Vol.2 - Issue 10 - The Moto Scout

CHASING THE RIDE

The new year presents us all with the opportunity to kick-start our purpose. Let’s do this!

Here’s to the new year and new adventures!

Friendly tip:

Start your new year right. Check your insurance now and make sure you have uninsured/underinsured coverage on your motorcycle. If you think you don’t need it, you’ve been given bad advice. We welcome you to call us for a free insurance review. We don’t sell insurance (we sue them), but we can help make sure you have the right coverage now.

It’s just one way we work to help riders be safer on the road. In this case, safety means getting the right coverage so if an accident happens –and the other driver has no insurance – you’re still covered.

If the worst happens on the road, call Rider Justice.

Chasing the Ride Scott O’Sullivan

THE MOTO SCOUT CHRIS TEIS

Mediocrity is a premature death while you are still breathing.

A lot of people choose to drink mediocre coffee and live a mediocre life. At Kids & Cobras, we roast specialty coffee & design goods that inspire you to live a courageous life without regrets.

Editor LEtter From Sam & The K&C Crew

V2. 10.

Collecting Stories about People who love motorcycles & Coffee.

Slow Mag is our unique way of inviting you to slow down and enjoy that brew. With a heavy emphasis on photography, each issue captures the sexuality, danger, rebellion, freedom, and adventure that motorcycles bring to our lives.

This month our friends over at Dirt Culture took over the storytelling components. Dirt Culture is one of those brands of same heart and mind with a passion that helps us discover what unites us in these times rather than separates and divides us.

So pause. Sip some coffee. & Enjoy!

Ride Fast Drink Slow -

Motorcycle Rider Justice

@motorcycleriderjustice

Sam Wake @samwake_

Brock Junak @brockjunak

Scott O’Sullivan @scottosull

Sean Benesh @seanbenesh

Slow Mag @readslowmag

Kids & Cobras @kidsandcobras

Genuine Origin @genuineorigin

The most important quote I heard in 2022 was,

- David Mamet

A magazine is a unique myriad of photos, designs, and words coming together to tell a story. This makes it cool. What makes it even cooler is when it doesn’t have to be perfect. Perfect is overrated. We are aiming for honesty instead.

With a magazine, instead of scrolling past pictures you get to hold them in your hands and enjoy them. The paper is a tangible reminder that you are here. The words bring you into the mind of the writer in ways video simply cannot. There is not a single movie out there that has ever been as good as the book they based it on because movies can’t explore what the characters are thinking and feeling the same way a book can.

With a magazine, there will be no pop-up that says give us your email, and we will give you 15% off your first order. No hecklers or notification distractions. No algorithm telling you what you like and what you should buy.

It’s Just you, a piece of literature... and hopefully, a cup of coffee.

Slow Mag is an ongoing publication that celebrates the life we love to live. It’s for the thinkers and drinkers who don’t want to waste a minute of the precious life they have been given. Slow is an invitation to slow down and enjoy the brew. A challenge to Slow down and enjoy your life.

“Do not internalize the industrial model. You are not one of the myriads of interchangeable pieces but a unique human being, and if you’ve got something to say, say it, and think well of yourself while your learning to say it better.

THE MOTO SCOUT

Chris Teis

Let’s start with an introduction! Who are you? Where are you from? Where are you living currently?

I’m Chris. I was born on Long Island in Mineola, New York, and I grew up where I currently live in Monmouth County, New Jersey, on the Central Jersey Coast.

How have motorcycles impacted your life?

Motorcycles have become a part of me in so many ways. It is where I feel most alive and connected to the world, and it has enriched my life through the adventure and people it introduced me to. When I needed an outlet, riding became a way for me to unwind, recenter, and clear my head.

What was your first motorcycle? Why did you start riding?

I did the typical dirt bike thing as a kid, but I was always interested in Motorcycles. It wasn’t until I was in my 30s that I really began to think about riding. My father-in-law had this old 1983 Kawasaki 440 sitting in a garage, and he just offered it to me on a whim. I took the written test at the local DMV and started riding al-

most every day, even at first. After about 6 months of riding, I took a local MSF course and never looked back.

What’s the most memorable ride you have been on?

It’s so hard to pinpoint one ride in particular because I ride every day, but I guess I would have to say the latest trip I went on alone was the most memorable to me. I recently made a 4,000-mile trip on my 2019 Indian Scout Bobber. I rode from New Jersey to Florida, making stops for different moto events and meetups along the way. Being on the road for 12 days straight and heading to a different location almost every day was exciting and, in many ways, life-changing. The day I was supposed to leave, I became overwhelmed with heaviness. While I was going to stop and spend some time with two of my daughters, who are currently in college in Florida, how could I just leave all my responsibilities behind, including my wife and two kids, at home? Was I being selfish? My wife, Christina, looked at me, sensing the tension inside me, and said, “You need to let yourself do this. I support you 100%, and I’m looking forward to seeing how this will impact you.” I realize now that it was just fear. Fear of the unknown.

Fear of failure. Fear that maybe I would get what I was looking for and regret it all together. I’m so thankful for a partner who wouldn’t let me talk myself out of it or give me one single reason to quit. I think one of the best gifts I received from that trip was perspective and gratitude. It reminded me how good my life is and how awesome and beautiful the world is. I’m still processing all the memories, and I have so many stories to tell.

Also, I have to say this past year, I took two trips to Africa for work. While I was on a layover in Zurich, Switzerland, I called up a local Indian dealership and asked if they had a bike I could rent for the day. They were so kind to me and gave me a brand new Indian Chief to ride for the day. I spent the afternoon in the Swiss countryside cruising around beautiful farms and lakes in a place I had never been before in my life. All I could do was smile and take it all on. That was a good day and one I’ll remember for the rest of my life.

Start small. Use the tools available to you. If you really want to do it, you won’t need to spend a lot of money.

What advice would you give people who want to start riding but don’t know where to start?

I didn’t have less fun on the bike I was given for free, and in many ways, if I hadn’t started with it, I may not have learned the lessons I needed along the way that made me who I am now. Read and watch content about the motorcycle world. Learn as much as you can. Take a safety course. For about $350, a helmet, boots, and gloves, you can learn how to ride without even owning a bike.

Is there a trip, ride, or event you dream of taking??

There are two that I’m currently planning. A friend and I plan to ride to Alaska from New Jersey next year if we can make it happen. Just saying it scares me a little, but I’m excited to be making plans.

I also really want to ride from South Africa to Zambia, and I’ve been making plans to do that in the near future. I’ve been there many times for work, but I’ve not had the chance to ride a motorcycle through those countries yet.

I got married young, and we had 4 kids before I was

What are some of the obstacles and challenges you have faced that have helped you become who you are today?

30. I had to grow up fast and learn to give up a lot, but I wouldn’t do it any differently. I would choose my life 1,000 times over because while many people my age weren’t doing too much, they would be currently proud of or even remember I was learning life lessons that have made me stronger and better for it. I’m glad I’m still relatively young and can enjoy life while I’ve been equipped with the experience and wisdom that being a father gifts you. I’m truly humbled and grateful for the journey I’ve been on and where it has taken me in life.

Can you share a quote or an idea that has helped guide you in your journey?

My Dad passed away in 2020, and it rocked my world and caused me to reevaluate a lot. Something he said to me stays with me wherever I go… “Life is far more about who you are than where you go and what you do. If you are who you are supposed to be, where you go and what you do will have greater value to you and everyone else in your life. Focus on being who you are first, and the other details will come.”

I remember you mentioning that you were given an opportunity to ride and review for BMW. Tell us

more about that! What do you think of the R18?

Recently, I connected with the PR guys at BMW Motorrad kind of randomly. I didn’t know BMW Motorrad Headquarters were in my state, but I was invited to come up to visit and offered an opportunity to test out a few bikes. The first one I received was the BMW R18 B. It’s the first bagger I’ve had the opportunity to spend a lot of time with, and I’m enjoying the experience. I think the bike is so well designed and has a lot to offer to those who love to tour. It’s full of power, and the design is a work of art. I still can’t believe it’s sitting in my garage, and I look forward to making some content with a full review on my Youtube channel.

What’s your day job?

I’m a pastor. I spent 10 years in Philadelphia, starting a school and working with inner-city youth after graduating from college, and meeting my now wife, who was from Philly. We loved working with the youth and found it so enriching pouring our lives into them. 12 years ago, I got a call from the church I grew up in as a kid asking if I would consider coming there and serving that community. I said no to the offer twice because I couldn’t see myself going back home and leaving the

city I loved so much and the kids I spent so long investing in. I reluctantly but eventually took the offer, and the first year there was the worst of my life. I felt like a complete failure as a husband, father, and in life in general, but we stuck with it, and truly it is the best thing I could have done. I get to serve a community, help people, and do it with the people I love the most in this world.

You mentioned that you have kids. What do they think of your life on two wheels?

At first, I think they thought it was a fad, but that it was cool I was interested in it. My three daughters love to ride on the back of the bike and are ready to go on any adventure I’ll take them on. Having two adult girls in college now, a son getting ready to graduate high school, and my youngest daughter in high school as well, I’m pretty sure they will be riding on their own very soon, but I love taking them with me on daily rides, and longer adventures. I think, in many ways, it has brought us closer together as a family.

Scott O’Sullivan

Chasing The Ride

Let’s start with an introduction! Who are you? Where are you from? Where are you living currently?

My name is Scott O’Sullivan, and I’m originally from Tewksbury, New Jersey. I live in Denver, Colorado, which I have called home for over 30 years.

How did you end up becoming a lawyer?

This is going to sound corny, but I am definitely one of those people who went into law to help people. I am very justice-minded. I care very much about equality and everyone having a fair shot at life. So, being a lawyer felt like a good way to fight for justice.

My path, though, took me on a random route, as many people’s paths do! I started in the insurance industry, fighting to protect insurance companies from claims. Can you even imagine? Looking back, it’s like I worked in the lion’s den, trying to protect the LION from the sheep! I hated it. But, it gave me a great perspective for what I do now, which is personal injury law. After I saw how the insurance com -

panies treated their own clients, the people who PAY THEM to protect them in the event of a catastrophe, I just couldn’t bear it anymore. I left that industry and started protecting the people instead of the corporations.

Today, I have my own practice, The O’Sullivan Law Firm. You’ve probably never heard of me. I’m not one of those flashy billboard lawyers. I have a small firm, and I purposely keep it small because I want to give every client my time and care. (And, if I may be so bold, we are REALLY good at what we do! I think it all comes back to that justice mindset that I was born with.)

So you own a law firm focused on helping the moto community. Tell us more about it!

Oh my gosh, where do I begin? First of all, I grew up riding motorcycles, so I have this innate love for bikes, the lifestyle, and the people. But, going back to my justice goals I described – motorcycle riders often get screwed by the system. There are so many stereotypes out there about riders, and, when they get hit by cars, they are often blamed. And I find that reality extremely upsetting.

So, after one horrific accident in which I had an extremely tragic conversation with the father of a young motorcyclist who had died, I decided I needed to up my game. I had to fight harder.

I created Rider Justice to make it 100% clear that I

fight for bikers’ rights. But… we also have a lot of fun along the way. Obviously, I think it’s important to be here when riders are in their hour of need, but it’s equally important to celebrate the life and events that draw us together. So through Rider Justice, I sponsor and host events all over the place. Especially in our home base of Colorado, such as at the Four Corners Motorcycle Rally and the Holiday Moto Experience, but also in other states we serve, such as the Smoky Mountain Small Bore Rally, Devilstone Run, and the Overland Expo series (AZ, OR, VA, CO). There are dozens and dozens of smaller events I support as well. We’re all over the place, hanging out with and supporting riders.

But my number one goal is to make sure bikers have the insurance they need (we have to protect ourselves because drivers aren’t paying attention, and so many don’t bother to even carry insurance at all). And, if someone gets hurt in a motorcycle accident, I fight like hell to get them every dime they deserve. They deserve justice.

What do you love about your job?

People! I love the team I’ve put together at my firm and at Rider Justice. I love getting to know my clients, who are usually just great folks. Really, I care deeply about people, and I think it shows in my work.

You mentioned how there are times when you work on a case that can really weigh on your soul. What are some of those difficult cases, and how do you face that challenges?

Honestly, the worst days involve death. You go into law thinking about all the people you help, but there

are really dark days when you have to step in and help a family grieving the absolute worst experiences imaginable.

Just this year, at the end of the summer, I was hired for several wrongful death motorcycle cases. This is when a motorcyclist is killed through no fault of his or her own. Just… one day they are here, and the next day they are gone. All because a driver wasn’t paying attention or was being outright negligent. One of these cases involved a daughter that was only 20 years old. Another was a husband and wife who left behind two kids. It’s an unimaginable loss.

This is where my being a lawyer is a true vocation and not just a job for me. Whenever I am entrusted with these cases, I feel deeply responsible to the surviving family members. I try to provide an empathetic ear with as much grace and respect for the families as I can while being as aggressive with the at-fault driver as possible. But with any death, there is no amount of justice that can make the situation right. Sometimes I just need to get away from it all and spend a day in the mountains and get my feet wet in a river so that I can clear my mind.

Your brand really stands out. At first, we thought Rider Justice was a lifestyle brand, not a law firm. Tell us more about Rider Justice’s involvement in the moto community.

Yeah, you can’t hear me laughing now, but I am. I do love the motorcycle lifestyle. So Rider Justice has

leaned all the way into the fun stuff – the rides, the rallies, the people. Maybe the law stuff became the red-headed step-child! If all you see is the Instagram account (@motorcycleriderjustice), you might not notice right away that we are a law firm, but we do drop in bits of wisdom along to help riders.

Throughout it all, though, we’ve tried to help bikers make sure they have enough insurance. Again, this is so critical because drivers don’t pay attention, and they definitely don’t carry enough insurance to cover the damage they do to riders. I could really get on a roll with this topic. Also, we try to get the word out on our channels and through non-profits like BikerDown, that we are here to help. I have visited riders and their families at home, in the hospital… anywhere they want me. Those first few days and weeks after an accident are terrifying. And the insurance companies are like vultures, trying to make victims talk so they can trap them with their own words. I just want to make sure these good people get the care and compensation they deserve. So this is a moto-themed magazine which means at some point, we have to talk about motorcycles. How have motorcycles impacted your life?

I started riding motorcycles and really anything with two wheels around my family’s farm in New Jersey when I was a kid. (Yes, there are farms in New Jersey!) I had several friends that rode motorcycles growing up, and unfortunately, when I was in my 20s, my friend Marc died on his motorcycle. He was riding on a beautiful country road when either a deer

jumped out in front of him, or some other freak incident caused him to hit a tree and die. This was what started me on my path to helping riders and their families.

What was your first motorcycle?

My first motorcycle was not really a motorcycle; it was a Benelli G2. I was 14 or 15 years old, and I rode that thing all over rural New Jersey on the back county roads from small town to a small town. It was my first real taste of freedom, and I’ve loved riding ever since.

What’s the most memorable ride you have been on?

My most memorable ride was on the Greek island of Serifos a few years ago with four other friends. We spent hours riding along the coast and up and over the mountains of this amazing island.

Can you share a quote or an idea that has helped guide you in your journey?

My mom was quite an inspiration in my life. She was a volunteer extraordinaire. Because of her, I think my personal motto might be summed up

in this quote: “Can I do more to help?” If you’re always asking questions, you can show up and be who people need in their lives.

What advice would you give people who want to start riding but don’t know where to start?

I would absolutely make sure you do the following:

#1 Take a riding class. No questions - just do it. Experienced riders would also benefit from taking advanced classes.

#2 Take an accident scene management class or trauma class of some kind. We host these multiple times a year, and they are especially valuable if you tend to go on group rides.

#3 Get the right gear. I know it’s a choice in many states, but please, please wear a helmet.

#4 Get the right motorcycle insurance coverage. I don’t sell the stuff, but I sue them all the time. Anyone can call me, and I will help you so you can talk to your agent to get what you need.

Is there a trip, ride, or event you dream of taking? I would love to ride a motorcycle around Ireland and Scotland. I would strap some fly fishing gear to the bike and just go from river to river.

What does the future hold for Rider Justice?

I just want to continue celebrating the community and helping riders all over the country, one person at a time.

Single Origin

ETHIOPIA Guji Natural Review

Photos By Sean benesh

veloped in the 1970s at the Jimma Agricultural Research Center from trees found in the Metu-Bishari for est. They were chosen based on yield and coffee berry disease resistance and share similar characteristics in their compact sizes.

The Guji region came into the spotlight in the early 2000s when it was discovered that coffee from Guji exhibited unique and distinctive characters that set it apart from its Yirgacheffe and Sidamo neighbors. The landscape is semi-forest, and the coffee trees benefit from the natural canopy and the decomposing foliage debris.

The variety of microclimates within

About the Coffee:

“When the soil is rich with a blanket of natural humus along the forest floor, coffee trees don’t need much to thrive and grow. This Organic Guji G2 from the Taro Washing Station was grown organically across a large farm and multiple small outgrowers in the East Guji Zone at 2,000-2,150masl, where around 18,000 tons of coffee are produced each year.

Handpicked harvests last from mid-October - mid-December, when over 2,000 workers are employed to comb through the trees.

The two varietals in this Organic Guji G2, 74110 and 74112, were selectively de-

Guji alone encourages the development of diverse flavor profiles that present beautifully as both filter and espresso coffee.”

- Genuine Origin

Well there you have it! Coffee is truly an amazing product and this Ethiopia has a fascinating history. This is the highest elevation coffee Kids & Cobras has sold in awhile and we are really stoked about it.

Good times since 2006. WWW.BILTWELLINC.COM @BILTWELL

AARON MASON ARCTIC CIRCLE, ALASKA