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Normal
Blatherings From The Editor
A few weeks ago while hanging out at the
local shop, the subject of riding in the winter came up. With good reason, motorcycle sales generally
go down in the winter. Thing of it is,
I think winter riding here in the desert can be some of the best of the year,
and I told Cliff so. His response was,
“but you’re not normal.”
Had to think about that for a
minute. Truth of the matter is to be a
motorcyclist and survive out on America’s highways, I believe he’s right. Let’s face it, no normal person in their
right mind would be out riding around on a motorcycle, especially in the
winter; and for heaven’s sake, actually enjoy it!
Riding motorcycles is a hazardous sport,
and falls right in there with snow boarding, skiing, SCUBA diving, motor racing
and you know the rest of them. Look
closer though and you will see a subtle difference - skiers go down the hill
with fellow enthusiasts. There are some
good boarders and some bad boarders; still, they are all out there by choice
doing something they like. Same with
boaters and sky divers. These folks are
among their own kind and are pretty passionate about what they are doing.
To say the least, we motorcyclists have a
bit more complicated environment. We’re out and amongst folks who may have no
skill at all at what they are supposed to be doing…driving a car, SUV or truck;
and I’m willing to bet most of them don’t even want to be there. They’re talking on their cell phones, doing
their hair and, believe it or not, watching TV while motoring down the road
pointing a lethal weapon here and there.
Boggles the mind!
We motorcyclists ride amongst these
distracted citizens and even have a good time doing it! Yeah, there’s that close call that gets the
heart pumping, and once in a while a corner kind of comes up a little fast;
still when its right, its right. Even
moving through traffic on the big interstates can be kind of fun. I get a kick out of it when we pass a bunch
of caged up folks, flaunting our freedom and daring as we whiz by at what must
be breakneck speeds to the passed motorists.
Feels good to be the King!
When it
comes down to it, we motorcyclists aren’t normal. We can’t be or we wouldn’t survive. Either through training or maybe hereditarily we seem to be able
to move amongst this chaos, having a good time doing it and wanting more! You’re right Cliff, I’m not normal and I’ll
bet most motorcyclists aren’t. Another
good reason to be a motorcyclist!
Deryle and Wanda Mehrten, normal…not!
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