PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania — We’ve completed the first leg of our ongoing exploration of Postindustrial America, with more adventures to come in the days and weeks ahead.
During this motorcycle journey, we covered some 1,300 miles throughout Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, meeting along the way loads of interesting folks who told compelling, heartfelt tales of struggle, setbacks, and triumphs amid these difficult and strange days.
Here are just a few of the many takeaways I have from our journey into the heart of Postindustrial America:
- Cincinnati is a phenomenal town. Just a gem of a city with a revitalized downtown area that’s loaded with striking and colorful murals on older buildings and new architecture that has both modern flourishes while matching the existing style of turn-of-the-century storefronts and apartment buildings. The people are inviting, and at first glance, there seems to be greater racial integration there than in other Postindustrial cities of similar size. We’ll be heading back to The Queen City sometime soon.
The Postindustrial Americans we met were largely courteous and inquisitive about our journey. Perhaps we’re not as divided as we sometimes think.
- I’ve never been one for group motorcycling. The only time I typically ride with others is for stories that combine motorcycling and reporting, like this piece Jason wrote about our moto adventure in Iraq or my reporting while riding in Nashville. To me, riding always seemed like a solitary experience. But after this trip, and all the great folks we met in the moto community, I see the value in fostering riding friendships and the camaraderie of the motorcycle club scene. Who knows? Perhaps we’ll even start a “Postindustrial MC.”
- My friend and fellow moto-journalist Jason Motlagh has a serious ice cream addiction. Everywhere we went on our motorcycle journey, Jason was scanning storefronts and signage for his next frosty fix. I’m starting to suspect his agenda was more about sweet, chilly treats than a reporter’s exploration of Postindustrial America. Plus, none of it ever seems to stick to his skinny ass. It’s kinda annoying.
- The site of the now-hollowed out and shuttered Vindicator newspaper in Youngstown does not bode well for democracy. We need local news sources like the Vindicator, and venerable newshounds like former columnist Bertram de Souza to keep our democracy healthy and our leaders in check. As Bertram noted in our conversation: “When the Vindicator goes away, the rats will come out to play.” That same sentiment goes for every paper and other news outlet in Postindustrial American communities that have closed up shop in recent years.
- Kentucky’s natural beauty is breathtaking. I strongly suggest you check out the Bluegrass State this summer. Get in your car, hop on a motorcycle, hell, even pedal there, to take in the scenic beauty both above and below ground. You won’t be sorry.
- There are loads of good people populating Postindustrial America. Despite the fact that a large portion of those who stormed the Capitol during the Jan. 6 coup attempt hail from the Rust Belt and Appalachia, and much of the region is still in the grasp of Donald Trump’s bigoted delusions, the Postindustrial Americans we met were largely courteous and inquisitive about our journey. Perhaps we’re not as divided as we sometimes think.
- And finally, now that the COVID-19 miasma is lifting, I’m keen to do more exploring by bike, be it with the help of our friends at Royal Enfield, who provided the bikes for this trip, or astride my own bike, which has already seen it’s fair share of moto adventures around Postindustrial America.
Now that I’m hooked on telling motorcycle stories from the road, be on the lookout for more.
Stay tuned…
