Friday, January 11

Dear VTwin Mama,
I wanted to write in to recommend a book I just read: Breaking the Limit by Karen Larsen.  It's about a woman who rides her Sportster 1200 from NJ to Alaska and back.  It was really inspiring that she did this on her own and the writing is just fantastic.  You get to see how she and her bike do on the long trip, people's interaction with and reaction to her, and just hear about all the great places she goes in both the US and Canada.  I had a hard time putting this book down and was so sorry to see it end, I wanted to start it right over again!  For anyone who's at all interested in long distance riding, I highly recommend reading about her journey. – Kristin

Dear Kristin,
Thanks for sharing your viewpoint on Karen's book! There are a number of first hand accounts of travel, which can be found on my Education Center page. Coming up on Monday, my review of Untamed Spirit and American Borders, both by women authors and their long distance motorcycle trips. – Mama

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Monday, February 11

Dear VTwin Mama,
I've been enjoying your site since I started my adventure with bikes four years ago. I'm now leaving the sport, and am considering donating my bike to charity. It's got low miles and is in pretty good shape, but will need a tune-up. I'm wondering if anyone else has done this, and how the experience went. – Dallas Girl

Dear Dallas Girl,
Hmmm ... sorry to hear that you'll not be riding any more, but how wonderful to consider a donation instead of selling it outright!

Certainly if one types in "donating a motorcycle to charity" in a search engine, any number of sites will come up, but I don't know of any specific motorcycle non-profit organizations that could use the bike to help raise funds.

Readers who have experience or ideas, please chime in now! – Mama

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Monday, February 18

For Dallas Girl who is looking to donate her motorcycle to a charity:

Our local public (PBS) TV station (not for profit ... in San Antonio it's KLRN) accepts motorcycles, boats, vehicles, etc. so I am sure there is one in Dallas that would be thrilled to receive your donation, and it's a tax deduction for you.  – Shadow Runner (note from Mama: I've included the PBS station finder link above!)

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Monday, February 18

THE BIKER (author unknown)

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.

Don’t take offense or think we’re trying to "show off." Ninety five percent of the time, we’re trying to get out of your blind spot, or taking ourselves out of a potential dangerous situation that has evolved around us. Distancing ourselves from you does not mean we want to race, but that we’re giving ourselves the edge we need at the moment.

Don’t take offense or think we’re trying to aggravate you. All we’re doing is letting you know where we are in relation to you on the road, and we’re more than likely aware of your inattentiveness to us while you’re talking on a cell phone, eating, reading or involved in some other distracting aspect to your driving. It’s important to us, and you, that you know we’re there.

Don’t become angry and hostile toward us. Yes, some are quite loud, but for some, there’s a purpose behind being loud. It’s about letting you know we’re close by and we’re constantly hoping that our investment in this accessory will help save our lives. Our pipes are really not about our ego...it’s a pride and personalization to our form of transportation.

When you see us in our clothes:

Don’t become fearful of us or think us weird. Our leather jackets, chaps, gloves and boots are the barriers between loosing massive amounts of flesh should something cause us to go down ... nothing more, nothing less. Safety gear is paramount to our riding. We wear patches on our jackets, and pins on our vests. These are symbols of pride and honor within our group(s), individuals giving back to those who gave. These things bond us as a brotherhood and sisterhood among bikers. Not that we’re better than anyone else, but that we have the same kind of nobility and pride in our accomplishments as you may have in the various aspects of your life.  guess one could say; our patches and pins are the decals and the bumper stickers of our involvement with society and the general public, of which we are very pleased to be a part of in our own little way.

You don’t have to shield your child or feel intimidated. We have family, wives, husbands, children and loved ones too, just like you. We smile; we laugh and enjoy the moments we have. We are approachable, and would befriend you, if given the opportunity.

Don’t convince yourself that we’re there to "get you". More than likely, we just finished a long ride and are taking a break. Or, we may be meeting up with other riders for a charity run for young children, or another very worthy cause. We may just be admiring one another’s bikes, sharing our pride with other brothers and sisters, just like you do with your personal vehicle. It’s what we do...it’s a part of our lives, and we’d be more than welcome to share with you what riding a bike is all about...if you’d only ask.

Don’t put us all in the same stereotypical category. Many of us do not agree with this style of riding either, and we know and understand that human nature tends to blend us all together as the "same group". Most of us don’t want that title...and don’t deserve it.

Give us the courtesy of sharing the road with you. Please don’t "move in" between several bikers in formation. This gets us very excited and nervous, especially when it’s done with no due regard for our safety. Provide us with your awareness of the fact that we are much more vulnerable than you. We don’t want to challenge you, for all of us are wise enough to know...we’d lose that battle.

Look, then look again...and then one more time. We can be easily hidden, and appear to be invisible by such things as a telephone pole, another vehicle, bright lights or the glare of the sun...or possibly, the beads hanging from your rearview mirror, among numerous other items that are displayed there. If you see us flashing our lights at you or blowing our horn, we’re only trying to ensure that you will see us before tragedy changes both our lives.

Please give us the room we need and don’t tailgate us. If you hit us, we’re going down...HARD! We don’t w ant to play games with you, we just want to enjoy the ride and the fresh air, and experience that which many of you have never lived for. If we accelerate away from you, don’t interpret this action as though we want to drag race you. We’re only trying to take ourselves out of a bad situation if you insist on being too close.

When, and if, you experience road rage: 

Don’t take it out on us just because we’re smaller than you and more vulnerable. Think about what you’re doing and the end result that may become a reality. The consequences of your actions and choices could be very detrimental to our well being, our families, our children and our loved ones. Yes, there are those that can tend to piss you off, however, rage towards them will not solve the issues, but accentuate them. Nine out of ten bikers will do everything they can to take themselves out of that situation without causing you or them harm.

You’ll discover, outside any influenced or stereotypical mindset you may have, that we are just as human as you are, just with different interests and toys. Many of us would give you the shirt off our back if it would brighten your day or console you in some way. We’re really no different...and we drive cars, trucks and vans too. So, meet us and greet us...I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised that you’ll be met with open arms.

Thank You for attempting to understand.