Clarksville, Tn — These are crazy times we’re living in, to say the least.  It’s an election year, there’s a deadly virus among us, and unrest in the streets.

The country is in a state of confusion and misinformation, yet still has the time to argue with every Tom, Dick and Harry on the planet.  We’ve taken disagreement to another level.

One thing I think we can all agree on though is that Bikers understand diversity and embrace it with love and respect.  You don’t have to explain to a biker what it means to respect one another.  We come in all colors, sizes and lifestyles.

From the early days of motorcycles, we were thought of as “rebels” “daredevils” and “gang” members.  Nobody understood the lifestyle.  Nobody understood the passion and the adventure of touring down the open road on two wheels.

Bikers do!

Since I began this journey, my life has intersected with young and old.  Man and woman.  Black and White.  Brown and yellow.  I’ve ridden with liberals, conservatives, Christians and atheists.  It didn’t matter.  We’re bikers!

Sitting at lunch one day with friends, and during a discussion about politics, one of my brothers mentioned he was voting for a particular candidate because of “his faith.”

Another biker chirped, “what difference does that make?”  We didn’t have a big argument, or heated discussion, we just moved on with our opinion, like civilized adults.

While riding one day with another group of brothers, we happened to pass a military cemetery.  As I was trailing another biker, a veteran, he turned towards the cemetery and promptly saluted the fallen.  Brought tears to my eyes.

Elkton Kentucky Bike Night

On my trip to Sturgis last year, we spent the night at a hotel that a group of “one percenters” were staying at.  They were parked right in front of the hotel when we checked in.  I spent 20 minutes in the lobby talking to a couple of them and it was the coolest thing ever. 

I realize the one percenters have a different culture within the biker community, but having that time in the lobby with those two guys was pretty cool.  Just bikers shooting the shit!  Love and respect is tantamount to our culture, regardless of your affiliation.

As a military brat, I’ve never known the “racism” attitude.  We were Americans, stationed in Europe and color meant nothing.  We were separated from all of the Civil Rights conflicts stateside.  When we returned home, the whole concept of looking down on another race, or another person for that matter, was pretty foreign to me and my brother.

Friends have no color.  My longtime morning show co-host was one of the brightest, classiest people I’ve ever known.  He was black.

While stationed in Okinawa, my very best friend was a young black man who was one of the coolest guys ever.  The band I played in had a Japanese lead guitarist. 

Didn’t matter.

I don’t mean to speak of this as a “black and white” issue, but while the current generation screams about diversity, I have to shake my head and wonder what we’ve become and what the future will hold.

Bikers have a unique opportunity during these times to set an example for the world around us.  I have a responsibility to share this journey so there’s a possibility of “non” bikers to see and feel the love among us.

All I want to do is ride.  All I want to do is meet other brothers and sisters who share my passion.  It’s all about the love and respect.

Don’t come at me about diversity!

(cover photo credit: Oleg Magni from Pexels)