Duke Time Off Photo Winner Captures the Joy of the Open Road

A snapshot of friends on vintage motorcycles leads to a prize in summer photo campaign

Two men pose next to motorcycles with a bridge in the background
Bill Snead and Scott Lindroth took their vintage bikes to the BMW Motorcycle Owners Association's annual rally in June. Photo courtesy of Bill Snead

Bill Snead and Scott Lindroth try hit the road together on their motorcycles whenever possible. Sometimes Snead, a Senior Producer for Duke University Communications and Marketing, suggests taking one of his seven motorcycles on a 100-mile trip just to visit a bakery. Other times, Lindroth, a Duke Professor of Music, will recommend a place for coffee.

In late June, both drove their vintage BMW bikes, known as "airheads," to the BMW Motorcycle Owners Association’s annual rally outside Nashville, Tennessee. The Rhythm & Rides Reunion drew about 5,000 of their closest BMW-owning friends. It included seminars on how to keep their older bikes running in tip-top shape, which is helpful for Snead’s 44-year-old BMW and Lindroth’s 50-year-old bike.

“Both of these bikes need to constantly be worked on and maintained, so that’s half the fun of it,” Snead said.

Afterward, the two cruised along a portion of the Natchez Trace Parkway, a scenic route that meanders to Natchez, Mississippi, and stopped to snap a photo in front of the Natchez Trace Parkway Bridge in Williamson County.

“We toddled on it for an afternoon,” Snead said. “It was kind of a check-box that we ticked to say we rode on it.”

Two men pose next to motorcycles with a bridge in the background
Bill Snead and Scott Lindroth took their vintage BMW motorcycles for a spin on the Natchez Trace Parkway. Photo courtesy of Bill Snead

Snead shared the photo as part of Working@Duke’s annual Duke Time Off photo campaign showcasing the value of using Duke’s paid time off benefits for well-being. The photo was picked as the fourth winner during the summer-long campaign.

For his photo, Snead will receive a 24-can cooler, courtesy of Duke University Stores.

Snead said he anticipates using the cooler for their local round-trip excursions.

“The whole experience of being on a motorcycle, even in inclement weather, is a great one,” he said. “I never regret being on a bike.”

One Duke-themed prize, courtesy of Duke University Stores, will be given away roughly once every two weeks throughout the summer.

All eligible pictures taken and shared over the course of the campaign – from May 22, 2025, through Aug. 4, 2025 – will be in the running for the following grand prizes, courtesy of the Duke entities:

  • A “Classic Package for Two” ($425 value) at the Washington Duke Inn. The package includes a king or double/double room for one night and full breakfast for two in the Vista Room or room service. Sunday brunch is not eligible.
  • A lemur tour for two at the Duke Lemur Center.
  • Tickets to Duke Arts Presents performances.

The deadline for photo submissions is 5 p.m., Aug. 4. For additional Duke Time Off guidelines, including how to share your photo on social media or through our easy form, check out this story.

Send story ideas, shout-outs and photographs through our story idea form or write working@duke.edu.

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