The Morals of being a Biker/Triker

This little essay was prompted by an enjoyable little run in the sunshine to Knaresborough with two other Trikes. The weather was good, (yes, we were still in England), and the traffic on the way out was reasonably light.
Chorley Paul and Donnakebab met us at our house. We’d only covered 500 yards up to the main road when we spotted a lad and his girlfriend/wife at the roadside ‘fettling’ a scooter. We both pulled in to see if we could offer any assistance.
“Mucky fuel line” was the Scooter lad’s response, “I’ll have it sorted in a minute, thanks for stopping but I’m okay”.  So we fired up and continued to our meeting spot at the end of the M606. Tony, (hence forward to be known as Flash), and Debs were waiting for us. We parked up, filled up, some got a bit of grub from the petrol station, some had a smoke, and we chatted. Whilst stood outside the petrol station, (for those who were smoking), various bikes, scooters, Harleys, rocket ships and restored iron horses passed us. Some waved, some nodded, some didn't!
The ride to Knaresborough was uneventful. Nice weather, nice views, the occasional hold up. On the way we passed various bikes, scooters, Harleys, rocket ships and restored iron horses. Some waved, some nodded, some didn't!
Parking up in Knaresborough, the men headed for refreshments, the ladies went off shopping. Walking down the high street in bike gear, we were passed by various bikes, scooters, Harleys, rocket ships and restored iron horses. Some waved, some nodded, some didn't!
After we all regrouped, we headed off home. Another steady ride, apart from the hold up on Harrogate Road. A vet was present having a look at a horse, paramedics were present presumably looking after the rider. I hope everything was okay for everyone concerned. We idled past and were waved at in appreciation for keeping our engine noise down under the circumstances. In the slow moving traffic, various bikes, scooters, Harleys, rocket ships and restored iron horses passed us. Some waved, some nodded, some didn't!
And so to home, washed and changed, and off to Tony, (Flash), and Deb’s house for a barbeque, beers and a chat.
There may appear to be a lack of direction to this short tale, but now I’ll get to the point. When I say we were passed by various bikes, scooters, Harleys, rocket ships and restored iron horses. Some waved, some nodded, some didn't!
The majority on this day didn't acknowledge our presence. It is a common factor in today’s society -we blame the young for their lack of respect to their elders. We blame them for the fears and worries of the older generation.  We blame hoodies and gangs for making our lives more stressful in our estates and houses.
Well I believe the same is now a reflection on the Bikers and Trikers of today. If we all ride around ignoring the presence of others if they ride anything remotely different to our steed, then we are promoting that same lack of respect for others in the biking/triking world.
I have in the past stopped for a full blown Hell’s Angel. No fear entered my head, just a willingness to try to assist a fellow rider who had broken down. It turned out he had lost power to his front lights and so was riding in the dark without any forward facing lights. I offered to ride at a steady pace in front of him and do a seven mile detour on my part to get him and his girlfriend home. I was thanked at the end with a warm cup of tea and a “safe journey home mate”. I was now his mate, and if we ever met again, (which we have not to this day), I believe I would still be welcomed warmly as a friend. I have stopped to help Superbikes in whatever little way I can, (and my mechanical knowledge is nil, so it’s usually just moral support). I have stopped for oldies on restored iron horses, young on mopeds, fellow Trikers, solo bikers and groups. Even though there was a group of riders together, helping each other, I was thanked for taking a little time to stop, just in case I could offer the smallest of assistance.
At Tony and Debs' place, this issue was in discussion. We all commented on how few riders had acknowledged our waves and nods. My good lady, (Attila the Hun), even said she didn’t understand why I bothered anymore.
We were all of the same opinion, we would continue to nod and wave regardless of any reciprocation for that one time when we need assistance, and that like minded person or persons pull over and offer any of us a little of their time.
You can have a dislike for Harley’s if that’s not your taste, you can hate with a passion the rocket ship rice burners, or hate a scooter boy for what happened to your great Uncle in 1960 something.
When all is said and done, we are all up against the same bureaucracy that tries to stop us enjoying doing what we like in this one off life.
But that does not stop us from being decent human beings and offering acknowledgement or assistance in our day to day riding.

-Two Showers & Attila the Hun
AKA Martin and Sarah