GOT BUTT?                       

By Charlie Lufkin
The Results of the First Manomet Mystery Rider’s Iron Butt Contest 

Congratulations to Charles Lufkin! Honorable mentions go to Chuck Tolley and Ed Kelley, our second and third place contestants - great job boys, better luck next year! Above are the standings of our 13 participants. Do you think you can beat them in 2006? Then sign up with Hawk before you start the new riding season. Now, here are a few words from Charlie, a true gentleman and a well deserved winner: 

Myself and my 13 year old grandson made a trip to the west coast this summer. We started out by going to Wing Ding in Ft. Wayne IN and continued to Las Vegas, Mexico, and then back through TX stopping at San Antonio, across the southern states to FL and back up the east coast. We camped out along the way with no hotels. I then went to the upper part of Michigan to give a seminar with my 12 year  old granddaughter.  

Our trip took 2 months and we saw temperature of 145 degrees for almost 2 and a  half weeks as we drove through the Mohave desert and southern CA. 

The temperature at Hoover Dam was 138 degrees on the observatory deck and going into Las Vegas we estimated the road temperature at over 150 degrees. We also carried my dog, a Maltese, who almost lost his life due to the heat. 

I would like to thank you for the award and ask you to split the cash prize with  anyone who did at least 10,000 miles or more.

Santa’s  Goodies
by Hawk H. Hickman

Christmas Eve Day -  not visions of sugarplums but visions of  riding and also getting Christmas shopping done were dancing through  my head. The day dawned beautiful and mild and I immediately thought of 3 great ideas

I called up our buddy, Sir Ed "Crazy Eddie-DJ" Kelley, who lives in Scituate and he agreed that it was a fine day for riding. We would meet at the harbor, go for a ride and then I would do my shopping. We met and rode up to North Scituate, over Border St. to Jerusalem Road and then over to Cohasset and Hull, winding up  in Nantasket.

It was gorgeous and we couldn't believe we were riding on Christmas Eve. We headed back to Scituate Harbor, took this picture (above) in the parking lot behind the  shopping area, took final pictures of our odometers  (Eddie was in strong contention for the Iron Butt  winner) and then we parted ways and I did my  shopping (restaurant gift certificates for all my  children, Dunkin Donuts gift certificates for all friends  and other relatives, brass fireplace set for Jane and  some pictures to be framed from CVS Photo). 

Afterwards I enjoyed a great lunch at T.K. O'Malley's and headed home with my saddlebags filled with Santa's Goodies! My first Christmas shopping day by motorcycle and it was a blast. 

Trailering it to Florida
(Dec. 26, 2005 to Jan. 16, 2006)          
by Terry Quinn

Well, this story begins with my plan to spend 3 weeks at our condo in Florida doing some painting before the new tenant moves in on February 1. I had planned to take the time off and drive down to do the work. I usually drive our mini-van which takes me about 2 days to make the 1,500 mile trip. But this year, I thought it would be nice to take my motorcycle with me so I could enjoy the warm weather and maybe take trips on the weekends to explore Florida.

So, now I need a way to get the bike down there since it won't fit in the mini-van. I looked into bike trailers and it's up around $1,300.00 to buy one. That's a lot of money for 3 weeks of warm riding. But down back, I have an old utility trailer that I bought 27 years ago which hasn't been on the road for the last 9 years. It's got rust, flat tires, rotted wiring, and probably needs new bearings. But I think, for a couple hundred bucks and a little work, I can make it happen.

Off I go to Benny's in Plymouth to pick up new wheels, tires, lights and a wiring kit. I also got a new wire wheel for my grinder to take down the rust. After 2 days of grinding, I'm ready to paint. Being in the construction business, I usually have something left over from a project that I can use and I found just the thing in the garage, a case of blue spray paint from an engine rebuilding project a few years back. So after 6 cans of spray paint, the old trailer is looking pretty good but it still has a rotted out floor. No problem. A sheet of ¾ PT plywood, a couple of 2x4s (to make a track for the tires to ride in) and that problem is solved. Next, came new grease for the wheel bearings on one side but I snapped a lug nut on the other side that required me to replace the whole wheel kit which was good because I got new bearings with it. Slapped on the new tires and I'm ready to rewire the lights. After I made new wood ramps, added new safety chains, it was time to try it out. I hitched it to the van, set up the ramp and drove the bike up into the trailer. I didn't fall through, so I took it for a ride. It works quite well for an old rusted piece of junk…what ever made me think this would go 1,500 miles?

Well it did or almost did. I made it 1,452 miles before the wheel bearings seized up and came apart. I drove the last 50 miles with this odd thumping noise that I chalked up to the concrete roadway I was now on. But in fact, it was the right wheel doing a wobbling act and grinding down the axle.

I did make it to the condo. Pulled in and didn't see any problem, ‘til the next day when I went to unload the bike and saw the grease on the ground and the weird slant to the right tire. So I took off the bike and jacked up the trailer to take the wheel off. Sure enough, the bearings were not only blown, they were gone, like not there. Off I went to find some parts to fix this. I found a trailer store (everyone in Florida owns a trailer, of some kind, so there were a few stores not far away) ordered the parts and was all set. Except, I couldn't get the old bearing housings off the axle. I went to Home Depot and bought a cold chisel to pound it off with. Nothing!! Went back, bought a saws-all and 6 metal blades to cut it off with, 6 blades later still NOTHING!! And to boot, the condo people are telling me I can't work on it in the parking lot. (Nice group).

So I go back to the trailer store and find an old mechanic who I tell my tale of woe to. He tells me that even if I bought a new axle I would have the same problem on the way home. It seems that those 9" wheels are notorious for burning up bearings. So in the end, I had to buy a new trailer. I got one made just for motorcycles and it was only $850.00. Which is more than I wanted to spend, but $500 less than I could find one back home. The moral of the story is (at least this is what I told my wife) if you are going to have a bike in 2 places, then you need TWO BIKES!!!

I have picked out a really nice Harley Street Glide in black cherry and have only to get her to agree to buy it. So, if you see us on a ride, tell her how much better a ride you get with a new Harley. Oh and if you need to use a trailer to get home some time, give me a call, I have this new one sitting in my yard.

From the President’s Desk - El Jefe

Hi MMR Membership,

I am looking forward to the new year filled with great rides and wonderful memories to be made. As always, safety will be issue number one with a renewed focus on safe riding skills and a conscious effort to anticipate the unexpected. I would also like to keep the fun in our rides.

After having served in several different positions I am honored to be filling the very big shoes that have traveled before me as President and am waiting patiently for the good weather to return.

One change for the new year is the new position of membership chairperson. The position has been filled by Debbie Johansson. Deb was appointed to this position by the officers and with the recommendation of the E-Board. She will co-ordinate all memberships, renewals and records. This way, we will have one person in charge of membership and with her skills, a smooth renewal process in the future.

Also, our dues are due in January so don't procrastinate, renew now. Please recommend any riding buddies to join our group that you feel would make a contribution to our membership.

Not too far on the horizon (March 25th) is our Cabin Fever Party and fund raiser. We have had several good suggestions already for the way we do the raffles and yes it’s not too early to donate if you have a business or a friend who could donate to our raffle. Our pot luck supper is always a hit because of the great cooking skills of our members.

I am always available for your comments or input with my open door policy to help serve the MMR better. You can contact me at: deane@adelphia.net or call me at 508-224-2580.

Sincerely, Deane Laitinen
Manomet Mystery Riders  - President

Paulatics - SPIKE               
by VP Paula McCallum

I have been told by several members that the Manomet Mystery Riders need a mascot. Well, I’ve got the purrfect candidate (feel free to submit your own suggestions for our mascot). His name is Spike. So named, for his vicious disposition, jagged claws and needle sharp teeth that take great pleasure in sinking into soft flesh. He was a Christmas gift that I’m more than willing to share custody with the MMR. He’s a fun loving, good spirited type of beast. Like us, he’s ready to party hard at a moments notice but with an equally compelling mellow side, falling asleep at the drop of a “cat”. Which, is just like any Pats fan in a La-Z-Boy (or like any man immediately following you-know-what ;)

Yes, he’s tough. Don’t let his adorable kitten puss and fuzzy 3 pound body fool you. We’ll have to keep him away from small children, fragile knick-knacks and large dogs. Or else! Spike’ll put a hurt on them that’s so fierce, they’ll rue the day their paths ever crossed. He’s quite stealthy as well; blending into the background, ready to pounce on unsuspecting pet rabbits, pen caps or any item within his Hulk-like grasp. He’s not an expert jumper yet but he can climb up a pant leg and stick better than a strip of Velcro.

We can use him as a “P”ouncer, like at the Cabin Fever Party, to keep out the riffraff or anyone who’s ankles happen to be exposed. Spike would also make a great mouser if the John Alden Sportsman’s Club ever became infested with small vermin.

I’ll take him on Thursday night and Sunday group rides in my tool bag wearing tiny goggles and a little German Pith helmet (You know, the kind with the “spike” on top). MMR members will be required to wear huge patches on their vests with our new logo featuring theMM’s turned into blood dripping fangs. Cool.

So why do I think Spike should be our first ever MMR mascot? Simple. He’ll do wonders for our tough guy/gal image. No longer will town folk think we’re a family orientated, charitable group of motorcycle rider enthusiasts. Instead, with Spike as our representative, the average Manometian will shutter in fear and trepidation at the mere mention of his name “Spike”. His reputation will precede him as rumors fly through the South Shore of the MMR’s bad ass cat. This image will then surely rub off on us. Won’t it?

Just Because They Look Mean     
by Jen Staines

People are judged, amongst other things by the way they look, or the clothes they wear, who they spend their time with and all sorts of things that do not reveal who someone really is. In our society, we do not always take the time to get to know someone before we judge them or their lifestyle. This is unfair and can be very hurtful to people. I ride in a motorcycle group.

I own my own Harley and, let me tell you, it is not a chick bike by any means. When we are out riding, we dress in black leather and can appear a little intimidating. The reason for the leather, mostly, is the warmth and protection that it offers. When there is a group of us together and we walk into a restaurant, dressed for riding, people automatically assume the worst of us. They look at us with a look on their faces as though they smell something bad. Just because we look mean, doesn’t mean we are and people should not assume that about us. “Sometimes, I feel discriminated against, but it does not make me angry. It merely astonishes me. How can any deny themselves the pleasure of my company? It’s beyond me.” (Hurston 417)

Motorcycle riding is what we like to do, it is not who we are. Our group is made up of accountants, mechanics, plumbers, dentists, lawyers and we even have one neurologist in our group. There are a lot of people who own and ride motorcycles today that are completely upstanding citizens. Our group is made up of 180 members and this year we donated $6,000 to our community. We put together Thanksgiving dinner baskets for the needy in the area as well as bought Christmas gifts for a number of families who would not otherwise have a Christmas for their children.

Motorcyclists have been perceived as outlaws and troublemakers for a long time, this is probably because of some movies of the 60’s & 70’s and it has stuck. “The film shows heavily armed thugs in leather on motorcycles, driving around a post-Apocalyptic Australia and killing people so as to steal their gasoline.” (Bradsher 453)

When we ride together with a large group, children stand on the side of the road and make vroom noises at us and want us to beep our horns. Hopefully the generation of children growing up today will learn to be more tolerant, not just of motorcycle riders but of all people that look a little different or do things differently. Just because we may look a little scary doesn’t mean we are not nice or The Road Warrior good people. It is hurtful sometimes when we go to a store or a restaurant and people give us dirty looks, because we are dressed in black leather.

I realize that there are groups of people that are labeled unfairly or treated poorly because of the way they are perceived and, bikers are the least of the discrimination that we should be worried about, but this is what I know and it is so very blatant. Hopefully, we as a society, will learn to be more tolerant of others who may look different or dress different or have a different religion or background. These are things we do or things we enjoy, they are not what define us.
 

Trailer Trask                   
by Diane Trask

Miss you guys and the MMR group. Nanda and I drove the camper to Florida. She did a wonderful job never having driven a camper before. She drove, made the lunches and walked 6 dogs.

We plan to go to Sturgis in the camper along with a trailer dragging motorcycles behind us. We might pick up our buddy, Kevin, who lives in Detroit. If not, we might be looking for another driver.

During the trip to Florida we stayed at truck stops -- breaker-breaker for a 10-20 -- and had great food there. We also stayed in my Aunt's parking lot at her condo in New Jersey, taking up about 6-7 spaces.

Bye for now, Diane & Nanda

Another Brick in the Ground (Wall)

As a Middleboro resident, I would like to offer the Manomet Mystery Riders a sincere Thank You for your generous donation to help our Veterans Memorial Park. I invite all of you to stop by when passing through and view the club’s bricks as well as the memorials for local veterans of all wars dating back as far as the Civil War to Enduring Freedom. I am proud to say my father’s name is one of the many heroes honored there. As a MMR member I am proud to have helped with this worthy cause and realize how powerful the fact that knowing these bricks will stand as a symbol of our generosity and our appreciation of the sacrifices made by these brave men and women forever.