RE: Congratulations Darrell On Riding 800,000 BMW Miles - 2

Here's the article from the BMW Owners News


Darrell Penning #7157
800,000 miles

That very first ride at the age of 11 on the back of uncle Marvin’s 1950’s Harley down a gravel road was my last for several years. The conversation my mother had with her brother would not be published in any article. Dad never said a word but he was not a happy father.

Forward to 1971 while serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in Morocco. It was time to buy that 1953 R51/3 former Moroccan gendarme bike. I learned to ride on that bike. In 1975 I found myself playing rugby in France and already on my 3rd BMW model. Those 6 years in North Africa and France created a travel bug that continues to grow today. Arriving back in the US in 1976 I purchased a 1976 R90S from Selger Forbes BMW in New Jersey. I’d met Malcolm Forbes while in Morocco having the opportunity to ride with him often in Morocco and the US.

A career in food processing and packaging operations reduced time to travel in the US and Canada but I always found time to get a couple of longer rides in and attend several rallies each summer. Living in Minnesota has an impact on the number of months I’m able to ride each year. Those winter months are spent planning what the next journey might entail.

Looking back at these 47 years of riding has left me with memories and experiences I would have never enjoyed without having taken up a sport I continue to enjoy today. 21 BMW motorcycles later riding in 3 countries in North Africa, 11 countries in Europe, 3 days behind the Iron Curtain in East Germany, 47 states and 10 Canadian Provinces has provided an education I could never have experienced by any other means.

A couple of my many highlights from 2018 were my trip to Key West when I diverted my route to include 4 days riding with Jim Ford in the Virginia Appalachian Mountains and meeting up with the R1200RS Ride-In Group in Arkansas.

I have been a member of the AMA, BMWMOA, BMWRA and BMW Club of Minnesota 42 continuous years which has provided me an opportunity to meet and ride with others who enjoy the sport. Many of these riders remain good friends today. Since retiring in 2010 I have enjoyed traveling alone more. This has allowed me to meet others along my journeys and often has resulted in new friendships developing. I’ve attended 25 of the BMWMOA national rallies.

I was recently asked what my riding goals are for the future. My response was I will always have a destination in mind but know that is just the catalyst that allows me to experience the journey while riding with old friends, making new friends and learning various things along that path.

Zitat von Holger im Beitrag #18

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Thanks Lee, I hope you don't have to type the article.

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