Bikers are the most generous and charitable cross section of the population I know. (For clarification, I consider a "biker" anyone who rides. Period. Could be the guy with the $35,000 custom that rarely comes off the trailer, to the rider who logs 100,000 miles a year on his touring bike. It doesn't matter what brand of motorcycle it is, either. For the sake of this discussion they are all "bikers.")
Why They Do What They Do
At the drop of a hat a biker will plunk down 25 bucks or more simply for the opportunity to ride with a group for a few miles in order to raise money for an ill child, a family that experienced a financially devastating disaster, a fellow biker with cancer, or for an organization like the Shriner's Hospital for Children. I imagine that if you were sitting around with two or more bikers and mention that your neighbor's kid fell out of the tree and scraped his shin, they'd suggest pooling their money and riding to the edge of town and back so they could give the cash to the mother for a new box of band-aids. That's just the way they are.
Surely you've seen them in action. Haven't you been stuck at a stoplight while a cop holds back traffic in order to allow the parade of bikes to safely negotiate the intersection? Yeah, it might have irritated you to have to sit there for 3 minutes, but there should be no doubt in your mind that they are doing good work. Who knows...maybe someday they will be raising money for someone you know and love.
What An Odd Looking Bunch of Folks
Next time you observe a bunch of them riding by, note what they look like. A majority of them are often big guys with beards and tattoos. They look scary. Others are the younger guys with shaved heads on 'crotch rockets' that can't wait to do a wheelie for the crowd. The nickname given to them by the Harley types is "squid." That is short for "squirrelly kid." Then you find your respectable businessman on his Gold Wing that you can barely hear as it zips by. You might be surprised to find that your doctor or financial advisor is riding one of them. Heck...he might even be on a noisy Harley!
Big Bikes, Big Hearts
I have been in many charitable rides. With a couple exceptions, they were all for complete strangers. What compels bikers to fork over the cash for them still mystifies me. The phenomenon seems unique to bikers, too. When is the last time you saw a group of computer programmers organize an event that yields thousands of dollars for a total stranger? How about water skiing buffs, or folks that fly model airplanes? No doubt you could find some examples of non-riders engaging in a charitable event, but bikers are the most notable. Others groups do it from necessity while bikers seem to seek it out. Thank goodness they do.
There was a fellow biker that I know who received a devastating brain injury after being struck by a car while riding his motorcycle. Every year the group of riders with which I associate raises money for his long-term care. Money from anonymous bikers shows up in his charitable trust fund. We sell stuff in an on-line auction for him. Some of the stuff that is auctioned off is crap, but it gives the bikers an excuse to raise money. Other items are quite valuable, or are homemade products. I painted an air cleaner cover for a Harley, which you could have purchased in a store for less than $70, but it went for $210 on the auction. All the money went to the fund.
My Next Plan
My next money-raising plan for our friend is in the works. I do some work for a company that supplies custom refrigerator magnets, and I'm going to design a magnet and sell them to the folks in my motorcycle group. The design won't make sense to those that aren't familiar with our friend and his plight, but that is what makes it unique. They are inexpensive to make, but if I know my biker friends, they'll spend ridiculous amounts of money for a handful of them. I'm not going to attempt to recoup the cost of manufacturing, either. Every penny raised will go to the fund.
Yeah, the business I deal with does primarily wedding stuff, but they'll put anything on a magnet, as long as it isn't illegal or immoral. You'll see a shameless plug for the business in my signature below. Give this idea some consideration, contact the business and have them make some magnets so you can raise some cash for a good cause. It'll make you feel good.
Andrew has been writing articles for years. Previously he
wrote a monthly article on 2-way radios and police scanners, a stint that
lasted for four years. He enjoys riding his Harley, painting cars and
motorcycles, and spending time with his wife and kids. Recently a friend asked
him to write for her business called Fresh Impressions and FI Health
Care Promotions.
» left by bikerlady from Arkansas (158 days 15 hours ago.)
I am a biker also. This article paints a wonderful picture of the diverse group of people known as 'bikers'. The article is well written and gives wonderful helpful and inspirational information not only for the world of 'bikers' but for all who read it.
» left by Andrew Barber(111) Andrew Barber (158 days 14 hours ago.)
Thanks! I've been riding since 1969 (with a few years off when I was
raising a family) and do as much traveling as I can. Some psychologist
would have a ball trying to figure out why such a group of folks,
diverse as they are, have such a propensity to simply help other people
with no questions asked and no expectation of getting anything back.
Again, thanks for reading the article and for your comment. If you
would, pass it along to other biker types you know. I see you are from Arkansas. I have riding buddies in Fox and Mountain View. I ride there every October and we have a get-together. Beautiful country and wonderful roads. (We don't have many curves here in Kansas.) Andrew
» left by bikerlady(240) (158 days 11 hours ago.)
Your article is very good. I have been riding since I was so small Dad would had to put me on the gas tank in front of him. I had to reach behind me and put my fingers under his belt. We use to cruise the streets of down town Little Rock of an evening after dinner. My times with my Dad were the greatest. We are a family of bikers. I have been living in the Florida Keys for the past eighteen years and have riden south Florida until I recent;ly returning home to care for my mother. Actually, the photo I have asked SearchWarp to place for me on my profile is one of my favorites. It is of myself and a riding buddy sitting on the side of the street (Key Deer Blv.) Big Pine Key, FL. The key deer there can be found if you know how. Our bikes were parked on the opposite side of the street and Norm & Jane (other riding buddies) were the one's that took this picture. When you come back to Ark. hope you enjoy every minute of it. I am not a writer, but I joined SearchWarp to post articles about bikers and biker things because I enjoy that. I am hoping to be able to assist the popularity of my website with my articles. Please take a look at what ever articles I may manage to get written and see what you think. I understand you are a pro at article writing.
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