Looking Back on 2025 — And Riding Forward Together into 2026
A reflection for Wisconsin motorcycle riders
As 2025 winds down, I’ve found myself doing what a lot of riders do this time of year—looking back over the miles, the moments, and the people who made the year what it was. In Wisconsin, riding seasons have a rhythm all their own. We wait through winter. We savor spring. We squeeze every ounce out of summer. And in the fall, when the air turns crisp and the colors light up the Driftless Area, we ride a little slower and a little more thoughtfully.
This year felt full in that way.
Not perfect. Not easy. But meaningful.
And before we point our front wheels toward 2026, I want to take a moment to say something that doesn’t get said enough: I’m genuinely grateful to be part of the Wisconsin motorcycle community.
2025 Was a Year of Connection
One of the things I love most about riders—especially here in Wisconsin—is that we’re independent people who still look out for one another. You can be riding solo down a quiet county road and still feel connected to something bigger. A wave from the oncoming lane. A nod at a gas station. A stranger who pulls over just to make sure you’re okay.
In 2025, that sense of connection showed up again and again.
It showed up at charity rides where riders turned out not for glory, not for recognition, but because someone needed help.
It showed up at memorial rides, where helmets were quieter and hearts were heavier—but nobody rode alone.
It showed up in conversations at diners, bike nights, parking lots, and trailside pull-offs.
Riders checked in on each other. Shared routes. Shared tools. Shared stories. Shared grief when things went wrong—and shared joy when things went right.
That’s not accidental. That’s culture.
Riding in Wisconsin Is About More Than the Bike
Wisconsin riding has always been about more than horsepower or chrome. It’s about place.
It’s about backroads that curve through farmland and forest.
It’s about lake air in the summer and leaf-filled horizons in October.
It’s about long daylight rides in July and knowing when to call it early in November.
But it’s also about responsibility.
Wisconsin riders know what it means to ride smart. To watch for gravel at intersections. To respect farm traffic. To understand that wildlife doesn’t care how visible your gear is. To ride defensively because experience teaches you that assumptions can be dangerous.
That kind of awareness doesn’t come from fear. It comes from respect—for the road, for the bike, and for your own life.
And that mindset matters.
Gratitude for Trust, Stories, and Shared Ground
Being welcomed into the Wisconsin motorcycle community—especially as someone whose role often comes into play on the worst day of a rider’s life—is not something I take lightly.
Every rider who reached out this year.
Every family who trusted me with their story.
Every person who took the time to explain what riding meant to them or to someone they loved.
That trust is humbling.
Motorcyclists aren’t statistics. They’re parents. Partners. Friends. Veterans. Tradespeople. Artists. Retirees. Kids at heart who still feel most themselves with two wheels under them.
When someone lets me step into that world—even briefly—I treat it with respect. Always.
And in 2025, I was reminded over and over again why this work matters: because riders matter. Their lives matter. Their futures matter.
A Year That Asked Riders to Be Present
If 2025 had a theme, it might have been this: pay attention.
Traffic felt heavier. Distractions felt louder. Too many crashes still came down to drivers not looking—or not caring enough to slow down and share the road.
But riders responded the way riders do.
By being alert.
By riding sober.
By choosing gear even when it wasn’t convenient.
By reminding newer riders that skill and judgment matter more than ego.
Wisconsin riders showed up with experience and patience. That’s not flashy, but it saves lives.
Looking Ahead to 2026 with Hope
As we look toward 2026, I feel optimistic—and not in a shallow, “new year, new you” kind of way.
I’m hopeful because I see:
Riders mentoring other riders
Communities supporting safer roads
Families honoring loved ones by riding responsibly
A culture that values freedom and accountability
I’m excited for new rides, new events, and new connections. For spring mornings when the first ride of the season feels like a small miracle. For summer nights when the sun refuses to set and the road keeps calling. For fall rides that remind us why we endure winter in the first place.
And yes—hopefully for safer roads, fewer crashes, and more riders getting home in one piece.
A Promise Going Into the New Year
As we head into 2026, here’s my promise to Wisconsin riders:
I’ll keep showing up for this community.
I’ll keep listening.
I’ll keep fighting when riders are treated unfairly.
I’ll keep honoring the reality of riding—not the stereotypes.
And I’ll keep doing this work with the same respect I’d want shown to my own family and friends.
Because at the end of the day, this isn’t just about motorcycles. It’s about people who choose a life that’s a little more exposed, a little more honest, and a lot more alive.
Until the Next Ride
However you’re closing out 2025—whether your bike is tucked away for winter or you’re squeezing in one last cold, clear ride—I hope you do it with gratitude for the year behind you and confidence in the road ahead.
Thank you for welcoming me into the Wisconsin riding community.
Thank you for looking out for one another.
And here’s to a strong, safe, and meaningful 2026.
Ride smart. Ride connected.
And I’ll see you out there.