One of my favorite things about riding a motorcycle is that I get to meet a lot of very interesting people. It seems like being on a motorcycle makes you more approachable. At a gas stop, other motorists will often come up and strike up a conversation, “Nice bike,” they will say, “I use to have one,” or they will tell me how they always wanted to ride. Sometimes they just shoot me a thumbs up and a smile. Riders however just naturally congregate. At a service station, a café or a rest stop, bikers almost always talk about their bikes, their destinations and great places they have been. Over the years I have made lasting friendships with people I have casually met on the road.

In 2011, Royal Canadian Mounted Policeman Jean Lemay reached out to me on Facebook to ask for riding suggestions for an upcoming trip south that would bring him all the way to Louisiana. Instead I offered to take him on a tour. Since then Jean and his wife Jo Jo have both retired. They bought a motorhome and a trailer to carry their Harley’s and now head south every year to avoid the cold Montreal winters. They always make Louisiana one of their destinations. As French-speaking Canadians, they are always drawn to the bayou state because of our rich French heritage. In fact, they are in a way “dual citizens” since they love our food, our culture and yes, our football. Jean is a huge Saints fan.

Bob Courtney and I met up with Jean and Jo Jo at an RV park in Denham Springs last Sunday. They were wrapping up a winter in Mexico and headed back home. When we arrived they were boiling crawfish for some of the other visitors at the RV park. We talked about family, grandchildren, bikes, destinations and food. Not just any food I might add. We talked about fried shrimp, boudin and crawfish. We also talked about places we wanted to visit in the future and of course Jean wanted to know if the Saints would have a better season this year.

I have only seen Jean and Jo Jo three times since that first meeting twelve years ago, but it was just like spending time with old friends. In fact, that is exactly what we are. Old friends, brought together because of motorcycles and a passion for riding and adventure.

By the way, if you are on Facebook, you can follow their adventures on the road. Just search for Jean & Jo Jo On The Go.

Ride Safe everybody and hope to see you on the road!

Tee

~ by larider on April 14, 2023.

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