Why bikers are like dogs
From the small office in the back corner,
near the water cooler
December 26th, 2006
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.
This
comparison appeals to the better side of both mans best friend
as well as the roads best buddy, the dog and the biker.
Our four
legged companion is known for enthusiastically greeting its
owner and even complete strangers with the excitement and joy
as if it were the first person they’d ever met. It’s not
happiness for a treat but usually just a kind word or scratch
behind the ear.
As we all
know, unfortunately some of these lovable canines are abused
either physically or mentally by owners that seemingly get a
thrill out of harming a defenseless animal. Amazingly enough,
a dog’s temperament or love for humans is only affected in the
most extreme cases of abuse. Usually the dog still carries
endearing enthusiasm for those strange two legged creatures,
bounding to greet them at the door or wag their tail when
meeting in the street.
This is
where the similarities lie.
As
with dogs, bikers too have big hearts willing to help fellow
riders without expectations of any kind of reward other than a
nod. It only takes two riders to realize they can raise money
for a needy cause or maybe a fallen fellow biker, and suddenly
hundreds of their closest friends are riding somewhere or
buying raffle tickets. This is demonstrated throughout the
year in special events or to coincide with rallies across the
country.
But there
is no season where a biker’s big heart and seemingly unlimited
generosity is so obvious than Christmas time. Toy Runs that
range in size from 10 motorcycles to over 30,000 happen
countless times in all types of weather on every kind of
bike.
Yet these
are the same riders who are treated with suspicion,
stereotyped and singled out by the public and law officials
alike. Some cities won’t welcome them while others even
entertain banning the very fundraising events themselves.
Even though
the bikers experience all of this and read the various forms
of criticisms, they still jump forward undeterred to raise
money for victims of various diseases, toys for children or
anyone less fortunate than themselves. Like the faithful
hound, they step up to do right by those who can’t do it on
their own.
How many of
us have ridden through freezing nights or pouring rain to be
at an event we knew was raising money for a good cause? Its
not done looking for treats or personal gain, but because its
right. Afterwards we get on with our lives, mental tail
wagging away with self-appreciation.
For all the
humor that can be taken from the headline, or insinuations
made by our better halves about other relevant comparisons to
man’s best friends, maybe being compared to a dog isn’t such a
bad thing.
Happy
Holidays from ours to yours as we send you the Christmas wish
of many safe and enjoyable rides for 2007.
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.......
Why bikers are like dogs
This
comparison appeals to the better side of both mans best friend
as well as the roads best buddy, the dog and the biker. 
As
with dogs, bikers too have big hearts willing to help fellow
riders without expectations of any kind of reward other than a
nod. It only takes two riders to realize they can raise money
for a needy cause or maybe a fallen fellow biker, and suddenly
hundreds of their closest friends are riding somewhere or
buying raffle tickets. This is demonstrated throughout the
year in special events or to coincide with rallies across the
country. 