You all know me pretty well. In my professional life I'm fiercely devoted to only a few things: motorcycles, traveling and making magazines being the most obvious. Put all three together and you have my life's work. For three years now these pages have been my canvas, and the world of cruisers-the power, the art, the purpose of the incredible machines we love-has provided a most colorful palette. Furthermore, if you've been reading long you know my favorite thing to do on a motorcycle is leave town. To escape. There is absolutely nothing I've found that's more fulfilling-more centering and self-indulgent-than drawing a bead on the longest road I can find.
I've toured on two wheels through 49 states (Hawaii, watch out) and nine countries, and haven't come close to getting my fill. Faster than rabbits, my motorcycle trips breed plans for new motorcycle trips. Perhaps it's a disease, this wanderlust, or some neurotic glitch that keeps me from settling on the fat side of the white picket. It's a hardwired trait, and a negative only for the people in my life who want me to stay put.
My publisher, being the diligent capitalist he's paid to be, has found a way to make good use of my itchy feet, though. He's given me the incredible opportunity to purge my wanderlust in a special-issue magazine we've named Motorcycle Escape. Created over the last year entirely by the staff and freelance crew of your own Motorcycle Cruiser magazine, this glossy journal will be available on the newsstand at the end of March 2004. There are other motorcycle travel and adventure magazines that come out occasionally, but none that will rival Escape for its scope and passion. For one thing, the other touring-oriented magazines are mere travelogues designed to mollify the voyeur rather than inspire the achiever. Escape is loaded with practical information. Whether it's cold- or warm-weather riding tips, packing checklists for weekend trips or longer tours or an in-depth how-to on roadside tire repair, you'll find something of use. Suddenly I feel quite capitalistic myself, urging you to go out and spend $5 on our new product, but that's really not the case at all.
The fact is, the Motorcycle Cruiser staff has invested a year of passion and hard work prepping the fledgling Escape to fly, and we're damn proud of what it has to offer: all the levelheaded intent and practical tone you find here in Cruiser mixed with the delights of trips both exotic and down-home domestic. You'll read about touring in crazy places like Vietnam and Brazil, but will also be privy to a huge Great Getaways Guide to destinations right here in our backyard. There's travel Q&A, a great gear section, Isle of Man TT coverage-cool stuff! OK, I'm getting a little worked up. The plain fact is, we made this new brew with you, the Motorcycle Cruiser reader, in mind, and we're pretty sure you're gonna love it.
Even if it's tucked in the deepest drawer of your character files, I just know many of you share with us the inherent desire to explore the world on two wheels. It's probably one of the reasons you bought a motorcycle in the first place-the daydreams about the places it could take you. I've said it before: Just Go. It's the most important piece of encouragement I can offer my readers. If you don't have time for a world tour, pack a bag for the weekend. Meanwhile stop at the newsstand to pick up a copy of our one-shot Escape. It's ideal fireside reading at its very least. Dream tonic at its very best.-Jamie Elvidge