To commemorate the anniversary of the tragic passing of bassist Cliff Burton, Metallica released a live recording from their vault from 1984! It's a FREE MP3 download from November 22, 1984 from Le Riff Toulhouse in France.
It's that time of year again... When the roads are filled with bikers, headed north, with bags bungeed to their bikes. The roar of motorcycles breaking up the serene Lakes region of New Hampshire. Paint jobs, chrome, loud pipes, burnouts, wheelies, leather, and of course... GIRLS!
For 89 years, Laconia has hosted a week of heaven for bikers!
Are you headed up this week? For a nice change of pace, the weather is looking GREAT this year!
I'll be up this weekend for sure! If you want to hang out, you can find me here!
Saturday June 16 4p-6p
Benders Three Ring Saloon with Miller Lite Click here for details
Memorial Day weekend, is the unofficial start of summer... Many of us head to the backyard for a BBQ, or head North to the beach or to the Cape for the long weekend. But, we should not forget that this is a solemn weekend of remembrance. The sacrifices of our troops, the ultimate sacrifices, made by so many so that we can enjoy those BBQ's and beach days should be honored this weekend as well.
There are 300 Million people in the United States, and 1/2 of 1% serve in the armed forces. After 10 years of war, it amazes me that there are still people in this country that do not know someone who has deployed, but there are people like that. People who are lucky enough to watch the news and not be afraid, people who spend birthdays, and anniversary's with those that they love. People that go to bed every night, snuggled up to their soul mates without a care in the world. But the 1/2 of 1% of this country have missed those birthdays and anniversaries. They go to sleep alone, and their loved one's avoid the news, because it's too hard to think of the worst case scenario.
Fortunately for us, most of our brave service members come home at the end of a deployment. They come home different, but they come home. There are those, who do not. Those that have fallen, fighting for what they believe is right. THAT, is what Memorial Day is really about. Remembering them. It's the least that we can do. Remember the families that will never be whole again.
But, it's not just about this war, it's about all of them. Millions have died for those BBQ's and beach days... MILLIONS! And even if you don't know someone who has served and died in the last decade, I promise you that there is someone in your families past who did in another war, in another time. The 300 million of us, owe everything that we have to those brave, fallen warriors, who gave up everything for us.
This weekend 750,000 bikers will make their annual ride to Washington DC to pay tribute to our nations heroes for Rolling Thunder. But, you don't have to ride a motorcycle to our nations capitol do remember the fallen. Just remember!
This Memorial Day, I will be thinking of 2 of those brave soldiers...
PFC Jonathan Roberge who was the first KIA from my home town of Leominster since Vietnam.
and Sgt. Edward Grace who I had the privilege of meeting in Afghanistan.
Enjoy your weekend, just take a few minutes out of it to remember why we have Monday off!
Harley Davidson legend, and owner of Boston Harley, Bruce Rossmeyer was killed in a motorcycle accident while riding to Sturgis Bike Week.
I only met Bruce a few times, but it only took once for Bruce to make an impression on me! He was a big, intimidating looking guy, with a smile that could melt an igloo! This guy found the secret of life! Find something that you love and pour all of your efforts and passion into it, and you'll become a success...  a happy success! He was devoted to his family, his work and his many charitable interests. He was just a great guy!
His funeral was today in Florida. Over a thousand people were there, some on motorcycles, even Bruce who was taken to the church on a Harley hearse trailor...
Bruce is the third person that I know that has crashed on his bike in 2 years. Two of those three died, none were wearing helmets.
The online debate over motorcycle helmets started up on messageboards withing minutes of the news of Bruce's accident. There are 2 sides to this issue, and both believe that they are right... Freedom vs. safety, both are good things! Bruce's accident happened on a back road, the driver of the truck said that he used his left turn signal, the riders say they didn't see it. Bruce road into the left side of a left turning truck. The bike behind him swerved to avoid hitting the same truck. Bruce was pronounced dead at the scene, according to online reports.
So, who is right? Safety? Freedom? After 2 people that I know crashed last year, I started wearing a DOT certified helmet all the time, even in NH and RI where I don't have to by law. I know, I know... I should have been doing that all along! Now you sound like my mother! I always hated them, they were big, awkward and UGLY! This summer, I bought a new one, that is a little less Kazoo looking. I actually don't mind it. This is my choice, and for me it's the right one.
It comes down to trust, and I don't trust the people in the cars around me to get off of the phone, to stop texting, to use their mirrors, to turn their heads and to LOOK for me! I trust my own abilities, but not the other people around me! Car drivers always complain about the noise of motorcycles... Well, that's why we have loud pipes... SO YOU'LL NOTICE US!
But, some bikers make the rest of us look like a**holes, and that sucks!
The bottom line is, you've got to be careful out there. Helmet, no helmet, whatever! Share the road, be alert, and be careful!
None of this will bring back Bruce or any of the other people that have been lost in motorcycle accidents and for that I am sorry.
The world is a little bit less fun without Bruce Rossmeyer.
So, you've got your bike... The weather is good... Now what? Where do you go now? Well, I thought it was a good question for the Biker Blog, so let's come up with some ideas!
First, try a Charity Motorcycle Ride. It's a fun way to ride in a big, safe group and do something good for a deserving charity.
Keep your eyes on the Charity Events Page we're always updating it with new rides etc. If you have a ride you want listed... Email me at carrie@waaf.com
If a Charity Ride isn't happening, and you're looking for a nice ride and good food at your final destination... This is open to suggestion.
Here's one...
I recently discovered that an old college friend of mine opened this place 3 years ago. It's on Water Street along the ocean in Plymouth, Ma. It's got an outdoor patio, so you can park your bike on the street and keep an eye on it.
The food is great, and not too pricey. It's in a great spot if you're on your way to or from the Cape, or you just want to visit Plymouth's famous ROCK!
I know it may be hard to believe, but I made it up to Laconia and back without getting stuck in the rain. Of course, I was prepared for it to rain, I had my rain gear packed in my saddle bags, and I was mentally prepared for it to rain, it looked like it was going to rain, but IT DIDN'T! At least on Saturday.
A small group of us left around Noon on Saturday and headed up 93 to Laconia. I was trying out my new DOT helmet. I hate wearing the big Kazoo  helmets, so for years, I just wore a brain bucket. But, after having a few people that I know crash, some lived, some didn't... I went on a quest to find a DOT helmet that didn't look stupid, I succeeded! It cost me $150 but it's worth it! I had to pull over at the rest area, after the toll on 93 to adjust my non-kazoo helmet. It was acting like a parachute and trying to pull me off of my bike. My neck was killing me. While I was adjusting my helmet a group of young, smokin' hot girls on 'rockets' went by! All dressed in pink and other cute, girly colors... showing off the 'stamps' on their lower backs, my friends tried to catch them, but they had no chance.
It was obvious from the start that the police were out in force this year! I got passed by a few guys, breaking landspeed records, that ended up getting pulled over a few miles up the road. I had to laugh as I went by!
The first stop was the Broken Spoke! Danny Klien's Full House was playing, and Miller Lite was hosting the party! I tried to park in a field next to the Spoke and got stuck in the mud! I covered my friend Nick with mud, since he was right behind me when my wheel was spinning! Sorry Nick! A big thank you to Roy, who ended up pushing me out of the mud, it wasn't pretty! After looking at some cool bikes, introducing the band and doing a little shopping it was off to the Weirs, to cruise the strip and do a little shopping!
The strip was packed! It was hot, sticky and everyone needed to take a shower! That's bike week for you! The strip is a little bit of everything, tourists, locals, hard core bikers and even groups on MOPEDS! A group from Boston rode up 3o+ strong on MOPEDS! These guys had balls! Everything stopped when the MOPEDS went by, people were laughing and pointing, the sound was hilarious! They yelled 'Mistress give us a plug on Monday!' Here you go guys! I didn't know this subculture existed! But, this is what's great about Bike Week, it's something for everyone. If it's too scary for people like the Moped crew to even show up, what's the point? Sometimes bikers are given a bad wrap, and sometimes they deserve it. Stop taking yourselves so seriously, there are WAY more things in this world to be upset over!
After a little shopping, I headed over the MS Mt. Washington boat for party #2 with Miller Lite. Tom Kiley was there too, answering questions about motorcycle laws etc. Click here to see my recent interview with him! Pay attention to the U coverage part, I called my insurance guys the next day and upped mine. It only cost $40 a year more, and it's well worth it! Thank Tom!
After set #2 from Danny Klien and the boys on the boat, it was time to outrun the rain! I made it home, dry and covered with bugs! I'm seriously thinking about a detachable windshield... I haven't decided yet! I hate taking a bug to the head doing 70 mph on the highway! It's gross!
Thanks to everyone who came out to hang with me this weekend! It was great meeting you all. Check out this video that I found online, I think these are the guys that I saw up in Laconia!
Well, I'm jealous of Mike Hsu... He came up with a GREAT IDEA! He found a way to 'get paid' to drink beer... BLOG about it! He's doing 'research'! HA!
So, I thought... 'Hey, I can do that too!' You gotta go with what you know right? I asked around... Bra Blog? talk about all of the amazing BRA's out there? Meat Blog? sample different meats and write about it? You know how much I love meat! Mike Hsu suggested BOTH!
Then someone called the request line and said...
"What about BIKES"? PERFECT!
So, I'll try to cover a little bit of everything in my Biker Blog. Just please remember, like with Sports, I am not expert! I will say stupid things, make mistakes, and look like an idiot... But if you listen to my show, you know that already! :)
First things first... He's mine! It's an Anniversary Edition Harley Davidson Softail Deuce. Here's what it looked like the day I picked it up with 9 miles on it! Ain't she perty? Well, she looks a lot better now! I added the pipes and bags the day I got it. Since then I've changed the bars, lines, lights, tank, fenders, rims, cables, mirrors, and almost every piece of 'non-chrome' to make it awesome. I also had a custon paint job done by Krazy Kustoms and Thin Air Graphics.
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Here's a look at the paint! It kicks ass!
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Here's what it looks like now that it's done!
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Now that I've 'shown you mine'... Feel free to show me yours! You can email me pictures to carrie@waaf.com
Next order of business... Charity Motorcycle rides!
We have a Charity Events Page, this is where we post all of the Charity Events that you guys send us. If you want your ride posted, email all of the info... and I mean ALL, (website, contact info, charity details, date, cost etc) to me carrie@waaf.com and we'll try to get it up for you!
Finally, with Bike Week coming up this weekend, everyone is asking what the hell is going on? Join me...
 helmets, so for years, I just wore a brain bucket. But, after having a few people that I know crash, some lived, some didn't... I went on a quest to find a DOT helmet that didn't look stupid, I succeeded! It cost me $150 but it's worth it! I had to pull over at the rest area, after the toll on 93 to adjust my non-kazoo helmet. It was acting like a parachute and trying to pull me off of my bike. My neck was killing me. While I was adjusting my helmet a group of young, smokin' hot girls on 'rockets' went by! All dressed in pink and other cute, girly colors... showing off the 'stamps' on their lower backs, my friends tried to catch them, but they had no chance.
. Here's what it looked like the day I picked it up with 9 miles on it! Ain't she perty? Well, she looks a lot better now! I added the pipes and bags the day I got it. Since then I've changed the bars, lines, lights, tank, fenders, rims, cables, mirrors, and almost every piece of 'non-chrome' to make it awesome. I also had a custon paint job done by Krazy Kustoms and Thin Air Graphics.
