Article — Ann E. Butenas | Photography — Paul Versluis
I have great news for all of you! You don’t need a bunch of tattoos, body piercings and a pack of cigarettes rolled up into your shirt sleeve to enjoy a fun and exciting passion many Leawood residents whose kids have flown the coop are now enjoying. This hobby continues to grow in popularity across the country, and many folks in Leawood just cannot get enough of it.
When it comes to dudes and dudettes riding motorcycles, forget about the stereotypes to which you may have become familiar. Today’s motorcycle enthusiasts can be your doctor, your lawyer or that soccer mom next door. You just never know. But one thing is for certain, the hobby is gaining new fans all the time and the empty nesters of Leawood are no exception.
Leawood resident Doug Patterson is an attorney by day, but in his spare time, he has developed a passion for the freedom of the open road. His first introduction to motorcycles came when he was just 15 years old.
“I lived in Raytown at the time,” Patterson said. “That was back in the 1960s when I-435 was paved to an extent but not yet open. I had a Cushman Scooter that I rode all over that highway while the crews were still working on it.”
By age 17, he had graduated to a Montgomery Ward motorcycle. He continued with his passion through college and law school at UMKC, got married, and eventually raised a son and daughter who are now fulfilling their post-collegiate ambitions. So when not practicing law, Doug is practicing his riding skills.
“When my daughter was in college and my son was in high school, I bought my first Harley off of eBay,” said Patterson. “Two weeks later, I was off to Sturgis, and I now attend that event every year, and I just love it. Riding through the Black Hills and the Badlands is absolutely beautiful. While up there, a group of us will just ride for three or four days to a variety of places.”
Even though he works full time managing his own law practice, Property Law Firm, he makes time to get out on his bike for a long ride at least once every two weeks.
“Last year, six of us rode to California, cruised up Highway One to Washington, then over to Idaho and eventually landed in Sturgis. It was a 5,000 mile ride,” Patterson said while smiling. “Closer to home, I may just take off one afternoon and ride the entire I-435 loop. When I ride, all of my cares just disappear.”
Patterson now owns a Harley Tour Glide. When asked why he likes to ride, he simply responded, “For the pleasure of riding.” Even his wife has a Honda motorcycle. His passion for this activity is so intense, that he never really sees himself giving it up. He will most likely just ride off into the glorious sunset one day.
Thanks to Gail Worth of Worth-Harley Davidson in Gladstone, Kansas City has become a Mecca for motorcycle riders, both novice and experienced. If you are considering learning to ride a motorcycle, Gail can easily get you started. Her dealership offers riding classes for the beginner, as well as for those who have ridden for years but perhaps might want to break old habits and learn new skills. All of her classes are taught by retired police officers. They also help customers obtain their motorcycle licenses.
“Once you get your motorcycle qualified license, you can try any and all of our bikes. You can rent a bike for a day, a week, or even a month,” said Worth, another Leawood resident. And if you are concerned about how difficult it might be to learn to ride, she will easily put your concerns at ease.
“Harleys are the easiest to ride. They have a better center of gravity, so they do not feel heavy like other bikes,” she explained.
As for the cost, expect to pay anywhere from $6,000 to $30,000, with the average ticket price around $15,000. Maintenance-wise, it is much like a car.
If you are interested and want to learn more, head out to Worth Harley-Davidson in Grandview any Saturday, where you can meet other motorcyclists, enjoy some hot dogs, listen to live music, and just meet the people there and discover what Harley riders are all about. Be sure to visit their web site at WorthHarley-Davidson.com for more information.
Worth was also excited to note that her dealership doubles the national average of bikes sold to women. So, if you ladies are tired of the SUVs and are ready for a more personal mode of transportation, let Gail Worth help you get your power on and “feel the power.”
Fellow local motorcycle enthusiast, Dennis Black enjoys time spent on his Harley Road King. He has been a Harley rider for 13 years. While years ago he used to race motocross in El Paso, Texas, he claims he has simmered down a bit now.
When he is not operating his business, Heartland Medical Specialties, which sells surgical and medical devices, Black enjoys spending time on his bike. He is a member of Rez Riders, a group of motorcycle lovers from the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, Cor.org/RezRiders. This group has been around for about five years, and Black has been involved for the past two. It has about 95 members, and, yes, there are women in the mix.
Dennis and his wife, Paula, have been empty nesters for 15 years. They have six kids between them and five grandkids. Together, they enjoy taking short rides. Each Thursday with the Rez Riders group, they have an opportunity to take a 30-40 minute ride to a new restaurant.
A recent outing took them to Louisburg to enjoy a nice Mexican restaurant. “We didn’t get out on the highway,” noted Dennis. “We went down Holmes. It was more peaceful and relaxing.”
Black enjoys riding his motorcycle because he works hard and appreciates the time away it gives him. He is a musician for Church of the Resurrection and a couple of other groups. He loves to play golf when he can, too, but nothing truly compares to the camaraderie he feels when riding with the other members of Rez Riders.
“I like the ministry aspect of the group,” explained Black. “The first time I rode with them, about 15 of us rode down to a grade school near 17th and Troost. We spent the day rebuilding that school, painting the hallways and such. It was fun to combine the elements of service with a love of riding.”
The roads of Johnson County may soon be full of local empty nesters cruising for a little fun and relaxation. It’s great to know we have so many options and that we won’t be rolling along alone!
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