So Long Lurleen

 Today is New Year's Eve.  We've had many troublesome years recently but, for me, 2023, has been both troubling and exhilarating.   It has been a year of discovery and enlightenment.  And a year of challenges and sadness.

I guess you can say that about every year, right?  But 2023 seems like a turning point in many ways.

Today marks the end of my time as the owner and head honcho of TeamStrange Airheads, Inc.  As of tomorrow, January 1, 2024, it will belong to someone else.  

I like to think of it as TeamStrange 3.0.

TeamStrange 1.0 = Eddie and Adam.  They created it, they built it, they introduced so many motorcycle riders to the truly strange world of long-distance, endurance riding.  And through them, they gave all of those people stories that they can tell for the rest of their lives.

TeamStrange 2.0 = Me - Lisa/Lurleen, David, Bart and many others who carried on the tradition that Eddie and Adam had built.  We grew in ways we never thought possible.  We introduced a whole new group of riders to our wacky world.  We went global.  And the stories continued to be told.

So, here we are at TeamStrange 3.0 = Rick, Rich, Andy, and most of the same group who has continued to organize and work so that other riders can experience all the fun of riding their motorcycles to places known and unknown.  Their adventures will create more epic stories.

It is no exaggeration to say that, in many ways, TeamStrange saved my life.  The devastation of losing Eddie may have pushed me to a place of total darkness.  But, through TeamStrange, I was able to stay connected to him and to all of the amazing people he introduced me to.  It gave me focus, tasks, and  organization.  All things I needed to keep moving forward.

I was late to the party but once I got there, I didn't want to leave.  I wanted to immerse myself in friendships, camaraderie, adventures and hilariousness of something only those who participate in it can understand.

But all parties come to an end eventually.  It is time for others to share themselves with the long-distance crowd.

I am not sad about this.  In fact, I am really excited to see what comes next for TeamStrange.

I'll still be around but in volunteer mode rather than the leader of the team.

As for Lyle - he stays with me.  But he'll be a volunteer too.

Happy New Year!  Here's to new beginnings!

Love,

Lurleen