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Writer's pictureAnne Hartley

Hit the Open Road

Hello my fellow riders. Hoping you and your families are having a great summer. Please stay safe watch out for other riders and those who are in the cage.

The motorcycle has long been synonymous with disenfranchised youth. The influential 1953 film The Wild One, which starred Marlon Brando as the young leader of a California biker gang, helped permanently shape the look and attitude of the pop-culture motorcyclist. Given the film's success, it was only a matter of time before record labels took notice. In 1955, the classic songwriting duo Lieber and Stoller penned the Cheers' "Black Denim Trousers and Motorcycle Boots," a song inspired by biker culture. Despite being about a motorcyclist who crashes his bike into a diesel truck, the song became a worldwide smash single, and the "teenage tragedy song" was born. Singles like Wayne Cochran's "Last Kiss" and Jan and Dean's "Dead Man's Curve" maintained this sad pop genre's popularity, but the teenage tragedy song really hit its peak in 1964 with the Shangri-La's legendary "Leader of the Pack." But not all songs about riding a motorcycle are so sad. Bikers and riders are a unique breed. We love the freedom, independence of the open road, and of course, we love their bikes. Something about a motorcycle captures the imagination and inspires passion like nothing else. Whether it’s the thundering sound of the engine or the wind in your hair, there’s nothing quite like riding a bike or listening to songs about motorcycles. If you’re a biker or rider, then you know the feeling that comes with biking songs. And if you’re not, then you probably envy us. Steppenwolf’s classic biker anthem “Born to Be Wild” is a must for anyone’s motorcycle playlist. If you’ve ever heard it blasting out of the open windows of an old Harley, then you understand why this needs to be in your library. The song perfectly captures the spirit of riding and freedom. The songs about motorcycles are all about the joys of riding and being on the open road. Willie Nelson “On The Road Again” sings about the simple pleasures of life and how they can be found while traveling on your motorcycle. He sings that life without care is ‘just around the bend.’ Also, the song’s guitar solo is phenomenal, making it one of the best riding songs ever. Bruce Springsteen is the ultimate biker singer. His song is all about the power and freedom of the open road. The lyrics talk about the ‘wind in your hair and how ‘nothing can stop you now. It’s one of the perfect songs about motorcycles and riders who crave adventure and freedom. He released ‘Thunder Road’ in 1978, and it has become an all-time motorcycle classic. Christopher Cross sings about the pleasures of riding a motorcycle. ‘Ride like the wind,’ he sings as his voice echoes across the open road. The song is all about how wonderful it feels to ride on a sunny day with nothing to stop you from reaching your destination. It gives you a feeling of freedom and independence that’s hard to find anywhere else. Tom Cochrane ‘s ‘life is a highway’ and riders love to live their life on it. The artist sings about riding his motorcycle with the wind in his hair and how good it feels. It’s the perfect anthem for anyone who loves to be on the road and explore new horizons. This song is all about the freedom of the open road. Tom Cochrane sings about how life is a highway and riders can ‘take it to the limit one more time.’ It’s a song for those who cherish moments while the strong wind blows through their hair as they speed off on their bikes. This is just a few of the songs that should always be on your play list when you are riding the open roads with your knees in the breeze.

Whether you’re a hardcore biker or just a casual rider, songs about bikers will get your heart racing. So put on your favorite helmet and hit the open road.


Useless Facts

1.There is a metallic asteroid shaped like a dog bone named “Kleopatra.”

2. A “jiffy” is about one trillionth of a second.

3. The cigarette lighter was invented before the match.

4. Dragonflies have six legs but can’t walk.

5. It’s possible to lead a cow upstairs… but not downstairs.

6. Pope John Paul II was an honorary Harlem Globetrotter.

7. Mulan has the highest kill-count of any Disney character.

8. 3.6 cans of Spam are consumed each second.

9. The average American looks at eight houses before buying one.

10. Most pandas in the world are on loan from China.

11. A snail can sleep for three years.

12. Your stomach produces a new layer of mucus every two weeks so that it doesn’t digest itself.

13. Right handed people, on average, live nine years longer than left handed people.

14. Women have more tastebuds than men.

15. Women see more colors than men.

Local Events:

1. Hungry Mother Festival Marion VA July 21st – 23rd

2. Celebration of Life for Travis Mizzell July 16 at Highlands BBQ

3. DTB Hillbilly & Vet Pre-Party East Tennessee Distillery 6p - 11p July 15th

4. Hillbilly Show & Shine Maggie Valley, NC July 22nd

Bike Night:

1. Wednesday – 19E Pit Stop

2. Wednesday – Jonesboro VFW – Dog Tags

3. Thursday - Quaker Steak & Lube

4. Friday - Tulips

Rides:

1. Ride of his Life Travis Mizzell Memorial Ride Hampton Highschool 11:30am July 15

2. DTB Hillbilly & Vet Ride to Maggie Valley Meet at Jonesborough VFW 8:30am July 22

Rallies:

1. Thunder In The Smokies June 30th – July 2nd Maggie Valley NC

2. 55th Annual Dirt Drags June 30th – July 2nd Boozy Creek

3. Sturgis KY Bike Rally July 12th to 16th Sturgis KY

4. Harley Davidson 120th Anniversary July 13th to 16th Milwaukee Wisconsin

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