Amazing American Biker Inspires Disabled Brit to Climb on a Harley

Some people believe that dreams do not come true, please don't tell that to Joe Upton; Joe is a man who has chosen not to let a physical disability keep him from fulfilling his dream of riding a motorcycle.

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Joe Upton who suffered a spinal injury while working in 1977, was inspired to start riding while talking with one of his amateur radio friends who lives in New Zealand. Joe's friend, who is 78 years old announced to Joe that he was going to buy himself a bike and start riding; this started the wheels to turning in Joe's minds. Joe thought to himself, if my friend at his age is going to ride, why not I. The only problem was that Joe had a spinal injury and couldn't walk or even through his leg over one; however, the thoughts of riding a motorcycle begin to bear upon Joe until he could contain them no longer.



After considering getting a trike, but finding them too pricey, Joe went to a local dealer where he test-drove a Honda VT 750; upon riding the Honda, Joe forgot about getting a trike. Sometime after this, Joe’s travels brought him to the States where he met legendary Harley rider Frank Boorn, who has logged over 850,000 miles on his bike since 1993. During a coach tour of the Rockies Joe spotted Frank and his Harley, and looking at his bike begin to wonder if the vibration from the engine would hurt his back. Joe got the opportunity to talk with Frank and ask him if the vibration of the engine would hurt his back, Frank assured him that there was not a vibration. Frank and Joe became friends that day and it was after this meeting that Joe became the proud owner of a Harley Davidson V-Rod.



There are challenges that Joe faces as he rides, but he is taking them as they come. Joe Upton inspires us to pursue our dreams and never give up, for sometimes dreams do come true.

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