AN MOA PODCAST
Riding Into the Sunset
Riding into the Sunset is the MOA’s newest podcast, established in 2024, and features author and journalist Ed Housewright as he investigates issues important to senior riders, an important but often overlooked demographic in the digital world. As host of the MOA’s newest podcast, Ed seeks to understand why seniors ride, what issues and concerns they face and more.
Ed Housewright
Ed Housewright spent more than 25 years as an award-winning reporter for The Dallas Morning News, covering government, politics, health care, religion, education, sports and other topics. His five books include three on the history of the Dallas Cowboys, including "100 Things Cowboys Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die," with a foreword by Tony Dorsett.
Is one motorcycle enough? Not for most of us. There’s something addictive about motorcycles – we need another, then maybe another. Forget the idea of a “forever bike.” Some new bike will always catch our eye.
Tom Manly spent his career as a commercial airline pilot. Now retired and approaching 75, Tom’s passion is motorcycles. He owns 11 bikes – including a three Ducatis, two BMWs, a Triumph, KTM, and a new Harley-Davidson Super Glide. Tom keeps up with the latest in motorcycles, gear, and navigation devices.
Long distance motorcycle rides offer rewards and challenges. I recently returned from a 5,100-mile round trip ride from Dallas to Quebec with two friends. We witnessed some beautiful sights in the 14 states we visited—and ran into torrential rain. Long rides let us experience the highs and lows of motorcycling and create lasting memories.
Bill Richardson rides a motorcycle at age 94 and has no plans to stop. He got his license three years ago and taught himself to ride by watching YouTube videos. He’s normally a cautious rider but once got his Honda Rebel 500 up to 98 mph. When he turns 100, he plans to crank it up to 100 mph.
Motorcycle racing is a dangerous, demanding sport that usually attracts young riders. Elizabeth Waltman, surprisingly, took it up at age 66 after decades of street riding. Now 70, she teaches others how to ride on the track.
One of the best places to ride in Texas is Big Bend. It’s an expansive area in the southwestern U.S. that features mountains, deserts and canyons carved by the Rio Grande River. Big Bend National Park serves as the centerpiece, stretching for 1,250 square miles. A recent visit revealed the area’s rugged beauty and timeless appeal.
Some motorcyclists love the camaraderie of a group ride. But others prefer the flexibility and solitude of solo riding. John Butrus is so passionate about riding alone that he formed a Facebook group called Solo Motorcyclist, and it’s attracted 44,000 members around the world. John discusses the appeal – and some of the drawbacks – of riding solo.
There’s no better way to see the country than on a motorcycle. The only problem: with so many wonderful sites to see, how do we make time for them all? Obviously, we can’t. As we age, we’re faced with prioritizing our bucket list and enjoying the rides we can take.
In this episode of RITS, Ed continues to ponder the risks and rewards of riding following the motorcycle death of his friend Tom Moffat. He raises valid concerns about the safety of riding and offers the views of prominent motorcyclists on the subject. Among them is Mark Barnes, author of “Why We Ride” and host of the BMW podcast “The Ride Inside.”
Motorcycle riding can bring great joy and great sorrow. A close friend of mine, Tom Moffat, recently died from injuries suffered in a motorcycle accident. I’m mourning his loss and examining why we decide to ride with the inherent danger.