 |
|
The 2007 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally was a special one for Victory Rider Michelee Unger of Bemidji, Minnesota. [Yes, her name correctly ends with two e’s.] Unlike her trip to Sturgis the year before, she was there without her husband, yet it seemed to her as if he were there – in spirit and watching over her.
Jon had courageously battled cancer for several years before succumbing to the deadly disease and passing away in April 2007. Jon was an avid Victory Rider, enjoying every mile he rode on his 2004 Kingpin.
He vowed he and Michelee would get to Sturgis before he died, and he was healthy enough for them to enjoy their 2006 trip to the rally to the absolute max. They savored every minute of people watching and socializing, and every mile they rode.
The gang at Victory Rider Magazine met Jon and Michelee at Sturgis in 2006 when the couple were the first Victory Riders to get all the stamps on their Victory Sturgis Passport and receive their Sturgis pin. They were wearing Victory apparel from head to toe and were soaking up every great sight and sound at the rally. From the moment they entered the Victory demo ride display to get their passports stamped, they exuded an electrical enthusiasm for the event and for life.
[They were subsequently mentioned on the Victory website, and when Michelee saw their photo in Victory Rider Magazine, well, you might have heard her scream, even if you live in Florida or California.]
Their trip was made more special because Michelee’s birthday (August 7) fell within the rally week, so it was as if a half million riders were throwing her a party.
Following Jon’s passing, Michelee had good moments and bad ones. She enjoyed remembering the rich life they shared, but also experienced low moments realizing she had lost her spouse, best riding partner and absolute best friend.
She was surrounded by friends, of course – an electric personality like hers is sure to spark a million friendships – and they offered tremendous support. She resumed riding her stunning two-tone 2004 Vegas this summer and, as usual, the staff at Magnum Power Sports in Nashwauk, Minnesota, took good care of her, too. They not only provide her Vegas with excellent service, but also help her expand her giant collection of Victory shirts and sometimes stop her from buying accessories for her cherished orange and silver bike.
“Sometimes I’ll want something and they’ll tell me, ‘no, you don’t want that,’ or ‘you won’t like it’ or ‘there’s something better coming,’” she said. “They take really good care of me.”
Magnum Power Sports
Michelee had second thoughts about joining friends for the trip to Sturgis this summer, but knew Jon would have wanted her to go and enjoy herself. She went and she had a ball.
“What a blast!” she wrote to the Victory Mailbag. “I cannot write everything I want to say about Sturgis 2007 and the VRA party. It was a very emotional trip this year, due to the passing of my husband in April of this year. He was a huge fan of Arlen, Cory and Zach Ness, and all that they had put into the new look and designs for Victory. He loved his ‘04 Kingpin, and all the Ness upgrades he had done to it. I was proud and honored to meet the Ness men, and I know Jon was there with me as I shook their hands.”
Indeed, Michelee met the Nesses at the VRA Party at Sturgis, and while she regretted that Jon weren’t there, she felt as if he were there, seeing it all unfold.
She stopped by the Victory demo ride site and was talked into taking a demo ride on a Victory Vision. It was a great – and unexpected – experience.
“I was very surprised at how the Victory Vision handled,” she wrote. “I thought I was getting on my grandpa's bike, but once I took the demo ride, I was SO AMAZED. Thanks for letting me demo the bike. I can see one in my future! :)”
Michelee, who works for the Bemidji area schools, is an incredibly enthusiastic Victory Rider.
“Thanks to all the Victory employees for making a great product,” she wrote. “I know lots of Harley riders and once they ride the Victorys, they are surprised how well the bike handles and how they may have to switch. Converting Harley riders! So awesome!
“Continue the great work you do, and we riders will always be there, riding and loving the Victory Motorcycles!”
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|