Santa says: "Keep it local"

This crossed my desk the other day, via an email chain forwarded by a friend. Really nothing more then an extension and articulation of the "keep it local" movement. But it does perhaps have an increased profoundness as we approach this year's Holiday Season:

Christmas 2011- Birth of a New Tradition.

As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods. Merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American labor.

This year will be different. This year, Americans will give the gift of genuine concern for other Americans. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by American hands. Yes there is! It's time to think outside the box, people. Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper? 


Everyone – yes, EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local American hair salon or barber?

Gym membership? It's appropriate for all ages that are thinking about some health improvement. Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, American owned detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates. Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plonking down the Benjamins on a Chinese made flat-screen? Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course. There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants - all offering gift certificates. If your intended isn't the fancy eatery sort, what about a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint? Remember folks, this isn't about big National chains - this is about supporting your hometown Americans with their financial lives on the line, trying to keep their doors open. How many people couldn't use an oil change for their car, truck or motorcycle? Done at a shop run by the American working guy. Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE the services of a local cleaning lady for a day. My computer could use a tune-up, and I KNOW I can find some young guy who is struggling to get his repair business up and running.

OK, you were looking for something more personal? Local crafts people spin their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes. Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip. And, how about going out to see a play or ballet at your hometown theatre. Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.

Honestly people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand Chinese lights for the house? When you buy a five-dollar string of lights, about fifty cents stays in the community. If you have those kinds of bucks to burn, leave the mailman, trash guy or babysitter a nice BIG tip. You see, Christmas is no longer about draining American pockets so that China can build another glittering city. Christmas is now about caring for US, and encouraging American small businesses to keep plugging away to follow their dreams. When we care about other Americans, we care about our communities; and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn't imagine.

THIS is the new American Christmas tradition.

Forward this to everyone on your mailing list. Post it to discussion groups. Throw up a post on Craig’s List in the Rants and Raves section in your city. Send it to the editor of your local paper and radio stations, and TV news departments. This is a revolution of caring about each other. Isn't that what Christmas is about?

I'm down with this. If you are too, pass it along.  

Cheers,

Leon

I'm going to refer back to Teddy on this one...

29 hours in; after encountering less then ideal circumstances, not  the least of which were currents pushing her 15 miles off course, she called it a day....


http://www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/08/09/nyad.103.mile.swim/index.html?hpt=hp_c1


Reading the news, and some of the more negative comments to this story, some folks were terming this effort a "FAIL". 


I am reminded again of that Teddy Roosevelt quote that is a favorite of ours over at Project Badger...


"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat."


God, Bless. You are an inspiration, Diana.

Cheers,
Leon

Kickstarting the Badger

As some of you may recall "The Badger" is our Royal Enfield Bullet based, ACE Fireball powered, street legal/vintage racer experiment. The project continues to generate interest and enthusiasm as we get set to hit the road, embarking on our season's race program.

Kickstarter is an internet based, community oriented funding platform for many types of creative projects. Team Badger member, Peter Raymond, wanted to try and employ Kickstarter to help fund the film project he is heading up. 

Pete and his team put together a kick ass trailer; and, by golly, we're live.

Yes, $22.5K is a lot of money to try and raise. The amount was arrived at by Pete and his film team after budgeting out their costs of filming over the course of the Summer. These funds are for the film project exclusively, and will not be funding the bike or the race program. If I thought racing was expensive, the movie thing ain't cheap either.

Keep up to date with the Badger's progress, here:

Bullet Proof Badger, the Diary

Of course I'm biased, but ..... Please help support a great project. Thanks.

Cheers,

Leon

Hammarhead Industries in Cycle World

Here's a real nice Cycle World piece featuring good friend of Cycle Icons, Hammarhead Industries, and their Jack Pine.  The bike gets put through its paces, and truly seems in its element. Way to go, James!

Happy Birthday, Cycle Icons!

I'm told 5 years is a bit of a milestone in business; with the vast majority not seeing the end of their first year, and the odds getting even worse during the second. Throw in the "Great Recession" for a little extra challenge.  It's been a helluva ride. Good, bad, and ugly. But I'm either too stubborn or too stupid to give up. Probably a combination of the two. Though the road has been bumpy at times, it's smoothing out, and I'm looking forward to Cycle Icons having a break out year. I'd like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all my great customers, friends, and supporters who have helped make these past five years not only possible, but have made them the most rewarding of my career.  Most of all a big thanks to my wife, CJ, who Lord knows has hung in with Cycle Icons through thick and thin. Couldn't a done it with out ya' Honey!

Cheers,
Leon

18th Annual Gathering of the Nortons, April 17, Washington's Crossing Park, PA

This event started 18 years ago with eight guys on Nortons, getting together on a rainy Sunday morning. It just keeps getting bigger and better every year; but still keeps a nice, cool, low key vibe. Always oodles of great bikes, stuff you don't see everyday. Truly something for everybody. The bikes in attendence totally run the gamut. Which is the way I like it. And it's gotta warm your heart to see stuff like Vincents and Laverdas out and on the road, where they belong.

In no particular order, or merit; a smattering of stuff that caught my eye.

You like Vincents? There were at least two, or was it three Black Shawdows? And a Comet to round it out.

Gotta love those '60's Triumph colors.

Some engine porn.

Couple of non-bike pieces.

Nice ass.

I was hoping I was going to see this bike. '75 Commando.  I consigned it to its new owner in Fall of '09. At the time; a super low mileage (1300), one owner example, that had been in storage since 1978. Resurrected, gussied up, and out on the road, soaking up the sunshine. Now has 2400 on the clock and counting, and the new owner loves it.

All in all, a lovely way to spend a lazy late Sunday morning in the Spring time.

Cheers,

Team Badger, a.k.a The Island of Misfit Toys.....

The core is in place, and I am very proud to present,

Team Badger:

Leon Stanley: Project Manager, Beverage Procurement.

Peter Raymond: Project Architect, Promotional Director, Media Liaison. Stu Carter: Racer and Badger Pilot. 

Sumanth "Chumma" Janardhan, Tom Lyons, Ace Engineering LLC: Ministers of Power, Performance bits, Engine Builder.

Corey Lloyd, Lloyd Vintage: Strategic Partner, Parts Support.

Mark Rounds: Art Director.

Ron Truch: Team Photog and Documentarian.

Cathy Jo (CJ) Mugavero: Hospitality and Catering.

With the team in place, Project Badger is past feasibility study and on the drawing board. Also with this team there is no doubt in my mind we going to have one hellava good time.

So, synergy is Team Badger's middle name. And yes, sponsorship opportunities are available!

Cheers,