Well, I'm damned impressed that a biker brother from Texas would be quoting a Minnesota senator.

Our famous, or should I say, "infamous," former Gov. Jesse Ventura also stood up for biker's rights in Minnesota. The first bill he signed in office was to guarantee our right to not be banned by public establishments just because we arrived on a motorycle.

 

If you want a good visual depicting freedom on a motorcycle, pull up next to a car driven by a guy, his wife in the passenger seat, and the back seat full of kids.
Look into his eyes and you'll see the difference and longing to be free.

 

I think a motorcycle as symbol of freedom is a relic from a by gone era, when it was something different and seen as rebellious and free from the mundane things in life. This has stuck and probably always will.
However the freedom to me when riding my bike is a state of mind. It clears my head of all the crap that builds up in day to day life, puts problems into perspective and makes them easier to deal with sometimes they disappear all together. It frees my mind and spirt, I can go where I want when I want.
This to me is motorcycle freedom, it's physical as well as mental.

 

Passing a 40' toy hauler on the way to Sturgis, seeing my reflection in his shinny paint. Oh Yea.

 

I've seen that look. It also happens when I'm out loading up the bike at a hotel in the morning. Pretty much every time some guy will walk up, start with "Nice bike!" or something very close to that, and ask a few questions about where we've been, or where we're going. I'll answer, and there's always this moment of silence. The guy will be staring at the bike and I know he's picturing himself on that it. For that one very small slice of time that guy is at least dreaming of being free, and considers it a real possibility.

 

..or the guy who compliments your bike and says, "I had a Harley once, but had to sell it..got a family, what ya gonna do?"
You can't be all things to everybody, you have to be all things to yourself first.

 

I felt free on my bike again when I stopped riding with this couple I used to know. The Rat and the Drama Queen.
Used to drive me and my wife nuts with all the behind the back talking she'd do to us about him. Hated that crap.
When I finally stopped riding tours with them it felt like...freedom. Like it should and not have to wonder what was up next for them at the next stop.
Dumped them off in Colorado and that was the last time I rode and not had fun.

 

Just don't forget, lay it on the side cause if it's upside down you could scratch the eagle and if it's right side up it could pick up dirt and get that in your tank.
(Ode to an old winter thread)

 

And the Billy Joel song - "I'm movin' out" which in the end of the video I think had an old thunderbird, but when I heard the song was always a Harley.

 

Funny you should say that.......I work as a therapist and listen to ppl's worries and woes all day long. At the end of the day, (season allowed) I look forward to just riding home (always the long way) with the sun in my face and the sounds and smells around me. I think the freedom that some ppl refer to is the fact that you and you alone are in control and have to be on top of your game to survive some of the idiots driving around you. One thing is for certain.....you have to be in the moment and pay attention to what is going on or just as quickly you could end up injured or dead!

Lobo