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Sep 23

100 WFC: Mountain by Koz Mraz

By General Posts 3 Comments

100 word fiction contest continues…. #100WFC

Mountain
by Koz Mraz
(illustration by Wayfarer)

The mountain where we dance, endless pirouettes, left, right then left again. Freely falling into gravity’s demanding arms then with a twist of the throttle are thrust into the next delicious curve. She lifts the spirit as we ascend, transcend, riding high above the mundane until among the stars we fly.

And the mountain is where we fight. Wrestling against hairpin turns, battling hard against opposing forces, often for our life. Because if the mountain wins…we die.

Mountain is where we face our fears, test inner resolve or chase foolish whims and from atop, the breadth of life’s journey reveals.

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Yup, its a weekly contest open to all. Just sign up for the free weekly newsletter by clicking here. Then email us your 100 word limit fiction to wayfarer@bikernet.com

WINNERS SO FAR:
1. for the month of May 2023: “Been There Done That” by Steven Sanner
2. for the month of June 2023: “A Hundred” by Chris Dutcher
3. for the month of July 2023: “First Time” by Rhys
4. for the month of August 2023: “Hilary” by Gearhead

Sep 23

Book Review: Exile On Front Street

By General Posts No Comments

A Review by J.J. Solari

Hells Angel… And Beyond, by George Christie

The first sentence of Chapter 13 of this 16-chapter book is…..

“Solitary confinement is the worst thing one man can do to another.”

Now, since this is a “book review” and since I don’t know this guy, but I do know who he is, mostly from the “news,” once I got to the above-mentioned sentence in the course of my already having read the first 12 chapters of the book – which I was reading not to give a “report” on it but to get some familiarity with the fellow, from, ya know, his own self, rather than from the news…….where was I. Oh yeah: so I’m reading this here book, and most of it has been read and stuff, I’m almost done, and I’m goin’ along fine, and then I get to this sentence, the opening sentence of chapter 13.

Click here to read this detailed review by J.J.only on Bikernet.com

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Sep 20

Delivery and Deliverance

By General Posts No Comments

A tale of two parties to a deal and one steadfast old iron engine

Text and photos by Ujjwal Dey with illustrations from Wayfarer

An Enfield Bullet 350 finds a home after being in limbo for four stressful months. The cast iron engine with right-hand-side gear shift is a well-known legend among motorcyclists, especially purists who don’t want the brand name “Bullet” associated with run-of-mill modern designs & engines. What misadventure occurred and what new adventures await?

“First time in life I decided to purchase a used vehicle. An out of production cast-iron engine Enfield Bullet 350cc with right-hand-side gear shift which is the closest thing available to the 1955 Enfield Bullet 350 including chassis and engine design by the Britishers among other things such as dashboard, tank, hand-painted pinstripe, etc. These come with Green Tax for the alleged pollution they may or might be making. I got a fitness test certificate from the Road Transport office, where the ownership change is registered.” — Dey

Click here to read this awesome anecdote about ‘love after love’. Believe it!

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Sep 18

How Big Was The 2023 Sturgis Rally?

By General Posts No Comments

“Friends among strangers” illustration by Wayfarer

Hey, the 2023 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Attendance Was Down 8.1%

Article & photos from sturgis.com with illustrations by Wayfarer

Read on to see how the numbers break down. South Dakota Department of Transportation reported traffic numbers as well. How are all these statistics accounted? What are the numbers regarding taxation? Let’s find out.

Click here for this Feature Article on Bikernet.com

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Join the crew at Bandit’s Cantina, click here.

Sep 17

Why Would You Ride a Motorcycle?

By General Posts No Comments

Well, all of us motorcyclists have one or one million reasons to ride.

What about the rest of ’em? What practical, utilitarian reason and purpose could one recommend to a person who doesn’t ride a motorcycle or does not even know how to ride a motorcycle?

  1. Convenience : Its smaller than a car, gee whiz! Whiz past in smaller lanes and country roads too.
  2. Savings : Costs less to own and maintain. Yes, the engine and power consumption is less as well. So you get more bang for your buck, more miles per gallon.
  3. Friends among strangers : Motorcyclists seem to have a community irrespective of year and make of their vehicle, unlike most car enthusiasts who have limited engagement of car or travel club / group. Just wave and see the enthusiastic response from a biker.
  4. Natural Joyride : Its a natural anti-depressant. Many pilots have mentioned riding a motorcycle as being the closest thing to flying. Plus, your senses have no distraction and thus no worries while riding.
  5. Next Level Gaming : Well, how about learning off-road or endurance riding? Compete with friends or as an amateur.
  6. Skill development : You learn to be more handy with mechanical breakdowns. Plus learning to ride a motorcycle will boost your motor skills, mental agility and self-confidence as well.
  7. Travel light, move more : More adventurous way to pursue tourism, weekend getaway, a picnic at the park or beach, or just ride to the nearest gym.

And for the millennials — all of the above is true and applicable even for your electric motorcycle !

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Sep 12

Sturgis Buffalo Chip 2024

By General Posts No Comments

The Best Party Anywhere

2024 Passes On-Sale

August 2 to 11, 2024

Want to cure your blues?
Start planning your trip to the Sturgis Buffalo Chip for 2024

Passes On Sale October 12

CLICK HERE TO RESERVE PASSES

For a limited time only, when you reserve an Early Bird Pass you get a place to party and crash for a very special price.

It’ll never be this low again.

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Tell ’em Bikernet.com Sent Ya !

Sep 05

Grand Road Trip of Graeme Lowen

By General Posts No Comments

Excerpts of Travelogue, Riding in the USA

Graeme explores the States as changing roads and places bring new adventures in differing weather, and happy company.

Text and Photos by Graeme Lowen

After last night’s fiasco trying to find camera and getting back to the motel, I did some more work with google and found a Walmart only 10 miles or so away that sells cameras.

The stop at the gas station and its method of pre-pay was quite a novel experience. I was instructed by the young female assistant to put the cash into the machine , as much as I needed, hit enter and out came a receipt for the amount as well as a code number. I went out and filled the bike up and went back to get my change.

Read this wonderful “view” of USA from a tourist’s perspective – only at Bikernet.com

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READ MORE TRAVELOGUES ON BIKERNET.COM — have a look at:
https://www.bikernet.com/pages/travel_stories.aspx

 

Aug 28

100 WFC: Hilary by Gearhead

By General Posts

100 word fiction contest continues…. #100WFC

Hilary
by Gearhead

We rode from Northern Cal. The rain came down in buckets. I pulled off under the redwoods in Big Sur. My wife crawled into the back seat of a car. I threw a sleeping bag on the ground under a leaking makeshift lean-to. It didn’t stop.

The fog threatened like a dense cloud of gray paint, and my wife said, “It won’t stop until late afternoon.” We had to ride. We packed up and pull out in the rain moments before the murkiness engulfed the highway. We fought downpours, the cloud of doom, wrecked cars, 18-wheelers, dead animals and limited vision until we caught the glimmer of Santa Barbara just before nightfall. We slipped the veil of death once more.

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Yup, its a weekly contest open to all. Just sign up for the free weekly newsletter by clicking here.

Then email us your 100 word limit fiction to bandit@bikernet.com

Aug 26

Serious Hope by Bandit

By General Posts

Rogue, Kirk Willard and I and thousands of other guys have been fighting for motorcyclists’ rights for decades. We continue to fight, but lots of brothers and sisters don’t pay attention.

By now most folks are aware of the green movement and what it’s doing to the Fossil Fuel industry, hell even the meat industry. Their problem and their worst fear is that they are wrong. So, what did they do? They called anyone who didn’t agree a denier.

We’re grubby bikers, we deny everything and fuck you, if you don’t like it. So let’s cut to the chase. They are wrong and the movement to point out how wrong is growing. I’ve been pushing and looking for solutions for over a decade.

Recently, with the Motorcycle Riders Foundation at my back I came up with a congressional resolution. I was and is a fight for every kid on the planet, who needs to know the truth and who should know we are living in the Best off Times, not the worst.

This last week became incredibly significant. I can’t say it loud enough. Throughout this year we have tried to find someone who would shove our resolution in front of Congress and force a hearing. We finally found support with Senator Rounds office in South Dakota.

Week before last we faced a major setback. Montana lost a court case. It could impact the entire energy industry in Montana and send a very negative message across the country.

The problem with this entire effort is not the facts, the science or the truth, it’s guts. The world and politicians on both sides of the isle are being bullied and paid off. No one wants to step up and say, “Sorry, but we’re not doomed.”

So, what happened in the last couple of days. We had the debates and one guy shook the stage. Vivek had the balls to say on national albeit fading, television that Climate Doom is a hoax and must be addressed.

Then Rocky, the lobbyist from the MRF met with… I will let him tell the story.

Bandit,

Had drinks with staffers for Sen. Daines of Montana yesterday and mentioned the climate. Below is what they told me on the topic.

1. Yes, the state didn’t base their argument on the facts, but an approach to get the case dismissed. Could have been for a couple reasons.

2. Very unfavorable judge for the case. Based upon merits.

3. They are appealing the case. If they receive a more favorable judge then the case can be built on merit it deserves.

Think most importantly they knew exactly the case I was talking about. They think there is a bigger battlefield on this case and didn’t seem worried. I guess that is TBD.

–Rocky

I immediately let Dr. Ed Berry, a freedom fighting physicist in Montana know about this development. Here’s what Ed said, “I am working on an Amicus Brief to the Montana Supreme Court. I think I can persuade the court like I did in 2011.”

The scientists at the CO2 Coalition are also on the case.

Are you beginning to see why this turned into a major week?

Stay involved and Free,

–Bandit

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Aug 26

Moving Forward to Protect the Future of Motorcycling

By General Posts

Moving Forward to Protect the Future of Motorcycling and Motorcyclists’ Rights

Motorcycle Riders Foundation Meeting of the Minds Conference — Moving Forward to Protect the Future of Motorcycling and Motorcyclists’ Rights!

The Meeting of the Minds conference is where it all began and it’s where motorcyclists’ rights activists meet to experience tailormade workshops addressing issues facing motorcyclists today. It’s where motorcyclists’ rights activists can get up-to-date information on issues relating to the attacks against motorcycling and motorcyclists’ rights.

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation’s annual Meeting of the Minds conference will reflect that the MRF listens to our members, partner state motorcyclists’ rights organizations, and motorcycle clubs. MRF members and the motorcycling world know that the MRF is making a difference and moving forward – on Capitol Hill and in state legislatures–to protect the future of motorcycling and motorcyclists’ rights.

The success of this year’s Bikers Inside the Beltway was the result of what the MRF shares at the Meeting of the Minds. Keeping our members and partner SMROs informed and on point is what makes the Motorcycle Riders Foundation the foremost motorcyclists’ rights advocacy group in the nation.

Listening, making a difference, and moving forward to protect the future of motorcycling, this year’s Meeting of the Minds conference features sixteen workshops and ten new presenters, plus a host of new topics added to the mix!

The MRF’s legislative agenda represents the collective interests of the nation’s owners of 8.6 million registered street motorcycles, and it is a direct result of the input provided by Meeting of the Minds attendees.

The Meeting of the Minds–presenters who live and breathe motorcyclists’ rights, topical workshops that have real-world applications for protecting the future of motorcycling –The Motorcycle Riders Foundation–Since 1987 the MRF has been the only national motorcyclists’ rights organization dedicated to on-street riders with full-time representation in Washington, D.C.!

Motorcyclists’ rights and motorcycling safety have been interwoven since the time when motorcyclists’ rights advocates were accused of only caring about the modification of mandatory helmet laws. Dispelling those accusations, Ron Braaksma and Lane Trippet, representing MRF Awareness & Education, will present workshops on motorcycling safety and riding skills.

The burden of keeping the voice of motorcycling heard before Congress, regulatory agencies, and state legislatures is shouldered by the Motorcycle Riders Foundation. The activists who attend the Meeting of the Minds conference take home a wealth of information to help strengthen the collective voices of all street riding motorcyclists.

Nearly fifty years ago, the burden of freedom was lifted in the quest to protect the future of motorcycling and motorcyclists’ rights when a biker from New Hampshire and his wife founded one of the nation’s first SMROs–NHMRO–New Hampshire Motorcyclists Rights Organization. Sherman Packard rose from “just another biker fighting for our rights” to become the New Hampshire Speaker of the House of Representative and the MRF is honored to have “Mr. Speaker” Sherman Packard sharing his years of experience as the 2023 Meeting of the Minds keynote speaker.

Bikers Inside the Beltway, Meeting of the Minds – the Motorcycle Riders Foundation – listening, making a difference, and moving forward to protect the future of motorcycling and motorcyclists’ rights!

The Meeting of the Minds – September 21-24, Red Lion Hotel, 4751 Lindle Road, Harrisburg, PA 17111. Use the QR codes to register and make reservations or call 717-939-7841 and mention Motorcycle Riders Foundation 2023 Meeting of the Minds.

Thank you for your support of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation. We look forward to seeing you in Harrisburg at the 39th Annual Meeting of the Minds, September 21-24, 2023.

Yours in Freedom,
Fred
Fredric Harrell
MRF Director of Conferences & Events

P.S. Hotel rooms are available and going fast, confirm your plans now, register with the MRF, and use the QR codes to make hotel reservations early for the Meeting of the Minds 2023. Thank you.