About Lou Garcia, the man who makes the stash rolls.

I started riding when I was 16 years old. It was introduced to me by my uncle, who had just bought a Honda 750cc. He took me out on a few rides with him, and I was hooked. It was all I could do to get my hands on a bike myself, but there was the classic mom who was totally against it. I would ride my uncle’s bike occasionally.

When I was 19, I purchased my first bike — a 1976 Kawasaki Z900. It was used, but it was cool-looking and fast. I loved that first bike, but then there was an accident with a drunk driver. The bike was totaled, but I walked away with my life and some permanent injuries. My then-wife convinced me not to ride anymore because of our children.

After about 25 years, a cousin of mine told me he was selling his ’04 Harley-Davidson Sportster Screamin’ Eagle. He had upgraded to a bigger bike.

So, with the kids being grown and me being older, in my 40s — call it a mid-life crisis — I bought it and have never looked back. It’s said, “The one thing that is inevitable is that everyone will go down at least once.” So I figured I had already paid that price, so no worries. LOL.

I joined the Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.) and am a lifetime member. I have made so many friends in the group — people like me in the riding lifestyle — that it has changed my life. As a member and officer, I have attended many overnight rides and events — too many to count — but my ultimate favorite is my Three Rivers Ride event that I put on annually. It’s a complete resort takeover in Three Rivers, California, just at the doorway to Sequoia National Park. It’s a three-night event for H.O.G. members and their families to ride the wonderful scenic parkway.

I’ve owned several Harleys since my Sporty, but now I’m currently riding a 2015 Tri-Glide because of my disability. But the point is: I’m still riding.

 

How I came up with the Stash Rolls: 

In 2015, I went to work with a very good friend and fellow H.O.G. member who owns My Garage Ventura. Jim Tietz, owner and operator — also an Instagram influencer — told me about making a blanket roll that we could put on a bike to stash small items but still have them readily accessible. Together with Jim, we came up with the idea. Jim gave me the idea, and I ran with it. Using different materials and techniques — and a lot of patience — I was able to come up with what is now my Mexican Blanket Stash Roll.

Jim, who did R&D for Easyriders magazine, was able to have it published in their product review in 2015. Now, 10 years later, it comes in two styles of blankets and a variety of colors.