kansas city, missouri

Chip Anderson

@chip
how long have you been riding?

I’ve been riding from age 15ish to whatever age I am now – I forget – I think I’m 36? Damn.

I rode a little trail bike off and on in my early teens and eventually hung my helmet up after riding through a garage door. Full disclosure, I didn’t hang my helmet up – because I didn’t have one. That may be what’s wrong with me. Always wear your helmet, kids. I rode off and on here and there but around 15 years later… I picked up my 535 Continental GT (and a helmet) on my 30th birthday. I became a complete Royal Enfield nut.

why did you start riding?

I started riding because I was honestly bored and bummed out that I was getting older. 30 was weird. I decided I wanted a motorcycle because that makes sense. I wanted a project, something I could customize, but not go broke doing – and something simple. After a few hours online, I fell in love with the Continental GT. Bought it. That bike and the relationship I made with RENA, and Breeann Poland in particular, ultimately gave me the chance to visit some of the most beautiful places in North America AND connected me with some of the greatest people I’ve had the opportunity to meet. And all of this is Royal Enfield’s fault. Now motorcycles, actually no, Royal Enfield Motorcycles… are just part of my life.

Now I’m 36 and married and my wife has since become a total Royal Enfield dweeb with me. This weekend she completed “motorcycle school” and loves Royal Enfield just as much as I do. I’m crossing our fingers to be another husband-wife ambassador team – either way, we’re pretty damn cute.

give us a little background about who you are & why you’re so awesome.

I’m boring but I have a wife that doesn’t think I am. On the daily, I’m the sales manager for a countertop company called Rocktops in Kansas. I’m also part of a local design house called Never Done that one of my best friends and I started almost 10 years ago.

We do tons of really weird stuff, namely digital design, and make aero parts for BMW MCoupes – but really it’s just a clubhouse where we listen to Van Halen and point at stuff and grunt.

how about a cool story?

My Continental GT got stolen, recovered, and then was almost stolen again. It was a nightmare, but with the help of Kansas City and Facebook Groups – I was able to track the lowlife down that stole it and ultimately recovered it in great shape. It’s for that reason that I will NEVER sell that bike.

After a few hours online, I fell in love with the Continental GT. Bought it. That bike and the relationship I made with RENA, and Breeann Poland in particular, ultimately gave me the chance to visit some of the most beautiful places in North America AND connected me with some of the greatest people I’ve had the opportunity to meet.