alamocdc
Member
Many of you know that I ride a Harley. I keep this no secret and am rather proud to be one of the "brotherhood". If you've seen my photo, you will have noticed that I also have a shaved head. This is mostly due to MPB, but I've never been fond of comb overs and this is just so much easier to keep. I also have a number of tattoos, but only one on the inside of my left forearm is usually visible. LOML has teased me a number of times over the last few years about turing into those I once made fun of... scooter trash. This is a rather common Texas term for those who's appearance is akin to... you know, the "bad" boys of the motorcycle world. While Harley riders come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and professions, many of us just like the look of the type of apparel that many associate with biker gangs. Most of the biking community refers to these as the one percenters. That's because these "bad" boys only make up about one percent of the biking population. However, this doesn't mean that many of us don't get clumped into the group by the non-riding public.
Case in point, LOML is a high school math teacher (and I once was). I regularly go up there to see her, have lunch with her, etc. and a number of times had the need to visit her classroom. Recently on one such occasion this caused quite the stir. It was a nice warm and sunny day and I was about on the Harley. And I needed to go by and talk to her about something so in I went. All of the administrators, secretaries and many of the teachers know me so I'm always greeted with the usual "hello" and go on my way. I stepped into LOML's classroom and stood patiently at the door until she was finished making her point to the class. At which time she said, "Hi, honey." and introduced me to the Freshman class. Many of the boys and some of the girls grinned, and others barely acknowledged me. No problem, I wasn't there to become their friends. I told her what needed telling and went on about my business.
When she gets home she tells me that she fielded the usual questions, "Is he a biker, Ms. Burt?", "What does he ride, Ms. Burt?", etc. followed by "Cool!", "I want a bike someday." and others. However, one young lady asked her, "Aren't you scared, Ms. Burt? I'd be scared. I'd leave him." Made me kinda go, "Hmmm". You know, I really didn't think I looked that menacing. I wasn't even wearing my usual Harley apparel. Just my boots (which I wear all the time), my dewrag (keeps me from getting helmet hair [
]... and yes I wear a helmet) and my gloves. Actually I wear the dewrag to absorb perspiration so my helmet lining doesn't. The remainder of my apparel? Dress slacks and a button up shirt. I'd just come from work. I too am an educator. A university department head. You just never know.
edited to correct a fat fingered typo
Case in point, LOML is a high school math teacher (and I once was). I regularly go up there to see her, have lunch with her, etc. and a number of times had the need to visit her classroom. Recently on one such occasion this caused quite the stir. It was a nice warm and sunny day and I was about on the Harley. And I needed to go by and talk to her about something so in I went. All of the administrators, secretaries and many of the teachers know me so I'm always greeted with the usual "hello" and go on my way. I stepped into LOML's classroom and stood patiently at the door until she was finished making her point to the class. At which time she said, "Hi, honey." and introduced me to the Freshman class. Many of the boys and some of the girls grinned, and others barely acknowledged me. No problem, I wasn't there to become their friends. I told her what needed telling and went on about my business.
When she gets home she tells me that she fielded the usual questions, "Is he a biker, Ms. Burt?", "What does he ride, Ms. Burt?", etc. followed by "Cool!", "I want a bike someday." and others. However, one young lady asked her, "Aren't you scared, Ms. Burt? I'd be scared. I'd leave him." Made me kinda go, "Hmmm". You know, I really didn't think I looked that menacing. I wasn't even wearing my usual Harley apparel. Just my boots (which I wear all the time), my dewrag (keeps me from getting helmet hair [
]... and yes I wear a helmet) and my gloves. Actually I wear the dewrag to absorb perspiration so my helmet lining doesn't. The remainder of my apparel? Dress slacks and a button up shirt. I'd just come from work. I too am an educator. A university department head. You just never know.edited to correct a fat fingered typo
