Yet Another Display of BMW Owners' Arrogance...

Okay, for those who haven't picked up on it yet, I ride a motorcycle. I love riding. I ride as often as possible for as long as possible (and by the way, thanks Harley Davidson for the 4 gallon gas tank! No need to stop for over 200+ miles - unless I have to pee!!) Riding is a passion of mine - a very empowering, mind-clearing, therapeutic, thrilling, often dangerous passion. I have met some of the most awesome people who share this same passion and have had some incredible times!!

Bikers ride all kinds - from rusted-out heaps to sport bikes and top dollar cruisers with more chrome bling than Tiffany's. These people are CEO's and doctors and lawyers and blue collar workers and women of all ages and military veterans and people from all walks of life. Riding a motorcycle puts you into a community of others where everyone shares the same passion and it has become more common to hear among the motorcycle community 'it doesn't matter what you ride as long as you ride'. The biker image may initially elicit thoughts of apprehension and suspicion of shady characters looking for some unsuspecting soul to harrass - however, that image is changing. There are still the 'Easy Rider' types - but I'd be willing to bet if you needed help, these scary types with the long ponytails, copious earrings and covered with tats would be the first one to step up, open their wallets, offer their hand or give you the shirt off their back. These are usually the ones who attend charity events because they want to help. They are loyal, committed, generous - but don't fuck with them.

Not one of these awesome people that I've met ride BMW motorcycles. Not one. Perhaps it has been coincidence that I've never met a BMW rider cuz they're out there, somewhere. But perhaps it is because of an attitude like this:

I presented the flyer and info about this ride to our governing officers on Oct. 30th. I had printed the flyer prior to the meeting and didn't really pay much attention to it. Upon presentation, many of our officers noticed the image and were appauled that such an image was used to attract us and other motorcyclists in Jacksonville. I too am very offended by the image and embarassed to have even mentioned it.

Is this what *** (name of company removed) thinks is a good representation of motorcyclists today ?
Do you think for one second that the outlaw bikers are the ones that support all the charity events around the country each year ??
Are these the type of riders you are trying to attract for your ride ??

Many uneducated members of the public already think of motorcyclists as being scary outlaw types anyway. This flyer only helps to perpetuate such a stereotype. We will not be participating. Perhaps we'll come down and protest. I have already spoken to my friends in the HOG club as well.

Mr. Arrogant Windbag (name of asshole removed)
President BMW Owners of North East FL.

This is the image that this loser has an issue with:

(Keep in mind this Ride is sponsored by a utility company and the gray helmet is supposed to slightly resemble a hardhat...)

Mr. Arrogant Windbag:

Okay... first of all, the event is to benefit a charitable organization (a large well-known agency) so why you are choosing to be an ass will not only reflect negatively on you and your 'Club' (yawn...) but you are hurting a host of others who will never be the recipient of the funds that could have been raised because of your elitist attitude.

Second of all, bikers support charity events and you'd know this if you ever went to one. All those poker runs? They are for a purpose you idiot! Bikers are extremely generous and are the first to organize a function to help a downed biker and his/her family, a life threatening illness, contributing to national agencies such as United Way or March of Dimes...

Thirdly - and probably most importantly - who in the hell are you calling 'outlaw bikers'?? Anyone who doesn't ride a BMW? If you knew anything about the motorcycle community, you would not toss this term around lightly. Your arrogance is clouding any better judgment you should have... It's obnoxious people like YOU, Mr. Windbag, who perpetuate the negative images and you would do well to remember that people are PEOPLE and you are no better than me or anyone else.

What people ride is their personal preference, Mr. Windbag - just like you'd never catch me spending one dollar on a BMW motorcycle. Never. It is my preference. You are NO ONE'S JUDGE, Mr. Windbag and before you criticize the personal choices of others, you should concentrate on looking in the mirror. Seems you have a host of issues of your own to deal with.

Oh... and Dennis Hopper?? I LOVE YOU MANNNNNNN!

Turn Signals Are Not Optional!!

Ok... another rant. It's Monday after all and there would be a ton of subjects I could pontificate on (Thumper encountered one of my own pet peeves just recently so I won't revisit that one... yet...) one repeatedly annoys me on a daily basis...

I drive to work ~ 30 miles each way which gives me lots of time to review and critique the driving habits of others. On my stretch of I95 in northeast Florida, no matter the time of day you will see many vehicles with tags indicating various points of origin. I find myself wondering if these folks are headed toward their vacation destination, headed home from vacation, off to visit family members, heading south for the heat or heading north to get away from the heat... whatever. Those NOT from the state of Florida tend to invariably ride in the middle of the 3 lanes - whether they observe the posted speed limit or not. Around here, 18-wheelers are directed to use only the middle and far right lanes for travel. I have a lot of respect for truck drivers and try to stay out of their way, give them as much space and notify them of my intentions well in advance. It does not seem to be the practice of all other drivers, however, and we are all admittedly different in our driving habits and style.

But when you have a massive multi-ton truck behind you, in the middle lane, on your a$$, then you should MOVE and move quickly. Engage in a battle between your car and their truck, you will NOT win. They are bigger, they weigh dozens times more than your vehicle and are far less controllable than you. Do yourself a favor - MOVE. Find an opening and change lanes. When you see their grill in your review mirror, it is no longer a battle of arrogance - the truck wins. And do you have any idea how much these guys (and their respective companies) pay in road taxes?? As a matter of fact, they do own the road!!

But I digress...

The original purpose of this post was to identify a fact that has failed many, MANY drivers even as I was on the road this morning: your turn signals are not a suggestion!! How difficult is it to reach down (...yes, that's right... if you aren't on your cell phone, this would not be a hassle!) and flip that tiny little lever up or down to turn your blinker on to let those who follow know your intended path of travel?!?! A simple gesture, really, and one that indicates that you don't have your head up your a$$, you have come to terms with the fact that you are not the only driver on the planet and the world does not revolve around YOU. It is considerate. And I suppose in some places, a LAW.

And Part B of this rant - for God's sake, don't leave the turn signal on blinking incessantly as if you are in a perpetual state of left-hand turning... It's just stupid. It's like a little blinking indicator to all those behind that the driver of the vehicle is admitting "I'm a moron... I'm a moron... I'm a moron..."

It's dangerous, too. Take it from someone who rides a motorcycle and who relies heavily on the consideration and forethought of others. Be considerate. Use your turn signals - and remember to turn them off. We are all on our way to somewhere and a little courtesy can make for safer travels for everyone.