| You're on a vigorous blast of a ride, and it almost | | | | everyone of them, without exception, knows of |
| seems a shame that it's rushing by so fast. There is | | | | someone who has gone down because of an errant |
| open country road ahead of you, as far as you can | | | | or negligent driver. Bikers follow certain rules, are |
| see. Although it's late in the day, you can feel the | | | | never phony, and live submerged in the life. |
| warm sun on your arms and a balmy wind buffeting | | | | Can You Buy Into The Life? |
| your face. The smells of late summer remind you | | | | No. If you buy a motorcycle, along with the leather |
| how little of the riding season you have left. The | | | | and gear that goes with it, and then take to the |
| farm fields have that mature late summer aroma, the | | | | road, are you a biker? No my friend, it doesn't work |
| kind that burns your nostrils just a little. And the | | | | that way. You might be a motorcycle enthusiast, or a |
| scenery, the rolling patchwork hills, the houses | | | | motorcycle rider, and that's okay, but you are not a |
| nestled in here and there, a galloping horse behind a | | | | biker simply because you plunked some money down |
| distant fence, and long, long shadows that deliver a | | | | in a showroom. Spending money doesn't get you into |
| cool shock every now and then. | | | | the club. Spending time and miles, and learning to |
| A graphic description of riding a motorcycle, all too | | | | respect and control your machine, as well as |
| familiar to a seasoned rider, extols the subjective | | | | respecting other riders on the road, will maybe, |
| virtues of riding. In recent years, motorcycles have | | | | eventually, get you closer. Everyone has to start |
| gained in popularity as more and more new riders | | | | somewhere, right? The term yuppie biker is tossed |
| take to the road, and with that has come a growing | | | | around a bit these days, and it's all in fun really but |
| controversy. It's a simple contradiction in terms and | | | | the point is, this is one area where money doesn't |
| it's also very real. The question was raised in a very | | | | speak loudly. Leave the bikers their moniker, as they |
| commercial, very silly movie a while back, but no | | | | have earned it. |
| conclusion was made. Not really. The box office | | | | So What's It All About? |
| receipts may have been pretty good, and perhaps | | | | It's about the ride. If you bought your bike because |
| the sales from the multiple product placements were | | | | you want the wind in your face, and that freedom |
| lucrative, but the content bordered on offensive-- to | | | | you feel when you just pick a direction and go, then |
| bikers. | | | | do just that. The riding experience is the end all be all |
| What is a biker? | | | | of owning a bike, not the rallies, parties, and bike |
| A biker is someone who truly LIVES to ride. Not | | | | nights at the local sports bar, although those can be |
| necessarily a one-percenter, although like it or not, | | | | fun too at times. You can participate in charity bike |
| that element exists and this writing means to neither | | | | runs that have open registration, but wait until you |
| condone nor condemn. Every area of a biker's life is | | | | have some real miles under your belt. Pack riding can |
| connected to riding. A biker will ride instead of drive | | | | be a white knuckle experience. When you see brake |
| whenever possible. Some don't even own cars. They | | | | lights up ahead, they'll reach you fast, and you will |
| brave the rain and cold to get to where they're | | | | have very little time to react. If you're an |
| going, and not just on the weekends. They give of | | | | inexperienced rider, you can jeopardize your safety |
| themselves for charitable causes, and for their fellow | | | | as well as the safety of riders around you and behind |
| riders, enjoying a good ride and a party in the | | | | you. |
| process. No sacrifice is too big for a fellow rider or | | | | Learn how to ride properly and get plenty of saddle |
| someone in need. An undue amount of disdain is cast | | | | time. Take a Motorcycle Safety Foundation Basic |
| their way even though they raise a lot of money and | | | | Rider Course to learn evasive moves and safe |
| give so much of themselves for others. Bikers | | | | stopping techniques. Do some reading and try to |
| maintain a lifestyle that revolves around riding instead | | | | understand the culture you'll be sharing space with. It |
| around keeping up with the Joneses. You won't see | | | | can be a lot of fun to go to rallies and check out all |
| them with the latest bike models with the | | | | the bikes and vendors, but show some respect, and |
| cookie-cutter factory paint jobs, nor will you see | | | | don't insinuate yourself into a group that has no |
| them in designer leather togs. Their leather is for | | | | desire to blindly accept everyone. Keep it about the |
| function only to protect their respective hides from | | | | ride and you'll do all right. There's a lot to be said for |
| cold, wind, rain, or asphalt. Their pins and patches | | | | peaceful coexistence, but remember, it's a two way |
| represent events in which they've taken part or | | | | street. |
| places they've actually been, on their bikes. And | | | | Now get out and ride! |