Here is a copy of the latest article by our Vice-President, co-founder and PR officer,and my sweetie, Vinny (aka Twinkle Toes). A slightly longer version of this article was also recently published in the My Machine magazine. If I can get an extra copy or two I will scan it into my computer and post it here as well.
Featured Bikers of the Month: Vinny & Robin
Like most riders I have an almost compulsive need to show off my ride. My 2000 Softail Classic is black with red pinstriping, and has a pin up style Betty Boop airbrushed on the front fender. It was just something I decided to do on our last trip to Laconia Bike Week to distinguish her from the sea of other black beauties resting along Main St. When spring peaks out from behind its winter blanket of snow and cold to smile warmly on us, that’s my motivation to rub my sweetie down with soap and compound until she glistens in the sun.
Robin doesn't get into the nuts and bolts of caring for the bike like I do because her enthusiasm and focus is on the ride itself. Being disabled she can't just swing her leg over and sink her butt into the stylish rear seat like most of us. She has to struggle to pull herself up onto the seat by the strap. Then I help her put her leg over and she shimmies her ass into place. After expending all her energy just getting into her "bitch seat", she has an epiphany- a moment when she realizes she can do something that certain others only dream about. That's when she breaks into a real serious smile. It is a smile that lets you know the best is yet to come.
Helmets on, protective glasses, gloves, leathers, ankle high boots, the meticulous pilot's checklist goes on and on until were both snug in our seats and ready to take off. Just like the legendary pilots of yesteryear who yelled "switch on" and "contact" I yell back, "Are you ready to rock, Robin?" Without a second's hesitation or stutter she taps me on the shoulder and yells, "Let’s roll."
Living your life mainly in a wheelchair, because you don't have the complete use of your legs might leave some of us with a mighty bitter pill to swallow. Not Robin. Don't get me wrong, not every day or ride is perfect. We’ve come across both mechanical and physical situations that have required readjustments, and there are times we both get discouraged, but the point is that we don't let it slow us down any.
Robin also isn't the type of woman to sit back and languish in her success, or in this case be happy with the fact that she can now ride whenever the mood or need strikes her. She decided that if she can ride there must be others out there with disabilities that are either riding or want to ride. Late last year she decided to start a Web site called The Disabled Riders of America. It was a grand project that is still in the process of refinement and growth. Currently there are 150 members nationally with various levels of challenges. In our Forum section we share topics like bike modification, new equipment and products, stories, photo's and sometimes some good old-fashioned support.
What Robin and I want riders to know is that the only limitations that exist are the ones in your head. Whether she’s pushing herself in a wheelchair or using a motorized wheelchair, the only place she feels like she belongs and is free is on a Harley. The battles we have fought to get this far have been long and hard but the encouragement that she receives on the road from all sorts of motorists with their thumbs up as she goes make it worth every moment.
Vinny Cucchiara
Author
Topic: We are the featured biker for this onth on the website Bikercrap.com (Read 1447 times)
