As I have mentioned before, I like to wonder off by myself and enjoy the Commonwealth astride two wheels. However, due to weather, work and family commitments, I haven't been able to squeeze in a trip for a while. Not wanting to "winterize" my bike, I have been participating in riding events in the local area.

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"Yo Momma" for Old Bikers having Breakfast

November 21^st, 2006

muse@bikerenews.com

These rides have turned out to be a lot of fun. Of course, I've participated in events in which I've had an interest, but the more I ride events, the more I realized that it's not the event that keeps me participating. The bottom-line is that the event ends up being an excuse for socializing with some riding buddies. While motorcycle talk and kicking the latest tire is always part of the social gathering, there are more important aspects of these gatherings.

The agenda for these gatherings requires two key elements to be successful. First, breakfast must be available. Now this has nothing to do with nourishment. Most of our riding group could easily grab a bite at home or at any fast food location on the way to the rendezvous point. The purpose of breakfast is to serve as a social anchor while we take our verbal bearing towards each other.

The ritual follows a familiar pattern: Hello in the parking lot; How you been while looking over the menu; and then straight into a an Old Biker's version of "Yo Momma" as soon as we have ordered. You know, "Yo Momma is so fat that they had to surgically remove the bike seat." Or, "Yo Momma is so dumb she broke the windshield to unlock the bike." Or, "Yo Momma is so ugly she won First Place in the Rat Bike Competition and she wasn't even riding."

Red Knights at the Blue Knights Toy Run 19 November 2006

Yo Momma (or the Dozens as it is also known) is an attempt to insult another person in a humorous manner, by speaking negatively about their mother. This is primarily done in the presence of other people, since the humor may be lost on the person being insulted. This can incite real anger when done to a stranger. However, when a group of friends get together, it can prove to be a very humorous competition of wit and the ability to laugh at oneself.

Given that the guys that I ride with normally have long experiences with either Navy life or Fire House humor (or like me both) there is a "touch of the gutter" that creeps into our conversations. Just to be honest, we don't really talk about "Yo Momma." It is more like, "He rides like a . . .," "His bike is so dirty that . . . ," or my favorite, "The stupidest thing I've done (with pride in our voice) . . ."

While humor in and of its self should be appreciated, for me what is important about these verbal slugfests is that these "hits" have to be given and received not only in a humorous manner, but must be accompanied by a sense of friendship and camaraderie. I don't think it is unique to Firefighters or Sailors, but knowing you can rely on your buddy when the Fire House bell rings or General Quarters sounds helps build trust to where a little edgy humor seems to be a little funnier.

So when someone asks you why you belong to a Club or Riding Association, give him or her the real answer, "So I have somebody to laugh at (or better with)." By the way, did you know that the Muse is so old that his driver's license number is 1, and he is so short that you can see his feet on his driver license picture?

Ride Safe and Remember to Laugh.

Red Knights 4 and 10	We don't just talk trash...	TAMA's Peg Leg Joe	"This ain't no Sh#$"
"You talking to me?"	Ready to answer the call...	Which one is the teddy bear?

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