What we're thankful for in motorcycling in 2021

And since we're all about motorcycles here at Common Tread, we decided to share what we're grateful for in the context of motorcycling in the wake of the unprecedented 2020 and in the still tumultuous year of 2021. So here we go.

Patrick Garvin: My back yard is a riding treasure

I'm thankful for public land and trails systems. Moving from the midwest a few years ago to western South Dakota has been a huge eye-opener for me. Having thousands of miles of public trails here in the Black Hills and surrounding states like Colorado and Wyoming has been a godsend. Being able to take off from my house on my dirt bike and spend all day riding in the woods is something that would be hard to give up now that I have access to it. If you don't live in a state with access to a large amount of public land, you kind of don't know what you're missing. It's something I certainly won't take for granted again. It is such a big part of my life now that not having that kind of access would be soul-crushing.

Jen Dunstan: Joining a new team, making new friends

This year I am grateful that my motorcycling community and family has continued to grow! From joining the RevZilla team and attending several events, such as Babes in the Dirt Dual Sport experience and Get On! ADV Fest, I have made so many new riding buddies. The bond of two wheels is unlike any other.

Zack Courts: A father-son ride finally happens

In March of 2020 my dear ol' dad was scheduled to venture out of the Green Mountain State and visit me in California. I had two BMW R 1250 GS rentals booked from MotoQuest in Long Beach and we were going to spend a handful of days winding our way up the Pacific Coast to Portland, Oregon. Three days before his departure, the world shut down and the trip was cancelled. A year and a half later, with the American Airlines credit due to expire, he finally rebooked a ticket. The MotoQuest rentals will have to wait, but Ari loaned us his Kawasaki Versys 650 and the weekend before this Thanksgiving was spent carving through corners together in and around Los Angeles — arguably the only thing that can beat cranberry sauce to go with this year's turkey.

Spenser Robert: Thankful for a commute?

We’ll have to check city records to be sure, but I might be the first person in the history of Los Angeles to say I’m thankful for my commute. The City of Angels is notorious for taking a few miles of pavement and stretching it into hours of traffic — unless you ride a motorcycle. And considering that my love of motorcycles is roughly equivalent to my hatred of traffic, it’s the perfect excuse to hop on a bike every day I go to the office. I zip by cars, sneak in a few wheelies, ignore my phone and enjoy a few moments of two-wheeled zen before diving into a pool of work and life obligations for the rest of the day.

Brandon Wise: Motorcycles take me to amazing places

The day Lance asked us what we were thankful for in relation to motorcycles this year, I was about to board a plane headed to Los Angeles. I immediately realized how much traveling I've gotten to do in 2021 and all the amazing places and new faces I've seen: South Dakota, California, Utah, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire and I’m sure a few others I'm overlooking. The point being, I owe it to these crazy two-wheel machines, because if not for motorcycles, I probably wouldn't have gotten off the couch nearly as much. Travel is always fun, but any time it's on two wheels, that elevates the experience. And being away makes me more appreciative of the people I have back home.

Andy Greaser: Nobody calls my old bikes worthless junk any more

As Common Tread's used bike guy, I'm thankful for the strongest pre-owned motorcycle market I can remember. All my junk bikes are suddenly worth something. Maybe those jalopies can go to new homes, I'll finally free up some garage space and better motorcycles will take their places. (My sympathies to anyone trying to buy a used motorcycle right now. It's wild out there.)

Ari Henning: Getting to really twist the throttle

I'm glad track days are back, to some degree. Perhaps it was just me being cautious during the peak of the pandemic, but I didn't get to drag much knee during 2020. I haven't actually boogered that many tires in 2021, but it was enough to sate me, and enough to remind me how incredibly thrilling and satisfying track days are.

Spurgeon Dunbar: Motorcycle events — and riding with friends — are back

I was most thankful for the return of motorcycle events and, more specifically, for the opportunity to be involved in RevZilla's first foray into them with the Get On! ADV Fest in South Dakota this past July. It was my first time riding in the Black Hills and between preparation and the event itself, I got to spend nine straight days riding. I got to see old friends and meet new ones and it was one of the best weeks of riding I've had in years. It was a good reminder to shut off the computer screen and get outside and ride. I should also give a shout out to BMW as I'm thankful they lent me a BMW F 850 GS to ride!

Lance Oliver: An un-dreamed-of team

More than seven years ago, when we launched what would become Common Tread, the "team" consisted of two of us far-flung part-time contractors cobbling together some content and hoping to get noticed. Now, I have the luxury of being able to call on the deepest bench of talent in the U.S. motorcycle media. If we have an opportunity to test ride a big adventure-touring motorcycle, I know Spurgeon can go ride it expertly on- and off-road and evaluate it in thorough detail. If it's a high-powered sport bike, I know Ari, Zack or Jen can push it on the track and test it far better than I can (and maybe while also narrating a seamless description of the ride, specs and all — amazing). Spenser is not only a creative and hard-working video editor but is also so plugged in to what's happening in the industry that he's a valuable news resource for me. If I have a tech question, I can turn to Patrick, Ari or Andy, each of them an expert in different areas of maintenance, repair, restoration and customization. And I've yet to find a gear question Brandon couldn't answer from memory. Add to that some truly talented freelance contributors. I could call it a dream team, but honestly, I never dreamed that big back when it all started.

What are you thankful for? Intentionally focusing on gratitude is good for the soul, so share your reasons to be thankful in the comments.