—This feature originally appeared in Progress 2013. Get a copy at the Austin Daily Herald office, 310 Second St. NE.

Terry Trom has been riding motorcycles since he was 8 years old, and he found a way to keep them a big part of his life.

For the better part of the last 27 years, Trom has operated a motorcycle shop. He started operating it out of his farm, but for the past seven years he has had a sweeter gig: TT Motorcycles in Blooming Prairie.

“I’ve always been into Harleys,” Trom said. “It’s much easier to be in town. It’s much more accessible. We have one of the most competitive-priced shops in the area.”

Trom’s shop offers a variety of custom-made bikes and draws customers from all around southeast Minnesota.

He started the shop at his farm in 1984 but closed for six years after 1994 to spend more time with his children. Then he reopened in 2000 and moved it into BP in 2005.

Through it all, Trom maintains his farm and stays very busy between his two jobs.

“It has its days,” Trom said. “It’s been a little trying at times, but I’ve got two certified techs who do a good job when I can’t make it to the store.”

Trom has attended many of the big bike rallies and has been to Sturgis, S.D., several times. Yet the biggest drawback to having his own business is quite ironic: He spends less time on a bike. Somehow, he manages to squeeze in 6,000 miles a year, sometimes more.

“That’s the downfall of being an owner,” Trom said. “You don’t get much time to ride because you’re trying to keep everyone else on the road.”

While riding a motorcycle can be liberating, Trom wants riders to remember to watch out for drivers who may not see them.

“It’s very safe if you realize that you’re the only one watching out for yourself,” Trom said. “It’s so relaxing, and you get rid of all of your daily worries.”

Terry Trom

Owner of TT Motorcycles

Age: 49

Town: Blooming Prairie

Hobby: Motorcycles and farming