It’s an old song, but Bob Ferguson sings it like a bird!

Hello Bear,
This has to be the greatest motorcycle mag ever and I read it from cover to cover and back again except for certain things in 'Readers Rite'. I started to dislike certain trends I was witnessing, especially in the columns given over to the readers in which they can put their 'two bobs worth in!' Usually as soon as I realise what the writer is going on about and it's just a whining whinge I usually skip the letter and go on to the next one. The thing that prompted me to write was the letter by 'Pete' of West Pennant Hills NSW. In it he complains about a lady rider, who in my mind handles to the overtaking of road trains in a very appropriate manner - lets face it, these things are an abomination in themselves. The way she overtakes is infinitely better than hanging around on the wrong side of the road sat on a few kays more than the speed of the truck she is overtaking. My advice is if you decide to overtake then give it everything you've got and get it over with as quickly as possible then get back on your own side of the road and slow down (If the truck you have just overtaken allows you to!) All in all, good advice I say.

Where do these whingers come from? I suppose he whinges and 'tut tuts!' whenever he sees a motorcyclist dressed inappropriately too, eg the shorts and thongs brigade. Which brings me to the point of the letter. Whilst on a trip (last October) I was busy parking my trusty stead on Glebe point road, a young and rather gorgeous young lady pulled in besides me on her scooter.(I didn't know angels rode scooters! but there you go!). Just as she began to manoeuvre her scooter next to me an old fart of a Ulyssian pulled up in front of her and began berating the young woman for being dressed, or rather undressed, the way she was. He was the 'pseudo bikie type', you know all leathers and badges, on his Japanese Hardley a Davidson. I suppose he had to shout to be heard over the din coming from the exhaust pipes. The profanities were obscene and he told her in no uncertain terms that it was people like her that were giving motorcyclists a bad name. He then proceeded to ride off.

The poor girl looked bemused and asked me what was that all about. I tried to explain that there is a bit of a debate going on in riding circles about people riding dressed inappropriately, and she was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.

I was, until recently a member of Ulysses, and I decided not to remain a member because of the attitude of some of the membership. The types who big note themselves about what you should wear and even put you down for the machine you ride. It's fun for the first five minutes but it gets tiresome when it happens all the time. Now I ride alone or just with a few friends; who have also become cheesed off with the pompous self righteous few who seem to gain kudos by spoiling it for the many who happen to believe in live and let live. You all know who I mean don't you!

It is tragic that anyone has to suffer a gravel rash tattoo. But they know the risks. They don't need anyone spoiling their day by having their opinions forced down their throats ad infinitum. Being a motorcyclist, live and let live should be well imbued in our psych. The old fart of a 'wanna be if he could be' did not endear himself to the young squid, and I doubt if she would ever join Ulysses - should she make it that far in 20 years. (She cracked up when I explained what is meant by a squid). I just wish motorcyclists could chill out and enjoy the sport they have without forcing their opinions and self righteous bullshit down other peoples throats.

Bob, UPPER Orara NSW

Hi, Bob, and thank you for your e-mail.
Yeah, how you overtake a road train is a bit of a personal choice, isn’t it. Anyway, I hope you liked my response. That dog story has been useful. I’ve even used it with a CHiPS officer who pulled me over for speeding. He let me off, although he did warn me not to expect it to work a second time!

Now, I think I may actually have to take some responsibility for what this old bloke in Glebe did – I’ve been advising people that, instead of writing to me and complaining, they should offer advice to anyone they see “underdressed” who doesn’t seem aware of the danger.
I did mean for them to do it politely and appropriately, though… some people don’t seem to know the difference between “righteous” and “self-righteous”.

I’m going to put your note on our website. I think it will gather a few comments.

As for Ulysses, it’s a broad church. With some 27,000 members there will be all kinds – maybe you should give them another chance, with a different group?

Best regards,

The Bear

Peter “The Bear” Thoeming