Matt's Top 5 Motorcycle Scenes from the Cinema!

Hi there again, this is Matt Gardner, founder of Long Ride Shields.

Many People don't know this about me but during college I Majored in Film, and to this day the movies are one of my favorite aspects of this life on earth! One of my favorite types of chase scenes is the Motorcycle Chase. Most chase scenes have some commonality in that there is usually good guy vs bad guy, or the opportunistic escaping protagonist taking advantage of the readily available motorcycle that just so happens to have the keys in it or the engine running, but what makes the motorcycle chase better than a car chase is the fact that you can squeeze the bike into places that a car wont go, or jump over things the adversary will simply crash into. Being an avid motorcyclist and a lover of films I wanted to share with you some of my favorites.

This all began a few nights ago while I was revisiting some silent films I loved during school and discovered a motorcycle scene that had been shot without many studio effects in full live action and it absolutely blew my mind away. It was from Buster Keaton's - Sherlock Jr. (1924) - I remember seing the same type of bike at the Harley Davidson Museum in Milwaukee and it dawned on me that this might be the first ever motorcycle chase scene filmed for entertainment.

I have decided to include it in this weeks list of the Top 5 motorcycle scenes of all time (According to me)



#1:     Sherlock Jr. (1924)

Simply Amazing, Talk about having guts, Keaton is famous for doing all his own amazing stunts. 

#2:   Great Escape (1963)

Everyone knows that Steve McQueen was and is the best motorcycle actor to ever grace the silver screen. 

#3: James Bond: Skyfall (2013)

I would have loved to be there when they were filming this in the Grand Bazar

#4 Escape to Athena (1979)

Note: you have got to love the scream from the guy falling from the tower, I believe that is the Wilhelm scream made famous by Star Wars and Indian Jones.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilhelm_scream


#5: Indiana Jones -

Note: Just so you know I have tried the umbrella bird thing, it works fairly well. Also if you haven't seen it Myth-busters tested the whole pole in the spokes thing and it doesn't exactly make your bike flip over, but it will mess you up!






Here is a video clip on the making of the new motorcycle scene in Jurassic World.

IF you have a favorite not mentioned in this blog post please email us your reference at longridesheidls@gmail.com

Riding with Style (Funny, Awesome, and Odd Helmets)

Although, helmets are not absolutely necessary when it comes to riding, many riders still consider the safety aspects of their apparel and even try to match their safety equipment with their own personalities. I, myself, would not don a helmet that was bright pink and sparkly. There is nothing wrong with the color or style, I just do not have the skin tone to compliment it. However, there are a few helmets that we have seen from around the internet that we would love to have in our collection of safety gear. ATGATT is an acronym for all the gear, all the time. This should pertain to your safety equipment as well, even your helmet.

   

Nana-nana-nana-nana-BATMAN!

Sleeker looking full helmet. Nice!

I have always thought that Batman was the greatest superhero ever. Not because he has some personal issues with crime and punishment, but because he was the only hero to make it into the Hall of Justice who didn't have super powers! Now, you too can become the night. Ladies, I heard this story for expecting mothers. If you name your newborn Gotham, you can always tell your husband, "Gotham needs you" if your newborn wakes up in the middle of the night.

There has been several posts of really talented artist using Sharpie makers to decorate their bikes and other vehicles. Here are some helmets that have a lot of details and designs that are hand drawn on helmets.

To get people to notice you smile when they are envious of your hog, why not show them how much fun you are having while they imagine being you from inside of their enclosed cage of metal and fiberglass. Show them that you are not only riding in style, but that you are having way more fun riding with one of these Smiley Face helmets. 

I AM IRON MAN!!!

Custom make your own helmet. 

For those of you who like to rock out to Black Sabbath's "I am Iron Man" while you ride, you can also look like Iron Man from the movies and turn heads wherever you go. Feel like a superhero as you arrive to your destinations. The custom helmet is reported to be easy to make (right picture above) and attaches to a standard helmet. If you have a Reevu helmet (a motorcycle helmet that uses mirrors in the helmet to see behind you), you can actually feel like Iron Man.

I had to geek out pretty hardcore when I saw this Star Wars - Storm Trooper helmet. As bad ass as it would be to be part of the largest fictional military in the universe, just the look of this thing is awe inspiring enough to get people to see you. This is definitely well made and stylish enough to show off your nerd level. These are not the droids you are looking for, but this may be the helmet you have always wanted. 

Transformers. More than meets the eye is the popular theme behind these movies, and now you can also represent the same theme with an Optimus Prime helmet. If you loved the movies, than this is how you can show the world.

Created by Jim Hensen, The Muppet Show aired in 1976 and continued until 1981. With a million jokes and satirical comedies, the show spun many movies and other shows that we all grew up with and loved. With these helmets, you can be your favorite muppet character and show the world your sense of humor.

Viking helmets and skull helmets can let other riders around you know that you are a horseman of the apocalypse. The great thing about viking horns and skins is that they are relatively easy to attach to a helmet. Unless you want to spend a couple hundred dollars on a custom helmet, the attachments are fairly inexpensive and fun to display. There are some that are even made of real bone too.

Here are a few other honorable mentions that are fun to look, and cringe at.

Getting noticed at night is now easier.

Mobile anatomy class

AAAAHHHHHHHHH!

Does not have a recurve windshield.

Do you have a custom helmet that you want everyone to see? Let us help you display it by sending us pictures of your helmet. We will post them to our Facebook and get you noticed.

Throttle Therapy! - Dealing with PTSD

Today is Memorial day, a day in which our country and its citizens pay tribute to the men and women who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in order to secure our liberty and way of life. In our efforts to pay our respect to these heroes we asked one of our most respected customers to come in for an interview and to give us his thoughts on this day and its significance to motorcyclist across the country.

"John" - is a veteran of more than two decades and has served with distinction while in the army, and working in the shadows for an "Other Government Agency" our hero, who has asked for anonymity, has been there and done that to include working EOD as a Special Forces soldier in South America. He has had his own close calls and if you buy him a beer will tell you some of the coolest stories you ever heard. In our opinion "John" is one BAMF.

During our interview we talked about a lot of things that had tremendous meaning with regards to our military today, and those who bore the sacrifices of battle, however we touched on one very important theme that we feels bears repeating and that we know will resonate with bikers across the world.

Throttle Therapy!  - Dealing with PTSD

We asked john why he rides a motorcycle to begin with (he has four of them), his answer was simple:  
"You will never see a motorcycle parked outside a Therapists office!" he said,

After discussing what "John" meant he explained more, and in so many words reminded us that those that die are not the only casualties of war; PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) is something that most soldiers bring home with them and in many circumstances it can ruin their lives even as if they were dead, and in the worst scenarios has led some to take their own lives.

"Throttle therapy is my way of dealing with the stress of this world" John told us - " when I'm on that bike I am in Control, I have the reigns and the bike responds to my commands, yet in the some manner I am at the mercy of the road, I am free for the next few hours as I ramble down the road. During that time I'm not thinking about my problems or the past, I'm in the moment and I'm in control."

If you are reading this post then you are most likely ride a motorcycle, if you ride then you know exactly what "John" meant, riding a motorcycle is the Ultimate escape, the ultimate freedom, and to those like "John" who need to deal with their demons, Throttle Therapy may be one of the best ways to hold on and make your way through life.

It's no wonder to us at LRS why so many current and former members of the Armed Services ride motorcycles, and we know exactly what feelings and sense of satisfaction comes with the lifestyle, and so today on Memorial Day we will ride, and we will be reminded of those , who like "John" have made sacrifices for our freedom, We hope that today you heroes will also ride and be free!

Thank You from the deepest part of our biker hearts, we respect you, we honor you and our fallen, please ENJOY THE RIDE!

Interview with my dad.

I remember as a kid visiting the cemeteries with my parents to pay respects to people I was too young to remember. I remember always looking forward to leaving so that I could enjoy barbecue, playing, or seeing my friends. It wasn't until later that I finally understood that this practice was for my parents to remember our family, and for me to learn to be respectful of these memories. It was a little time later when my Aunt Florence (dad's sister) passed away that I finally understood.

We were all sitting around the shop coming up with ideas for the upcoming Memorial Day events, and what we were to write a blog about. The idea of an interview with a veteran came up, and how awesome it would be to hear from a vet on their service and what they recall about motorcycles in their time of service. I instantly thought about my father and remembered my father telling me stories about his service years. I’m glad that I did think of my dad also, as I had not talked to him in a few days. My father is Robert Cavinder, born April 14, 1929. And, is a World War II veteran. I called Dad during a break to ask him a few questions, mainly to see how he would feel about being interviewed by his son for this blog. Dad and I started out with mostly the usual banter, when I told him about the blog and the upcoming holiday. 
Dad began his service at a young age in 1945, and had enlisted to fight in the war. When he finished his basic training the war had literally ended. Dad stayed on in the military to go on to several locations. Eventually, Dad retired while Gerald Ford was in office. Dad became a fire chief for Pan Am when we were living in Salalah, Oman. We moved to the United States when I was 5, and dad would become a fire inspector when we arrived.

I asked Dad about his experiences with motorcycles while he was in service. Dad had ridden a motorcycle before, but never developed a taste for it. Dad told me about the use of motorcycles during the war as messenger services. Soldiers riding Indian motorcycles who were more agile and capable of maneuvering through and around obstacles to get messages to their destinations. I asked Dad a few questions: how long he was in the service, when he decided on his career path, who his favorite president to serve under was, and his most memorable moment. Dad had this to say, 

Me and Dad

“I served twenty five and one half years active and four and one half inactive reserve.” “I went to firefighting school in 1947.” “We weren’t political in those days whoever was commander in chief was decided by the population of the forty eight states.” I asked Dad what his proudest moment was in service, and his response made me very proud when I read it: “Sometime in the fifties the army raised hell about having to take all of the category five trainees [category five was those people who hadn't any formal education] the Air Force was forced to take a share. These people were made janitors or other menial jobs, considered non trainable, I was stationed in Montana at Great Falls air base and we got five of these individuals. After a couple months I got to know the five assigned to the fire station. To make the story shorter, I felt sorry for their predicament and decided to do something. From the first Sergeant down I couldn't find anyone that had a plausible answer. So, I took these guys to the education center and talked to the guy in charge, we enrolled them in the first grade English and reading class that fit their education level. About ten years later while I was in the far east I was walking on the flight line when I heard my name being called. It was one of the five with three stripes on his sleeve he was in the fire department and a crew chief, he thanked me for what I had done for him.”
I asked Dad afterwards about visiting the graves when I was a kid. Dad told me that it was to let our visits be known to them and let them know that we are still thinking of them.

I am very proud of my dad, and I have a high level of morals and tolerances because of his teachings. Dad has taught me so much on how to be a better person, to think better, to be understanding, and how to respect myself and others. These teachings are being taught to my child as well. And, when the time comes for her to understand why we visit graves, view photos, or celebrate, she will know that we do so to remember. Thank you, Pop.


-Brad Cavinder

Why We Hang the Flag at Half Mast

We hang the flag lower in times of mourning. We do this as a sign of respect to honor the departed and remember them, and we do this every Memorial Day. But, where did this tradition come from? There is some history that begins back in 1612 when the captain of the British ship Heart’s Ease died on a journey to Canada. When the ship returned to London, it was flying the flag at half-mast to honor the departed captain.

The idea behind flying the flag at half-mast was to make room for the invisible flag of Death. The sailors of the Heart’s Ease were flying the flag just a flags width below allowing the invisible flag of Death to show its presence.

In the early days of our country, there were no regulations existed for flying the flag at half-staff. As a result, there were many conflicting policies. But on March 1, 1954, President Dwight Eisenhower issued a proclamation on the proper times.

During the nation’s time of mourning (title 4, Chapter 1, Section 7 of the United States Code) the flag is flown at half-staff for 30 days if the death of a current or former president, while the vice president, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and Speaker of the House receive 10 days following their deaths. Flags fly at half-staff from the day of death until the date of interment for cabinet secretaries, Associate Juices of the Supreme Court, former vice presidents, and the governors of states. The death of a current member of Congress lowers the flag to half-staff on the day of death and the following day.

The President can give an executive order lowering the flag to half-staff to honor the passing of other important figures or tragic events. George W. Bush ordered the flags flown at half-staff until the internment of Pope John Paull II. When Nelson Mandela died in December 5th, 2013, President Obama ordered the flags lowered to honor Mandela until sunset on December 9th. Following the September 11th attacks in 2001, President Bush ordered the flags to be flown at half-staff until September 16th. The only people who have the right to order the flag at half-staff is the President, Governors of states, territories, and possessions have the authority under the federal flag code. The mayor of the District of Columbia (Washington D.C.) also has the power to order the flag at half-staff.

There are rules for raising the flag to half-staff. You do not just raise it to half-staff. Properly raising the flag shows honor to our country and to our departed. The flag is to be treated as a living thing, and reflects the time of mourning. To properly fly the flag at half-staff in mourning, the flag must quickly ascend to the peak of the flag staff for an instant, and then lower slowly to half-staff reflecting the nation’s mourning. When the flag is lowered, it is raised to the finial for an instant, before being lowered.

Here is a list of rules and regulations for our American flag:
http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagcode.htm

During Memorial Day, the flag is raised to half-staff from dawn until noon, where it is quickly raised to the top. Memorial Day is a day of mourning, but we celebrate pride in our country and the memories of people who are no longer with us.

Now, what do you do if you have a fixed flag? Tradition says you should place a black ribbon above the flag.

Memorial Day is a day to remember those who have passed. Keeping the memory of the departed keeps us strong, and keeps them with us. If they are here with us in spirit they will be happy to know that we still think of them.

www.LongRideShields.com

MOTORCYCLE SAFETY GEEKS- READ THIS!

ARE YOU A MOTORCYCLE SAFETY GEEK?

Safety by the numbers-

Here are some interesting motorcycle safety facts that come from the the Government - I know you won't all agree with the assessment, as we at Long Ride Shields find some of the stats hard to swallow, but it is a good way to start off  motorcycle safety week!

Just remember: rubber side down and keep it inside the lines!

C LICK HERE FOR THE STATS!

Gremlin Bells: Fighting Off Bad Luck

Did you ever see the Twilight Zone episode with William Shatner called “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet - 1963”? The monstrous Gremlin, that was on the outside of the plane trying to sabotage the wing engine, was a real menace. I also remember as a kid watching a Merrie Melodies Cartoon (“Falling Hare - 1943”) with Bugs Bunny, where he was trying to comically fight off a small Gremlin with a hat shaped a little like an airplane. In the movie Gremlins (1984), there was one good gremlin (Gizmo) who was accidentally splashed with water, which created the other problematic gremlins. These problematic gremlins eventually ran amok through the town of Kingston Falls. These examples were loosely based on the Gremlin, an evil spirit bent on wreaking havoc and misfortune to those they visit. Nasty creatures!

That's not a gremlin...Captain.

Gremlins have a long mythical history of being mischievous and mechanically inclined. One of the origins of the word Gremlin comes from an old English word “gremain”, meaning “to vex”. These little terrors were very popular during World War II when the work force was in full-bore and accident rates were through the roof.  Before mankind started making really complex machinery, the “imp” was the mischievous little monster that would thwart people in their endeavours. Perhaps the Gremlin is an evolution of the Imp, as the machinery and complexities of the world have evolved - so too did this creature.

Although this story was covered a few years ago, I believe it is time to revisit the idea behind the Gremlin Bell. The theory goes that you can benefit just by having a Gremlin Bell hung low to the ground to fend off the evil road spirits that want to harm riders. But, the effect can be much better by giving the Gremlin Bell as a gift of protection. This isn’t another “friendship bracelet”, or “lucky rabbit’s foot” kind of good luck charm. But (and I think this is the best part of gifting the Gremlin Bell to a rider), is that you are genuinely wishing protection for that rider.



Other good luck charms found around the world include:

Nazar from Turkey: this is a ward against the evil eye: a curse believed to be cast by malevolent glares. These glares were often given to a person when they were unaware and cause misfortune or injury.
Because people would wander around the market places, they were very concerned about building up ill-intent through too many bad looks. Even if it wasn't intended, these bad looks were believed to cause illness, injury, and bring the recipient really bad luck.
Evil Spirit: “I’ve got my eye on you! ;-)”
Me: “Stop looking at me, you’re creeping me out  little. Perv.”

The fig sign is also sold as a charm and was once used in Ancient Rome to ward off the evil spirits of the dead. The charm is in the shape of a clenched fist, with the thumb tucked inside, and is now believed to ward off the evil eye as well, but the gesture is considered mildly obscene in some European countries and is closely related to the “finger” here in the U.S. F-you evil spirits!

Frogs, in Japan, are considered good luck charms for travelers, as they are thought to ensure their safe return. Although, I would not necessarily want to keep a frog in my saddlebag or pocket, a frog charm is perfectly acceptable. They were also seen as a fertility deity due to the number of eggs the females produce.




Vulture heads: yep, believe it or not, in Africa vulture heads are actually sought out and hunted to sell to people looking for good luck and foresight. Because vultures have such great vision, ancient cultures believed that vultures could see into the future. Protecting those that posses one to veer clear of danger. And, even though this is kinda cool, I’m only imagining the really dumb vultures from the old Looney Toons cartoons being the ones to get their heads removed.




Pendant of St. Christopher: St. Christopher is the man who carried Christ the child across the river with the child Christ and the weight of the world on his shoulders. This pendant is believed to protect travelers on their journeys. Heavy.

The idea behind these pendants and charms is pretty amazing considering the legends behind them. But it is the meaning behind receiving one of these that is makes it all the more meaningful, and powerful. If someone gives you a Gremlin Bell, it means that they want you to be protected and safe through your travels. The rules behind the Gremlin Bell are that you can purchase one for yourself, but the power is doubled when you receive on as a gift. For some of us, we may not believe in the meaning behind these charms, but for those giving us their good will you have to feel really fortunate knowing that someone cares about you and your safety. If you know someone that rides a motorcycle, appreciate their love of the open road and gift them some extra safety. What kind of lucky charms do you believe in? Are there any practices that you or someone who rides do to protect themselves from evil spirits? What would you suggest riders do before they take their ride? The world is a crazy place, and we could all use a little extra protection and good will. Be safe out there. Enjoy the ride.

If you’d like to see our previous post on Gremlin Bells, you can read it at http://mythslegendsandtales.blogspot.com/2012/06/here-is-story-i-wrote-for-our-lrs.html .