The genuine article.....

While in Yakima, Wa, yesterday, Red and I were following a Harley rider. One of the good ones: an older Shovelhead that he handled effortlessly, faded jeans, scuffed harness boots, a leather jacket grey with age stuffed carelessly between an old army ruck and a passenger backrest. He was wearing a t-shirt under a leather vest, his blue-collar arms looking tanned and strong. He just looked experienced, casual, and totally skilled.... no poser there. "There's an honest biker," I remember remarking to my wife, and then he did something that simply brightened my day.....

Coming the opposite way on an old, small, Japanese bike was a kid wearing a garish race replica helmet and a jet-black mesh jacket (both items probably costing more than his bike). He kind of glanced uncertainly over at the Harley man, and I could tell he didn't know whether to wave or not.... but then the Harley guy took one hand off his bars and tossed the kid a casual wave.....acknowledging a fellow rider. The kid shot one back immediately, and rode off...looking a little taller, I think. It's a small thing, making a younger person's day, making a younger person feel like he belongs, but huge, too, huge..... Good on you, Harley man.... you're the genuine article. Ride safe, man, ride often, ride far....