Thursday, Feb. 04, 2010
Here comes the judge
As I pondered writing this column, a friend of mine suggested I change the name to NOT Ridin' With Big E. Temperatures are in the 20s as I write and Chili Dawg, my 2001 Harley-Davidson Road King Classic, is actually very chilly in the garage, where he's been for several weeks now.
I know two guys who don't even own cars, truly living out the "Live to Ride, Ride to Live" credo. One is Sharky, a tattoo artist I met at Hole In The Wall Tattoo in Conway, and the other is Fast Fred Ruddock, who publishes Fast Fred's Motorcycle Rights E-zine online (see FastFreds.com). All I can say is you guys are the real deal. I like to think that if I didn't have to use my truck to carry supplies for the restaurant; or, if my leathers hadn't mysteriously begun to shrink the way many of my clothes have done as I've gotten older, that I might ride my motorcycle more in the winter, but even I'm not buying it. It's freezing out there! My wife Sissy, who I know isn't riding in this weather anyway, and I would look like Harry and Lloyd from the Movie "Dumb and Dumber" riding their mini-bike into Aspen.
That's not to say there isn't any motorcycle activity happening along the Strand. The big news this month is the S.C. Supreme Court case scheduled for Wednesday as this article went to press. The city of Myrtle Beach's helmet ordinance is being challenged by two groups who are having their cases heard consecutively. Both contend it is unlawful because it flies in the face of existing S.C. state laws that allow riders 21 and older to choose whether or not to wear a helmet. One suit was filed by a local group known as BOOST (Business Owners Organized to Support Tourism who formed in an effort to save rally business) and Bart Viers, who received a ticket for riding without a helmet. The other group who has piggy-backed its suit onto the existing hearing is led by self-proclaimed motorcycle attorney Tom McGrath who volunteered to represent anyone cited during the Helmet Freedom Ride protest that was held in Myrtle Beach the day the helmet ordinance went into effect. Dozens of riders were issued citations as the entire Myrtle Beach Police Department laid in wait to ambush them at the city line. The court is not required to render their decision the day of the hearing, so we may not know the outcome right away, but most agree it could have far-reaching implications regarding local governments' rights to supersede state laws; and that the outcome will be the true victory - or defeat - depending upon which side you support in the ongoing Bike Week drama.
Garage party and benefit ride
Myrtle Beach Harley-Davidson will be hosting its latest in a series of Garage Parties from noon-3 p.m. Feb. 13. These parties are designed to give new or non-riders the chance to come in, hang out, ask questions, and have some fun at the dealership. Originally targeting women in an effort by Harley corporate to educate and lure more female riders to its products, the one happening here just before Valentine's Day is open to couples.
Also in February there is a benefit ride for a local, Emmitt Jones, who is recovering from triple bypass surgery. Jones has always been involved in the local motorcycle community, especially where there have been opportunities to support our military. He's been active with both the local chapter of Rolling Thunder and the Patriot Guard Riders. He is also one of the first riders issued a helmet citation during the Freedom Ride mentioned above. Police actually pulled him over just before the city limit sign because he was dragging a helmet, bouncing up and down off the pavement behind his motorcycle, on a 20-foot-long rope. The benefit will be held on Valentine's Day (Feb. 14) beginning with a Biker Breakfast at the Beaver Bar at County Line, 3534 U.S. 17 Business, Murrells Inlet. Registration begins at 10 a.m. and will be followed by a one-hour ride at noon that will end at Buffalo Wild Wing's Grill & Bar, Carolina Forest (1990 Oak Heart Rd., Myrtle Beach) for free wings, drawings, and prizes. A $10 per person donation is required.
I better start watching my intake again since I need to be able to zip up my leathers so I can ride this month. In December I came up about sixty eight pounds short of the seventy pounds I needed to lose before taking a cruise vacation with my wife. I guess I still owe an apology to those who saw me topless by the pool or on the beaches of Labadee, Grand Cayman and Cozumel. We can just call it even since there were apparently a few of you who never graced the fitness center on deck eleven with your presence either.
