March, 2005

Let’s all Welcome March’s Rider        
by Clement Walsh

My name is Clem Walsh and I am a new member since January 2005 of the Manomet Mystery Riders. I have lived in Bourne for over 25 years, I am 59 years of age, married with three children. I have ridden motorcycles, off and on, for over 30 years. My first bike was a Honda 125 cc purchased at Bettencourts in West Bridgewater.

I was the owner of Nickerson-Bourne Funeral Homes in Bourne, Sandwich and Middleboro for 23 years and retired in 1999. As you might imagine, running several funeral homes took up most of my time so, upon retirement, I started riding much more often than in the past.

In September of 2003, I purchased a 2004 V-Rod, sold my 1993 Harley 883 Sportster (what a step up!) and joined the Cape Cod Harley Owners Group and started going on many of their Tuesday night rides. I also rode to Laconia last year with some of my friends and enjoyed the many types of bikes and bikers in attendance. Recently, my cousin, Barry Knowlton, (also a new member) and I towed our bikes to North Carolina and visited my daughter. While there we made several rides in and around the Wilmington, N.C. area.

I hope that my membership and participation in group activities will benefit both the MMR and myself. I am looking forward to the Springtime and the Thursday and Sunday rides. Hope to meet all of the members in the next few months.   

Paulatics - Accessory Queen            
by Paula McCallum

Shopping is in my “jeans”, an innate ability to find hobbies that require accessorization. I won’t speak for all womankind, but this female’s eyes light up at the site of appropriate clothing and equipment for what ever I happen to be into. Bikers can relate to this frenzy best. Oh come on, I have personally witnessed a few men’s eyes glaze over at the mere mention of chrome, you know who you are.

My yen for “stuff” began in college as a BFA Major. I was given a list of items to buy by the life drawing instructor and sent off to the local art store on my parent’s dime. It was mind blowing, like a kid in a candy shop. I’ll have one of these, and I must have that, ohh and look, I’ll take five of those. Once owning everything conceivable from a kneaded eraser to a soldering iron, it was time to move on from the Fine Arts into the Martial Arts. He-yaaaaa!

Initially, I joined the do-jo to take a self-defense class for women. I discovered that if I got more serious, I could load up my new gym bag with tons of sparring gear. So there I stood on a sweaty matt donning leather gloves, padding for my head, shins, elbows, feet, a mouthguard, a club shirt and a Gi all tied together with a pretty sash. (Gi is Japanese for “you look silly in this outfit”). Aside from all this wardrobe, some how, I also learned how to kick the crap out of any would-be assailant.

My first chilly ride on the back of Billy Pike’s Fat Boy told me that if I was going to keep this up, I needed the proper leather jacket, chaps and gloves. My wallet recently opened up for less needed leather pants and boots adorned with a shiny new spur. When I joined the Manomet Mystery Riders a whole new revolving door opened for me. My draw is crammed with group Tees, sweatshirts and do-rags. I have yet to acquire my MMR jacket, thong or the ever popular coffee mug! (Get them while they last.)

The helmet says a lot about a rider, so I broke out my art box and painted a crooked halo and wings on my beanie (an angel with an attitude). I also got a full-face, which is handy for cold days, and a Kazoo helmet that I mistakenly bought on-line. If I actually wore this thing, you’d see my head coming down the street a mile away (Big head, big head).

After my first ride, I realized that my regular Foster Grants sucked with the air blowing right through to my eye sockets. I had to buy some wrap arounds as well as a pair of clears for those Thursday night rides.

Now that I’ve graduated to my own bike, I just had to have these saddle bags that detach with a zipper into a purse and a much needed windshield. There’s a whole laundry list of other essentials I must have. Stickers, cleaners, chrome (on a Honda Rebel?), event Tees, and most importantly, my next ride. As with any hobby, all this “glitter” won’t make me a better artist (fine or martial) Or a better rider. The only way to do that is with a bit of talent and a whole lot of practice. But in the mean time, while I’m waiting for experience to catch up with me, I’ll take one of those ... Cha-Cing!

Recycling                               
by Ron Turouske

I was one of those founding members that can recall the early days when the "club" met at the Moose club (courtesy of Rich Cardillo). I say the "club", because it took us a while to come up with the name. Manomet Mystery Riders was the result of much debate, lots of other names and all kinds of graphic designs. I was then, and am now very proud to be a member of such a fine organization.

My work prohibited me from attending a lot of the functions, but I was our first liaison to ABATE and was with the first group to attend hearings in Boston regarding helmet laws.

I've seen our group grow from about 18 "founding members" to the exceptional organization it is today. And even though I now live in Las Vegas, I still maintain my membership to MMR.

MMR represents what is good and wholesome about our sport. Riding is not only a way to express our personal freedoms, but a vehicle (excuse the pun) to support our community as concerned citizens, and a dedicated group of individuals.

If you're ever out my way, drop me a line. The riding out here is incredible.