Jamsewiab

James the Pied Piper

What is a biker?

by Carmen Juch

His daughter calls him a modern day Peter Pan; I can see where she is coming from for a number of reasons that I won’t elaborate on in writing. I will comment on the fact that he does seem to age less than most folks, especially sun loving bikers, and he does seem younger than his chronological age. However, I tend to think of him more as the Pied Piper. You know, where he rides, others follow. And quite frankly, they aren’t likely to catch up because he is a speed demon on his bike.

It’s gotten him into trouble more than once too; most recently a broken wrist and some nasty road rash. But being James, he healed at a remarkable rate and even with ribs still sore, was back in the saddle in no time at all. I didn’t even know he had gone down until after it was over and done.

That’s James. One of the things I like best about James is his honesty about himself. He never makes an excuse even when he has done something he knows was ill-advised. He takes his medicine and moves on. And he does it without complaint and if anything, laughing.

James Grice is a rider that’s for sure and anyone who really knows him isn’t going to argue that point. I can count the times I have seen him pull up in anything other than a motorcycle; there aren’t many to count. I can also tally the number of times I have seen him in a bad mood. Pretty much … zero.

I have to confess that for the first three or four years that I knew James I didn’t believe he owned a shirt of any kind because every single time I saw him he wore a black leather vest over his bare skin. He was very popular with the girls and I think a girlfriend may be responsible for a t-shirt appearing a few years back.

A southerner, he was born in South Carolina, relocated to Georgia and then several moves later Louisiana; finally landing in Houston in 1973. Somewhere in that time, around the age of 12, James discovered bikes – specifically a 5 horsepower engine Bonanza Mini Chopper with 35 degree rake front forks, ape hangers, banana seat and a tall sissy bar on back. Much like his bikes today, that bike took James everywhere.

I imagine he was popular with the girls then also … and the legend began.

Through the years and the moves, he went through several bikes including Hondas, Virgos and Intruders. It wasn’t until 1990 when he had saved up enough money to purchase his first Harley-Davidson, a 1990 Heritage Soft Tail Custom.

He still has that bike with 98,000 miles on it. It was after a trip to Fresno, California in September 2001, that, with some persuasion of a friend who told him he needed a more comfortable bike for the long rides he took, the decision was made to purchase a second bike, a 2000 Tour Classic. The difference, he says, wasn’t just between night and day, more like between a VW Bug and a Cadillac!

Perhaps it was that trip to Fresno that made the decision to buy a plusher ride or maybe it was the attack on the World Trade Center that occurred while he was there.

He’s ridden just about anywhere a biker would want to ride in the United States: New York, Washington DC, Myrtle Beach, Daytona, Sturgis (times 10), California, Oregon, Texas Hill Country, Smokey Mountains, and Tail of the Dragon. He biggest thrill is the scenery; viewing this beautiful country from the seat of his bike. There are never too many waterfalls to catch a glimpse of, too many mountains to ride or curves to turn into for James.

Most times James is named Road Captain for these trips and is in charge of planning the entire trip in advance. His “Peter Pan” has some influence because he doesn’t book rooms; he and his group just ride until whenever and then stay wherever. Sounds like the movie “Easyrider” all over (but with a happy ending).

He also does something that everyone should do when they plan to take a long ride with a group. He creates little cheat sheets/maps for the other riders that fit into the fairing pouch that details their ride. Nothing says pain in the rear more than trying to hook up when you don’t know where you’re going.

James wears his love of riding and his adventurous nature well. When he tells of his most recent rides there is a little in his eyes as he relieves it in the telling.

James, not Jim, not Jim-Bo, Jamie or Jack. No nickname or road name, just James. He isn’t really a “short cut” kind of guy. He takes the long and winding road and he takes his sense of humor and quest for an exciting journey wherever he rides. He’s always fast with an easy laugh (and sometimes a smirk) and fast into a curve.

James has a saying that is displayed on the front of each of his bikes. “THE ROAD GOES ON FOREVER & THE PARTY NEVER ENDS”. And when he rides those roads his platted pony tail flutters in the wind behind him, sort of like an exclamation point. Much as I am sure each of his days riding end – with an exclamation point!