John Hermann bought his first motorcycle in 1960. Since then he's
ridden more than 1,000,000 (one million) miles by bike.
A couple of car
trips in Europe persuaded him that the Alps were for biking. So, in
1970, he took off on a solo trip via a European-delivered BMW, only to
discover that a bike trip through the Alps requires more planning,
understanding and skills than he'd anticipated. In 1975, he tried it
with Beach's Motorcycle Adventures. Even though he rode his BMW90S from
early to late every day of the Beach trip, he couldn't get to all the
roads begging to be explored. He had such a good time that he left the
bike in Europe and went back for more riding that same year. That's
been his pattern ever since; one or two trips to the Alps every year,
exploring every nook and cranny of the Alps as well as other parts of
Eurpoe that might possibly have a twisty road. His is a never ending
search for twisty roads, breathtaking views, local customs and food,
fun hotels, almost always riding with motorcycle friends from America
and Europe.
Home is a couple of
blocks from the Pacific Ocean in Coronado, California, with nearby
mountains and canyons for year-round riding. Coronado is sort of an
island just 18 miles from Mexico and just a bridge away from San Diego.
Hermann is member number 13
of BMWMOA and BMWRA. In 2001, John Hermann was designated a "Friend of
the Marque" by BMW and in 2006 he received the BMW "One Million Miles"
award for riding more than one million miles on BMW motorcycles. He
travels around San Diego with a special license plate, a gift from the
BMW Owners of San Diego, "ALP KING".
When he's not
riding, John Hermann surfs, snorkels, appraises real estate
and enjoys the piano. For 18 years he sang with the San Diego
Opera (always commuting to rehearsals and performances by bike). He's
been a trustee of the First Methodist Church of San Diego
and of Meals on Wheels of Greater San Diego. In July 2011, he
was honored by Meals on Wheels San Diego at its annual Gala. Twice he's
participated in the riding school at the Nurburgring in
Germany. In California, he has been to riding schools at Willow
Springs and Laguna Seca.
One of his greatest
pleasures in recent years has been as an author. He has published FIVE
editions of Motorcycle Journals through the Alps with
Whitehorse Press. The most recent edition, Motorcycle Journeys
through the Alps and Beyond, was published in December 2013. "How lucky can you get," he asks, "getting to check out all
those wonderful roads with good friends, and then getting to write
about them for more good friends?"
You can reach John Hermann by email at kingofthealps@znet.com.