Just over two and a half years ago, I inadvertently found myself on the
receiving end of one of the most fantastic experiences of my life.
Suffice it to say, though I had only hoped to display my bike in
any area they could make available for me under the Yamaha banner, what Sarah
allowed me to do at the time was more than I dreamt of. It was like an
evolution from my decision to turn my motorcycle into a “moving billboard” for The
Aneurysm and AVM Foundation (TAAF), to being able display this work
in a motorsport event that I religiously followed!
That experience remains to be one of my fondest memories with my
motorcycle, which in no doubt can be attributed to Sarah Timleck’s appreciation
of my efforts for TAAF through what I had done with my bike. For the longest
time, I didn’t know if my bike and I could ever top that accomplishment, and
would’ve been happy to let that be the highest note. But fast forward to now,
and much like then, my bike and I find ourselves with an amazing opportunity
well beyond my intent...
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| Image courtesy of Performance Bikes |
Peformance Bikes (PB) is a motorcycle magazine
hailing from United Kingdom, which in my opinion, is really the only motorcycle
magazine worth reading no matter where you live as a motorist, even if you have
to pay premium for an international subscription. Which reminds me,I should
probably subscribe already and stop stealing my friend Rob’s monthly issues...
Each month, PB asks their viewers to submit their pride and joy, a
handful of which are chosen by PB to be featured in their two-page Riders’
Specials segment, with a photo of the bikes and some choice words from the
owners. Last month, I submitted my bike. So what that I was a reader from the
US – worse that could happen was they say “Thanks, but no thanks,” and
the best case scenario was they’d let my bike have a corner of their page in
the next issue. As luck would have it, they did accept my bike for their Riders’
Specials column for the March 2014 issue. Of course I was beyond STOKED at
the prospect of seeing a photo of my bike and my name printed on the magazine
that I would religiously steal from my friend Rob!
Only, I didn’t just get a corner on their page after all...
The guys and gals at PB were awesome enough to choose my bike as their
pick from all the submissions, giving my bike and words a full-page spread!
Even in the age of digital information and media, where your actions and
words can reach farther than you could intend or imagine, there is still
something to be said about seeing your work and name printed on a regularly
distributed publication as an achievement. This moving billboard of mine I made to create awareness for TAAF,
for it to reach as far as the United Kingdom in a
publication that I respect – well – it makes one feel very accomplished.
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| This bike has taken me places I didn't think I could get to. |
To be honest, it’s a bit strange to be continually rewarded for an
effort that you intended as a gift to something greater than you.
But I’m not complaining!
