Posts by Steve Larsen
College Friendships
Going off to college is scary. When my oldest granddaughter went from two decades of daily contact with parents, family and friends, 1500 miles away to a new state where she’d be totally on her own, I worried. Making College Friendships I wanted to encourage her to not feel lonely, and to make new friends…
Read MoreThe Grandfather’s Letter that went viral: Advice for College-bound kids
Going off to college is scary. When my oldest granddaughter went from two decades of daily contact with parents, family and friends, 1500 miles away to a new state where she’d be totally on her own, I worried. College Anxiety So, I chose to write her an email, based on my memories of this transition…
Read MoreWe’ve moved!
After 14 years in a home with amazing views and an over-the-top, 3-bay auto workshop, Maggie and I have finally taken the plunge: we’ve moved into a 2,000‑square‑foot apartment in Scottsdale. This move had been seriously contemplated and discussed for the past five years, but it came about very suddenly. For years, we believed we’d…
Read MoreChasing Summer from Brooklyn to the Arctic Circle: 3 Weeks, 4 Countries.
The idea that Maggie and I might top 2023’s “Quarreling Cousins Go To Norway” trip seemed easy at first, but it grew. Soon our itinerary included NYC, Amsterdam and, of course, Denmark. Seriously, my 2023 trip with cousins Ron Herem and John Gravley couldn’t have been better. We actually got along with a minimum of…
Read MoreAggressive, Arrogant, Assholes in Supercars
Do you drive a supercar? Like a Lamborghini, Ferrari, McLaren, Bugatti, Aston Martin, Maserati (or Corvette, Porsche or BMW) and, do you behave like an asshole behind the wheel? Of course you don’t. But guess what, people think we’re assholes, and I say “we” because I drive one of the brands listed above. Many think…
Read MoreTo My Granddaughter as She Goes to College
Here’s a letter I sent to my oldest granddaughter the week she headed to Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, AZ. Dear Emmy, As you begin your first year at college, I’m full of both pride and a bit of worry—a mix of excitement and nerves. What follows is a bit of advice, but not commandments.…
Read MoreA Lesson After Loss
A few weeks ago, over dinner, I listened to a friend share his excitement about moving in with his boyfriend. As we talked about their plans, he also mentioned his partner’s struggles with a father’s persistent lack of acceptance. I was instantly empathetic, unfortunately, it wasn’t my first encounter with this sort of thinking. I’d…
Read MoreAn Epiphany that Changed How I see Friendship Forever
A good while back, I ignored my friend and riding pal Barbara O’Connell’s insistence that I should meet her cousin who lived in Phoenix. “You guys are the same age, you’re both nearing retirement, you each ride motorcycles, you’d get along great.” I was certain her cousin Steve wasn’t looking for another male friend any…
Read MoreTHIS IS WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT
For years, I’ve attempted to convey what the Dakar Rally is all about, finally giving it an entire chapter in my new book. Not surprisingly, it is one of the longest chapters. Now, in 2025, a new documentary film emerges, offering a behind-the-scenes look at this legendary Rally, along with amazing footage of the race.…
Read MoreThe Eight Best Motorcycles of the Modern Era
From Gold Wings to GasGas: A veteran rider’s personal picks for the motorcycles that redefined their categories over the past 40 years. Every rider remembers the first time a specific bike took their breath away. In the past 25 years, eight iconic motorcycles did that for me, redefining what I thought was possible on two…
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