a halt for a break where the woods on both sides encompass the road. It’s very peaceful, once the dust settles. No sounds, except the occasional bird singing, a squirrel chattering and a slight ticking as the Valk cools.

As an added bonus, a deer crosses the road at the thickest part of the woods, and I figure it’s just another thing to enjoy, especially since I’m not moving, and the deer isn’t a threat.

After a nice sun-warmed rest, I bring the Valk back to life and head for home. Ninety-eight miles in three hours, a new record for me, but a peaceful one and a great way to end the day.

Jus’ meandering, the Hoosier Way.

Wayne Doenges is an AMA Charter Life Member from New Haven, Ind.