Chip Anderson | Enthusiast
So, here we go. Alright, so it’s 2014ish…
My business partner and best friend, Tyler sold me my first bike that gave me the motorcycle bug.
It was a blast. I live downtown Kansas City, so the whole open road thing was never something I yearned for. I loved buzzing that little thing through the city absolutely maxed out, while rarely exceeding the speed limit. I knew that wasn’t a bike I was going to keep around forever, and it was pretty gutless. I was low-key, constantly on the lookout for the next bike. I’d always been obsessed with café racers, specifically the really minimalist ones – but nothing new really grabbed me. I checked out pretty much everything out there for motorcycles. They were all great, but something was missing and I’m really weird about things I spend money on. It had to be something special. Not that those bikes aren’t special – they’re just not me.
I have no idea how I found it, or how it found me, or where I saw it; but once I was made aware it existed, I was in love.
Randomly one night I stumbled across a Continental GT online. I have no idea how I found it, or how it found me, or where I saw it; but once I was made aware it existed, I was in love. I don’t have one of those heartwarming “My dad always rode Enfields” stories. This introduction was purely by chance – a beautiful chance. I had a serious crush on this motorcycle.
I’d never contemplated such a large purchase sight unseen like this. It was totally out of my character. I obsess over the stupidest details and talk myself out of everything. I’m like a poor Steve Jobs. I can hardly buy a t-shirt without picking it apart – but this bike was the perfect platform for me to start with. I searched and searched for all the information on this bike that I could find. Just do it Chip…
At this point, it was 2 days before my birthday – so I could just use turning 30 as an excuse… Hmm. Okay.
I was awestruck when I saw it. Hopefully it doesn’t suck to ride. I took it around the block – YEP – definitely doesn’t suck.
I called my brother to borrow his truck and drove to the nearest Royal Enfield dealer – on my birthday. 8 hours round trip. I was awestruck when I saw it. Hopefully it doesn’t suck to ride. I took it around the block – YEP – definitely doesn’t suck. I told them to load it up.
On the drive back to KC I’d look over my shoulder into the back of the truck and smile. I had plans for old yeller.