2023 Honda Trail125

So this happened.

Let me explain.

On a recent expedition to the island of Maui, I grabbed an opportunity to rent a rugged little motor scooter and set out to explore the NW corner of the island. Throwing caution to the wind, I donned my trusty swimsuit and a pair of well-worn flip-flops, embarking on a journey that offered thrills at a maximum speed of a mere 35mph. I found hidden beaches and twisty paths that cut deep back into the canopy of island trees. The experience was a perfect escape for my adventurous soul, and I was absolutely captivated before I departed back to the mainland.

It was more than a vacation activity. I was hooked on the freedom and fun that two wheels provided. At home, my new quest was to acquire a fun little scooter that would transport me through town and and carry me off the beaten path. For an added bonus, I was hoping for a scooter that would even take me into the heart of my beloved Sierra. I reached out to a long-standing patient of mine, who manages our local Honda dealership. I explained to him my vision, only to have him set me straight, asserting that what I truly required was an authentic motorcycle. After some spirited banter, he cheekily reminded me of the trust he places in my dental care, urging me to reciprocate by entrusting him with the realm of two-wheeled wonders.

Before I knew it, I completed a local CHP Motorcycle Safety course, I obtained my motorcycle license, and I became the proud owner of this beautiful Honda Trail 125.

Here’s the deal: I’ve never been drawn to owning or riding motorcycles. I always knew my dad rode a bike when he was younger. There is family stories about him on an original 1948 Harley. Check out the picture below.

My dad on his 1948 Harley Davidson

My dad stopped riding bikes when he got married, but when I was a kid there was the great gas crisis of the early 1970’s. In response, my dad got back into the motorcycle market and bought an original Honda Trail 90 (see the advertisement below). I can remember zooming around on the back of my dad’s motorcycle. I specifically remember riding around the orchards near our house, but specifically liked when we would go on rides down to our local creek bed. As a kid, I didn’t think there was anything more cool than hanging onto my dad as we zoomed around the dirt.

Joe Fletcher in his back yard. Cigar in mouth. Circa 1973

Original Honda Trail 90 that my dad when I was a kid

Here I am riding around the forest trails in the Stanislaus National Forest.

When I got graduated from college, my dad graduated to his first serious motorcycle: A Harley Davidson. His new bike was very cool. In all those years, I never considered getting a motorcycle for myself. It just didn’t come up in our family as I was raising kids, so even I was shocked at how quickly I found myself ordering myself this brand new little Honda.

In reality though, I should not have been surprised. This motorbike resonates with the call to adventure that I live with everyday! It has opened up even more of the Sierra Nevada mountains, granting me passage to even more of the wilderness, allowing me to ascend to greater heights along pristine streams. Since owning this fun bike, I have been able to conquer new rugged terrains that have remained elusive to my car or my own two feet.

To say that I’m hooked is an understatement. There is nothing like climbing a Sierra trail and riding alongside a fresh mountain stream while enjoying the smell of fresh pine trees. I will be reporting on many more motorbike adventures, but for now enjoy these photos from this past week.

Quietly making noise,
Fletch

Parked alongside the Clavey River.