It’s that time of year when the big, bright ball of fire shows up in the sky now and then.  You know the one….It’s been hiding for about eleven months!

It’s also the time when car and other multi-wheeled conveyance operators struggle to remember the fact that there are people out there riding something that weighs less and is harder to see than they are.

That would be US.  Just a bunch of bikers.  Brothers (and sisters) of the road, but, all to often, ones who don’t get noticed until we become a speed bump.  My friend Jena sent me this little soliloquy and I read it twice and knew she meant it to be shared.  So, in that spirit, I dedicate this little observation lesson to those who drive things with four or more wheels.

Hey!  We’re out here, too!

I saw you hug your purse closer to you in the grocery store line.  You didn’t see me put an extra $10.00 in the collection plate last Sunday.

I saw you pull your child closer when we passed each other on the sidewalk.  You didn’t see me playing Santa at the local mall.

I saw you change your mind about going into the restaurant.  You didn’t see me attending a meeting to raise more money for the hurricane relief.

I saw you roll up your window and shake your head when I rode by.  You didn’t see me, riding behind you when you flicked your cigarette butt out the car window.

I saw you frown at me when I smiled at your children.  You didn’t see me, when I took time off from work to run toys to the homeless.

I saw you stare at my long hair.  You didn’t see me and my friends cut ten inches off for Locks of Love.

I saw you roll your eyes at our leather coats and gloves.  You didn’t see me and my brothers donate our old coats and gloves to those that had none.

I saw you look in fright at my tattoos.  You didn’t see me cry as my children were born and got their name tattooed on my skin and in my heart forever.

I saw you change lanes while rushing off to go somewhere.  You didn’t see me going home to be with my family.

I saw you complain about how loud and noisy our bikes can be.  You didn’t see me, when you were changing the CD and drifted into my lane.

I saw you yelling at your kids in the car.  You didn’t see me pat my child’s hands knowing he was safe behind me.

I saw you reading the newspaper or map as you drove down the road.  You didn’t see me squeeze my wife’s leg when she told me to take the next turn.

I saw you race down the road in the rain.  You didn’t see me, get soaked to the skin so my son could have the car to go on his date.

I saw you run the yellow light just to save a few minutes of time.  You didn’t see me, trying to turn right.

I saw you cut me off because you needed to be in the lane I was in.  You didn’t see me, leave the road.

******

I saw you waiting impatiently for the line of my friends to pass.  You didn’t see me.    I wasn’t there.

I saw you go home to your family.  You didn’t see me, because, I died that day you cut me off.

I was just a biker and a person with friends and family, but you didn’t see me.

******

This riding season, let’s all take time to keep our eyes open and our ears peeled.  There is always someone who is “other-directed” while sharing our road.  Don’t let yourself become a statistic.  Life is too short….and too precious…not to pay attention.

Ride Safe……but Ride!