The Baytown Bulletin Board

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 outside the store as I walked in.

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.

If you don't re-send this, all I can say is it sucks to be you. I hope you never loose someone that rides.


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

That's really cool, Free. I ride a Yamaha V-Star 650, by the way.

Yep, it all hits home hard and have lived most of it, except I'm still here to talk about it. Unfortunately, a dear friend died last year, after someone cut him off when they were trying to pass.

To some, perhaps it's no big deal losing some "biker trash," and after all, accidents happen. However, perceptions are not reality, as this biker was also a Harris County Deputy that loved riding his Harley when he was off-duty. Yes, he had loud pipes (with the hopes to get people attention, so they might notice you, to keep such things from happening) and he was wearing a helmet, but still died of head injuries.

As many people may take a dim view of those that choose to ride, they would really be surprised at who may be on that bike, when they stare straight ahead, afraid to look at you. It could be any number of police officers that I know (one used to have a fake pony tail pinned to his helmet, until he took it off to reveal his flat-top), or it could be Dr. Juan Stern (a well known urologist), lawyers that I know, as well as many other well respect business professionals that I've met, such as insurance agents and you'll find one owns an office furniture store in La Porte with hair past the middle of his back. You'll find the majority to be good honest citizens and might just be your neighbor down the street, whether they put on a tie in the morning or jumpsuit to go to work at Exxon or perhaps driving a truck that's delivering your groceries to the supermarket.

The "biker community" is one of the most generous groups that you can come across, as well. They put on rides to benefit many great causes, from muscular dystrophy to kids with cancer and many others.

I'm 54 and have been riding since I was 15, after washing dishes in a restaurant for almost a year, to buy my first Honda 90. I currently own an '85 Harley Low Glide. I also run my own business and have long hair and a beard. I also live in a middle income neighborhood and friendly with most of my neighbors.

Please, forget the outlaw biker movies and of course, there's going to be a new one on TV this fall that isn't going to help anything, but I'll let you in on a little secret... when you see a Bandido or other "outlaw" biker, you'll notice a patch on their jacket with "1%" stitched into it. This came about when I was a kid and Honda was advertising "You meet the nicest people on a Honda" and trying to get the public to understand that MOST bikers were "nice people". The "outlaw bikers" started putting the 1% on their jackets, signifying they aren't part of that other 99%.

So, when you see me go by and I'm looking at YOU, it's because I'm trying to make sure YOU SEE ME and don't cut me off. So, feel free to look at ME and let me know you see me and wave if you want, I'll probably smile and wave back.

Thanks

Back in 1980 I t-boned a cadilac on fm 2100 in Barrett Station on a beautiful Sunday morning, no fault of my own. As I'm lying in the middle of the road trying to decide if my head is still attached, all the locals run from the car wash to the caddi driver's car and asked if they were ok..No one even asked if I needed any help. Hopefully attitudes about bikers have changed sinse the riders backgrounds are more diverse(sp)?

It seems that you were concerned whether you spelled 'diverse' correctly, which you did. However.... cadilac=cadillac & sinse=since and both should have shown a red line under them to denote possible spelling error.

However, back on topic... Although there are a lot of professionals, as well as middle-aged folks that are now able to afford those dreams they've had, I haven't found a lot of difference in overall perceptions by the majority.

Of course, it also doesn't help matters, when they see one of these idiots (mostly "kids") on their 'crotch-rockets', doing wheelies at 100+mph down the freeways and whipping in and out of traffic in a race. A few weeks back, I witnessed the aftermath of one of these idiots (I think he was in his mid-20's), on Georgia St in Deer Park, in front of the Golf Course. I knew what must have happened when I saw the bike laying in the grass and the amount of damage to the car. My expectations were confirmed when I read that he was doing over 100mph (in a 40mph zone), when he hit the car turning into the Golf Course driveway. There was nothing the driver could have done, as even if the bike was doing 50, it wasn't likely to be a factor... but at 100+, the bike was on top of the car before either realized what was happening.

It does take a little effort on both sides and hopefully others will continually become more aware of their surroundings when driving. However, as I tell new "bikers"... ALWAYS REMEMBER, one of the MOST common remarks after an accident is "I didn't see him coming" and this is when they just pulled out in front of, and got hit, by an 18-Wheeler! So, don't expect them to see YOU.

But then, who am I kidding? Although I was in my truck, on my way home today, I had to contend with a lady (in a Caddi) doing 20mph in the left lane on Decker Dr. and turning around and talking to the little girl in the back seat, then cut across 3 lanes to make a right hand turn! Fortunately, everyone missed her. I was just glad I wasn't on my bike and had to slam on my brakes to avoid her, possibly having to lay it down or having someone hit me from behind in my attempt to stop quickly.

So, while you look at me and maybe wave... if you're behind me, please don't follow me too closely, as I can stop a whole lot quicker than you can.