Biker's
Handbook: Becoming Part of the Motorcycle Culture ,
by Jay Barbieri
Over the last couple of weeks I participated
in an impromptu and unplanned cultural survey. It was the
time of year for haunting waiting rooms for annual medical
checkups. Knowing that I might have to wait for extended periods
in those waiting rooms, I took an enticing new book along
to fill the tedium: Biker's Handbook: Becoming Part of
the Motorcycle Culture, by Jay Barbieri. It turned out
to be an excellent decision. Virtually every woman who caught
sight of the cover of the book made a point of striking up
a conversation. Young, old, fit, and not-so-fit, every one
of them had a story to share about her own bike or her dream
of getting one. Needless to say, I never found time to actually
read the book for more than a few seconds at a time while
making my rounds of doctors' offices. On the other hand, while
I caught the eye of several men who glanced at the book cover,
none of them found any reason to start a conversation with
me. The cover and format of the book practically scream "this
is a man's book," so I found the ubiquitous interest
of women quite fascinating.
The author seemed pretty convinced that he was
writing the book for men, in the introduction he writes: "If
you're reading this, it means that you are new to riding,
have probably just bought a bike (maybe a Harley), or are
thinking about buying one. Your son, daughter, grandson, granddaughter,
wife, or someone close to you probably bought this book for
you as a present. 'Daddy's into motorcycles, he'll love this.'"
In fact, as I was reading the book, I couldn't help thinking
about purchasing copies for friends who've recently acquired
their first motorcycles. This is a truly funny book. The author
shares numerous personal anecdotes from his long riding career
and the lessons he has learned the hard way. For example,
always be prepared for rain -- no matter what! Barbieri also
does a masterful job of educating those of us who have never
ridden a bike about the history and ethos of biking culture.
In particular, he spells out what it means to be an authentic
biker -- one who respects the road and the shared appreciation
for those who have adopted the biker's way.
Biker's Handbook is illustrated with a
number of great classic photographs and some very funny pen-and-ink
drawings depicting the sometimes slightly insane situations
that bikers get themselves into. The author provides some
excellent advice about how non-bikers should act around hard-core
club bikers and explains the culture of the out-law gangs.
I really enjoyed reading this book, and, while I will never
be a "biker" in the way that Jay Barbieri defines
the term, I certainly have a new and fresh appreciation for
what it means.
And -- I can't help mentioning it again -- this
book is the best "babe magnet" I've ever experienced.
Use it wisely…
Mark
Sedenquist
12/14/07
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