UrbanGrounds

PGR: Special Mission at the Capitol for Spc. Brandon Meyer

Posted by Robbie Cooper at 9:48 pm 1 Response »

Feb 232009

On Jan. 28, 2008, six days before his 21st birthday, Spc. Brandon Meyer was killed — along with four other Soldiers — when their unit encountered a makeshift bomb during convoy operations in Mosul.

Earlier this month, the California Patriot Guard Riders rode in Meyer’s funeral mission in Orange, California. Tomorrow, I’ll join my brothers and sisters of the Central Texas PGR in a memorial mission at the state capitol building, where his portrait will be unveiled and hung in the Capitol Rotunda.

Meyer was a graduate of Canyon High School, in the Texas Hill Country near Austin.

Meyer was an all-American kind of kid — a star baseball player, a good student (he was studying Biology at Concordia University in Irvine), the son of a Lutheran preacher. He was deeply religious and deeply patriotic:

From the LA Times:

Brandon Meyer was a wide-smiling pastor’s son with a sarcastic sense of humor and a fondness for practical jokes.

His family called him a faithful Lutheran and a patriot who believed in the war in Iraq.

He and Caitlin decided to join the military together and were married in a civil ceremony in November 2006, before they went off to basic training — to ensure that the Army would station them together.

Brandon died Jan. 28, six days before his 21st birthday. When Caitlin heard the news, she said, she “wanted to know how, if he died instantly — because I didn’t want to think of him being in any pain and I didn’t want him to die alone.”

He didn’t. Meyer was one of five soldiers killed in Mosul when their convoy was hit by a roadside explosive. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division at Ft. Carson. The Army posthumously promoted Meyer, a private first class, to specialist.

I’ll post an update tomorrow after the PGR mission (which, thankfully is during lunch tomorrow).

Obama — True Americans Drive American Made Cars

Posted by Robbie Cooper at 9:12 pm 5 Responses »

Sep 232008

Barack Obama has issued a decree that all (true) Americans will drive American-made cars.

All Obamaniacs have been urged ordered to turn in their Toyota Prius, Honda Fit, Mini Coopers, VW Bugs, and Kia Rios by Friday.

Or else.

Democrat Barack Obama’s campaign hit Republican John McCain today over his family’s ownership of foreign cars, saying it would air a TV ad in Michigan highlighting McCain’s statements on buying American.

But the ad, which accuses McCain of misleading Michigan voters by saying he’s bought American vehicles “literally all my life,” doesn’t say that of the 13 vehicles owned by the McCain family, only one is registered to McCain himself – a 2004 Cadillac CTS built in Lansing.

The 12 other vehicles include a 2005 Volkswagen convertible, a 2001 Honda sedan, a 2007 Ford half-ton pickup and three Gem neighborhood electric vehicles – essentially road-worthy golf carts built by a Chrysler subsidiary.

The McCain family owns 13 cars. So what? They’re a big family.

And, of their 13 cars, 10 are made in America. I think that shows a much higher commitment to supporting the American autoworkers unions than Obama’s paltry effort of only buying one car at a time.

But hey, at least Mr. Hope and Change is focusing on issues rather than personal attacks…

________

In the bike world, there’s a divide between Harely riders (American-made) and those of us who ride “Jap” bikes. Especially amongst motorcycle clubs and Veterans riding clubs.

As if though riding an American-made bike is supposed to be an indicator of my patriotism.

It reminds me of this email I received from Major Tom of the Vietnam Vets / Legacy Vets Motorcycle Club (MC):

Hi Guy,

I’m a two tour Vietnam Vet (Army helicopter pilot) who after leaving the Army in ’72 I spent the next 30 yrs living and working in Germany. Since returning to the US in late ’02 I later moved (back) to California, this time in Laguna Hills (south Orange County). In ’04 I joined the Vietnam
Vets / Legacy Vets MC here and it was definitely the best thing I’ve done in the past 35 yrs. Since I noticed you’re a biker, I want to assume that you’re riding a HD or other American made bike. Also being former military I firmly believe that you would find our MC to be the real McCoy for American Mil riding American bikes. If you’re interested in locating a local chapter, send me an E-Mail. As far as I know you could already be one of my brothers! VVBG! Legacy Vets and the Vietnam Vets are one and the same club, the only difference being those with the Legacy Vets upper rocker were in the Mil after 1975.

I responded to Major Tom that after wearing my country’s uniform; after taking up arms in her defense — I never again have to prove my patriotism to anybody. And I’ve earned the right to ride whatever bike I damned well please without having to justify it to anybody.

I think Sen. McCain should tell Mr. Obama the exact same thing.

Biker Babe Palin vs. Pee Wee Obama

Posted by Robbie Cooper at 9:17 am 68 Responses »

Sep 052008

This settles it

You Kool-aid drinking kids can have Pee Wee Obama:

The President of the US or a member of Pee Wee's Playhouse?

I’ll take Sarah “Biker Babe” Palin any day:

Hot chicks on hot bikes are...well...hot

One is a total dork. One is a total babe.

One is a socialist. One is a populist.

The choice keeps getting easier and easier.

________

UPDATE (Sept 12) — According to Peggy Noonan at The Wall Street Journal, this post has gone viral via e-mail around the Inter-tubes. You might have seen it in your email boxes with the subject title, “This settles it.”

My hit-counter (more than 3000 unique hits on just this post today) is spinning from the links — from places like Elephants in the Bluegrass and various message boards.

Motorcyclist Killed in Austin — Bike Dragged More than a Mile

Posted by Robbie Cooper at 2:26 pm 2 Responses »

Sep 042008

Tragic:

Austin police are investigating a fatal motorcycle accident that shut down parts of U.S. 183 this morning in the 8400 block of Research Boulevard.

Police said that officials received a call about the accident at 4:18 a.m.

A motorcyclist, whose name has not yet been released, was found on the upper deck of U.S. 183 near North Lamar Blvd. Investigators think the man, described as a white male in his 20s, was driving northbound on Research Boulevard when another vehicle struck his motorcycle and fled the scene.

The driver of the motorcycle was located on Research Boulevard when officials arrived and he was pronounced dead at the scene. Police said he had been wearing a helmet and full protective gear at the time of the accident.

The motorcycle was found about a mile away on the east frontage road. Officials later found a blue GMC pickup they believe may have struck the motorcyclist, according to Lisa Cortinas, a police spokeswoman. Investigators are looking for its driver.

The victim was likely hit from behind and ran over, meanwhile the motorcycle most likely became wedged beneath the truck. Which then dragged the motorcycle for nearly a mile before the motorcycle either 1) became dislodged on its own, or 2) the driver of the truck finally pulled over and pulled the motorcycle from under his/her truck.

I’m betting the driver was probably drunk, and fled so as to avoid the more serious charge of intoxication manslaughter.

I just don’t know how any decent person — drunk or not — can simply not go back and check on a person that they ran over.

I hope when they catch this person, that they spend the rest of their life in prison.

Bike Blogging — New Bling

Posted by Robbie Cooper at 3:24 pm 5 Responses »

Aug 142008

One of the joys of owning a cruiser is “making it your own” — and it seems that the job is never finished. I’ve been slowly customizing my 06′ Star Roadliner (1900cc and 113 cubic inches of pure happiness) over the last year.

Here’s where she’s at today:

$Robbie\'s Midnight Roadliner$

Performance mods — the idea was to open up the bike to really let it breath and take full advantage of that giant air-cooled V-twin… more air in, more air out.

Replaced stock pipes with Hard-Krome 3″ Big Straights (loud? you bet your ass they are)
Patrick Racing Big Air Kit
Power Commander III Fuel Injection Module
Stainless steel braided brake, throttle, and clutch lines, which perform infinitely better than the stock rubber lines.

Comfort mods — The Roadliner is a big, stretched out bike with some extra wide handlebars. If you’re 6′ 3″ or taller, than it probably fits you just right. If you’re a bit shorter like me, than you’ve gotta make a few changes to make it fit you just right…

Corbin Classic Close Solo seat — stock motorcycle seats are notoriously uncomfortable, and usually the first thing that riders change. This seat dropped me 2 inches lower and about an inch and a half closer to the bars.

Corbin Fleetliner Saddlebags — because this bike is my everyday ride and commuter, I need to be able to carry stuff with me, like my rain gear, gym clothes, lap top, etc. These bags are some of the biggest on the market. And Corbin did a fantastic job designing the bags to match the lines on the Roadliner.
Baron’s Risers — added new handlebar risers which brought the bars back almost 2 inches while only raising them about half an inch.

Cosmetic mods — because you can never have enough chrome

Chrome luggage rack — I removed the passenger pillion and replaced it with a chrome luggage rack. My wife has her own motorcycle, so she never rides on mine with me. Having my bike set up for solo riding prevents me from being able to give my girlfriends a ride.
Küryakyn Chrome lay-down license plate frame — because the stock license plate frame was butt-ugly.
Yamaha Chrome Front Fender Rail — before I added the front fender rail, the front end just looked naked and too insignificant.
Cycle Sounds Chrome Premium Sound System with 3 inch Speakers and amplifier

Next on the agenda — Küryakyn grips, new mirrors, throttle lock, running lights, Run-Turn-Brake controller, and chrome floor boards.

John McCain Welcomed by Bikers at Sturgis

Posted by Robbie Cooper at 8:33 am 13 Responses »

Aug 052008

If you know enough *bikers, then you know this.

They are the personification of Patriotism.
The majority of them are military Veterans. You’ll know where they fought and who they fought with by the patches they proudly wear on their vests.
They are overwhelmingly Conservative.

So, it’s no wonder that Sen. John McCain was enthusiastically greeted with roaring engines and loud pipes when he made a campaign stop in Sturgis:

STURGIS, S.D. — If there was any question whether this is John McCain country, that doubt ended Monday as thousands of motorcycle riders repeatedly revved their Harleys upon his arrival here, creating a massive roar of approval and a cloud of exhaust fumes.

“This is my first time here,” McCain told the crowd of about 20,000 at the Sturgis Rally, an annual motorcycle event in the western part of the state. “But I recognize that sound. It’s the sound of freedom.”

McCain told the group of leather-clad, bandana-wearing, long-haired riders that his rival, Barack Obama had recently spoken to 200,000 people in Berlin.

“I’ll take the roar of 50,000 Harleys any day. Any day,” he said, prompting another round of engines revving.

No way, not in a million years does Obama make a campaign appearance in front of this group. He wouldn’t be very welcomed even if he could find the nerve to give it a try.

What are the odds that Barry O has never even ridden a motorcycle? I’d put the odds at “pretty damned certain” that he hasn’t. He can barely pull off riding a bicycle without looking like an idiot.

*And by bikers, I mean the guys who truly embody the Live to Ride, Ride to Live lifestyle. Not the kids pulling wheelies down the interstate on their rice rockets. Not the guy on his BMW touring bike wearing a complete set of synthetic riding gear from head-to-toe. Not the guy who puts 1000 miles per year on his $30K Harley Davidson Screaming Eagle Road King (with matching trailer). I’m talking about bikers.

Chuck Burt — A Modern Day Renaissance Man

Posted by Robbie Cooper at 9:34 pm 2 Responses »

Jul 282008

The CBS News local affiliate, KEYE News, covered our friend Chuck Burt’s funeral today (I left the service a few minutes early and was interviewed for the story by the KEYE reporter).

One of our local PGR Ride Captains, Mark Wells, was asked to speak on behalf of the Patriot Guard Riders today — and he read this note that I wrote on Chuck’s mission thread:

This news broke my heart today.

I remember vividly the first time I ever met Chuck. It was my first PGR mission for PFC Tina Priest. We met at the Denny’s near the airport.

Chuck was the first person I met and he invited me to sit with him at his table. He even bought me a cup of coffee.

I had the honor and privilige to ride with and along side Chuck many times after that. He was a gentle and kind man — and a man amongst men.

The world is a bit lesser today knowing that he is no longer with us. My deepest sympathies to his family and other friends — of which he had many.

What was most apparent today was how many lives Chuck touched — and across an amazingly diverse swath of people. And they all had stories about Chuck’s kindness, his honesty, and his love of life.

Chuck was a modern day Renaissance Man, and personified the Art of Manliness.

Here’s the short story that appeared on this evening’s news (sorry about the poor quality, but I haven’t rigged up a method to transfer recorded programs from my DVR to my computer — so I simply used my camera’s video cam to record as the story ran on the television):

Work to Ride, Ride to Work

Posted by Robbie Cooper at 9:02 pm 1 Response »

Jul 152008

Tomorrow is national Ride Your Motorcycle To Work Day.

Of course, for me and thousands of others, everyday is ride your motorcycle to work day (I’ve only driven my truck to work 3 times so far in 2008).

Ride to Work.org has a list of reasons to ride to work:

I have ridden my motorcycle to work today because:

Riding to work is fun
Riding to work reduces traffic and parking congestion
Riding to work uses less fuel than an automobile
Riding to work leaves me alert and energized
Riding to work results in less pollution than commuting in a larger vehicle
Riding to work is less destructive to road surfaces, bridges, etc.
Riding to work gets me to work (and back home) faster
Riding to work demonstrates motorcycles as a social good

To that list I would add:

I rode to work today because I ride to work almost everyday.

Out of a total 129,141,982 commuters in this country (USA, 2003) 147,703 of them ride motorcycles to work regularly. That’s only .11 percent.

US Census Bureau of all motorcycles registered in the USA, (6,567,197) 4.3% of them are used for year-round primary transportation (282,389), with an additional 9.9% used seasonally for this purpose (932,542 total).

Anyway…to all of you cagers out there — pay attention to the motorcycles around you. Not just today, but everyday. Most motorcycle accidents are not caused by careless riding, but rather by an idiot or unaware cager.

Here are some things that you, as a cager, can do to make motorcycle transportation safer for the motorcyclists around you:

Turn off that damned cell phone. Or at least get a hands free device. When your phone is pressed to your left ear, your phone and your entire forearm blocks your entire peripheral vision on your left side. Which means that you won’t see me when you decide to switch lanes into my motorcycle.
Look in your rearview mirror. If you see a motorcycle, please do not use your windshield wiper washers while we are riding behind you. Wiper fluid tastes like ass and messes up my goggles. And be careful what you throw out your window — not only is it littering (illegal), but if your cigarette butt hits me in the face, I will follow your car until you stop, and then I will pull you out of the drivers seat by your ears and beat you about the face.
Don’t tailgate. If you rear end another car who had to unexpectedly stomp on his breaks, most likely you’ll both end up on the side of the road swapping insurance info before you both drive away. If you rear end me on my bike, you’ll probably kill me. If you don’t, I’ll probably try to kill you when I pick myself up off of the pavement.
Use your turn signals. Always.
Do not pull out in front of a motorcycle. If you can see me coming, than I am way too close for you to pull out in front of me. Wait an extra couple of seconds for me to pass.

Shannon’s First ROT Rally

Posted by Robbie Cooper at 9:47 am 1 Response »

Jun 142008

Having a blast at the ROT Rally — Shannon is attending her first biker rally ever (riding her own bike)!

This is us as the sun is heading down:

She did pretty well, but did drop her bike once — she was cutting through a grass field to come park her bike near mine, and shit hit a loose patch of thick gravel in the middle of the grass. She was only going about 5 mph and her tires sunk in and she gently laid it over in the grass.

No damage, and a bunch of guys immediately rushed over to help her pick the bike up — thankfully there was zero damage. To Shannon or the bike.

We’re on our way back out there in a few more minutes so Shannon can finish shopping.

I’ll see if I can talk her into buying this outfit (this girl wasn’t just posing on someone else’s bike — this is what she was riding):

Biker Chick

____

Oh, and in the off-chance that Shannon’s folks are reading — uh, your daughter has a motorcycle. Your worst dreams and suspicions have come true: your sweet little girl is now a biker chick.

Sorry about that.

ROT Rally 2008 is Underway

Posted by Robbie Cooper at 9:42 am 2 Responses »

Jun 122008

The 2008 Republic of Texas (ROT) Biker Rally is underway (gates opened at 8:00 a.m. this morning at the Travis County Expo Center).

biker parade on Congress Ave.

I can hear the nearly continuous roar of loud pipes heading down the freeway from my office — and it’s killing me to be couped up here instead of out there riding.

In addition to the normal debauched biker activities, the bike parade, and the vendors, this year’s rally also has:

Extreme Fighting Championship (XFC) cage fights
Roller Derby Girls
Big Texas Chop Off (custom bike build-off)
Tattoo contest
Military Bike Giveaway
Stunt Shows

And of course, the biker ladies.

Those who ride their own:

Those just along for the ride:

And those who’ll help you clean up afterwards:

My wife and I will probably spend most of Friday out at the Expo center — she wants to do some shopping for a new jacket and some other riding gear (my wife rides her own cruiser) — and then ride in the Bike Parade into Downtown.

After that we’ll probably just stick to some Hill Country rides — maybe a BBQ run here and there.

Anyway — if you’re in Austin this weekend, head downtown on Friday night to check out the bikes.

And please pay attention and be careful of all the bikes in town this weekend. There are a lot of hobbiest and inexperienced riders on the road this weekend — the guys who put about 1000 miles per year (maybe) on their custom choppers and fully faired Harleys.

Toyota Prius — It’s Not Even Bullet Proof

Posted by Robbie Cooper at 9:26 am 4 Responses »

Jun 102008

Great video review of the Toyota Prius by Jeremy Clarkson (via Ace):

And while we’re talking about the smugness of Prius drivers…

I understand that a lot of you are driving these underpowered little 4-cylinder cars to save gas. And that many more of you are driving at 55-60 mph to save even more.

And that’s fine if that makes sense to you.

But could you do me (and the rest of the people you share the road with) a favor?

Get the fuck out of the fast lane in your pissant of a car.

My ride home through the hill country means that you have to give your car a little extra humph to get up some of these hills while maintaining your speed. And your Prius (or your Honda Fit, or your Ford Focus, or your Kia Whatever) just doesn’t have it.

So, kindly move your ass over to the right so that I can continue on my way at 75-80 mph (and still getting better real mileage than you do at 60 mph in your hybrid).

Or so that the guy driving the 400 hp V-8 who thinks his time is more valuable than a few dollars saved on petrol doesn’t have to put his front grill up against your Obama ’08-stickered rear bumper.

Oh, and get off the phone, too.

Friday Humor: A Biker, A Lion, and a NY Times Reporter

Posted by Robbie Cooper at 8:16 am No Responses »

May 162008

Sadly, this is only funny because it’s not too far from the slant the NY Times puts on most stories to make it match their narrative:

A biker is riding by the zoo when he sees a little girl leaning into the lion’s cage.

Suddenly, the lion grabs her by the cuff of her jacket and tries to pull her inside to slaughter her, under the eyes of her screaming parents. The biker jumps off his bike, runs to the cage, and hits the lion square on the nose with a powerful punch.

Whimpering from the pain, the lion jumps back letting go of the girl, and the biker brings her to her terrified parents, who thank him endlessly.

A NYT reporter has seen the whole scene and, addressing the biker,Â says, ‘Sir, this was the most gallant and brave thing I saw a man do in my whole life.’

‘Why, it was nothing, really, the lion was behind bars. I just saw this little kid in danger, and acted as I felt right.’

‘Well, I’ll make sure this won’t go unnoticed. I’m a journalist from the New York Times, you know, and tomorrow’s paper will have this on the first page. What motorcycle do you ride and what political affiliation do you have?’

‘A Harley Davidson and I am a Republican.’ The journalist leaves.

The following morning the biker buys The New York Times to see ifÂ it indeed brings news of his actions, and reads on the first page:

REPUBLICAN BIKER GANG MEMBER ASSAULTS AFRICAN IMMIGRANT AND STEALS HIS LUNCH.

Older Entries Newer Entries