Friday, July 04, 2014

 

A decade ago this week, the Superbike Blog was born



And oh so much has changed in the past ten years. I've lengthened and shortened the focus of this blog several times since July 2004, going from racing to rider rights to moto-related politics to even off-topic matters. Most recently, it has become a showcase for those silly little motovlogs I've been making. The Superbike Blog has always been, and will continue to be, a reflection of my two-wheeled whims and fancies as I enjoy a life made richer by the inclusion of motorcycles and motorcycling.

Along the way, the Superbike Blog has several times made an impact on the moto-sphere. It has been quoted and referenced by Wikipedia, Kawasaki USA, the American Motorcyclist Association, Harley Davidson, and others. It has also been an effective instrument in helping kill bad motorcycle legislation in Texas; most recently, the striking down of HB2470, a highly discriminatory anti-sportbike bill known as Malorie's Law. And while Malorie's Law eventually passed within the context of a different bill, it was only a useless and anemic namesake law in its final version. For those small victories and influences upon motorcycling, I am humbled and thankful.

Throughout the years, I have managed to stay true to my decision never to monetize this blog. I've watched closely the damage that advertiser influence has caused to the print moto-journalism industry over the past 20 years, and I always wanted to make sure I was free to express any opinion or observation herein without an ad client telling me to tone things down or amp things up. Hopefully, that attempt at some purity of heart hasn't gone unnoticed.

I've also made a few mistakes along the way. Namely, I was awfully hard on AMA Superbike uber-champion Mat Mladin during his height as a racer. Despite his unbelievable level of talent, Mat was most times a cocky, unlikeable character –– and I fed way too much on my personal dislike for his demeanor in my writings. Mat, if you're still out there (and assuming you even care), I'm sorry about how rough I was on you. In retrospect, the end of your amazing career still echoes today in the effective demise of the AMA Superbike Series. I'm not ashamed to admit that I now miss you and the old gang (Bostrom, Yates, DuHamel, etc.) greatly. There will never be another era in American Superbike like yours.

As for what the future holds here at the humble little Superbike Blog, who knows? I guess I'll see which directions the winds of the moto-world blow and hoist a sail when the urge hits me. In the meantime, thank you for a decade of attention as I continue to figure out just exactly what it is I'm trying to do here. Blessings to you all.