For All Those Who Know Motorcycle Riders

Big Jimmy · Post by **Big Jimmy** » April 3, 2007 4:59 pm

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 plate last Sunday.

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 drove by. But, 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.
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 coats and gloves.
But, 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.
But, you didn't see me, cry as my children where 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.

Repost this around in hopes that people will understand the biker community .

If you dont repost this, It sucks to be you. I hope you never loose someone that rides. Have a great week my friends

caly · Post by **caly** » April 3, 2007 9:45 pm

Wow. Very powerful. My brother and neice both ride Harley's.

nolestaylor · Post by **nolestaylor** » April 4, 2007 3:29 am

WOW!! that was a good one. I have never seen that before. I know a bunch of riders and I am one myself. Thanks for the post.

phjrsaunt · Post by **phjrsaunt** » April 4, 2007 8:46 am

Not only do I KNOW a rider, I'm married to one.

I particularly relate to that line about him squeezing his wife's knee....when I ride w/ my hubby, that's always "our" gesture that says "we're happy and life is good right now."

Fastmovinangel · Post by **Fastmovinangel** » April 4, 2007 8:55 am

Wow! Great post! Thanks so much. This hits home with me, especially since a good portion of my life revolves around fundraising with bikers now. Thanks again.

Lisa

unclejohn · Post by **unclejohn** » April 4, 2007 9:01 am

Great post. Thanks for posting that.

Ambition At Bay · Post by **Ambition At Bay** » April 4, 2007 9:46 am

Amen brother, ride on.

pair8head · Post by **pair8head** » April 4, 2007 1:22 pm

I'm gonna borrow this.

flyboy55 · Post by **flyboy55** » April 4, 2007 4:29 pm

Back in my young single days I used to ride.

My good friend's older brother got taken out (right in front of him) at a blind intersection by a guy in a pickup running a red light. They never caught the guy and my buddy never got over it.

I used to hate folks that would tail me on the freeway with their front grill about ten feet back of my A$$!

I guess that's how some people get their kicks.

Anyone who has ridden for awhile has stories to tell of close calls and near-death experiences I'm sure.

I had a few (one was almost a cliche - a cement truck of all things) and figured eventually my luck would run out, so I don't ride anymore.

I give bikers a lot of room on the road. What I hate is when some idiot sees all the room between me and the bike out in front of me and decides that's a good place to change lanes into.

Ambition At Bay · Post by **Ambition At Bay** » April 4, 2007 4:44 pm

flyboy55 wrote:Back in my young single days I used to ride.

My good friend's older brother got taken out (right in front of him) at a blind intersection by a guy in a pickup running a red light. They never caught the guy and my buddy never got over it.

I used to hate folks that would tail me on the freeway with their front grill about ten feet back of my A$$! I guess that's how some people get their kicks.

Anyone who has ridden for awhile has stories to tell of close calls and near-death experiences I'm sure.

I had a few (one was almost a cliche - a cement truck of all things) and figured eventually my luck would run out, so I don't ride anymore.

I give bikers a lot of room on the road. What I hate is when some idiot sees all the room between me and the bike out in front of me and decides that's a good place to change lanes into.

Yea, I started riding in high school, we all rode a lot. My buddy passed out on his bike in front of me, slid under a parked car, real bad. Another friend got T-boned by a red light runner, so I quit riding for a long time, started again years later, just enjoy it too much.

pbans · Post by **pbans** » April 4, 2007 7:06 pm

Riding my bike is the one thing that can destress and clear my mind.....I'm not sure I could ever give it up......

Nice reminder, wish everyone would read it!

ScarletB · Post by **ScarletB** » April 4, 2007 7:29 pm

That was very very sweet. but while I would never make those terrible assumptions about people with bikes the noise still makes me insane. A few years ago I was in Key West with some friends at what I guess was the tail end of bike week or something and we couldn't even talk to each other on the sidewalks, the din was almost constant. Last summer I was in Stockbridge MA at a very old inn which, admittedly was right on the main drag and I was sitting out on the porch with my mom and again, couldn't even hear each other talk. Neither situation was an isolated bike here and there but big groups of them constantly revving their engines (or whatever you call it - I'm sorry I have no idea what it is)
Can someone tell me if that's necessary to keep the bike running or is it just an attention getter? If it's the latter then I'm sorry it's just rude.

On the flip side I went to a tattoo parlor with a friend in Virginia Beach many years ago and it was loaded with bikers and they were really sweet guys and did a lot to make my friend comfortable about getting her tattoo.
So don't take this to mean that I don't like bikers, but like I said, the NOISE? Not so much!

sonofabeach · Post by **sonofabeach** » April 4, 2007 10:29 pm

this seems old by today's standards.
Most bikers that I know of are "midlife crisis weekend warriors" or what some would call "credit card bikers". And that's not a bad thing.

citcat · Post by **citcat** » April 4, 2007 10:32 pm

Excellent. But there are fewer and fewer people who are prejudiced against riders lately, mostly because EVERYBODY knows somebody who rides. Ain't nuttin' better than the sound of a big-piped Harley. Especially when you are the one riding on it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ambition At Bay · Post by **Ambition At Bay** » April 4, 2007 11:28 pm

citcat wrote:Excellent. But there are fewer and fewer people who are prejudiced against riders lately, mostly because EVERYBODY knows somebody who rides. Ain't nuttin' better than the sound of a big-piped Harley. Especially when you are the one riding on it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You got that right

pair8head · Post by **pair8head** » April 5, 2007 11:57 am

Bottom line, Loud Pipes Save Lives. That said, there really is no reason for someone not moving or working on his/her bike to constantly rev the engine. There is however nothing like the feeling of being in a really big bike run, hearing (and feeling) all that power is incredible.

I miss my bike.

pbans · Post by **pbans** » April 5, 2007 12:32 pm

pair8head wrote:Bottom line, Loud Pipes Save Lives. That said, there really is no reason for someone not moving or working on his/her bike to constantly rev the engine. There is however nothing like the feeling of being in a really big bike run, hearing (and feeling) all that power is incredible.

I miss my bike.

You and Connie come visit me.......we have extras!

Ambition At Bay · Post by **Ambition At Bay** » April 5, 2007 12:36 pm

This may be a bit off topic but it was mentioned above, so I gotta say, I keep hearing midlife crisis here, midlife crisis there, and since we seem to label everything these days, (that's a whole 'nother thread) we need another one to go alongside crisis cuz there ain't no crisis here, I'm at midlife, I call it....
"midlife I GOT THE MONEY" (now)

pbans · Post by **pbans** » April 5, 2007 12:42 pm

Ambition At Bay wrote:This may be a bit off topic but it was mentioned above, so I gotta say, I keep hearing midlife crisis here, midlife crisis there, and since we seem to label everything these days, (that's a whole 'nother thread) we need another one to go alongside crisis cuz there ain't no crisis here, I'm at midlife, I call it....
"midlife I GOT THE MONEY" (now)

How about:

"Midlife Spending the Kids Inheritence Because They Can Get Jobs Just Like We Did........."

Ambition At Bay · Post by **Ambition At Bay** » April 5, 2007 12:46 pm

pbans wrote:
Ambition At Bay wrote:This may be a bit off topic but it was mentioned above, so I gotta say, I keep hearing midlife crisis here, midlife crisis there, and since we seem to label everything these days, (that's a whole 'nother thread) we need another one to go alongside crisis cuz there ain't no crisis here, I'm at midlife, I call it....
"midlife I GOT THE MONEY" (now)
How about:

"Midlife Spending the Kids Inheritence Because They Can Get Jobs Just Like We Did........."