German Biker's California Miracle

Miracles happen in California.  Hans Holbrecht, a German tourist diagnosed with terminal cancer, tells everyone who will listen that California saved his life.  Literally.

I met Hans on the Pacific Coast Highway when we both stopped to fill up at a gas station.  When I said, "Nice motorcycle, man", I never anticipated the conversation that would follow.

Holbrecht, speaking perfect English with a heavy German accent, told me of his journey to California from his hometown of Berlin.  A busy communications industry executive, Hans lived "a life unfulfilled".  He suffered from chronic depression for many years.

"I had so many dreams for what I wanted to do in life, you know, but I just always did what I was told was the right thing.  Being satisfied with a good career just became my life, but no freedom was what I got," said Holbrecht.

I asked what led him to visit California.

Hans replied, "The doctors told me of my cancer.  There was no hope.  I thought maybe I should kill myself, but I got scared of that idea, you know?  Then I remembered when I was a boy, and I wanted to be like Dennis Hopper in "Easy Rider".  You know the old movie?  I always wanted to feel free."

Holbrecht bought an airline ticket to Los Angeles, said goodbye to family and friends, and left Berlin without looking back.  After landing at LAX, he bought a Harley Davidson at the first motorcycle dealer he could find.

The Pacific Coast Highway would be his final destination on earth.

"I wanted to enjoy the California wind in my hair just one time before I go off the cliff into the beautiful Pacific Ocean.  I did not think that I would meet so many nice and friendly people in California.  There is so much love here, you know?"

Holbrecht broke down sobbing in front of me.

I grabbed his arm and said, "Man, it's okay.  Everything's cool, alright?"

Hans looked at me with a penetrating seriousness and said, "Do you understand that California is why I am still alive?  I am so happy for the first time.  I even sent Arnold Schwarzenegger an email in our German language.  I said to him, 'Arnold, now I realize why you came here and why you stayed'."

Holbrecht stated that he had been on his motorcycle from the bottom of California to the top and back again.  He had met hundreds of Californians, and every person he met befriended him.

I (cautiously) asked about his cancer.

"It is gone!  It is gone, my friend.  I can no longer feel it.  I am free.  I am living what was the dream of my life.  My California Dream.  It is REAL.  I will not let go again!" Hans excitedly declared.

I asked the German biker what he discovered California to be after his experiences on PCH.

"California is the land of dreams.  Every person has different dreams from mine, but they are all living what they want to be.  I think I have lived ten lifetimes since being here.  California has given me freedom, and now I have so many friends.  It is Heaven."

I asked Hans if his trip is like the film, "Easy Rider".

"It is much better.  Different, but better.  It is the greatest adventure of my life.  I now want to live!"

I wished Hans farewell, then he rode off into the most perfect California sunset imaginable --- too awesome for words.

Welling-up with emotion, I hurried into the car and sped-off in the opposite direction.  All I wanted to give Hans Holbrecht was a song.

"Born To Be Wild".