It may be difficult to find someone more enthusiastic about riding motorcycles than AMA member Lynn Plog of Pensacola, Fla.

The 2015 AMA National Dual Sport Series raffle bike winner is the owner of 45 motorcycles and is spending his retirement riding as many events as he can in the Beta AMA National Dual Sport Series, presented by Kenda Tires, and AMA National Enduro Championship Series.

Plog began riding motorcycles in 1963. His older brother had a 1947 Cushman scooter, and Plog decided to follow his lead, getting a Honda C100.

Motorcycling was a big part of Plog’s hometown of Sterling, Ill. AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Bill Baird grew up there and was a role model to the young Plog.

After learning how to ride on-highway and off-highway, Plog entered his first competition event, an enduro, at age 18.

“I rode an 80cc Yamaha in that event,” he said. “I didn’t do very well, but I had a lot of fun.”

Though family commitments cut into his riding time during his working years, Plog kept motorcycles in his life as much as he could. He rode a Honda Super 90 for his 15-mile commute to work. He worked as a professional mechanic for more than 40 years, and would buy non-running motorcycles to repair for fun.

His enthusiasm for motorcycling was rekindled in 2012 when he took part in an AMA National Dual Sport Series ride in Renfro Valley, Ky.

Plog enjoyed the challenging riding and attended six more AMA National Dual Sport Series rides that year.

He retired from his job in 2014, freeing up more time to travel. That year he rode in two dual sport events in New Jersey before driving west for the Howling at the Moon National Dual Sport in Prescott, Ariz.

He was on his way to a dual sport ride in Braxton Bridge, S.C., in January 2015 when he learned he was the 2015 AMA National Dual Sport Series raffle bike winner, receiving a 2015 Husqvarna TE350.

“That was the best retirement gift ever,” he said.

In 2017, Plog decided to try his hand at enduros again. He competed in the 66+ Class in the AMA National Enduro Championship Series in 2017 and 2018, scoring one win and 10 podium finishes.

He also has experience with on-road riding, including a one-way trip from Alaska to Chicago on a 1988 Honda NX650.

“I lived in Anchorage for about five years,” he said. “When I moved, I left the bike with a friend. I eventually flew back to Anchorage and rode the bike to my new home in Chicago.”

Though he retired from working as a mechanic, Plog said he does all of his own maintenance on his fleet. While most of his motorcycles reside at his home in Pensacola, Fla., he has motorcycles stationed with friends across the nation.

“I have 30 motorcycles in Florida, five in Arizona, five in Oregon, and another five in Illinois,” he said.

His collection includes seven Honda CRF250X, as well as the 1988 Honda NX650, a Kawasaki W650 and W800 and a Honda Transalp.

For 2019, Plog is planning to participate in 20 to 25 AMA-sanctioned national events, including AMA-sanctioned Hodaka Days in Athena, Ore.

“I plan my year around when the national rides are,” he said.