The Biker, unknown author

We found this while browsing Craig's List and wanted to share it with you. None of the words are ours. And we do not know who wrote this, but it has an impact and if it makes just one person think twice about a biker then it has served it's purpose.

THE BIKER

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 in hopes that people will understand the biker community.

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

Police Motorcycle Rodeo

We got a real treat today as we attended the Southeast Police Motorcycle Rodeo. It was free and open to the public and was held in Pompano Beach in a large parking area of a shopping center.

The course looked tough and so many traffic cones were set up that we wondered how they did not get lost in the maze.







According to some of the riders, the course was very challenging. They were identical to those used for training police officers.





There were some 100 plus motorcycle officers participating in the event. Many came from quite far away, like the Carolinas, New Jersey and even Canada. Most were men but we did see one female competing. There may have been more but we did not stay all day.






They rode and competed for 8 hours, a long day in the hot Florida sun.


The rules were pretty tough, like you can't touch a cone or put their foot down. The riders were commenting how tight some of the exercises were.



According to one rider "You can turn the bike in a 360-degree circle. Harley Davidson designed it to do that within 18 feet. If a circle is designated at 19 feet, you don't have much room for error.


Members of The Wings of Gold Motorcycle Club served as volunteer judges for the event. They were on top of it, watching each rider and making hand signals as to the success or failure of the riders. We got this photo of the back of their vest.


There was also this huge Harley trailer truck that was almost a block long and sitting in front of it was a 2008 Harley Davidson XLH Sportster 883 that will be raffled at the end of the event. The badge painted on the side was pretty impressive too.





One officer from the Charleston County Sheriff's Office in South Carolina, was impressed with the setup. He said one of the courses was called the “Fun Run” and it was quite challenging and very tricky. He mentioned that the cone patterns were so tight and hard to turn and that he laid his bike down, but was not hurt, just his ego suffered a slight scrape.

We could hear the metal scraping the cement parking lot on the turns and it was amazing to see them handle those big machines. The way they moved their bodies to manipulate thru the tight swerves was almost like a dance. It was really something to see.




Most deputies and sheriffs are riding Harley Davidsons which weigh 750 to 800 pounds so it is extremely difficult to turn them in an 18-19 foot radius. All the exercises were a testament of their skills with the heavy motorcycles.


Our Vespas weigh about 250 pounds so it is amazing to think of them handling 3 times that weight. It was thrilling to watch.



As we were leaving we saw a mounted police on a horse. Quite the contrast. Talk about horse power!

Lookin For Love in all the Wrong Places

Well our area has made national headlines this week. It seems that it is Mating Season for Alligators and they are making their way onto local roads and college campuses lookin fer luv.

Here is a link to the story as well as some related links on gators. A fun read.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-flbgator0402sbapr02,0,3827798.story

There is even a map to show where one of the big guys was sunning along side of State Rd 441. He caused a traffic jam as people were slowing down to see him.