Sharpening the Axe 

The Long-Lost Rider Finally Came Around 

Every once in a while, somebody rolls into Hill City Warriors and brings more than just a motorcycle with them. They bring a whole truckload of memories. That's what my old friend Jimmy Bailey did today.

Today, a long-lost friend finally made his way to the shop with his beautiful Heritage. And when I say long-lost, I mean over six years since we had seen each other. At this point, I was starting to wonder if he had actually fallen off the face of the earth.

Seeing him pull in brought back a bunch of memories, especially those long rides to the Boone Bike Rally and Stations Inn. Back when a good ride meant putting some miles behind you, finding a decent place to stop, and probably making a few questionable decisions along the way.

We spent most of the day doing what riders do best: talking about old bikes, old rides, old friends, and stories that somehow get better every time they're told. Funny how six years can disappear pretty quickly when you start talking motorcycles.

Of course, we couldn't let him leave without actually doing something to the Heritage, so we tackled a little taillight repair. Nothing too dramatic. Just enough wrenching to remind us that motorcycles occasionally need attention, even when we'd rather be sitting around telling stories about them.

It was a great day at the shop. A little wrenching, a lot of talking, plenty of laughs, and enough memories to fill a few more rides.

Sometimes the best thing that comes through the shop door isn't a motorcycle.

It's an old friend riding back into your life.

Welcome back, brother. It's been way too long. Now let's not wait another six years for the next ride.

Hill City Warriors

Bikes, brotherhood, memories, and a place to turn a few wrenches together.