Yes, the grand majority of Harley-Davidson riders – among them are Victory and Indian riders – are polite and genteel folk who do indeed pull over to the side of the road to help other riders as well as drivers. I’ve helped change tires, push “dead” cars to the side of the road, and have even bought lemonade from a child-run roadside stand. Many of those heavy cruiser owner’s groups also hold charity rides, raising thousands to tens of thousands of dollars per year for various charities (children’s hospitals, women’s shelters, breast cancer research, et al). Any excuse for a ride, especially a charity fund raiser, is a good excuse.

Do not be fooled by the skulls, evil-looking motorcycle add-ons, sometimes-profane sew-on patches, or various styles of facial hair. These are all meant to say, “If you don’t understand why I’m doing this, leave me alone; if you do understand, we’re already friends.” That appearance is usually enough to prevent the stupid questions (“Isn’t riding dangerous?” “Why don’t you use a car?”) and to prevent the “I know someone who was killed on a motorcycle” comments (I had a very dear friend who died from breast cancer, but I don’t go around telling every woman I meet, in any circumstances, about it).

Yes, there are jerks who ride heavy cruisers, but those exceptions prove the rule: there are old riders, and bold riders, but very few old bold riders. (Indeed, the same is said of pilots.) It is also said that there are two kinds of riders: those who have “gone down”, and those who will “go down”. I have gone down a few times previously, but I got back up and into the saddle each time.

But there is something else that most non-riders don’t understand – and very few rice-burner riders understand: the Biker’s Creed. Those of us who have been riding for a half-century or more are quite familiar with the concepts, even if some have never been able to put them into words. And those who put thousands to tens of thousands of miles onto their machines per year will, when reviewing them, nod knowingly and smile to themselves. To understand is to need no explanation.
I herewith submit a copy to your faithful minions.

The Biker’s Creed

I ride because it is fun. I ride because I enjoy the freedom I feel from being exposed to the elements, and the vulnerability to the danger that is intrinsic to riding. I do not ride because it is fashionable to do so.

I ride my machine, not wear it. My machine is not a symbol of status. It exists simply for me, and me alone. My machine is not a toy. It is an extension of my being, and I will treat it accordingly, with the same respect as I have for myself.

I strive to understand the inner-workings of my machine, from the most basic to the most complex. I learn everything I can about my machine, so that I am reliant upon no one but myself for its health and well-being.

I strive to constantly better my skill of control over my machine. I will learn it’s limits, and use my skill to become one with my machine so that we may keep each other alive. I am the master, it is the servant. Working together in harmony, we will become an invincible team.

I do not fear death. I will, however, do all possible to avoid death prematurely. Fear is the enemy, not death. Fear on the highway leads to death, therefore I will not let fear be my master. I will master it.

My machines will outlive me. Therefore, they are my legacy. I will care for them for future bikers to cherish as I have cherished them, whoever they may be.

I do not ride to gain attention, respect, or fear from those that do NOT ride, nor do I wish to intimidate or annoy them. For those that do not know me, all I wish from them is to ignore me. For those that desire to know me, I will share with them the truth of myself, so that they might understand me and not fear others like me.

I will never be the aggressor on the highway. However, should others fuck with me, their aggression will be dealt with in as severe manner as I can cast upon them.

I will show respect to other bikers more experienced or knowledgeable than I am. I will learn from them all I can. However, if my respect is not acknowledged or appreciated, it will end.

I will not show disrespect to other bikers less experienced or knowledgeable than I am. I will teach them what I can. However, if they show me disrespect, they will be bitch-slapped.

It will be my task to mentor new riders, that so desire, into the lifestyle of the biker, so that the breed shall continue. I shall instruct them, as I have been instructed by those before me.

I shall preserve and honor traditions of bikers before me, and I will pass them on unaltered.

I will not judge other bikers on their choice of machine, their appearance, or their profession. I will judge them only on their conduct as bikers.

I am proud of my accomplishments as a biker, though I will not flaunt them to others. If they ask, I will share them.

I will stand ready to help any other bikers that truly needs my help. I will never ask another biker to do for me what I can do for myself.

I am not a part-time biker. I am a biker when, and where-ever I go. I am proud to be a biker, and hide my chosen lifestyle from no one. I ride because I love freedom, independence, and the movement of the ground beneath me. But most of all, I ride to better understand myself, my machine, the lands in which I ride, and to seek out and know other bikers like myself.

—Author Unknown

We received our first dusting of frozen white stuff last night. For me, the season is now officially over. I typically won’t ride again until the early spring rains wash away the road salt and the asphalt is dry and clear. But I will ride again. Soon.

Operative B.