Officer Down Memorial Ride - Raleigh, 2007


This ride was to honor the memories of those law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty, and also to raise money to help the families of these officers. The ride stopped at the different memorials for each law enforcement agency: Raleigh Police, State Troopers, and the Wake County Sheriff's Department.

About 300 bikes/bikers participated in this ride, most of whom were either in law enforcement or connected to it in some way. Everyone was very respectful, and the ride was conducted in a very safe manner, along winding, back country roads. The police escorts for this ride were expert at blocking traffic to make a safe path for us, and overall I think for my first group ride, I could not have chosen a better event.

The only problem I had was that the lady on the rice rocket next to me was not maintaining the staggered formation, and she kept revving up and passing me, only to slow down again and get behind me. This was needlessly dangerous, and I ended up just staying way behind her, trying to avoid this erratic behavior.

Then, the other lady in front of me, on another rice rocket, slowed down dangerously fast, with no signal or obvious reason; then, suddenly, and as I was wondering if I should pass her on the left, she darted left and went down a side street. If I had tried to pass her, there is a good chance that she would have collided with me!

On the whole, riding in a large group is a tedious affair. You have to be doubly on guard, every second, covering the cluth and brakes virtually the whole time as the column slows, then speeds up again continuously. It's like being in one long traffic jam. There is little chance to enjoy the scenery, as you are too busy keeping focused on the traffic ahead of you.

I much prefer to ride alone, actually, because when I'm out on the back roads by myself at One O'clock in the afternoon on a Wednesday, there is no one else out there, and I can ride slower, take in the view, stop when and where I want, and not worry about riders ten feet in front, ten feet behind, and two feet to my left.

As a biker, I've been learning a lot not only about the skills of riding safely and well, but also about the type of riding I like to do, and the types of people I like to ride with. I'm much more comfortable riding alone or with someone I know and trust. On the rare occasion, riding with someone you know intuitively well can make the ride almost seem like a dance, which adds a level of enjoyment that is only knowable to those lucky enough to have done it.

As for the people I've met and seen out there - my fellow bikers - I've had a bit of a problem finding where I fit in. Most of the bikers I've seen around these parts are between 45 and 65. The kinds of professions they seem to be engaged in are construction, public service, such as law enforcement or Fire fighting, and small business owners. I've yet to meet any teachers, computer programmers, quasi-intellectuals, or people engaged in the kinds of geeky things "my people" seems to enjoy. I'm riding in the midst of people who are quite dissimilar to me.

When I go to biker bars or biker events, I often find myself looking for someone like me, but I never see anyone - especially anyone my age. I think I've hit this biker thing about 10 years too early. My generation is still raising their young children. They don't have the time or money to devote to the biker lifestyle. I'll just have to wait and see if I ever find someone like me out there. Until then, the back roads will suffice.

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