| Author | Message | ||
     86129squids |
Just been published: www.fromthehandlebars.com Now I gotta produce a monthly column on the local "cruiser" scene. I like to write, being on two wheels is an endless source of good material. Youn's $.02 on it? Hope I'm not breaking any Badweb rules by posting this- I'd just like opinions as to the quality of the piece. Can't think of a more opinionated bunch anyway....  | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
Err, dude which bit's yours? | ||
| Ferris_von_bueller |
The architect woman looks edible. | ||
| Ferris_von_bueller |
I'm guessing it's the article about the Buell but thats just a guess  | ||
| 86129squids |
If you get the current issue online (other good stuff to read besides just me), I'm doing the cruiser column. A little weird after 4 1/2 years and 23K miles on the XB, but hey. Can't tell with my craputer if they've updated the website- heck, I'll cut & paste the text below. I just wanted some of youn's to check the look and formatting of the piece by reading it on their site. Here goes... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ What does it mean to be a "cruiser" rider? With our choice of transportation we make a statement, riding in the wind, which differentiates us from the cage dwellers. We motorcyclists are a motley crew indeed, taken as a whole- we all see the sportbikers with their flashy and insanely fast machines, the "wingdingers" and Beemer riders touring to destinations unknown, the "scooter trash" zipping nimbly through the urban sprawl, more and more trikes as the boomers and their bodies get older. By and large we are seeing the majority of today's riders on cruising machines, and this is no accident. Cruising is probably the most satisfying way to roll down the road for the average rider. I once had a 1978 Datsun 280Z- no other car I've owned has ever fit me so well or gone so fast. Well, the time came for me to replace the motor in the Z with the help of a good buddy. In the meantime, I needed something to drive. What I found was a 1970 VW transporter, a "bus". Talk about a sea change in the way I approached driving! Instead of watching the horizon and my rearviews for blue lights, instead I was taking in the scenery at the pace dictated by that old bus. We weren't going anywhere fast, and that was just fine, after all. I eventually took a trip with a great friend in that bus, cruising out to the Ozarks for a few days then returning thru Nashville to catch the second Lollapalooza tour. Those were good times, slower times. What I found is that when you slow down, you replace the thrill of speed with the generous beauty of just rolling down the road, taking it all in. I miss things on my sportbike that I wouldn't have, had I been on my cruiser. My favorite passenger won't ride the sportbike with me, but is ready at a moment's notice if I'm firing up the cruiser. (She still thinks I go too fast sometimes, but you gotta stretch the legs and let 'er run every now and then...) Motorcycling is, at the same time, the most kinetic and the most visceral thing we can do as human beings. Let's face it, folks- we're all just a bunch of jellyfish on sticks, with better nervous systems. As humans we've done unbelievable things, we've been to the moon and back, and we invented the motorcycle. How best should we go about enjoying and utilizing this invention? I've been on a racetrack before, running as fast as I ever have or will go on a bike. (Until I can schedule another track day.) I've traveled hundreds of miles to get somewhere and back, mindful that the "getting there" is more important than the destination. I've clocked many thousands of miles on my sportbike running at speeds and lean angles I'd rather not discuss, and survived. Cruising, to me, is the most satisfying way to roll overall. Sure, I love to run the Dragon and cook a little calamari, I love to travel and clock the miles to get from A to B. Nothing compares to simply firing up the machine, pointing the front tire down the road, and rolling. No need to set the lap timer, no need for a map. Rolling down the road at a leisurely pace, with my sweetie on the back, packing a picnic lunch and little else is just simply living right in my book. This is the essence of cruising. Better yet, give a buddy or two a buzz and arrange a group ride. Cruising with friends is always a gas, especially if you all have many miles and experience rolling with one another. Getting together shortly after daybreak, grabbing a good breakfast and good coffee, gear up and [kickstands up on time] with your riding buddies is a smorgasbord of good living. The best friendships and the most memorable experiences happen with friends on two wheels. (I can see many of your heads bobbing in unison.) A caveat: Doing the big group rides, with dozens or even hundreds of riders, can be sketchy. I look at it as a multiplication of variables, all rolling on two wheels. Don't get me wrong- the charity rides benefit many great causes, and I wholeheartedly support all those who arrange and attend those rides to help uplift those in need. Just BE CAREFUL, remember your training, scan your mirrors, and time your gaps. Cruising, like all motorcycle riding, still requires attention, vigilance, and discipline, especially as the numbers in your group increase. Become a rider captain in your group, or better yet, a rider coach. The more we know, as riders, the better our lot as riders becomes. Pulling off a group ride as big as the Trail of Tears ride takes more than just a little planning, and I salute those who "giterduuunn". Let's all work towards riding back home- that's the goal. Then let's do it again. I'm planning a ride, soon, to go get some soap. I know where the best homemade soap can be bought. You can get it in a store not far from here. And another great store, farther down at the state line, sells good soap. I like good soap, and so does my girlfriend. Kickstands up, let's ride!! JBH (Message edited by 86129squids on June 27, 2009) | ||
| 86129squids |
Bueller? Don't tell me I'm getting a group DILLIGAF on this- tell me whutcha think! | ||
| Ezblast |
Your opinion well and articulately said in a easy to read manner that was not offensive. I think it represents one of the reasons we ride. EZ | ||
| 86129squids |
Thanks, EZ. I enjoyed writing it. Now I gotta do it again soon. Kinda feel like the dog that caught the truck. | ||
| Etennuly |
Looks like fun Brad! I know you have been wanting to do some writing, so what could be better than doing it about something you love to do? Good on ya, and good job. Hopefully I will get to get out there to ride with you again in the near future, seems like it has been a while. | ||
| 86129squids |
Thanks Vern. Over any campfire, our thoughts may be volatile. Plannning a cephalopod retreat. JBH | ||
| Etennuly |
What thoughts? Mine usually get erased!  | ||
| 86129squids |
Yeah, my GF hated me after Caddle and I made up good enuf. Her Bday is now. Goin to sleep buddy. Aint gonna make her madder. JBH | ||
| Newbuellertoo |
Very nice. I know what your'e saying about traveling in the bus versus the "Z". I recently took my wife for a ride on roads that I usually run with my buddies. There is a whole lot to see when your'e not way over the limit and scraping the pegs. Nice article. | ||
| 86129squids |
Thank, NB2. Now I gotta do it again. Just got back in from looking after a best buddy who got run over today on his Buell at a stoplight. by an inattentive 17YO dingbat fiddling with her radio. He was knocked 25' high and 100' out, stood up, looked at dingbat for 20 seconds or more as she ran up freeking, and said "Call an ambulance and get the hell away from me." He even took a pic with his Treo of the bike stuck under the bumper of her car. i hope I'm that hard to kill if ever I'm tested like that. Bless his heart. Thank God and lady luck that he wasn't seriously hurt. He's pretty stoved up, nonetheless. Put up your prayers and love for both of them. Hopefully dingbat will live and learn, my bud will recover, and the world will continue to turn. Might have to write about this. | ||
| Glitch |
Kinda feel like the dog that caught the truck. I know that feeling well. The trick is to let go a little so the truck gets ahead of you a bit, so you can start chasing again, without getting too far behind. Best of luck to you and your writing. Having people enjoy something you've created is one of the most wonderful feelings! | ||
| Vampress |
Very nicely written squids. You have captured some nice thoughts in that. The kind that make others remember their own stories too. Sometimes we should all slow down and take the time to go in search of 'good soap'. The next one will come to you. The world always presents us with things to write about somehow. V | ||
| 86129squids |
Thanks, Vampress- just submitted the next article. Kinda edgy, gritty, but so is roadrash. Waiting on editor approval. Didn't expect to write about a good friend being run over on his Buell, but I did. Had to. | ||
| 86129squids |
Just got word that my second piece is a keeper, and will be published. Need ad $$$, anyone curious just PM me. I hate to break any rules here, but I think we have a very worthwhile publication here in E. TN that needs to be supported and enjoyed. www.fromthehandlebars.com Sorry in advance if this aint kosher to ask/post. |
