Longhaulpaul's Chasing the Cure

 

Playing the Ardys Card

I don’t know Jack about playing cards unless it involves heavy drinking, removing socks, or a borrowed mule, but I do know one thing;

Ardys Kellerman was our Queen of Hearts

Who amongst us can say we never wanted to get a DNA test, as surely we must be a child, grandchild, or great grandchild to this legend and hero of the sport we call long distance riding?

 

 

Both my Grandmothers died the same week when I was in my early teens and most of my memories of spending time with them have all but faded. I do recall one Mémère was crafty, knitting doilies and crocheting dresses for Barbie Dolls that hid the extra rolls of paper on top of toilets. The other, a mother of nine could make a meal from nothing and I remember a side dish called “Ghiblatt”. It had shredded cabbage and white creamy stuff in it; I never ate it.

I hadn’t realized how much I missed not having grandparents until I became one myself, seven years ago. I got married and a year later became Pépère. Knowing how much my granddaughter means to me, the time we spend together, the fun times, the silly times, and the times I push the goofy envelope a tad too far, resulting in both of us being put in time-out by my wife; those are times I will cherish, and I pray my granddaughter will as well.

Ardys was a grandmother to the sport of long distance riding, and to so many of us. She was simple, but intriguing, plain but quietly powerful, and became a legend by doing nothing more than living. In many ways she truly was a road scholar and a millionaire, with her knowledge of geography and her wealth not of a currency any of us could ever earn. We envied her, looked up to her, and we all aspired to be like her. When she climbed onto her bike, Ardys was 25 years old. When she got off, she was a gentle, soft spoken, wise grandmother. We listened to her stories, her advice, her adventures, where she had been and where she was headed next. She liked to talk, that’s for sure, a passing hello turned into an hour, and pulling away was always difficult!

Ardys was an inspiration, we all loved her. She consoled me when I first retired from riding, telling me I did the right thing, choosing to raise my two boys. She helped me get back on my feet when I thought I was done riding. She rode to New Hampshire to show her support for my MS fundraiser, and I was honored to have Ardys as the official witness of my world record.

 

 

She was always one to give a genuine hug, a smile that melted your heart. If it wasn’t for Ardys, I may not have decided to start this new path in my life; it was reading about her accomplishments that helped me form the journey I am embarking on. She teaches all of us to live life every day, to ride, to make friends and to smile. I will miss Ardys the Queen of Hearts, as will the entire world.

Ardys Kellerman was our ACE in the Hole

Who amongst the hard core long distance motorcycle community can honestly say they never pulled out the Ardys card?

You pull the Ardys card when you are seeking permission from your spouse, loved one or partner. You pull the Ardys card when you are explaining to family, friends, fellow riders, coworkers, neighbors or strangers. You pull the Ardys card in defense when you speak to a reporter or officer of the law.

And sometimes, in the middle of the night, after a bucketful of miles and just before darkness turns to light, before that welcoming dim glow appears across the horizon in front of you, you pull out the Ardys card for reassurance, and use it on yourself.

Riding motorcycles is completely safe. Riding long distances is safe. Riding in a motorcycle competition is not that dangerous, and The Iron Butt Rally must be a piece of cake, why look, even a Grandmother can do it!

I have pulled the Ardys card hundreds of times with everyone from my children to strangers at gas stations.

When I decided to document a million miles for MS, I dusted off my Ardys card, and may have played it a few times with my wife. I may have left an article about Ardys on the living room coffee table, one in the den, my office and possibly even the bathroom.

“C’mon honey, how difficult can it be, even a Great Grandmother can do it.”

“And, it is completely safe.”

Yeah, right! Well, Ardys, you did do it, and you did it for years and years. You are the rider all of us wish we could be. You let motorcycles be such a big part of your life, it gave you wings. You were our Ace!

And now, with our hand painfully empty, do we fold?

Today, we seemed to have been dealt a raw hand, an injustice. We surely have been cheated, robbed and seemingly left without options, some of us feel like folding, and walking away.

But we do not. Instead, we give the Ardys card a whole new meaning, and it becomes much more valuable. The Ardys Kellerman card has a new place in the deck, a place so important it doesn’t get shuffled in with the other 52 cards. Today the Ardys card becomes the card on the top of a fresh deck, the one that explains the rules of the game, the instruction card.

The new Ardys card explains the game of risk verses reward, the game of motorcycling, the game of adventure, the game of friendship, the game of living, the game of life.

Use the Ardys card to remind yourself it is not about wealth, but values; simple and honest, caring and taking time for others.

Use the Ardys card to remind yourself it is not about property, but land; exploring miles and miles of it every day across our beautiful country.

When you play the Ardys card now, use it to explain how you can live a simple, yet powerful life and touch so many people by just doing what you are passionate about, enjoying your time on earth unconditionally, and truly living.

I will always have an Ardys card in my hand.

As I struggle at the loss of a great lady and friend, l can smile, as I come to realize Ardys has just left us all in the dust again, she left no points at the table, and she has beaten all of us to the podium in the biggest rally of all.

Ardys Kellerman 1932-2013

Ride in peace my friend,

Longhaulpaul