Jay came to Williamsburg to care for his aging parents. He now lives in their home with his mother's cat, Lucy.
"I was kind of lost," he says. "I had done it for so long it had become my identity. I realized I needed another purpose.”
After multiple surgeries to repair shock injuries to his ankles and hips from military service, Jay bought a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. In late 2020, he formed the Whitley County Motorcycle Group and organized a ride to benefit the families of the 13 American soldiers who died in the fall of Kabul, Afghanistan.
Eventually, he partnered with Back Roads Appalachia, a non-profit designed to drive economic development through motorsports tourism. Fryman developed a free app and websites while serving on the group's board of directors. He now attends about 40 events a year and works with more than 30 charity organizations, ranging from Toys for Tots to hurricane relief.
One of Jay’s core values is to promote the natural beauty of Appalachia. “He’s into the beauty of Appalachia," says friend Johnny Miller. "Nobody really thinks about the positive side; they think about the negativity, the cultural problems, the poorness and the drug abuse … He’s a great ambassador for Appalachia.”
Jay, 54, also focuses on forming relationships with local businesses to promote tourism. “He does it selflessly … he doesn’t expect anything in return for what he does … because he just wants to bring business to town," says Jonathan Jones, owner and operator of Stitch in Time Upholstery in Williamsburg.
Jay says he has a renewed purpose in life. "Most importantly, neighbor helping neighbor, community coming together," he says. "That's what happened when we were growing up here; it happened all the time. If somebody had a problem, everybody in that small community would come there to help that person."
Jay Fryman founded the Whitley County Motorcycle Group and is a member of the board of directors for Backroads Appalachia. He focuses on promoting motorsports tourism to promote local businesses and raise money for charities.
Working with local businesses is at the core of Jay's values. Jonathan Jones is the owner/operator of Stitch in Time upholstery and frequently works with Jay in local promotions.
Johnny D. Miller, who lives in Corbin, is one of two living Colonel Sanders brand ambassadors and attends events with Jay.
"If you would have told me this is where I would be 30 years ago, I would have told you you are crazy," Jay says, sitting outside his home in his father's old chair.
"I think if my mother was alive today, she would have been absolutely ecstatic about what I have done and why I'm doing it," Jay says. He was inspired by both the hard-working "old school" values of his father, James, and the giving nature of his mother, Betty.
The riding group is designed to make sure people like Jay, a disabled veteran, are welcome. "We always make sure that they know if they have special needs we can accommodate that," he says.
Brian Clemons works with Jay to produce a weekly Facebook Live show from locations across the county. They travel to about 40 events throughout the year and work with more than 30 charities.
Jay maintains a large Facebook group and web page. He also created a free app that people can use to navigate the trails in Appalachia.
During the 4th annual Fall Leaves Ride through Tennessee, bikers get a chance to connect with local communities and businesses. Jay chats with Mike Douglas of Jellico, Tennessee.
The proceeds from the Tennessee Fall Leaves Ride will benefit the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Target House, an apartment-style facility that allows families to be close during long-term treatment.