Rapunzl Reminisces

A good friend of ours, Click Baldwin, died Tuesday in Missoula, Montana while on his way to Sturgis, South Dakota at the tender age of 54. Click was a long-time member of the famous custom bike club, Hamster's USA and was riding with 15 of his Hamster buddies when the accident occurred.

When I heard the news, all I could think of was Click's smile and the fact that only the good die young. I don't think I ever saw him without a smile, and he seemed to immerse himself in the comradery he felt for his fellow riders. He will be greatly missed by people across the nation.

Click was owner of Carolina Harley-Davidson Buell dealership in Gastonia, South Carolina and is survived by his wife, Diane, and his daughter, Chelsea. He was surrounded by friends and family when he passed and will carry that love with him to the everafter.

We will miss you, Click, and I know you got right back on to ride through those pearly gates.

More information at KPAX News in Montana.

When I was in Sturgis back in August, I was lucky enough to meet up with American Iron Editor Chris Maida. He took the time, at my request, to look at the bike I finished and registered just the day before starting the trip to South Dakota.

He was already late for a meeting but liked the bike enough to set me up with Photographer Pam Proctor. She left the meeting after speaking with Chris and me to set up the details. After talking for a little while, we found we were both from Michigan. Her trip had been exhausting with all the photoshoots during Bike Week, so we set up the shoot after we both got home.

For once, the weather in Michigan cooperated. Pam was good enough to work around my work schedule, which isn't easy. She drove to my town, rode around for a while, and chose a spot for my photoshoot.

When Pam asked if I wanted to wear a helmet, I of course said no. What's Rapunzl without hair flying in the wind? American Iron won't usually accept non-helmet photos, but we were on private property.Luckily, that made a difference.

When we wrapped up the shoot, Pam told me to expect a call from the magazine. I waited a few weeks and had just given up, thinking maybe they forgot about me, when I got a call from Alex Scott. I was so nervous and excited. He asked me questions about the build and the bike itself. It was obvious that I was nervous, but Alex got the information he needed and told me to call if I thought of anything else I wanted to add.

A few months later, Ted, my boyfriend, called me at work with great news! He is a subscriber to American Iron and received it weeks before it hit the stands. My bike and me are in the May 2008 issue. Pam and Alex did in outstanding job. The photos were great, and the article was better than I dreamed.

Pam sent me a CD with my photos on it, and I can now look back at an accomplishment I will always be proud of. I want to thank Chris Maida, Pam Proctor and Alex Scott for everything. They are all great people that are outstanding in their professions.

Most of all, I want to thank Ted Polichron for giving me the courage, support and technical guidance to take on the project. I couldn't have done it without him.