High-Mileage Hoosiers

Indiana couple Scott and Jovy Matlock are passionate about riding big miles.

At first glance, Scott and Jovy Matlock may not appear to be your typical long-distance, high-mileage riders. After all, both work full-time and live in a region that can experience harsh winter weather. Nevertheless, the couple has managed to clock nearly 200,000 miles on their Harley-Davidson Road Glide CVO since buying it new in April 2020 – an average of nearly 40,000 miles a year.

Scott, 41, and Jovy, 45, live in Bloomington, Indiana, and both work in pharmaceutical manufacturing. Despite work and weather, they’ve traveled through all lower 48 U.S. states, as well as three Canadian provinces. “We’re very passionate about going to national parks, scenic byways, and just making the best use of our time while we’re here, so we can look back on it and say we were able to do those things,” Scott says.

Some of their favorite riding destinations have included Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, and Canada, and Scott singles out Icefields Parkway through Banff National Park in Canada as particularly impressive. “I’d seen pictures, and I thought they were photoshopped because they almost glowed blue. But you get up on them and that’s really how they look; it’s breathtaking.”

Jovy, who is originally from the Philippines, had never ridden on a motorcycle before meeting Scott in 2018, but she has taken to it like a fish to water. “It’s my dream come true,” she states. “I love to travel, so finding a partner who loves to travel with you, no matter what, and having different adventures is amazing.”

How are they able to do it while holding down full-time jobs? “In summer, we take one trip that’s around 16 or 17 days, which can end up being seven or eight thousand miles, depending on where we go,” Scott explains. “The company we work for is generous with vacation time off the bat, so, aside from that two-week trip, we also take a series of extended weekend trips.” In addition, Scott works second shift, so he’s able to ride during the week before work, and the couple has also done a handful of Iron Butt rides of at least 1,000 miles in 24 hours or less.

Despite living in a place where weather can limit riding year-round, they manage to make the most of it. “We have heated gear, which really helps, so if the roads are clear there’s really no issue,” Scott says.

They chronicle their travels on “The Hoosier Cruiser” page on Facebook. “It focuses a lot on Indiana riding and unique things for people to see in our state,” Scott says. “But I also throw in some of the nicer pictures and destinations when we travel out of state.”

Throughout their travels, their CVO Road Glide has never let them down. “Oh man, we have loved it,” Scott says. “With all those miles, it has honestly never had any kind of breakdown, no major repair that has kept it from being rideable.”

What advice would they give to others hoping to follow in their tire tracks?

“You’ve got to make a plan,” Scott advises. “Form a budget and savings plan to get money stashed for gas, hotels, and things like that. Check out your variables to see what’s possible based on circumstances. Don’t make any excuses, just get out there and make it happen.”

Great advice from a pair of high-mileage Hoosiers.

Words by Glen Abbott