You should be especially aware at intersections, where other vehicles can cross your path of travel. There are many things to scan for, including traffic devices, road surfaces, and the traffic and pedestrians around you.
In a slow, tight turn, such as turning around in a parking lot, it helps to counterweight by leaning in the opposite direction of the motorcycle and direction of the turn. Put pressure on the outside footrest.
Info: www.msf-usa.org
June is here and let’s not forget Dad. Father’s Day is a day honoring fathers, celebrated on various days in many places around the world. It compliments Mother’s Day. Happy Father’s Day to all the father’s reading this ad and Happy Father’s Day to all the mother’s reading this if you are a sole parent, mom and a dad of the family. Grandfathers, step-dads, uncles, brothers and sisters, you all deserve to be noted for what you do to be a figure in a child’s life. If dads not there someone who steps in as a fatherly figure. As the originator we have only one father but it’s up to life to keep it all together, life, family, growing up in a household that’s strong and loving.
Happy Father’s Day to my dad! A Marine and NYC Police Officer for 28 years. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me in my life. I admire you for who you are and how you always provided for the family. I love the way you loved your grandchildren and I’m proud they loved you back! To anyone reading this, call your dad and tell him Happy Father’s Day. If you’re not speaking, now is the time to start speaking to your father again.
HONORING THEIR COURAGE AND
My Uncle “Gee” was my dad’s father figure in his life for many years because his father worked many hours. He came from Italy and worked with marble but then later became ill and couldn’t do much with my dad. That’s when Uncle “Gee” stepped in and helped my dad in life as a father figure. So in this month of June, as a special Father’s Day tribute, we would like to honor my Uncle “Gee” Fidel Galletti who was a real WWII war hero pilot who flew B-17s. Most of all, he was my dad’s hero. This story is courtesy of The 390th Memorial Museum and my cousin, Marie Galletti Mitchell.
Ron Galletti
As Marie Galletti Mitchell and I corresponded regarding her story in the Sq. J, I found myself reflecting on how I enjoy talking with and writing to our descendants. They are special people … people who realize the importance of what our 390th did during WWII. Allow me to quote from one of Marie’s letters:
“What a group of good-looking, virile young men in Dad’s crew! Dad is first on the left in the front row. Laverne Dillow was killed in action. What a waste of life it was for him to have died so young! When Dillow went missing, his mother wrote to my mother to ask for news of her son. My mother has kept that letter in her wartime scrapbook ever since. Now that I’ve gotten older (age 61), I realize how many years and how many of life’s chapters young men like Dillow have missed.
So true…and today we honor those living and we memorialize those who have passed on to their reward. Heroes all ... and we hope that this story adds yet another chapter to their lives … let it be so!
THE WARSAW AIRDROP OF 1944
On September 1, 1939, Nazi tanks rolled into Poland and started World War II. By September 18, 1944, the Polish resistance, which had bravely fought Hitler’s military might for five long years, was trapped in Warsaw with food, ammunition and other supplies running dangerously low.
The Poles called upon the Allies to provide supplies by airdrop. The Allies agreed, and airmen of the 390th, along with the 95th and 100th, were called upon to replenish the patriots of Warsaw with the supplies they desperately needed.
There was a catch, however. Warsaw is situated west of the Vistula River from Russia, and the Soviets had an unstated plan: Joseph Stalin wanted to weaken Poland in order that Russia could add this formerly sovereign nation to its empire once WWII was over. So while Stalin orally agreed to the Polish Airdrop, he kept delaying it by refusing to allow Allied planes to land on Soviet soil. (At that time, B-17s could not carry enough fuel to fly from England to Poland round trip.) Meanwhile, the Poles were getting weaker, and thousands died fighting Nazi soldiers on the streets of Warsaw. Finally, in September
1944, Stalin relented, giving the Allies permission to land about one hundred B-17s at some makeshift airfields in Russia.
On September 18, 1944, my father, First Lieutenant Fidel Galletti, along with his crew of eight men, climbed into their Flying Fortress to complete their 23rd mission of WWII. These airmen would fly for 10 hours that day to provide the Poles with the supplies they desperately needed.
My father’s log for that day reads, “We were to drop supplies to the Polish partisans holding parts of the city. Load was 10 containers and 2,800 gallons topped off. Bombing altitude was to be 14,000 feet. We ran into weather about 50 miles west of target and did several 360s trying to get over it. Colonel Tuesdale [command pilot of the lead plane] gave up trying to get on top and decided to go under as the base of clouds was at 12,000 feet. We got to the IP [Initial Point] and started on the run when fighters hit us. We were flying 565 #2 in the high of the high and out of position as they hit us. They came out of the clouds, and the tail, waist and ball opened up on them. Nine of them attacked from six o’clock level, and Rogers [tailgunner] had the best shot at them. He got the fourth coming in. Two 20 mm shells hit in the cockpit alongside of Spencer [co-pilot], and the oxygen started burning.”
Behind the pilot and co-pilot were two oxygen tanks. Flak from the German ammunition pierced both tanks, setting the highly volatile gas into a blaze which quickly spread throughout the cabin. The co-pilot, William Spencer, found himself sitting next to a three-foot hole in the side of the plane, with oxygen burning all around him. His only option was to jump from his seat, through the hatch and into the nose. Before he leapt from the cockpit, he used the interphone to order the crew to bail out. At the same time, my father pulled away from the formation so that his plane, if it went out of control, would not bring down any other B-17s. He then set up the autopilot and hit the alarm bell. Both my father and the co-pilot were unaware that the fire had eaten through the communication lines, rendering it impossible for the crew to hear the orders to bail out of the crippled aircraft. Meanwhile, the interior of the airplane continued to burn, and the plane was filling with smoke. The airmen, while still able to breathe through oxygen masks, were unable to see through the dense smoke. The crew would have to act quickly if they were to save their lives and those of the Polish people they had flown so far to help. Top Turret Gunner Eduard H. Daly, reacting quickly to a five-foot hole and a fire in the waist of the plane,
AND SACRIFICE, HAPPY FATHER’S DAY
grabbed a fire extinguisher, put out the fire in the rear of the cockpit, then passed the fire extinguisher to my father. My father worked on putting out the fire up front, all the while knowing that if any flak were to nick the nearby primer fuel line, the plane would explode. The primer, next to the punctured oxygen tanks, was constantly charged with gasoline. Whenever fighter planes and ground antiaircraft artillery hit a plane, shrapnel can boomerang around inside the aircraft and hit anything or anybody in it, including, of course, the primer line. Fortunately, once the fires were extinguished, the worst was over. The primer was never nicked, and no one but the pilot sustained even minor wounds.
However, danger still threatened the aircraft and its crew. The right tail elevator, necessary to stabilize the aircraft, had been almost torn off, and the cables to the tail section were nearly severed. One of the duties of a pilot is to keep his plane stable, but the damaged tail elevator pulled against my father, physically moving him back and forth as he tried to control the aircraft. In effect, the damaged tail was working against him for control of the plane. In addition, my father was concerned that the torn tail cables, which had been shredded into wires, would get caught in the pulleys through which they threaded on their way from the control stick to the tail. Fortunately, this was not the case and finally, almost miraculously, after what must have seemed like hours of German attack, the Flying Fortress set down as scheduled on an improvised landing field in Mirograd, Russia.
In spite of fire and the damage to the plane, bombardier Harry Evje had been able to drop the supplies on target, thus fulfilling mission #23 of my father’s crew: to assist the Polish dissidents in resisting the Nazi army.
In August 2005, a CNN documentary, “Warsaw Rising,” filmed from Warsaw during the airdrop, shows the B-17s approaching the city. They looked so heroic as they flew in to the rescue! In the words of narrator David Ensor,
“Suddenly, in the sky – a miracle!”
In the same documentary, Nina Januszowska Thiessen, a Polish underground courier, recalls of the airdrop:
That was the most wonderful picture, when the American planes came. They were very, very high, so you didn’t see anything; you just heard the mmmm [sounds] of the heavy bombers. Then, all of a sudden, there was –like flowers. The parachutes were multi-colored, you know.
And those multicolored flowers brought hope that Warsaw would live another day.
Over 2,500 years ago, Herodutus, “The Father of Western History,” declared that the purpose of written history was to memorialize glorious deeds. The Polish Airdrop of 1944 is one of modern history’s glorious deeds. America can be proud that the crew of B-17 #565, along with hundreds of other young American airmen, bravely risked their lives to take part in this gallant operation.
Galletti Crew #95
Pilot – Fidel Galletti
Co-pilot – William Spencer
Top Turret – Eduard H. Daly
Radioman – John Dudar
R. Waist Gunner – Franklin Mesmer
L. Waist Gunner – Laverne Dillow
Ball Gunner – Virgil Burton
Tail Gunner – Arthur K. Rogers
Bombardier – Harry Evje
Navigator – John J. Vitou
Marie Galletti Mitchell
Pilot-Fidel Galletti
Happy Father’s Day to all the Fathers who are Born To Ride!
Shawn Ives and his two sons, 26-year-old Kile and 29-year-old Cody, are keeping two-wheeled history alive with their Ives Brothers Wall of Death. Creating a bond of generations, a father figure is so important in developing a family business and this particular family has a trust and belief in each other that will last them all their lives.
This amazing story began many years ago when Shawn was a stunt rider in the Globe of Death, a spherical cage in which riders loop-the-loop and perform all kinds of mind-blowing stunts. The two boys joined their dad in the globe and then moved on to the Wall of Death about six years ago.
Story by Tom Rose | Photos by Tom Rose and Ives Brothers
The Ives Brothers ride the wall
Wall of Death setup in Eustis
The Ives family travel together eight months out of the year, crossing the country, setting up the Wall, performing, tearing down and moving on to the next show. Dad serves as the announcer for the show and the brothers ride the Wall. Part of their show consists of both brothers on the Wall at the same time. This requires the utmost in precision timing and focus. It is so dangerous that many Wall of Death shows do not even attempt duel riders.
Visiting the Ives Brothers Wall of Death at the Eustis Spring Bike Rally & Music Festival, I felt a bit like Kurt Vonnegut’s
character, Billy Pilgrim in the novel Slaughterhouse-Five. Like Billy, I felt unstuck in time (Billy, uncontrollably, moved back and forth from his past as a soldier in WWII to the present). Yes, I was at the Eustis Spring Festival, April, 2021, but attending the Ives Brothers’ motorcycle thrill show, I could have been at a county fair in 1921. Vintage motorcycles, a huge hand-built wooden barrel, and daredevil riders defying gravity with tricks and stunts on the wall! It’s a great experience, and these death-defying walls of Death have been around for over 100 years.
The Wall of Death has its origin in the board track motorcycle races of the early 1900’s. A type of racing that was so dangerous and deadly for both participants and spectators that it was eventually outlawed. The sport evolved into the Wall of Death thrill shows that were extremely popular at fairs, circuses and festivals. The Wall is a cylinder constructed of wooden slats some 25 feet high and 30 feet in diameter. Spectators view the show, looking down from the top. Once upon a time, more than 100 Walls of Death arenas performed across the county, but now the Ives Brothers are
"This requires the utmost in precision timing & focus..It is so dangerous that many wall of death shows do not attempt duel riders. "
one of only four remaining. There is little difference in the shows of today and those back in the early years.
There is nothing quite like the Wall of Death Show… you have to experience it. It will scare you, thrill you, excite you and amaze you. As the bikes roar around in the barrel, the structure itself vibrates as if it is about to explode. You’ll expect the riders to lose control and crash over
the top into the spectators. I’ve seen a number of Wall of Death shows going back to my first one at the Duval County Fair in Jacksonville, Florida in 1946. The Ives Brothers Show is as good as it gets. The legacy and tradition is alive and in good hands with these father and sons daredevil performers. This is far more than just a carnival act. And the brothers are not just stunt riders, they are skilled
motorcyclists and racers. Like I said, you have to see it to believe it.
Born To Ride is proud to celebrate Father’s Day with this inspiring story of a dad and his boys, keeping an important part of motorcycle history alive and kickin’!
Learn more about the Ives Brothers at their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ivesbrothers
Inside the Wall of Death
Cody Ives, ready to ride the Wall
THE REAL DEAL BIKER DESTINATION!
RIDE OVER AND SEE WHAT EVERYONE IS TALKING ABOUT!
STAY TUNED FOR THE NEXT BIKER BASH COMING SOON!
ADRENALINE HARLEY
(Please Drink responsibly!)
Ron’s 2001 Dyna Super Glide Project Stealth Pipes
Ron’s project 2001 Dyna Super Glide needed performance Pipes and there was only 1 choice.
“I put them on my 2023 Road Glide and they were exactly what I needed. Price point performance and the sound is bad ass to the bone”
The Stealth Exhaust Collection offers one of the most impactful upgrades for your motorcycle, designed to significantly enhance both power and performance. Handcrafted in the United States from premium 304 stainless steel, each exhaust is custombuilt to order, ensuring a perfect fit and superior durability. With a 90-day warranty from the date of purchase, Stealth Exhaust guarantees quality when installed properly by a certified HarleyDavidson mechanic. Upgrade your ride with Stealth Exhaust and experience power, sound, and performance like never before.
Brotherhood Is Life THE STORY OF BISHOP
When asked what the most significant moment in his life was, Bishop doesn’t hesitate — it was the day he received his rags. But it wasn’t just about putting on a patch; it was the culmination of a journey paved in grit, loyalty, and sacrifice. He didn’t walk into the club expecting respect — he earned it. Starting at the bottom as a prospect, every task, every mile, every moment was a test. And with each test passed, he wasn’t just proving something to others — he was proving it to himself. That cut on his back didn’t just symbolize membership. It was a badge of honor, a visible mark of perseverance and brotherhood. But the most powerful part wasn’t the recognition — it was the realization that the club, the life, the legacy, was far bigger than him. What you put into it, you get back tenfold. And Bishop knew, from that day forward, he wasn’t just riding for himself — he was riding for something timeless. His companion on that
ride? A black 2020 Harley-Davidson Road Glide Special. A machine built for the long haul — raw power and undeniable comfort. That bike carried him through more than just miles. It carried him through transformation. But beyond the road, Bishop carries a deeper mission — the mission of a father. To him, fatherhood is one of the greatest honors life can offer. It’s holding someone’s future in your hands. It’s your responsibility to teach them loyalty, discipline, and respect — not just for others, but for themselves. Children are a reflection of the foundation we lay. If we raise them right, they will rise above us. If we fail, the streets will swallow them whole. Bishop sees no difference between raising his children and guiding new brothers in the club. Both are about shaping men with strength, values, and purpose.
His advice to anyone stepping into the biker lifestyle is simple: Listen more than you speak. The lifers didn’t get where they are by accident — they bled for the road you’re now riding. Learn from them. Bishop’s understanding of brotherhood wasn’t born in the club — it was shaped by life. It began on the football field, where he learned to fight shoulder-to-shoulder, win together, lose together, and trust the man beside him. Then came the military, where brotherhood meant survival. Where loyalty was written in sweat and fear, and bonds were forged under fire. Later, that sense of unity took root in tradition — through his legacy in the Masonic order. As a Past Master of the Ancient York Masonic Lodge (F&AM) and a 32nd-degree member of the J.B. Eastern Consistory, he embraced a code built on honor, discipline, and shared purpose. Now, as a patched member in the club, that legacy continues — same principles, different colors. Brotherhood isn’t limited to blood. It’s built on loyalty, respect, and accountability. The MC isn’t just a place to belong. It’s a family — one that holds each other up, pushes each other forward, and never leaves a man behind.
And while many ride to escape the noise, Bishop uses his platform to confront it head-on. The Diamond Effect isn’t just a podcast for entertainment it is a call to wake up and think for yourself. To question what you’re told. To see past headlines
“His advice to anyone stepping into the biker lifestyle is simple: Listen more than you speak.”
and into the machinery behind them. Bishop and his team put in the work — it is more than conversation — it’s a confrontation.
Because the truth isn’t always easy — but it’s always necessary. This mission to speak truth is just another form of service — to the people, to the next generation, and to the ones still caught in the fog. If you’re ready to see the world for what it is — this is where it starts.
And when the mic goes quiet and the road calls, Bishop finds peace on two wheels. Riding isn’t just a way to get somewhere — it’s a kind of meditation. The steady hum of the engine, the wind rushing past, the blur of the countryside — all of it strips away the noise of the world. Out there, it’s just him, his bike, and the freedom to be exactly who he is. That’s where it all comes together: the discipline of a soldier, the tradition of a Mason, the pride of a father, and the loyalty of a brother. Because in the end, brotherhood isn’t a phase — it’s a way of life.
Whether on the field, in uniform, under sacred oaths, or on the back of a roaring Harley, it’s something you live, earn, and carry with you until your last ride.
THERE’S NO GREATER TRUTH THAN THIS: BROTHERHOOD IS LIFE.
I hope everyone out there is enjoying this spectacular riding weather. What great mental therapy it is! For me I’d rather ride and think about business than sit in a conference room and think about riding. Having served over 12,000 clients in 13 states in the past 20 years I’ve finally realized what can help my clients most. Sure, I can make them millionaires but so what! What really matters I’ve come to realize is helping them design an estate plan with a will and living trust the easiest most cost-effective way. It’s a bucket list thing everyone puts off but will gain a benefit from. So, I say, “Do something today that your future self will thank you for.” I have compiled some real stories on why you should take action and get yourself set up correctly using motorcycle situations. I hope you enjoy them on these few pages.
A Biker Helping Bikers
LET’S AVOID EVER HAVING TO SAY “I WISH I KNEW BACK THEN WHAT I KNOW NOW”
Our system is not in place …
The Inherited Iron that almost went to the wrong person.
When Raven Holloway’s father died, she didn’t expect to inherit much more than a pile of dusty old books and maybe a few rusty tools. Her father, Vincent, was known around town as the local mechanic with a dark, brooding presence—always dressed in black leather, always working on some project bike in his cluttered garage. What she didn’t expect was the legal nightmare that followed his passing. A week after the funeral, Raven was called to the lawyer’s once, where she learned that her father’s prized possession—his custom-built, jet-black Harley-Davidson—wasn’t as straightforward as she thought. Though Vincent had told her stories of how he built it from the ground up, no will was ever filed. Instead, the bike became entangled in probate, with other distant relatives suddenly laying claim to it.
One of them was her cousin, Derek—slick, greedy, and never close to her father. He claimed that he had “helped build the bike” and therefore deserved a share of its value. Another was Uncle Martin, Vincent’s estranged brother, who argued that as the oldest living relative, he should inherit everything. The lawyer, Mr. Harlow, laid out the situation. Without a clear will or proof of
ownership, the motorcycle would be evaluated as part of the estate and sold to cover debts—unless someone could prove rightful ownership. Frustrated, Raven went back to the garage, searching for anything that might help.
That’s when she found it—a small, locked toolbox with the initials V.H. engraved on top. Inside were faded receipts, including one from twenty years ago: Custom Frame - Purchased by Vincent Holloway. Another receipt showed Engine Parts - Ordered by V. Holloway. At the bottom of the box was an old photograph of her as a little girl, sitting on the Harley’s unfinished frame, her father grinning beside her.
On the back, written in his scruffy handwriting, was:
“Built for my girl—Raven’s Ride.”
Armed with the evidence, Raven returned to the lawyer. The receipts and photo, combined with testimonies from Vincent’s longtime friends, were enough to prove that the bike was always intended to be hers. Derek and Uncle Martin fought it but eventually, the probate judge ruled in her favor.
When the decision came down, Raven rode her father’s Harley through town, the wind whipping through her black hair, leather jacket tight around her shoulders. The bike wasn’t just an inheritance—it was a legacy, a reminder of the bond they shared, and a testament to the miles Vincent had traveled just to leave her something worth fighting for.
Our system is not in place …
The Harley in Probate
When old Tom Callahan passed away, his beloved 1972 Harley-Davidson sat untouched
in the garage, its chrome dull and its engine silent. His daughter, Emily, couldn’t bear to look at it—knowing it was the last piece of him left. A week after the funeral, a letter arrived from the lawyer: “No will found. All assets, including the motorcycle, must go through probate.” Emily’s heart sank. Without a will, Tom’s estranged brother, Gary, stepped in—claiming the Harley should be sold to cover debts. Desperate, Emily searched through her dad’s cluttered workbench, hoping to find something that proved it was meant for her. Finally, tucked inside an old leather saddlebag, she found a crumpled, grease-stained note:
“For Em—your ride when I’m gone. Love, Dad.”
In court, Emily showed the note—barely legible but undeniably his handwriting. With tears in her eyes, she spoke about their Sunday rides and how her dad always said the bike would be hers. The judge, moved by her words and the note, ruled in her favor. That evening, Emily took the Harley out, the engine roaring to life. As the wind whipped through her hair, she felt her dad’s presence—riding with her one last time.
How our system passed along a Harley probate free …
The Last Ride
Ben Carter never thought his father would leave him anything—let alone a motorcycle. Growing up, his dad was always on the road, chasing the horizon on his beloved 1969 Harley-Davidson, while Ben and his mom struggled to make ends meet back home. When the old man finally passed, Ben wasn’t sure how to feel—until the lawyer handed him a faded envelope with his name on it. Inside was a single key and a handwritten note:
”Son, I know
I wasn’t around much, but this bike was my freedom—my escape. It’s yours now. Take one last ride for me. There’s something I
left for you out at Blackwood Point. You’ll know where to look.”
Confused and a little angry, Ben drove out to his dad’s old cabin. There it was—rusty but beautiful, just like he remembered. After some tinkering, the Harley roared to life, its engine vibrating through his bones like a heartbeat. Riding through the open road, memories started to blur with the wind—the good ones, few and far between, but strong enough to remind him that his dad wasn’t just a wanderer—he was searching for something. When Ben reached Blackwood Point, he saw a small metal box buried under a pile of stones. Inside was a leatherbound journal filled with his dad’s thoughts, regrets, and dreams—things he never shared with anyone. Tucked in the back was an old photograph of them at a fair, with the words scribbled on the back:
”I never stopped loving you. I just didn’t know how
to stay.”
Ben sat on the edge of the cliff, the motorcycle cooling beside him, and realized that sometimes, forgiveness is found on the open road—where the past follows but doesn’t have to catch up.
Our system is not in place …
TOD created a costly legal headache
Jake Peterson was a motorcycle enthusiast with a collection of vintage bikes that he cherished more than anything. As he grew older, he wanted to make sure his prized possessions would go directly to his son, Lucas, without any hassle. To avoid probate, Jake added a Transfer on Death (TOD) designation to each motorcycle title, naming Lucas as the beneficiary. Unfortunately,
when Jake passed away unexpectedly, Lucas assumed the motorcycles would smoothly transfer to him. However, when he went to the DMV to change the titles, he discovered a problem. The clerk explained that the TOD designation was incomplete— Jake had never properly signed or filed the paperwork for two of his most valuable bikes.
To make matters worse, another complication arose. One of Jake’s ex-wives, Sarah, claimed that Jake had verbally promised her one of the motorcycles during their divorce settlement. Although it wasn’t written in the divorce decree, Sarah argued that the bike rightfully belonged to her. Now, Lucas found himself in probate court, battling not only to claim the motorcycles that didn’t have valid TOD designations but also to defend his right to the bike his father supposedly promised to Sarah. The judge had to sort through the conflicting claims and incomplete paperwork before deciding who would inherit the motorcycles. In the end, the judge ruled that the motorcycles without proper TOD paperwork had to go through probate, and Sarah’s claim was dismissed due to lack of evidence. Lucas finally gained ownership of his father’s collection, but not without months of legal headaches and unexpected fees.
It’s never too late to start planning for retirement. Time goes bye fast! 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 over the 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
Lowman Law Firm is dedicated to providing exceptional legal representation to individuals involved in Motorcycle and Auto Accidents. Our team of experienced Attorneys are committed to advocating for the rights of accident victims, ensuring they receive the compensation and support they need during challenging times.
Our Attorneys bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to each case, understanding the complexities and nuances of Motorcycle and Auto Accident claims. With a client-centered approach, we prioritize clear communication, compassion, and personalized strategies tailored to each client’s unique situation. Our lawyers diligently investigate every aspect of the accident, gathering evidence, consulting with experts, and negotiating with insurance companies to secure the best possible outcome for our clients.
At Lowman Law Firm, we recognize that being involved in an accident can be a traumatic and life-altering experience. Therefore, we strive to make the legal process as smooth and stress-free as possible for our clients. From the initial consultation to the final resolution, our Attorneys are dedicated to providing unwavering support and guidance every step of the way.
Beyond our commitment to legal excellence, Lowman Law Firm is deeply rooted in the community. We believe in giving back and actively participate in various local initiatives and events. Our firm supports community events, such as Crystal Harley Bike Nite, Nature Coast Bike Fest, numerous charity fundraisers, free family concerts and local sports sponsorships. By staying involved in the community, we aim to make a positive impact and contribute to the well-being of the areas we serve.
We at Lowman Law Firm pride ourselves in our comprehensive approach to handling Motorcycle and Auto Accident cases. Our skilled attorneys, combined with our strong community involvement, reflect our dedication to justice, client care, and making a difference both in and out of the courtroom.
Brittney Clark Forcino
JOSEPH A. LOWMAN, ESQUIRE
31 S. Main Street | Brooksville, FL 34601
PH 352-796-0016 | www.lowmanlawfirm.com
FROM JOE LOWMAN AND HIS SONS LUKE & WYATT
RIDE APPALACHIA
HONORING ALL WHO HAVE SERVED OUR GREAT NATION
Before we bring you what we have coming up in June on our schedule we wanted to take the time to honor all who have worn the uniform and especially those who have made the Ultimate Sacrifice for our Freedom and way of life. As many of you may already know many of our Riders and Supporters here at the AMG/ BOA are Veterans and Some of us are Disabled from Service.
When we first started to develop our BOA Mobile Application we focused our efforts on creating several Trail Routes in our System that are designed specifically to show our respect and appreciation to our Brothers and Sisters who have served our Country in every War and from every Era since the beginning. These Routes not only showcase our beautiful scenery here but also our Military History from our Military/War Memorials and Graveyards, to our Civil War Battle Sites across Central Appalachia. Many families here have served generationally from the Revolutionary War to Modern Day as it is a tradition for us here and just as much a part of our Culture as Coal and Moonshine is. One of these Routes which covers over 122 miles is what we call “The Most Historic Lake Ride in KY”! Keep Reading!
OUR MILITARY TRIBUTE ROUTES CREATED BY OUR VETERANS
Scouts Honor Trail KY takes you on an incredible journey through
this history around Lake Cumberland from the WW1 Doughboy Statue and the Mill Springs Mill in Monticello KY, to the Mill Springs Civil War Battlefield and National Cemetery in Nancy KY. This GPS-Enabled Route not only pays tribute to our Military History but also to our Boy Scout History in Burnside KY where this incredible Ride begins and also where the Boy Scouts were originally founded! Scouts Honor Trail is one of several Military Tribute Routes in our Mobile Apps that you can come and enjoy here as well as many others such as our JOE C PAUL Medal of Honor Trail in Williamsburg Ky or our Freedom Ridge Trail Route and Welcome Center located in Mckee KY! Here you can learn about the Civil War Battle of Big Hill. Downtown McKee also has one of the most incredible Military Memorials in our home state. No matter which one you choose to explore you really cannot go wrong as they have all been meticulously crafted by us Veterans here in our group to be the best that they can be for all to enjoy. It is our way of Honoring all who have worn the uniform and especially those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our Freedom and for many other Countries across the Globe. We also host Annual Events for each Route to raise money for military charities each year like our Scouts Honor Trail Memorial Day Honor Ride and our JOE C PAUL Miners, Shiners, and Heroes Ride coming up on our Schedule on July 5th!
ONLY IN APPALACHIA IN 2025
If you read last month’s article then you already know that we have several “Uniquely Appalachian” Events coming up in June that you will not find anywhere else like our MOONSHINE TRAIL “Throwdown at the Hoedown” and poker run in Red River Gorge
for the Children of Shriners Hospital with the Moonshiners from Discovery Channel on June 14th! We are also now developing our regional rally events with our partners such as the WV HELLBENDER HOOTENANNY in Summersville WV for Backpacks 4 Veterans June 27th-29th! Even the ride we take from Kentucky is one you will never forget as we take you through Hatfield and McCoy Country on the Way! If you want to get the scoop on our schedule this season and “All Things Motorcycle in Central Appalachia” straight from us in person then come and see us at Music City Bikefest in Nashville TN June 5th-8th with our partners from Boswell Harley Davidson and Bikers Info USA! Every single event we host here is always to raise money for charity as well as promote the Route and the small towns and one of a kind points of interest that exist on them and everyone is invited to attend! When you come here and attend one of our events or use our Free GPSEnabled Mobile Apps you are not only helping us deliver economic development to our small forgotten coal towns across the Old Coal Belt but you are also helping us support charity and those in need and we do it All Volunteer at the Appalachian Motorcycle Group and all are welcome. We even have cagers(That Mean Cars) follow us as we are one big community and totally unique by design and that’s what makes us different. We are RIDERS FOR A REGION and so is everyone who comes here to visit us or attends our annual events! All of us riders know that word of mouth is still the most powerful tool we have and we thank everyone who continues to help us spread that word and our Mission to help our people here prosper again and all you have to do is visit! Remember our Routes were created by local riders for everyone to come here and enjoy and to our knowledge that does not exist anywhere else and
There is a whole new place to ride and explore and we have 54+ GPS enabled Routes which cover over 5000 Miles of the absolute best riding KY, WV, Northeast TN, and Southwest Virginia has to offer and it just keeps growing! When you combine that with over 3700 “Uniquely Appalachian” Points of Interest you will not find on any other Map and the fact that it was all created and supported by an entire region of riders standing by to assist you and help you plan your trip? Now you know what makes it THE BEST RIDING IN THE U.S.! PERIOD! Find all our unforgettable Trail Routes and our Events now by downloading our Free BOA Mobile App and looking under the Calendar or by joining our new communities on REVER! You can also find them by visiting us on Facebook at our AMG Group Page or on our BOA page or by visiting our website at www.backroadsofappalchia.org/events. You can also find them all on Cyclefish.com!
We know there are many places you can choose to go on your Motorcycle Vacation this Season but do you really want to go to the same old places you have been before? The Appalachian Mountains are calling you, will you answer?
ONLY IN APPALACHIA!
Let’s Ride Appalachia!
— Jay Fryman (Frydaddy) Founder, Appalachian Motorcycle
Group Backroads of Appalachia Board of Directors
it is ALL FREE! Just Click and Go! ONLY IN APPALACHIA!
THE DISAPPEARING AMERICAN BIKER: A CULTURAL ICON FADING FROM THE ROAD
For decades, the image of the American biker has been etched into the national consciousness—a leather-clad rebel astride a roaring Harley-Davidson, cruising along endless highways, free and untethered.
From Marlon Brando in The Wild One to the real-life members of the Hells Angels and the booming biker rallies of Sturgis and Daytona, motorcycling in the U.S. has long symbolized independence, rebellion, and counterculture. But today, that once-thriving subculture is steadily fading. The American biker, once a vibrant icon of postwar masculinity and freedom, is disappearing. There are several key reasons behind this cultural shift. Chief among them is aging demographics. The core population of motorcycle riders—largely Baby Boomers and Gen Xers—are now aging out of the lifestyle. The average age of motorcycle owners in the U.S. rose from 32 in 1990 to nearly 50 by 2020. These older riders, many of whom discovered motorcycling during the boom years of the 1970s and ’80s, are increasingly stepping away from riding due to health concerns, safety issues, or simply a change in priorities. As they retire their bikes, fewer younger riders are taking their place.
Millennials and Gen Z have different ideas about freedom and rebellion. For these generations, burdened by student debt, high housing costs, and changing work norms, the high cost of motorcycle ownership—especially traditional heavyweight cruisers like Harley-Davidsons—can seem impractical. Motorcycles are no longer seen as symbols of escape, but as expensive toys. Add to that the fact that younger generations are generally less interested in car culture, and the decline becomes
easier to understand. Cultural shifts have also eroded the mystique of the biker. In past decades, the biker image represented anti-establishment values—freedom, danger, and selfreliance. But as motorcycling became more mainstream and commercialized, especially in the 1990s and early 2000s, it lost much of its rebellious edge. The rise of biker-themed merchandise, reality TV shows like Sons of Anarchy, and branded corporate events turned what was once a raw, underground movement into a commodified lifestyle.
“There are several key reasons behind this cultural shift. Chief among them is aging demographics.”
Additionally, safety and environmental concerns play a growing role. Traffic fatalities involving motorcycles remain disproportionately high, which deters many would-be riders. Environmental awareness also factors in—gasoline-powered motorcycles are not seen as particularly sustainable. As electric vehicle adoption grows, there’s some hope that electric motorcycles could reinvigorate interest, but for many, the electric experience lacks the visceral appeal of a roaring V-twin engine.
Motorcycle manufacturers, particularly Harley-Davidson, have tried to respond. Harley has launched more accessible models, introduced electric bikes like the
LiveWire, and attempted to appeal to a more diverse audience, including women and people of color. Yet these efforts have seen mixed success, as the brand continues to wrestle with its aging customer base and an identity too rooted in nostalgia.
It’s not all bad news—motorcycling is not dead, but it is evolving. New communities are forming around different types of bikes: adventure bikes, cafe racers, electric scooters, and dual-sports appeal to a younger, more diverse, and urban-centric group. Social media is also helping to redefine what it means to be a rider in the 21st century. These new riders often eschew traditional biker aesthetics in favor of function, style, and inclusivity.
Still, the classic image of the American biker—the lone wolf on a chrome-heavy cruiser, thundering down Route 66—may be fading into the sunset. As demographics shift, cultural values evolve, and economic realities bite, the American biker is no longer the iconic force it once was. What remains is a legacy of rebellion and freedom—now being reinterpreted by a new generation, in a new way.
Another lifestyle fading away. For those of us old heads, let’s get out there and enjoy or time out there on 2 wheels. Bring back our motorcycle rodeos, field parties and scenic road trips. Don’t let your life revolve around sitting at a bar. Until we meet again.
— Nefarious James American Patriot
While on a family trip to Austria two years ago, Fran spotted an Almhütte and commented to her father Werner how she would adore a hut like this in her back yard. An Almhütte is an Alpine hut that is found in Austria, Switzerland, and Germany. It’s commonly used for animals grazing in the wild to seek shelter from weather. It has a peaked roof with an approximate 4-foot overhang on the sides. It’s common in Germany to see a huge boulder on the roof to hold the roof down during windy conditions. You see, Fran has a love for all animals; she has goats, cows, donkeys, and dogs … they all have names and personalities. Fran could only imagine how her animals would benefit from such a structure. Werner saw Fran’s imagination going wild. He found some photos and his mind began working on the plan. Werner was going to build Fran her animal hut. After returning to the States, Werner began the design on paper; soliciting help from a family friend Edward Fitzpatrick and his grandson Henry, the project was underway. He made a list of materials needed, which included properly treated cedar from Chiefland, FL. He had a wood burned “Almhütte” sign made to hang over the door which has an image of a goat and a cow. There are four layers to the roof; the inside layer made of small tree logs to give it an authentic rustic ceiling when you look up once inside. The outside has wood shingles. And yes, the boulder is going to be mounted on the
roof to replicate the authentic Almhütte. It’s all in the details. But there are two extra special touches that are going on Fran’s Almhütte to complete the project. One is a masterpiece work of metal that Werner twisted himself by hand in 1957 while completing his apprenticeship in Germany as a metal worker. It adds the perfect Alpine look to the Almhütte window and comes from the heart. The other special touch is slightly difficult to explain. When Fran was able to open her first law office, she chose a site in Palm Harbor, FL. The property had an existing small building and next to it a unique historic free standing door with old rusty hinges and a door knocker. Image just a door standing there alone. Werner could never have been so proud to see his daughter break ground on that site and
grow her own business into what it is today. He kept that old rusty hardware from the demolished door and has been polishing it diligently to place on the Almhütte. For Werner, this special Almhütte is a one-of-a-kind for a one-ofa-kind daughter. It signifies where they both came from and where they are today.
There have been proposals from others for a similar build, but Werner declines and explains he will be the one to complete the task for his daughter who has become a wife, mother, business woman, and philanthropist. He is proud of her accomplishments and wants to create an authentic Almhütte for his Francoise.
Craven Moorehead It’s Summertime Again
So summer started in May evidently. Daily rain and high temperatures have made their way into the area and Hurricane season started a week early. Can’t complain too much I suppose - at least it isn’t snowing. It seems that lately, all I write about is the weather. It could be said that my life has become mundane and boring. If you observed that and thought the same thing then I guess we were both thinking alike. I remember back in the day when every moment was an adventure. Not so much anymore. Time is passed looking out the window at the rain coming down and listening to the dogs snoring. Yeah, I know you wouldn’t think that dogs snore and perhaps most don’t but for some reason mine do. I suspect that they learned that bad habit from me. They have picked up other bad habits as well but as boring as my life is lately I shouldn’t keep talking about it here and causing you, my dedicated readers to fall asleep while reading this article. I recently was advised that I have to move from where I have
been living. This is a serious problem. I am used to having a variety of non-specific problems and other unpleasant situations, but so far, I have been fortunate enough to have a place to live. Well, not so much now, but somehow, I will find a way to survive. Seems harder this time but I will get over it one way or another.
Stuff is expensive nowadays. It didn’t seem to be this bad a few years back. I do remember when a gallon of gas was more expensive, but I have never seen housing go to this limit. Even the grocery store kicks your butt every time you go in. It must be the economy that allegedly is better than ever or perhaps it is due to the unemployment rate that is lower than ever (according to the regulated media) but from where I sit, I can’t tell. If there is light at the end of the tunnel I can’t see to see it, or it is very dim. Not sure which at this point.
So as we go through life with hopes and dreams of peace and prosperity, we still must accept the ups and downs and try to survive to the best of our ability. All I can advise is that we all keep keeping on and don’t let life drag us down. So no more bad stuff! I keep a positive attitude and continue to pray for better days. How does everyone else do it? I’m no expert but I suspect that most of you do the same thing. Being negative never produces a positive result. I like to get feedback from my readers and good or bad I take all your comments to heart. Born To Ride has been here for years serving the biker community in every way possible. Your opinions and comments are always welcome and appreciated. I sincerely hope that each and every one of you has a fantastic summer season and that the rain stays away from your ride to wherever it is you are going.
When the Cloud Won’t Sync –And Neither Will My Brother
I was riding high on inspiration, deep into writing a new book about my relationship with my neurodivergent brother. After creating a new folder on my laptop and drafting a chapter list, I expected everything to sync automatically via OneDrive— something that always worked before.
But the next day, nothing. No folder. No files. Just frustration.
I figured I’d add it to the list of tech issues for my brother John to tackle during my upcoming visit. He’s the fix-it guy in the family. But when I arrived in South Carolina and showed him the screen that read “Processing 480,000 changes,” things took a turn.
He launched into a string of guesses: “It’s your Wi-Fi,” “It’s File Explorer,” “Let me move the modem.” None of it made sense. The more evidence I offered, the more defensive he became. Soon, the tech problem became an emotional minefield, triggering all the old dysfunction from our childhood.
“You’re not listening to me!” he shouted.
Funny. I was thinking the same thing.
I left for a walk to clear my head—and grab a loaf of bread.
That’s when it hit me: I wasn’t just disconnected from the cloud. I was disconnected from my Higher Power. So I called my prayer partner. We talked, we laughed, and we prayed.
Forgiveness isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s easier to stay mad, but that only builds walls. I can’t change my brother or how his mind works. But I can forgive. I can let go. And with a little grace, I can turn frustration into fuel for the story I’m meant to tell.
In the end, it’s just like the cloud—sometimes the sync takes longer than expected, and sometimes, you have to pause, reset, and try again.
Ride on. Reflect deep. And don’t forget to reconnect—especially with what matters most.
“Forgiveness isn’t for the faint of heart—it’s a full-throttle ride toward grace.”!
Be Good, Be Well, and Ride Safe —Dave “Letterfly” Knoderer
VOULA MEET
My name is Voula Axley. I’m an ER Social Worker and have been in healthcare for over 16 years. I love fashion, fitness, going to the beach, spending time with family and friends, and living life to the fullest! Motorcycles bring out the spontaneous side of me! I enjoy the peace of riding on the back, breathing in the fresh air, and taking in the beautiful scenery!
Bike: 1997 Harley Heritage Springer/Ole Boy
Bike Owner: Kenny Dukes
Model: Voula Axley
PHOTOS BY DANIEL GALLANT
Confusion and chaos pretty much sums up this movie. It is the modern day version of all the biker exploitation “B” movies ever made. Curiously, Larry Bishop (as Pistolero) appeared in a variety of films including The Savage Seven, Mad Dog Time and Kill Bill to name a few. His collaboration with Quentin Tarantino in this most recent effort, would lead one to believe that “Hell Ride” is a major cinematic production destined for the A list. Sadly, it falls short of that mark.
The story revolves around Pistolero and his gang “the Victors.” The main characters are himself, the Gent and Comanche who set out to avenge the death of his ol lady Cherokee Kisum. Cherokee, it seems, was murdered by the 666er’s, a rival gang. But wait, let’s back up! This is exactly what makes the flick so confusing. … We flash back and forth from 35 years back to 35 years forward.
It seems that Bishop as the writer, director, and star is the only one who understands what is going on at any given time. I was lost after viewing it twice, but again I digress.
The film is soaked with girls, drugs, and murder. I like all those facets in a biker exploitation film, but the chaotic pace leaves one wondering where the plot is. It seems the Victors MC have an
Movie Review
underlying code of deceit and distrust. As the movie rolls along, several of the members of gang are killed by the Gent and other Victors—leaving only Pistolero, the Gent, and Comanche in the gang. Ahhh, but there is another member hiding in the desert! Eddie Zero, played by Dennis Hopper appears as a (possibly retired) member of the gang. How they were able to get Hopper to appear in this mess was a mystery in itself, and I was surprised, and entertained for a moment until I saw David Carradine playing rival gang member “The Duce.” Evidently, the Duce and Pistolero had some under-the-table dealings and this conflict led to the ongoing battle between the two clubs.
The 666er’s use arrows and darts to carry out their hits while the Victors use the more conventional revolvers, available at Wal-Mart. The Victors trademark murders–you will see a few of these involve the tying of one to a chair, the cutting of the throat, and the soaking of the subject in gasoline, which is then ignited by the tossing of a Zippo lighter, also available at WalMart. Somewhere in my recall, it seems to me that this ritual was borrowed from the 666er’s when they did in Cherokee Kisum.
In the end, the Victors cut off the Duce’s head, and Eddie Zero delivers it to the 666er’s hangout in a nice wicker basket (see Wal-Mart above). He departs and rides off down the road until his motor quits for some reason. He gets off his vintage ride to repair it, and sees the 666er’s pull up behind him. The leader of the 666er’s, (played by Vinnie Jones) shoots him in the back with a dart fired from an air powered device that looks like a Shark Gun. He collapses on the highway. Much to the 666er’s surprise the Victors pull up behind them and the Gent kills all of them, but only wounds Jones who falls to the pavement. Pistolero in a strange twist of role, shoots Jones with a small crossbow, then reloads and fires a dart into Jones’ gas tank. As the fuel surrounds Jones, who is bleeding cussing and etc, one of the Victors cuts his throat, and Pistolero tosses the classic Zippo into the pool of gas. In the next frame, Hopper gets up off the pavement, and removes his armor-laden jacket – arrow still intact- and hands it to his girl who gives him a similar jacket. They depart the scene, and the three meet in the desert where the 666er’s had previously buried some sort of lockbox containing some sort of (something). … There are three keys that have 666 stamped into them. There is a short argument, and Comanche digs up the lock box and the others give him the three keys. What’s in that thing you ask? You will never know, because the shot shows only Comanche’s face from the inside as he opens the box. I think it was empty, but what do I know? The trio then fire up their motors and ride off in three different directions as the credits roll.
If you are a fan of naked ladies, cool classic motorcycles, and blood and guts, this film is for you! However, if you were expecting a plot, a story line, or a coherent slide show of pleasant desert scenes you aren’t gonna be too happy.
Tarantino once told Bishop “It is your destiny to write, direct, and star in a movie.” Sometimes destiny is not all it’s cracked up to be! I would reluctantly give this film 2 out of 5 stars, because there were two REAL stars exploited in this mess. It is rated R for ridiculous, and runs approximately 86 minutes. In my opinion it should be 86’ed altogether.
TUEDAYS LIVE ON FACEBOOK 9pm-10pm and OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL
BORN TO RIDE Magazine
Ron
813 785 3895 rg@borntoride.com
dgalletti@borntoride.com
Erick
WHERE DID OUR SPRING SHOWERS GO?
Woah now and here we are my BTR friends, love bug season! Where the hell did our spring showers go? All we got around here was one wet weekend in May! Now we’re jumping right into Junes’ sweltering heat and humidity. Just like the environment I would’ve grown up in had I not grown up with my human daddy Mike.
He breaks in, “Don’t try and fool your avid readers by telling them that you would’ve grown up in the jungles of Central or South America if I had not got you as a spring chicken. You broke out of an egg from two breeder parrots who lived in Beltsville, Maryland back in 1993. They never saw the light of day in the forest either! Only your cousins still live in the wild. You are just a human trapped in a bird’s body riding a Harley around a concrete and asphalt jungle”
I cackle, “OK my absolute ruler. You caught me breaking one of my New Year’s resolutions; from now on my talons will always type the truth!
Speaking of truth, I’m going to let y’all know about our recent trip out to Charlotte’s Web 70th biker bash weekend.”
Mike, replies, “Sorry little buddy but I’m gonna have to cover that one for you ‘cause you sat on the motorcycle the whole time while I got to hear the shit hit the fan.
It all started when Fred called me on Friday and asked if he could ride with us out to Charlotte’s Web for the party. We’ve ridden with Fred many times in the past, but he’s always a haul-asser. What I mean by that is he always likes to ride faster than the group and the speed limit.” I cackle, “Yeah Mike, that dude rides balls to the wall! The only things that slows him down are beer, women and cops. On that Sunday he was riding without beer and women.”
Mike breaks in, “OK my comical cackler, thanks for the background info. Now, can I get on with the story?
So, we meet Fred and others at Peggy’s Corral and decide to take 62 out to Wauchula. When I gave the call for kick stands up only Fred and two others were ready so, off we rode.
All was fine and dandy until we got on 62 and then Fred took off like a bat out of hell. Figuring we’d meet him at Charlotte’s Web, we didn’t expect to see him pulled over on the side of the road with a police bike behind him.
We stop behind the motorcycle cop and I walked up to Fred as the officer began to ask questions. Of course he started with the usual license and registration please then curiosity got the best of the sheriff and he struck up a conversation with our friend. What’s your name the officer asked. The old man with a smile on his face simply replied, Just Fred. Being snoopy the patrolman probed further, asking for Fred’s full name. To his surprise Fred stated that he used to have one but had lost it along the way. Feeling good that day, the officer contemplated letting Fred off with just a warning instead of a ticket. But his officious nature got the better of him and he pressed on to find out how Fred lost his last name. So Fred began to tell the sheriff a story filled with fun twists and turns. We both listened to him explain how his journey began as Fred Johnson, a dedicated student who excelled in his studies. As he got older, he realized his true calling was to become a doctor. Fred worked hard and achieved his dream, earning the title of Fred Johnson,
MD. But, he said life had something else in store for him.
Driven by a sense of adventure, Fred told the officer he decided to pursue dentistry. He went back to school and earned his second degree, becoming Fred Johnson, MD, DDS.
When he tells this story to people that don’t know him, he makes it sound like he had found his new passion. However, fate had a different plan.
He explains how he found himself caught in a scandalous affair with his dental assistant, resulting in the transmission of a certain disease. Regrettably, he told the officer that he contracted VD, and his carefully constructed identity began to unravel. The American Dental Association and the American Medical Association took notice and stripped away his hard-earned titles. Ultimately, Fred said that he was left with only his first name, a reminder of his mistakes. He declared with a chuckle the VD took away his Johnson, so now he is Just Fred.
His story moved the officer in unexpected ways. Overwhelmed with a mixture of emotions, he handed Just Fred back his drivers license and registration. The cop then passed me with tears streaming down his face and chuckles escaping through his sobs. I looked over at Fred smiled and told him; Dude! You went one up on Spyke. You’ve got big balls and a bigger imagination!
As I passed the cop walking back to Spyke on the bike he asked me, “no one at the station is going to believe me. But if I go back with Fred’s story and a picture of a parrot on my shoulder, they won’t laugh at me too hard and might buy some of it.”
Granting the officer his wish I quickly placed Spyke on his shoulder for that Kodak moment. Then plopped her behind the windscreen, got her wings in the wind, my knees in the breeze and the Fat Bird 3 wheels rolling down the road. Finally making it to the party.”
CHRISTIAN MOTORCYCLISTS ASSOCIATION
Currently, I am riding my second Harley Road Glide. Of course when riding, I see all the different makes and models of the Harley Davidson Motorcycles. Harley is what I like and it makes up part of my style and personality. One day I was down by the ocean in West Palm Beach in the parking lot for the beach. A gentleman who had his motorcycle parked in the spot next to mine spoke to me. He said “If you ever get to upgrade you will get an Indian”. He sure was proud of his Indian and was not afraid to share that with me. Then some time later, I was riding in a small town in central Florida and you will never guess what I saw. Rolling down the road, I saw a Vespa type scooter with a full trike conversion package. It was decked out with a basket and flags. The driver was riding this ride like it was a limousine in a parade. I must admit that I did break out in a laugh.
It is funny to me to think about this and realize that we can easily look at those people who are different from ourselves and begin to see them with a critical or even judgemental eye. I ride a bagger, you ride a scooter, a sport bike, a naked bike, a cafe cruiser, a dirt bike, a trike or even an E-bike. Did I leave anyone out? We all have our reasons for the ride we own. We all have a viewpoint of why my ride is better than yours. We laugh, criticize and think we are joking when we make comments to those who are different. Sometimes the joking is taken lightly and sometimes
they become fighting words. Some groups require certain styles, types, or name brands of motorcycles to even ride with them. I totally understand the unity that comes with the same brand of bikes but, to be judgmental of others can be a real issue.
One of the verses in the Bible that speaks to me and my attitude that I can easily fall into comes from Matthew 7:1-2 “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.“ It is one thing to notice someone different than myself but another to be critical of our differences. I would prefer and suggest that we enjoy and even rejoice in our differences.
Teach’s Takeaway,
- The Lord made us all different for His purpose.
- Let us stop judging and start enjoying one another’s differences.
- The standard that I choose to be judged by is Love.
Quick to judge and quick to speak? If we take the time to see all of God’s creation in all of its diversity, would we look at our fellow biker differently? Ride together, ride safe and ride on.
