JUST A BIKER I saw you; hug your purse closer to you in the grocery store line. But you didn't see me put an extra $10.00 in the collection plate last Sunday. I saw you pull your child closer when we passed each other on the pavement. But you didn't see me playing Santa at the local shopping Mall. I saw you change your mind about going into the restaurant when you saw my bike parked out front. But you didn't see me attending a meeting to raise more money for the flood relief. I saw you roll up your window and shake your head when I rode by. But you didn't see me riding behind you when you flicked your cigarette butt out the car window. I saw you frown at me when I smiled at your children. But you didn't see me, when I took time off from work to run toys to the homeless. I saw you stare at my long hair. But you didn't see me and my friends cut ten inches off for Locks of Love. I saw you roll your eyes at our leather jackets and gloves. But you didn't see me and my brothers donate our old ones to those that had none.   I saw you look in fright at my tattoos. But you didn't see me cry as my children where born or have their name written over and in my heart. I saw you change lanes while rushing off to go somewhere. But you didn't see me going home to be with my family. I saw you, complain about how loud and noisy our bikes can be. But you didn't see me when you were changing the CD and drifted into my lane.I saw you yelling a t your kids in the car. But you didn't see me pat my child's hands knowing she was safe behind me. I saw you reading the newspaper or map as you drove down the road. But you didn't see me squeeze my wife's leg when she told me to take the next turn. I saw you race down the road in the rain. But you didn't see me get soaked to the skin so my son could have the car to go on his date. I saw you run the yellow light just to save a few minutes of time. But you didn't see me trying to turn right.   I saw you cut me off because you needed to be in the lane I was in. But you didn't see me leave the road. I saw you, waiting impatiently for my friends to pass. But you didn't see me. I wasn't there.I saw you go home to your family. But you didn't see me. Because I died that day you cut me off. I was just a biker. A person with friends and a family. But you didn't see me.Repost this around in hopes that people will understand the biker community..If you don't repost this, it sucks to be you. I hope you never lose someone that rides.EVEN IF YOU DON'T LIKE US, RESPECT OUR RIGHTS TO RIDE WHAT WE CHOOSE AND TAKE A FEW EXTRA SECONDS TO BE SURE WE ARE NOT IN 'YOUR' WAY                                                                                                                                                                             

Great post, HR!                                                                                                                                                                              

Ding Dong pip pip.                                                                                                                                                                             

Luvin that HR, nice 1.                                                                                                                                                                             

just sent s shiver down my spine hullrider                                                                                                                                                                             

HR                                                                                                                                                                             

Wow.  And how.  Have to say tho, things are better than they used to be.   One of my life mottos is not to pre judge.  Prejudice is a vile thing and appearances mean nothing.  My views are formed on actions not looks.   And life is so much the richer for that.   Vive humanity.                                                                                                                                                                             

Well said Netty :o)

It's hard not to be prejudiced... It's a fairly natural base human reaction to something 'different' from yourself, your family, your 'tribe'... then you add to the mix a media that work themselves up into a panicked frenzy over the latest perceived 'monster'...?

Well worth fighting those prejudices though ;o)

Excellent post HR :o)

seconded :-)   I also look at people and their attitudes, afterall, thats what they want to show to the world -  I never judge a book by its cover is what I'm attempting to say, but their actions speak louder than words, so after that, Im only human - I also accept that people can and do change.     I think its sad, everyones in such a rush nowadays, no time for anything other than A to B, and stuff whats in the way of their goal     Brilliant post Andy                                                                                                                                                                             

Another good point Nutkin... we should ALWAYS find time to stop and smell the roses  Life's a lot happier when we do!

I cannot take much credit for the post it was E-mailed to me to send on but I do not subscribe to fowarding those to random peeps.   But I wanted to still get it out there and where better to a bunch of great peeps who'd get far more out of it?   Feel free to copy it into your e-mails if you do that kind of thing though.   I actually saw this post in a motorcycle saftey awareness infomercial on youtube, but for once the written word is more powerful than the video. As you get more time to absorb all of the little asides rather than miss any of it.