from Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF)
Like the Midwest’s Heartland STEAM event, the Mid-South M.I.L.E. brings together bikers from neighboring states to discuss legislative priorities, share ideas and build relationships.
We’re Getting Ready to Give Major Thanks
Life is nuts and then we die. I find it so fascinating.
We’ve got great stories headed your way from ex-outlaws, stolen bikes and I’m about to start to launch chapters of the third Chance Hogan novel, exclusively in Bandit’s Cantina.
In addition we will post another Bob T story from the ‘70s with plenty of Girls of Bikernet from Barry Green. Hang On.
Have a terrific weekend and give lots of thanks and study gratitude, it helps.
And always ride fast and free!
–Bandit
Memories of Motorcycle Club from the early ’60s.
by Dave Arthur
Shortly after our club started in 1960, we got a clubhouse. I can’t remember if we got it in 1960 or 1961. It was an old house on about an acre.
All the members in the club at that time were older than me, most had jobs and a place to live.
I loved the new clubhouse, it was a wooden house and it was large and old. The driveway was dirt and long leading to the house. I decided to live there, and any member was welcome to do the same.
We had parties there. The parties lasted a few days but there was always a straggler or two who might stay a week or so.
The world is nuts. Did you see that Germany won’t sign the declaration to eliminate internal combustion vehicles?
Yet, none of our internal combustion organizations or publications in the United States, like the AMA, Rider Magazine, SEMA, MRF, Dice Magazine, NCOM, Easyriders, NHRA, Auto Club, MIC or the NMA will even question the elimination. If they don’t motorcycles will be toast in a decade.
I don’t think our Veterans fought for this. They fought for open debate. They fought for men and women to be able to stand up and question the government.
Ride Fast and Free Forever and never give up.
I’ll leave it at that. Let’s hit the news:
–Bandit
November 5, 2021
Highway Bill Passes… a Year Late
After a 13-month delay and enactment of three separate extensions, Congress finally passed a surface transportation reauthorization bill. This bill, sometimes called the highway bill or the infrastructure bill, has been a hotly debated topic in D.C. for several years. Once signed by the President, the bill will reauthorize many highway programs, provide funding for road and bridge construction and replace the previous highway bill passed in 2015, known as the FAST Act.
Just a week ago, Congress gave itself a third extension running into December. Yet election victories by Republican candidates, especially a win by the GOP in the Virginia governor’s race, seems to have spooked Democrats, and motivated passage of a bill that has been awaiting a vote since the summer.
For the last two years, the House of Representatives and Senate have battled over transportation priorities and funding levels. In both 2020 and 2021, the House of Representatives passed versions of their highway bill, only to be rebuffed by the Senate. Under pressure from President Biden, the Senate finally acted, passing in August a $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill. This action by the Senate, effectively forced the House to accept the Senate version of the bill or continue to pass short term extensions of current law.
However, pressure from the left wing of the Democratic party delayed a vote on the Senate’s infrastructure bill until an unconnected piece of legislation, referred to as the “human infrastructure bill,” was agreed to. That bill, called “Build Back Better,” had an original price tag of $3.5 trillion and effectively held the infrastructure bill hostage. After months of debate, and Tuesday’s election results, House Democrats agreed to vote on a smaller Build Back Better bill later in the month, opening the door to a final vote on the infrastructure bill.
At 11:27pm Friday night, the House agreed to the Senate’s bill and passed a $1.2 trillion 5-year highway bill, known as the INVEST ACT. The final vote in the House was 228 to 206, with 13 Republicans voting in favor and 6 Democrats voting against.
About Motorcycle Riders Foundation
The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) provides leadership at the federal level for states’ motorcyclists’ rights organizations as well as motorcycle clubs and individual riders.
By Gearhead with help from Bandit
The story starts with Bandit telling me about a big card game in the Badlands of South Dakota. We were drinking one night down the street from the Cantina getting about half lit. He drank Jack on the rocks, and I was drinking Beam. The only thing left was to break open a bottle of Old Grand Dad and we would have a song.
He mentioned making a run to Deadwood for this big poker tournament. It was by invite only and he had one. I asked him about the tournament, while the music on the jukebox in the background was, “I drink alone,” by Lonesome George. He told me you need references and a wad of cash that could choke an elephant –a big fuckin’ bank roll.
Two things my Uncle Geno told me was: family first and never cross a 1%er. I would back Bandit.
Chcek out the Two-Wheeled Tales and Motorcycle Mystique at Bikernet.com
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Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Transportation released an interactive website with data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS). FARS, which became operational in 1975, containing data on a census of fatal traffic crashes within the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. To be included in FARS, a crash must involve a motor vehicle traveling on a traffic way customarily open to the public and must result in the death of a vehicle occupant or a nonoccupant within 30 days of the crash.
Fatal crash data for motorcyclists and passengers from the years 2010 to 2019 is included on this website.
Users of the website can sort the information on fatalities by a variety of categories, including:
While this information can be useful in understanding when, why and where crashes are taking place, it’s important to note that this data includes not just traditional motorcycles but also mopeds, scooters, minibikes, and pocket bikes.
The Motorcycle Riders Foundation believes crash avoidance is key component of rider safety. There are zero fatalities in crashes that never happen.
About Motorcycle Riders Foundation
The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) provides leadership at the federal level for states’ motorcyclists’ rights organizations as well as motorcycle clubs and individual riders.
Pictured: Sally Robinson in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C.
On September 11, 1937 from American Motorcycle History.
The Washington Post reported that after nearly a decade of operating motorcycles illegally, Sally Robinson decided it was time to get a permit.
Purpose: Women’s Motorcycle Club
Founded: 1940
81+ Years of Riding and still roaring
Established in 1940, Motor Maids was one of the first women’s motorcycle groups and has been called the oldest existing women’s club in the United States. The first president of Motor Maids was Dot Robinson, who held the position for 25 years.
Chopper builder Patrick, a Member of South Side MC.
A follow-up to our article on Long Fork Run. Southside MC Est 88 Sweden member Patrick’s cool choppers are featured here.
Patrick: “When I built Suicide Machine, I was introduced to stainless which has become a material that I prefer to build my parts as much as possible. So on the white chopper I have made oil tank, flatfender, tripple Trees, barney legs, sissybar, controls, exhaust and lots of smaller details in stainless steel.”
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