2023 Royal Enfield Classic 350: A Midlife Crisis?

Based on my last post, I can see why a reader might assume I’ve hit a midlife crisis. Two motorcycles in less than two months. Really? Keep reading and let me explain.

Death In Paradise -Royal Enfield with sidecar

After enjoying my little Honda Trail 125 on and around the trails of California’s Sierra Nevada, I realized pretty quickly that I loved riding a motorcycle. However, I wanted something with a little more pep to get me up and down the backroads and highways of California’s foothills and Gold Country. Little did I know I would discover my next bike during my nightly television habit.

Kendra and I love to watch British crime dramas. We tend to jump back and forth among a few favorites and one of those is a fun show called Death in Paradise. This show is set in a fake Caribbean island community. The law enforcement team in this small island community includes Officer Dwayne Myers who rides around the island investigating crime on what I thought was a very cool antique motorbike/sidecar combo. After a quick Google search, I discovered that the bike used on this show is not an antique. In fact, it is still currently in production and my world was opened up to the Royal Enfield family of motorcycles.

“Made Like A Gun”

When it comes to motorcycles, few brands hold a level of history and admiration as Royal Enfield. At the turn of the 20th century, Royal Enfield was known in England for small arms fabrication. In 1901, they built their first motorcycle and created the slogan for their motorbikes that also paid homage to their beginnings: “Made like a gun!” As I filtered through their inventory of sizes and shapes, I kept returning to one bike, the Classic 350. It was the perfect “next bike” for me. Fast enough for the highway, but not a bike that I would take down the interstate for a tour.

Style That Stands the Test of Time

Royal Classic 350 - Eastern Stanislaus County

As I prepared to add another motorcycle to my garage, I recognized that motorcycles have always been a staple in the lives of adventurous individuals. I think about Steve McQueen escaping the Nazis as he jumped the barbed wire fences in Germany. Or my personal favorite, Indiana Jones with his father in the sidecar as they also escaped Nazis. It does not matter if you are a young enthusiast or a seasoned rider seeking a new thrill, motorcycles evoke a sense of freedom and excitement that few other modes of transportation can replicate. If you try hard enough, you can almost feel yourself ridiing next to Peter Fonda in Easy Rider.

The Royal Enfield Classic 350 helped me identify with each of those examples and it’s one of the reasons why this bike appeals to such a wide range of riders with it’s timeless design, classic lines, and iconic thump. This motorcycle epitomizes an era where style and substance were intertwined. Riding the Classic 350 has been an opportunity to relish in the nostalgia of a bygone era, where attention to detail and craftsmanship meant something.

A Practical Choice

Furthermore, buying a Royal Enfield Classic 350 was not just about looks or style. Look it up on the website and you will find out that these bikes are just so damn cost effective! Sure, it has gorgeous lines, but this bike is also very reliable and can be used for both a daily commute or a weekend trip through the back roads. It rides very comfortable and has great fuel efficiency, making it an ideal partner for someone who wants to ride over to the local coffee shop or open up the throttle through the local foothills.

The only downside to this bike I have found is the time it takes to pull out of a parking lot. Seriously, I was not prepared for the constant conversations and questions from anyone and everyone who watches me get on this bike. I have found I need an additional 15 minutes to every shopping trip for the onlooker who wants to know more about the bike or ask a few questions.

2023 Royal Enfield Classic 350

Age is Just a Number

So, what about the midlife crisis? I really don’t think that is what is going on here. Whether you're in your twenties or your fifties, the desire to experience the thrill of the open road on a modern classic is what’s really at play. This purchase is not so much an indication of age-related insecurity or an attempt to recapture lost youth.

If you’ve been reading theMangoTimes for any length of time, you can appreciate that both of these bikes are just an ongoing affirmation (or maybe an invitation) to embrace the adventure that lies ahead.

Quietly making noise,
Fletch

2023 Honda Trail125

So this happened.

Let me explain.

On a recent expedition to the island of Maui, I grabbed an opportunity to rent a rugged little motor scooter and set out to explore the NW corner of the island. Throwing caution to the wind, I donned my trusty swimsuit and a pair of well-worn flip-flops, embarking on a journey that offered thrills at a maximum speed of a mere 35mph. I found hidden beaches and twisty paths that cut deep back into the canopy of island trees. The experience was a perfect escape for my adventurous soul, and I was absolutely captivated before I departed back to the mainland.

It was more than a vacation activity. I was hooked on the freedom and fun that two wheels provided. At home, my new quest was to acquire a fun little scooter that would transport me through town and and carry me off the beaten path. For an added bonus, I was hoping for a scooter that would even take me into the heart of my beloved Sierra. I reached out to a long-standing patient of mine, who manages our local Honda dealership. I explained to him my vision, only to have him set me straight, asserting that what I truly required was an authentic motorcycle. After some spirited banter, he cheekily reminded me of the trust he places in my dental care, urging me to reciprocate by entrusting him with the realm of two-wheeled wonders.

Before I knew it, I completed a local CHP Motorcycle Safety course, I obtained my motorcycle license, and I became the proud owner of this beautiful Honda Trail 125.

Here’s the deal: I’ve never been drawn to owning or riding motorcycles. I always knew my dad rode a bike when he was younger. There is family stories about him on an original 1948 Harley. Check out the picture.

My dad on his 1948 Harley Davidson

Original Honda Trail 90 that my dad had as a kid

He stopped riding bikes when he got married, but when I was a kid, my dad bought an original Honda Trail 90 (like the one in the advertisement here). He would take me on rides down to our local creek bed and I didn’t think there was anything more cool than hanging onto my dad as we zoomed around the dirt.

When I got older, my dad graduated to his first Harley Davidson. New bike and again, very cool. In all those years, I never considered getting a motorcycle for myself, so even I was shocked at how quickly I found myself riding this brand new little bike.

This motorbike resonates with the call to adventure that I live with everyday! It has opened up even more of the Sierra Nevada mountains, granting me passage to even more of the wilderness, allowing me to ascend to greater heights along pristene streams. Since owning this fun bike, I have been able to conquer new rugged terrains that have remained elusive to my car or my own two feet.

Riding around the forest trails in the Stanislaus National Forest.

To say that I’m hooked is an understatement. There is nothing like climbing a Sierra trail and riding alongside a fresh mountain stream while enjoying the smell of fresh pine trees. I will be reporting on many more motorbike adventures, but for now enjoy these photos from this past week.

Quietly making noise,
Fletch

Parked alongside the Clavey River.

Why Dentistry?

The Doctors Are In

When I am not hanging around theMangoTimes, I can be found at my dental office helping people to smile. Over the years, my patients will often ask why I became a dentist. By now, many of you will remember that I am not the first dentist in the Fletcher family. In fact, when my big brother retired in 2020, the people of Grass Valley lost out on the best dentist in the California foothills. I also lost my personal dentist. The mantle of family dentistry was officially transferred from my brother, Dr. Scott Fletcher, to me. I became the family dentist.

Although my brother was a huge influence in my life and a great example, my career in dentistry actually goes back to childhood. Now, before any of you write into the MangoTimes editing desk, allow me to clarify here that it was not because of Hermey the Elf on Rudolph's Christmas special. Like my brother, we were both influenced by our family dentist: Dr. Kenny Frangadakis.

Dr. Kenny had a big impact on our family. In the early to mid-70s, my big sister Pam worked for him as his dental assistant for years. My mom worked in his office as his bookkeeper. Once, when I was eight years old, my 16-year-old sister drove me to his office. As a newer driver, she accidentally hit the gas pedal instead of the brake, and we leapt over the curb and crashed into his waiting room. Dr. Kenny was unfazed. His only response was to accuse our family of beginning the trend for "drive-thru" dentistry.

Dr. Ken Frangadakis - Photo September 2013

But aside from employing family members and auto accidents, Dr. Kenny played a fundamental and hands-on role in my career. He was one of the professionals I pursued to write letters of recommendation for me when I applied for my undergrad education as well as my doctoral work at the University of the Pacific Dental School. His colleagues and friends were some of my instructors while I was in dental school, and I found out that he served as one of the test evaluators when I sat for my state dental board examinations. Dr. Kenny positioned himself along many points of my path to become a dentist.

During my career, I have had the opportunity to cross paths with Dr. Kenny on multiple occasions. Before he retired, I loved stopping by his original Cupertino dental office, which now sits in the shadows of Apple Computer’s mothership. From crab feeds to memorial services, alumni events, or just a quick phone call during the 2020 pandemic to get my bearings, Dr. Kenny has been a touchstone for me and my career. As every interaction, this mentor, colleague, and friend took the time to ask what was going on in my life, he always had a few words of encouragement, always shared a few funny memories, and never failed to remind me to take great care of my patients.

So, why did I choose dentistry? It was the example from both Dr. Kenny and my big brother Scott that initially pushed me toward dentistry. Dental school and 28 years of experience have taught me how to fix teeth, but knowing how to take good care of people was largely caught by observing these two men, and I am thankful for the impact and influence they have both had on my career.

Quietly making noise,
Fletch

My Kind of Country - Jesse Daniel

Earlier this month, I took some of the Mango Kids and we met up with a few good friends at Dying Breed Brewing in Oakdale, CA (also known as The Cowboy Capital of the World) to catch a live show by the incredible Jesse Daniel. I first saw Jesse perform at the Under the Big Sky festival in Whitefish, MT back in 2021, and let me tell you, this country crooner knows how to put on a show you won't forget. His country music is totally "my kind of country."

Jesse Daniel is a rising star in the country music scene and has made his way into many of my playlists. From his website: “The California native is blazing the trail for a new wave of traditional artists, bringing his hard core country music to stages all over the US. There are many making traditional country music in modern times, but there is no one making it like Daniel. His sound is uniquely his own, while rooted in the tradition of his Bakersfield heroes like Merle Haggard and Buck Owens. This one-of-a-kind sound has earned Jesse a place at the table among the best of the country music world and has garnered the support of his contemporaries and fans alike.”

Personally, I think his music is a perfect blend between classic honky-tonk and his own cowboy edge. I’m proud that he’s not just a California native, but he comes straight out of the Santa Cruz mountains.

Daniel’s live shows are electric. His backup band is fantastic, but they are made even more special by the addition of his talented backup singer, Jodi Lyford. Jodi has co-written several of Jesse’s songs, but it is her soulful voice and harmonies in a live show that stand out.

I’m seriously stoked that we have a local venue for these singers to perform. If you haven't yet checked out Dying Breed, it's a great spot to catch your favorite honky tonk star in action. Not only do they brew and serve their own excellent brews, but the intimate setting is perfect for a small concert experience. You can twirl around the dance floor and if you are lucky, you might even get the chance to meet and hang out with your favorite band.

If you haven't checked out Dying Breed yet, you're missing out. It's an awesome venue to catch your favorite honky-tonk star in action. They serve up some killer brews, and the intimate setting is perfect for a small concert experience. You might even get the chance to dance the night away and hang out with your favorite band.

Tar Snakes - Jesse DanielDying Breed Brewery 4/13/23

I give the whole experience 5 Stars! Get out and support new musicians!
You can follow them here:
IG: Jesse Daniel
IG: Jodi Lyford
IG: Dying Breed Brewing

Quietly making noise,
Fletch