Get Well Trev

I caught a bit of KT Did's broadcast this morning just after getting into work and she mentioned a blog that she came across about a bloke called Andrew, a motorcycle jounalist/writer. It is about his recovery from a life changing motorcycle accident - it makes for interesting reading and is very inspirational seeing him work through his rehabilitation on his path of return to a very different way of life.

Pop on over and offer your encouragement to him - I know I will be - Get Well Trev.

MBI Riders Choice Awards

Voting for the 2007 MBI Riders Choice Awards is now open - go here to register your vote.

New Header

I have added a feature to my header which allows me to vary the header picture on each page load - provides a little more variation and allows me to show off some of the boys bikes. Refresh this page and watch the image change.

The tool that I used can be found at www.imagerotation.com

What is a biker??

I was just reading an interesting blog by two American guys living in Japan and stumbled across their definitions of what a biker is....

Stinger's version....

The short answer to the question "what's a biker?" A biker is not just one who owns a motorcycle. There are numerous people who own multiple bikes, but never ride them. A biker is someone who owns and rides a motorcycle, and not merely as a means of transportation. Being a biker means taking a motorcycle on long journeys, day and night, rain or shine. And a biker shares a certain rapport with his/her motorcycle. A biker loves being on the road and the heightened sense of their surroundings. A biker respects nature, being so close to it so often. A true biker cares less what you ride and more that you ride. A biker is an adventurer, one who transcends normal life, welcomes the freedom of open motion, and the ecstasy and peace of mind gleaned from it. A biker is a generous and respectful person, who helps those in need and believes in "live and let live". And a biker is driven by spiritual, rather than material needs.

Big Ben's version....

The best definition I ever heard was this: You know a biker by the look in the eyes as you pass each other and wave, a look that says "You ride too, and you know what I'm smiling about." As far as I'm concerned, if you understand what I'm talking about, you're a biker, end of story. And for you posers out there too blinded by brand loyalties to see that it's all about FREEDOM, baby, remember what my brother Carl Whitecrow said when some loser told him his CB 750 was Jap Crap: "It sure as hell beats walking, don't it?"

Read about them here.

The Roadrash Queen...

Here is something to read and think about as we head towards the warmer months. I know that I often ride in just tee shirt and jeans, but after reading this article it has made me think twice. One gutsy chicky......cute too!!

Money

In the past couple of weeks I seem to have become aware of people's obsession with money. A couple of guys that I am currently working with have been "advising" one of the younger blokes on how to go about saving money and trying to get him focussed on purchasing his own house. This has been done in a light hearted manner so far, but I have found it interesting observing how one of the guys appears to live life for money. How to save a few cents on this or where to get the cheapest of that - to me this just seems overkill.

I understand that we all need to be able to fund our lifestyle, I understand that we need to prepare for when we can no longer earn an income, I understand that we need to provide for our kids BUT I just cannot bring myself to spend all my time and energy on watching my money grow and not being able to enjoy it. I am lucky enough to be able to afford my mortgage repayments on my townhouse and I live a modest lifestyle - I don't want or need anything larger to live in, I don't want a garden that requires work in my spare time, I don't want the maintenance that comes with a house.

I had a job a few years back that paid really well but felt that I was constantly under stress - I had some trouble sleeping and was always thinking about how to reduce costs, to improve productivity - I ended up leaving that job to study and move into my current occupation. Today I feel no stress - I am able to perform my duties with very little to worry about and when I leave for the day I do exactly that.

At this point in my life I feel the need to focus on something that I am passionate about and that provides a release from the daily ritual, the daily issues, the daily worries. Riding my motorcycle is what does it for me, not watching my bank balance grow or spending my weekends maintaining a house.

September 11

2,996 is a tribute to the victims of 9/11. On September 11, 2006, 2,996 volunteer bloggers will join together for a tribute to the victims of 9/11. Each person will pay tribute to a single victim. We will honor them by remembering their lives, and not by remembering their murderers.

I realise that I am an Australian and so may seem a little removed from what occurred on this day five years ago. I still remember exactly what I was doing on hearing the news and then watching the buildings collapse - it was early morning and after arriving at work a mate of mine asked whether I had seen what was going on. The rest of my day was spent watching the TV and trawling the internet for some sort of confirmation of what was happening. I did not know anyone who was involved but many innocent people were murdered in cold blood, so I thought I would participate in paying tribute to one of the 2996 victims.

John J. Badagliacca
35 Years Old,
New York, N.Y., USA
Bond Salesman for Cantor Fitzgerald

Not that many people get to be somebody's soul mate. John J. Badagliacca truly did, says his wife. It began when they were 10 and she fell over his bicycle in their Staten Island schoolyard. They became friends that day and were married in 1992.

O.K., they did break up a few times. Sort of. Mr. Badagliacca wanted to date others when he took a share in a summer house and when he got his first car. "All the convenient times," Nancy Badagliacca said with a laugh. "But we had all the same friends, were always together. We were perfect for each other. The first kiss was his, the first everything."

They enjoyed the same things, especially spending time with their children, Nikki, 6, and John, 4, at their summer home. Mr. Badagliacca, 35, a bond salesman with Cantor Fitzgerald, rebuilt that old house in Brick, N.J., from the beams out with his brother-in-law.

He kept their house in Staten Island in good shape, too.

"He was soooo organized," Mrs. Badagliacca recalled. "If a bulb went out he would have to change it in the next minute. If my cabinets got messy, he would reorganize them. It would drive me nuts! And his tools -- you can't touch his tools."

He was so handy that she would tell him he could change professions. "I'd say, 'You could do just that.'" She paused. "I wish he did."

THE NEW YORK TIMES on December 28, 2001

I will remember my cousin John as always happy, always a smile on his face. He was quick with a joke, always laughing. I don't think I ever saw him sad.

He was a beautiful person, inside and out. I wish I could've told him how much I loved him, how much he meant to me. I will never forget the fun we had as children
growing up. He touched my life in many ways. I will miss him forever, and I'll
never, ever forget him.

Lisa Migdalen, cousin

Such a waste of life, but he will be remembered.

Check This Out.....

...a site dedicated to talking about motorcycles and it's not model or type specific!! The Motorcycle Group is a forum where all us like minded riders can gather and discuss stuff, so if you want to have your say on something motorcycle related create an account, log in and just do it!!

Some pix....

What a view - kind of puts everything into perspective - I know it's not really bike related but I thought this photo of a boat, taken by Killboy near Deals Gap in the US, was spectacular...


Check out more of his pics at Killboy.com

Now for some bike related stuff - just had to include this one (NOT from the Killboy site) which I got a laugh from....