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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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