THANKSGIVING BIKERNET WEEKLY NEWS for Thanksgiving 2021 Goddammit!

Hey,

We all have so much to be thankful for this Holiday season. We have been lucky Mofo’s forever. Hell, young builders don’t even know how lucky they are to be able to score parts at a swap meet and go to work building a bike, unhampered by a myriad of government agencies. Ask some brothers in Europe, where every product must be approved by maybe not one, but a group of government agencies.

I want to give thanks for being able to build Bikernet and write books without government interference, yet. I want to thank every contributor past and present who made Bikernet a cool place to hang out in. I still enjoy finding and posting content almost every day. I want to thank Joe Jorgenson’s crew, who keep the Bikernet infrastructure alive and cooking. I want to thank the Wayfarer for staying on top of the Bikernet Blog and for his editorial recommendations.

Then there is Barry Green and Sam Burns who keep me inspired with wild images for the news and other posts. Bob T. keep me going with historic motorcycle shots and stories about the wild ‘70s, before we got married and had kids. J.J. Solari has added a whole new dimension and insight to Bikernet. Jim Waggaman keeps me floating on cloud nine with jokes. And George fleming is a master artist, while I’m also working with Atomic Bob on sketches for a new series about stolen motorcycles. And I continue to use Jon Towle art for my new Chance Hogan book chapters.

We will always honor David Mann’s masterful art. I want to thank the Redhead, Laura and Palma for keeping our books straight. Keeping the books straight means I know when I can afford another bike project, like the one I’m about to start with an Irish Rich single-loop VL frame and an XA springer from Matt Olsen. I’m looking for a Knucklehead engine and 4-speed kicker trans. Although Rich has an electric start option I want to investigate.

I want to give thanks to all of our advertisers who keep Bikernet afloat in changing times.

There are so many folks and aspects of American life to be thankful for. We are living in the best of times, yet some folks want to tear it down, but I can’t imagine bikers will let them. And of course I want to thank you and every reader we have for your attention and support. Let’s hit the news, then let’s look at what’s coming up. Have a great day!

The Bikernet Weekly News is sponsored in part by companies who also dig Freedom including: Cycle Source Magazine, the MRF, Las Vegas Bikefest, Iron Trader News, ChopperTown, BorntoRide.com and the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING FROM DAMON MOTORCYCLES–We’re thankful for you.

There’s the family you’re born into – and the one you choose.

No matter who you’re breaking bread with today, we can collectively reflect on a year where things have started to get back to normal. The last couple of years have made us all more appreciative of what and who we have in our lives.

And, for everyone at Damon, that means you – our chosen family.

All of our success is thanks to your support and the trust you put in us. Today, we raise a glass to you virtually – next year, we’ll celebrate together in person at demo days and test ride events.

Wishing you and your loved ones a happy and healthy holiday season!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING FROM THE DAV– Before we sit down with our families at the dinner table today, I wanted to send a heartfelt note of thanks to YOU. For selflessly serving our country … for making tremendous sacrifices … for all you have given — we’re grateful for you this Thanksgiving and all year long.

Happy Thanksgiving, from our DAV family to yours.

–J Marc Burgess
DAV National Adjutant

BIKERNET UNIVERSITY ENGLISH DEPARTMENT HOLIDAY VOCABULARY LESSON–repast
[ ri-past, -pahst, ree-past, -pahst ]
noun

a meal.

WHAT IS THE ORIGIN OF REPAST?

Repast “meal” derives via Middle English from the Old French verb repaistre “to eat a meal” (compare Modern French repaître “to feed, to eat”), which ultimately comes from the Latin prefix re- “again, regularly” and the verb pascere “to feed.” Pascere, the past participle stem of which is past-, is the source of numerous food- and livestock-related terms in English, such as antipasto and pasture. Despite the similar spelling, the words past and pasta are not derivatives of pascere. Past was originally a variant of passed, the past participle of pass, a verb that comes from the Latin noun passus “step,” while pasta is an Italian borrowing from Ancient Greek pastá “barley porridge.” Repast was first recorded in English in the early 1300s.

HOW IS REPAST USED?

One of the greatest aspects of the traditional Thanksgiving feast is the near-boundless array of food at the table. That also makes it perhaps the [year’s] toughest repast for wine pairing. Or not, if we extend the bounty of the food to the wine options .… [I]t makes sense to make them part of the meal and give guests a chance to try different wines with different dishes, or to hoard a bit of one wine for their favorite part of the meal.

BILL WARD, “DIFFERENT WINES FOR DIFFERENT DISHES AT THE HOLIDAY TABLE,” AP NEWS, NOVEMBER 14, 2018

Consider for a moment, the Thanksgiving meal itself. It has become a sort of refuge for endangered species of starch: sweet potatoes, cauliflower, pumpkin, mince (whatever “mince” is), those blessed yams …. And then the sacred turkey. One might as well try to construct a holiday repast around a fish—say, a nice piece of boiled haddock. After all, turkey tastes very similar to haddock: same consistency, same quite remarkable absence of flavor.

MICHAEL J. ARLEN, “COMMENT,” THE NEW YORKER, NOVEMBER 27, 1978

NEWS FROM THE BIKERNET BLOG EDITOR–This news item is a curious bit from the Third World. Maybe shows impact of vehicles in different parts of the world. Actual absolute “Outlaws”.

Like that old “Mad Max” movie (1979) – an Australian post-apocalyptic action film, follows the adventures of Max Rockatansky, a police officer in a future Australia which is experiencing societal collapse due to war and critical resource shortages. When his wife and child are murdered by a vicious biker gang, Max kills them in revenge and becomes a drifting loner in the Wasteland.

Maybe for the Stolen Motorcycle File under “Bizarre” section?

–Wayfarer

Insecurity: Niger bans sales of motorcycles

from New Telegraph by Daniel Atori, Minna

November 20, 2021

Following the incessant security challenges in some parts of Niger State and coupled with the demands of motorcycles as ransom by bandits and kidnappers, the State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello has directed the immediate ban on the sales of motorcycles across the State.

A statement issued by Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Ahmed Ibrahim Matane revealed that the category of motorcycles affected by the ban includes any motorcycles (Bajaj, Boxer, Qiujeng, Honda ACE, Jingchen, etc) with engine capacity from 185 Cubic Centimetres (cc) and above remained banned from selling to the public.

The SSG further explained that the State Government rolled out this additional measure which is aimed at eradicating the activities of criminals and the unleashing of mayhem by bandits and kidnappers on innocent citizens in the State.

He stated Government has condemned in strong terms the degree of carnage and pandemonium bandits and kidnappers are causing to some parts of the State and reiterated its continued determination to rid the State of any security threat.

According to the SSG “Government is aware of the inconveniences the measure would cause the people, but the decision was taken in the overall interest of the State and appealed to the dealers of motorcycles across the State to cooperate with the directive”.

Ahmed Matane appealed to the people of the State to cooperate with the security agencies on the security measures being put in place to put an end to the activities of some criminal elements, as it is for the benefit of all and sundry.

The SSG disclosed that Government has also ordered security agencies in the State to ensure effective and strict compliance/enforcement of this directive.

In the same vein, the SSG has reaffirmed that the activities of commercial motorcycle riders popularly known as Okada or Kabu-kabu and operation of illegal garages remained banned in Minna metropolis and environs.

It would be recalled that the State Government had earlier restricted the movements of all motorcycles from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am and the restriction order is still enforced.

SOURCE: https://www.newtelegraphng.com/insecurity-niger-bans-sales-of-motorcycles/

NEWS ALERT FROM THE NMA–A Data-Driven Approach to Transportation Safety

Editor’s Note: The NMA has received permission to post this report on recent findings on traffic safety in the US. Check out Part 1 here.

Transit Safety

In her recent report, NBC News journalist Erin Sagen betrays an anti-auto bias when using such terms as “carnage” and “auto dependency.”

Americans are not dependent on autos: they are liberated by them, enjoying far greater mobility than anyone else, anywhere else, in the entire history of humanity.

That mobility has made us wealthy and given us access to, among other things, better health care. While every traffic fatality is a tragedy, and we should try to use evidence-based systems to reduce such tragedies, one reason why Americans seem to Sagen to be “nonchalant” about traffic safety is that we get so much from automobiles and highways.

One way to see this is to compare transit safety with automobile safety. According to the most recent report from the Federal Transit Administration, between 2011 and 2019, an average of more than 275 people per year were killed in transit-related accidents.

While that seems small compared with the average of 17,500 people killed per year in urban traffic accidents, transit also produced proportionately smaller benefits in those years. During those years, Americans traveled an average of 55 billion passenger-miles a year by urban transit, while they traveled 3.6 trillion passenger-miles a year by motor vehicles on urban roads and streets.

This means that transit accidents killed an average of 5.0 people per billion passenger-miles while urban traffic accidents killed 4.9 people per billion. Yet, few people decry the “carnage” caused by transit dependency.

While highway safety has mostly improved over the years, transit safety has, at best, remained stagnant. Changes in fatalities appear to be due more to the changing reporting requirements than to improved or worsened safety. Reports show that fatalities significantly declined in 2002, then slowly grew again.

The Federal Transit Administration says that the drop in 2002 resulted from a change in reporting requirements, which “may have resulted in unreliable data in that year.” While the agency claims that “the reliability of reporting is believed to be much better in 2003 and is expected to improve in the future,” it took until 2019 before reported fatalities reached what they had been before 2002.

If transit was no safer in 2019 than it was in 2001, then it seems likely that fatalities were underreported in the intervening years. Just as the pandemic has led to a higher traffic fatalities and rates, it has also worsened transit fatalities and rates.

The Federal Railroad Administration monitors and regulates commuter train safety, which hasn’t yet reported the 2020 or 2021 fatalities. But of the remaining forms of transit, 2020 fatalities were 8.6 percent greater than in 2019, and 2021 fatalities are on track to being 5.8 percent greater than in 2020.

With the huge decline in transit ridership, this pushed the fatality rate to 15.7 per billion passenger-miles in 2020 and 16.5 so far in 2021 (and the addition of commuter rail is likely to make it higher still).

Before the pandemic, the most dangerous form of urban transit was light rail, which killed more than 17 people per billion passenger-miles between 2011 and 2019, a number that increased to more than 43 in 2020 and the first half of 2021. The light-rail line in Houston was involved in so many collisions with automobiles that it became locally known as the “wham-bam tram.”

This collision of a light-rail train and bus in Dublin injured 21 people, three of them seriously. Light rail makes no sense when buses can safely carry more people for less money. Photo by William Murphy.

Streetcars weren’t as dangerous as light rail before the pandemic, but they killed nearly 50 people per billion passenger-miles in 2020 and 2021. Of course, streetcars moved only 60 million passenger-miles in 2020 and 2021 together, but the three people they killed in those years represent a higher fatality rate than any other form of transit.

These numbers include suicides, which transit agencies would like to exclude because they “aren’t the transit systems’ fault.” But just as bridge designers can and should make bridges safe from suicides using fencing and nets, transit designers should also make their systems safe.

For heavy rail, this means putting up platform walls with doors that open when trains are in the stations, as is done in the Chengdu Metro. For light rail, the best solution is not to build it and to replace existing lines with buses, as buses are much safer and can move more people per hour for a much lower cost.

The Chengdu Metro has clear walls and doors that protect passengers from suicide or accidentally falling onto tracks.

In short, when measured per billion passenger-miles, transit was slightly less safe than other motor vehicles before the pandemic and considerably less safe during the pandemic. I say this not to excuse motor vehicle fatalities but only to say that anyone concerned about one should be just as concerned about the other.

Advocates of transit expansion who claim they want to make roads safer by getting people out of their cars will need to explain how building light-rail lines that kill three times as many people per billion passenger-miles, as urban roads will make transportation any safer.

The Airline Safety Success Story

Those who genuinely care about transportation safety, and aren’t just using it to bludgeon one form of transportation or another, should learn a lesson from the airline industry.

During the 1990s, US airlines suffered 34 fatal crashes that killed 931 people.

As reported in an April 2021 issue of The Wall Street Journal, a group of airline and airplane manufacturer executives, government regulators, and pilot-union leaders responded by developing a data-driven incident reporting system that focused on fixing problems–not on blaming problems on individual errors or oversights.

“Government and industry experts extracted safety lessons by analyzing huge volumes of flight data and combing through tens of thousands of detailed reports filed annually by pilots and, eventually, mechanics and air-traffic controllers,” reported the Journal.

“Responses led to voluntary industry improvements, rather than mandatory government regulations.” Improved aircraft played a major role. “Cockpit automation provided stronger safeguards against crew errors,” says the Journal.

The 1996 crash of TWA flight 800, which killed 230 people, helped persuade the airline industry to work with federal regulators and pilots to create a data-driven incident-reporting system to improve the safety of air travel. National Transportation Safety Board photo.

The results can be seen in the 2010s, during which there were only four fatal commercial airline incidents that killed just 16 people. Considering that the airlines carried more than 6.3 trillion passenger miles during that time, this is a remarkable record of just 0.0025 fatalities per billion passenger miles.

Part 3 of this report focuses on data-driven safety and how that can be better utilized to make fundamental changes so that every road user is safer.

Randal O’Toole, The Antiplanner, is an economist with forty-five years of experience critiquing public land, urban, transportation, and other government plans.

–By Randal O’Toole, The Antiplanner

Join the NMA Today!

nma@motorists.org
www.motorists.org

RIVETER CHAPTER of the AMCA and Chix on 66— Team Up with the Motorcycle Cannonball/Cross Country Chase

Riveter Chapter of the AMCA proudly announces that the Motorcycle Cannonball/Cross Country Chase will provide sponsorship for our Chix on 66 event June 11-25, 2022. This sponsorship provides numerous benefits, including Chix on 66 participants having access to Cannonball Travel which will simplify their hotel/motel booking, and sweep support for riders who may experience mechanical difficulties or breakdowns.

Chix on 66 is a cross-country ride that follows Route 66 from Chicago, Illinois, to Santa Monica, California. Riveter Chapter President Karan Andrea says, “We are fortunate that Jason Sims has offered his support for the Chix on 66 event. His depth of knowledge and experience is valuable to us as this is our first event, and it has been no small undertaking. Working with Jason immediately elevates what we can offer our Chix riders. I also hope that through this experience, some of our members will be inspired to compete in the Chase or the Cannonball.”

The Motorcycle Cannonball, which ran its inaugural event in 2010, is the most difficult antique endurance race in the world. Riders compete on a transcontinental route of at minimum 3,000 miles on century-old motorcycles. Jason Sims, owner/operator of the Motorcycle Cannonball and the Cross Country Chase, comments, “We’re proud to be a supporter of Chix on 66 and the new female-focused Riveter Chapter. We’re encouraged that Chix on 66 is putting events together to attract women to the hobby.”

The Cross Country Chase, similar in structure, is a test of endurance, speed, navigation and knowledge. Riders on the Chase also compete on a slightly shorter cross-country route on antique motorcycles built between 1930 and 1960.

The Motorcycle Cannonball proved that 100-year-old bikes can and should be ridden cross country, and in the last 11 years, the governing body has fine-tuned the vintage endurance motorcycle event. The Cross Country Chase built on the groundwork of the Cannonball and brought the opportunity and challenge of cross-country navigation to a different set of vintage motorcycle owners.

The 2022 Motorcycle Chase will also be traversing the U.S. on Route 66 in September, so it made sense for them to pair with Chix on 66, which will be run in June of 2022.

www.chixon66.com @chixon66 @chixon66
www.motorcyclecannonball.com @motorcyclecannonball @mc_cannonball
www.themotorcycle.chase.com @themotorcyclechase @motorcyclechase

REPORT FROM THE CENTER for INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS–This week, we’re going to start talking about the positive impacts of fossil fuels and other forms of energy.

But first, it’s important to answer the question, “What is energy and why is it so valuable?”

Energy is a life and death need. It is our ability to use machines to dramatically increase our productivity.

How we became healthy and wealthy

Let’s break that down. To do so it’s valuable to give some historical context. Throughout history, human beings have been incredibly poor by our standards. Now we tend to think of poor people today as very poor, but even most of the poorest people today are fairly rich by historical standards.

If you look at this graph of data taken from the history of economics, what you see is that for thousands and thousands of years—and this just shows the last 2,000—human beings had a very low life expectancy, around 30 years old.

Think about what that means. Today, an average 30-year old still has more than 30 working years before retiring. But back then, you had a strong chance of dying at an early age. Very few made it to old age. As I write this, I’m 38. I would have had a less than 50% chance of reaching this age.

Power and energy

Why is this? It comes down to one basic fact. In our natural state, human beings are very weak. We have very little power and very little energy to generate more power—which means we are naturally able to do very little work to sustain our lives.

Let me explain what I mean by the term power. Power is how much work we can do at one time. Humans are about one-tenth as powerful as a horse, which is about one two-hundredth as powerful as a car.

And energy? Energy is the capacity to do work, or the amount of potential power we have stored. In humans, we measure energy in the form of calories. Our bodies are only capable of storing so much energy, and therefore can only produce so much power. That power can only translate to a certain level of work, and it’s not nearly enough to produce everything you need for the standard of living you have today.

Throughout history, it has been a challenge for human beings to produce enough crops to feed ourselves because agriculture requires a lot of energy (and a lot of other things) just to produce the meager number of calories we need. It has also been a challenge to produce clean water, sturdy housing, decent transportation, and just about everything else.

In the next email we’ll see how we overcame these challenges and raised our standard of living to once unimaginable levels.

–Alex Epstein
Center for Industrial Progress

AMA AND UNITED STATES MOTORCYCLE COACHING ASSOCIATION PARTNER TO EXPAND COMPETITION COACHING IN AMERICA–

The American Motorcyclist Association has entered into a partnership with the United States Motorcycle Coaching Association (USMCA) to grow AMA membership and expand access to responsible and comprehensive coaching for motorcycle racers across the country.

Under the agreement, the AMA, the national sanctioning body for motorcycle sport, and the USMCA, which has pioneered a nationally recognized motorcycle coaching certification process and national network of rider coaches, will promote ease of access and availability, safety and membership in the AMA for AMA-sanctioned Competition Schools operated by USMCA-certified coaches.

“This effort will foster the development of responsible and competitive racers across numerous AMA-sanctioned disciplines,” said AMA Director of Racing Mike Pelletier. “Through this partnership, each organization will be able to leverage the others’ resources and nationwide networks to meet the growing demand for race-oriented training. The result will be more racers, and more confident racers, enjoying the motorcycle lifestyle.”

The USMCA was launched in 2016 by then-head of KTM North America Jon-Erik Burleson, AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer — and former Victory Motorcycle CEO — Mark Blackwell and former Supercross champion and AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Jeff Emig. USMCA is a non-profit, membership-based organization that has certified coaches across several states, connecting students with coaches through www.motorcyclecoaching.org.

“As motorcycle sales have soared, especially during the pandemic, our robust coaching certification program has continued to grow to meet the needs of athletes,” said USMCA President Christy LaCurelle. “This agreement helps give USMCA coaches the chance to run AMA-sanctioned Competition Schools while broadening both of our networks.”

To become a USMCA-certified coach, applicants have to pass a motorcycle competency and skills test, complete a background check and have training in CPR/First Aid, concussion protocol, heat illness and cardiac arrest. The USMCA’s nationally-recognized coaching certification program is an industry first that brings the professionalism of coaching on par with other well-established sports. Coaching certification must be renewed every two years.

As part of this program, the AMA will host a dedicated website page to link AMA members with USMCA coaches, and promote coaching opportunities to competition members of the association.

–from the Dealer News and AMA

[page break]

THE WEEKLY J.J. REPORT–Pfizer is running ads on Facebook proclaiming their new expertise in meteorology. These are the same people insisting that the government-owned and operated pandemic is something they have a shot for, don’t worry, it will keep you safe.

–J.J. Solari
Media Investigator
Bikernet.com™

LIFESTYLE CYCLES DEAL OF THE WEEK--2016 Harley-Davidson FLHR – Road King for $16,995.00

see it here: https://www.lifestylecycles.com/default.asp?page=xPreOwnedInventoryDetail&id=11320282

2016 Crushed ice pearl/frosted teal pearl Harley-Davidson ROAD KING TOURING FLHR

ONLY 32629.00 Miles !!!!!

This bike has a HARLEY-DAVIDSON 107-INCH UPGRADE KIT INCLUDING CAMS.

Some of the features/Add-on’s on this bike

* 107c.i. Factory upgrade motor with cams
* 6-Speed trans.
* Vance & Hince X-Pipe header with Vance & Hince slip-on’s
* Passenger backrest & luggage rack
* Highway pegs
* Detachable windshield

Just $16,995.00

Plus license and a $85.00 documentation fee and your local sales tax. NO HIDDEN FEES like dealers. We have no reconditioning or prep fees.

This bike has passed Lifestyle Cycles rigorous 92-point safety and mechanical/structural inspection.

You can fill out an online application with EZ FINANCING and EXTENDED WARRANTIES available to purchase!!! And you can ride today!

Lifestyle Cycles located at 1510 State College Blvd,Anaheim,CA,92806 NOT LOCAL WE HAVE ******SHIPPING AVAILABLE!!!******

Call today (714) 490-0155. **Open 7 days a week**

BUILD BACK BATTERY–Now that President Biden’s scaled back $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill is law, Democrats are setting their sights on his Build Back Better Act, furthering the administration’s electric vehicle agenda, including tax incentives of up to $12,500 per vehicle to spur consumer demand for EVs and establishing a network of 500,000 EV chargers nationwide by 2030.

Transportation officials are touting the Build Back Better as a key part of Biden’s plan along with the new infrastructure package to help achieve the president’s EV sales goal of having half of all new vehicles sold by 2030 to be electric.

On November 19, after months of negotiations including hijacking the infrastructure bill until this “human infrastructure” measure could be acted upon, House Democrats passed the Build Back Better with no Republican support.

Included in $495 billion worth of climate initiatives, there’s proposed refundable electric vehicle tax credits, not just for new cars, but up to $4,000 for used electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles, and also includes incentives for buying electric motorcycles and three-wheeled vehicles which would be eligible for up to $7,500 or half the vehicle’s price.

The $1.75 trillion Build Back Better bill will now go to the Senate, where it faces stiff opposition from Republicans and is likely to be revised in the coming weeks. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said he aims to have the chamber pass the bill before Christmas. The House will need to vote on it again if the bill is altered.

–Bill Bish
NCOM

FORGED RAVENS FROM RMJ–The forged Raven Bearded Ax is a fully custom-made Nordic inspired bearded ax. Forged from super tough 80CRV2 steel, it is a true working ax, not just a collectors’ item as it appears.

The neck features a Viking knotwork design forged into the steel and the handle scales are linen Micarta textured with an interlocking Celtic pattern. It comes with a custom Chattanooga Leather Works scabbard and leather Baldric ring for belt or MOLLE carry.

The Raven also includes a solid cherry wood box with laser engraved touches, an a leather patch. The Raven is designed, forged, and finished by our inhouse blacksmith Reid Carmack.

Due to the handmade nature, the listed dimensions are approximate, each ax will vary in size slightly.

Specifications:
Head Length: 4. in
Overall Length: 14 in
Handle Length: 9.5 in
Forward Cutting Edge Length: 3.25 in
Steel Thickness: .375 in
Weight: 1 pound 3 ounces (without sheath)
Weight: 1 pound 5 ounces (with sheath)
Blade Material: 80CRV2 Carbon Steel
Steel Finish: Fire scale
Handle Material: Natural Micarta

GUN NUT REPORT–
The US government claims not to know (and MSM refuses to investigate) how much American weaponry the Taliban has seized, but UK’s Daily Mail has the figures:

And note that you can’t buy an “assault rifle” anymore, but the Taliban now has 358,530 M-16s, M4s, AK-47s, and Dragunovs (paid for by us). So the Dems are content with the Taliban arming up, while they don’t want the same for you.

A little noticed Biden initiative will soon make it hard to find ammo for the most popular weapons in the US

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viTax7XuszQ .

–from El Waggs

BIKERNET BOOK OF THE WEEK CLUB–Expecting a Tense Thanksgiving?

Try Some (Real) Gratitude and See What Happens.

Too often, Thanksgiving is filled with tension instead of togetherness.

Elaine Parke explains how gratitude can bring unity to your gathering
(yes, even this year)…and how to keep it going all year long.

Berkeley Springs, WV (November 2021)—This year has been filled with upheaval and division, and Thanksgiving might feel like a potluck of potential arguments rather than a chance to reconnect with loved ones. The key to a more harmonious holiday, says Elaine Parke, lies in not just paying lip service to Thanksgiving, but in actually being thankful—all the time.

“Gratitude makes us not only feel happier; we become more insightful, empathetic, and generous to those around us,” says Parke, author of The Habits of Unity: 12 Months to a Stronger America…one citizen at a time (Outskirts Press, 2021, ISBN: 978-1-9772-4276-1, $21.95, www.12habits4allofus.org). “That’s exactly the skill set people need to defuse some of the tension that might crop up this holiday season.

“Plus, on a larger scale, gratitude unites us,” she adds. “When we’re focused on all the good things in our lives (versus what we’re angry about), we are able to connect with others in a productive, civil way—even when we don’t agree.”

Parke created the 12 Habits showcased in her book to help Americans hardwire positivity, respect, and, yes, gratitude into our daily lives. She hopes to get everyone focused on the same branded, habit-forming behavior each month—just like we all focus on holidays together:

January: Help Others
February: You Count
March: Resolve Conflicts
April: Take Care of Our Environment
May: Be Grateful
June: Reach Higher
July: Become Involved
August: Know Who You Are
September: Do Your Best
October: Be Patient and Listen
November: Show a Positive Attitude
December: Celebrate Community, Family, and Friends

(Yes, Parke has allotted gratitude for May, not November…but that’s no reason not to start practicing it right now.)

Here, excerpted from the book’s 365 “one-magic-minute-a-day” motivationals, are a few ways to kick off a more grateful life:

Improve your “mental nutrition.” Instead of stuffing yourself full of depressing headlines and social media outrage along with the turkey, feed your brain encouraging, uplifting content that shifts your attention toward things you appreciate. (Bonus: This will give you some non-contentious topics to bring up at Thanksgiving!)

When you feel appreciation for someone, show it through your words and actions. Make a pot of coffee for your busy spouse, hug your child, or refill the copier’s paper tray at work. Better yet, accompany your actions with a “thank you.” Verbalizing gratitude prevents you from taking good things for granted and brings the other person joy.

Don’t put an expiration date on gratitude. Prepare a “thank you” for each person you’ll see this Thanksgiving, even if what you’re grateful for happened years ago. This will set the stage for more kind words and connection throughout your gathering.

Appreciate people you dislike. Reinforcing their good qualities through a “thank you” or a compliment can influence their future behavior—and heal relationships. There is always something good you can say: “I can tell how important our family is to you,” or, “Your casserole is delicious!”

Understand that thankfulness is a habit. So is complaining. For every gripe you voice, strive to identify three things you appreciate: a delicious meal, beautiful fall leaves, a friend’s phone call, etc. Better yet, write these “moment jewels” down. You’ll soon begin to see and appreciate more beauty in the “mundane.”

Don’t forget to be thankful for you. We really are our own worst critics. Write down several things you appreciate about yourself and post them where you’ll see them often. When you receive compliments this Thanksgiving, add them to the list.

“When you choose to be appreciative instead of argumentative, you will set the tone of your Thanksgiving gathering at a higher level where positivity and respect can thrive,” says Parke. “And there’s a ripple effect, because gratitude and unity feel good. Thankfulness might just become your family’s new year-round tradition.”

About the Author:

Elaine Parke, MBA, CS, CM, NSA, is the author of The Habits of Unity: 12 Months to a Stronger America…one citizen at a time. For 30 years, under the umbrella of the non-profit All of Us, Inc., her scalable and evidence-driven 12 habits of social unity model has transformed several million community citizens and youth across the USA’s Midwest and in Rwanda, helping them feel more caring and connected to one another. In 1993, her monthly branded and colorful habit-forming model was deemed a “Social Invention” by the London Institute for Social Inventions.

About the Book:
The Habits of Unity: 12 Months to a Stronger America…one citizen at a time (Outskirts Press, 2021, ISBN: 978-1-9772-4276-1, $21.95, www.12habits4allofus.org) is available at bookstores nationwide and from major online booksellers.

WE’RE PROUD TO ANNOUNCE
TODD CAMPBELL–The winner of the 2021 WTT Annual Raffle

The Grand Prize winner of the 1948 Harley-Davidson Panhead was Todd Campbell of East Palestine, OH.

A second-place prize of ten thousand dollars went to Sharon Crickmar of Raleigh, NC.

The third-place prize of five thousand dollars went to Rex Gore of Miamisburg, Ohio.

The day’s events were dedicated in memory of Walksler, who passed away earlier this year after an extended battle with cancer. “It’s been a year filled with mixed emotions. The loss of our founder, my dad Dale Walksler, has continually been on our mind, coupled with the amazing support of all our visitors throughout the year. I know he would be so proud and excited to see all the people here today and for the record-setting year we’ve had at the museum,” said museum Vice-President and Curator Matt Walksler.

Unveiling the 2022 Raffle Bike

The day was a perfect completion to the museum’s 2021 season, which had seen record-setting attendance each month. The museum also unveiled their raffle bike for 2022…

This year’s Raffle Bike is the stunning 1937 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead finished in one-year-only Delphine Blue, striped in Teak Red, and edged in Gold. This Model EL features an all-1937 61c.i. Knucklehead engine cradled in a genuine 1937 frame and fork, along with all-original pre-war fenders and gas tanks. The 1937-only dash panel sports a 120-mph speedo, NOS amp gauge, and oil pressure switch. This 30-year assemblage of genuine H-D components makes it the rarest and most original WTT Raffle Bike to date.

A WORD FROM THE SENIOR EDITOR–After the Mandatory Helmet Law For Motorcyclist Was Beat The Government Made A Law For Kids To Wear Helmets While Riding Their Bicycles and Threatened Their Parents With Child Abuse If They Did Not Enforce It.

–Rogue
Senior Editor
Bikernet.com™

TEXAS WEATHER REPORT–Weller when you absolutely, positively, want that underweight 20/22 gauge wire soldered in 2 seconds. You also can’t remember how to get the propane solder tool to light! And I lost the instructions. I put them someplace safe.

I did remember why I like propane soldering guns, the Weller is a tank! I had a Radio Shack red propane one for years, inexpensive and lasted forever! So did my first Weller.

I failed to mention I’ve tried 2 “Gucci for Mechanics” 20-gauge wire pliers. Also, you can’t buy 20-gauge wire at the unnamed auto parts. Thankfully, the turn-signal light still works. The power wire was broken in two places.

Also, another consumer used tip Ovenex baking pans for working on bikes. While great for holding parts, they will not hold oil for an extended period of time. Ovenex stated their products are for baking, not holding transmission oil for any period of time. Thankfully it was just a small Bundt pan that made a big mess, no more banana bread, I guess?

I just heard a boatload of bikes go by, wonder where everyone was going? Guess I’ll go test my, reconnected turn signals.

Hey, the Bandit’s Dayroll almost held an oil change! I had never utilized it that way before, but I gave you a waiver on the filter as a standard Shovelhead type filter would have fit, but not the spin on. Yesterday’s adventure, I had to leave a set of gloves, clothing layer and tie downs on the outside.

Went to the grandson’s Thanksgiving show at his school. The 2-3 year olds Rock!

–RFR
Bikernet Contributor

Texas

FROM THE AMERICAN THINKER–Something very peculiar is happening with our Strategic Petroleum Reserve

It’s no secret that Americans are paying record prices at the gas pumps. Rapidly ascending prices also affect the cost of all the goods and services that are an integral part of the American economy.

Farmers, manufacturers, delivery companies, repair people…you name it: they’re paying more to do their jobs, and they’re passing those costs to consumers. So why now, of all times, is the Biden administration selling off America’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to Asia?

As the name suggests, the SPR is America’s emergency backup supply of oil. The reason we have it is because of the energy crisis in the early 1970s. According to Wikipedia, which is probably accurate about this, “[t]he United States started the petroleum reserve in 1975 after oil supplies were interrupted during the 1973–1974 oil embargo, to mitigate future supply disruptions.”

Fast-forward to 2021. Upon entering the Oval Office, one of the first things Biden did was to shut down the Keystone XL pipeline. Henceforth, rather than flowing safely through a pipeline, Canadian oil will come the expensive way, over land, whether in trucks (which are in short supply) or on trains.

At the same time, Biden halted new oil, gas, and coal leases on federal lands, something that’s being fought in the courts. As long as the suit continues, no sane business would start to drill.

Biden’s also on the verge of ending all new oil and gas leases around major Native American cultural sites, which will shut down massive amounts of exploration and drilling in New Mexico. And following initial denials, the administration admitted that it plans to close a major Michigan pipeline.

— American Thinker

ROYAL ENFIELD UNVEILS SG650 CONCEPT MOTORCYCLE AT EICMA 2021– SG650 Concept motorcycle marks beginning of a new chapter to Royal Enfield’s 120-year history.

Royal Enfield, the global leader in the middleweight motorcycle segment (250cc – 750cc), opened its showcase offering at EICMA 2021 today with the unveil of the Royal Enfield SG650 Concept motorcycle—marking another chapter in the brand’s 120-year journey of creative expression and conceptual development.

The SG650 Concept is the result of a challenge set to Royal Enfield’s Industrial Design Team by Mark Wells, Chief of Design. At its core, the message underpinning the concept build was about celebrating “transition.”

The aim, through this challenge, was for the Royal Enfield team to embark on a new creative journey with the SG650 Concept, starting from within Royal Enfield’s classic design sensibilities and pushing into a whole new era of what Royal Enfield motorcycles of the future could look like.

Wells describes the motivation behind the challenge. “We are a company in transition. So long a representation of the analog age and now developing new products that keep that same pure soul yet are fully integrated into the digital present. To celebrate this, we wanted to develop a project that really gave our design team an opportunity to stretch themselves creatively.

“Graphically, the blacked-out 650 Twin engine and exhaust system complement our imagined near future, while the polished aluminum forms transitioning with a ‘digital transformation’ graphic across the motorcycle speak to the progression of the brand. We’re delighted with the end result and truly believe this brings something completely new, in our 120th anniversary year, to the ever-developing story of Royal Enfield.”

MAMA TRIED SHOW COMING– Don’t miss out! Buy tickets now!

If you haven’t got those tickets yet, no more waiting! Time is running out to ensure your admittance to the Mama Tried Motorcycle Show. So act now and purchase your tickets for the 2021 show!

QUICK, OPEN THE BANDIT’S CANTINA BAD JOKE LIBRARY–Students in an advanced Biology class were taking their mid-term exam.
The last question was, ‘Name seven advantages of Mother’s Milk.’
The question was worth 70 points or none at all. One student was hard put to think of seven advantages.

He wrote:

1) It is perfect formula for the child.
2) It provides immunity against several diseases.
3) It is always the right temperature.
4) It is inexpensive.
5) It bonds the child to mother and vice versa.
6) It is always available as needed

And then the student was stuck. Finally, in desperation, just before the bell rang indicating the end of the test he wrote:
7) It comes in two attractive containers and it’s high enough off the ground where the cat can’t get it.

He got an A+.

An elderly, but hardy cattleman from Texas once told a young female neighbor that if she wanted to live a long life, the secret was to sprinkle a pinch of gunpowder on her oatmeal each morning.
She did this religiously and lived to the ripe old age of 103.

She left behind 14 children, 30 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, five great-great-grandchildren and a 40-foot HOLE where the crematorium used to be.

–El Waggs
Certified Librarian
Bandit’s Cantina Bad Joke Library

DOOMSDAY ALERT OF THE WEEK—It ain’t happening. Oops.

Tasmania just had the coldest night on this date in 70 years. Don’t tell Pfizer, they’ll have to shitcan their investment in The global Warming Catastrophe they are now touting as a major new problem for them to tackle personally. I BET they come up with a “vaccine” to immunize you against the horrific effects of climate change.

–J.J. Solari

[page break]

BLACK FRIDAY DEAL FROM LEGEND SUSPENSIONS—F R E E B U F F W I T H E V E R Y P U R C H A S E

That’s right! A free buff with EVERY purchase! Buy a pair of shocks and receive a FREE buff. Buy any swag item, receive a FREE buff. Buy a decal packet, receive a FREE buff.

Sale is only valid from November 26th – November 28th. Buff, Neck Gaiter, Tube…we just chose the name Buff.

Here are all the style options:

Legend LS Badge Single Layer Tube – Legend Suspensions

Legend Hex Single Layer Tube – Legend Suspensions

Legend LS Badge Sock-Hood Dual Layer – Legend Suspensions

Legend Hex Dual Layer Tube – Legend Suspensions

Legend LS Badge Dual Layer Tube – Legend Suspensions

Thanks!
*buff will be chosen at random, while supplies last

–Mary Fowlkes
605.720.4202 ext 815
mary@legendsuspensions.com
www.legendsuspensions.com
Sturgis

BRAND New Bikernet Reader Comment!–Just Another Weekend

https://www.bikernet.com/pages/Just_Another_Weekend_.aspx

That’s a whole truck load of ladies in one single page.

Way-2-roll !!!

— Wayfarer
Over-the-Moon tonight !!!

LA MACCHINA: Moto Guzzi 850 T3 by MCNC.

Some builders are so prolific that every few months you open your inbox to find they’ve sent through another stunning creation.

Others, you don’t hear from for years and you wonder if perhaps they’ve left the game or life’s endless responsibilities have scuttled their creative endeavors.

It had been more than four years since we last heard from Frenchman Nicolas Baux, but now we know why, he’s been keeping himself busy building one of the coolest custom creations of the year. From the bare bones of a Moto Guzzi 850 T3, the man behind Motocyclette Certifiée Non Conforme has left no stone unturned in crafting this incredible slice of Guzzi greatness.

Having successfully displayed his last build, a gorgeous Royal Enfield, Nicolas took a short break and then launched himself into the T3 project. The CAD designer by trade first started with a storyboard to build inspiration, cutting out images of everything from automotive marvels to athletes in full flight and detailed mechanical masterpieces. Then he had to find a donor bike and the one he got his hands on had seen better days and came with the full set of panniers, giant windshield and a host of other horrors.

–Pipeburn
Moto Goodness

QUICK, New Bikernet Reader Comment!–A HISTORY OF BIKERS RIGHTS IN AMERICA

https://www.bikernet.com/pages/A_HISTORY_OF_BIKERS_RIGHTS_IN_AMERICA.aspx

Good article. Two errors First it was Rogue who got Congressman McKinney to get us a hearing in Washington. Pappy was running the Connecticut Motorcycle Rights Organozation and it was politically beneficial that it looked like he was responsible.

The other is Florida Does Have A Mandatory Helmet Law. It was never repealed, just amended so that if you have medical insurance you can legally ride without a helmet.

There are numerous issues with that. One is law enforcement can stop you at any time to check if you have health insurance. The other is that many people are riding without it. Not that I personally think they should be required to have health insurance.

–Rogue
rogue@bikernet.com
Palm Bay, FL

ANOTHER HOLIDAY BIKERNET BOOK OF THE WEEK CLUB OFFERING–‘Motorcycle Traveler’ Book & DVD Sales Benefit AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame

‘Motorcycle Traveler’ is a book about AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Peter Starr’s motorcycle adventures through twelve countries with very diverse cultures. From the mountains around the equator in Ecuador at 15,000 feet to the lowest place on earth, Israel’s Dead Sea at minus 1400 feet, and from the haunted trails of Braveheart in Scotland to the elephant sanctuaries and magnificent temples of Thailand.

This is a book about adventure that was instigated from Starr’s need to create a ‘purposeful life’ as part of his cancer recovery program. The one consistent purpose in Starr’s life has been motorcycling. Read excerpts from the book.

Support the Hall of Fame and get the perfect present this holiday season! For a limited time, AMA members receive a 5% discount on the purchase of ‘Motorcycle Traveler’ and FREE Shipping. Plus, 20% of the purchase will go to support the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. Use the discount code AMAHOF in the appropriate box at checkout.

GOOD DEED OF THE WEEK–Save Shantell’s: Owner raffles off Harley to keep her restaurant

SANFORD, Fla. —
A downtown Sanford restaurant owner finally felt she didn’t have a choice in asking for help.

“At first, I found shame to ask, like hey guys, I really need it, but I really need it,” said Shantell Williams, owner of Shantell’s Just Until Restaurant & Lounge.

Williams became a national name after riding her beloved motorcycle across the country in 2016. She traveled to 48 states in a little more than three weeks.

Now, she needs to raffle off that very motorcycle to save her restaurant and her 17 employees.

“Keeping the babysitters employed, so to speak, to help me run it, because I can’t run it myself,” Williams said.

There’s a spiritual connection she feels with the food she prepares for her customers.

A few months ago, she was a Meals on Wheels community champion, delivering food with a smile and kind words from the saddle of that same motorcycle.

Early in the pandemic, she had a day of free food for first responders.

But higher food costs and sparse crowds on weekdays have her struggling now.

“The weekend is not enough for me to get through Monday through Thursday,” Williams said.

Williams admits she shed a few tears when she posted her motorcycle raffle on social media. That motorcycle is such a large part of her life, but she loves her restaurant more.

“I know once the restaurant makes it, I know I’ll be able to rejoice and have another brand-new bike, and hopefully ride with the person who gets this one,” Williams said.

Raffle ticket sales have been slow, but she hopes to sell three thousand by the first of the year.

“I did have someone come in and say, hey, I don’t want your bike, but here’s a thousand dollars. Of course, I teared up,” Williams said.

She’s had a nine-year run in Sanford which she does not want to end.

“I can’t go anywhere, so if I need to call on others to help me, I need to lose that pride and say please, I need this help,” Williams said.

Raffle tickets are $25. The winner will be announced in March 2022.

HOLIDAY FRIDAY 5-BALL RACING DEALS—Hey, all the orders from the shop will receive bling and Bikernet Bandanas.

We want you to know how much we appreciate your support over the years.

Happy Thanksgiving from the Bikernet and 5-Ball crew.

–Bandit

BIKERNET UNIVERSITY HISTORY LESSON–November 23, First issue of “Life” is published

On November 23, 1936, the first issue of the pictorial magazine Life is published, featuring a cover photo of the Fort Peck Dam’s spillway by Margaret Bourke-White.

Life actually had its start earlier in the 20th century as a different kind of magazine: a weekly humor publication, not unlike today’s The New Yorker in its use of tart cartoons, humorous pieces and cultural reporting.

When the original Life folded during the Great Depression, the influential American publisher Henry Luce bought the name and re-launched the magazine as a picture-based periodical on this day in 1936. By this time, Luce had already enjoyed great success as the publisher of Time, a weekly news magazine.

WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA CELEBRATES–After 59 Years, Senate Bill 2571
Gives the Families of Flying Tiger Line Flight 739 A New Hope

Senate Bill 2571 looks to add members of secret Kennedy mission to
the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C.

COLUMBIA FALLS, ME — November 23, 2021 — Very little is known about what happened to Flying Tiger Line Flight 739, a military mission plane that went missing on March 16, 1962, with 93 US Army Soldiers on board and 11 crew members.

Due to the complexities surrounding the mission, the names of all those who have been lost have not yet been added to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C.

However, This past Saturday, August 21, the families of those lost received the good news that U.S. Senator Gary Peters introduced a bill to allow the American Servicemen onboard Flying Tiger Line Flight (FTLF) 739 to finally have their names placed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C.

The story of the ill-fated flight. https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/pages/19520/News/447/?relatedId=0

This bill introduction stems from a kind gesture by Wreaths Across America Founder Morrill Worchester. On May 15, 2001, Mr. Worchester donated land from his property known as “The Tip-land” in Columbia Falls, ME.

The Tip-land is where balsam trees are sustainably managed and pruned once every three years to make veterans’ remembrance wreaths to be placed on the headstones of our nations heroes on Wreaths Across America Day (December 18th, 2021.)

On the land he donated, he erected a monument to FTLF 739 and invited all known living family and descendants of the ill-fated flight to attend its unveiling.

Video: What is a remembrance wreath?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=5_-EW6a_VAs)

This simple gesture became a media sensation, as almost 2000 articles (Radio, TV, Newspaper, and internet) were written, reaching out to over 2 billion people from around the world. This media effort helped connect over 30 new families associated with the history of FTLF 739. Some of these new families shared their history and included such stories as:

A woman who was married just two weeks before the flight left and awaited her newlywed husband for a honeymoon she never had. One of Bob hope’s USO tour Pilots and the inspiration for his granddaughter to become a pilot. Being credited as the life affirming driving force for 1 Fortune 500 CEO.

And creating a family healing moment as a family, scattered across the US, turned into the social media ceremony via conference call, so they could all watch and discuss their families legacy together.

Despite the kindness of the media and the success of this outreach, there are still more families that need to be identified so that they may all take part in the process of the next leg of this journey.

As A. Phillip Waite, Chief, Strategic Engagement, The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration stated at the unveiling of the FTLF 739 monument on “The Tip-Lands,” “This monument is a first-step, there are many to come.”

A. Phillip Waite, Chief, Strategic Engagement, The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration stated at the unveiling of the FTLF 739 monument https://www.dropbox.com/s/4n4cx7avpsv4n2v/IMG_0121.MOV?dl=0

For many in attendance at the monument unveiling in May, they were surprised and delighted to hear that this was not the last-leg of their journey. As prior attempts to have families recognized have either been met with failure or stalled on the way to competition such as Senate bill 1891.

However, The introduction of this new Senate bill, 2571 gives new hope to the families that their loved ones contributions and sacrifice for our freedoms and that their service will be recognized federally ahead of the 60th anniversary of this memorable mission commissioned by John F. Kennedy.

Wreaths Across America is the non-profit organization best known for placing wreaths on veteran’s headstones at Arlington National Cemetery. However, in 2020, the organization placed more than 1.7 million sponsored veterans’ wreaths at 2,557 participating locations nationwide.

You can sponsor a veteran’s wreath anytime for $15 at www.wreathacrossamerica.org. Each sponsorship goes toward a live, balsam wreath that will be placed on the headstone of an American hero as we endeavor to honor all veterans laid to rest at noon on Saturday, December 18, 2021, as part of National Wreaths across America Day.

BIKERNET BOOK OF THE WEEK CLUB–The Big Book of Motorbikes

Orange County, CA: The Big Book of Motorbikes showcases the wonderful world of motorbikes to a new and vibrant generation.
Highlighting many of the different sectors within the motorbike space, The Big Book of Motorbikes takes the reader on a two-wheeled journey they will want to read again and again.

This is a fun and educational volume for children, illustrated and brightly colored by the book’s designer, Asim Hussain.

From industry to competition, records and just riding for fun, The Big Book of Motorbikes has it all just waiting for you to explore!

About the Author

Rennie Scaysbrook has been a motorbike rider from the moment he first sat on a Honda QR50 as a four- year-old in Australia. Rennie comes from a family steeped in motorbike culture that dates back three generations.

For the past 16 years, Rennie has been a full-time motorbike journalist, traveling the globe to test and write on the most important motorbikes from the world’s leading manufacturers.

Rennie is also an accomplished racer and holds the motorbike course record at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in Colorado, USA.

The Big Book of Motorbikes is available in Amazon stores across the globe for $17.95 USD at this link. Rennie can be reached for comment at: rennie.scaysbrook@gmail.com

NEWS FROM THE MASTER OF LIGHT-GIFT CARDS

As you may know, we will be introducing David’s new art book soon, as well as his new jigsaw puzzles and apparel. You can now purchase gift cards (in increments of $100). These can be used for any Uhl Studios product, they never expire and if you get a minimum of $500, you qualify for the drawing for the “Lone Ranger” original oil!?

Happy Holidays to all and thanks for your time!

Greg-** 20 x 27 canvas framed – normally $1,250, this one is $850.

“Roots in the Sand”

A FINAL WORD FROM THE CENTER FOR INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS—Here’s a quote from the Moral Case for Fossil Fuels by Alex Epstein:

For various technical reasons, progress in battery technology is extremely slow—electric cars have been around longer that gasoline powered cars—and it may well be another, non-battery storage solution will win out. For now, though, oil is the greatest portable fuel the world has ever known…

Oil is also coveted as the world’s most versatile raw material for making synthetic materials. You are probably sitting in a room with as least fifty things derived from oil, from the insulation in your wall to the carpet under your feet to the laminate on your table to the screen on your computer. Oil is everywhere!

–Alex Epstein

THE 2021 HOLIDAY SEASON—I started to watch an Xmas movie tonight. It was very well done, from an animation standpoint, and at 73 so many story lines start to seem contrived or repeated. I turned it off but was first inspired to write a Christmas story for today. I’ve never written anything of this nature, but what the fuck. Maybe I will rough something out. I have a notion.

Charlie’s bike is gone from Deadwood with Haul Bikes back to LA. I charged the battery a week before, but the cold tightened the engine and it wouldn’t fire on the icy morning. I tried to bump start it on Jackson Street and then Lincoln, but it wanted to slide, so I coasted through the light at the bottom of the hill and nearly all the way to the massive semi parked behind the historic train repair station. I had to remove his mirrors. He was super-close to the limit.