Dear Fellow Veterans and Patriots:
Do bikers have a monogamous bad boy or girl image
to live up to and fulfill? We’re all referred to as “Bikers”
but what does that really mean? When I was a kid and
someone talked about motorcycles I got a vision of
Marlon Brando and Lee Marvin riding stripped down
motorcycles through small rural towns, drinking beer
and raising hell with the locals until the law shows up
and runs them off. I imagine there are many people
who still get that image when they see black leather
on two wheels roaring down the highway. Kind of a
save the children and hide the beer reaction. While
there are still bikers who live that life there are many
who ride today who don’t look at riding as a rough and
tumble intermediate step to jail. Many “Bikers” today
live a middle-class suit and tie/soccer-mom life and
are part timers who suit up to become bikers on their
days off.
Do we benefit or suffer from the bad ass biker
image? Maybe an even bigger question is do we
care? I believe there is a down side to the improved
suburban biker persona promoted by Harley and the
other cruiser manufacturers. They see profits. You
know, trying to make us accepted and respected by
society so folks who can afford to spend $30 to $40
thousand dollars will dance on the showroom floor.
While this makes for lots of motorcycle sales you
have to admit that it does detract from the mean
ass image that bikers have garnished since World
War II. Many who live or have lived the real biker
life are veterans. Mostly men, who went to war,
saw death first hand and grew an attitude based in
fighting for your life. A certain amount of “I don’t
care about the consequences” came along with it.
They were adrenalin junkies who needed to
feel the edge of life and weren’t
really happy unless
they could feel the risk.
Hard to believe but for
some, having death close
enough you reach out and
touch it is a comfort.
Many were prickly no back
up types who were quick to
reach out and touch someone
over a transgression. The
result was a give it hell image
that produced a mix of respect,
fear, reticence and avoidance by
those who cherished the normal
life and safety. The bike and
www.thunderroadscolorado.com
black leather sent a “don’t tread on me” message that
was easily understood. The police used to understand
the message and just assumed those with leather and
two wheels were hoods up to no good and leaned extra
hard on them to make sure they didn’t get too much
momentum.
Okay, so fast forward to today! Bikers have become
respectable, the cops like us because we respect them,
support charities and present a positive image in most
situations and communities. People see bikes and black
leather today and what pops to mind is patriotism and
grass roots Americans. The biker mystique still engenders
respect and I think to some extent todays bikers benefit
from the public not knowing if a bikers is a one percenter
or a banker. Having said all that I find many drivers on the
road look at us as cones in the road that mark a slalom
course. They see our two wheels and know they have four
so they think their car is a bulldozer made to move bikers
out of their way. No respect and no fear factor just an
aggressive get the hell out of my way attitude.
So how do we cultivate the bad boy persona in a
way that makes riding the highways safer for us?
Riding in groups can help. I’ve always heard there is
safety in numbers. We could hit the weight room to
show more muscle and maybe practice mean looks
in the mirror. Standing with other bikers and backing
them up is good if they aren’t going psycho on the
innocent. I don’t claim to have all the answers and
will have to be satisfied to encourage innovation and
creativity. Something to consider is that the only way
someone will think they might get their ass kicked
for messing with you is if you kicked someone’s
ass once for messing with you. I’m not saying to go
downtown and start punching people out for street
creds. Opportunity will knock on occasion and give
you a moment of decision. I don’t mean stuff like your
kids pull in the car on long trips. “Mom, Billy’s looking
at me.” If you are going to give or draw blood for the
good of biker mankind it ought to be over something
important. Remember; “It doesn’t matter who wins
or loses as long as someone gets hurt!” See you at the
Easy Rider show!
Keep the faith. Thank a vet for the freedoms we still
enjoy and support politicians who will bring back
the ones we’ve lost. Fly the flag of the people and be
proud you’re an American. Hug the families of those
still missing because their quest for closure has not
ended. Live the good life and ride for those can’t.
Bulldog
* My monthly column reflects my personal point of view and does not necessarily reflect the opinions
of the Publishers of this magazine, but they, like me, acknowledge the sacrifices made for the privilege
of Freedom of Speech, therefore, they gratefully let me rant. Thank you for reading my rants. Hope my
opinions don’t offend anyone, but, we all should be grateful for the right to have free opinions.
February 2015
Thunder Roads Magazine® Colorado 27