Topic: Kudos to Nils -- Organizing the Inaugural Distinguished Gentleman's Ride Tucson

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Nils has taken on the NOT SMALL task of organizing the inaugural DGR Tucson, Arizona Ride!  If you live in the area, please sign up, lend Nils a hand with the ride, and have a blast!

September 24!

[BomberMann650]

Good work Nils!  It is a lot of work!  Wish ya luck!

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Let's hope that some of the local SOHC4 members lend a hand.

[BLAC]

Have a (vapor) blast! 

I hope I can have my stocker up and running by the time the LA ride starts

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Have a (vapor) blast! 

I hope I can have my stocker up and running by the time the LA ride starts

You just wanted to give yourself an added challenged by stripping it completely down and rebuilding!

[RAFster122s]

You guys see the article in Cycle World about the Union Garage and DGR organizer spat that has caught some significant attention?  Lots of panties in a wad and attitude adjustments needed on all sides... Really bad timing and decisions and comes across like I don't like you guys because you aren't inclusive of more modern bikes, thus I'm going to throw an alternate party and ride benefiting other charities the same weekend.  Really comes across petty. But the DGR members and others whom have responded didn't take the high road and lots of nasty jabs and digs and lots of measuring going on.

It is crazy. 
What was the saying...'My momma told me, "If you can't say anything nice about someone, then don't say anything."'
That philosophy is dead in today's society in large segments of the population.

David

[BomberMann650]

That's upsetting news rafi.

I hope Nils is having good fortune with throwing this soiree.  It takes a lot of effort to plan this ride and follow the rules.

The local olympia motorcycle shops came thru with a good showing of support for the charity.  The Harley Davidson dealer asked to be a key player for next year as well. 
Which is good and bad because DGR has set some standards.  So what the HD shop proposed was in some conflict with those.
I personally welcome the idea, since the vintage/bobber/brat/cafe scene in olympia is virtually an underground phenom.  Accepting help from harley (er, vintage and period modified harleys) would greatly increase the presence (and bottom line) of the DGR cause in this particular area.

[RAFster122s]

This was in NYC...fwiw...
Here's the article I mentioned that was published on Wednesday...
http://www.cycleworld.com/acting-like-gentlemen-will-help-us-grow-motorcycling-everywhere?loc=slider&lnk=IMG&dom=section-1

The DGR rides are geared towards Vintage and Retro bikes and Cafe Racers...(DGR asks sportbike, cruiser, ADV, and other types of riders not to participate)

Good luck on the organization Nils and to others participating in the ride and raising funds, or those contributing I tip my hat in thanks!  ...or should that be helmet?

David

[BomberMann650]

I can get why folks would feel slighted.  From both sides.

The style guide is a thing.  But the lines look blurry around what "vintage" is.  Considering how many brand new Ducatis arrived to dgrSeattle, Norton, Triumph, MotoGuzzi too.
It's understandable not wanting a line of harley ultra-classics in the ride.  The noise would drown out all the vintage engine sounds!  But if someone rolled in in a 40's or 50's (even into the 70's)  HD, and dressed nice for the day.  Couldn't say no to that.

Ultimately what makes the ride are the local hosts, participants, and donor sponsors.  It should be a fun thing to do for all.  Especially for those who have a personal connection to the causes.

[754]

You guys see the article in Cycle World about the Union Garage and DGR organizer spat that has caught some significant attention?  Lots of panties in a wad and attitude adjustments needed on all sides... Really bad timing and decisions and comes across like I don't like you guys because you aren't inclusive of more modern bikes, thus I'm going to throw an alternate party and ride benefiting other charities the same weekend.  Really comes across petty. But the DGR members and others whom have responded didn't take the high road and lots of nasty jabs and digs and lots of measuring going on.

It is crazy. 
What was the saying...'My momma told me, "If you can't say anything nice about someone, then don't say anything."'
That philosophy is dead in today's society in large segments of the population.

David

Your Momma never met J Wilde....

[RAFster122s]

You guys see the article in Cycle World about the Union Garage and DGR organizer spat that has caught some significant attention?  Lots of panties in a wad and attitude adjustments needed on all sides... Really bad timing and decisions and comes across like I don't like you guys because you aren't inclusive of more modern bikes, thus I'm going to throw an alternate party and ride benefiting other charities the same weekend.  Really comes across petty. But the DGR members and others whom have responded didn't take the high road and lots of nasty jabs and digs and lots of measuring going on.

It is crazy. 
What was the saying...'My momma told me, "If you can't say anything nice about someone, then don't say anything."'
That philosophy is dead in today's society in large segments of the population.

David

Your Momma never met J Wilde....

 >>>  VERY TRUE Frank, it would be quite interesting to see what she would say about that one as it is unlikely she would hold her tongue in the case of the Wilde creature.  It was not my momma who would say this actually...a line I have heard more than a few times on television from some old movies involving kids and serials in 50-70s on TV.  Not that my momma would encourage me every to speak ill or gossip.  She is far more outspoken the older she gets as well as a bit more irritable and can be downright nasty when people do things she finds very offensive in dealing with a business she is a customer of, be it a utility or other company she has purchased something from...
Being nearly 80 she is not practicing that guideline in my presence but often will hold her tongue in front of others or those she might say something about.  Not that she is a gossip at all.
Here in the south many women would say to him or of him, "Bless Your/His Heart."
Often translated, You are an idiot.  Google the expression, you might find it entertaining reading its variations in meaning, rarely positiv, but there are times a religious person might say such a phrase and mean it for the normal definition for those words. - David
P.S. My Aunt Helen, mom's sister often says of others doing stupid stuff or crazy stuff or things that defy logic or common sense, "I don't believe their elevator goes to the top"

PPS - sorry for the off topic on the Kudos thread, I should have posted that to a separate thread of its own...not that I really want to discuss it.  I agree with you BomberMann, I see both perspectives and an issue has been created where none should have existed...reality is Hipsters are breathing some life into motorcycling and the younger generation that are taking up cycling are oft of the type who wish to create their own "flavor" of a bike they own.  Similar to many Harley riders chroming or dressing up or customizing their Harley.  I would image there are extremely few bone stock HDs on the road be it by original owner or a current owner.
Let's take this discussion to another thread...

****
Nil's I appreciate you taking the time and effort to organize and start a DGR in Tucson.

<end of response to BMann650's and 754's replies by rafster122s, can't get the tablet to go to the end of the post and quote of Frank's message I have included<<<

[NobleHops]

Sorry I am just seeing this!

Thank you Don, it's been fun and a little hectic getting it organized but I have 40-something bikes signed up so far, and I think it's going to be a fun day.

I chose to be inclusive and nevermind the guidelines that DGR publishes, and some Harley guys did indeed want to participate, and I say, "Sure". But I did say, if you have loud pipes, don't be surprised if we ask you to ride near the rear. Not singling out Harleys in that respect. Most of the guys that responded to that said, 'no problem' but one knucklehead did get all pouty about that. I had to shake my head there - really dude? You have to make this all about you?

But it's shaping up to be pretty fun, and I'm sure I'll make a few new friends, so it's all good :-).

Best,

Nils

[BomberMann650]

Thats a good turnout! 

Whats your tucson route?

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Sorry I am just seeing this!

Thank you Don, it's been fun and a little hectic getting it organized but I have 40-something bikes signed up so far, and I think it's going to be a fun day.

I chose to be inclusive and nevermind the guidelines that DGR publishes, and some Harley guys did indeed want to participate, and I say, "Sure". But I did say, if you have loud pipes, don't be surprised if we ask you to ride near the rear. Not singling out Harleys in that respect. Most of the guys that responded to that said, 'no problem' but one knucklehead did get all pouty about that. I had to shake my head there - really dude? You have to make this all about you?

But it's shaping up to be pretty fun, and I'm sure I'll make a few new friends, so it's all good :-).

Best,

Nils

I know a bit more having buddies who have organized and ones who are organizing the LA ride. The style guide is just that - a guide not a rule. It's mainly to keep rider numbers to a manageable size. In LA we get close to 1000 bikes with the guidelines. K at the photos below. It is massive. If you ditch the guidelines, the size of the riding group becomes a huge problem and the municipalities/authorities will respond negatively in addition to the traffic blockage and safety issues. Even though there are guidelines, riders who register and show up participate. There are significant numbers of Harley's and some modern bikes in the ride.

Look at the Ducati customs in the left side of the photo below. My buddy is also riding a Harley in the photo.

The issues are not black and white here. I understand the criticisms being levied. I prefer to ride at a faster pace, and I don't care so much for the all the hipsters, but I also raise money for a charitable cause.