| The Biker's Creed:
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 will 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 its 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
mess 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 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 biker 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.
Live today like to tomorrow may never come
[Author Unknown]
I Saw You, Did You See Me?
I saw you;
hug your purse closer to you in the
grocery store line.
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.
You didn't see me;
playing Santa at the local mall.
I saw you;
change your mind about going into
the restaurant.
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.
You didn't see me;
driving behind you when you flicked
your cigarette butt out the car window.
I saw you;
frown at me when I smiled at your
children.
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.
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 coats
and gloves.
You didn't see me;
and my brothers donate our old coats
and gloves to those that had none.
I saw you;
look in fright at my tattoos.
You didn't see me;
cry as my children were born and
having their name tattooed on my skin and in my heart.
I saw you;
change lanes while rushing off to
go somewhere.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
You didn't see me;
leave the road.
I saw you;
waiting impatiently for my friends
to pass.
You didn't see me;
I wasn't there.
I saw you;
go home to your family.
You didn't see me;
because I died that day you cut me
off.
To you I was just a biker, not a
person with a family and friends.
[Author Unknown]
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