My lady behind or beside me, wind in my hair, sunny warm days, dry, clean roads, zero traffic, no cops, beautiful scenery.
Turn off's
Cops, Stupid/Bad drivers, helmet laws, price of gas, beat up roads, traffic, red lights, stop signs, rain days, hail, 60 mph winds, deer on the road, the "other" teams
Hobbies
Wake up, eat, suit up, gas up, ride, gas up, ride, stop here and there to enjoy, eat, party/appreciate experiences with friends, sleep, wake up, repeat.
Oh yeah, other stuff; traveling across country and abroad, hitting the beach, concerts, cultural events, Big Red Machine (81) runs, firing off a few hundred rounds down range, car/bike & drag shows/races, parachuting, scuba diving, water and snow skiing, volunteering some time to select charities and environmental programs, working out, playing card/board games now and then, hanging with family & friends - doing what they like to do.
I love music but won't add one of those F@#%'en annoying players here. I don't mind reading what genre's of music, groups and songs folks like in their profile, but I hate getting blasted with loud tunes unexpectedly because most of these players sound off automatically with a default of play (..sorry for the rant..)
However, I will use this space to put my little guestbook if you care to sign it.
About me
Holy Shit! How many biker/social websites are there on the internet anyway? Pretty soon I'm going to be spending more time in a virtual world than living in the real world, riding my damm bike...NOT!
My agenda here is straight forward. I'm looking for a some, REAL, down to earth, family and brotherhood oriented, no bullshit, no screws loose, morally centered, patriotic, sober folks with heart, good character, integrity, similar interests and passions to meet, ride with and develop some long term, meaningful friendships with.... and have some fun while doing it. This is a "Funhouse" is it not? Damm it!, i'm going to have me some fun, even if it kills me.
I'm particularly interested in befriending / connecting with folks in Northern California that I stand a chance of meeting and riding with.
Bonus points of you are a 81 Supporter (regardless of location) or a member of an MC who supports the Red & White. Please don't talk to me about "other" 1% or law enforcement clubs. Just be real and respectful and you will get the same courtesy from me.
About Me:
.. a regular guy, white collar (hey.. we all got to work right?), patriot, hardworking, honorable, loyal friend, funny, easy going, hard riding/responsible rider, no club (but 81 supporter), adventurous, free spirited, family oriented, straight shooting, sane type of guy that may not be an "old school" biker in the traditional sense, but one who believes in the old ways, shares the same passion for bikes and riding, one who doesn't take anything for granted and appreciates the right to enjoy this country's freedom to express oneself without having to explain, impress or fit some type of ideal, I ride where I want, wear what I want, think what I want, say what I want, love who I want and live my life to the fullest, learning and maturing into a better man with each passing day.
My friends at www.roadkingriders.com
Updates: August 2008: Trip to Sturgis, SD
Start: Columbus, OH
End: San Francisco, CA
Total Miles for the 3 week trip: 5300 (approx)
Longest mileage for single day: 550
Missing in picture: Victoria, BC
2nd Annual Street Vibrations, Spring Rally
Rode from San Jose, CA to Sparks, NV
Decent weather, a bit cold on the Hwy 80 pass
Spent most of the time riding up to Carson City. The local HD dealer moved into a much bigger store, celebrating their grand opening. Bands, dancers, food and of course, a ton of killer bikes.
Virginia City, was, what can I say, kick ass. Will look like a mini Sturgis in the fall during the annual Street Vibrations. Don't leave town with stopping by the Bucket of Blood Saloon.
As a veteran of the US Army, it is my privilege to honor the many veterans and their family members who sacrificed much so that we can enjoy the freedoms we have today.......
Growing up in California in the 60's and 70's, my first glimpses of motorcycles and the biker lifestyle came from the Hell Angles. As a child, watching them roar though the streets in Berdoo, Bakersfield, Frisco and Oakland, organizing charity events, giving time and money to less fortunate people and fighting against injustices left a significant impression on me. They have always been very charitable, hospitable and like family to the greater community. Their demonstration of loyalty, brotherhood and family are characteristics that I have admired and tried to apply within my own life's journey and I truly believe it has made me a better man for it.
A Tribute to my local FRISCO, OAKLAND, DALY CITY and SAN JOSE - RED & WHITE - With My Deepest Respect!
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 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 it's 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 fuck 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 bitch-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 bikers 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.
Stopping to drop a lil' vintage on your Page I found interesting. ~Di "The Merkel" brand first appeared in Milwaukee Wisconsin in 1902 when Joseph Merkel set-up shop producing single cylinder motorcycles. Merkel was among the most innovative of the pioneer motorcycle companies. By 1905 Merkel had decided to engage in competition, and produced several racing machines. Merkel's motorcycles were to set many performance standards during the emerging American racing scene. These machines and their riders enabled Merkel to develop a patented spring front fork that was to become the forerunner of the modern telescopic front fork. This fork became the instrument of choice on racing machines of other builders. Also developed was the monoshock rear suspension, a system used today on modern motorcycles. Merkel's slogan became: "All roads are smooth to The Flying Merkel". Merkel also used ball bearings as opposed to bronze bushings in the engine. In contrast to primitive atmospheric pressure intake valves, Merkel designed a cam-actuated mechanism. Merkel also pioneered a throttle-controlled engine oiler that long preceded Harley's and Indian's use of such a device.
The company was purchased in 1909 by the Light Manufacturing Company, and was moved in its entirety to Pottstown Pennsylvania, producing machines with the "Merkel Light" and subsequently "The Flying Merkel" names. Joseph Merkel began immediately experimenting with frame and suspension improvements, and new engine designs. A young test rider by the name of Maldwyn Jones rode one of Merkel's creations. An inventive mechanic and racer, Jones set up the bike and defeated the reigning champion Erwin G (Cannonball) Baker in a ten mile race. The following season, Jones turned professional and won three of four races on a machine bearing "The Flying Merkel" logo on the tank. Jones went on to become a national champion racer and helped Merkel achieve recognition among performance enthusiasts.
In 1911 the Miami Cycle Manufacturing Company purchased Merkel, and production was moved to Middletown Ohio. The Miami Company, organized in 1895, was building bicycles and Motorcycles using names best known as Raycycle, and Miami. The Merkel acquisition gave Miami the high-end product that it needed to be regarded as a premiere manufacturer. The factory racing team by then expanded to include such names as LS Taylor, FE French, CF Pinneau, and W Wikel. In 1914 The flying Merkel won the National endurance run from Chicago to St Louis. Maldwyn Jones then broke a world's record on the Vanderbilt Course. When he returned to Middletown he was given a hero's welcome.
Engineering innovation, high quality, and racing successes were not enough to sustain this progressive endeavor. The onset of war and, a contracting market, and increased competition caused production of The Flying Merkel to falter. The final Merkel machines were produced in 1917.
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