Musings of a Contemplative Biker

My Time to Ride

noreply@blogger.com (Dean "D-Day") — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 20:03:00 +0000

This week, Harley-Davidson launched a new video series, "My Time to Ride," which follows the emotional and empowering journey of four women as they break free from their daily routines and discover the freedom of the open road as new Harley-Davidson riders. The six-episode series, available at My Time To Ride, follows the life-changing transformation that happens when women grab life by the handlebars and learn to ride a motorcycle.

A Police State?

noreply@blogger.com (Dean "D-Day") — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 22:04:00 +0000

Motorcycle-only roadside checkpoints are starting to loom their ugly head in some states. The Secretary of Transportation is providing grants to states and other local governments to be used for any program to check helmet usage or create checkpoints for motorcycles. These checkpoints are being established in the name of "safety"; however, many local governments are having a hard time explaining exactly what they'll be doing at the checkpoints and how they'll make the roads safer. It sound more like a massive overreach of government power to me.

Well then, it's time to start fighting back!

1. Go to this website: Support H.R. 904
2. Enter your zip code.
3. Sign the letter and send it.

That's it! It will automatically send a letter to your representative asking them to sign H.R. 904 which would ban these invasive checkpoints. If they've already signed-on, it will send a letter thanking them for supporting motorcycling.

Start fighting for your rights on the road before they're gone!

Biker Advice

noreply@blogger.com (Dean "D-Day") — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 20:41:00 +0000

Help A Sister Out!

noreply@blogger.com (Dean "D-Day") — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 02:40:00 +0000

My friend JoAnn Bortles has just entered a bike she painted into the "My American Masterpiece" contest. Some of you folks may already know of JoAnn. She is the owner of Crazy Horse Painting and has her paint jobs in just about any biker magazine that you can name. She's won several awards at the Easyriders bike shows. And she's a great person to boot!

I'm asking all my friends to go to the contest website and vote for her "American Tribute" bike. All you need to do is go to the bottom of the page and click on "American Tribute". That's it! No registering, no signing up for anything! How easy is that to help out a sister?! Just click on the picture of the "American Tribute" bike below and it will take you right to the contest site. Thanks for your help!

D-Day's Wanted Poster

noreply@blogger.com (Dean "D-Day") — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 15:28:00 +0000

Guess who's featured as "The Girl's Most Wanted" in the June issue of Saddle Tramp Magazine?
Yep, yours truly.

Sure I might be taking a little bit of "ribbing" about being a "centerfold". But it's kind of cool going places and having people say, "Hey, didn't I see you in Saddle Tramp?!"
It's also been a great way to introduce myself to some of the magazine readers since it looks like the editor wants to start publishing some of my drivel about motorcycling.

A centerfold? Sure, I'll take on that title.
I'll be waiting by the phone for a call from Larry Flynt.

And The Winner Is.....

noreply@blogger.com (Dean "D-Day") — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 19:41:00 +0000

Well, we had a few good guesses this past week but nobody guessed correctly what I'm going to be buying from J&P Cycles before I make my trip to Sturgis this year.

I'm going to be buying some T-Bag luggage. I've always just strapped down a duffel bag to the back seat for trips in the past but I've never been gone this long and I don't think that a duffel bag will hold everything that I need to take with me. I've heard a lot of great things about the T-Bag line and I'm sure that my bag will perform great for several years.

Since, we didn't have any correct answers to the contest question, I threw everyone's name in a hat and drew a name. And the lucky winner is.....

Allen Madding!

Congratulation Allen! And despite suggesting that I might buy a trailer (Hack! Hack!) I'm still going to award you the gift card anyway! Allen - Send me your name, address, phone number and email to deanwolf68@aol.com so I can tell J&P Cycles where to send your gift card.

Thanks to everyone who played!!

Last Chance To Win

noreply@blogger.com (Dean "D-Day") — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 17:33:00 +0000

Last chance to win yourself a gift card from J&P Cycles! I'll be picking the winner tomorrow!

There's something that I'll be buying from J&P Cycles before I go on my first trip to Sturgis this year. So, post your guesses on what you think it is that I'll be buying. I'll be limiting your guesses to two per person in order to give everyone a chance. The first person to guess correctly wins the gift card! (If we get to the 8th without a winner, I will put everyone who's participated name in a hat and draw a winner at random.)

Enter now and get yourself some cool J&P Cycles merchandise this summer!

Win a $25.00 Gift Card from J&P Cycles

noreply@blogger.com (Dean "D-Day") — Tue, 31 May 2011 16:06:00 +0000

Yep, I've got the go-ahead from J&P Cycles to give away one of their gift cards!

Now, I've been a customer of J&P Cycles for many years. I've purchased everything from T-shirts to my saddlebags and exhaust system from them. Why do I keep going back? They have everything you could ever want for your bike (Harleys and other makes) at a decent price and their service is awesome!

As some of you know, I'll be making my first trek to Sturgis this year and I've got my eye on something that I'll be buying from J&P Cycles before I go. So, between now and June 8th, post your guesses on what you think it is that I'll be buying. I'll be limiting your guesses to two per person in order to give everyone a chance. The first person to guess correctly wins the gift card! (If we get to the 8th without a winner, I will put everyone who's participated name in a hat and draw a winner at random.)

I'll announce the winner on June 8th and get your information so J&P Cycles can send you the gift card.

So, get guessing and win yourself something awesome for this riding season!!!

Sturgis...So Who's In?!

noreply@blogger.com (Dean "D-Day") — Tue, 24 May 2011 12:59:00 +0000

There's been talk over the past handful of months from some of you about wanting to go to Sturgis. I'm definitely in this year! So, who else is going? What days are you going to be there? Where are ya staying? Fill me in on your plans!

Now, I'm going to be popping my cherry since I've never gone before. So even if you aren't going but have before, any hints or advice that you can give will be greatly appreciated.

Win a Harley Street Glide

noreply@blogger.com (Dean "D-Day") — Tue, 17 May 2011 18:48:00 +0000

Right now through my H.O.G. connections, I can enter the first fifty of my friends into a drawing for a BRAND NEW HARLEY-DAVISON STREET GLIDE!

If you wish to enter for a free kick-ass bike, send me your full name and email address. (You can post it below or send it to deanwolf68@aol.com) I'll enter you for the drawing. Harley-Davidson will send you an email invitation on my behalf. All you need to do is accept the invitation by filling in your information. That's it!

You'll get a FREE copy of H.O.G. magazine just for entering and I've been assured that your information will not be sold or given to any 3rd party solicitors.

(Disclaimer: If you win the Street Glide, I'll get one too. But hey, free is free! Right?!)

S&S to Stand Behind Big Dog Engine Warranties

noreply@blogger.com (Dean "D-Day") — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 14:18:00 +0000

S&S Cycle issued a press release yesterday concerning the now closed Big Dog Motorcycles:

"With the announcement of the closure of Big Dog Motorcycle Company, many Big Dog owners are wondering where to turn for warranty support on their bikes. Though the official BDM warranty ended with the company, S&S is stepping up to the plate and offering a special engine warranty to all owners of Big Dog motorcycles that were still covered by the factory warranty. S&S company president George Smith Jr. commented "I'm certainly sad to see a good customer like BDM close their doors, but I feel that we need to shoulder the responsibility, and make sure the end customer gets a square deal. I suppose we could just look the other way, but I won't do that. After all, these are S&S engines. We built them and we're going to stand behind them!"

The special engine warranty will remain in force for the original owner of the bike, for as long as the original vehicle warranty would have lasted. To be eligible owners will simply need to confirm that their vehicle was still under warranty by presenting an original bill of sale to any S&S dealer.

S&S Cycle of Viola, Wisconsin would also like to assure owners of BDM bikes that S&S will be able to supply engine parts to keep your Big Dog in the hunt for years to come. Owners of older BDM bikes no longer under warranty may have the engines repaired by an S&S dealer, or your dealer can send them to S&S to be professionally rebuilt by the S&S Remanufacturing Service in LaCrosse, WI. S&S will charge the same reasonable rate charged to any S&S engine owner, and we'll even do performance upgrades at the same time. Visit the S&S website for more details or to find an S&S dealer in your area."

The Spring "Snow" Run

noreply@blogger.com (Dean "D-Day") — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 16:21:00 +0000

Today was the day that we were going to go on the "Spring Flood Run". I don't know how well attended the run was since Mr. Winter decided to rear his ugly head again. I'm holed up inside still wearing my sweats and watching the sleety-rain-snow mix come down.

Today is the 46th annual Spring Flood Run commemorating the 1965 flood where the St. Croix river overflowed it banks. People came from all over the region to help fill sandbags to save the homes of the people in the area. A lot of these volunteers were bikers. It's said that the homeowners in the area were so grateful that they invited all these volunteers back for food and drinks. And the rest is history as they say.

The Spring Flood Run has grown to an attendance of approximately 25,000 bikers each year to ride about 150 miles down the edge of the Mississippi River with several stops along the way. It's grown to the point where they've actually broken the run into two routes. One going along the Minnesota side of the river with another along the Wisconsin side.

We were really looking forward to the run. I've seen Mr. Motorcycle blog about this run in the past and now that I'm living close enough, I'd thought that I'd give it try this year. Things were even in the works for a D-Day / Mr. Motorcycle meet-up. Karen was pretty bummed too. It would have been her very first run of any kind and she was pretty stoked to go. She spent the whole week running around gearing up for it - jacket, chaps, boots, gloves, headband. So, of course, because she was geared up and ready the snow had to hit. Murphy's Law in action!

Oh well, it's still early in the year. Lots of good weather, runs and rallies ahead!

Ride free brothers and sisters.

Contemplative Quote For The Day

noreply@blogger.com (Dean "D-Day") — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 15:04:00 +0000

"You have enemies? Good! That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life."

~ Winston Churchill

The "Biker" Book For Charity

noreply@blogger.com (Dean "D-Day") — Sat, 19 Mar 2011 03:15:00 +0000

I've come across a new author who has a contemplative mind and a beautiful biker-like soul. Louise Lewis is in the process of writing The Meaning Of Life According To "Bikers".

"While volunteering during a riding club’s annual toy run at my local children's hospital, I had the honor of witnessing a heart-wrenching interaction between a sick little boy and a “biker dude”. The touching moment left me in tears and inspired to dedicate a book to this community for its charitable heart."

"Since the book was 'born' at a kid’s hospital, I am, therefore, donating my net proceeds to kids' charities. I will also donate my time and services to help groups that resell the book to raise money for their own charities of choice."

"It is simply a collection of 'meaning of life' answers and stories from motorcycle riding "regular folks”, corporate ‘suits’, and Hollywood celebrities who are not afraid to share with others what they have learned (so far) about (their) meaning of life."

"The purpose of the "biker" book is to be used as a fund raising tool to aid the motorcycle community's tireless efforts in supporting various charities. And the Spirit behind the book is believing that one person can make a difference."

Please check out her website "No Experts Needed" as well as her blog "The Biker Book For Charity".

Some People Don't Know When To Say When

noreply@blogger.com (Dean "D-Day") — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 16:42:00 +0000

Contemplative Quote For The Day

noreply@blogger.com (Dean "D-Day") — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 15:34:00 +0000

Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one's definition of your life; define yourself.

Words of Wisdom

noreply@blogger.com (Dean "D-Day") — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 02:30:00 +0000

"I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them."

Why are people so willing to give up everything so they can be taken care of? So many people don't want to work for anything anymore because they've been sold a crock of crap bill of goods from the government that the common man isn't capable of doing anything on their own without the state being involved.

I'm urging everyone to get involved this coming year. Read your Constitution. Know your rights. Go to a city board meeting. And start doing for yourself instead of waiting for someone else to do it for you.

Oh...the quote above...

A warning from Thomas Jefferson.

Seems like those guys knew what they were talking about. Maybe we should listen a little more closely to them.

A Christmas Rant

noreply@blogger.com (Dean "D-Day") — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 18:02:00 +0000

Yeah, I know I'm late and Christmas is over. My opinions don't change though whether it's December 25th or May 26th.

So, I'm opening Christmas cards last week that we received in the mail and one of them happens to be a "Happy Winter Solstice" card. (Never mind that it was from my father. That's another story.) My first gut reaction was "WTF?!!!" As I looked it over, I noticed that it had been printed by the Freedom From Religion Foundation. This is the group that takes anyone to court if you happen to have a religious thought within a mile from a public school or office building. You hear a lot about this group at this time of year. With the display of all the Christmas decorations at this time of year, they typically try to stomp on anyone who tries to put up a nativity scene on anything other than your own back yard.

I don't have a problem if you want to be an Atheist. Or a Muslim. Or a Satanist. Or whatever your little heart desires. I only have problems when these groups start trying to infringe upon my rights. They do this by going under the assumption that they have a basic right to be "Free FROM Religion". Sorry but our Constitution didn't give any right to be free FROM religion. It gave us the right of Freedom OF Religion. The right to practice whatever religion we want (or to practice none at all if your an Atheist).

This nation was founded on Christian ideals and principles and thus celebrates Christmas. If you don't believe in Jesus, then don't celebrate Christmas. That's your right but don't try to take it away from the rest of us because you're offended by the thought. I never really understood that logic anyway. If you don't believe in Jesus, it should all be meaningless to you. So how do you become offended by something that you don't believe in?!?

Anyway...
This subject gets beat to death every year so I won't go on other than to say...

Hope you all had a Merry Christmas!!!
(Even you too Dad.)

D-Day Has His Day Of Freedom

noreply@blogger.com (Dean "D-Day") — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 23:30:00 +0000

After I had hung up the phone with Karen, I started thinking about what she had said... "I think that it's very appropriate that you go riding today." You see, the day was August 1st which used to be my wedding anniversary. And she was trying to point out to me that I should celebrate a day which used to represent restriction and oppression with something that makes me feel so free. Riding...

I mounted up and pointed Dixie west with Chuck Berry rockin' away in my mind..."No particular place to go!" Even through the early morning fog, we were really starting to hit our Zen when...OMG!!! I hit the brakes and pulled over as fast as I could. "I gotta get a picture of this!", I thought.

"D-DAY'S BAR & GRILL"
"I should probably honor my namesake and go in," I thought. Unfortunately, the place wasn't open yet (which is alright since I usually don't drink until at least 9:00 AM). It looked like it was probably a pretty rockin' place by evidence of the dude still sleeping in his truck from the night before. I thought it would be pretty funny to get a picture of him and post it here with my commentary. He didn't think it was so funny though. For some reason, he took offense to me standing outside his truck window pointing a camera in his direction and came out of the truck at me pretty mad. So, I figured it was time to high-tail it out of there.

I headed straight across the state, staying off the interstate so I could roll through all the various small towns scattered about and enjoy a taste of Americana. The whole time I thought about what riding now meant to me. It was no longer a means to escape and avoid the oppression that had become a daily part of my life for so many years. It was now something to be enjoyed and savored. I was noticing the sights, sounds and smells through totally different eyes and feeling truly free.

I got to the other side of the state and after having lunch I thought, "Hmmm...Karen's only 100 miles away." So, Dixie and I headed north up Highway 35 which is called "The Great River Road." The road runs along the edge of the Mississippi River and is a Mecca for bikers. I stopped a few times along the road to look at the lock and dams and to enjoy the beautiful bluffs that overlook the river. There was lots of smiling and waving from the other bikers and considering how good I was feeling, I think that I did a bit more waving than usual.

I arrived in La Crosse a while later and rolled into the driveway as Karen came flying into the garage to meet me with a smile and a kiss. She sure digs my bike and frequently calls Dixie "beautiful" and "sexy". I sure like it that the two most important women in my life get along so well. After a visit that was too brief but always welcomed, I started back across the state still thinking of my newly-defined "freedom".

"Freedom" took another meaning though as I rolled into another town and saw the Veterans Park that they had honoring all their county's fallen heroes. I walked around all the flags reading the names off the memorial stones that stood at the base of each flagpole. Fallen soldiers from W.W. I through the current war were all represented. I stood for a moment of silence and thought about what "freedom" had meant to them.

I arrived back home 12 hours and 500 miles later having a greater appreciation for my life and my riding. I want to thank all of you for supporting my writing and giving me the freedom to express myself. I want to thank Karen for loving me so much that I had the freedom to be happy again. And I want to thank our veterans for giving us the freedoms that we all enjoy.

Ride free, my brothers and sisters.

2011 Is Looking To Be A Great Year

noreply@blogger.com (Dean "D-Day") — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 09:38:00 +0000

Harley-Davidson has just released its 2011 line-up of bikes. Check 'em out and let us know what you think. Do you all of a sudden see a new bike in your future?!

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE 2011 LINE-UP!!

Contemplative Quote For The Day

noreply@blogger.com (Dean "D-Day") — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 14:46:00 +0000

Today's quote comes from the Greek philosopher Epicurus (BC 341-270). I figured that since it's still around after 2300 years, there was probably some validity to it.

Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.

Have an awesome week!!

No Riding Makes D-Day a Dull Boy

noreply@blogger.com (Dean "D-Day") — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 18:42:00 +0000

So, I've been getting quite a bit of flack from some of you because I haven't posted anything in a "coon's age". But it gets kind of hard to write anything about riding when a yuppie with his $50k chromed billet barge is probably getting more saddle time than me.

I've been spending a great deal of my time driving my truck back and forth across the state helping Karen move into our new place. I've started moving some of my own things there as well and there's only so much you can pack on a bike. So, I've been taking the truck for that reason too.

I suppose I could tell you all about how we sit on the patio and watch the birds that come to feed at our birdfeeders. Or, I could write about the walk that we took around the neighborhood. Or even about sitting on the couch together and watching a movie the other night. Yep, I've become pretty domesticated. And most of the time pretty content to be so.

con.tent
- adjective

1. satisfied with what one is or has; not wanting more or anything else.

It's the first time in years that I can say that. It's the first time in a long time that I haven't been searching for something. Which brings me back to the blog....

I think that's why I started blogging a few years ago. I was using it as a way to search for something. To reach out to others who maybe had the answers that I was seeking. To let my soul cry out and hope that someone would be there to dry the eternal tears and point to the path.

So, now that I'm content, where does that leave my writing? Does that mean an end to this blog? I don't necessarily think so. I think that it means my writing may have to go in a new direction. Instead of spending my time staring into the black bowels of dispair, I'm going to concentrate more on the "life-lottery" that I feel like I've recently won. Yep, I bought my ticket and now those ping-pong balls with the numbers on them are all starting to line up perfectly.

More on that later though...
I got some birds to go watch.

Contemplative Thought For The Day

noreply@blogger.com (Dean "D-Day") — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 20:13:00 +0000

"Life is too short to wake up with regrets. So love the people who treat you right. Forget the ones who don't. Believe everything happens for a reason. If you get a second chance, grab it with both hands. If it changes your life, LET it. Nobody said life would be easy, they just promised it would be WORTH it."

I borrowed this quote from a biker chick I know of who lost her leg in a motorcycle crash a few years ago. Instead of letting it defeat her, she climbed back on the horse and continues to ride today. Cat, you're an inspiration of how to live life to its fullest even in the face of catastrophic events! Ride on sister!

Ukulele Boy

noreply@blogger.com (Dean "D-Day") — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 23:36:00 +0000

I know that this not motorcycle related but I just couldn't resist. Enjoy!

Win a Harley from K&N Filter

noreply@blogger.com (Dean "D-Day") — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 06:13:00 +0000

K&N is giving you the chance to win your very own 2010 Harley-Davidson Street Bob as well as being one of the finalists who will win a trip to the NHRA Nationals race.

Click the K&N logo to read the whole story and register for this great contest.