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July 11, 2025 17 mins

From Moon Frog Coffee Shop in Winter Park supporting adaptive skiing programs to chance encounters with animal rescuers at local hangouts, the motorcycle journey repeatedly intersects with community heroes who demonstrate extraordinary heart. These encounters remind us why the motorcycling community remains one of the most generous groups around—because riders understand what it means to rely on others, to help those in need, and to appreciate the gift of freedom that comes with two wheels.

Mentioned in this episode:

Rocky Mountain Motorsports:  1405 Madison Ave #4065, Loveland, CO 80538 (970) 669-6565

Moon Frog Coffee:  https://moonfrog0.wixsite.com/my-site 

The Grounds Internet & Coffee Lounge: https://www.facebook.com/thegroundslaramie#

Buddy's House Dog Fosters:  https://buddysfosters.org/

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Transcript

Episode Transcript

Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Ron (00:05):
While this episode is dedicated to motorcycling, of
course, and to the support ofour local community, I want to
give a quick shout out to themotorcycle shop where I've
gotten my bikes serviced for Ithink 20 years.
That's my friend John at RockyMountain Motorsports here in
Loveland, colorado.
That's my friend John at RockyMountain Motorsports here in

(00:26):
Loveland, colorado.
What a gift it is to findexpert mechanics who charge a
fair price and, in my experience, go over and above for customer
service.
John, to you and Mitch, boththank you very much for the
support for me and my bikes and,most importantly, for your
kindness.
I really appreciate you guys.

(00:54):
Thanks.
Your financial advisor willtypically give you two pieces of
advice when it comes to savingmoney.
First, stop spending $6 or morefor a fancy coffee at a local
coffee shop when you can makeyour own coffee at home for just
pennies.
Secondly, tax laws have changed, so reduce your donations to

(01:17):
non-profits.
You typically don't save thatmuch off your income tax anyway
by making a generous donation.
Instead, put what you would bespending at those coffee shops
and what you would give to thenon-profits into a high-yield
savings account.
Yeah, that's what you typicallyhear from most financial
advisors, but not my financialadvisor.

(01:39):
His name is Scott and Scottknows how I think and he agrees
with my approach.
I ride my motorcycle to localcoffee shops and I buy a $6
fancy coffee because that makesme feel good, it makes me happy,
I like the people who workthere and I like to support them

(02:02):
by going over the top with areally good tip.
It also makes me feel happysometimes riding my motorcycle
75 miles one way just to reach asmall little coffee shop that I
really like to have aconversation with a barista who
knows my name and who tells methat she appreciates me.

(02:22):
Yes, I get a wonderful vanillalatte there and I go over the
top with a tip every timebecause those who run that
business have a good heart.
They demonstrate that to meover and over again.
To me, that is money and timeand miles Very well invested.

(02:47):
As for nonprofits that my wifeand I freely give our money to,
not really considering at allwhat the tax write-off might be,
we give it because these aregood people who run these
nonprofits, who risk theirlivelihood in support of others
in support of total strangersmost of the time or to support

(03:07):
animals or to support theenvironment, simply because they
believe that's the right thingto do.
Who are these people?
I personally believe that theseare heroes, just like school
teachers, just like firefighters.
They're heroes.

(03:28):
That's why this podcastsupports them.
So where am I going with allthis?
I don't know, but I'm fired uptoday to share with you some
things that make me happy Ridinga motorcycle for one, of course
, but also visiting little smallcoffee shops and supporting
those whose hearts, whosekindness and hard work, I'm

(03:51):
convinced, make this world abetter place.
Let's talk about it, stay tuned.
Recorded in beautiful Loveland,colorado.
Welcome to Peace, love Moto.
The podcast for motorcyclistsseeking that peaceful, easy

(04:15):
feeling as we cruise throughthis life together.
Are you ready?
Let's go.

(04:35):
I'll never forget what that ladysaid to me.
It was at church, just beforethe church service started, an
elderly lady sitting behind meand she tapped me on the
shoulder and I turned around andshe said I heard that you're a
biker.
You don't look like a biker.
I don't know what I saidexactly, but I think I said
something like well, thank you.

(04:56):
I think maybe I should takethat as a compliment.
There's a common misconception,isn't there, about motorcycle
riders.
Sometimes people see theleather and the helmets or the
lack of a helmet and maybe a bitof a gruff exterior, and they
jump to conclusions.
But those of us who live andbreathe the moto life, those of

(05:18):
us who put on the seriousmileage and willing to ride in
any weather, we know the truth.
Beneath all that gear beats aheart, usually a pretty big one,
with a deep appreciation forthe community and other riders,
a feeling of freedom that we allexperience together.
And, let's be honest, for manyof us motorcycle riders, I love

(05:40):
for a good cup of coffee at acoffee shop.
That's right, I said it Coffee.
I honestly can't think ofanyone who I ride with currently
who doesn't drink coffee.
Not that I have anythingagainst anyone who doesn't like
coffee at all, but I just can'tthink of anyone that I ride with
who doesn't like it.

(06:02):
For so many of us, too, localcoffee they aren't just a place
to grab a caffeine fix.
It's a meeting point for manyof us, a place to plan routes,
to share stories and to connectwith fellow writers.
Now, as you know, if you'velistened to this podcast for a
while, you probably know Itypically write alone, and when

(06:23):
I go to a coffee shop, my joy iswhen I start a conversation
with a total stranger R.
Any non-profit too, for thatmatter is really, really
important.
Think about it.

(06:53):
When you buy a latte or aregular coffee, whatever you get
from a quirky little coffeeshop with a mixed match of
chairs and the barista whoremembers your order and your
name.
Where does that money go?
Well, it goes directly into thehands of your neighbors.
Essentially, it supports theirfamilies, it helps them pay

(07:14):
their rent, it keeps the doorsopen, it stays right there in
your community circulating andstrengthening the local economy.
So you carry your helmet andyour motorcycle jacket into the
coffee shop, you place yourorder, you sit down at a table
and next thing you know, someonecomes up and asks you hey, tell

(07:36):
me about your motorcycle.
Then the magic happens.
Right, that conversation you'vebeen hoping for all this time
begins.
Next thing, you know, you'vegot a new friend.
That's beautiful, and as for me, that's joy, that is true joy,
connecting with someone who,because of my bike, decided to

(08:01):
say something to me.
I love that.
When I was taking a multi-dayride a couple of months ago,
riding through California, I sawa Starbucks sign and then
started thinking to myself howgood a caramel macchiato would
taste after hours out on theroad, so I exited off the

(08:25):
highway in search of the mermaid, or whatever that symbol is.
Before I got there, though, Istumbled across a tiny little
coffee shop with flowers andpeace signs painted on the
windows.
Aha, I thought these are mykind of people.
The husband and wife who ownedthe little shop welcomed me in,

(08:46):
took my order and began aconversation with me that lasted
an hour, I believe.
That's reason number whateveryou want to give it 109, for why
I love to travel by motorcycleChance encounters, instant
conversations about the bike,about where you're going about,

(09:10):
where you've been.
I love it, just love it.
Just last weekend, I was ridingwith my buddy, brian, who I do
ride with occasionally he's agreat guy.
We were riding through WinterPark here in Colorado, riding
the back roads of Colorado as wedo.
Yes, that's the famous ski area, winter Park, you may have
heard of.
I love ski towns, especially inthe summer.

(09:32):
Well, anyway, we passed a smallcoffee shop that I'd noticed to
my left.
I'd not seen it there before,so I signaled to Brian, who was
right behind me.
I said let's turn around andcheck it out.
I signaled to Brian, who wasright behind me.
I said let's turn around andcheck it out.
I'm so glad we did.

(09:56):
It was called Moon Frog MoonFrog Coffee Shop and Roaster.
It's on US Highway 40 in WinterPark.
It's right on the main dragthat goes through town.
You can't miss it.
After I fell in love with thecool hippie name of that place,
moon Frog, we noticed thebeautiful flowers that were
hanging in the baskets justright outside the windows of the
shop and inside we were metwith a very nice fellow named

(10:19):
Andres who I could tell he ownedthe place and he confirmed that
yes, he did.
It's not only a cozy andwelcoming atmosphere making it a
great spot to relax, or therewas people studying there or
just grabbing a coffee to relax.
But you know what I appreciatedmost?
Andrus spent time to talk to meWhile he made the coffee for me

(10:43):
and Brian.
We just had the most wonderfulconversation.
I told him about the podcast.
I told him about my hopes anddreams for maybe a tour that
associates with the podcast.
He was just so encouraging.
I learned that he, through hissmall business, through that
little coffee shop, supportsskiing programs through Winter

(11:03):
Park for folks who have physicaland mental challenges, disabled
folks who still want to ski.
He cares enough first torecognize a need, then, second,
he does something about it andhe contributes to that cause
every year.
My friends, these are myfavorite people.

(11:24):
Friends, these are my favoritepeople.
These are the people I meet onmotorcycle rides and these are
the type of people who I love totalk to, to hear a spirit of
joy, a spirit of love comingfrom them.
I can see it in their eyes andthat makes me really, really
happy.
It does.

(11:52):
I should have mentioned itearlier, but if you're wondering
, that coffee shop that I ride75 miles from my home here in
Loveland just to have a latteand a nice conversation, that's
called Grounds Internet andCoffee Lounge.
It's at 171 North 3rd Street inLaramie, wyoming.
Yes, I ride all the way toLaramie, wyoming just to have a

(12:12):
cup of coffee there.
It's a great cup of coffeeserved by people who really care
.
They also show that they careabout you as a person, because
the person at that shopremembers who I am and makes it
a point to wish me a nice daywhen I leave.
That's a demonstration of heartand I appreciate that.

(12:34):
In my many years of riding amotorcycle pretty much for a
lifetime.
I believe that our compassionas riders extends beyond just

(12:55):
enjoying ourselves.
That same heart that feels thesurge of joy from the open road
also feels a sense of empathyfor those less fortunate, both
humans and animals, motherNature.
Just last evening, speaking ofsupporting the local community,

(13:20):
my wife and I went over to ourlocal favorite car hop here in
Loveland, colorado.
It's called Dairy Delight.
The owner, mike, started DairyDelight at this location way
back in the 1970s.
He's been there ever since andhis family runs it now as well.
In a van parked next to Karenand I was a dog and a man.
The man was in the driver'sseat, as you might expect, but

(13:42):
anyway the van was decoratedwith photos of dogs all of them
rescue dogs that he took care ofon his property.
All of those dogs still neededa home.
The non-profit was calledBuddy's House.
The owner, the driver,introduced me to Buddy, who was

(14:03):
sitting right next to him in thepassenger seat.
Interestingly enough, I askedhim Is Buddy a rescue?
And this is what he said.
He said yes, ten years agoBuddy rescued me.
Hmm, looking into that man'seyes I could tell what he meant,

(14:25):
and I could tell what that dogmeant to him, his heart extended
out to other dogs who just needa home.
That, again, is an example ofpeople I love to meet, whether
out on a motorcycle ride or justcasually.
These are good people who havea real big heart.

(14:47):
These people remind me thatthere's joy in this world.
There is.
In closing, let me share thiswith you, my motorcycling
friends I believe that we'reuniquely positioned to
understand the impact ofcommunity and resilience.
We know what it means to rely onothers on the road to help a

(15:10):
fellow rider in need.
That same spirit of camaraderiecan, I think, should, extend to
those who need it most,regardless of their place in the
world, or where they are in theworld, for that matter, or
whether it's a human or a dog,regardless of their place in the
world, or where they are in theworld for that matter, or

(15:33):
whether it's a human or a dog,or if it's our mom, mother
Nature.
My friends, I'll close with thisI believe that those of us who
have been able to afford amotorcycle and to have both the
mental and the physicalcapabilities to ride it, I

(15:57):
believe we've been given a gift,a gift of freedom that we feel
when we ride and sometimes ifwe're really really lucky, a
feeling of peace of mind that Ibelieve the whole world is
seeking.
I also believe that themotorcycling community is one of

(16:17):
the most generous and givinggroups out there, so we have
been given a gift, and I thinkmaybe we've been given a gift
for a reason, and I think maybewe've been given a gift for a
reason.
Maybe there's a purpose behindit, whether it's supporting the

(16:40):
local community or giving tocharity or helping someone on
the side of the road who needssome help.
Let's just keep doing that,really focus on doing that,
because the world, especiallytoday, needs evidence of love
and kindness, showing them,maybe, that we have found peace
as a motorcycle rider and wealso have the capability to

(17:03):
demonstrate that.
Let's try it, as always.
Thank you so much for listening.
Until we visit again, I wishyou peace and I wish you love.

(17:26):
I know things are gonna be justfine If you only feel what I'd
like to do to you.
Shall we be people you lovewith love.
Show them the way you feel.
Things are gonna be much betterIf you only will.
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