A Hero ? Maybe

Re: A Hero ? Maybe

feeds@yuku.com (Aussiedav) — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 17:09:50 GMT

As per our phone chat Rick I agree and never for a moment took a fence or a gate.

Re: A Hero ? Maybe

feeds@yuku.com (st1300) — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 12:29:32 GMT

On the Legend note.

Sorry Davo, I was unaware that Kawasaki used this term in relation to you in advertising. It wasn't taking a swipe at you if that's how it came across.

I'm viewing it in the context of our (tongue in cheek) very inspirational, very skillful (maybe not in life skills or conduct) sport's "stars".

These people are all to often labelled "legends". But that a whole new thread I guess.

...

Re: A Hero ? Maybe

feeds@yuku.com (Aussiedav) — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 10:50:55 GMT

On the ride to Busso I showered the afternoon before I left and dressed at just after midnight.

I only removed my helmet a over the next 2.5 days, I kid you not. I didn't even take my boots off to sleep in my tent the 2 nights on the road. Fortunately it wasn't hot.

Well said Mick. I write my reports/stories for me, if others enjoy them so be it. My son just did a school project and showed me this morning, seems I am his hero and that is what makes me happy.

Re: A Hero ? Maybe

feeds@yuku.com (MIXR) — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 10:44:38 GMT

I did a big ride a couple of years ago and wrote about it and posted a number of photos on another forum. It was a life-changing experience for me, and set my direction for future rides in my life. I didn't think much more of it. It was a personal achievement that was mine to enjoy and I had shared that enjoyment with a group of casual aquaintences. About a year later, I accidentally started corresponding with a young woman from the other side of the world about motorcycling. She was into...

Re: A Hero ? Maybe

feeds@yuku.com (Bandit12) — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 10:36:30 GMT

bought gas someplace in Mississippi, and I think the girl attendant thought I was a vagrant. Using some imagination, and you can picture what she saw. I hadn't taken my helmet off for about 700 miles and my hair appeared to have been combed with a cake mixer. My face had all these black smudges where I'd sweated and rubbed dirt around on it. I hadn't changed pants since the start of the rally. I was squatting on the sidewalk, eating cold sphagetti out of a can with my pocket...

Re: A Hero ? Maybe

feeds@yuku.com (Aussiedav) — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 10:02:04 GMT
On the note of legend.

Kawasaki Australia used that word a lot in their media blurbs about me and my rides, I was never comfortable with it and said so a number of times. But its just marketing and if you read it like that knowing the person I think it works out..

Ed Otto is a legend in the area of long distance riding, a man who has achieved many things. But he did it for himself, not others. There is what I think an interesting discussion on this on the IBA forum just...

Re: A Hero ? Maybe

feeds@yuku.com (Bandit12) — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 07:14:23 GMT

I think that not many people would consider him a "hero" in the true sense of the word, certainly determined etc....

What I do see is a bit of media sensationalising, ramp it up a bit to get more attention, because attention makes money. No different from Casey Stoner being a "hero" really, it's more a media hype than people believing it to be true. Even Ed Otto tried to play it down!

But you have to admire the man, for being gutsy and a little...

Re: A Hero ? Maybe

feeds@yuku.com (st1300) — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 06:25:15 GMT
I'm with you on this Russell.

Two words used too loosely these days are "Hero" and "Legends".

The use of "hero" here belittles the real hero/heros.

He's just a motorcyclist for shit sake fulfilling his own (in this case(and like us)) selfish (do for ourselves and not for others) goals with pyshical and mental challengers.

Impressive and inspirational.....Absolutely.

Ok. I'm off the soap box. My 2 cents...

Re: A Hero ? Maybe

feeds@yuku.com (Aussiedav) — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 19:50:37 GMT
Rus I agree with the use of the word hero, what I liked was how the guy summed up what we do.

When we ride, we're just doing what we love. To us, it is nothing special. It's just what we do an expression of who we are. But to an outsider, motorcycles are an unknown in their lives.

Re: A Hero ? Maybe

feeds@yuku.com (rusjel) — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 19:12:24 GMT
Another crack at what I was trying to get across:

he⋅ro /ˈhɪəroʊ/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [heer-oh] Show IPA Pronunciation

-noun, plural -roes; for 5 also -ros. 1. a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities.
2. a person who, in the opinion of others, has heroic qualities or has performed a heroic act and is regarded as a model or ideal: He was a local hero when he saved the drowning child.
3. the principal male...

Re: A Hero ? Maybe

feeds@yuku.com (rusjel) — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 19:04:31 GMT
A hero? Hmmm

Impressive? Tick

Something I admire for the challenge and perseverence? Yep!

Would these guys be role models for me? Heck yeah!

Heroic? No way. Forgive me Davo, maybe I'm taking you too seriously, but after I been where I've been and seen what I've seen I reckon that word is over utilised in our culture.

But what that guy did was seriously cool and I'm so glad we motorcyclists are the kind of free spirits that...

A Hero ? Maybe

feeds@yuku.com (Aussiedav) — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 15:00:44 GMT
Just an interesting read on doing what we love.

In prep for the IBR I have been reading everything ever written about the rally. I read this before but just reread it.
Taken from here: LINK

Ed Otto rode a Honda 250cc Helix in the 1995 IBR and finished.
___________________________________________________

I am happy to report that, with superhuman effort, Ed...