Identify the Boots: Answers

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This post is a follow-up to my “Identify the Boots” challenge posted on this blog yesterday. I asked you to guess the three models of two brands of boots worn by motor officers at a bike cop competition that I recently attended.

The first pair of boots, shown here, were most numerous because there were more cops from that police force than any other at this event. If you guessed dress instep Dehner patrol boots, you were right. Classic in design, form, and function, these boots look really good on a cop in uniform. These boots in this photo were worn by cops who come from a wealthy jurisdiction, and their boots show it. The boots aren’t cheap (even though the boot shafts are made of “Dehcord”) but have a commanding appearance that is hard to beat.

The next pair of boots are worn by many motor officers nowadays. These are a classic engineer boot (note the strap across the instep closing with a buckle). The boots have a thin plastic topcoat that gives them their name: “Hi-Shines.” Yep, if you guessed Chippewa Hi-Shines, you’re right. These boots are comfortable, well-made, and much (much!) less expensive than Dehner boots. These boots are leather lined and made of all leather (unlike stock Dehner boots.) I know from personal experience that these boots are very comfortable and can easily be worn all day long.

The third pair of boots have a bal-laced instep. If you look closely, you will see that the shafts crease a lot around the ankle, and have some more folds along the shaft. That shows that the material from which they are made is thin. While the material is indeed leather, the leather of these boots is thinner than competitor’s boots. Guess what they are yet? Okay, here goes: Chippewa Motor Patrol boots. These boots are about the same price as their “hi-shine” brothers. Unfortunately, the finish discolors (turns dull and grey) when exposed for any length of time to a hot motorcycle engine. Also, the soles are soft and often leave melt-marks on hot motorcycle pipes. These boots are chosen by some motor outfits because they have the same appearance as bal-laced Dehner boots, but cost half the price.

Well, I hope you enjoyed playing this bike cop boot guessing game. Join me for another booted cop adventure next Spring.

Identify the Boots

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Often when I’m around a bunch of bike cops, especially when they gather for an event or competition and come from different jurisdictions, I play a guessing-game that I call, “what brand and model of boots are those?”

And you know what, I guess I have been looking at and wearing boots for way too long, ’cause I haven’t guessed wrong in quite a number of years.

In the booted gathering in the photo above, can you guess which brands and models of boots you are seeing? I’ll give you a hint, there are only two brands and three models.

Take your guesses and return tomorrow for the answers.

Picking Up a Heavyweight Motorcycle

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No matter how careful a rider is, no matter how skilled, no matter if he is a professional or someone like me who rides for freedom and fun — there may come a time when the rider drops his bike.

In the case shown above, the officer was attempting to ride very slowly through a course, lost control, and dropped his motorcycle. That happens even to the best of them.

What the officer is showing is what we are taught in advanced motorcycle safety training courses. Here is how to lift a heavy motorcycle if it is dropped:

1. Stop the engine and if you can make sure the bike is in gear (so it won’t roll once it is righted). If the bike is on it’s right side, put the sidestand down before trying to lift it. If the bike has a gas petcock, turn the valve to the “off” position.

2. Back up into the bike with your body. That’s right! Don’t face the bike to try to lift it — use the power of your legs to lift it. It is safer for your back and your body to do it this way.

3. Place your butt in the mid-section of the seat (back toward the motorcycle), not too close to the edge. Keep your back straight and your head up.

4. Grab the handlebar grip with the hand closest to it. Pull the handlebars as close to the gas tank as you are able. Find a place to grab with the other hand.

5. Put your feet fairly close together, about 12″ (30cm) apart. Press the bike using your legs and rear to lift it up. Your hands will guide it. Take small steps backwards. Once you have the bike sufficiently lifted, reach the hand that is not on the handlebars over and grab the other grip. Straighten the handlebars.

6. Be careful to go slowly enough that you don’t push the bike over onto the opposite side.

Before remounting and restarting the motorcycle, check it carefully for damage that may interfere with safe operation. Cosmetic damages like a broken turn signal lens or scratched paint do not interfere with your ability to ride the bike. However, damage to steering alignment, brake pedal, gear shifter, or other parts may require that the bike be towed to a repair shop to be fixed before being ridden again.

That’s it! Don’t be embarrassed, because it happens to almost all bikers eventually. Using this method, you can lift the bike yourself — even a bike that weights many times your own weight. The trick is using leverage to your advantage, not mere physical strength.

Life is short: ride safely!

Last Ride of Summer

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I led the longest ride I have ever led yet, over 330 miles (530km) yesterday. Of course, that included getting lost and arriving at our destination via a “very scenic” route. Nonetheless, it was an absolutely stunning day, with bright sunshine and clear blue skies, with very pleasant temperatures — just perfect for a long motorcycle ride. My Harley rides so comfortably, I did not get sore nor was I wrung out when I got home with over 100 digital photos and video that I took. Hmmm… what could that be about? After I process all of them, I will announce it on my website, but please be patient.

I was looking at a lot of these:


While admiring the expert motorcycle riding skills of a lot of these:


and took this video while I was at it:


Consistent with my “don’t be specific about where and when” policy, I will not say the name of this event here on this blog, else it might attract people looking for that event using Google or other search engines. There are some people who have not understood this gay man’s blog, so I choose to be circumspect. Meanwhile, enjoy the views — I sure did! Woofity-woof!

By the way, I only refer to the ride yesterday as my “last ride of summer” because autumn begins on September 22, and I will not be leading or going on a ride until after autumn starts. But no worries, autumn is a great time to ride, and I intend to do that when I can!

Commenting Policy

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UPDATE: The content below was updated in February and September, 2010. Here are the changes, in brief:

1. I will accept anonymous comments if the content of the message contributes to the quality of a post.

2. I will delete any comment that has an embedded link to a commercial company. I do not allow other people to endorse products or services on MY blog.

The rest of my commenting policy remains as previously written:

——————————————–

I do not allow anonymous comments on this blog. Anyone who wants to post a comment may sign in using his or her google or blogger account, or use the “anonymous” option to submit a comment, but he or she must give a name or screen handle, and be consistent about it.

What’s the problem with anonymous comments?

1. Civility. Anonymous comments encourage nasty snark-fests of the worst kind. People write comments behind a computer screen which they would never make if they had to sign their name. It’s one of the worst aspects of the internet and helps destroy the potential of this medium for communication. It can also have a chilling effect on people who want to engage but would like to disagree agreeably. While some blogs enjoy controversy generated by flame wars as it attracts readers, I do not have an interest in doing that.

2. Responsibility. If you’re going to write something, you should own it.

3. Negativity. This goes along with civility. Some people write nasty things behind the screen of anonymity that reveals much about their lack of quality of character and integrity. I will not abide negativity related to sexual orientation, race, religion, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, or that expresses intolerance.

If you wish to comment on any post on this blog, feel free. Sign in with your google identity OR use the anonymous option but include your name or screen name.

I will review all comments and decide if they will be published or not. For example, you may refer to me by “Booted Harleydude” or its short-form, “BHD”, but not by another name. References to me by another name get deleted because I separate my blogger identity from my personal identity. That is not the same thing as anonymity, because my blogger and website identities are the same and have been for over a decade.

Also, I will delete any comment that includes and embedded link to a commercial enterprise. I do not allow other people to try to endorse products or services through MY blog. If you want to do that, write your own blog.

Ultimately, my blog is an expression of my personal opinions. If you do not like my opinions, say so and own your remarks, or surf elsewhere.

Acknowledgment: some of the language used above is from the anonymous commenting policy of a blog written by a friend. Used with permission.

Where I’d Rather Be

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I admit it, there are some days when I wake up and say to myself, “oh gee, same routine … go to work, work-work-work, come home, fix dinner for my partner and me, go to a meeting, get back by 9, go to bed, … rinse, lather, repeat.”

There are some days when I would rather not continue with the same routine. Don’t get me wrong; I love my life and enjoy what I do for a living. But after a while, the routine gets awfully boring, repetitious, and well — so “routine!”

Pictured above from a photo captured from the ‘net somewhere, is where I imagine that I’d rather be, in boots and leather, riding off into the wind down a deserted road — perhaps in the desert such as shown in this photo, on my way to see my best friend and my brother who live in Arizona. (Hmmm, come to think about it, business brings me to Phoenix next week. Can’t wait! Unfortunately, I won’t be renting a Harley this visit.)

Anyway, thanks for sharing this diversion of a daydream with me. Don’t you have days like this? You’d rather be anywhere than where you are?

Life is short: enjoy what you have, yet continue to dream.

The Light in the Dome

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Last night, I went to a reception where an award was presented to a dear friend of mine. The reception was held in a building on the U.S. Capitol grounds. I was so happy for my friend who certainly deserved the award she was presented by a well-recognized national organization and before several Members of Congress.

It was a pleasant evening. After the reception was over and award presented, I decided to walk to the Metro station at Union Station to go home. As I walked by the U.S. Capitol Building, I noticed that the light was on in the rotunda. That is a signal that Congress is still in session.

It never ceases to amaze me — I pinch myself sometimes — here I am, walking down the streets of the capital of the free world, right past the building where important legislation is debated. Regardless of one’s political beliefs, it still is quite special to think about the work that goes on there and its affect on our country and the world.

This is where I work, and live in the suburbs nearby. What a very special place, this city which serves as our nation’s capital.

[Sorry the photos are a bit fuzzy. There’s only so much you can do with a camera in a Blackberry.]

Life is short: appreciate your surroundings

How Does a Typical Group Motorcycle Ride Work?

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Sometimes I talk about group motorcycle rides on this blog. They’re enjoyable and fun when managed well. Let me explain how a typical group motorcycle ride works.

Each ride is led by a person who fills a position titled “road captain.” In serious, safety-oriented motorcycle clubs, the road captain will plan a route for a ride well in advance, including pre-riding the route to note any potential road hazards, difficult turns, narrow roads, etc.

The club will announce the ride in advance, so others can see that it is coming up and decide if he/she wants to go. But in all honesty, most people make the “go-no-go” decision on the morning of the ride, since (obviously) motorcycle riding is a weather-dependent activity. One does not have to register in advance — riders just show up. The number of riders can vary from a handful to over 50, depending on a number of variables (weather, competing choices, duty to family and home, etc.)

One club with which I once rode announces rides via email only one or two days before a ride. Due to the poor announcement timing, I have not been able to ride with them in years. (That group operates on “gay time.” If you don’t know what that means, don’t ask.)

On the day of the ride, the road captain shows up at the designated location from which the ride will depart at least a half-hour early. He or she greets and welcomes all riders. At the designated start time, the road captain will gather those who have assembled and go over group riding procedures and describe the route, noting anything he/she learned about the route during the pre-ride. A well-prepared road captain will provide a “ride sheet” which details information about the ride route in writing, noting turns and distance of each leg of the trip.

The road captain often designates another road captain to be a sweep rider. This person rides in the very back of the group. His/her responsibility is to follow and stop with anyone who may have to pull over due to a mechanical difficulty, or help if there is a crash.

The leading road captain will take the front left position and assemble the group, two-by-two, behind her/him. Once everyone is assembled, the ride takes off.

We ride at the posted speed limit in a staggered formation (not two-by-two). Not all riders have the same skills, and some feel very uncomfortable if the ride goes too fast or the group falls apart. The road captain will use hand and turn signals to pass information back to the rest of the riders about upcoming turns, stops, or road hazards such as railroad tracks, potholes, road kill, etc. He or she may stop along the way to allow the group to catch up if they got divided at a turn or stoplight.

Usually group rides are to a destination such as a restaurant. As they say, “live to ride, ride to eat” (smile.) We have an enjoyable meal together, then saddle up and make our return. Sometimes people choose to return on their own, and some ride together. The return is often by a different route, and gets back to the general area where the ride started. But by then, most people turn off and make their way home, wherever that may be.

The road captain will turn in a report to the club, noting the number of riders, and any notes about anything that may have happened on the ride.

And that’s it…. A well-organized and managed group ride will be well planned, announced well in advance, and will be able to accommodate riders of various skills and abilities. The overall theme of a group ride is to “ride and have fun,” and that’s what it’s all about.

I Should Learn My Own Lesson

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I have observed and mentioned before on this blog that a certain humongous search engine owns blogger, and therefore it almost instantaneously indexes blog content such that it comes up in searches almost immediately upon publication.

Such was what happened with a blog post that was formerly here on this date.

I should learn, in particular, not to post words or phrases that may be searched and then show this blog where what they were looking for is not really what I was writing about.

Unfortunately, at least two people, if not more, totally missed my point and accused me of missing theirs. This is not the forum for such “discussion.” I deleted that former blog post. I will remember to be more vague about certain things so that searches will not land someone on this blog who doesn’t understand the full context of the stream of thought about which I write, over time. My regular followers know what I’m talking about. My one-time visitors do not, and I regret any misunderstanding.

And remember, September 11, 2001, is a date, not a number.

/ bhd 9/16

Mentor

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Here’s a photo of me with a woman who took me under her wing back in the 70s, and taught me everything she knew about working as a volunteer leader in a major non-profit organization.

She always was kind and thoughtful, and has a sense of humor that kept me rolling. Thorough and precise in her work, she taught me where to look for information and how to help clients in a genuine and case-specific manner. I was amazed at how quickly she could cut through the b/s and find the answers to challenging questions, and come up with creative resolutions to many situations.

We became fast friends, and served together on the Board of Directors of this organization for about 15 years. As friends, she and I went hot air ballooning, where upon a bad landing she broke her leg but said that she loved the experience. She watched me skydive often, and had she not had a doctor tell her that she couldn’t go with me, I think she would have.

What we didn’t tell the doc about was the number of times that she got on the back of my Harley and went for a (short) ride. We always laugh about that. When I accompany her somewhere, which nowadays is pretty much reserved to the dining room in her retirement home, her friends always ask, “is he the guy who took you on his Harley?” In boots and leather, I smile back and say, “yep, that’s me. Do you want a ride?” The aghast reaction is amusing to watch, especially when my mentor says, “you ought to try it — he doesn’t drop people off the back any more.” (giggle)

My partner and I spent a wonderful day this past Saturday visiting my friend, my mentor. He adores her and I enjoy watching the two of them interact, laugh, and smile.

Life is short: show those you love that you love them.