I’m Fired Up

Sometimes it’s disheartening for me to go to biker events. Not that I don’t like to have a good time, listen to music and hang out with other bikers. But as a passionate freedom fighter it can be aggravating when surrounded by people that could give a crap about their rights or about ABATE. You have to wonder what kinds of goggles are needed to live that kind of sheltered life. I don’t mind that it’s been forever and a day since I’ve been able to enjoy a back road and not worry about what time I arrive at a destination. Hell, I wish I could throw my watch away and just enjoy the ride sometimes. Recently, after a 700 plus mile trip that I took a couple days off of work, some coworkers were shocked to find out that I wasn’t going to a party, I was going to a motorcyclist rights conference. They couldn’t believe I put that much time into this stuff. Without hesitation, I replied that I love going to rights conferences and being around people that share the same passion for our culture and its preservation. I love the people from our state that joined me, and the many people I know from around the country that met me there. A little selflessness goes a long way, and if I was just in it for myself, I would have been riding two lane roads without a watch a long time ago. Being around other rights activists fires me up and right now I’m about as fired up as you can get.

In Wisconsin, our legislative agenda is progressing well and by next month Steve should be writing about our success. We are testifying in front of the Senate and Assembly with our autocycle bill at the end of September and we should have a vote soon thereafter. Recently several members and I took the time to attend a rules hearing with the DNR concerning a helmet provision that was put into the Off-Highway Motorcycle rules for state lands. About the only comments that were made at the hearing were against it, so I’m hoping we don’t have to take this to the legislature for clarification. I believe we were successful, but I won’t know until after the end of September. Again, a few people took the time to get things done, that fires me up.

Meeting of the Minds was held pretty close to Wisconsin this year in Bloomington, Minnesota. Although I wish we would have had a larger contingent with us, there were about thirty of us from Wisconsin in attendance. Meeting of the Minds is the Motorcycle Riders Foundations largest fundraiser and conference. Besides networking with freedom fighters from around the country, there are breakout sessions on a variety of topics so there was no shortage of learning going on. Sometimes I think I’ve seen it all, but I gained a lot of new information while there and of course enjoyed seeing all the people I know from around the country in our movement. It should be noted that awards are given out by the MRF at this conference and WI always stands proud. We received the award for most members in the MRF and one for the most sustaining members and our Legislative Committee chair, Steve Panten,

received the Presidents Cup for his tireless work at the federal level. Both well deserved and made me proud. I rode away from there with new ideas for the upcoming year and I am fired up.

As I’ve been mentioning for a few months now, it is ABATE of Wisconsin’s 45th Anniversary this year. No anniversary would be complete without a celebration and the leadership of District 1 and the members of 1E-Jefferson County are planning a great one. More information on this event is available elsewhere in the newsletter in detail but as of right now I know there are fun and games planned for Friday night, a run through the Kettle Morraine and shopping at the outlet stores options on Saturday, and of course an awards banquet Saturday night with a band to follow. Sunday will be our official Annual Meeting. If you’ve never attended an ABATE of WI Inc. Board of Directors meeting, we’d love to have you stay for it. Rooms are filling fast but are still available, so contact our State Treasurer, Laurie Thompson, and reserve yours today. We are taking over the entire hotel for this event so you can expect a great biker party. Updates will be available on Facebook and on our website. Enjoying events like these with others that work so hard gets me fired up.

So, the life of a freedom fighter may not be all fun and games. But if you enjoy our lifestyle and have a passion for freedom you won’t let the little things get you down. There’s still plenty of time to ride and plenty of events to attend. I hope you choose to join me at our annual meeting and start thinking about how events like Meeting of the Minds, Heartland STEAM, ABATE of WI Officer’s Training, and the ABATE of WI Summer Hummer may get you fired up too. If you have any questions about how to attend these events, ask your regional rep at a meeting or contact me personally. Life may not be all about the party, but it can all be fun when you’re with others that have the same passion that you have. Let’s get fired up together.

Until next month….ride free Chubby