On trashing Bikers: My experience at a Biker's Funeral changed my view

[zulchzulu]

McCain was at Sturgis and tried to make it somehow some kind of campaign issue.

He FAILED again. He cheapened his wife and was surreal in his speech about energy while wanting bikers to rev their engines as some kind of "solution".

That's like asking a hiker to take a shit in his tent.

Whatever... the point is that I know that a LOT of people who are bikers who go to places like Sturgis do an incredible amount of work and fundraising for kids.

I learned this a couple years ago when I was invited to someone's funeral who had been a biker for many years. The biker was a guy who died way too young of colon cancer. He had raised a beautiful family, worked diligently on his 100 year old home to make it perfect. OK, it was perfect for them. The guy went to Sturgis every year for years. Being a Vietnam vet, he had a lot of buddies who served with him at his funeral.

He wanted to be cremated and wanted his ashes in a soup can at his funeral. The can was there with a picture of him at Sturgis giving the finger to the photographer taped on the can.

What he had done in his life over the years was raise thousands and thousands of dollars with his buddies on fundraisers for poor kids and those that needed help while going through some rough patches in life.

The funeral reception at his home was jam packed with people from all walks of life. We all laughed at his dark humor decision to have his ashes in that can. The can was going to be carried at the next Sturgis event and the ashes were to be spread at various locations there and along the way.

By the way, all of the people there were very comfortable with discussing how they hated Bush.

[pinto]

Bikers locally do a toys for tots type ride each Christmas. Reminds me to look beyond the surface,

or blanket assumptions about folks. We are often too quick to judge and slow to listen.

[proud2BlibKansan]

1. It's a big biker tent

I can tell you just as many stories about bikers harassing peace activists at anti-war marches.

[zulchzulu]

3. Absolutely... but...

Yes, there are the NRA types that fall into the category we shall call a little mad, but they are a minority.

Most bikers just like to bike in cool places and are willing to do good things.

[Raine1967]

2. I am pissed that McCain't

showed up there and acted like bikers are all supportive of his inane childish policies.
I know Bikers from all over the political spectrum. McCain is no friend to bikers.

Asking that crowd to rev their engines was REALLY idiotic, considering the dire need we are supposed to have for our precious oil reserves. yeah.. that was somwhat sarcastic. Somewhat. do you think for a minute that 50 thousand bikers do understand about the importance of checking your tire pressure?

[spag68]

4. Tire pressure

I've been riding since 1954 and I can tell you that when you are on two wheels as opposed to four, tire pressure is not only for fuel economy. It is about your life, as an under inflated tire will let you down, and I do mean down, quicker then you can correct. I check more often then I need to, as the old tires and tubes were much less reliable then today's are. A bike that is ridden daily, probably can get by with once a week. If it's not ridden regularly, then before every ride is better. Just my opinion.

[Ron Green]

5. There are also many people who raise money for poor kids without pissing off

residents of neighborhoods who just want some peace and quiet.

[Jay Landsman]

6. Amen

Bikers probably represent the same cross-section as any other group. Some are awesome people (like the guy you mentioned). Some are assholes. Most are probably somewhere in between.

I think it's important that we all take pride in not judging someone just on one superficial characteristic.