I've said it before, but for me it's knowing we've changed people's lives just a little bit. Especially those that ride a long distance to get here. They will never forget those couple of weeks taken off work and spent on the road hopefully with friends for a journey before they've even reached California!
Also, it may be trivial in the grand scheme of things, but all the stuff we've given away including the bikes has gotta leave a huge mark on people. Some have a natural knack for winning. Maybe it's slot machines, scratchers, etc, but we've now given away five pretty cool old Harley-Davidsons. One Panhead, one Knucklehead, two generator Shovelheads, and last year's custom VL flathead! I was just reminded of this when I stumbled on the great pictures Michael Schmidt took of the '46 Knuckle built by Kiyo that a guy named Paul won at Born-Free 3.
Paul was serious about winning that bike. He bought posters/tickets all year long whenever he could from the first day we started selling them until the day of the show and it worked! After all we couldn't keep that bike no matter how hard we tried, someone was taking it home. After the dust settled and looking back on it, Paul was the perfect winner of that bike. He's logged a lot of miles on it and has ridden it to each Born-Free since.
IF you are still reading this, why do any of us do it? We do it because we love it, Paul does it because he loves it, Kiyo does it because he loves it, Michael Schmidt does it because he loves it. Why do you do it? This isn't all about winning or being lucky. This is about making the most of what you've got. Getting out there and doing something while you can. Learn. Do. Create. Experience. Enjoy.
Screw the naysayers, it's shifting the paradigm for those of us who haven't even been . . . putting shit on something inherently good is easy, backing it up is not. Hold faster.
ReplyDeleteJealousy always manifests itself in negativity. It's east to let it trip you up, but just remember where it stems from.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny how time and truth can catch up on people. Hate exposes the hater more than the target of his perniciousness. It's beautiful to be part of talented, hard working, positive people that do things for no other reason than love and joy.
ReplyDeleteThanks to you guys for all your hard work and dedication and letting me be a part of it. I'm very blessed.
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I've been to Born Free twice from the far east coast of North Carolina. Last year I rode a Panhead with 3 friends and we had the time of our lives, 21 days on the road, camping, drinking, riding, meeting people, and seeing new things. All of this was accomplished because of your willingness to put on a great bike show. I joke and say we were making our trip to the Mecca of motorcycle shows. So keep up the great work man and know that people still appreciate all the good you do.
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