Biker Chad & Pan
Paul Cote
Beverly
"31!" - MMA Announces Michigan Helmet Law Modification Signed by Governor
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE "31!" - MMA Announces Michigan Helmet Law Modification Signed by Governor
The Massachusetts Motorcycle Association (MMA) is pleased to share with its members that the state of Michigan is now the 31st State to offer freedom of choice for Helmet use on Motorcycles. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) announced this past week that Michigan’s Governor signed into law the right for adults to choose with regard to helmet use on Motorcycles while at the same time toughening standards for Motorcyclists who wish to make that choice. Anti-Helmet-choice arguments often refer to the 30 states who “don’t have a helmet law”, when in fact, there are really only 3. With Michigan now joining the other 30, they are also the 28th State to have a specific helmet law which in fact offers adults the freedom of informed choice. Mandatory Helmet Laws were first instituted in 1966 and eventually repealed in 1975; ironically, the Federal requirement was withdrawn one year after most states finally complied with the 1966 Highway Safety Act and within 3 years, most states had repealed their complying mandatory helmet laws. The years following the repeal saw the largest growth in Motorcycle Ridership since the years prior. While one could debate whether the repeal was the actual catalyst, no one can dispute that Motorcycles instill a sense of freedom that should not be taken for granted. The MMA’s mantra of “Education, not Legislation” espouses that riders should be given the opportunity to be properly educated on not only how to properly operate a motorcycle, but to the risks and rewards of doing so. To that end, the MMA strongly believes that adults should have the right to choose what and whether to use personal protective equipment. Also, while the Michigan law toughens the requirements for that choice, they are not unreasonable and with regard to insurance are less restrictive than the requirements in Massachusetts. The MMA also applauds the arguments used by ABATE of Michigan, specifically that there is a significant revenue bleed to their State’s economy caused by an exodus to surrounding states who did offer Helmet Choice, and that “the key to motorcycle safety, accident reduction and injury prevention lies in rider education, car driver awareness and license endorsement," as noted by Jim Rhoades, ABATE of Michigan Legislative Director. With a major victory for Motorcyclists across the country, especially those continuing to fight for Helmet Choice, the MMA applauds the efforts of ABATE of Michigan and their Legislators and Governor for endorsing this fundamental right. To read the entire announcement, see below or Click Here For more information, see http://www.MRF.org, http://www.MassMotorcycle.org or contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Register for the 2012 STORM THE STATEHOUSE on http://www.massmotorcycle.org/ The MMA's 2012 Harley-Davidson Bike Raffle Tickets are selling out! Be sure to secure yours at http://www.massmotorcycle.org/Last Updated (Thursday, 19 April 2012 13:01) Biker Poetry : FTW
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| Editorial Columns - The American Biker X Editorial |
A little bit about me, I am LJ James I am a Freelance writer on the Biker Life style (if you google my name you can find stories I have written). I was also the Founder and Host of the Biker Lowdown Radio Show that talked about Biker rights (and Lefts) I did that until I started doing a more mainstream radio show that spoon feeds people their rights, I felt with the Biker Lowdown I was always talking to those who already believed what I believe and you can not change the world preaching to the choir . I also Co own of The Clothing line Skull Gear Apparel Inc www.SkullGearApparel.net and I am a DJ/MC and have Worked at many Large and Small Bike events all over NY.
This is the 2nd Year I am doing this event,I am hopping that it will catch on an become a national Holiday. I am going to have made about 200 + Shirts, Hopefully more depending on how many spots are sold. The Spots will be laid out as the spots will allow. and your Logo will be big and bold. I have done this in the past and done 40 spots at $50 each and everyone one was happy and the spots sold out fast but I want this shirt to look much better and it is going to be done in an old School Style. This is an event that may one day take off and be something very Cool and you can say I was one that Shirt the 2nd year or it may died out in 3 or 4 years and you will be like hey I have a really cool shirt that cost me $100 !
The Bottom line I would hope you would take away from this about me is I am all about having a good time and trying to make not only the Motorcycle World but the world itself a better place!
LJ James
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Skull Gear Apparel, Inc.
skullgearapparel.net
Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/skullgearappinc
Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/skullgearapparel
CLICK HERE for the Sponsor Sign Up Form
Many of you have heard of Ride to work Day. Well how about "Forget Work and Lets Ride Day"? It is a one day Biker Holiday, where everyone who Rides ditches work. The event takes place on the last Wednesday in June every year. Motorcycle riders meet up with friends at around 9am to Ride out to a local Tourist Spot in their area for a one day Biker Holiday.
The Event was Officially started on Long ...Island in NY on Wednesday June 29th 2011 the last Wednesday in June.It comes from the mind of Long time Biker Rights Activist, Freelance Writer on the Biker Lifestyle, Biker Radio Show Host and one of the owners of the Skull Gear Apparel Inc ( www.skullgearapparel.net ) Clothing Line "Your Bro LJ James" (facebook.com/AmericanBikerX)
The idea for "Forget Work and Let's Ride Day" came in 2010 when after losing his license for over 90 days on the last day of June 2010 a Wednesday, LJ got his License back. When LJ went to get on his Motorcycle and ride to work, His Bro Big Tom Berg saw him and asked "We going Riding"? LJ replied I can't, I got to go to work ! To which Big Tom said some thing that sounded real Similar to "Forget Work and Lets Ride" after thinking about it for a few seconds LJ said OK .
It was one of the best rides ever. LJ James and Big Tom Berg spent hours riding all over Long Island, NY stopping to Hang out in Montauk, NY. The Two Bro's experienced a perfect day of Riding and Biker Brotherhood ! About a Month later on August 7th 2010 Big Tom Berg was killed while riding when a car hit him from behind.
After Big Toms Death all LJ James could think of was of how close he had been to not taking that ride with Big Tom Berg that last Wednesday in June, LJ had though as many of us do there would be many other chances to ride with his Bro Big Tom in the Future.
That is the reason LJ James decided to declare the last Wednesday in June every Year a Biker Holiday, where every person who rides a Motorcycle (No matter what Brand it may be) puts everything they may have to do aside and spends the day out riding with his or her fellow Motorcycle Riders stopping at a local tourist area to relax and then ending the day at a cool Biker Friendly bar. The perfect one day Biker Holiday.
This Ride and day is to spend with those we love to ride with, Those we have not yet had the chance to ride with and in Memory of those we will never get to ride with again !
Forget work and Lets Ride Day is an idea and there are no rules to the day other then get out there and Ride! All too often we put off taking that ride with our Bro's and Friends for one of many reasons, Well this is the day to Forget everything and just go out riding!
( In case of Rain go to work and take the next Sunny day off and go Riding )
We are looking for sponsors for the Back of the 2012 FORGET WORK AND LET'S RIDE DAY Shirt !!!
Shirt spots are only $100 each ! Who is in? THERE ARE ONLY 20 SPOTS !
CLICK HERE for the Sponsor Sign Up Form
Last Updated (Thursday, 26 January 2012 09:21)
Bikers
| Road Rash - Stories |
Bikers
I searched for a name for this story for a long time… and this was the best I could do. This is a story about “going local” Alpha Biker style. I have to remind folks, this is just another day in the life. It’s amazing what does are opened when you are genuine, have a propensity for smiling, and walk your talk. I travel quite a bit. Nobody is surprised when I say this. What does tend to surprise folks is the situations that present themselves on such expeditions. Read and ride on…
A few years back my girl at the time had to spend the last remaining months of her mom’s life taking care of her. They were a family of limited means, and as the oldest daughter, she came forward to do the tasks required. I would have expected no less. It is a natural order that I am familiar with. People live, people die, people say good-bye, or not. I will circle back on this aspect of the story later.
At the time I was living in New Hampshire. At the time she was in South Carolina. It was about 1,100 miles door to door, or about 2/3 of the way to Sturgis. Note, I also measure bills in tanks of gas or cases of beer, but I digress. I rode down to spend some time with her in the Spring. I arrived and spent some time with her family, and like any length time I spend on the road, once I stop, I am like a junky who needs to get back on, just for a quick taste, or I get antsy. This day was one of those days. I tell my girl that I am going for a putt one morning and will be back in the evening. The walls were closing in and I was jonesing for my fix.
I cruise the Maggie Valley area and circle back around in a little town just north of Spartanburg. The bike is running a little rough and according to my “maintenance journal” the plugs hadn’t been changed in exactly… let me see… a long fuckin’ time. I pull the plugs, and “the journal” confirms my suspicions. I remember seeing an independent bike shop down a side street of this small town during my last visit so I track down this place again and see if they have what I need.
As I pull up to the front of the shop, I notice that the door is propped open, so I walk in. Nobody appears to be here. As I look around, I feel like I am in an old barn or maybe a museum. Dust covered Harleys from all eras are here in what I would call the “showroom” that is to the left of me. The uneven wooden floor of the show room gives way to the “shop” in the back. The whole place is probably 20 feet wide and maybe 50 feet long. The front door has a back door directly 20 feet across from it that also is open and appears to lead into some kind of outdoor fenced in courtyard. The parts counter to the right has the most eclectic collection of stuff I have ever seen. I am not sure if they are for sale, or simply for show awaiting pickup by the Smithsonian. In front of the parts counter is a row of theatre seats from an era long gone by. The smell of fuel, oil, and old metal hangs in the air. I breathe deep and take it all in.
“Y’all sure are a long way from home!”, I hear directly behind me. I must have jumped two feet in the air when I heard this bellowed behind me. I am usually pretty good about being aware of my surroundings, but this place had me lost in thought. The owner, a bald man in his mid 50’s was now smiling at me as he walked back around the parts counter. “What can I do you for?” he asked. “How about a new pair of skivvies and a set of spark plugs”, I respond. We both have a good laugh.
“I saw your plate on the way in, the spark plugs for your bike are usually $9, but where you are so far from home, give me $8 and we will call it a deal.” I give him my $8 and am a little in shock by what I just heard, don’t things usually work the other way? “You want a beer?”, he asks. “Ummmm, sure, thanks”. He digs into a fridge under the counter and pulls out two Busch lights. We crack them open and begin talking about my trip and his shop as I get the full tour… and a couple more beers.
The tour ends at the back door to the shop that leads out into the “courtyard”. We grab a couple more beers and walk out into the steamy South Carolina Spring late afternoon air. We pop a squat at what appears to be an old Friendly’s Ice Cream booth that is situated in the middle of the courtyard. There is a hole drilled in the middle of the table and a dilapidated beach umbrella now adorns this fine piece of patio furniture. The courtyard is about the same size as the shop. It is a mix of uneven gravel and earth fenced in by old billboard signs, plywood, and barbed wire. Over on one side is an old shed. Beside the door to the shop is another refrigerator. There is an assortment of random parts and things back here. There are a couple more sets of “patio furniture”, tractor pieces, bikes and bike parts, cars and car parts, appliances, and an old man in his late 70’s with thick John Lennon style glasses, salt & pepper hair down to his waste, sitting with his legs crossed over at one of the other tables, observing us, while taking a drag on his cigarette. Apparently he had been watching me since I first arrived at the shop. “Hey there.” I say. I get a head nod back.
Oddly enough, he goes by “Preacher”.
“What brings y’all here”, asks Preacher.
“I was out for a putt and needed some plugs”, I reply.
“Did ya hear that Bob, he said he went for a putt”. “Enough of this talk, we need a safety meeting.”
It turns out a “safety meeting” means getting one’s head straight in the metal shed in the back which was home to a family of black snakes and assorted parts, motorcycle and otherwise. Preacher and I share a toke and make our way back to the umbrella adorned Friendly’s booth. I am feeling pretty righteous at this point. Here I am in Podunk, SC enjoying the 130% afternoon humidity with two new found friends who sold me discounted spark plugs and got my perspective adjusted all because I respectfully walked in the door.
We share stories of our rides and I give them some more context to just why I was passing through this neck of the woods at this time. The front door to the shop swings open and in walk two younger dudes that look like that just came back from a Skynyrd concert. After some hearty hellos one of them heads back inside for more beer. While he is in there, Bob, the shop owner, yells inside “check and see if any of that stuff is still left in the freezer”. Now, at this point, my head wasn’t locked down on my shoulders all that tight, but I had a pretty good idea of what was coming next. With a full mason jar of clear liquid in one hand and three beers in the other, one of the younger dudes comes back into the courtyard.
I am thinking to myself, Christ, I came in here for a couple of spark plugs, and I’m gonna end up sleepin’ on this fuckin’ picnic table. The shine is very smooth. Unbeknownst to me, this county in South Carolina is actually home to an annual moonshine festival. No shit! I saw the signs for it later in my trip. They unapologetically host this event without any interference from the law… as it should be… but I digress.
After another hour of lie swappin’ it was time for me to move on while I could still semi-function. I had few miles to ride and it was time to roll the dice. I promised to return with some gifts of my own in the near future. That promise was kept.
This experience was one of true bike brotherhood. You hear about it, but get caught up in the thought pattern of society that tells you distrust and paranoia are the rule. Well, it isn’t the fuckin’ rule. At least, it is not in the world that I choose to live. Remember that life is a mirror. What you put out is what you will receive. Step forward with sincerity, respect, and a smile and the same will be shown to you. For those in my world reading this story, those statements are obvious conclusions and a way of life. It is amazing what doors and life experiences are there for you when you are open to receiving them.
Amen.
~ Preacher Chuck D.
Last Updated (Sunday, 12 February 2012 10:23)
B.A.D. Empowers Biker Culture Fight In State Habe!
| Editorial Columns - Hammerin' Hank's Editorial |
FreeOnePercenter.com ... home of B.A.D.
Hank McGrath (B.A.D. Exec. Director), representing New York residents, along with Mike Willig (Constitutionalist), Carmella Brown (Editor of NY Rider Mag & biker rights advocate) and Eric Carlsen (Professor at SCCC and rights advocate) have teamed up with other State Reps throughout United States to file a Writ of Habeas Corpus against the recent passage of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2012 (NDAA), which permits internment and imprisonment of US citizens who show conduct which is “belligerent to the government”. The Webster dictionary describes the definition of “belligerent” to be “belonging to or recognized as a state at war and protected by and subject to the laws of war. 2. : inclined to or exhibiting assertiveness”.
Prior to that passage, the Patriot Act already covered the internment or imprisonment of suspected “terrorists”. The NDAA specifically targets United States Citizens for internment – thereby destroying the citizen’s concept of “The land of the free”!
“We are saying to the court and the government that there are citizens such as those in the American Biker Culture who have not yet found equal protections of the law {as do other citizens} because of active unjust profiling, bias, discrimination and malicious prosecutions by agencies and that without equal protections of the laws prior to the bills passage December 31,2011 places those in the American Biker Culture, as well as other cultures, in serious risk of their constitutional rights to freedom and liberty.
McGrath is working with a team of reps developing this strategic fight against NDAA passage from various States which started with Anna von Reitz in Alaska who has been instrumental in writ preparations and assistance. Each States habe is shaped differently – with similar basic constitutional grounds and additional grounds included by each State rep .
New York was shaped (by B.A.D.) to represent and include BIKERS RIGHTS within the grounds of argument, to raise that issue as an example of those in the country who are now being unconstitutionally threatened to suffer what thousands unjustly suffer today in foreign countries like Ireland, Africa, Cuba – to be literally taken away without due process and made to disappear in internment camps…IMAGINE?
Well, Its law now folks! It was passed December 31, 2011! You can review it at link below:
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-112s1867es/html/BILLS-112s1867es.htm
Most citizens recall the last time “internment” was actually used in the United States was during WW ll when over 120,000 Japanese Americans were rounded up and imprisoned under guise of security. The United States LATER apologized to all Japanese Americans for making a terrible mistake, as did the State of California in the case of ”Fred Korematsu, a welder from Oakland, California, who refused to comply with President Franklin Roosevelt’s directive”. He was honored recently FOR HIS FIGHT AGAINST THE UNJUST DIRECTIVE. Read more at this link:
http://news.yahoo.com/japanese-american-defied-wwii-internment-honored-230507190.html
So, it goes to show that “internment” IS NOT a conspiracy thought but an actual practice AND PRESENT LAW that citizens in the United States must now be vigilant of!
We offer for the reader the “Additional Grounds For Petition” in NYS Habeas Corpus below.
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IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
Henry McGrath,
Eric Russell Carlson,
Mike Willig,
Carmella Brown,
Petitioners,
v.
United States of America
United States of America, Inc., aka/dba
“USCorp” and “US Corporation”
Sen. Charles Schumer,
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand,
Respondents.
ADDENDUM TO PETITION FOR WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS - Additional Grounds in support of Petition:
It should be noted, there exists today unprotected elements within our State citizenry, such as the American Biker Culture, which struggle to retain natural and human rights, civil rights and constitutional right protections in the United States and New York State which ARE NOT presently afforded to them EQUALLY as is to other citizens of the United States and inhabitants of New York State. The respondent(s) have sought assistance in securing an amendment to the N.Y.S. human rights laws which would include “culture/sub-cultures” under the protections clause, in response to unjust State authority/agency profiling, bias, discrimination and malicious prosecutions of members of said culture, to no avail.
As such, and without this advancement in rights protections forALLCITIZENS in the United States and inhabitants of New York State, passing the National Defense Authorization Act of 2012 places those particular citizens of that culture, and other ethnic/ethical cultures, youth sub-cultures, free thinkers and developing sub-cultures within New York State, in direct and imminent danger of suffering unconstitutional loss of freedom and liberty immediately upon its passage.
Further, noted by actual history, though presented and passed under the pretense of national security and military defense, legislation which approved the use of drones in “enemy” countries NOW threaten every U.S. citizen and inhabitant’s constitutional rights and freedom’s – such as drones being used by not only US Govt. agencies to monitor citizen’s but by State agencies, as well, to spy on Native Americans, citizen’s within the American Biker Culture and other culture/sub-cultures within the United States. Drones are being used in various State agency operations to fly over citizen’s exercising the right to publicly protest – to monitor it’s citizens – free American’s who “shall be secured in their persons, houses, papers and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures.” Hence, by practice alone, we have evidence that such legislation as the National Defense Authorization Act of 2012 will be used against the citizens of New YorkStatein violation of the United States Constitution and New York State Constitution, respectively.
In recent oral argument before the United States Supreme Court in U.S. v. ANTOINE JONES{No. 10-1259, Nov. 8,2011}, regarding placing a warrant less GPS device’s on a suspect’s car, Chief Justice John Roberts asked Michael Dreeben, the deputy solicitor general arguing the case for the government, if, the FBI could, under their argument and theory, place a GPS on the cars of justice’s. Dreeben acknowledged that everyone would be subject as long as they were not in their house. He implied it is not intended to be used or placed in someone’s house, but, everyone, INCLUDING JUSTICES, may be under surveillance using GPS device’s – Under the governments theory and legal argument.
Petitioner appeals, on that basis, to the Courts conscience when weighing the issue of National Security against that ofALLour rights as American Citizen’s and New York State Citizens, be they from any particular culture, group or individual citizen. The lesser danger is in the latter.
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The State Habe will be filed in a matter of days in New York State.
Last Updated (Sunday, 12 February 2012 10:14)
Biker Chad to Join AZ Rider
| Editorial Columns - Biker Chad's Editorial |
AZ Rider Magazine is proud to announce the addition of contributing writer, Chad Hensiak – AKA Biker Chad. In addition to being a published writer and photographer, Chad has worked as a mechanic, product tester, technical adviser, motorcycle sales associate, and parts consultant. For the past several years, Chad has traveled across the country attending motorcycle rallies, and assisting fellow bikers with motorcycle accessories. He currently works as a motorcycle mechanic at the Road Guardians Compound in Big Bend, Wisconsin.
Chad lives by the mantra, ‘Ride to Live, and Live to Ride, which he says is more than just a patch on his vest.
“My Harley is my life and my income”, says Chad. He also considers his bike to be his therapist. “You never see a motorcycle parked outside of a shrink’s office, unless it is the shrink’s bike”.
Chad will be submitting articles on topics ranging from motorcycle maintenance and repair, to road safety and biker camaraderie. He offers words of advice to his fellow bikers, which include always lending a hand to others.
“In this modern age we all to easily assume that that biker you just passed on the side of the road has a cell phone or a roadside assistance coming. Well, what if he or she doesn’t?” Asks Chad. ”It only takes a minute of your time to stop and make sure they are o.k. Who knows you may make a new lifelong friend just for checking. It is time for all of us on two wheels to band together, put our differences aside and look at what we have in common.. being in the wind”.
Chad is a firm believer that we gain power through knowledge, and hopes to help educate by offering technical tidbits. By doing so, he hopes to be able to help the readers put a smarter face to the wind the next time they ride.
“Ride Smart”, he says in his tagline.
We look forward to seeing Chad on the road, and on AZ Rider Magazine.
Biker Poetry : Afterlife
| Road Rash - Poetry |
Afterlife
The two wheeled steed it is known,
For rendering one's flesh from bone
When patch of contact has been lost,
And from your steed you have been tossed
For smack of pavement is not forgiving,
Nay, it is known to take the living
And from this world at Godspeed,
And not a stop sign you shall head,
As it is from this life that you shall leave
But it is for this two-wheeled life you were chosen,
Know that it is not the life for most men
For nomads, and warriors, and gypsies we be,
And is not only this life of the road that we see
For it is our blood that we spill,
But it is our soul that is set free
Amen
~Preacher Chuck D.
Last Updated (Sunday, 12 February 2012 10:18)
