Introduction: Hi, if I ask you to be a friend it’s not to add numbers, but rather you looked like someone interesting enough to visit! I soon may be stopping in your town to say hi. I'm RETIRED, and living the dream. Riding everyday, and when it's nasty out I just watch out the window instead of slogging off to work at five in the morning. Was it worth 30 years? HELL YEAH!!!
Originating from: Lansing, Michigan Livin' in: KC, Missouri & Ft. Myers, FL Moving to Daytona soon!
Iron Butt Association H.O.G. A.M.A. D.I.L.L.I.G.A.F. etc.
On 9-4-2009 there was a tragedy. One of the riders from Australia was headed to the finish traveling through Canada to Spokane when he hit a deer. FROM Davo's WEBSITE:
"My name is David "Davo" Jones and I came into this world in 1956, raised just south of Wollongong. I am who I am because the road is not always what we expect. As the road turns be prepared. Traveling down that road is what we were put here for, what turns we make along the road are up to us as individuals. Opportunities are always there, some are just either too blind to see or too scared to open that door. Grab that handle and rip it open, you will be the better for it. The more you fall the better you get at staying erect. You are writing your own life story right now, is it what you imagined as a child, have you done what you wanted. Will you be happy one day when you read back on your life. Was it a good life. This is not a rehearsal, you have only one chance." RIP Davo, you were a hell of a man. ___________________________________________________
Who cares where we're going... Let's ride!!
Life is short and it is not always fair. Live it well anyway.
"Reality is merely an illusion; albeit a persistant one." Albert Einstein
www.bikersforbabies.org/kgardner
For some there's therapy for the rest of us there's motorcycles!
"Take it all in stride, 'cause life is just a ride."
Experience is wasted unless it is shared; be it knowledge, emotion, or adventures. __________________________________________________________________________________________________
Borrowed:
"Bikes are the ultimate levelers."
It doesn't matter if you're a prince or a pauper, if you run your own successful business, or you are currently unemployed. If you're into bikes, you've truly got something in common with the girl or guy next to you. You're my mate, so let's talk. Imagine that being the case in the cold, corporate world of cars - it's just not going to happen. Because bike people aren't like other people. So many things about motorcycles just don't make sense - the cost, the cold, the rain, the crashing - that you have to be "really" into them, to be into them. Everything that's happened to you as a rider has happened to someone else as a rider. A fancy car, on the other hand, is just that: great to look and and maybe drive, but not impractical nor indeed not painful enough to be truly truly passionate about."
"Two Wheels Only", motorcycle magazine from Great Britain - Dec 08 __________________________________________
I saw you, hug your purse closer to you in the grocery store line. But, you didn't see me, put an extra $10.00 in the collection plate last Sunday. I saw you, pull your child closer when we passed each other on the sidewalk. But, you didn't see me, playing Santa at the local mall. I saw you, change your mind about going into the restaurant. But, you didn't see me, attending a meeting to raise more money for the hurricane relief. I saw you, roll up your window and shake your head when I rode by. But, you didn't see me, riding behind you when you flicked your cigarette butt out the car window.. I saw you, frown at me when I smiled at your children. But, you didn't see me, when I took time off from work to run toys to the homeless. I saw you, stare at my long hair. But, you didn't see me, and my friends cut ten inches off for Locks of Love. I saw you, roll your eyes at our leather jackets and gloves. But, you didn't see me, and my brothers donate our old ones to those that had none. I saw you, look in fright at my tattoos. But, you didn't see me cry as my children were born and have their name written over and in my heart. I saw you, change lanes while rushing off to go somewhere. But, you didn't see me, going home to be with my family. I saw you, complain about how loud and noisy our bikes can be. But, you didn't see me, when you were changing the CD and drifted into my lane. I saw you, yelling at your kids in the car. But, you didn't see me, pat my child's hands, knowing he was safe behind me. I saw you, reading the newspaper or map as you drove down the road. But, you didn't see me, squeeze my wife's leg when she told me to take the next turn. I saw you, race down the road in the rain. But, you didn't see me, get soaked to the skin so my son could have the car to go on his date I saw you, run the yellow light just to save a few minutes of time. But, you didn't see me, trying to turn right. I saw you, cut me off because you needed to be in the lane I was in. But, you didn't see me, leave the road. I saw you, waiting impatiently for my friends to pass. But, you didn't see me. I wasn't there. I saw you, go home to your family. But, you didn't see me. Because, I died that day you cut me off. I was just a biker. A person with friends and a family. But, you didn't see me.
Re-send this around the world in hopes that people will understand the biker community.
If you don't re-send this, all I can say is it sucks to be you. I hope you never lose someone that rides.
PLEASE WATCH OUT FOR ALL THE BIKERS...PAY ATTENTION!!! __________________________________________
EVEN IF YOU DON'T LIKE US, RESPECT OUR RIGHTS TO RIDE WHAT WE CHOOSE AND TAKE A FEW EXTRA SECONDS TO BE SURE WE'RE NOT IN 'YOUR' WAY - LIVE TO RIDE. . RIDE TO LIVE
THE BIKER'S CREED I ride because it is fun. I ride because I enjoy the freedom I feel from being exposed to the elements, and the vulnerability to the danger that is intrinsic to riding. I do not ride because it is fashionable to do so. I ride my machine, not wear it. My machine is not a symbol of status. It exists simply for me, and me alone. My machine is not a toy. It is an extension of my being, and I will treat it accordingly, with the same respect as I have for myself. I strive to understand the inner-workings of my machine, from the most basic to the most complex. I will learn everything I can about my machine, so that I am reliant upon no one but myself for its health and well being. I strive to constantly better my skill of control over my machine. I will learn its limits, and use my skill to become one with my machine so that we may keep each other alive. I am the master, it is the servant. Working together in harmony, we will become an invincible team. I do not fear death. I will, however, do all possible to avoid death prematurely. Fear is the enemy, not death. Fear on the highway leads to death, therefore I will not let fear be my master. I will master it. My machines will outlive me. Therefore, they are my legacy. I will care for them for future bikers to cherish as I have cherished them, whoever they may be. I do not ride to gain attention, respect, or fear from those that do NOT ride, nor do I wish to intimidate or annoy them. For those that do not know me, all I wish from them is to ignore me. For those that desire to know me, I will share with them the truth of myself, so that they might understand me and not fear others like me. I will never be the aggressor on the highway. However, should others mess with me, their aggression will be dealt with in as severe manner as I can cast upon them. I will show respect to other bikers more experienced or knowledgeable than I am. I will learn from them all I can. However, if my respect is not acknowledged or appreciated, it will end. I will not show disrespect to other bikers less experienced or knowledgeable than I am. I will teach them what I can. However, if they show me disrespect, they will be slapped. It will be my task to mentor new riders, that so desire, into the lifestyle of the biker, so that the breed shall continue. I shall instruct them, as I have been instructed by those before me. I shall preserve and honor traditions of bikers before me, and I will pass them on unaltered. I will not judge other bikers on their choice of machine, their appearance, or their profession. I will judge them only on their conduct as bikers. I am proud of my accomplishments as a biker, though I will not flaunt them to others. If they ask, I will share them. I will stand ready to help any other biker that truly needs my help. I will never ask another biker to do for me what I can do for myself. I am not a part-time biker. I am a biker when, and where ever I go. I am proud to be a biker, and hide my chosen lifestyle from no one. I ride because I love freedom, independence, and the movement of the ground beneath me. But most of all, I ride to better understand myself, my machine, the lands in which I ride, and to seek out and know other bikers like myself.
THE RIDE: "It's not about what happened in the past. It's not about what might happen in the future. It's about The Ride, for Christ's Sake." - Sgt. Jennifer Hartman, U.S. Army, killed in Iraq by a Religion of Peace car bomb.
__________________________________________ Don't know where this originated, thought it was worth sharing.
THE SACK LUNCHES
I put my carry-on in the luggage compartment and sat down in my assigned seat. It was going to be a long fight. 'I'm glad I have a good book to read. Perhaps I will get a short nap,' I thought. Just before take-off, a line of soldiers came down the aisle and filled all the vacant seats, totally surrounding me. I decided to start a conversation. 'Where are you headed?' I asked the soldier seated nearest to me. 'Chicago, to Great Lakes Base. We'll be there for two weeks for special training, and then we're being deployed to Iraq.' After flying for about an hour, an announcement was made that sack lunches were available for five dollars. It would be several hours before we reached Chicago, and I quickly decided a lunch would help pass the time. As I reached for my wallet, I overheard soldier ask his buddy if he planned to buy lunch. 'No, that seems like a lot of money for just a sack lunch. Probably wouldn't be worth five bucks. I'll wait till we get to Chicago.' His friend agreed. I looked around at the other soldiers. None were buying lunch. I walked to the back of the plane and handed the flight attendant a fifty dollar bill. 'Take a lunch to all those soldiers.' She grabbed my arms and squeezed tightly. Her eyes wet with tears, she thanked me. 'My son was a soldier in Iraq; it's almost like you are doing it for him.' Picking up ten sacks, she headed up the aisle to where the soldiers were seated. She stopped at my seat and asked, 'Which do you like best - beef or chicken?' 'Chicken,' I replied, wondering why she asked. She turned and went to the front of plane, returning a minute later with a dinner plate from first class. 'This is your thanks.' After we finished eating, I went again to the back of the plane, heading for the rest room. A man stopped me. 'I saw what you did. I want to be part of it. Here, take this.' He handed me twenty-five dollars. Soon after I returned to my seat, I saw the Flight Captain coming down the aisle, looking at the aisle numbers as he walked, I hoped he was not looking for me, but noticed he was looking at the numbers only on my side of the plane. When he got to my row he stopped, smiled, held out his hand, and said, 'I want to shake your hand.' Quickly unfastening my seat belt I stood and took the Captain's hand. With a booming voice he said, 'I was a soldier and I was a military pilot. Once, someone bought me a lunch. It was an act of kindness I never forgot.' I was embarrassed when applause was heard from all of the passengers. Later I walked to the front of the plane so I could stretch my legs. A man who was seated about six rows in front of me reached out his hand, wanting to shake mine. He left another twenty-five dollars in my palm. When we landed in Chicago I gathered my belongings and started to deplane. Waiting just inside the airplane door was a man who stopped me, put something in my shirt pocket, turned, and walked away without saying a word. Another twenty-five dollars! Upon entering the terminal, I saw the soldiers gathering for their trip to the base. I walked over to them and handed them seventy-five dollars. 'It will take you some time to reach the base. It will be about time for a sandwich. God Bless You.' Ten young men left that flight feeling the love and respect of their fellow travelers. As I walked briskly to my car, I whispered a prayer for their safe return. These soldiers were giving their all for our country. I could only give them a couple of meals. It seemed so little... A VETERAN IS SOMEONE WHO, AT ONE POINT IN HIS LIFE WROTE A BLANK CHECK MADE PAYABLE TO 'THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA' FOR AN AMOUNT OF 'UP TO AND INCLUDING MY LIFE. That is Honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it.' Do you understand and appreciate what they are doing? Share this with a friend so we will never forget! GOD BLESS AMERICA!
You are a part of the true biker community. You probably understand the meaning of brotherhood and look after those you ride with as family. Ride Hard - Die Free is not just a fancy patch you bought at a bike rally. You probably ride your bike to Bike Week no matter how far it is. Bikers like you are hard to come by. Keep the shiny side up.
Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle. Live simply, Love generously, Care deeply, Speak Kindly... Leave the rest to God. __________________________________________
Being happy doesn't mean everything is perfect... It means that you decided to look beyond the imperfections. __________________________________________
Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even if checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows not victory or defeat.
__________________________________________
Life is too short to wake up with regrets. So love the people who treat you right. Forget about the one's who don't. Believe everything happens for a reason. If you get a second chance, grab it with both hands. If it changes your life, let it. Nobody said life would be easy, they just promised it would be worth it. __________________________________________
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Turn ons:
Hooking up with strangers on the road.
Turn offs:
Idiots that don't know how to drive, or ride.
Ideal:
Someone who can be ready in fifteen minutes to go ride just because.
Favorite Quotes: An oldie but still the best... "Life's Journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting, 'Holy Shit... What a Ride!!'" ________________________
Some people just don't know how to drive. I call these people "Everybody But Me". ________________________
If You're Not Living On The Edge... You're Taking Up Too Much Space!!! ________________________
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