I’m guessing maybe ya might even find the same effect with other motorcycles? Say a Victory, BMW, Buell or some other brand? I can’t say I’ve got direct experience with those? But I’ve owned lotsa motorcycles in the past and have known (still know) a lot of folks who ride.
I’m not able to be active in the motorcycle world as I’d like to be? But I talk with a lot of folks who are. Having been around the sport since way back in the fifties (just a tyke at the time ya understand) I’ve seen a lot of changes.
I still remember when most of the early riders (motorcycle bums) were ex-servicemen of WW II vintage. They’d been wearing uniforms shortly before they started wearin’ dungarees and leather jackets. Lot’s of ‘em bought war surplus motorcycles to get started in the sport.
I remember the first (modern) “british invasion”. For the younger people (even some boomers?) among you? It wasn’t the Beatles who first invaded the conscientious of American youth.
It was BSAs and Nortons and Triumph motorcycles! They were somewhat smaller machines than the big Harleys and Indians that ruled the roads back in those days. Some veterans had experienced them while fightin’ their way around Europe in WWII. They liked the nimble way they handled and the lower price extracted to swing a leg over one.
All this was long before those little teeny Honda “motorcycles” (they weren’t really) showed up on college campuses. They owned a catch phrase too, “You meet the nicest people on a Honda”. There mighta been some truth in that, I don’t know?
But what I do know is this! The people you meet on Harley motorcycles are as varied in background as your in-laws. This might apply to other brands as well, but I can’t personally verify that.
And while Harley riders often cruise around sportin’ dark sunglasses, with their hair flyin’ free, wearin’ boots, gloves, and loads of leather (occasionally oil-stained jeans?). Looking like the scariest folks on the road? They’re not! (well maybe sometimes).
What they truly are, is the most generous people, possessin’ the biggest hearts of any group, ridin’ (or walkin’) the streets of this country!
Now how can I make that statement, you might ask? Well let me tell ya..., it’s easy!
I’ll bet you money (or dollars to donuts) No other group of people you can name does more for “Charity” than motorcycle riders!
I’ve watched one local group in action for years. They are a microcosm of hundreds, no let’s make that thousands of groups scattered all over the country. You see them riding (roaring?) by everywhere, as you walk or drive around our streets, highways and byways.
What you most likely notice as they pass by, is all the shiny paint, chrome, leather and noise. You might even git annoyed while they pass by as a large group (scary motorcycle pack?). Momentarily holding you up from enterin’ traffic, until they’ve all roared past.
What you probably don’t notice as they roll by is the smiles on their faces. And those big hearts beating in their chests. Nor would you perceive the lighter load they’re carrying in their wallets (and purses!).
Big smiles? Sure, because as they’d put it, they’ve "got the wind in their hair”.
Big Hearts? Oh Yeah, and I mean “BIG” with capital letters! Why? I’ll get to that momentarily.
Lighter wallets? Yeah..., and you’d never guess why that is either. But it adds to those big smiles!
Almost anytime you see a large group (and sometimes small groups) it’s more than likely they’re out riding to raise money for someone in need!!
Harley riders in particular do that a lot! And we’re not talkin’ small potaoes here folks!
Every year these motorcyclists cloggin’ up the roads, occasionally annoying you (usually inadvertantly). Are participating in a “Charity Run”! If you don’t know what that means? It means they are paying a fee to someone, just so they can ride And give money to charity simultaneously!!
They do it at Every Level of giving. Helping such national groups as; MS, Cancer Societies, Red Cross, MDA and many others.
It’s become apparent that organizations everywhere have discovered (and cheerfully partake of) motorcyclists generosity!!
How much do they help? Well a couple years back Harley riders had raised roughly $58,000,000., Just for MDA! Locally they often raise several thousands (and more) lendin’ a hand to (your) neighbors in need.
I Don’t Know About You..., I’m thinkin’ if everyone was as generous as motorcycle riders, we’d cure most diseases in no time!
Cal Teeple, Observational Cogitation Consortium founder, can still be found three stools down. As well as at: www.wayneindependent.com/cal Or At: calteeple@gmail.com He may be ignored, contacted or accosted in any of them.
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I’m guessing maybe ya might even find the same effect with other motorcycles? Say a Victory, BMW, Buell or some other brand? I can’t say I’ve got direct experience with those? But I’ve owned lotsa motorcycles in the past and have known (still know) a lot of folks who ride.
I’m not able to be active in the motorcycle world as I’d like to be? But I talk with a lot of folks who are. Having been around the sport since way back in the fifties (just a tyke at the time ya understand) I’ve seen a lot of changes.
I still remember when most of the early riders (motorcycle bums) were ex-servicemen of WW II vintage. They’d been wearing uniforms shortly before they started wearin’ dungarees and leather jackets. Lot’s of ‘em bought war surplus motorcycles to get started in the sport.
I remember the first (modern) “british invasion”. For the younger people (even some boomers?) among you? It wasn’t the Beatles who first invaded the conscientious of American youth.
It was BSAs and Nortons and Triumph motorcycles! They were somewhat smaller machines than the big Harleys and Indians that ruled the roads back in those days. Some veterans had experienced them while fightin’ their way around Europe in WWII. They liked the nimble way they handled and the lower price extracted to swing a leg over one.
All this was long before those little teeny Honda “motorcycles” (they weren’t really) showed up on college campuses. They owned a catch phrase too, “You meet the nicest people on a Honda”. There mighta been some truth in that, I don’t know?
But what I do know is this! The people you meet on Harley motorcycles are as varied in background as your in-laws. This might apply to other brands as well, but I can’t personally verify that.
And while Harley riders often cruise around sportin’ dark sunglasses, with their hair flyin’ free, wearin’ boots, gloves, and loads of leather (occasionally oil-stained jeans?). Looking like the scariest folks on the road? They’re not! (well maybe sometimes).
What they truly are, is the most generous people, possessin’ the biggest hearts of any group, ridin’ (or walkin’) the streets of this country!
Now how can I make that statement, you might ask? Well let me tell ya..., it’s easy!
I’ll bet you money (or dollars to donuts) No other group of people you can name does more for “Charity” than motorcycle riders!
I’ve watched one local group in action for years. They are a microcosm of hundreds, no let’s make that thousands of groups scattered all over the country. You see them riding (roaring?) by everywhere, as you walk or drive around our streets, highways and byways.
What you most likely notice as they pass by, is all the shiny paint, chrome, leather and noise. You might even git annoyed while they pass by as a large group (scary motorcycle pack?). Momentarily holding you up from enterin’ traffic, until they’ve all roared past.
What you probably don’t notice as they roll by is the smiles on their faces. And those big hearts beating in their chests. Nor would you perceive the lighter load they’re carrying in their wallets (and purses!).
Big smiles? Sure, because as they’d put it, they’ve "got the wind in their hair”.
Big Hearts? Oh Yeah, and I mean “BIG” with capital letters! Why? I’ll get to that momentarily.
Lighter wallets? Yeah..., and you’d never guess why that is either. But it adds to those big smiles!
Almost anytime you see a large group (and sometimes small groups) it’s more than likely they’re out riding to raise money for someone in need!!
Harley riders in particular do that a lot! And we’re not talkin’ small potaoes here folks!
Every year these motorcyclists cloggin’ up the roads, occasionally annoying you (usually inadvertantly). Are participating in a “Charity Run”! If you don’t know what that means? It means they are paying a fee to someone, just so they can ride And give money to charity simultaneously!!
They do it at Every Level of giving. Helping such national groups as; MS, Cancer Societies, Red Cross, MDA and many others.
It’s become apparent that organizations everywhere have discovered (and cheerfully partake of) motorcyclists generosity!!
How much do they help? Well a couple years back Harley riders had raised roughly $58,000,000., Just for MDA! Locally they often raise several thousands (and more) lendin’ a hand to (your) neighbors in need.
I Don’t Know About You..., I’m thinkin’ if everyone was as generous as motorcycle riders, we’d cure most diseases in no time!
Cal Teeple, Observational Cogitation Consortium founder, can still be found three stools down. As well as at: www.wayneindependent.com/cal Or At: calteeple@gmail.com He may be ignored, contacted or accosted in any of them.
