Looking back,
glancing forward
From the small office in the back corner,
near the water cooler
May 1st, 2006
It’s been just over
three weeks since Clutch and Chrome
has been ‘live’ on the internet. That is, according to the official
launch date and schedule the Clutch and Chrome staff was working
with. The site itself has been online for a little longer than that
as we decided on some idea’s, tested it’s appearance with different
web-browsers and did all the stuff which needs to be done before you
let the whole world know a website is there. Surprisingly enough,
and as quiet as we kept the project, there were a number of daily
visitors during the early days who saw the building blocks fall into
place to become what it is now.
That’s not to
say this is our finished product. Far from it!
It’s ironic that
this website is about motorcycles and all the related nuances since
there are so many comparisons that can be made between the two.
Here’s just a few;
We’re going that away!
Unless you’re in a
large group,
a ride consists mostly of a general idea of where you want to go.
Within reason, Clutch and Chrome has pretty much been the same. Of
course we knew there were certain core items which made up
the concept of what the website would be which had to be delivered
as easily and concisely as possible. But a few ideas were put to one
side for the time being, while others were written off completely.
Interesting idea’s never even thought of came out along the way of
finishing the different sections.
An example of
this is the convenient link at the bottom of our news
stories, articles, reviews and rides to recommend that particular
page to a friend. If you think Billy Bob would get a kick out of the
Supercross DVD review, click the
‘Send this to a friend’ link, enter his email address (yours too
so he knows who sent it) and send it on it’s way!
Motorcycle doesn’t necessarily mean Harley
Just as Harley and motorcycle aren’t interchangeable what we at
Clutch and Chrome thought would be ‘no-brainers’ were met with
lukewarm responses. Knowing there are websites that charge to list
motorcycle clubs along with a growing number of bikers looking for
like-minded people to ride with, having the different clubs around
the country submit their information for our database seemed the
least of our worries. We’ve had the opportunity to add some
wonderful clubs to our database and would encourage anyone looking
for an organization to ride with to contact them. But it wasn’t the
number initially expected and we feel the readers to Clutch and
Chrome are somehow being shortchanged. Well, as shortchanged as you
can be with a free website.
The motorcycle
club database is growing at a steady pace and hopefully the readers
of Clutch and Chrome will pass along the web address of the
submission page to any local clubs they may know.
We’ve all been
surprised at how quickly things add up as the website has been
updated on a daily basis. Already filing and publishing over a
hundred and twenty news stories raised a smile, especially since
a majority of them contain links to other related items or relevant
webpages. Adding the capability of
RSS and
XML news feeds for those
webophiles that get their daily news with newsreaders, was
something never really considered but made perfect sense when the
idea was brought up.
Another feature
initially put in place as an informational service seems to be
turning into so much more with our first special published about
motorcycle bloggers written by motorcycle bloggers. Like the very
foundation of enjoying motorcycles, whether it be as a gearhead or
just a rider, the biker blogger adds so much to the
two-wheeled community Clutch and Chrome is honored to be part of
raising awareness.
Indeed, with
more and more blogs added to our directory a special icon was added
to help the Clutch and Chrome Reader easily see the newest
additions. Don’t think we’re done with the
Blog Directory, there are few
things being put in place which will not only make using the
directory more convenient for you but also beneficial for the
bloggers themselves.
While on the
subject of emailing, we’d ask and even encourage you to email your
friends any of the articles, news stories, reviews or bike nights
featured on our website. Even just sending out an email to five of
your riding buddies with a link to the main page of Clutch and
Chrome would not only help to spread the
word, but let them in on something you obviously enjoy.
After all, isn’t
that what riding is all about?
Enjoy!
The Editor
Past
Editorials
July 18th
The only thing missing is an
engine The day
this editorial is being written, aside from the
motorcycle deaths and endless riders who insist on
trying to outrun law enforcement at triple digit speed,
no notable news stories have crossed the desks of Clutch
and Chrome. Although both types of stories are tragic in
their own particular way, we have long decided to run
neither for a variety of reasons.
June 23rd
Fixing political mistakes with
good old fashion biker sense
It
was the best of times, it was the worst of times.
Charles Dickens opened his novel ‘A Tale of Two Cities’
with that seemingly contrary sentence. Even though the
famous British author wrote his contemporary stories
during England’s Victorian Era, the sentiments could be
about bikers in Anytown USA, here and now.
April 10th
Welcome to our new home
Sure it may look like we've knocked out a few walls
or something as extreme as adding a whole
new wing, but its amazing what a little bit of
paint, some well-placed plants and a new set of
curtains can do.
March 20th
American Idol, frontier of biker's
rights? So American Idol’s Queen
of rock is gone. Long live the queen. This editorial is
being written the day after Amanda Overmyer was asked by the
viewing voters to hop on her Sportster and ride off into the
graphically-enhanced, blue back-lit Fox sunset.
March 5th, 2008
Thankfully, life isn't a
bumper sticker
The bumper sticker, whose quick phrase put a smile on
drivers faces or could solve any of life’s problems, seemed
to infect every car on the road with its humor, wit and
thought provoking slogans has become a rare sight in recent
years.
February 11th, 2008
Passion or Possession? How can a person
not love motorcycles? Understanding that this editorial is
appearing the pages of Clutch and Chrome, the absolutely
free online resource for riders, I’m pretty much preaching
to the choir. Regardless, don’t you catch yourself asking
the same question?
January 11th, 2008
Throwing names into the Dunce
Cap
With Clutch and Chrome’s
Best
and Worst of 2007 just recently published, the morning
meetings which ran into afternoons and occasionally finished over
drinks are still fresh in everyone’s minds around the office. It’s not surprising then to read every
news story that finds it’s way onto the pages of Clutch and Chrome
with an eye to what will be nominated, and possibly win next years
awards. But who would’ve thought that just ten days into the
new year we’d not only be reading, but for some possibly living, a
shoo in for Dumbest motorcycle moment of 2008?
January 2nd, 2008
Riding one big bottle-rocket
into 2008 Like trying on a
new pair of jeans in one of those trendy boutique clothing
stores with too many younger shoppers looking on, we find
ourselves awkwardly in a brand new year wishing it would fit
better and the whole episode just didn’t feel so weird.
December 20th, 2007
Like looking in a mirror
One of the biggest ironies must be
that of the holiday season and the biker.
In many ways, your average rider has so many similarities to the big
man and his magical visit that children the world over look forward
too.
November 29th, 2007
Santa Claus and Cynics Who needs any
reindeer or the silly red suit? Okay, maybe the suit isn’t
so silly and surely enough bikers will tell you that well
insulated Santa attire is just what the bike-doctor ordered
for your upcoming local and possibly cold Toy Run. It
even looks good when you make the local paper and for some,
it’s the rare occasion a color other than black can be worn
while riding.
November 2nd, 2007
Facing down destiny with a Podcast
The road ahead is lit by sunlight
streaming through dark, looming storm clouds. It’s not just the
turning of the season bringing a chill to the heavy lying air.
Bikers are riding across the Great Plains of life straight towards a
menacing storm front, stretching for as far as the eye can see.
September 25th, 2007
Trying to ignore the sound of crashing celebrities
So it had been weeks in the making, between the first few
thoughts, organizing them into some kind of order and then
typing it all out. Everything was looking
great.
It was a deep introspective into our riding world, what
bikers are facing, possible consequences and most
importantly how we as a group will face them.
The new darling of advertisers everywhere There is no doubt the humble
motorcycle is experiencing a wave of popularity and
acceptance across all sections of society. Our riding
brothers of yesteryear who were at best judged and at worst
actively discriminated against could only watch in amazement
at how beloved bikers and their machines have become.
June 11th, 2007
Riding gear,
new look and life lessons I know, I know,
certainly a lot of road to cover in one trip, but it has
been two months since the last editorial so it’s
understandable having a lot to write about.
April 3rd, 2007
Our big
screen
biker brothers..... After
nearly a year of the first inklings the demonic motorcycle
daredevil would burst onto the big screen, and a shorter six
months of build-up for the all-star comedic biker-buddy
movie, both Ghost Rider and Wild Hogs are quickly fading
into movie history.
March12th, 2007
Perfection over passion Although
this editorial may at first feel the furthest from
motorcycles and the people who love to ride them, I’d ask
for indulgence and patience while we go around the houses
eventually getting to the point.
February 2nd, 2007
The
fresh smell of fines in the air The first
month of the New Year is still fresh in our minds and
already the world of riding is greeted with gainsaying.
December 26th, 2006
Why Bikers are dogs Admittedly
it’s a loaded and possibly inflammatory headline, open to a
range of interpretations. But before all the female readers
have their heads fall off from nodding in agreement with much
enthusiasm, don’t jump ahead of me.
November 12th, 2006
Politics on
Two Wheels
Just when you thought there
would be a sanctuary from the endless stream of political
reporting, electoral Monday morning quarterbacks and analysis
of the analysis which picked apart the original analysis,
here’s an editorial which should be about motorcycles but
instead references the mid-term elections.
October 23rd, 2006
Riding with a
bullseye on the back
There are
always signs. This editorial isn't about the ones that stand on the
side of the road which help various vehicles navigate the
endless roads of this great country.
September 20th, 2006
Changes
and perspectives
It's always a hard making a decision
for change, with the degree's of difficulty usually corresponding
with how much it impacts your life.
August 19th, 2006
Two
sides Of the
Worlds Coin
A quick informal survey around the
cyber-office has all the staff of Clutch and Chrome admitting the
same thing. Everyone is crazy about motorcycles. Sure some may lean,
if you'll excuse the pun to one kind or even one brand of bike, but
all in all if it's moves, is motorized and has two wheels, we're
interested.
July 26th, 2006
Life is like A sharp blind curve
I always find the
best friendships are those built on complete understanding
and upfront honesty. Certain buddies are quite happy with
riding once a month while others look forward to weekly
mini-excursions. Being the easy-going biker types and not
pushing anyone for more than they're willing to give has our
circle of friends happily wearing smiles and enjoying life.
June 16th, 2006
Limited run only!!! Tragic news and
moral outrage
The last week just goes to
show that any type of momentum, regardless of how strong it
may appear is stoppable and maybe even reversible. But
before we get to the conclusion, lets baby-step our way
through the connecting dots.
May 1st 2006
Looking back, glancing forward
It’s been just over three weeks since
Clutch and Chrome has been
‘live’ on the internet. That is, according to the official
launch date and schedule the Clutch and Chrome staff was
working with.......
April 1st 2006
A note from the Editor I’m honored to be the first to welcome you to
Clutch and Chrome, a
website devoted to news, information, facts and figures
about motorcycles for those who love to ride them.......
Looking back,
