After doing this for 38 years, these guys have it down to a science. Everything from parking to food to vendors to the bike show its smooth as glass and THAT makes for a consistently good event.
Here a few pics from the show.
Friday, March 30, 2012
Milepost 5 - The Big Daddy of Swapmeets
The biggest swap-meet on the east coast each year is the Concerned Bikers Association (Charlotte) event. The CBA holds this event twice a year, spring and fall, at the Charlotte Metrolina Expo. The 2012 spring edition was this past week and like the others was huge.
After doing this for 38 years, these guys have it down to a science. Everything from parking to food to vendors to the bike show its smooth as glass and THAT makes for a consistently good event.
Here a few pics from the show.
After doing this for 38 years, these guys have it down to a science. Everything from parking to food to vendors to the bike show its smooth as glass and THAT makes for a consistently good event.
Here a few pics from the show.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Milepost 4- April - A BIG Month for Motorcycling
The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) is pleased to launch "AMA Get Out and Ride! Month" for April 2012.
Now in its second year, AMA Get Out and Ride! Month encourages motorcyclists everywhere to enjoy the thrill of motorcycling in the dirt and on the street.
March 31-April 6: "AMA Get Out and Ride Your Way!" week taps into the individualism of motorcycling and highlights solo riding on favorite trails and twisties.
April 7-13: "AMA Get Out and Ride Together!" week spotlights the fun of riding with others, including AMA clubs and the online motorcycle community (O/MC). During the week, upcoming rallies and smaller local events, from AMA dual-sport and adventure-touring rides to AMA National Conventions and Gypsy Tours will be featured.
April 14-20: "AMA Get Out and Ride for a Cause!" week celebrates the generosity of motorcyclists and showcases events and activities where motorcyclists use their love of riding to help others less fortunate and champion the motorcycling lifestyle.
April 21-27: "AMA Get Out and Ride Smart!" week promotes rider training and awareness skills needed to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience on every ride.
New for 2012 is a weekly trivia contest hosted on the AMA Facebook page, where participants will have the opportunity to submit answers to a motorcycle-related trivia question. One winning entrant, whose name will be drawn from the correct submissions each week, will be rewarded with a prize.
Another new feature this year is "Freedom Friday," a special call-to-action that will be posted on the AMA Facebook page each Friday to alert motorcyclists about important issues that pose a threat to motorcycling freedoms.
While AMA Get Out and Ride! month officially kicks into gear in April, now is the time to prepare. Check out the helpful tips and tools provided on the AMA website at Americanmotorcyclist.com > Riding > Street > Resources.
Now in its second year, AMA Get Out and Ride! Month encourages motorcyclists everywhere to enjoy the thrill of motorcycling in the dirt and on the street.
March 31-April 6: "AMA Get Out and Ride Your Way!" week taps into the individualism of motorcycling and highlights solo riding on favorite trails and twisties.
April 7-13: "AMA Get Out and Ride Together!" week spotlights the fun of riding with others, including AMA clubs and the online motorcycle community (O/MC). During the week, upcoming rallies and smaller local events, from AMA dual-sport and adventure-touring rides to AMA National Conventions and Gypsy Tours will be featured.
April 14-20: "AMA Get Out and Ride for a Cause!" week celebrates the generosity of motorcyclists and showcases events and activities where motorcyclists use their love of riding to help others less fortunate and champion the motorcycling lifestyle.
April 21-27: "AMA Get Out and Ride Smart!" week promotes rider training and awareness skills needed to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience on every ride.
New for 2012 is a weekly trivia contest hosted on the AMA Facebook page, where participants will have the opportunity to submit answers to a motorcycle-related trivia question. One winning entrant, whose name will be drawn from the correct submissions each week, will be rewarded with a prize.
Another new feature this year is "Freedom Friday," a special call-to-action that will be posted on the AMA Facebook page each Friday to alert motorcyclists about important issues that pose a threat to motorcycling freedoms.
While AMA Get Out and Ride! month officially kicks into gear in April, now is the time to prepare. Check out the helpful tips and tools provided on the AMA website at Americanmotorcyclist.com > Riding > Street > Resources.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Milepost 3 - Losing Legends
Because the motorcycle culture is relatively small, the loss or absence of an icon is felt a bit more.
Two very strong voices are gone from the biker landscape.
California ABATE State Safety Officer, John Del Santo, lost his battle with multiple health issues.
John was one of the most dedicated freedom fighter's the riding world has known.
ABATE of California lost a great soldier in our fight to preserve our motorcycle rights. John will long be remembered as one of the best freedom fighters ABATE has known.
May he rest in peace and his wife Fran and family know how much he will be missed.
Our thoughts and prayers are with them.
God bless him.
Additionally, after 49-years as Chief Styling Officer for Harley Davidson, Willie G. Davidson is retiring.
Davidson, 78, is the grandson of Harley-Davidson co-founder William A. Davidson. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin then went on to study at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California.
Davidson joined the design department of Harley-Davidson in 1963, he designed the 1971 FX Super Glide and has since had the responsibility for the look of all Harley-Davidson motorcycles.
Davidson said: "Throughout my life, I have been truly fortunate to have the opportunity to marry my passion for design with my love for this amazing brand that runs so deeply in my veins. Everything we do in styling is based on the notion that form follows function, but both report to emotion."
Both will be missed.
As usual, your comments are welcome.
Two very strong voices are gone from the biker landscape.
John was one of the most dedicated freedom fighter's the riding world has known.
ABATE of California lost a great soldier in our fight to preserve our motorcycle rights. John will long be remembered as one of the best freedom fighters ABATE has known.
May he rest in peace and his wife Fran and family know how much he will be missed.
Our thoughts and prayers are with them.
God bless him.
Davidson, 78, is the grandson of Harley-Davidson co-founder William A. Davidson. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin then went on to study at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California.
Davidson joined the design department of Harley-Davidson in 1963, he designed the 1971 FX Super Glide and has since had the responsibility for the look of all Harley-Davidson motorcycles.
Davidson said: "Throughout my life, I have been truly fortunate to have the opportunity to marry my passion for design with my love for this amazing brand that runs so deeply in my veins. Everything we do in styling is based on the notion that form follows function, but both report to emotion."
Both will be missed.
As usual, your comments are welcome.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Milepost 2 - The Challenge of Change.
The more things change the more they seem to stay the same. Every year a number of states review their motorcycle helmet laws. This perspective looks at age for license, age for passenger, helmet type, and whether the use of helmets is even required or not.
South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley said she will veto any bill that would require all motorcycle riders to wear helmets. Senator Ralph Anderson of Greenville, SC introduced a bill including language that, if passed, would require all motorcyclists to wear a helmet. Governor Haley is a member of the Lexington County Chapter of ABATE of South Carolina.
South Carolina law currently requires only motorcycle riders who are younger than 21 years of age to wear a helmet. According to the South Carolina Highway Patrol 102 fatalities of motorcycle riders occurred in 2011, compared to only 82 in 2010. Most were alcohol related.
In 1967 South Carolina law required all motorcycle riders to wear helmets. The current law requiring South Carolina motorcyclists under the age of 21 to wear helmets was enacted in 1980.
In 2010 the Supreme Court of South Carolina invalidated a Myrtle Beach city ordinance that required all motorcycle riders to wear helmets. The court ruled that a city ordinance could not preempt state law, which required helmets to be worn by only motorcycle riders under 21 years of age.
The good news in all of this is South Carolina has a Governor that actually rides....AND belongs to a motorcycle rights organization. Regardless of the state in which you reside, YOU need to belong to at least on group that works with lawmakers, opinion makers, and media members. This is where the battle is fought, NOT in your basement, or local bar. Once you lose your freedom...its gone. Getting it back may take years...if at all.
Ride Safe.
South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley said she will veto any bill that would require all motorcycle riders to wear helmets. Senator Ralph Anderson of Greenville, SC introduced a bill including language that, if passed, would require all motorcyclists to wear a helmet. Governor Haley is a member of the Lexington County Chapter of ABATE of South Carolina.
South Carolina law currently requires only motorcycle riders who are younger than 21 years of age to wear a helmet. According to the South Carolina Highway Patrol 102 fatalities of motorcycle riders occurred in 2011, compared to only 82 in 2010. Most were alcohol related.
In 1967 South Carolina law required all motorcycle riders to wear helmets. The current law requiring South Carolina motorcyclists under the age of 21 to wear helmets was enacted in 1980.
In 2010 the Supreme Court of South Carolina invalidated a Myrtle Beach city ordinance that required all motorcycle riders to wear helmets. The court ruled that a city ordinance could not preempt state law, which required helmets to be worn by only motorcycle riders under 21 years of age.
The good news in all of this is South Carolina has a Governor that actually rides....AND belongs to a motorcycle rights organization. Regardless of the state in which you reside, YOU need to belong to at least on group that works with lawmakers, opinion makers, and media members. This is where the battle is fought, NOT in your basement, or local bar. Once you lose your freedom...its gone. Getting it back may take years...if at all.
Ride Safe.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Milepost 1 - The Season Changes
Welcome to the first edition of Motorcycle-Milepost. Now while I ride a Harley, the content of this blog is not limited to that brand, or any brand for that matter. Its as much about the person, the lifestyle, the culture as anything else.
Since I'm like most folks, full time job, family, bills, etc I can't be everywhere I would like to be, nor am I able to attend every event that catches my eye. Your input in this area will be invaluable. As readership grows I hope more and more will take a few minutes to post comments and observations about anything motorcycle related. Additionally please feel free to send pic and those will be posted along with your narrative.
Around the southeast we are leaving a mild winter and moving to spring and with the seasonal change will be the return of the weekly "Bike Night." Calendars across both North and South Carolina and Georgia will be populated with all manner of bars, restaurants, and bike shops trying to get the biker population to drop by, drop a few bucks, and have a party.
One of the biggest is the weekly event held by Quaker Steak and Harley Davidson of Greenville, SC. The two facilities are neighbors and over the years have partnered for the most successful events. Other locations such as Hooters, Chiefs, and Wild Wings have had short lived attempts but for various reasons they failed to catch on. So, at this point the Quaker / Harley event is the primary party most will be attending.
This year the kick off is Wednesday, April 4th, starting at 6pm. We'll be there and will report back with a ton of pics and details.
Since I'm like most folks, full time job, family, bills, etc I can't be everywhere I would like to be, nor am I able to attend every event that catches my eye. Your input in this area will be invaluable. As readership grows I hope more and more will take a few minutes to post comments and observations about anything motorcycle related. Additionally please feel free to send pic and those will be posted along with your narrative.
Around the southeast we are leaving a mild winter and moving to spring and with the seasonal change will be the return of the weekly "Bike Night." Calendars across both North and South Carolina and Georgia will be populated with all manner of bars, restaurants, and bike shops trying to get the biker population to drop by, drop a few bucks, and have a party.
One of the biggest is the weekly event held by Quaker Steak and Harley Davidson of Greenville, SC. The two facilities are neighbors and over the years have partnered for the most successful events. Other locations such as Hooters, Chiefs, and Wild Wings have had short lived attempts but for various reasons they failed to catch on. So, at this point the Quaker / Harley event is the primary party most will be attending.
This year the kick off is Wednesday, April 4th, starting at 6pm. We'll be there and will report back with a ton of pics and details.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)