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You are riding along in the left lane of a one-way street, with a car ahead of you on your right. As the two of you enter an intersection, the car swerves left across your path to make a turn.

Strategy: Because traffic was light, the driver may have forgotten that he was traveling on a one-way street and never looked in his blind spot for you. Since there was no traffic in the oncoming lane, he felt free to make a normal left turn (without signaling), inadvertently trapping you in his path. There was no way, short of watching for the non-existent signal, to predict that this driver was going to turn left. But remembering that intersections are always situations of increased risk, you might have prepared for this by taking actions to separate yourself from the other vehicle. By riding so close (and inside the driver’s blind spot) you effectively hid yourself from the driver’s vision and greatly increased your exposure to danger.

Where’s the loyalty? Who is truly loyal in our world today? And just what is loyalty?

INFLUENCE. MOTIVATE. CHALLENGE.

Where

Where’s the loyalty? Who is truly loyal in our world today? And just what is loyalty?

When I was a kid, my dog was named Spot. Spot was all white except for a black eye and a huge black spot on his back. He loved me. I loved him. One day my friends and I walked downtown to the movies. We arrived and paid for our tickets, and Spot sat on the concrete walk and waited. After two hours we left the theater, and there was Spot in the exact same place. Had he not moved? Well, he could have left and come back when the movie was over. But no … I asked the ticket taker and he said Spot had not moved once. Not once! That is devotion. That is commitment. That is loyalty!

is one of America’s foremost thought leaders. He is the premier coach of champions having mentored the “best of the best” in sports and business for 40 years. Enjoy his latest book on optimism, The Pebble in the Shoe.

did go? LOYALTY

“I’m sorry, but we just released you.”

“Did

Loyalty is faithfulness or devotion to a person, country, group, company, team or cause. It is dedication. It is commitment. Where did loyalty go in our society? What happens when loyalty disappears? First, we need to understand that change is an absolute. You can outgrow a company. The company can outgrow you. The same is true for college and professional sports teams. As a college freshman you were an integral part of the team. As a starter, you made an impact at such a young age. Now you’re a senior and the team is totally different. You have suddenly found yourself on the bench. In crunch time, you are an afterthought. With strong recruiting and junior college transfers, there’s been a significant upgrade in talent. Yes … in your final year you will not start. Where’s the loyalty? After all, you’ve sacrificed for the school. What’s up with that? For all you’ve given to the program, why would they treat you like this?

I witness this daily. It happens. A lot.

Loyalty is faced with many challenges. People outgrow relationships. People outgrow teams. Do we sacrifice winning in order to be loyal? Do we lose money in our businesses while staying loyal to employees that haven’t grown with the times? We can even outgrow a city. Although I have never abandoned my hometown of Ashland, Kentucky, I needed to

“I’m sorry, but we just released you.”

you see on Twitter you’ve been traded?”

“At

this time we will no longer need your services.”

abandon your strengths! Be loyal to your positive routines of preparing, adjusting and evaluating your performances. If they need to be altered for your benefit, then change. Otherwise, stay the course.

“Did you see on Twitter you’ve been traded?”

“You’ve been awesome, but we’re moving in a different direction.”

“At this time we will no longer need your services.”

“I love you and will

love you forever. I just need a fresh start.”

be true to yourself. Be loyal to your principles. Solid principles of successful living need not be compromised. Be loyal to them at all costs. Be loyal to your strengths, including your best physical, mental and technical qualities. Do not abandon your strengths! Be loyal to your positive routines of preparing, adjusting and evaluating your performances. If they need to be altered for your benefit, then change. Otherwise, stay the course.

Loyalty is devotion. It is a principle to be adhered to by best friends. It needs to tether your marital relationship. It needs to be placed in indelible ink inside your mind regarding your family, country and spiritual beliefs.

Where is loyalty in marriage? Loyalty begins with “until death do us part.”

“You’ve been awesome, but we’re moving in a different direction.”

leave to expand my horizons and maximize my potential. However, I have remained loyal to my roots.

People part ways every day. People outgrow people. When our expectations are yanked away from us and we are left with a hollow feeling of abandonment, the question of loyalty always arises. Conversely, when we may need to move on in order to grow, the ones we leave behind cry out, “Where’s the loyalty?”

Compromise is absolutely mandatory in order for a marriage to last. Is it easy? No. Do two people sometimes need to go their separate ways? Yes. But loyalty is about adjusting and adapting to the inevitable changes. Just adhere and be loyal to your principles and ideals. Those, you cannot compromise.

“I love you and will love you forever. I just need a fresh start.”

Loyalty starts and stops with you. Be loyal to your faith, morals, standards, ethics and philosophies. And be loyal to the willingness to compromise. Yes … loyalty sometimes needs sacrifice.

Loyalty erodes when one of more parties is not honest and forthright. Honest about eroding skills. Honest about changing philosophies.

Honest about altered visions or goals. Being transparent with your purpose, intentions and feelings will shore up issues of loyalty. So, where’s the loyalty? Loyalty begins and ends in the mirror. Be loyal to yourself, not in the sense of being selfishly detrimental to the group, but loyal in a much different way.

Be loyal to your personality. Protect it and be true to yourself. Be loyal to your principles. Solid principles of successful living need not be compromised. Be loyal to them at all costs.

Be loyal to your strengths, including your best physical, mental and technical qualities. Do not

However, in Corporate America, loyalty has been abandoned. Companies are adjusting their payrolls based to their quarterly results. Many times they use the economy as an excuse to trim their budgets and ultimately their staff. Loyalty to the all-mighty dollar is the only loyalty. It is what it is.

I witness this daily. It happens. A lot. Loyalty is faced with many challenges. People outgrow relationships. People outgrow teams. Do we sacrifice winning in

order to be loyal? Do we lose money in our businesses while staying loyal to employees that haven’t grown with the times? We can even outgrow a city. Although I have never abandoned my hometown of Ashland, Kentucky, I needed to leave to expand my horizons and maximize my potential. However, I have remained loyal to my roots. People part ways every day. People outgrow people. When our expectations are yanked away from us and we are left with a hollow feeling of abandonment, the question of loyalty always arises. Conversely, when we may need to move on in order to grow, the ones we leave behind cry out, “Where’s the loyalty?”

Loyalty. It needs to be taken out of storage and showcased. Be true to you. Devote yourself to being the best you can be. Be loyal to your body. Take care of it. Be loyal to your dreams. Never abandon them without giving it your all. Be loyal to being positive. Be loyal to the people that have propped you up and helped you be the person you’ve become. And never let the lack of loyalty from another person or group alter your loyalty to yourself. Don’t be the victim. Don’t be the judge.

Where is loyalty in marriage? Loyalty begins with “until death do us part.” Compromise is absolutely mandatory in order for a marriage to last. Is it easy? No. Do two people sometimes need to go their separate ways? Yes. But loyalty is about adjusting and adapting to the inevitable changes. Just adhere and be loyal to your principles and ideals. Those, you cannot compromise. Loyalty starts and stops with you. Be loyal to your faith, morals, standards, ethics and philosophies. And be loyal to the willingness to compromise. Yes … loyalty sometimes needs sacrifice.

And if you really need loyalty, look in the mirror. Then go get a dog.

Jim Fannin

Why Influence, Motivate and Challenge from a Leader like Jim Fannin? Born To Ride!

Loyalty erodes when one of more parties is not honest and forthright. Honest about eroding skills. Honest about changing philosophies. Honest about altered visions or goals. Being transparent with your purpose, intentions and feelings will shore up issues of loyalty.

So, where’s the loyalty? Loyalty begins and ends in the mirror. Be loyal to yourself, not in the sense of being selfishly detrimental to the group, but loyal in a much different way. Be loyal to your personality. Protect it and

And if you really need loyalty, look in the mirror. Then go get a dog.

—Jim

Fannin

Safe, Ride Smart, we will

March was an exciting month for me . My good friend and former offshore boat racer Drew Moon took me to the Gator Nationals. It can be a very dangerous sport, and I can assure you the folks I am pictured with have not put off estate planning. As an estate planner I have always had great job security since “The only the certain in life are death, taxes and people procrastinating their estate planning.” Enjoy the story below. Stuff happens. This time it was a happy ending! But unnecessarily stressful!

THE LAST RIDE HOME

When JD passed away, the whole town of Blue Ridge turned up for the funeral. Everyone knew JD—the old biker with a heart of gold, always helping fix someone’s car and loved to put mayonnaise on everything he ate. But what they knew best was his Harley—a 1976 Harley-Davidson Shovelhead, gleaming black with silver trim, as much a part of him as the worn leather jacket he always wore. His daughter, Lily, sat in the front pew of the tiny church, hands trembling as she clutched a faded photo of her and JD from years ago—her sitting on the bike with his arms wrapped protectively around her. It was her favorite memory— before Mom left, before life got hard.

After the service, Lily thought she’d take the Harley back to her place—just to feel close to him one more time. But when she opened the garage, she found a padlock on the door and a notice slapped on it: “Probate HoldProperty of the Estate.”

Her heart sank.

She called the lawyer the next day, trying to make sense of it all. Mr. Grant was sympathetic but firm.

“Your dad didn’t leave a will, Lily. With no clear instructions, all his assets— including the bike—have to go through probate. It’s the law.”

“But it’s mine,” she whispered, fighting back tears. “He always said it would be mine someday.”

A Biker Helping Bikers

LET’S AVOID EVER HAVING TO SAY “I WISH I KNEW BACK THEN WHAT I KNOW NOW”

Grant sighed. “I know. But since your dad didn’t put it in writing, the court has to evaluate everything. There are debts to settle, and—” He hesitated. “Your Uncle Eddie is contesting it.”

Lily felt her stomach twist. Uncle Eddie—the black sheep of the family, who never came around except to ask for money. Now he was claiming the Harley should be sold to cover debts because Sam “owed him” for some half-baked investment years ago.

Determined not to let Eddie take what was rightfully hers, Lily spent weeks digging through her father’s belongings. One rainy evening, while going through his old toolbox, she found something tucked behind a row of wrenches—a small, grease-stained notebook.

Inside were notes about the Harley—dates of every repair, parts replaced, and little anecdotes about rides they’d taken together. On the last page, in her father’s shaky handwriting, were the words: “For Lily-when I’m gone, ride free.”

Clutching the notebook to her chest, Lily broke down. She could almost hear his voice, calm and steady, telling her to stay strong. Taking a deep breath, she took the notebook to Mr. Grant the next day.

In court, Uncle Eddie argued that the bike was just an “asset” to be sold. But Lily spoke from the heart—about the late nights helping her dad polish the chrome, learning to change the oil, and the promise he’d made to her time and again. She showed the notebook, each page stained with grease and memories. The judge took one long look at the faded handwriting and listened to Lily’s trembling voice as she read aloud that final note.

When the verdict came, the judge ruled in her favor—acknowledging the notebook as proof of intent. Uncle Eddie stormed out, muttering about “sentimental nonsense,” but Lily didn’t care. The Harley was hers. That evening, she pushed the bike out of the garage and fired up the engine. The familiar rumble filled her ears, and as she rode through town, tears streamed down her cheeks. She wasn’t just riding a motorcycle—she was carrying on her dad’s legacy, feeling him beside her with every mile. The wind dried her tears, and for the first time since his death, Lily felt a sense of peace.

She rode until the stars came out, knowing that some promises don’t need a signature— just love and the open road.

Remember,Its never too late to start planning for retirement or estate planning. Time goes bye fast! Remember there is not a one size fits all paint by the numbers solution. All of our situations are unique. You don’t need more money you just need a better plan. After having the privilege to serve tens of thousands of people overthe years I can attest to the statement “That money won’t make you happy! But riding a motorcycle will! “ My passion is to help bikers in life changing ways. Hence the reason I created www.BikerHelpingbikers. com If you mention this ad in BTR you are entitled to complementary consultation and discounted services. Call 833-467-2865 weekly Money School 18 min. Webinars at IslandRetirementAdvisors.com

James Irwin, CSA, FRC SM Certified Senior Advisor® IslandRetirementAdvisors.com

James and Leah Pruitt NHRA driver (wife of Tony Stewart)

Tony Stewart the racing legend and James

Gaige Herrara NHRA Pro stock Motorcycle World Champion, James and Matt Hines (Vance and Hines Racing

RIDE APPALACHIA

With winter finally bowing out, you can already hear the roar of V-Twins echoing through our Mountain Hollers—it’s a clear call to ride as Central Appalachia bursts into spring! Once Daytona Bike Week wraps up all us Riders know that we’re only a few weeks away from shaking off winter’s chill, digging out our gear, firing up our engines, and heading out on two wheels. It has been a long one for all of us all and I know we are all past ready to pull off those dusty bike covers and blow out that Carbon Build Up!

Speaking of Bike Week, this year’s 84thAnnual Daytona Bike Week was one for the books for us. It is hard to believe that just four years ago we were there on foot promoting our region, riding, and mission back before we even had a tent or table. Seeing our BOA Mobile Trailer, built by dedicated Volunteers and Appalachian Small Businesses, sitting Broadside along U.S. 1 was a true Bucket List moment for us and our Region and one thing we will always be proud of. We have been chasing that moment from the start and we are most proud of the fact that it truly shows how phenomenal our supporting partners are! As an “all volunteer” riding community and a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, getting that type of exposure and placement meant the world to us and to the People of our Region as it helps us draw more Riders! Thanks to all our partners and the Legendary Boot Hill Outpost in Ormond Beach, FL! Our extended Family away from home! Much Respect!

True to our “Hogmasters” nickname, we found new homes for over 800 of our “Traveling Hogs” down in Florida, sparking even more downloads of our free BOA Mobile App and energizing our new

communities on REVER. If you’re wondering what a “Traveling Hog” is—think of it like this: Jeeps have Ducks, and Harleys have Hogs! Each Little Pig has a custom card attached to it with “Traveling Hogs” Group information on one side and our information and QR Code to download our Mobile Apps on the other! Nobody Hogs more Bikes than We Do! Guess that is how we got the nickname!

Our Backroads of Appalachia Mobile Welcome Center’s “WALL FAME” saw plenty of new signatures, introducing new Riders from around the U.S. and the World to KY, TN, WV, and VA and they are all set to come and ride with us this season. More riders mean more economic support for our small coal towns and communities and that’s exactly why we do what we do.

We deeply appreciate all the kind words from the motorcycle community and extend a huge thank you to our rally partners who kept sending Riders our way. This year’s Daytona Bike Week was the best yet for our Region, and it’s that word-of-mouth that speaks volumes in the Bike World. We look forward to seeing all our peeps again at the Thunder Beach Rally in PCB Florida at the end of April with our Partners at Indian Motorcycles of Panama City Beach, and for the first time ever at OHIO Bike Week in Sandusky Ohio in early June! That was a BIG ANNOUNCEMENT I slipped in there as I promised all our visiting Riders and Group Members from OHIO I would in Daytona! The AMG and Backroads of Appalachia are coming to see our friends up in OHIO and we are stoked!

Now, shifting gears to the upcoming riding season and our event calendar—our Volunteer AMG Road Crew is gearing up for training

in early April, as we inspect our trail routes on the Backroads of Appalachia ahead of the season’s kick-off. After enduring one of the harshest winters with devastating weather that impacted our mountain communities, we’re standing shoulder-to-shoulder with our neighbors who have lost so much. When we asked how we could help other than what we have already done, the answer was unanimous… RIDE! Our Ride Events not only celebrate the beauty of our towns and trails, but they also deliver a vital economic boost to these communities, helping them recover faster through the influx of visiting Rider Traffic. The outside exposure gained from each Event also helps promote the local area and brings more Riders to each one over time! Each event we do is also always for Charity and everyone is welcome! Remember it does not matter what you Ride in our Group as long as you Ride! We Ride for a Region!

Our season opener is now less than a month away and one of our most anticipated rides of the year as it marks the end of our road crew training and welcomes the public to ride with us on an unforgettable journey. Picture this: a ride from KY straight to Brushy Mountain Prison in TN, traversing breathtaking spring landscapes in KY and TN along routes like Copperhead Trail KY and Devil’s Triangle 116, Then through Rocky Top TN and over Norris Dam, Then Back to KY on brand new pavement by a lake and a river! This is one great Ride to kick off our 5th Riding Season on the Backroads of Appalachia and an annual AMG tradition! Then on May 10th, don’t want to miss our 4th Annual Spring Run on Rattlesnake 192, held in partnership with Wildcat Harley Davidson in London, KY, and with all proceeds going to help Disabled American

Veterans. Then on May 17th it’s our “All Aboard Ride” as we ride one of our most popular new trail routes-Coal Train 421, held in partnership with United Motorsports in Richmond KY and the List

goes on! All our Annual Events are on the Calendar now and new events are being added to our schedule weekly including new Bike Nights, Bike Shows, and Poker Runs!

With over 30 charity events and rides each season across Four Central Appalachian states, we offer something for every rider and every bike type. With over 5,000 miles of GPS-enabled trail routes built by our Riders with your Input, we truly do have the “Best Riding in the U.S.! Period!”—and it’s all completely FREE, waiting right here for you in the one place you most likely have not been yet and so is our Group to assist you with your trip and even ride with you!

For more information on our events and to “take the road less traveled” visit us at www.backroadsofappaalchia.org/events or join us on Facebook to stay up to date on everything Motorsports in Central Appalachia in 2025. You can also Start your Appalachian Adventure Today by Downloading our free BOA Mobile Application or by visiting our new communities on REVER! We will see you this Year Right here in the “Last Unexplored Frontier on the East Coast!”

Let’s Ride Appalachia!

—Jay Fryman (FryDaddy) Founder, Whitley County Motorcycle Group Backroads of Appalachia Journalism Team

CAN HARLEY-DAVIDSON SURVIVE IN THE FUTURE?

A LOOK AT THE PAST, PRESENT, & FUTURE

Harley-Davidson, an iconic American brand, has long symbolized freedom, rebellion, and rugged individualism. Its legacy of success has made it a staple in the motorcycle world, but questions about its future are increasingly prevalent. As the market shifts and challenges mount, will Harley-Davidson be able to maintain its place, or will it become a relic of the past?

The Rise of Harley-Davidson: A Legacy of Success

Several factors have contributed to HarleyDavidson’s rise to prominence:

1. Iconic American Brand: From its inception, Harley-Davidson was intertwined with American culture, symbolizing independence and adventure. For many, owning a Harley wasn’t just about the bike—it was a lifestyle.

2. Quality and Craftsmanship: The brand gained a loyal customer base by producing high-quality, durable motorcycles known for their reliability and performance.

3. Distinctive Style: Harley’s classic V-twin engine and chrome finishes became iconic, attracting riders who appreciated the bike and its unique aesthetic.

4. Community and Culture: Harley cultivated a strong sense of community through clubs, events like the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, and a shared passion for the open road, fostering brand loyalty.

5. Marketing and Iconic Sponsorships: Harley cemented its status as a symbol of freedom through strategic marketing, such as in movies like Easy Rider and rebellious imagery.

6. Innovation and Adaptation: Harley embraced innovation with new models to cater to a broader range of riders and adapt to changing market tastes.

These elements helped build HarleyDavidson into a globally recognized brand deeply embedded in American culture.

The Struggles of Harley-Davidson: Challenges in the Modern Era

While Harley’s past is marked by success, its present is shaped by a series of significant challenges that demand immediate attention:

1. Declining Sales in Core Market: As baby boomers age, fewer are buying new motorcycles, and younger generations show less interest in the heavyweight cruiser bikes Harley is known for. This trend is reflected in HarleyDavidson’s declining market share and financial performance in recent years.

2. Increased Competition: Brands like Yamaha, Honda, and Kawasaki offer more affordable and diverse models, making it harder for Harley to maintain dominance.

3. High Prices and Limited Appeal: Harley’s premium pricing and focus on heavyweight cruisers limit its appeal, especially to younger, budget-conscious buyers.

4. Aging Customer Base: The traditional image of Harley as a symbol of rugged American freedom is less compelling to younger, more diverse audiences.

5. International Market Struggles: Harley has struggled to expand globally, particularly in markets like Asia, where motorcycling culture differs from the U.S. Additionally, tariffs have impacted its international sales.

6. Management Changes and Strategic Missteps: Leadership shifts have sometimes led to poor decisions, such as moving production overseas to avoid tariffs, which alienated some loyal customers. These missteps, along with other management changes, have raised concerns about the company’s strategic direction and decisionmaking process.

7. Economic Pressures: Rising manufacturing costs, inflation, and supply chain disruptions have further complicated Harley’s efforts to maintain profitability. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these challenges, leading to a significant drop in sales and revenue for the company.

The Road Ahead: Can Harley-Davidson Adapt?

Despite these challenges, Harley-Davidson has taken proactive steps to secure its future, instilling a sense of hope and optimism:

• Youth-Focused Initiatives: The company has tried appealing to younger riders through new models and targeted marketing campaigns. However, whether these will attract a new generation of enthusiasts remains uncertain.

• Electric Vehicles: Harley’s introduction of the LiveWire electric motorcycle positions the company to tap into the growing demand for sustainable transportation, though the electric motorcycle market remains niche.

• Diversification: To stay relevant, Harley may need to diversify its product line, offering lighter bikes, electric scooters, or other forms of personal transportation to meet evolving consumer demands.

Can Harley-Davidson Survive?

The future of Harley-Davidson is shrouded in uncertainty, but its legacy and adaptability provide a solid foundation. For the company to survive, it must evolve by attracting younger riders, embracing electric vehicles, and diversifying its offerings. While challenges are significant, Harley-Davidson’s history suggests that it could continue to thrive with the right strategies. Only time will tell whether the brand can successfully navigate this road ahead, creating a sense of suspense and anticipation for us all. Something to think about.

See you out there.

TIL next time

— Nefarious James - Patriot

“This Sonny’s BBQ has Covered Bike Parking just for you. Support them and thank them” Ron Galletti

Zephyrhills

STEVEN TYLER READS IT!

Craven Moorehead

WHAT IF?

What if you woke up one day in a very unusual world where all the surroundings, sounds, smells, visions and all things you are so very familiar with seem to have vanished? It’s not like you just went to sleep and never woke up; it’s more akin possibly to the feeling of confusion and uncertainty that one would experience after consuming some smoke, two bottles of Jack, and a 12-pack. (Not that I am promoting the use of drugs or alcohol—but it’s always worked well for me!) So now that I have established a mysterious and somewhat vague stage for you to see my play on, I will open the show with the lost but entertaining art of illusion. Magic if you will. Prevarication—smoke and mirrors or worse. This is what makes you wonder if magic is real.

When you look at the sky and you know it’s blue: you have a pretty valid, cognizant, and stable realization of your knowledge regarding your surroundings. If someone hands you a baseball and you know it’s a baseball, but the person handing it to you swears that it is a pickup truck; you know for certain the one of two possible things have happened. One: You are hallucinating (see toxicology disclaimer above) or Two: Someone is trying to blow smoke up your butt. Why you ask am I wasting both of our valuable time and sanity with my reeling diatribe about some person place or thing that I have not yet revealed to you, the dedicated reader of this column whom deserves a sane and comprehensive explanation as to what the Hell I’m talking about. That’s just how I roll bitches!

If it walks like a Duck there’s a very strong possibility that someone has handed you a Goose. It’s very rare that I receive any mail here in the trailer park. This fact due to the very careful screening of incoming transmittals by management and staff for the covert gleaning of the intended recipient’s monthly welfare or disability check. This isn’t redolent of the very obvious & careful search of letters and packages that a person would receive in a Correctional Facility; it’s just a sneaky way to see what’s up with your neighbors and occasionally profit through conversion (read: accidental loss) of that particular person’s money. Because I do not get any of that sort of benefit, I am usually not the target of the alleged ‘inspection’ that I am discussing. But once again I digress. One day when I was certain that the sky was blue and the grass was green I retrieved my mail from the park

office. Along with all those usual bills that I don’t pay there was an interesting item which I was not familiar with and had never seen the likes of in my life. Addressed to my legal name and address was a letter (well actually not a letter) informing me that I had to pay a “Fine” for running a red light. Ok I finally gave away the plot. I had gotten what is commonly called a Red Light Camera Ticket. … This as a fairly official looking document and some people may actually be persuaded to send away $158.00 to an address somewhere in the state of Ohio. Wait … I thought we were in Florida. Oh silly me, I must have been befuddled or no—I haven’t been drinking—so obviously there’s something wrong with this picture. After carefully examining the document I learned that there are a few options available to the recipient. Two of the options are just pay it although there is an option to download an affidavit from the web. This affidavit allows the lucky recipient of this scam to ratout the person driving (your) car so that the perpetrators of this debacle can attempt to collect the money from that person instead of you. (In my case I wasn’t driving the car at the time, but I’m not into ratting folks out.) So it’s off to the Clerk of the Court to see about setting a court date. I hand the ‘ticket’ to the man behind the counter and he does the usual ‘looking up of the records’ and then informs me that there is NO traffic violation against my DL number. Ok “so what’s this thing here that I have in my hand” I had to ask. “Oh you got to call the number on the back of this ticket to set a hearing.” “What? So now it’s a ticket, but YOU can’t set a court date?”

WTF?

Further examination of the document didn’t reveal a phone number, but it did have a return coupon to pay the fine if you want to call it that and in small print on the back you have the option of setting a hearing by mailing the item back to the very same address in Ohio. Does this mean that I have to go to traffic court in Ohio? Let’s hope not. So what IS this thing that has no official title? Yes it exists because it’s a piece of paper but yet it only lives within itself according to the Courts. Additional research yielded interesting facts regarding this particular type of citation. Some of the facts are a little hard to believe since they are not in harmony with the Constitution of the United States or the state of Florida. Some jurisdictions are removing the cameras altogether while in one South Florida county a Judge has ruled the tickets unconstitutional dismissing the ‘charges’ upon their face. If a person is dumb enough to believe that there exists a positive to this sort of ‘enforcement’ (other than the fact that the privately owned companies who operate these cameras are making billions), then those people should leave the recreational intoxicants alone for a while. There is a class action suit here in Florida that will make these scam artists pay back anyone that was duped into just paying the fine but until these cameras are all dumped into the sea where they belong, rest assured that “Big Brother is Watching.” Do set a court date however: I attended Traffic Court once and the judge in that venue was not a big fan of these programs. He would reduce the fine if you want to call it that significantly for a no contest plea and the entire fiasco would be forgotten. Because there are no points issued against your license in these cases, I would suspect that the Insurance Lobby would either call for points to be issued or to have the cameras abolished. So should the city for that matter, since their take of this scam is miniscule in comparison to what the operators are making. “It is what it is” is all that comes to mind now. So until next month, “Speed safely and smile for the camera!”

I called Spectrum, ready to sever my relationship with my home internet provider. After a decade of service and a bill that climbed higher and higher, I’d had enough. The salesman on the other end was quick to offer me an eight-dollar discount, but that wasn’t going to cut it.

“Patch me through to the department where I can cancel my service,” I said.

“I’ll be happy to transfer you to the retention department,” he replied.

I found it ironic that the department responsible for canceling accounts was called “retention.” What exactly does that word mean? While on hold, I looked it up.

Retention refers to the ability to keep or hold onto something. It can apply to:

Memory – The capacity to retain information.

Customers & Employees – The ability to maintain loyalty in business.

Substances – The ability of a material to hold onto liquids or gases.

When the next representative came on the line, she didn’t rush to cancel my service. Instead, she asked thoughtful questions, trying to understand why I wanted to leave. When she learned my frustration was about price, she asked, “What would be an acceptable amount?”

The Science of Retention

“I only want to pay fifty dollars a month for my internet.”

“We can do that.”

Just like that, I went from being a disgruntled customer to a satisfied one. Spectrum understood something many businesses overlook—retention is good business. But not every company follows this philosophy.

The Cost of Losing Customers

Contrast this with my experience at Culver’s. Armed with a coupon for a value platter and a free ice cream, I placed my order—only to be met with resistance from the cashier. Rather than honoring the promotion, she wanted to argue. Frustrated, I left without lunch and later wrote a review about my experience. Clearly, this location hadn’t trained its staff on the value of keeping customers happy.

At Absolute Auto Repair, I was hit with an overpriced brake job—without a prior estimate. When I picked up my truck, the new drums overheated and began smoking. Instead of fixing the problem properly, they patched things up and sent me on my way. I never returned.

Even my local Toastmasters club failed to grasp the importance of retention. When they switched from physical workbooks to a computer-based learning system, I struggled with the transition. Rather than helping me adapt, my fellow members became frustrated that my participation didn’t count toward their club’s records. Instead of extending a hand, they pushed me away. I stopped attending.

The Power of Retention

By contrast, I once worked as a resident artist at the largest RV dealership in the country. There, I witnessed a company

that understood the power of retention. They had an entire department dedicated to calling dissatisfied customers—not to argue, but to make things right. As a result, many who were once ready to walk away became loyal, lifelong customers.

So, what are the merits of retention? Why does this strategy matter to businesses— and to each of us personally?

When we make an effort to hold onto what’s valuable—whether in business, friendships, or community—we expand our ability to serve others. None of us are perfect. Mistakes happen. But when we acknowledge those mistakes and make things right, we strengthen relationships instead of losing them.

The Herd Mentality

As human beings, we are wired for connection. We are, in a sense, herd animals. There is safety in the herd—whether that herd is a family, a workplace, or a community. Businesses that recognize this build lasting relationships with their customers. People who understand it cultivate strong friendships and partnerships.

Retention isn’t just a smart business strategy—it’s a fundamental principle of human connection. The best relationships, professional or personal, are built not on perfection, but on the willingness to make things right when something goes wrong.

The question is: Do we fight to keep what matters, or do we let it slip away?

Be Good, Be Well, and Ride Safe

—Dave “Letterfly” Knoderer

OLHA MEET

Hi! My name is Olha, and I moved to Florida from Ukraine six months ago. I currently live in New Port Richey. I have a diploma in massage therapy and also in makeup artistry, and my hobbies are fitness and traveling. What I love about motorcycles is the power and the sense of freedom when you ride.

Bike: Harley 2013 72 Sportster XL1200

Bike Owner: Alton R Pyles

Model: Olha Krasavtseva

PHOTOS

DANIEL GALLANT

The iconic 1966 film featuring Peter Fonda, Nancy Sinatra, and a cast of hundreds, is one of the most well-known biker exploitation films ever produced. In this classic film the “Angels” a California Motorcycle Club, travel across the state to retrieve a stolen motorcycle belonging to one of the clubs members “the Loser.” Heavenly Blues (Fonda) is the charismatic club president. At times he seems to have to ‘baby-sit’ his troop of fun-loving boozers and druggies.

This one is a favorite of mine, because the producers actually used real Harley-Davidson ‘choppers’ and actually cast some of the real members of the Hell’s Angels. In short, it is one of those films that give bikers in general a ‘bad’ name, but those of us who really know the true way of the biker lifestyle will find it entertaining, and at times hilarious.

The Angels ride through the desert to Mecca, California to look for the Loser’s stolen motorcycle. They accuse a group of Mexicans in a repair shop of stealing the motorcycle when the Loser finds his brake pedal on a workbench. After some mild insults and accusations naturally, a fight breaks out in the shop and the ‘taco benders’ as Fonda calls them wind up on the losing end. The police arrive, chasing the Angels on foot, and the Loser escapes on a parked police motorcycle. After a chase on mountain roads, one

Movie Review

of the officers shoots the Loser in the back, and he later ends in a local hospital.

Blues leads a small group of Angels to rescue the Loser and they subsequently “bust him out” of the hospital. In the melee a nurse is accosted by one of the Angels who knocks her out to keep the cops from discovering their presence in the hospital. The nurse later identifies Blues as one of the men she saw however; the audience knows that it was thanks to Blues’ intervention the assault stopped short of rape. Blues rebukes the member just before the cops notice their ‘suspect’ is gone. Later, the Loser dies at the Angels’ local watering hole from his injuries. The Angels move his body to an undertaker’s office-he demands cash “plus tax.” Using a forged death certificate the Angels arrange a funeral at a tiny church in the Loser’s rural hometown. During the service, Blues steps up to the minister and says those famous words “We just want to be free. Free to ride our machines without a hassle from the man. …” But when Blues says they just want to have fun, the Angels turn the service into a major party. The Angels remove the Loser from his Nazi flag-draped casket, sit him up and place a joint in his mouth. Meanwhile they also knock out the minister, tie him up and place him in the casket.

Later, the Angels proceed to the Sequoia Grove cemetery to bury the Loser. The procession of noisy bikers gets the attention of the locals, who all gather to see the spectacle. One of the local kids throws a rock at the Angels and naturally yet another fight breaks out. This interruption prevents burying the Loser, and as police sirens wail in the background everyone scatters. One of the members begs Blues to go, but he refuses and tells his girl to leave with another member of the gang. This is where the other most remembered phrase comes in, as Blues sighs “there’s nowhere to go.”

The last of the group leaves and Blues picks up a shovel and returns to the grave to bury the Loser.

Just as I was going to call all my boozing buddies over to watch this flick once again, a knock came at the door. I opened it to see a mailman with an overnight package. I signed for it and opened it up, expecting something good. It was just a DVD and a note from the editor of this magazine demanding an immediate review of The Twilight Zone Episode #138 from 1964. This was disappointing news.

In this short film a group of ‘bikers’ if you want to call them that are actually aliens from another planet sent to earth to infiltrate a small town. The local folks actually become fond of this odd cast, and befriend them. Little did they know the space-bikers were there to poison their water supply!

I dunno … I suppose that it was getting late and I drifted off to sleep somewhere after the giant eyeball in the 1950s TV screen requested them to continue with the plan of destruction. This particular episode albeit cute, doesn’t really rate very high up there in the ‘biker exploitation’ world. I guess that’s just because it only exists in The Twilight Zone.

The Phantom Movie Review

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Kalie’s Killer Sporty

Kalie Maden is a biker to the core. She’s a wrench, building cool scooters and the bike seen here is her personal ride. Born To Ride asked her how long she’s been riding motorcycles. “It all started when I was just 10 years old,” Kalie tells us. “Santa Claus brought me a Yamaha TTR-90. I was immediately in LOVE as soon as I hopped on and rode around the backyard. Needless to say, 17 years later, I am still just as in love, if not more, with motorcycles.

With such as cool Christmas gift, we had to ask if Kalie’s dad rides. “My Dad rides. I actually have his old 1980 Ironhead Roadster 1000 from back in the day that he bought brand new off the showroom floor!” Kalie confides. “I’m working on rebuilding it, making it into a (somewhat) reliable bike, with some upgraded parts. My Mom has yet to ride her own, but used to ride along with my Dad all the

time when they were younger. I’ve tried to convince her to hop on the back of my chopper but no luck yet. Who can blame her? Haha!”

We asked how she got into wrenchin’ and customizing motorcycles. “Ever since I was a young kid, I’ve always been good with my hands and curious about how things worked, mechanically. When I’d get a new toy, I’d be more concerned with the mechanics inside.

“Once I had a motorcycle, I would tinker with it constantly. I think the first time I serviced a carburetor, I was around 11 or 12 years old. The satisfaction of taking a bike that would not start or run properly, pinpointing the problem, fixing it, starting it back up and have it run better than before, was just something that drove me to do more.” Motorcycles are just such a huge part of my life. Riding, servicing, and customizing motorcycles, is my

therapy. Sure, it can be so frustrating at times and you might throw a few wrenches across the garage, but you take a breath, come back, and think, ‘This thing isn’t going to fix itself, it needs me to stay calm and think straight, and this will all pay off in the end when I’m riding down the road.’”

Kalie went to the Motorcycle Mechanics Institute to become a certified motorcycle technician. She says, “The years spent at the Motorcycle Mechanics Institute really opened my eyes to see that my true passion in life is putting my artwork into motorcycles. I may not have all the skills that I’d like to have in this moment, but I’d love to keep growing and learning so one day I can roll with the big dogs that inspire me so much.”

Naturally, that led us to ask about custom bike builders that have inspired Ms. Maden. “Wow, where do I start? Some

of my favorite builders would be, Jared Weems, Eric Allard, Drew Cemer, Brian Buttera, Savannah Rose, Kyle Ray Rice, Bill Dodge, Joshua Allison, James Alcorn, JP Rodman, just to name a few!” That’s a pretty stellar list.

We asked Kalie to tell us about the bike we’re featuring here, her 2003 Sportster. “This bike started as a stock 100th Anniversary Edition 2003 Harley-Davidson XL883C with apehangers. Over the past six years, I’ve been doing more and more to it. It’s changed looks about five times over the years. So right now I’m running a foot clutch jockey shift setup that I bought from my friend Miles, some Freakshow Fab rabbit-ear handlebars that I’ve painted black, and a Cycle Standard Axed Dual Cap Chopper gas tank from Lowbrow Customs. I cut the rear fender struts to put on a Tsunami rear fender also from Lowbrow Customs.”

When asked about the paintjob, Kalie says she handled that too. “The tank and fender were painted by me. It has Lowbrow Custom Shotgun Exhaust pipes, an Old STF Mini-ED air Cleaner from Lowbrow Customs, chain conversion kit from Lowbrow Customs. The front end includes 6+ tubes from TC Bros, a King and Queen seat from Sully’s Customs, LED bar headlight from Trackerdie, Led Sled 21-inch Invader front wheel.

I’m sure I am missing some things but most of my parts came from Lowbrow Customs and I have done 100% of the work outside of making the parts.”

Because Kalie Maden impressed us so much, we asked her what advice she would give to women who might like to try riding a motorcycle. “I would start off by saying, if you are thinking about it, just do it. Everyone starts somewhere. No one was born knowing how to ride a motorcycle and no one expects you to just naturally know how to. Believe me, it’s something that has changed my entire life and now I would be lost without motorcycles. This isn’t a contest, not everyone has the opportunity to start early in their life or learn how to ride in a friend’s backyard. There’s such a silly stigma about women riding motorcycles, anyone with a brain can do it! Keep in mind to ride within your comfort zone and HAVE FUN! Life is way too short not to do the things that scare you or make you nervous. Those things are what make you feel alive. Stop making excuses and START RIDING!”

Well said, sister!

—Chopper Daddy

BORN TO RIDE Magazine

Ron

813 785 3895 rg@borntoride.com

dgalletti@borntoride.com

Erick

DAYTONA BIKE WEEK - 2025

Can you believe it my BTR friends? It’s April and Mike made it out of Daytona with no tickets, arrests, or trespassing violations, but I did make a scene!

Mike and I road to the best places, cruised up and down Main St., drew a crowd everywhere we went and was part of a music video that Scotty Austin, former lead singer of Saving Abel, was making at Boot Hill Saloon.

Mike breaks in, “Yes my little motorcycle riding funky colored chicken. Daytona 2025 was one for the record books. Now for this month we have to celebrate April Fools’ Day, Easter and one of your favorites, ride a gopher tortoise day on April 10.”

I cackle, “did you make that last one up or did they call it that because I like to ride turtles? They take it slow and easy and can navigate me back home after traveling long distances.”

Mike replies, “well it’s gopher tortoise day. One gave you a Tuber (turtle Uber) into the house last year on that day. You made him a shell-ebrity on your Facebook page; Spyke Tales Rock Tales & Cocktails! You are always so gullible during All Fools Day. On the 20th you get to ride with your Easter Bunny friend and make me brunch.”

I squawk, “Well my dinghy dude of a daddy, you forgot another special holiday. On April 17 this one was made for you. It’s called National blah blah blah day! It’s on bike

night Thursday this year, and we’ll be at Occ Roadhouse where everybody will be listening to you babbling out meaningless chatter and gossiping then turn and tell you; blah blah blah!”

Mike says, “hold it right there my wordless warbler. You made me this way. You’d rather type than talk. Always running these stories way longer than what the head honcho at BTR, Ron Galletti, and I want from you. So when in public, I have to do all the blah blah blah’s for you. Back in the day I used to print out sheets of the top 20 questions that you COULD answer about yourself IF you would just talk. That got to be very time-consuming and redundant because people would still ask me the same 20 questions anyways.”

I hoot, “see, I don’t need to talk. You do it all for me and I love you for it daddy! I just type what you can’t say.”

Mike stops me, “OK OK let’s get back to the story. I remember last year when you laid two eggs on April Fools Day and I said they were going to hatch and be practical yolkers. So I had to separate those mischievous eggs because they were beginning to crack up by asking each other have you heard any good yolks lately?”

I squabble, “well I’m glad I laid them on a Tuesday and not on my least favorite day, Fry-day! You freaked me out by telling me

you were going to take them to therapy so they wouldn’t be shell shocked later in life and then send them off to school to be eggducated.

Religiously on Easter you’ve let me make breakfast ‘cause I’m an eggs-pert in the kitchen. I also know how you like them; over easy like Sunday morning and I can’t wait for my ride with the Easter bunny!

Besides Mike, who needs April Fools Day anyways when your whole life is a joke?

Mike scratches his head and before he can say anything I whistle loudly: APRIL FOOLS! I gotcha daddy…”

Mike starts turning red and bellows out, “OK cuckoo for cocoa puffs. Why did the parrot cross the road?”

I scratch my head with one talon and before I could answer Mike yells out, “just beakause and I’m telling my friends now is the best time to put a bid in on you. At this moment you’re going cheep!”

I start fluttering my feathers, twerking my head and before I could squawk anything, Mike yells out, “APRIL FOOLS BIRD BRAIN!

Now finish the story. I’ll go get the scoot out of the garage. I need to get your wings in the wind, my knees under the keys and the Fat Bird 3 wheels rolling down the road. We both need a little non April Fools wind therapy.”

CHRISTIAN MOTORCYCLISTS ASSOCIATION

It is perfect riding weather. Wind therapy is definitely on my agenda for the day. With no real particular destination in mind I take off. Riding down the road I put the squeeze on the throttle and feel the acceleration under me. Next thing I know I find myself going too fast and get pulled over. The police officer comes up and describes what he observed that I did wrong. He then proceeds to describe the penalty and consequences for doing it. Now, he shows me mercy by deciding not to give me the ticket that would enforce the penalty or consequences for my wrong. I did the wrong and deserved the consequences. In mercy, I did not receive what I justly deserved. Many of us may have experienced this form of mercy.

Now, what if the police officer did give me the ticket? Now I have to go to court to pay my fine. I am called up before the judge to discuss my case. Suddenly, a stranger moves forward and proclaims that he will pay my fine. The judge accepts the stranger’s action and also states that he will not impose the points on my license. My debt was paid and my record was cleaned. Here again, mercy was given that I did not deserve and my record was cleared. I really like this definition: Mercy - is the act of treating people in need with compassion, especially when there is the power to punish them. When we look in our own lives, we know that we have done things that are wrong

and deserve consequences. In fact it is written in the Bible this way: Romans 3:23 “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” Unfortunately the consequences of having sin on our record is a spiritual death. It is eternal in nature. The answer or provision to the consequences of our sin can be taken care of. The answer is the mercy of God which He provided for us. He paid the fine and had the record cleaned when Jesus was crucified, died, was buried and rose from the grave. We can receive this mercy when we believe Jesus died on the cross for our sins. We then confess or declare that Jesus is our Lord and decide to live for Him.

Teach’s Takeaway,

- We all have sinned and have fallen short of the Glory of God.

- There is an answer to the consequences of our sin.

- The mercy of God allowed Jesus to pay for our sins and clear our record.

- Receive God’s mercy today.

God had a plan for the sinful nature of man. His plan was for Jesus to take our sins and pay the price for us. Choose today to allow Jesus to pay this penalty for you. It will be the best decision you will ever make. Ride together, ride safe and ride

Born To Ride #251 - April 2025