I've got a bell.

[toad]

My riding buddy Jerry L. (26 yrs. AA), yesterday gave me a bell for my bike. On it is written "In memory of our fallen hero's."

We rode to Eureka Springs Arkansas Friday in 40 degree temps and drizzle rain. The occasion was AA's "Spring Time In The Ozarks." The sun came out Saturday and Sunday with upper 70's.There were 2,400 AA's in attendance, it was awesome indeed. I caught 4 different circuit speakers, fellowshipped with many friends, went to a dance Friday and Saturday nights, rode on some of the most beautiful rides in Arkansas, and probably gained 5 pounds.

Anyone else have a bell?

[chris k]

sounds like a great time!

[BillJ]

All mine have bells. The shovel's had one for years - a tiny brass bell from a Christmas card I received. Someone gave it to me, so that counts, right? A program friend gave me a Celtic one for my AA birthday, so I might have to swap 'em out.



We put one on the Beemer right after we bought it. Same with the FXR. Both were gifts from Jackie.

The Bagger had a bell on it when I got it. It's off right now, while I'm working on the bike, but I'll put it back on before the bike leaves the garage.

Wish Jerry a happy b-day for me!

[Hurricane]

Wish I could have made it Toad, glad it was fun for all.
A friend in the program gave me a bell a few years ago.

[toad]

Originally Posted by chris k

sounds like a great time!

I pray all is well with you Chris. Have you ever been to Spring Time in the Ozarks? There were many there from your area. I miss your input to the forum.

Remember the guy I talked to you about that needed a contact? He never called anyone and continued to use and drink on the road. He wrecked his semi in Oklahoma and spent several days in the hospital. He now has a local job and is not driving over the road. He and I went through the steps, up to eight, and last thursday I had the honor to give him a 90 day chip. Man I love the newcomer...........I see myself in them and that keeps me from experiencing AA bigshotism. My greatest achievement up to today, is simple sobriety, nothing more, nothing less..............thanks for letting me share.

[Freedom1990]

My inkslinger had a bell, don't know if he still has it. He's only got one leg, and got tired of the shovel being hard with an artificial leg, so he rides a trike now.

[chris k]

Originally Posted by toad

I pray all is well with you Chris. Have you ever been to Spring Time in the Ozarks? There were many there from your area. I miss your input to the forum.

Remember the guy I talked to you about that needed a contact? He never called anyone and continued to use and drink on the road. He wrecked his semi in Oklahoma and spent several days in the hospital. He now has a local job and is not driving over the road. He and I went through the steps, up to eight, and last thursday I had the honor to give him a 90 day chip. Man I love the newcomer...........I see myself in them and that keeps me from experiencing AA bigshotism. My greatest achievement up to today, is simple sobriety, nothing more, nothing less..............thanks for letting me share.

All is well. Ive been back to work since March 27. There is a confrence in MO in Aug (I think), Jennifer H from ODAAT group in Plano is talking. She has been a friend of ours for about 15 years. We may ride up for the confrence. I will make a point to read the flyer tonight when Im at the group and report the details.
Glad to hear your buddy is doing well. TTFN
PS My bike has a bell, a friend gave it to me while I was in the hospital after the crash on the streetglide, it had a bell too.

[recoveringnky]

Yep, my Honda has a bell as well. My AA buddy got it for me when I got my bike. I got his for him as well. I'll try to post a pic tomorrow. It's beautiful!

[toad]

Originally Posted by chris k

All is well. Ive been back to work since March 27. There is a confrence in MO in Aug (I think), Jennifer H from ODAAT group in Plano is talking. She has been a friend of ours for about 15 years. We may ride up for the confrence. I will make a point to read the flyer tonight when Im at the group and report the details.
Glad to hear your buddy is doing well. TTFN
PS My bike has a bell, a friend gave it to me while I was in the hospital after the crash on the streetglide, it had a bell too.

That would be the Summer Hummer in Joplin. It is the last weekend in August. We will be back from Iron Horse, and I plan to attend. It is a very good convention. Possibly Hurricane and I could plan on meeting up with you? It would be cool if the Hammer would ride south for it also.

[The_Hammer]

My brother and sponsor; IcePick bought Mertyl's bell. Yep, I gots one too toad.

[BillJ]

Originally Posted by chris k

the streetglide, it had a bell too.

The bell only protects against gremlins that cause mechanical malfunction. Doesn't help at all against pavement, cagers, and other dense objects! :rof

[The_Hammer]

Originally Posted by toad

I pray all is well with you Chris. Have you ever been to Spring Time in the Ozarks? There were many there from your area. I miss your input to the forum.

Remember the guy I talked to you about that needed a contact? He never called anyone and continued to use and drink on the road. He wrecked his semi in Oklahoma and spent several days in the hospital. He now has a local job and is not driving over the road. He and I went through the steps, up to eight, and last thursday I had the honor to give him a 90 day chip. Man I love the newcomer...........I see myself in them and that keeps me from experiencing AA bigshotism. My greatest achievement up to today, is simple sobriety, nothing more, nothing less..............thanks for letting me share.

toad, this aint the right place for it, but I wanna know how Jimmy W is doin? Tell him I think of him and pray for him when I do.

[The_Hammer]

Originally Posted by toad

That would be the Summer Hummer in Joplin. It is the last weekend in August. We will be back from Iron Horse, and I plan to attend. It is a very good convention. Possibly Hurricane and I could plan on meeting up with you? It would be cool if the Hammer would ride south for it also.

If yer askin, I'm ridin, God willin and the creek don't rise.

[Rodney]

Originally Posted by BillJ

The bell only protects against gremlins that cause mechanical malfunction. Doesn't help at all against pavement, cagers, and other dense objects! :rof

Thats not what I learned about freedom bells!
they are to keep road gremlins away and if the bell is given to you the power of the bell is doubled.
Mine was given to me and has worked for me so far. Knock on wood...

Have you noticed that some riders have a bell hanging off their motorcycle frame or handlebars? Have your wondered what the purpose is? The story goes like this… That little bell is more than decoration, it’s said they ward off “gremlins”, also known as evil road spirits. Some say these evil road spirits are responsible for that old lady in the minivan cutting you off in traffic. Or, all of a sudden your bike is having trouble shifting smoothly, your battery goes dead, an oil spill appears out of nowhere, you hit a patch of black ice, etc… Once the “Gremlin Bell” is on your bike the “Gremlins” get caught in the hollow of the bell and then fall to the road, keeping you safe. Legend says that if you receive a bell as a gift it’s protection power is doubled.

[BillJ]

Originally Posted by Rodney

Thats not what I learned about freedom bells!
they are to keep road gremlins away and if the bell is given to you the power of the bell is doubled.
Mine was given to me and has worked for me so far. Knock on wood...

Well, in that case, Chris K.'s must have been defective. Chris, tell whoever gave you your bell they owe you a Street Glide!

[Rodney]

yep could be!
Then damm gremlins {for me anyway} seem to stay away for the longest time then one after another after another they peak their slimy little heads up and cause all sorts of havoc and pain upon me but ya know what? since me and the drink have parted ways things have been much smooooher

I better quit talking I feel a flat tire coming ;(

[BillJ]

Originally Posted by Rodney

since me and the drink have parted ways things have been much smooooher

Yeah, it's gone that way for me, too! Funny how that works!

[chris k]

Originally Posted by BillJ

Well, in that case, Chris K.'s must have been defective. Chris, tell whoever gave you your bell they owe you a Street Glide!

The gremlins didnt get me. It was a 17 yr old with no drivers license.

[toad]

Originally Posted by Rodney

since me and the drink have parted ways things have been much smooooher
(

So true. The road used to be rough and full of holes, but as I began to take the program of AA serious, get a sponsor and work the steps, the road has smoothed out. I still hit a bump now and then. The difference is that now it is managable, and I am able to find the right direction to head.

"We will intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us."
(Alcoholics Anonymous page 84)

[Freedom1990]

Originally Posted by toad

So true. The road used to be rough and full of holes, but as I began to take the program of AA serious, get a sponsor and work the steps, the road has smoothed out. I still hit a bump now and then. The difference is that now it is managable, and I am able to find the right direction to head.

"We will intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us."
(Alcoholics Anonymous page 84)

Thank you for quoting one of the promises out of the Big Book! This has come up several times over the past two weeks at our AA group.

When I look back over the years in my recovery, I can truly see where that promise has indeed come true for me.