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<title>Latest Articles by TheTimeRider</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/</link>
<description>Articles at Populate.NET</description>
<language>en-us</language>
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<title>A Sportster,  A Bonneville and An Indian Chief</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Automotive/Motorcycles/a-sportster-a-bonneville-and-an-indian-chief.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Automotive/Motorcycles/a-sportster-a-bonneville-and-an-indian-chief.html</guid>
<pubDate>Sat, 27 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ The history of the motorcycle didn't begin in America, but its most loved motorcycle, the Harley-Davidson did. The now defunct but still loved Indian motorcycle was the first American bike to attract an audience. The prototype of the Indian was created in 1901, streamlined in 1902 and by the year 1903, the co-founder of the company, Oscar Hedstrom set the world's record for speed, hitting the outrageously high speed of 56mph. He and George Hendee were the top "chiefs" at the company. 

By the year 1904, the Indian single with an engine built in Aurora, Illinois and body built in Springfield, Massachusetts at the "wigwam", the company's name for the headquarters, developed it's trademark color of deep red. It sold over 500 bikes that year, a huge number considering that the Harley Davidson Company sold only three. By the year 1913, the motorcycle had taken Americans by storm and the number of sales grew to over 32,000. The Indian bike broke many racing records and produced the famous rider, Erwin "Cannonball" Baker who set and broke many long-distance records. Perhaps his most famous run was in 1914 when he rode his Indian across the country from the West coast to the east coast in the record time of 11 days, 12 hours and 10 minutes. A New York newspaper made the comparison between him and the Cannonball Express. He developed his moniker "Cannonball" and Indian motorcycles developed a greater reputation. 

During the same period, the Harley-Davidson Company was off to a rocky start. By 1907 when compared to the success of the Indian. In that year, Indian had a V-twin engine while Harley-Davidson still used the singles with five horsepower or less even in 1910 models. 

When both Hedstrom and Hendee passed, their heirs to the power seat almost ran the company dry. Many were involved in other business and diverted money into those, only to almost bankrupt Indian when the market was at its best, during the 20's. Two stockholders that were highly invested decided to merge their car manufacturing company and focus on motorcycles while they ceased making cars, partly to salvage their investment of $300,000 but mostly because they loved motorcycles. They were Francis and E. Paul DuPont, from one of the wealthiest families in America.  

The DuPont brothers eliminated all non-motorcycle companies and brought in two extraordinary men to work for them. These men were Loren Hosley and Briggs Weaver. Hosley, the production manager, helped bring the company back to an efficiently run company and bring record-breaking profit. Weaver was a designer and created the classic look for the Indian. The streamlined and timeless style that remains loved today is over 60 years old. 

The Harley-Davidson Company had humble beginnings. In 1901, 21-year-old Bill Harley drew plans for a motorized bike. He convinced his lifelong friend, Arthur Davidson to help him build it. So, in a 10X15 foot shack they scratched the name Harley-Davidson Company above the door and began working on the motorcycle. The motorcycle of the day was the Indian and they had a long road to catch up with its success. 

The Harley-Davidson Company may have lagged behind the Indian at first but soon caught up and eventually passed the company in popularity. The logo used today, the bar and shield was an addition in 1910 and remains the same. The company went through many trials and tribulations, but found the military to be its primary customer one reason may have been the addition of the sidecar in 1914. This made the motorcycle perfect as a military transport. 

The Harley-Davidson Company also grew with fever during the First World War when the military used motorcycles extensively. By the year 1918, over half the motorcycles produced by Harley-Davidson were in the war effort. An estimated 20,000 motorcycles, mostly Harleys served their country in WWI. The first American in Germany after the signing of the Armistice, rode in on a Harley.  

In the 1920's, many innovations came to the bike, like the teardrop gas tank, a symbol of the Harley quality. The motorcycle found use as police departments and postal workers used them in their daily tasks. During the Great Depression, only Harley-Davidson and the Indian Motorcycle managed to survive. Harley went to war again in 1941 when WWII broke out.  

Times were not always easy for the Harley-Davidson, but their innovations and commitment to excellence kept them alive. Hydra-Glide models came with new hydraulic brakes in 1949. During the 1950's, over forty percent of the motorcycles were the British bike, the Triumph, Bonneville. Harley-Davidson knew they had to come up with a high quality bike with style and character to match and recapture the market. The Harley Sportster was born to do just that. In that same era, the Indian Motorcycle closed its doors, leaving Harley-Davidson as the sole company in America. 

Innovations to maintain the market share abounded. Hollywood both helped make and break the popularity of the motorcycle. Most movies portrayed the riders as tough, rude and violent people. This of course, slowed the purchase of bikes by law loving citizens. The movie' "Easy Rider", however proved the savior of the motorcycle market in America. Baby boomers across the country loved the concept of the freedom found on the back of a Harley. Later those same boomers would create the ever growing market of well to do, professionals that ride and a resurgence in the interest in motorcycles. 

Harley almost closed its doors but managed to reorganize and make significant changes in their financing, marketing, manufacturing and innovations. They kept the quality that was always the signature of the Harley. Unlike the Indian Company that slapped its name on cheap imported models after the company was sold to Ralph B Rodgers in 1945, the Harley Davidson Company rejuvenated the company through excellence. 

Products have grown yearly around the resurgence of interest in Motorcycles. Some of them as silly as "Old Fart Spray" for aching joints of senior rider and other more expensive items, like pop up trailers for those long bike trips. There are new motorcycle products springing up every day. One of the newest American made product is one of the oldest, for those that loved the Indian, on July 20 a newly formed Indian Motorcycle Company announced its plans to start production of the "Chief" in Kings Mountain, North Carolina.  It also appears that Triumph and Norton are on the comeback trail but that's another story. ]]></description>
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<title>Silly Yuppie, Trailers Are For Boats!</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Humor/silly-yuppie-trailers-are-for-boats.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Humor/silly-yuppie-trailers-are-for-boats.html</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 26 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ So, you bought a brand new shiny bike and you don't want to get it dirty. You've decided that taking it to the rally at Sturgis by trailer should protect it. Get real! The whole idea of the Sturgis Bike rally is not just to meet people at the rally but the adventure and experience of the ride there. Maybe you don't want to ride there because it might rain or your butt might get sore. Well, boo-hoo, what are you a big sissy? You're supposed to get sore, you're suppose to get wet, you're suppose to get dirty; you're a biker!  Okay, if you're over 75 and want to be with the guys one more time, you're forgiven, otherwise buck up, spray some "Old Fart Spray" on those achy muscles and use the bike for what it was made, the freedom of the road. 

You only need trailers for two things. The first is to haul a bike that no longer can function on its own. The second is the other kind of trailer, the one you haul BEHIND your bike. When you haul the bike, you  miss the greatest part of the trip, the adventure, the experience, the fun, THE RIDE! You ride around the town as though you hit the road and manned it all the way there, you're a poser. You're the jogger that gets a ride to the destination and sprays himself with water to look like he jogged all the way. You're a fake, a ruse, a poser, a biker wannabe.

So, what other excuse do you have to put that beautiful machine on a trailer? The weather might be too cold, too hot, or too rainy. You didn't become a biker to be safe. You became a biker to work through that rebellious devil-may-care attitude you've had since your youth. You started biking to scratch that itch for the freedom of the open road with the wind in your face and bugs in your teeth. When did you become so... so civilized? Bikers don't care about the weather. They love a good challenge. A sudden shower is only an invitation to find an out of the way bar and party for the rest of the night. 

All right, Manly Man, maybe riding more than an hour is too tough for you.  It's just such a shame to waste that beautiful machine on a trailer. I'll even bet you used your Volvo or 2 wheel drive Cadillac SUV to haul it, didn't you? You may have even used your $150,000 RV with the microwave, digital TV, gaming system and Jacuzzi tub. Why look like you're headed to Yosemite instead of Biker Rally?

Okay, I'll quit picking, get there any way you want. The biggest part of the rally is the rally itself. But for those stalwart riders, a look at the other kind of trailer seems appropriate. The only trailers real bikers use when they travel, the ones that are pulled behind that 2 wheeler, not under it.

Today there are so many accessories for the avid riders. They range from your seat to your feet and your tailpipe to your head light. They encompass all things, from sunscreen for bikers named "Redneck Repellent" to trailers you haul behind the bike to either transport Fido or camp in. These types of trailers are completely acceptable to the real biker because a real biker wouldn't go anywhere without their dog  and, what the heck,  you do need a place to sleep. 

There's a whole world of motorcycle trailers.  They can look like coffins or Corvettes, they cover everything from a little extra packing space to providing a rustic home away from home. The campers come in a variety of sizes and prices, depending on the quality, size and the amount of amenities that you choose. The prices can be a little steep for the upper end ones, but if you travel a lot, they save you quite a bit of money and give you more sleeping arrangement flexibility.  You no longer have to hear "We don't have any rooms" or "That"ll be $125 with taxes and your discount"

When it comes to keeping the whole family together there's nothing better than a trailer to haul the family pet. No one wants to leave Rover at home, or kenneled, while they're out on an adventure traveling to a rally. After all, he's family too. There's nothing better than taking him along, and short of getting him his own motorcycle and teaching him to drive, these trailers are the ideal way to transport the family dog, or cat for that matter.  Most riders claim the trailer doesn't affect the way the bike handles and their pups love it, although many need a few short rides before they totally appreciate the ride and are convinced they're not going to the vet. 

So, if you're thinking of using a trailer, make it the kind BEHIND your motorcycle, not under it. If your butt can't take the trip, you really need to see about a new motorcycle, a new seat or, start working out with that tape "Buns of Steel" to get ready for the next season. You might think you need to haul your bike, but with a little ingenuity, you'll be amazed at the real "Easy Rider" that lurks beneath your surface softness.   For those of you that rent their bike, then trailer it, Oh My God, but that is another article! ]]></description>
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<title>Has Ike Decimated The Lone Star Rally?</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Culture_and_Society/Current_Affairs/has-ike-decimated-the-lone-star-rally.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Culture_and_Society/Current_Affairs/has-ike-decimated-the-lone-star-rally.html</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 23 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ So what happens now? Ike has come and gone and the wake of destruction left behind is unbelievable.

I was just in Hooters which was in a pier, off the sea wall, out over the Gulf a few weeks ago. I had a great Tuna sandwich on the back deck, sitting on top of and looking out over the water. It was peaceful, it was relaxing, it was there, something that can no longer be said. Concrete and pillars remain as a shadow of what used to be.

My favorite souvenir shop where I bought my kids sea shells & t-shirts is also a faded memory, nothing but sticks on the beach and in the water.

The Lone Star Rally is one of my favorite events, something I look forward to every year. A little Bourbon Street madness on the Strand, all kinds of vendors and events galore. The great weather, the biker community celebrities and the awesome new biker stuff.

Moody Gardens was suppose to host the Beach Boys but now they have to remove the beach which crawled it's way into the lobby and probably a couple of floors above. Hotels which would have been full in another 6 weeks will probably still be replacing walls and hoping for a working sewer system.

I live north of Houston & let me tell you Ike was one sneaky SOB. The beginning of the storm up until the eye wall was just what you would expect. Some rain, some wind, a bit gusty at times and the ensuing blackout. No big deal, been there done that, got the t-shirt to prove it!

The back end of that storm was un-freekin-believable, killer winds and torrential downpours of rain. Trees falling over, roots & all, fences down, glass rattling so hard, you're waiting for the implosion. Ike did more damage in the last hour than he had in the previous 5.

Yes I did say he, that was one thinking storm. How do you get your self graded as a force 2 and do more damage than a force 4 or 5. You've got to be one thinking, deceptive entity!

We hadn't had much rain for quite a while so there was no way that rock hard, dried out ground could soften up enough in a few hours to have trees falling over, or so we thought! In the beginning Ikey rained & blew just enough to soften the ground and weaken the root systems of the trees. Then, like a great fighter with a one two knock out punch, he came back around and ripped the trees right out of the ground, throwing them through buildings, fences and cars.

Here's a little history straight from Milton Elford's account which appears in: Halstead, Murat, Galveston: the Horrors of a Stricken City (1900) "When they awoke on the morning of September 8, 1900, the 38,000 residents of Galveston, Texas were unaware that this day would be their city's last. They had no idea that before the day was done, 8,000 of their fellow citizens would perish with the city. The culprit was a hurricane. The storm swept in off the Gulf of Mexico packing winds up to 135 mph - a category 4 storm in modern terminology. The storm propelled a fifteen-foot surge of water before it; easily swamping the 8.7-foot-high island that Galveston called home. Together, the wind and the water destroyed everything in their path and created the worst natural disaster in America's history."

See any similarities? If you continue to investigate, you'll notice a lot of similarities. The one thing that is totally dissimilar (thank God for the forced evacuation) was the death toll.

I sure do hope the Rally is postponed and not canceled. I'm hoping for a somewhat speedy recovery so the island will be capable of hosting it. The title surge knocked around everything but that Texan breed Galvestonian spirit. 

The Lone Star Rally merchants look forward to the crazy bikers streaming in with their attitude of fun and their willingness to drop a little coin. The bikers look forward to the events, checking out the new stuff and enjoying a little hair down letting.

This time of the year is beautiful in Texas and I sure will miss visiting my favorite restaurants and bars when I ride down that way. As it appears now, they are no longer there.

I hope they rebuilt it soon. The island has come a long way since I started going in the 80's and I've enjoyed seeing it come of age. It is truly one of my favorite places.  Knowing many people from there, I know they have that "6 Million Dollar Man" attitude. We can rebuild it, We can make it better!

Has Ike decimated the Lone Star Rally? The answer is NO!  The Rally is still on and Galveston is dedicated to making it what it always has been, One Great Time! I just hope that everyone that was going is still going and even more show up in support of this beaten but not knocked out community. 
 
"Long Live Galveston and Long Live The Lone Star Rally! ]]></description>
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<title>Where Can I Get Great Business And Retirement Gift Ideas?</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Culture_and_Society/Consumer/where-can-i-get-great-business-and-retirement-gift-ideas.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Culture_and_Society/Consumer/where-can-i-get-great-business-and-retirement-gift-ideas.html</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 18 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ When people retire today, they no longer get the gold watch with their name engraved on the back and the dates they worked for the company. These were old retirement gift ideas and went away when companies started to cut back. It is just too expensive and most companies are too cheap! 

Instead, the happy retiree gets a mug with the company logo (Most likely the same as the one he got instead of a Christmas bonus.), a t-shirt so he can advertise the name of the company every time he wears it or, if the boss sincerely likes the worker, a plaque.

Retirement gifts are difficult for both bosses and coworkers to choose. They should not cost a lot of money so most people resort to choosing a pen, a mug or again the t-shirt that is always a size too large. (Really, one size does not fit everyone!) 

Most retirement gift ideas that co-workers come up with tend to be gag gifts. Why? Because they are not only funny they often say so much more. A good, well thought out, gag gift lets the recipient know that you think they have a good sense of humor, you know something about them, you think of them as a friend and you feel comfortable teasing them. 

People that get gag gifts tend to cherish them because they do mean fun and friendship. Consequently, they keep them in a prominent spot in the home. They also are in full view so the recipient can show the gift to someone else and get a laugh too. 

Retirement gift ideas require thought and a good gag gift is not any different. If you choose a gag gift for a retiree, do not make it a run of the mill idea that could fit your Uncle Ned or even Crazy Cousin Bill. Make it unique to the individual so that they truly cherish and appreciate it. 

A lot of retirees are not like their dads. They are still active and vital people. Think about the typical retiree pass times, are they golfers, gardeners, hikers, bicyclists, triathletes, divers, etc.  This is where you find the best retirement gift ideas.  

Look for the obscure, maybe your retiree rides a bike, the ones with a big motor and a twisty handle.  More & more people over 60 are continuing or taking up the hobby of touring via motorcycle.  

Make sure your gift is relative to an activity they love and something they will find useful. Yes it will take a little more snooping then you are used to but a figurine that says Worlds Greatest Golfer just aint that personal and only useful if your hobby is dust collecting. 

Some personal gift ideas that tease might be: pink golf balls to a super macho athlete, an analgesic balm named Old Fart Spray for an ex jock with bad knees and a bunch of pansies to a jock that likes to garden. If you have a car enthusiast, you can have a little fun with the help of a spouse, by getting them car keys that look like they belong to a Ferrari but fit their own Kia. Every time they look at those keys, who do you think will come to mind? 

Unlike many gag gifts which are just for laughs and serve no practical purpose, really well thought out retirement gift ideas offer so much more.  When you get a gag gift that serves a real purpose and has a use, you provide the recipient with a daily, weekly or monthly reminder of you and the good times.  The gift has transcended the item and become an experience and you are now fondly associated with.

Look to the movies for gift ideas. Many retirees are baby boomers that never had the chance to live out their dream when they were young, absorbing every second of Easy Rider or Bullitt.  Now, they have enough money and they gladly spend it on the bike or car of their dreams. You have seen a prime example in the movies, that gang of boomers in Wild Hogs.  It's another case of Hollywood mimicking reality. 

A large portion of successful professionals own bikes, Hot Rods, classics, etc.  If your retiree is one, then a gift that fits their passion is the way to go. Everyone loves a good natured laugh and a well chosen gag gift will make a great retirement gift, if it is a quality product and something they can use all the time. ]]></description>
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