Our big
screen
biker brothers.....
From the small office in the back corner,
near the water cooler
April 3rd, 2007
Warning! This editorial has possible spoilers about the
movies Wild Hogs and
Ghost Rider. Bear this in mind
if you haven’t seen them yet.
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.
How did
the movies sit with the riding public for both entertainment
and how they portrayed, well, ‘us’?
Unlike the
articles which grace the pages of Clutch and Chrome,
this column isn’t meticulously fact-checked, nor is the
information drawn from a wide range of sources. Nope, it
comes from a few quiet moments in an otherwise hectic day,
whatever real-life examples can be brought together and even
fewer thoughts I can remember.
Knowing
that I would somehow be writing about the movies, whether it
was here or over at our review section, my opinions were
kept quietly to myself when the subject came up with
friends. This helped collect views that ran a gamut of
comments some of which would embarrass the most hardened of
professional movie reviewers, and not necessarily from
obscene language or hard-hitting talk. No the Eberts of the
critical world would be rightfully ashamed that they didn’t
have the insight, depth and honesty that came from a variety
of bikers.
Most
impressively, none of the bikers took the comedy too
seriously, nor were they offended by the buffoonery that
built the foundation of
Wild Hogs. Some were happy
the script made fun of hardcore bikers as well as their
weekend warrior brethren. I can’t even begin to tell you
what a relief it was not to have bikers nitpick the lack of
some riding realities in scenes that were obviously from the
minds of writers who have evidently never even seen a
motorcycle, let alone understand the physics around riding
on two wheels. Since it wasn’t overheard in the theaters or
mentioned at any of the biker nights, I speak for the biking
community when I say; Movie writers everywhere, there are
these things called gravity and balance that can really
screw up a great ride and best ‘buddy’ intentions. Respect
them, heaven knows we do!
An
interesting theory thrown around was the scene that could’ve
had two meanings. When the four first enter what seems to be
the town’s only diner, locals treat them with caution and
even a little fear. The obvious point was to show how afraid
everyone was of the evil marauding biker gang rampaging
their way through the movie, but some felt it was an example
of how a part of the public still treat riders in this age
of apparent two-wheeled acceptance.
Everyone
agreed that the passion of riding and yearning to leave life
behind, living day by day out on the open road was captured
perfectly, even if we all know it’s the impossible dream.
Surely the most adventurous of two-wheeled movie-goers had
to cringe when the four main characters all threw away their
cellphones. But again, this scene prompted great
conversation with riders from the days before the
convenience of cellphones talking about heading out with
only change in your pocket for a payphone, which led to
other wonderful stories about riding in the good old days, making time fly by before we all
hit the road again.
The
more observant readers may’ve noticed
Ghost Rider hasn’t really
been mentioned. Since not even the actors seemed to be
taking their movie seriously, why should I?
It was an
interesting movie with some amazing special effects (although I’m sure I’ve seen CGI fire done better somewhere
before) but how it relates to everyday riding is more of a
stretch. Unless you know someone who has, and can ride a
flaming chopper without harm to themselves or others it’s
hard to connect any dots. Call me sheltered but I don’t have
any stunt riders in my circle of friends who have made a
pact with the devil. Maybe I‘m not going to the right bike
nights?
On a very positive side
note, only three movies have managed to gross over $100
million domestically at the box office, Wild Hogs and Ghost
Rider being
two of those! This is a
great pat on the leathered back since critics were less than
complimentary about either movie.
Will this
success lead to more biker-based movies? I would like to
think so, but only if it doesn’t become formulaic
stereotyping, where one size fits all. Similar to the rut
motorcycles have found themselves on television. There are a
million stories to tell about a variety of riders who ride
a range of motorcycles.
And let's be honest, whether
its television or movies, when you start with the passion
that's known as riding it's always going to be an incredible
story.
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.......
Our big
screen
biker brothers.....
The
more observant readers may’ve noticed
