Simmons was raised in San Jose , California , where his father was a high school educator . He attended San José State University and lived for many years in Santa Cruz County , California . In 1981 he opened a vintage motorcycle shop with author William J. Craddock . Simmons moved to Mendocino County , California in 1990 after the Loma Prieta earthquake of 1989 , and later to Hawaii . He met his wife Cristine in 1989 in Sturgis , South Dakota at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally . They both enjoy riding antique motorcycles , participating in the 2014 Motorcycle Cannonball Endurance Ride . They participated in the 2016 Motorcycle Cannonball , riding from Atlantic City , New Jersey to San Diego , California
Loma Prieta earthquake of 1989
1989 Loma Prieta earthquake
Patrick Simmons