Road Runner, RIP, was a motorcycle magazine that had developed a cult like
following, a road test for them was thousands of miles, and that year a few of
the heartiest editors, read that craziest, held a motorcycle rally, in Durango.
The Durango tour, and although the internet has no evidence of it, I still have
a poster tucked away among things that no one else cares about to prove it. But
I met a few of the men involved, who fell in love with the town and the area,
some bought property, some actually made the move, one taught at the local
college, and numerous rides around the area were featured in the magazine. Now
being a small town, our motorcycle community was close knit, and since I was
already involved in that community, I was head of the motocross event in the
Durango Snowdown, I got to meet and hang out at one of the bike shops with
them. As I taught them about the roads and the history of the area, they gave
me a first hand look into the motorcycle industry, which at the time was
thriving. Affordable bikes, plenty of magazines, and now Durango being added to
the list of destinations, it was a great time to ride. In many ways it was
better than a letter to the editor, as I got insight on new models, met reps
from Honda, etc, and was given an education on how the industry works, and where
the motorcycle magazines fit into it. These hallowed books we were mesmerized
by turned out to be businesses, designed to make money, what a blow to our
egos. With some notable lessons learned....
Yamaha had come out and bragged they were going to bury Honda, to which
Honda replied by dropping all their prices, crippling Yamaha enough to almost
bury them. Even the most devoted had a hard time choosing among brands. Turns
out it was true among the magazines too, as one editor from Road Rider explained
the economics of circulation. Cycle was the king, in terms of circulation and
ad prices, while RR was near the bottom, with less than 10% of their
readership. They had to make a decision, either go big or go home, as
subscription reader number dictated ad prices. To add readers was to go more
mainstream, and lose their base, so being the rebels they were, sold the
magazine, took the money and went riding. It was never about the business end
to them, but about the ride, so ended up selling before selling out. Now known
as Motorcycle Consumer News, they exist by subs only, accept no ads, and still
march or ride to a different beat. I have talked with one of their editors, and
they honestly test the bikes, not owing anything to the ad buyers, aka the
manufacturers, and almost invisible today. Personally I rode so many press
bikes for Triumph I could tell if the magazine actually rode the bike, and ad
dollars still run the business. The power of the press only exceeded by the
power of the dollar, for example a few years back a magazine totaled a Honda on
loan. When the were sent a bill for it from Honda, they refused to pay,
bragging on who they were, but forgetting who Honda was. Who immediately pulled
all their advertising indefinitely, almost sinking the magazine. Money still
talks, the love of it still the root of ALL evil. Proven everyday, at least in
the motorcycle world. It may not be what you ride, but who buys the ads that
count.
So I miss Road Rider, honest stories by men who actually rode them and
dared to tell the truth. We will always be a small minority with a small voice,
but that doesn’t mean our message is small. Today if you want to be misquoted,
run out of business, or attacked, share Jesus. Take a stand for him publicly,
and watch as evil thoughts turn to evil actions. Which brings us to 2019, the
year God ahs shown me he will separate the sheep from the goats. For years end
time advocates have warned, or been warned, but now all the signs of them are
speeding up, in greater numbers, and all at once. Now we have hurricane and
tornado seasons, earthquakes in various places, and all sort of evil visible to
us. Where once men had shame over sin, now we have sin displayed publicly,
bragging on itself, proving what Jesus said, “right will be wrong and wrong will
be right.” It doesn’t take a public school education to show something wrong is
going on here. Yet the murmurings go on, “well 2000 years ago Jesus promised to
return, where is the evidence of that?” And I say, look around, to Christians,
who are to represent Jesus here on earth, as ambassadors. To be light and salt
of the earth, to give it flavor. Yet too many hide their light under a barrel,
while others shine their lights on high beam, blinding the ones they should be
lighting the way for. Every man doing what is right in their own eyes, but God
still sees the hearts. Which in Revelation 3, makes Jesus sick enough to throw
up. So where do you stand with Jesus? Maybe it is as what publication you
believe.....
It seems any pastor worth his pulpit has written a book, that his flock
must read if they want to stay in good standing. Some address this issue,
telling their flock to go out as they hide behind a pulpit. Some instruct how
to pray, study, worship, or be a better Christian, all without the guidance of
the spirit. How to books on Jesus. Large churches like large publications need
the money to stay open, and provide endless ways to get us to give, as they
take. Bibles are flashed at church, but left to gather dust at home, while
these books gain popularity. And many wanting to appeal to a larger audience,
aka selling more books, dilute the gospel, or deny Jesus altogether. And when
some believers take their worship and tithes elsewhere, the fellowship that once
depended on God, goes away. Could it be that a lesson learned by motorcycle
mags in the eighties we were on to something?
God has given us his word, the truth to set us free, and to use for
teaching and instruction. It never changes, but man’s versions do. He also
sent Jesus to set us free, to forgive us and to be the church, his body of
believers, not to be religious robots. But finally he left his spirit to guide
us, to comfort and lead, to prove him over and over again everyday. And as the
goats, false followers, are separated from the sheep, the goats make noise, but
sadly the sheep remain silent. We have God on our side, yet some cower in
fear. Maybe a letter to the editor, prayer, God is in order. But more
important, his reply. Given freely, without subscription, truthfully and
honestly. To all who seek, he will be found. Not a matter of numbers, but of a
number, one, and who Jesus is. Not bought and paid for by religion, but by his
blood.
Very few of us read Road Rider, even less remember it. Don’t let Jesus in
your life end up the same way. Many are called, few are chosen, be one of the
many who believe. Maybe try this, Jesus never carried money, had no income or
place to call his own. Take money out of your service and try trusting God.
Many good magazines and businesses have come and gone due to lack of it, too
many relationships with Jesus have suffered over it. Today the Bible is still
the worldwide best seller, with no advertising, no reviews, and no
subscriptions. Is it possible God knows the publishing business too? And you
have access to the publisher and editor....who was there in the
beginning....will be there in the end. Where you end up is up to you. Stick
with the best seller, and avoid the cellar. A lesson learned from riding a
motorcycle, try that one on for size!
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com