RANT: whats wrong with bikers!
Please excuse the following rant: What’s happening to bikers? I was out riding today and I must have passed eight bikers and ,as I always do, gave them a wave. I was disgusted that only two responded! I remember a time when everyone used to acknowledge one another, and it was not that long ago either.
Also on my last trip I was having problems with the bike running lumpy so I pulled over on the motorway hard shoulder and began to try and find the cause (fuel filter as it happens) however a convoy of bikes passed and they could plainly see that I have broken down (seat off etc) not one stopped, I was astounded! I always stop when I see a bike at the side of the road and have given riders lifts out of my way or drained fuel out of my tank etc, what has changed in the last few years?
All the people I passed today were sports bikes or large tourer type bikes with the rider bedecked in pristine leathers and the latest lids etc (nothing wrong with that) I ride a 10 year old workhorse and I ride every day (and have done for the past 15 years doing 15000 miles a year minimum) to either commute of for pleasure.
I can only think that they somehow don’t want to be associated with a “dirty” biker I suppose they consider themselves a cut above. They all saw me and were not cranked over or doing anything other then going in a straight line, so why not wave or nod the head?
I know that manners are rapidly becoming a thing of rarity in this country but I never thought that motorcycling would become a two tiered socitity, looks like I was wrong.
I will carry on acknowledging fellow bikers (if you don’t consider yourself a “biker” please stop riding bikes) and I will carry on stopping for stranded bikes, even if the riders are dressed like a Power Ranger. If you see a slightly tatty GPZ ridden by a guy wearing a Belstaff wax jacket please be nice and give him a wave.
Rant over, Thank you - Greg
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