There are about a zillion Bikes and Coffee events around the country on the weekends. With my friend Kacey Close, I help organize and attend the one we have here in Denton put on by the Denton Independent Motorcycle Show team (we are members of that team). Every week I get to meet people from all walks of life who are connected by their shared love of motorcycles. What I love about our event is that we attract a wide variety of motorcycles and riders. Weekend warriors, adventure riders, rumbling Harleys, vintage enthusiasts, garage builders and restoration purists. They all come out, and they are all pretty great and friendly people without fail.

Wayne and Karyn, aka “Only Hell Yes!” came out to the Denton event early on. That was back when there were under 15 people showing up. We had an instant connection that I blame on the fact we were all going through some tough but necessary transitions in our lives. In the beginning we were just riding similar waves in our personal spaces, and I think that made for some solidarity for us. I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason, and this relationship is no exception.

Building the friend ship

In the last year-ish period, Wayne and Karyn have become good friends and a part of our lives here at Other Life Cycles. They have taught me a lot as a person about how to use my energy and what is important. They have been tireless fans of our work. Karyn even served as OLC chief marketing exec at the Handbuilt Show in April 2016 by carnival barking people who walked by the F-bomb on their way into the main exhibit. Then they ended up camping out on the porch of the AirBnB where Kacey, and my wife and I stayed after having a great meal out at Lucy’s.

Later, I built Wayne a rear rack for his sport bike so he could carry his gear to Motos in Moab when they went this year. We had countless drinks together in the various joints for libations in Denton, several meals, countless laughs, and even watched a little “Stranger Things”. We helped each other out of jams with flat tires and dead batteries and vehicular fender benders. And we acted as fans and counsel when appropriate or needed. Through all of that, we became good friends.

Off on an adventure

You should know that as I write this post, Wayne and Karyn are on the opening lines of the next chapter in their lives. They are setting out on an adventure I would wish on any friend I hold close. I helped them pack the other night, loading their motorcycles into the back of their truck and sharing some final-for-now in-person-laughs. True, in the weeks leading up to them leaving, I had a few moments of pining over not having met them sooner. My wife and I have wondered what will fill the void of their absence. And I have shed a tear or two. But then, I think we met at exactly the right moment. And I can see that clearly because of knowing them.

They are chronicling their adventure as @OnlyHellYes on social media. They are on Instagram and Facebook, so give them a like or a follow. And if you see them as they make their way to California by way of the Midwest, say Hi. You will be greeted genuinely by two of the kindest moto people I know. Tell them I am thinking about them, and that I said they would pick up the check…