Throwing names into the Dunce Cap
From the small office in the back corner,
near the water cooler

January 11th, 2007

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?

The sheer stupidity of this event earns it the right to not only make the editorial, but compel another one much sooner than either you or I are used to. Amazing to think it’s only been eight days since the last editorial, which was in this writer’s humble opinion an essential way to start the year. If you missed it, no temper tantrums will be had and we are still speaking to one another. Well, that is if you go and read it right now.

Trying to keep these meandering musings upbeat and fun, I avoid taking to the soapbox mostly because if there’s anything bikers have more of than miles on the odometer it would be opinions, so you certainly don’t need my two cents. It was with relief then when this week also brought an amazing news moment that one can only hope will catch on and spread across the country like the latest episode of the ongoing Britney Spears scintillations. The good news moment allows the opportunity to not only stay off the soapbox, but put the first event in it’s preposterous perspective using what could be considered as a spectrum of intelligence.


And in the blue corner
Giving us an idea of what the smart end of an intelligence spectrum would look like is the newly formed Riders University out of Camarillo California who are offering to administer ‘scholarship-type certificates for free motorcycle training for those who apply and an automatic opportunity to first-time purchasers of high-powered motorcycles with little or no formal rider training’.

We at Clutch and Chrome have no idea where the university gets its funding or how well the offer of free motorcycle safety training will be implemented, but it’s refreshing to see constructive moves made to further a course as essential to riding as say the bike itself.

The only disappointment of this story would be that it’s limited to Californian would-be riders. Not only does the story highlight something that should be offered free or at the very least, at a low, affordable cost, but it brings motorcycle safety training back into the news.

So now we’ve looked at an example of what would win the Best Motorcycle Moment, a trip over to the dark side of what could be the dumbest.



Trying to find his way to the red corner
For those who saw the news report of Florida politician Representative Carlos Lopez-Cantera's recent police ride-along where he pointed out (in dramatically disgusted fashion) speeding sportbikes on Florida’s southern highways, it was obviously trouble in the making.

Some months later, Florida’s Government is in session and Mr. Lopez-Cantera has proposed a measure that could lead to the forfeiture of motorcycles if riders exceed the speed limit by 50 mph or more or are charged with reckless driving. The measure also could lead to them losing their licenses to ride motorcycles for 10 years, if convicted.

Does Clutch and Chrome, or in the case of this editorial (which never, ever reflects the views of the website) do I condone speeding and stunting on public lives. Certainly not! It’s dangerous to the rider, but more importantly to the other road users. Let’s not even get into how badly it affects the image of bikers everywhere.
 

However, anyone who’s driven on South Florida highways will tell you road users are a collection of unlicensed drivers and an amazing number of those that did bother to pass the DMV test are behind the wheel with suspended licenses. Local insurance agents biggest problem isn’t drivers getting insurance (they’ll pay the first month’s premium in cash if required) but as soon that proof of insurance card arrives in the mail, the monthly policy payment mysteriously stops, resulting in a high number of uninsured drivers. Florida is well-known as a retirement state of course, giving it the largest per capita of drivers who barely manage to see over the steering wheel. Not that it matters, they really can’t see that well anyway and probably hear even less. It’s not all bad however; they certainly drive beautiful and clean cars. Finally, the roads are a melting pot of drivers who are used to not just driving in different states from around the country, but in countries from around the world! As an example of how South Florida earned the nickname ‘the wild west of driving’, in the summer of 2007, the Florida Highway Patrol set up checkpoints to check for valid license and insurance resulting in an astonishing number of tickets for not having one or other, and in some cases, neither. What severe penalties did the law-breaking drivers face? They were written more tickets and sent their merry way.

Representative Carlos Lopez-Cantera leading the pack for Dumbest Motorcycle Moment of 2008

Whenever a tragic traffic accident is reported the offending driver’s record is usually a long list of tickets and suspensions.

But Mr. Lopez-Cantera’s proposed bill doesn’t cover any of these concerns, just those pesky speeding bikers zipping in and out of traffic.

The Miami politician claims the riders are a danger to other drivers, which is partly true although I can’t remember the last news story across the United States, let alone Florida where a motorcyclist killed a driver. I have read one or two, but those stories are drowned out by the numerous bikers killed by oblivious, drunk or simply unlicensed drivers. Taking riders out of the equation all together, there are more stories about drivers who should have never been behind the wheel in the first place, killing other drivers.

Once again, his proposed bill doesn’t address that.

Fortunately, the bill has stalled as the Members of the House’s Committee address concerns about the severity of the punishments in it, but the intention of targeting motorcyclists for an offense that all road users are guilty of is still possible.

The motorcycle action group, ABATE of Florida are protesting the bill as discriminatory and even members on the committee are asking why a statewide law should be imposed for a handful of offenders.

If you would like to express your concerns to Representative Carlos Lopez-Cantera he can be either emailed or contacted by phone in Tallahassee, Florida’s State Capital at (850) 488-4202.

Needless to say, this will be the hottest topic around the Clutch and Chrome offices as we keep an eye on the bills progress.

It’s funny to think that in a strange way Clutch and Chrome should be thankful to Mr. Lopez-Cantera for setting the standard for Dumb Motorcycle Moments. Going with the current political primary mood, we could say Mr. Lopez-Cantera is polling strong for the coveted 2008 award, which every politician naturally aspires to do.

What's not so funny is the thought that he may have some strong competition for the Dumbest Motorcycle Moment of the year, and its only January!

To state the obvious, 2008 is going to be one heck of a ride.

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 25th
Stereotype or Savior. What will motorcycles be for the struggling drivers?
The recent news story about the general attitude of road-users in Connecticut surprised many around the Clutch and Chrome offices. Not because the general feeling was drivers didn’t like bikers. No, we’re used to that.

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.

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.

July 24th, 2007
What every biker has in common with Brad Pitt
It’s not often that Clutch and Chrome has the opportunity to share common interests with world of gossip, stars and glamorous Hollywood.

July 1st, 2007
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.......