#Harley Owners Group Rally

[ijustwant2ride]

Day Two of the Great Smokey Mountains HOG Rally

Day two started out bright and sunny with a heavy dew.  We had our motorcycle seat cover on so our butts would be dry in the seats, and the dew made it easy to wipe away the many bugs splats from the previous day!

[school56df]

The World of Motorbikes: A Comprehensive best touring motorbikes for long rides

Introduction to Motorbikes

Motorbikes, or motorcycles, are two-wheeled cars that have captivated fanatics for over a century. Best touring motorbikes for long rides they provide a unique blend of freedom, adventure, and performance. From day by day commuting to thrilling rides across scenic routes, motorbikes serve diverse purposes and cater to various alternatives. This article explores the different sorts of motorbikes, their history, the way of life surrounding them, and the technological improvements shaping their destiny.

A Brief History

The concept of motorbikes dates returned to the past due nineteenth century. Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach are credited with developing the first fuel-powered bike in 1885. This early version, referred to as the "Reitwagen" (riding vehicle), laid the muse for future traits. The early twentieth century saw the upward thrust of iconic manufacturers like Harley-Davidson, Indian, and Triumph, which contributed to the popularization of motorbikes.

Types of Motorbikes

Motorbikes come in diverse sizes and styles, each designed for particular purposes. Here are some commonplace types:

Standard Bikes Also called bare motorcycles, preferred motorcycles are flexible and appropriate for various driving situations. They function an upright driving function, making them snug for day by day commuting and quick journeys.

CruisersCharacterized by means of their low seat top and relaxed driving role, cruisers are perfect for lengthy, leisurely rides. Harley-Davidson is synonymous with this category, supplying fashions that exude style and comfort.

Sport BikesBuilt for pace and agility, recreation bikes have a ahead-leaning using position. They are designed for high performance, with effective engines and advanced suspension systems. Brands like Yamaha, Kawasaki, and Ducati are renowned for their game motorcycles.

Touring Bikes

These bikes are designed for lengthy-distance tour. They come geared up with snug seats, big gas tanks, and ample storage space. Touring motorcycles often characteristic superior electronics and infotainment systems for an greater riding experience.

Dual-Sport Bikes: Combining functions of both on-street and rancid-road motorcycles, twin-recreation bikes are versatile and adaptable. They have a higher floor clearance and durable suspension, making them appropriate for various terrains.

Dirt Bikes: Specifically designed for off-road riding, dirt bikes are lightweight and rugged. They have knobby tires, long suspension tour, and minimalistic bodywork to handle hard terrains.

Motorbike Culture

The motorcycle tradition is wealthy and various, with fans forming near-knit groups global. Here are a few factors that define this way of life

Clubs and GroupsMotorbike golf equipment, which includes the Harley Owners Group (HOG) and the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA), bring riders collectively. These clubs organize activities, rallies, and rides, fostering a sense of camaraderie.

Motorbike Rallies Events like Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, Daytona Bike Week, and the Isle of Man TT are iconic inside the bike international. They entice thousands of riders, offering a platform for showcasing bikes, carrying out competitions, and celebrating the motorcycle lifestyle.

Customization and Modding: Customizing motorbikes is a widespread aspect of the lifestyle. From modifying engines and exhausts to developing unique paint jobs and adding accessories, riders frequently personalize their bikes to mirror their personalities.

Motorbike Media: 

Magazines, TV indicates, and on line platforms devoted to motorbikes provide fanatics with news, evaluations, and tales. Publications like "Cycle World" and suggests like "American Chopper" have a big following.

Technological Advancements

The motorbike industry has visible significant technological advancements over the years. These improvements enhance overall performance, protection, and rider revel in. Some remarkable tendencies consist of

Electric Motorbikes: With the global push towards sustainability, electric motorbikes are gaining popularity. Brands like Zero Motorcycles and Harley-Davidson (with their LiveWire model) are leading the way. Electric bikes offer instant torque, quieter rides, and reduced emissions.

Advanced Safety Features: Modern motorbikes come equipped with advanced safety features such as anti-lock braking systems (ABS), traction control, and cornering ABS. These technologies enhance rider safety by preventing skids and ensuring better control.

Smart Connectivity: Integration of smart technology allows riders to connect their bikes with smartphones and other devices. Features like GPS navigation, music controls, and real-time diagnostics are becoming standard.

Adaptive Suspension Systems: Advanced suspension systems adjust automatically based on riding conditions. This provides a smoother and more comfortable ride, especially on varying terrains.

Augmented Reality Helmets: Helmets with augmented reality (AR) displays are revolutionizing rider experience. These helmets provide real-time information, such as navigation, speed, and hazard alerts, directly in the rider’s field of vision.

Future Trends

The future of motorbikes seems promising, with ongoing innovations and traits shaping the industry. Some expected tendencies consist of

Autonomous Features: While fully autonomous motorbikes may still be a way off, semi-autonomous features are being explored. These include adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, and collision avoidance systems.

Sustainable Materials: With a focus on environmental sustainability, manufacturers are exploring the use of eco-friendly materials. This includes biodegradable plastics, recycled metals, and sustainable manufacturing processes.

Urban Mobility Solutions: As cities become more congested, motorbikes are emerging as a viable urban mobility solution. Electric scooters and compact bikes are being designed for efficient and eco-friendly city commuting.

Enhanced Rider Training: Advanced rider training programs are being developed to improve safety. Virtual reality (VR) training modules and simulation-based learning are becoming more common.

Integrated Health Monitoring: most fuel-efficient motorbikes for daily commuting future motorbikes may come with integrated health monitoring systems. These systems can track the rider’s vital signs and provide alerts in case of abnormalities, enhancing safety on long rides.

[rcsodak]

Check out this listing I just added to my Poshmark closet: 2008 Harley Davidson, Sturgis HOG Event Harley Owners Group,Motorcycle Rally Pin.

[mattzerella-sticks]

Tales from the Future - Batflash Week Day 1: Wards & Didn’t Know They Were Dating

After a tough mission in the future with the Titans, Damian and Wally discovered something very shocking. They couldn't keep this information to themselves, though, and decided to tell their families - save the very people the information is about.

Will the group of Robins and Speedsters stay focused enough to come up with a plan or realize that the future isn't as bad as they're fearing?

Damian watches Jason casually stroll in through the window, one leg swinging in after the other with practiced aloofness. “Tch,” he scoffs, “nice of you to show up.”

“Buzz off, Bat Brat,” Jason says, squeezing in between Dick and Tim on the couch. “I was busy .”

“Who was busy?” Dick asks.

“Me, I just said -”

“No, who was busy,” he clarifies, leering at Jason. Groans erupt from across the room, Damian hiding his face in his hand. Duke huffs from the armchair, mirroring him.

A smack echoes, Dick cursing. Tim glares from the other side of the couch, frowning. “None of us want to hear about Jason’s sex life.”

“I don’t know,” Dick says, rubbing his head, “I could use a good laugh or two.”

Sighing, Wally steps behind Damian. He turns to face his friend. Wally looks unimpressed, a similar expression to the other speedster guests who joined them this afternoon. The older Wally sits on the other armchair across from Duke, closer to Dick. Bart vibrates around the room, not really staying in one place for too long. “Is this how every meeting starts?”

“No,” Damian admits, “sometimes we do more than slap the other.”

Wally’s eyebrow climbs further up his forehead.

“Okay, everyone, settle down,” Damian calls. His brothers quiet immediately, giving him their attention. “We didn’t assemble to tease Jason.”

“But it’s such a fun team building activity.”

“Fuck you, Bubble Butt.”

“How dare you -”

Another clap silences them again. “Do I have to separate you two?” Damian asks, glancing between the older Robins. They dart their gazes towards one another for a brief second before relenting, a white flag waving from their stations. “Good,” he continues, running his hands across his chest. Smooths invisible wrinkles on his charcoal black button-down. “Now we’ve gathered you all for a reason.”

“A very important reason,” Wally preempts Bart, the latter’s jaw hanging. Offhand comment still cocked in his chamber, pulled from the trigger. “That has to deal with Barry and Bruce.”

Their family sobers immediately at the mention of their respective elders. “Really?” Dick asks, “What is it?”

Damian and Wally glance between themselves, silently discussing who would start. Taking too long, Jason breaks their debate. “Someone just freakin ’ start already!”

Taking point, Damian clears his throat. “We’d finished a mission with Jon, saying our goodbyes to him and his team in the future…”

A mission to the future seemed too early for Damian’s ragtag team of Titans. He could barely get them to stop fighting each other to handle villains of this century, there was no telling how they’d fare against criminals with advanced and alien tech. Yet Jon came for him at an inopportune time. Bubble bursting in during a team meeting, popping out with his friend , Saturn Girl.

“Damian,” he panted, ash smudged across his face, “I need you.”

That was all the convincing needed. Except the moment he set a foot into the time bubble a gust of wind sped past and snatched his wrist.

Wally wouldn’t let Damian leave them, the others gathering round demanding to be brought along. Damian scowled, trying to figure out a quick enough argument to shut the idea down without offending them. Because he promised them he’d be kinder . Kindness cost him dearly, since Saturn Girl gave them a free pass by saying, “Of course you can come along.”

Carried into the time bubble by the incoming stampede, they squished together to travel to the 31st century. He squirmed between Crush and Roundhouse, annoying Wally given the timed puffs of air he breathed through his nose.

“You were tickling my chin,” Wally scoffs, “And it was taking too slow.”

“We were advancing 1000 years in a blink of an eye!” Damian cries, “There’s nothing slow about it -”

“Guys, focus!” Wally says, “What does this have to do with Barry and Bruce?”

“Well, when we got there it turns out this villain had taken control of their head quarters,” Wally says, ignoring his cousin.

A green, floating eyeball paraded around the Legion of Superheroes’ Clubhouse. Members with glowing, verdant gazes stalked the halls like zombies. Unfortunately they proved much more resourceful and smarter than their appearance.

An accidental sneeze from Roundhouse alerted their presence, and heroes descended upon them. Damian found himself holding off a wolf-man with his staff caught in his sharp jaws. When he flipped the beast off him, Damian saw the rest of his team separated and battling in their own small groups. And the eye, watching them. Waiting.

“Its owner entered with fanfare,” Damian tells them, “using this boy who shoots lightning for special effects.”

Tim yawns, “Why does this matter?”

“It does! Now, she entered…”

The Emerald Empress immediately captured Roundhouse with her Eye, trapping him in her spell like all the others. Saturn Girl shouted for them to retreat, falling back towards a secret tunnel. Except on their way Djinn snagged her ankle on a waiting hand, phased through the floor.

“Go!” she says, “I’ll be fine!”

Damian froze, only Wally’s fast reflexes pulling him out from falling debris dropped by a gravity manipulator. They left Djinn and Crush - the latter shoving past Emiko to help the other girl. Behind the shut door of the secret entrance Damian saw emerald light flash and his heart sank.

“This is why you should have stayed in the past,” Damian growled once they snuck far enough away, “Not even five minutes and we’ve already lost half the team!”

“We’ll save them, Damian,” Wally said, a steady calm to the raging storm brewing inside the smaller boy, “We always will.”

“Don’t see how,” Emiko added, the first few words since travelling to the future. “Her Eye looks kitted to the max. Coupled with the heroes she already has under her thrall and the ones we gave her… I don’t think we have much of a chance.”

Damian huffed, “Especially once she combines her Eye with Djinn’s magic -”

“Djinn?” Bart asks, “Who’s Djinn? You keep mentioning her.”

Flushing, Damian glances at the grandfather clock ticking ceaselessly in the lounge. “She’s a team member of ours… very powerful magic, one of our strongest assets, and -”

“Damian’s got a total crush on her.”

He whips his head to glare at Wally, the other boy standing nonplussed. Instead of a smirk, a harsh line cuts across his face. As if his words were more of a tiresome fact than rope to hang him with.

His brothers gladly string him up. Dick coos, “Aw, you’ve got a crush Damian?”

“Thank God,” Jason says, “Maybe you’ll finally get that stick out of your ass.”

“Does this mean we have to chaperone you?” Tim asks, “Because I don’t want to double date…”

Duke leans forward in his seat. “Are we going to ever meet her?”

Damian waves their comments away. “This isn’t about me. And for the record I don’t have a crush.”

Jason scoffs, “Sounds like what someone with a crush would say.”

“I don’t!”

“Jason knows what’s he’s talking ‘bout,” Dick nods, clapping Jason’s shoulder, “Guy’s king of unrequited crushes.”

He brushes Dick’s hand off him. “Fuck you, at least half of them were requited.”

“Sure, and I made it to fifth base with Harley Quinn…”

Bart zips over to Tim, whispering. “What’s fifth base?”

Tim shakes his head. “You don’t want to know.”

Wally pinches his brow, reclining into his armchair. “Can we please get back to the story?”

“I would be glad to,” Damian says, “if people would let me.” Given the floor once more, Damian carries on where he left off.

They regrouped. Jon led them in a motivational speech, every word and gesture oozing small town sensibility. His father would be proud. After he rallied the troops, Saturn Girl presented schematics of the Legion headquarters. Damian and Emiko poured over the holograms, planning their assault. Satisfied with a course of action, the group returned.

Although their plans strayed early on from the course they laid. A few heroes that Saturn Girl thought were off-planet appeared and forced them to separate. Damian and Jon fled down one hallway, followed by a barrage of shrapnel. Cosmic Boy, as Jon told him, barreled their way with a Lantern and an orange lizard-creature at his side.

Jon handled the flankers, Damian keeping Cosmic Boy occupied. With power over metal most of his arsenal was useless, and he dropped it so he wouldn’t be controlled. Instead Damian relied on his training, utilizing the environment to his advantage. Waiting for Leading Cosmic Boy into a narrow hallway, snaking around the metal he pulled. Pushing his reflexes to the limit, Damian dodged each swipe until Cosmic Boy trapped himself in a cage of wires and panels.

Unable to move, Damian rabbit punched him.

Jon dumped his attackers to the floor when Damian returned, and together they advanced to the main room. Regrouping with the others, they stormed where Emerald Empress hid.

More heroes awaited them, guarding their queen while she mixed the emerald energy from her eye with Djinn’s unique purple magic. This timeline’s Doctor Fate underneath like a scale, helping to balance the power.

Knocking away a ball boy into identical triplets, Damian noticed the colors mixing together hideously. Terribly foreboding, a chill shot through his spine. “We need to stop this!” he yelled, tumbling underneath lightning.

Wally wrapped up a talking raccoon and hurled him towards a green-skinned boy. Being the only one who heard Damian, he tracked his gaze to the makeshift throne. “Okay,” he said, “let’s stop this.”

“So?” Bart asks, “How’d you stop it?”

Damian pouts, crossing his arms. “He threw me.”

“What?”

“He threw men,” he repeats, “at the Emerald Empress.”

Wally nods, smiling. “While I dealt with Doctor Fate.”

With those two erased from the equation, it was only Djinn and the Emerald Eye. Their auras swirled in battle for dominance. When it looked like the green would overtake Djinn’s purple, her eyes flashed brilliantly violet and swept over the encroaching light like a tidal wave. Purple energy coursed through the Emerald Eye until it short-circuited and turned grey. It fell to the floor, powerless.

Spell broken, the others woke from their trances. Some moaned with pain while others blinked in confusion. Their friends, Crush and Roundhouse, staggered away from Saturn Girl and Jon while returning to their senses.

“You beat the villain, big whoop,” Jason says, “still don’t see what this has to do with Bats and Flash.”

Wally rolls his eyes. “After the fight, when we were saying our goodbyes to the team…”

Roundhouse bounced between Jon, Saturn Girl, Wally and him, drawing the Legionnaires attention towards him. Asked questions with blazing speed that surpassed their speedster. Jon led him away from the group, Saturn Girl at his side while explaining a few of the concepts to sate his curiosity.

Leaving Wally and Damian open for an ambush.

“Excuse me?” someone cleared their throat behind them, “I… I can’t believe you’re actually here…”

Startled, Damian brandished a bat-a-rang immediately and spun on his heel to attack. Before he could launch his weapon, though, Wally gripped his wrist in an iron vice. “Damian, no ,” he scolded, nodding towards the frightened teenager in front of them, “ friend .”

He glared at the speedster, unrelenting in his combat stance. Wally didn’t back down either.

The newcomer looked between them, nerves dying as each second ticked on by. “Uh… is he gonna put that down?”

“Yes.” “ No .”

Wally sighed, lowering Damian’s hand. “Sorry, we’re a little on edge…”

“Yeah, yeah,” the teen said, “Emerald Empress took a lot out of all of us… your team did a great job.”

Nodding, Damian used his silence to study the newcomer. Recognizes him from their previous battle as the one with lightning powers. If he hadn’t witnessed his powers in action the costume would telegraph immediately what he can do. Lightning bolts mean two things - and he didn’t rush away like any other speedster would when presented with danger. So that meant the only other option was electricity manipulation. “Who are you?”

“Oh, right, uh -” the teen chuckles awkwardly, scratching his head, “the name’s Garth - or, uh Lightning Lad.”

“Cool. I’m Wally, Kid Flash. And my trigger happy friend is Damian -”

“ Robin .”

“...I was getting to that.”

Garth beamed, “I know, I know! I… kinda know a lot about you, actually…”

A chill raced down Damian’s spine at the giddiness crackling across Garth’s face. Being trapped with a fanboy is not what he needed. Wally tensed as well, darting his gaze over in silent communication. However a different emotion flickered behind his eyes, telling Damian to suck up whatever outburst bubbled up inside him. He snapped his jaw shut. Agreeing to play nice only because he felt too tired to cause a scene.

“Hey,” Wally started, “it’s always great to meet a fan -”

“A huge fan,” Garth cut him off, “Like, you’re such an inspiration. I remember growing up, whenever a dust storm tore through our settlement and we’d be locked inside for days , my brother, sister and I would read up on all your classic adventures.” He turns to Damian, “Both of yours.”

“I’m surprised you had time to even read about his ,” Damian smirked, “ my adventures - that have passed and are yet to come - should have been enough entertainment.”

“...Actually you’re featured in a lot of Flash’s stories.”

Damian bristled again, not caring for how Wally’s chest puffed up. Only to deflate slightly, with a sigh. “Looks like I’ll never get rid of you,” he mumbled.

Scoffing, he rolls his eyes. “You’re lucky I still hang around you after all these years…”

Garth chuckled. “Oh, man… the banter is just like they said it’d be.” He bounced where he stood, sparks jumping off his shoulders. “I really can’t believe… you two. Some of the best teen heroes. You are part of the reason I am who I am today. I’ve met Superman and Jon already… all I’ll need for my life to be complete is to meet the originals and I’ll be set!”

“Originals?” Damian asked, “What are you talking about?”

“You know, your mentors. Batman and Flash ,” Garth continued, eyes glowing blue, “Those guys, I mean… Growing up where I’m from there were some pretty strict rules on how to live your life. If you didn’t fit the mold you’d be ignored and cast aside. My brother Mekt… being born without a twin… Anyway, Batman and Flash were in your face with who they were. When they came out they didn’t bat an eye -”

“What?”

Damian and Wally leaned forward with vested interest. “What?” Wally said again, “What do you mean, ‘came out’?”

“When they publicly announced they were dating?” Garth answered, “Well… it’s not like they had a choice, what with that picture in the Gotham Gazette but - hey, they didn’t deny it! That’s…” He stilled, finally noticing the expressions of the others. “You didn’t know? But aren’t you from… wait, what year are you from?”

“2019.”

Garth paled, stepping away from them. “Oh… oh frack . I - I shouldn’t have said that, should I?”

It didn’t matter. The future dropped upon them like a bombshell. Damian’s vision whited briefly until he blinked into awareness once more. Wally’s grip on his wrist tightened, reminding him that throughout the conversation he latched on like a vice. Wrenching free, the bat-a-rang fell with a clatter.

“Please,” Garth whispered urgently, “forget I said anything. Brainy’s all about not interfering with the timeline. If he finds out I outed them he’ll kill me… and that’d really hurt my chances with the guy.” He looked between them. “You don’t have any questions, do you?”

There were a million. Except Jon returned, telling them how it was time the Titans returned to the present. Herded into the time bubble, Wally and Damian didn’t say another word about what they learned. Waiting for the perfect moment to discuss it.

With others who deserved to know.

They watch their family process the information, breath held, waiting for a response.

Bart reacts first. He snorts, drawing all focus to him. A single laugh blossoms into a full-body heave until he tips over the couch, sprawling across Damian’s brothers’ laps. “That’s really funny guys,” he wheezes, “Seriously… amazing.”

Damian scowls. “Why are you laughing?”

“Because it’s not true?”

“We were in the future, Bart,” Wally says, “How can it not be true?”

“Maybe it has to do with the fact that I’m from the future?” he says, “Because I’m Barry and Iris’s grandson . If they somehow didn’t end up together d’you think I’d still be here?”

“Then again,” Tim interrupts, “you are from a timeline that doesn’t exist anymore.”

Bart’s good mood shatters into a million pieces. Pouting, he glares at his friend. “Thanks for reminding me.”

Jason shifts under his heavy weight, rolling Bart off. “So,” he says after the heavy thud , “What are we gonna do?”

“Who says we have to do anything?” Duke says, “It sounds like them getting together is a good thing - hey !” He whacks the pillow thrown at him from its target, his face. Jason, the guilty culprit, looks remorseless. “What was that?”

“You were speaking crazy,” Jason tells him, “How can Bruce dating Barry be any good .”

Dick smirks, folding his arms across his chest. “Wow, Jason. Didn’t know you were a homophobe .”

“Fuck you, it’s not like that.”

“Then what is it?”

Jason sinks into the couch, mirroring his brother. “If Bruce really is gay, bi or… queer than… it’ll be another thing we have in common,” he whines, “The more that happens the sadder I get.”

“Wow,” Dick says, voice thick with emotion. He reaches across to squeeze Jason’s shoulder. “I can’t believe… you actually followed through whenever I told you to suck a dick. I’m proud of you.”

Slapping Dick off him, Jason bares his teeth in a growl. “Keep talking and I’ll show you how I beat Dick .”

“I’d like to see you try.”

Wally zooms from his seat and breaks the two apart, hands firm against their chests. “Knock it off you two, we’re getting distracted from the bigger picture… how to make sure this doesn’t happen.”

“You mean you don’t want to be brothers, Wall?”

He rolls his eyes at Dick’s artificially sweet expression. “Batman’s creepy enough without imagining him all domestic with Barry.”

“Or all sex-like ,” Jason adds, making every wrinkle in the room crease with agony.

Damian shakes the image from his mind, switching back onto the topic at hand. “Now we’ll have to be very careful so they won’t find out we’re on to them -”

“Which’ll be hard,” Tim adds, “they’re two of the best detectives in the world.”

“But they’re only two people,” Wally says, stepping closer to Damian, “we’re a team . Trade shifts - always knowing where they are. Making sure they’re not alone together.”

Wally raises a brow at his cousin. “I bet you want to tell Superman or Wonder Woman, too… have an inside operative during Justice League meetings.”

“...That could work.”

Duke stands with a shout, interrupting the planning. “This is crazy! If Bruce and Barry want to be together than why should we get in the way? It seems like the future’s pretty good when they’re a couple. Are we really gonna get in the way of that?”

His outburst brings an unexpected bout of clarity to Damian’s plans, parting the cloudy skies for sunshine to burst through. Reminded of Garth’s casual openness about himself and his reverence to Damian’s father, he winces.

Like dominoes everyone else sobers into quiet reflection. The energy fueling the crazy planning in the room deflates, letting everyone return to their senses. Damian feels the tightness of his bones over hearing the shocking news finally settle, as if coming to terms with the future.

Dick clears his throat, the first to break the silence. “But if they do get together,” he starts, waiting until he’s found every eye in the room before continuing, “... then Jason won’t be special anymore.”

“That’s it !”

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Bruce adjusts himself on the Batcave’s examination table, eyes fluttering shut as Barry runs careful fingers across his temple. When they stumble over the cut he hisses, a hand darting over to squeeze his.

“Sorry ‘bout that, babe,” Barry says, “that’s one well hidden wound.”

“It’s okay,” he says, “It’s my fault for letting Kite Man get the drop on me.” The mediocre villain swooped in and sliced open his cowl with the tail of his giant kite, catching the Dark Knight in a moment of weakness. If Barry hadn’t been at his side, he would have walked away with much worse.

“I’m surprised he got a few good swings in,” Barry says, dabbing at the cut with some peroxide, “You feeling okay?”

“I’ve… got a lot on my mind.”

Barry pauses, pulling away. Bruce cracks one eye open, frowning at the seriousness weighing on his lover’s shoulders.

“Nothing bad,” he continues, snaking his arms across Barry’s waist to bring him closer. Spreads his legs open so he can fit between them. He nuzzles at his chest, enjoying the frantic heartbeat that is normal for Barry Allen. “I… I’ve been thinking about us and… the future .”

“...Wanna elaborate on that so my mind won’t fill in the blanks?”

Bruce takes a steadying breath, the words rushing from his mouth afterwards. “I want to tell the boys about us.”

An eternity passes in a second, Bruce clinging tight to Barry’s body. Afraid the other man will vibrate free and out of his life. That never happens. Instead the opposite, Barry settles further into the moment. Tips Bruce’s head so he can see the beaming smile on his face.

“What brought this on?”

“I… I just think that we've been really good,” Bruce explains, hating how his nerves easily expose themselves in the tremble of his voice. “And I understood why you wanted to take this slow, in case things don’t work out. It wouldn’t be the first for either of us, to have a relationship fall apart. But everyday you stay by my side and I… I feel different. Better. Happier . And I think the same is true for you. We’re making each other better people. I love you and I love the person you inspire me to be… And I want my family to know.”

Barry offers a wet chuckle, hiding in Bruce’s hair. He kisses the cut he grazed earlier, a few tears trickling into it. Composing himself, Barry straightens in Bruce’s embrace. “I love you, too,” he says, “And if you want to tell your boys then… I want to tell the Flash family, too.”

“Really?”

“We should do it together, actually,” he continues, skin vibrating in excitement, “have some sort of family dinner!”

“They’ll immediately sense something’s up if we do that,” Bruce laughs, “You sure we can’t just call a meeting down here and… rip the band-aid off? In costume?”

Barry rolls his eyes. “Come on, it won’t be so bad. I mean what’s the worst that can happen?”

Bruce readies a response, only the clacking of Alfred’s heels interrupts him. His butler speeds over with anxious haste. “Master Bruce? Barry?”

“Yes Alfred?”

“It’s the boys.”

A headache tickles his head, adding to the pain already camping there. “Which boys.”

“All the boys,” he says, turning to Barry, “even your boys.”

“What?” Barry asks, “What are they doing here?”

“I don’t know, but a fight’s broken out!”

Barry tenses against Bruce. “A fight?”

Bruce, disappointed, sighs while sliding off the table. “What happened?”

“I’m not sure. One moment I was in the kitchen readying dinner and the next I knew there were crashing sounds coming from the parlor. When I got there Duke had a speedster in a headlock, Dick and Wally were fighting, and Jason hung Damian off the chandelier… again .”

Frowning, Bruce fixes his cowl. He looks to Barry, “Looks like family dinner will have to wait.”

Barry shrugs, mirroring him. “I can hope. Besides… that wouldn’t have been very us , would it?” He slips his hand into Bruce’s waiting one, squeezing.

“No it wouldn’t,” Bruce agrees. “Now come on, we have a fight to break up.”

[motosurplus]

Harley Owners Group to begin Lake Superior Touring Rally in Marquette - WLUC

Harley Owners Group to begin Lake Superior Touring Rally in Marquette – WLUC

MARQUETTE, Mich. (WLUC) – The Harley Owners Group, also known as H.O.G., will hit the road next week for a tour around Lake Superior starting in Marquette. This is the group’s sixth touring rally of the year.At least 180 riders will be departing on 120 Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Riders are traveling from 26 states and as far away as California and Texas to embark on the tour.The route will…

[ijustwant2ride]

3113 Mile Harley Davidson Rally (Part 1)

In August we attended the Wild and Wonderful Harly Owners Group (HOG) regional rally centered in Charleston, West Virginia. If this was your first HOG rally, I am afraid it may have been your last as well.  If it was not your first it was disappointing wh

[rcsodak]

Check out this listing I just added to my Poshmark closet: 2008 Harley Davidson, Sturgis HOG Event Harley Owners Group,Motorcycle Rally Pin.

[humblwritr]

It's not just a vehicle, it's a part of the journey, an extension of who you are.

A while ago a friend of mine sent me this image of a Jeep Wrangler with an owner pretty confident about the rarity of his ability to shift through the gears with three pedals while exercising proper control of the vehicle powertrain. Worldwide, the share of manual transmission vehicle sales seems to be on a regression with automatics becoming more cheaply available and new learners wanting to use vehicles more as a tool of transportation than an equipment of automotive joy and pleasure. The number of owners who have the ability to perform an oil change or fix the oft-cited blown off radiator is on a decline. With more and more refusal to acknowledge the availability of the handy little toolkit that remains hidden inside the glove compartment, I believe that the era of pure motorists is ends with the Trump reign this year. With autonomous driving taking over and Teslas being all the rage, ( I would like to state here that I am all for Planet Earth with the rise of electric vehicles but Tesla here shows the ever so sophisticated driver who finds it convenient to call AAA for a flat tire over wrestling with the trusty old jack and once-favoured-now-forgotten spare tire), “the sheer driving pleasure”, as BMW famously opined for it’s M series of cars back in the 90s, is becoming more of a suburban old rider’s tale. Detroit’s golden age was when the Americans spent more time hunched over their engine bays with a makeshift aid light or under them with DIY skateboards, trying to fix the "Check Engine" light which could mean just about anything from an oil leak to a blown engine on their fridays and racing their mettle out on the weekends. That is what made all the brands special. Come to think of it, the brands that we associate with a cult following almost always churned out products that were not mechanically reliable but easily repairable by the fetish-for-big-engines Joe. Harley Davidsons, Corvettes, Mustangs, Range Rovers, Jaguars, Bentleys, Fiats, Aston Martins, Triumph, Royal Enfield, name what else you will. The reliable vehicles seldom made a name for themselves because the owners never bothered to associate with the vehicles humanely. A self respecting HD owner from the coveted Harley Owners Group (Yeah, this trades as a stock) was and still is supposed to know everything from exactly the size of struts used in the wheels of his bike to listening to the timely clicks of the chains that drive the fuel injection for the engine. This is how the scene of customisation evolved after the world war with more and more army men buying the HDs and cutting off/ “Chopping” off the useless parts for a lighter and faster bike which they could illegally race on in the weekends by foraging in the depths of the cranks and boosters to squeeze out a few more horses. This raised the "Chopper Culture" for stripped down bikes, "Tuner Culture", made famous by the F&F movies (Supra Lovers rejoice) and the "Racing Weekends" which further led to opening of drag racing clubs, midnight racing clubs and of course, a few other smaller things you may have heard of like "Rally Racing, F1, Le Mans, Moto GP". All of the successes in present day motorsport can be attributed to the people not being afraid of getting their hands greasy and enjoying the gratification coming from the perfectly tuned engine that took hours of hard labour and a sacrifice of your favourite shirt and a lazy football match holiday. As Automotive Collector Jay Leno once said “It is better for a man to come home to his wife smelling of motor oil and grease than cheap perfume from a hooker”. The resilience of the old folk had a way with their vehicles and they preferred manuals. Why? The manuals with old clutches provide you a way of feeling the entirity of the gearing assembly moving on and about with the engine speed to provide the perfect ratio you need to "Drop a gear, Disappear" past Dave in an automatic Skoda with fancy wood inserts. Manual gearing is an important component of motoring and motoring history.Your multitude of processors and ECUs, even though smart, are never going to be as smart as you while figuring out what the terrain is, either on a racetrack or while off-roading. When taking on the deserts in your brand new off-roading Merc G63 AMG, with more processing power than NASA used to get to the moon, comfortable seats and more ambient lighting than a pub, think about how the same vehicle, stripped down to the bare essentials, has never actually gone a 100% design refresh mechanically since it's launch in the 1970s with a simple goal in mind "Go Anywhere". And when you listen to the stories from millionaire enthusiasts who still use the bare bones G Wagon, you'd know what kind of fun you are missing out on. I believe, the biggest insult one can crown upon oneself as a driver is not knowing the subtleties of the simplest nuances when driving across a ditch. Use the Manual transmission as a metaphor here for being able to take control of your vehicle in all aspects. Replace the punctured wheel, know how to fix an overheating issue, change your wiper blades, headlamps and tail lamps, get your car out of a ditch and try to learn how to use a stick shift. You never know when you may need it. Your car is so much more than a wheeled transportation. It is an extension of who you are and who you dream of being. It's not just a vehicle, it's a part of the journey, an extension of who you are.

[motosurplus]

Harley-Davidson 'HOG' Group To Tour Maryland During Rally In Calvert County - Daily Voice

Harley-Davidson 'HOG' Group To Tour Maryland During Rally In Calvert County – Daily Voice

© 2022 Cantata Media Hundreds of HOGS are heading to Maryland.Harley-Davidson has chosen Solomons in Calvert County as the location for one of their mid-Atlantic Regional HOG (Harley Owners Group) rallies, bringing upwards of 1,500 motorcyclists to the region. The rally begins on Thursday, June 23, and will run through Saturday, June 25, officials from the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office…

[bigggworm7]

I just added this listing on Poshmark: 2012 HOG Harley Owners Group NC State Rally - 3XL.

[darkroseboutique]

I just added this listing on Poshmark: Harley Owners Group 2002 VT/NH State Rally T Shirt.

[ijustwant2ride]

Impact of Harley-Davidson's Woke Image: Rider Sentiments and Loyalty Reevaluation

Across Harleydom many riders are not happy with the direction of the MoCo and their devotion to woke ideology. Here is what I found while attending a HOG Rally.

As I noted in a previous post, in August we attended the Wild and Wonderful Harley Owners Group (HOG) regional rally, centered in Charleston, West Virginia. I had to ask “the” question! Across Harleydom many riders are not happy with the direction of the MoCo and their devotion to woke ideology. Many have debadged or are covering the logos on their motorcycles, others are discarding branded…

[harleydavidsonbikepics]

Central HOG Rally comes to Ardmore ARDMORE, Okla. (KXII) - Ardmore is welcoming about 900 Harley Davidson bikers for the three day Harley Owners Group rally.

[rcsodak]

Check out this listing I just added to my Poshmark closet: 2006 STURGIS Black Hills Motorcycle Rally Harley Davidson Owners Group Pin.

[cohenskicksposts]

I just added this listing on Poshmark: Harley Davidson owners Hannibal Missouri large. #poshmark #fashion #shopping #shopmycloset