“All of my senses are activated simultaneously and everything else that seems so important when we’re not riding instantly falls away as soon as we’re on the bike.”
Fast Facts
- Artists Instagram handles: @flashingjellyring & @jasonmorganportraits
- Influenced by: Evel Knievel, John Ryan, Iron Butt Rally
- Margaret first got on a bike at a very young age (see pic)
JASON:
Where are you from/where do you currently live?
From Kirbyville, Texas; currently live in Wilmington, Ohio.
How did you meet?
We met while working together at a small design firm in Cincinnati, Ohio, in the late 90s. We were both recovering from brief starter-marriages and I had just started riding again. My 1996 yellow Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 caught her eye in the parking lot one day and we’ve pretty much been riding two-up ever since.
How long have you been married?
Married for 22 years, together for 24, grateful to be riding through it all!
When did you first learn to ride?
1997
Why did you first start to ride?
Like a lot of kids in the 70s, I grew up watching Evel Knievel. Then one day I saw one of my aunt’s friends ride up to our house on a motorcycle and I immediately wanted to have one of my own.
First motorcycle?
1982 Yamaha Maxim 650
Current motorcycle?
2015 Yamaha FJR 1300
What makes you most excited about motorcycling?
The freedom that comes with exploration.
MARGARET:
What was your first experience with motorcycling?
Someone plopped me onto my uncle’s ‘73 Honda CB550 Four when I was about 2 years old for a cute photo. It made a huge impression. When I was 10, the same uncle bought us a little red Honda z50. I wore ruts in the grass riding it in endless circles around the back yard.
Why do you like to ride?
I still remember listening to that minibike engine, learning when to change gears by the sound and feel, and all the sensory overload that came with those early riding experiences. Even though I only ride two-up now, I still find it thoroughly consuming. All of my senses are activated simultaneously and everything else that seems so important when we’re not riding instantly falls away as soon as we’re on the bike.
Do you have your motorcycle endorsement?
Yes! I took the class with our daughter when she was still in high school. We did it for Mother's Day and had the greatest time together. She has her own bike now but I never intended to ride on my own, I just wanted to learn the basics if an unexpected situation ever called for it.
Do you prefer to ride with Jason or your own bike and why?
I loved riding that little z50 when I was a kid, and the Honda 250 dirt bike I rode once in a safety course felt like the perfect bike for me as an adult, but riding solo on the street has zero appeal. Honestly, it terrifies me. But riding two-up is so soothing, I’ve even dozed off on the back of the bike a couple of times, waking up to the sound of our helmets knocking together.
What makes you most excited about motorcycling?
Anytime we’re out on the bike — whether riding over the Hoover Dam or through Death Valley or on a brief summer night hunt for a chocolate malt — it always feels like the possibilities are endless. Even though we may be technically more vulnerable than when we’re in a car, it never seems that way. When we’re decked out in all our gear and packed with only the bare essentials it’s so empowering and fun. Our whole world is reduced to the bike and us.
JASON:
How did you first learn about Aerostich?
I read The Man Who Would Stop At Nothing about John Ryan and in all the pictures I ever saw of him, he was wearing an Aerostich suit so that was a big clue I needed an upgrade.
Tell us about your history with Aerostich gear.
I started getting interested in long-distance riding and noticed a lot of Iron Butt Rally winners wearing Aerostich gear, but I’d never seen an Aerostich suit in person before. I came across July Schlacter (long-time Aerostich fan) in a forum and she happened to be nearby and kindly came to visit to let us see her suit and try it on. It was everything we’d hoped it would be and more. We ordered our custom R3s right after that and we’ve never looked back.
Tell us about riding together as a married couple and as a family.
Riding together adds another great dimension to our relationship. It’s like knowing a language we share with other riders but only speak when we’re on the bike. We’re a little looser around the edges, more fully part of the elements. We stick out the tough stuff a little longer and more easily let go of schedules and plans. Bonds forged adventuring together are strong.
Have you taken any favorite trips/roads together?
A couple years ago, I found out I had a son I never knew about for 35 years. To my complete delight, not only was he into motorcycling, he was a sport touring guy, too. Last year he got a BMW 1200GS and we took our first trip together to the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum and rode the Tail of the Dragon with a few of his friends. It was a fantastic ride.
Favorite Aerostich gear?
The Roadcrafter R3 suits are our favorites.
Who or what was your biggest influence in motorcycling?
The Iron Butt Rally has been my biggest influence. While we’ve never participated (yet) the forums are an endless resource for mining answers to all our motorcycling/adventure touring questions.
What are your hobbies and interests outside of motorcycling?
We’re both artists. I paint for a living (portraits, murals, still lifes, etc.). When I’m not painting or riding, I’m usually working on a restoration project on our old 1920s house.
Aerostich-related or Aerostich-specific stories?
It was through Aerostich that I discovered the surprising utility of a silk scarf when riding: it’s soft, warm, light-weight, and easy to pack — probably the thing I recommend most to any rider.
Any other thoughts?
We really appreciate the care and craftsmanship that goes into making these suits. We hope to ride up to the shop in Duluth someday soon.
YAY OR NAY
- Backroads? YAY for twisties
- Freeways? YAY for blowing the soot out
- Gravel Roads? Big NAY all day
- Roadside Motel? YAY for me; NAY for her
- Camping? Once upon a time YAY; definitely NAY now
- Helmet Audio System? YAY — We rode without one for years and our tapping and pointing worked pretty great. When we finally leveled up, we were shocked to realize how long we’d managed without it.
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