By Felicia Morgan

Welcome to the first edition of the Sturgis Rider Live. There’s a butt load of stuff to see here for the monthly subscriber; lots of motorcycle entertainment to be had, a few articles to read, plenty of fotos and motorcycle related information, and last but not least….plenty of pretty women to ogle and whoop at all in the comfort of your own home. How much better can it get?! Well, I’m not sure, but I think the ability to participate in this format, via voting for your favorite calendar gal, sending in some tidbit you think’s worth sharing, or simply dropping a line on the message board or emailing your favorite commentator, celeb, or correspondent definitely elevates this rag to a whole new level. You never know what you might find here, and we’re encouraging everyone to get involved, but you can always expect some cool shit as we get this party started.

Everyone working on this site is totally committed to the biker lifestyle. We’re all riders, some of us can be considered to be down right scooter tramps, but we’re all involved in our riding communities in a variety of ways. Over a period of time, you’ll get to know those of us who you’re not already familiar with and, hopefully, get to know those of us who you do know just a little bit better.

I’d like to take the opportunity to use this first edition as a sort of “meet n’ greet”. Among the writers on the staff will be Bill Hayes, the author of the book “The Original Wild Ones: Tales of the Boozefighters Motorcycle Club”, a club he is also a member of, a fellow contributor to Thunder Press Magazine, a musician, and a man I like to call a friend. Rogue, a well known photo/motojournalist, will be penning a piece. Tony Sanfelipo will keep us all informed with a column on Biker Law. “Wild Bill” from the Wind and Fire MC is planning a piece as well as a revolving list of folks who will ink a line or two each  month.

As for me, this is a chance to introduce myself on a level I’ve never utilized before. I’m a photographer and can generally be found zipping along NorCal roads on my bike, which is perfectly outfitted for packing me and my camera gear wherever I need to go to shoot scooter folk living out their lives. My first bike, a little Honda 450, was lovingly built piece by piece in the early ‘70’s in a garage, during a generation where that was the norm. The tin was painted and hung from the rafters to dry as chromed parts were shuttled back and forth to the chromers as money would allow. From a box of parts to rolling on rubber, the bike came together right before my eyes. The rigid framed, raked, rowdy little bike came into my possession via the diminutive little lady for whom it was originally constructed. She’d tried to master the motorcycle called “Wrangle”, named after a wild stallion in a Zane Grey novel, with little success. Rather than being tamed by man, the horse in the book had thrown himself, complete with rider, off a cliff. With a horse in full gallop painted on the Mustang tank, the steel version of the story’s character had tried the same maneuver several times with my friend. She never could get comfortable on the cherished steed and, knowing I had watched its construction and evolution and had grown to love her shiny red motorcycle, I opened my front door one day to discover the gleaming stud parked in my driveway. I was 19 years old.

Since that day 33 years ago, I’ve never been without a motorcycle. After many years, several tickets (including one for doing 114 mph), a crash, and lots of roadside repairs (to include bubble gum used as insulation on a frayed electrical wire), Wrangle was eventually put out to pasture. I finally moved up to a 1974 Sportster that came to life in much the same way as Wrangle; in a garage as I looked on. After many years of hard tail riding, a broken ankle from kickback starts, and just plain old beating myself up on the road, the call of shocks, a windshield, and push button technology became too strong and I crossed over to the luxury of a modern motorcycle. I’ve never regretted a moment of the comfort. I don’t own a four-wheeled vehicle, just a very reliable, very loved, 1995 Heritage Softail that never argues when I hit that starter. I made it across 4 states this year as I worked to record this lifestyle I love. Arizona Bike Week kicked off the season, and Run-a-Mucca in Nevada followed. A new set of tires came before Hollister and a set of rocker box gaskets were installed after the Hogs n’ Hay run in Oregon. All along the way there were lots of smiles and great parties as I met new friends and traveled roads unfamiliar.

And now, a new journey begins as Sturgis Rider Live takes shape. I’m looking forward to getting to know my fellow contributors as well as all you subscribers. So now then, kick back and crack a beer. Let’s get this party started!