If you’re a member of Bikers Against Child Abuse, you know what the 100 mile ride is. Each year, we get pledges, however we can, and ride at least 100 miles for child abuse awareness.

Last year, My president and friend Shots volunteered us to do it this year. we’re in the southernmost part of the state, and it made sense. We’ve prepped all year for it.

So friday, my brothers and sisters started riding down. From Moab, from Ogden, from Salt lake, From Tooele and every where else. Someone from at least 10 chapters showed up. We drank whiskey, beer and tequila in my garage, and the next morning we headed out to do our 100 mile ride. At least 100 patches. At least 170 bikes total.

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I don’t know shit from shinola.   I’ve made a conscious decision my whole life to be loyal to my wife and family, learn as much as I can, and become more than I am.     Life is deep to me, and its deep to alot of people.

All I know, is that seeing 200 or men and women, with background checks and a commitment ride through my town was moving to me.   We’re an army.   BACA is the answer to the plague of child abuse.   My mission in that area is clear.

Wife took this one as well, she’d found the tour pak vodka at that point:

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I’m not a joiner. I didn’t join the band club, I didn’t run for class president, and I am not a member of the Elks. I’m not in to just joining a cause because it’s a place to meet people and be social. To be honest, I hardly care. In fact, I don’t care. I’ve been lucky enough to meet a girl with my same dreams, and I’ve got three beautiful and daughters that are in my charge whom I love. Everything beyond that is a bonus.

I also love riding motorcycles. Ever since I first tasted riding 20 years ago, I knew it was part of my soul. A perfect day to me is riding a thousand miles exhausted to a place I’ve never been to on a friday, and spending the next two days riding home. Riding is the closest thing to beauty and maybe even sanity that I’ve ever known. On the road, the answers to life come rushing in when you’re on two wheels with the wind in your face. I could spend the rest of my life experiencing that and trying to describe it, and probably never ever pin that down. I hope to spend the rest of my life trying.

I also have come to realize that Innocence is a rare thing. You’re not and I’m not. We all have things we may be ashamed of, guilty of, and could be wrong of. There’s two sides to every single story. Every divorce, every disagreement, every misunderstanding & argument, every business deal. We all make mistakes that weigh on us, and we try and improve and become better people. Sometimes we do, and some times we don’t. Thats just life. It is what it is.

Except kids. Like George Burns said in the movie “Oh God!” : “kids have enough to do just being themselves”. Kids are the only thing that is innocent in this world. They trust us, they need us. It’s innate in them. They just expect us, as adults to keep them safe. I love their resiliency and optimism. We need more of that in the world. Kids are the only thing that are pure and innocent. They also can’t escape us if we violate that trust.

But there are some worthless fucks in this world who don’t care about that. They’re one in a thousand, but they’re out there. They are for themselves to an extreme. There are some who could give a shit about the beauty of who we all once were, and who we should all aspire to be. These are the self indulgent cowards in the night who would rob that innocence. These men and women are my enemy. These children are my hero’s.

The BACA creed says it all for me. I’ll do WHATEVER it takes to keep these kids safe. No child Deserves to live in fear. If I’m the only obstacle, I’ll be that obstacle. The men and women I serve gladly with are my brothers. This is not the glee club, the Lions, or the welcome wagon. We are not here to brighten your day, not be rough around the edges or sell you things. We are here to protect your children. We swear, we ride like madmen and we are not what society would call “refined” or civilized, but we will do our job. We’ll make abused kids laugh, smile and at the end of the day, they’ll feel safe because they’ll believe when we tell them we’ll keep them safe. Only then will we sleep.

Riding a motorcycle may kill me one day. I am prepared for that, and I’m 100% fine with that. I love riding, and a life without riding isn’t living to me. I take the same approach with BACA and protecting these kids. I’d die in the line of duty with my kids, and with yours. Nothing in my life will ever compare to the work I do with B.A.C.A. I’m not in it to act like a bad ass, be in a club or wear colors. It takes my time, breaks my heart, and costs me money. But I can’t ignore it. It needs to be done and I can’t be neutral now. Only cowards are neutral to child abuse.

This is my patch:  I have earned it.   I will keep earning it.   Whatever it takes.

I am a proud member of bikers against child abuse. This is my fire.

Did some horse trading the last few weeks with a tattoo shop in Las Vegas.      Went built him a web site, and went down to meet the owner to check him out.   Great guy, and a biker to the core.

now I have 2 things over my heart, in Ink:   My wife and kids names, Scotland, and B.A.C.A.

My B.A.C.A. Tattoo. Keeps me committed and focused.

One of my B.A.C.A. sisters in northern Utah sent me this the other day.    Really moving story about how B.A.C.A. helped her abused daughter.

I love my brothers who’ve taken the commitment to do whatever it takes….. and I mean whatever it takes, to keep abused kids safe.      They  refused to leave when the cops showed (the abusers Father was a cop and set that up), and B.A.C.A. didn’t budge.  They stood their ground, and a child stands strong because if it.    We help them get therapy, protect them when theyre scared, and empower them to move on.

Heres how baca works:

This morning first thing, our B.A.C.A. chapter went and made a presentation at the Local Chapter of the Exchange Club. Shots, our president did a great job of telling them about who we are and what we do. I’ll be honest, most people in my club don’t know that I have a lot of experience public speaking and I’m chomping at the bit to speak publicly about B.A.C.A. I’ve spoke in front of hundreds if not close to thousands of people before, and I love it. Someday, hopefully, Ill get my chance.

Anyway, my president did a great job and we found a great ally against child abuse in the Exchange club. Their platform is against child abuse as well, and they were very gracious. I’m really looking foward to working with them in the future.

The posted in on their blog: http://sgexchange.blogspot.com/2009/07/baca.html

Mrs Zip sent me a text when the mail came, and apparantly I got a package from the Iron Butt Association:

I also got a pin which I have already put on my vest.  I’m a bit proud to be part of the Iron Butt Association.   I’ll be more proud when I’m patched into B.A.C.A.     Maybe the proudest I’ve ever been.   I’ve never felt more aligned with an organization than Bikers against Child Abuse.    It fills my thoughts more often than not.   I really want to make a difference there.

Every year, for the last several Years, Our chapter of Bikers Against Child Abuse has  given away a bike each year to raise money for abused kids.   Last year we raised about $50,000.00, every penny of which goes to help abused children.   We’re a 100% volunteer and non-profit organization, and we make a difference.  I’ve seen it in these kids eyes who we take care of and adopt.    First time we visit them, they’re terrified and don’t trust anyone.   You can’t blame them.   We make them feel safe, because they know we’ll do whatever it takes to keep them safe, and they know it.   I’m B.A.C.A.  for life.

Here’s our bike this year:

Sweet Ride. Custom 2008 Electra Glide Classic

Its a 2008 Electra Glide classic customized and Donated by Legends Vintage Motorcycles out of Springville Utah.   It’s a phat bike.

We’re asking for $10.00 donations per ticket, every penny of which goes to help abused kids.     You don’t need to be present to win.   If you win, I’ll store it till you can come pick it up and will show you the best rides in southern Utah.    If you have time, I’ll show you the best parts of Route 66.

Last year we gave away a custom road king, but I think this year we have an even better looking bike if that’s possible.  The drawing is on Saturday, November 7th in Mesquite Nevada, and if you can make it we have a great time.   If you can’t, either way you can’t lose:  If you get the bike, its obvious.  You get a really kick ass bike that turns heads.  If you don’t, you help abused kids get therapy or help to overcome the bad hand that they’ve been dealt.    I’d love it if you’d help out.

Tickets are $10 a piece, and if you donate I’ll email you a scanned picture of your ticket and will enter the hopper to win the drawing on november 7th.   Remember you don’t need to be present to win. This bike is easily worth 25 grand.

Donate if you can.

Sidenote:  Iron Butt Countown:  13 Days.