So, what’s my problem? Why haven’t I taken a motorcycle road trip in all the years I have been riding?

I’m not going to give a bunch of lame excuses like I’m too busy and I don’t know where to go. I live in South Florida and I have options to ride to motorcycle destinations like Orlando, Destination Daytona in Daytona Beach, or Key West. Any of those locations would make sure a great introduction road trip.

My bike looks great, is in great mechanical order, and ready for the open road. 2010 is my year to have my first road trip motorcycle adventure.

If you are a local biker, why not stretch your wings a bit and go on a road trip. It doesn’t have to be cross country to be a really good time. You’ll be surprised how many great destinations there are in your neck of the woods.

In 2009, the motorcycle community said goodbye to Bruce Rossmeyer.

Rossmeyer, the world’s largest Harley Davidson dealer with 14 dealerships died on Thursday, July 30^th while riding with some friends to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. He died at age 66 and is survived by his wife Sandy and 5 children.

Rossmeyer started his first dealership in 1994 at the boom of motorcycles resurgence and through his high visibility marketing campaigns, became a huge player in the retail motorcycle world. He was a huge promoter of the Daytona Bike Week and built Destination Daytona in Ormond Beach, FL. Rossmeyer was also known for his philanthropic efforts as a major sponsor of Camp Boggy Creek for chronically ill children.

Oddly, Rossmeyer died while riding a Harley Davidson motorcycle with no helmet.

For over 15 years, Bruce Rossmeyer has been a giant in the motorcycle industry. As we turn the page from 2009 into 2010 let’s not forget the spirit of Bruce Rossmeyer as we honor his memory through our love of motorcycles.

This year’s motorcycle ride included a tribute to Bruce Rossmeyer.

Bruce Rossmeyer was a top Harley-Davidson dealer. He started the Daytona Harley-Davidson ride for children to raise money for the Boggy Creek Camp for children with chronic or life threatening illnesses.

Bruce died on July 30 in a motorcycle accident in Wyoming on his way to the annual bike rally in Sturgis, South Dakota.

My son and my father-in-law had the pleasure of meeting him a few years ago in Ormond Beach at his Destination Daytona dealership–the largest Harley-Davidson dealership in the world.

The “Celebration of Bruce” and pre-ride party took place on October 10 at Destination Daytona (1637 North U.S. Hwy. 1, Ormond Beach). The ride for children was also on October 11, at Destination Daytona.

The Biketoberfest motorcycle festival takes place October 15-18.

Biketoberfest features some 2,500 vendors and hundreds of events and activities. The following will give you some idea of the scope of the motorcycle festival.

The action on Main Street includes vendors, live entertainment, food, and free giveaways. Main Street is a great place for bike and people watching. You will find plenty of watering holes: Cruisin Café, Froggy’s Saloon, Dirty Harry’s, Bank and Blues Club, Full Moon Saloon, Humphrey and Son, Wise Guys Watering Hole, Tombstone Silverworks, 316 Main Street Station Restaurant and Saloon, Boot Hill Saloon, and Fresh on Maine.

At Beachside, you will find the Boardwalk Classic Bike Show, the Historic Bandshell (there is a free concert on Oct. 16 at 7 p.m.), Ocean Deck Restaurant and Beach Club, Inlet Harbor Restaurant and Marina, Ponce Inlet Lighthouse, Down the Hatch Seafood Company, and Racing’s North Turn Beach Bar and Grille.

On Beach Street, visit Biker Design (apparel etc.), the Original Bruce Rossmeyer’s Daytona Harley-Davidson Dealership, Riverfront Park (vendors and exhibits), and Carl’s Speed Shop.

Do not overlook Midtown, where you will find the Second Avenue Merchants Association BikeFest.

International Speedway Boulevard features, well, Daytona International Speedway, of course. Manufacturer demo rides, parasail rides, Fall Cycle Scene racing, and the Monster Dash (your chance to take a lap around the track) are among the activities and events located here.

Also on International Speedway Boulevard, look for the Daytona 200 Motorcycle Club’s Country Mystery Road Tour.

On your run down North U.S. Hwy. 1, seek out Bruce Rossmeyer’s Daytona Harley-Davidson at Destination Daytona, Arlen Ness Custom Motorcycles, J&P Cycles, the Battlegrounds (music, vendors, and contests), Iron Horse Saloon, Broken Spoke, Hang Dawg Saloon at Biker Haven, and Smiley’s Tap Room.

Whew! There’s even more going on at Holly Hill, South Daytona, New Smyrna Beach, and Deland.

Wait, there’s more! Tell you what–on your ride in, just stop by one of the official festival welcome centers for a complete list of events and activities and other information:

• Daytona 500 Experience at Daytona International Speedway (1801 West International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach) and
• Bruce Rossmeyer’s Destination Daytona (1637 North U.S. Hwy. 1, Ormond Beach).

For more information, visit the Web site for the Biketoberfest motorcycle festival.

According to reports, Rossmeyer was riding his Harley to meet up with the Hamsters Motorcycle Club in Thermopolis, Wyoming when he attempted to pass a truck that was pulling a trailer as it was making a left turn ahead of him and collided with the vehicle.

Rossmeyer was not wearing a helmet at the time of the motorcycle accident.

More than just a biker or a businessman, Rossmeyer was known for his larger than life personality, an active promoter of Daytona Bike Week, and multiple charities including Camp Boggy Creek, Boys & Girls Club, and the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital in Broward County, Florida. Rossmeyer’s dealerships also supplied the Daytona Beach police department with 12 Harley-Davidsons for $150 a year.

In addition to his multiple dealerships, Rossmeyer’s “crown jewel”, the 109,000-square-foot Destination Daytona in Ormond Beach Florida, is a biker resort with hotels, condos, restaurants, and stores alonside the world’s largest Harley-Davidson dealership.

On Rossmeyer’s death, Richie Scupa, a friend and fellow biker commented, “How ironic it is for [Rossmeyer] to be on a motorcycle in one of the most beautiful riding territories in the U.S. It’s sad, but he couldn’t have picked a better spot on God’s earth to feel that freedom when you ride.”

66-year-old Rossmeyer leaves behind his wife Sandy, 5 children, and several grandchildren.

Learn more about Rossmeyer’s life and legacy.

If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, you may need to contact an attorney. Tom Kiley, a motorcycle enthusiast and personal injury lawyer in Massachusetts can help. You can reach attorney Tom Kiley at 1-800-930-8145 or by e-mail.