Jan 1st rides

There are rides on Jan 1st on the East side.



There is one out of Fairview Heights, by the Raptors. It will run around Belleville area. Not a long ride, but should be fun. It starts at the VFW in Fairview Heights. Kickstands up at 11AM.



These is one out of Pontoon Beach, by a rider with the No Rules Riders. It will run around the Granite/Pontoon area. It should be a fun ride also. It starts at Village Inn in Pontoon Beach (4015 Pontoon Rd, Granite City) kickstands up at Noon.

It may be a little cool outside.. But what the hay...lol.. Hope to see you riding!

Roger
ramjet

I was recently informed

I was recently informed by a friend that my name and Jennifer's appeared on a flyer for an upcoming event in Belleville, IL. I guess the person who made the flyer still hasn't figured out that my wife's name is Joy and that Jennifer is my sister. If you can't tell the difference or there is no difference between a wife and a sister, you might be a redneck or a phony rooster. I state right here and now that my name was used without my consent, probably to give credibility to an event which I do not support nor do I have any affiliation with. I have not yet decided whether or not to get a legal opinion on this matter, since someone is using my name without consent.

The event in question does not allow bikers that wear colors to enter. I have taken a stand against for profit events that do not allow patch holders to attend. Those of you who attend these events have probably noticed my absence at the last couple of events at this venue. I guarantee I will not be at the next one either.

In fact this attitude by the promoter is what has prodded me into starting a real swap meet, where the order of the day will not be how much dead cow can I stuff into one building. The first of many Midwest Motorcycle Swap Meets is coming on March 28, 2009. Please watch the magazine for details.

We will have a garage sale area where you can get in to the swap meet AND have a place to sell the parts you have sitting in your garage--cost for you as the seller is only $20. It is time for motorcycle events to be for and about bikers and not just how much money can we grab.

I end this as I started it. I have nothing to do with any upcoming events in Belleville, IL, and it is obvious to me that people who have no integrity have used my name to give an air of integrity to their event.

Merry Motorcycle Christmas

I know I have been a little lacking n my posts here lately and I apologize for that. Right now there is a ton of stuff going on putting out a new issue of the magazine, putting the finishing touches on the DVD and oh there is some family oriented Holiday coming up. Oh yeah it is Christmas or whatever you celebrate. All of us here at The Biking Life wish you, your family and friends the best of Christmases. Also our hopes for all the best for you in the year ahead.

I know some of you are experiencing some tough times, we are not all that different. I know some of you are worried about what lies ahead. Don't as we all keep putting one foot in front of another we will get through this and when we emerge on the other side we will be better people because of our struggles now. It will get better.

I once again thank all of you who support us. It is this support that keeps us going and once again I ask you to please support those who support us. Till next post, have fun, be good and spend lots if time with family during this season.

Jim Tries the Bikes at the H-D Museum

Here is a shot of the boss trying out one of the bikes on our recent visit to the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee.

My thoughts confirmed

I was recently talking to a former co-worker who has taken a job as a security guard to help his spouse with the home expenses while he searches for a better job. However the other night he was telling me how a domestic dispute broke out in the area. He tried calling 911 and the police did answer, according to this former colleague that is about all they did. He was supposed to keep talking to the 911 operator while still trying to keep these two separated. He specifically asked them to send officers and they did not. While this scuffle was going on, another bystander noticed that one of the principles had a gun by this time the guy was off the phone with 911.

In the end things ended okay, no one got hurt. But if the one guy was packing it could have ended up very ugly as there were numerous bystanders as well. The 911 operator did call back after 15 or 20 minutes to make sure the principles were no longer there.

I was also told and this is the ironic part. That a cruiser had just left there he had been checking up on an open hatch on a car right in front of the place not two minutes before this happened but that cop couldn't check out a call where people might have been injured.

It's either donuts which I doubt or once again proof that the upper levels of law enforcement agencies these days, or those that control them are more interested in procuring revenue than they are in protecting those they supposedly serve.

The Passing of a Friend

I was just informed of the passing of one of our friends. His name is Bill Wisley and he passed on Friday morning after a battle with cancer. Bill was a good man and a friend. There will be visitation for Bill on Tuesday from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Kassley Funeral Home on Lincoln Trail between hwys 159 and 157. there will also be a viewing before the funeral on Wednesday morning from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. The family has requested that no one wear suits or dress clothes they wish instead that we all come as bikers and anyone who can ride is encouraged to. Thanks

Thanks to all who came out to Fatboy's

I thank everyone who came out Sunday and made our party for the Jefferson County Rescue Mission a huge success. Everyone who was there knows how big this one really was. Once again the generosity of you our readers and supporters was overwhelming. Mike, Louis and their son John from the mission were very pleased by your donation.
Once again you fine folks demonstrated the generosity of bikers. I know many of us don't have a lot this year but still we dug into our wallets to help others. I thank everyone who came out and helped people like Killer, Valerie, Fuzzy and particularly Kathleen for all thw work she did in putting this together. Kathy lined up donations and places to put barrels for the collection. She really outdid herself. I would also like to thank Jay and Amber from Fatboys for opening up their establishemnt to our event and to our magazine. They are truly excellent people deserving of your support. If you haven't been to Fatboy's in De Soto, MO. You need to check this place out it is very fun and they have great food at good prcies. Thanks again for your support.

Jim

New Grandma and Grandpa

I don't know if anyone else cares but Joy and I became grandparents again on Monday morning. We have a new grand daughter which is cool and grandpa held her for the first time yesterday. This new addition to The Biking Life family is Rachel Kotter.

Motorcycle Stuff This Weekend

There are numerous Christmas oriented activities going on this weekend. On Saturday Frieze Harley Davidson is having an open house also Ted's Motorcycle World in Alton is also having their Christmas open house this Sunday. Also Saturday night the Piasa Gateway ABATE Chapter is having their Christmas dance this is always big fun. Sunday The Biking Life is having our Second Annual Christmas Party and bake sale/ food drive to help the less fortunate of Jefferson County. This event will be held at Fatboy's in De Soto, MO and should be a lot of fun if last year was any way to judge. Don't be fooled by imitators this is the real party for these folks.

Oh I forgot perhaps if you cannot make it to our event you could make a donation at one of the many sponsors listed on our flyer. I know things are tough for many our there right now but if you believe in Karma and I do what you give away will come around so please do what you can.



Speaking of imitators I guess we should be very flattered the way many are now taking our ideas and using them. That is only to be expected when you are the leader of the pack. As Jimi said many years ago "Move Over Rover and Let Jimmy Take Over". I hope to see many of you at our event and at other places throughout the month but if I don't please have a happy and safe Christmas so we can ride together again next year. Peace, out Jim.